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munchkinator's review against another edition
3.0
It was a quick read. I liked the main characters but it was just a bit meh.
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a delightful, unexpectedly excellent read! The Nancys by @rwrmcdonald is a mystery novel but unlike any other I’ve read before.
Tippy Chan is eleven years old and living in a quiet town called Riverstone in New Zealand. Tippy and her mum are still grieving the death of Tippy’s dad a year earlier. Her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon arrive from Sydney to look after Tippy when her mum goes on a cruise. When Tippy’s teacher is found murdered soon after, Tippy, Pike and Devon form the Nancys. Based on Tippy and Pike’s love of Nancy Drew they are determined to be detectives and find the murderer.
Bonding as the Nancys with her uncle gives Tippy something to hang onto instead of the grief she still feels but soon the poking around turns risky. Wrongful arrests and close calls soon put Tippy in danger. But despite all the hurdles Tippy is convinced she must do everything she can to find the murderer.
This is a very unconventional book. A lot of pretty adult things are done and said in front of Tippy, who despite everything is still an eleven year old girl. Which incidentally is the age of my daughter and I couldn’t help but compare them. This element of the book was probably the only thing with which I was not 100% on board. The crude remarks, while often very funny, made me cringe a little as I imagined them being said in front of my daughter.
However the gorgeous quirky relationship and love between Pike and Devon was incredibly heart-warming and their love and care of Tippy was uplifting. What Tippy needs is love and people to believe in her and these characters deliver that in spades.
The Nancys is a murder mystery while also a story of grief and coming to terms with loss. It is also about being different but being OK with that. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
Tippy Chan is eleven years old and living in a quiet town called Riverstone in New Zealand. Tippy and her mum are still grieving the death of Tippy’s dad a year earlier. Her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon arrive from Sydney to look after Tippy when her mum goes on a cruise. When Tippy’s teacher is found murdered soon after, Tippy, Pike and Devon form the Nancys. Based on Tippy and Pike’s love of Nancy Drew they are determined to be detectives and find the murderer.
Bonding as the Nancys with her uncle gives Tippy something to hang onto instead of the grief she still feels but soon the poking around turns risky. Wrongful arrests and close calls soon put Tippy in danger. But despite all the hurdles Tippy is convinced she must do everything she can to find the murderer.
This is a very unconventional book. A lot of pretty adult things are done and said in front of Tippy, who despite everything is still an eleven year old girl. Which incidentally is the age of my daughter and I couldn’t help but compare them. This element of the book was probably the only thing with which I was not 100% on board. The crude remarks, while often very funny, made me cringe a little as I imagined them being said in front of my daughter.
However the gorgeous quirky relationship and love between Pike and Devon was incredibly heart-warming and their love and care of Tippy was uplifting. What Tippy needs is love and people to believe in her and these characters deliver that in spades.
The Nancys is a murder mystery while also a story of grief and coming to terms with loss. It is also about being different but being OK with that. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
lolo007's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn by this book. I was a hardcore Nancy Drew fan as a kid, and I'm kiwi so it was so fun and nostalgic at times. There were some really great, heartfelt scenes too. But then there were also parts that made me cringe a little, I think that's why it took me so long to get through. Really glad I stuck with it though, overall an enjoyable read.
isabellarobinson7's review against another edition
4.0
**I read this book for a 2020/21 library challenge, so it is not necessarily be my taste and I may be harsh because it's not my personal preference. Or it could be a total surprise and I ended up really enjoying it.
Rating: 4 stars
Usually I give extra slack to authors from NZ and Australia (and there aren't many down here), but The Nancys deserves all four of those stars, regardless as to where the author comes from. As the novel progressed, I began to worry that the "whodunnit" element would end up being underwhelming, but Mcdonald did not disappoint! The book wrapped up with just enough answered to be satisfying, but not so much that it was too perfect. I never expected to like this book this much, and it gives me confidence as I make a point to diversify my genres in 2021 after reading (no joke) 80% SFF in 2020.
Rating: 4 stars
Usually I give extra slack to authors from NZ and Australia (and there aren't many down here), but The Nancys deserves all four of those stars, regardless as to where the author comes from. As the novel progressed, I began to worry that the "whodunnit" element would end up being underwhelming, but Mcdonald did not disappoint! The book wrapped up with just enough answered to be satisfying, but not so much that it was too perfect. I never expected to like this book this much, and it gives me confidence as I make a point to diversify my genres in 2021 after reading (no joke) 80% SFF in 2020.
stephbysteph's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Really fun, if you can say that about a book about murder. I loved all the characters so much, and really enjoyed the diversity and everyone's idiosyncrasies.
Tbh it was a little silly in places, but that was kind of part of the vibe - so I think it's pretty easy to let that slide.
Tbh it was a little silly in places, but that was kind of part of the vibe - so I think it's pretty easy to let that slide.
manicmeg's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s cute but I also found it very boring in spots
melfurious's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. I really liked the Devon character. I feel like it could have included some more details as I got lost a couple of times, but otherwise enjoyable.
slighte's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Death of parent, Car accident, Vomit, Addiction, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Animal death and Homophobia
jovreadswithwine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0