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themadmaiden's review
2.0
I'm glad I got this book for like $4 on sale. It sounded like such a cool idea. But it turns out there's no actual mystery at all. You can't solve anything and half the stories are dull.
At least the ones by the authors I knew were enjoyable. Like Lemony Snicket
At least the ones by the authors I knew were enjoyable. Like Lemony Snicket
andreamgc's review
4.0
This book was SO clever. I really enjoyed all the creativity and the originality the book had to offer. All the authors involved did a really great job of adding their own personal touches though I have to admit that now I'm a little terrified of all of them and what they are capable of. ;) I really really liked this book. It was fun, entertaining, mischievous, and all around fantastic.
nightimeband's review against another edition
It was all so similar, and slow and boring. Out of the ~10 I read, there was one funny story. Do NOT recommend. I should've known when I picked it up—the premise was not even that entertaining.
kristyw's review
3.0
I liked it; however, what was funny in the beginning became repetitive after awhile. We get it- Mildew liked smelly cheese and pickles. Kudos to all these creative writers for compiling this anthology, but I would suggest not reading this cover to cover like I did and instead just skimming for your fave authors.
directorpurry's review
3.0
Who Done It? is a quick, light anthology about murder.
Specifically one murder - all the authors are suspects of murdering their editor. Filled with YA stars, you're bound to recognize at least a couple of names from the list of over 80 authors.
Much of this anthology felt like a writing exercise. Each author was given the victim and a place and needed to write their alibi around that. But there was no given cause of death, so it varied from piece to piece. It was fun to read once but I doubt I would feel the need to pick this up again - definitely a grab from your library rather than a purchase. For what it is, short pieces with minimal prompts in a charitable publication, it's enjoyable. But the story isn't that deep and the facts don't overlap. You couldn't "solve" the murder if you wanted to (Which I think would have been a ton of fun!). More to the point, as someone who isn't especially versed in contemporary YA (I'm more of a paranormal YA person tbh.) there were a LOT of names I didn't recognize or had never read. I only knew about 7 or 8 of the authors, where as if I had know 20 or 30, I would have had a really good time.
Overall, it's enjoyable, especially if you're a big fan of any of the authors, but don't go looking for anything too deep.
Specifically one murder - all the authors are suspects of murdering their editor. Filled with YA stars, you're bound to recognize at least a couple of names from the list of over 80 authors.
Much of this anthology felt like a writing exercise. Each author was given the victim and a place and needed to write their alibi around that. But there was no given cause of death, so it varied from piece to piece. It was fun to read once but I doubt I would feel the need to pick this up again - definitely a grab from your library rather than a purchase. For what it is, short pieces with minimal prompts in a charitable publication, it's enjoyable. But the story isn't that deep and the facts don't overlap. You couldn't "solve" the murder if you wanted to (Which I think would have been a ton of fun!). More to the point, as someone who isn't especially versed in contemporary YA (I'm more of a paranormal YA person tbh.) there were a LOT of names I didn't recognize or had never read. I only knew about 7 or 8 of the authors, where as if I had know 20 or 30, I would have had a really good time.
Overall, it's enjoyable, especially if you're a big fan of any of the authors, but don't go looking for anything too deep.
litwithkaylee's review
2.0
I was very disappointed with this book. I like the fact that it is for a good cause and obviously that rocks. However I found that there were to many authors to keep my interest and the story line really didn't go anywhere. The ending especially bothered me because I felt like I had read through this for nothing.
bookwench's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book. And it's not awful, it's just very repetitive and very "insider-y".
It's best read in small chunks. Flip through and read the entries written by the authors you know and like or ones that catch your eye. There's not any plot that weaves through the stories. There are a lot of inside jokes (there's an essay poking at the idea of the YA Mafia which is only funny if you keep up with trends and stories in the ya lit world) I think fall flat unless you really know the authors involved.
If you want to buy it the money goes to good cause. If you just want to read a certain author's entry get it from the library.
It's best read in small chunks. Flip through and read the entries written by the authors you know and like or ones that catch your eye. There's not any plot that weaves through the stories. There are a lot of inside jokes (there's an essay poking at the idea of the YA Mafia which is only funny if you keep up with trends and stories in the ya lit world) I think fall flat unless you really know the authors involved.
If you want to buy it the money goes to good cause. If you just want to read a certain author's entry get it from the library.
beequeue's review
3.0
This book was overall a lot of fun. A very unique premise, told in an interesting way, by a lot of really talented authors. Unfortunately, when you gather 86 authors, give them the same premise with only a few pages to write on that concept, there's going to be a lot of repetition. By the time you're halfway through, you probably won't be introduced to anything new. (A real shame for the authors toward the end of the book.) This probably would get a better response if they had stuck to around 50 authors. That said, it is worth the read, and the organization behind it, 826nyc, deserves the support.
thisfoxreads's review
3.0
This book was written to support a charity. The premise was cute (the writers' obnoxious book editor has been found dead, and they are all suspects--and all seem to have a motive). The authors are YA and children's book authors. I had to give this book a second try--the first time I just couldn't get going on it.
It was a cute, fun read, but I don't think it really knew its audience. Teens aren't going to have experiences with book editors--and of course this one has an over-the-top portrayal. Adults are more likely to appreciate the humor--if not the authors, who will mostly be unrecognizable to them.
I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator did a wonderful job. Read it on a lark.
It was a cute, fun read, but I don't think it really knew its audience. Teens aren't going to have experiences with book editors--and of course this one has an over-the-top portrayal. Adults are more likely to appreciate the humor--if not the authors, who will mostly be unrecognizable to them.
I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator did a wonderful job. Read it on a lark.