Reviews

Black Ship by Carola Dunn

softstarrynights's review against another edition

3.0

That's right. I'm back on the Daisy Dalrymple train. Maybe it's because I took a break, or maybe this book was especially good, but I had a great time reading. Black Ship is the seventeenth-- that's right the seventeenth-- book in the Daisy Dalrymple series, a cosy mystery series set in 1920s London. In this installment Daisy finds herself embroiled in a murder connected to her new neighbors, who may or may not be importing alcohol to prohibition America. As you would expect the book follows essentially the same formula as its sixteen predecessors. That's fine. That's expected. However, there was something unusual about this one. Thur far the books have been told in the third person following Daisy, and sometimes Alec, the investigating detective. This book gave us interludes that followed a completely different character in between the first few chapters. I'm not sure how I felt about it, or whether it necessarily added to the story, but it was fun to see the author experimenting. I thought that the pacing of the mystery was good, especially as the pressure ramped up towards the end. I loved how well Daisy managed to insert herself into the investigation so that she wasn't constantly playing catch up to the detectives. All in all, this was a very fun addition to the series and I have a great time reading it.

talucas24's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

cooeeaus's review against another edition

4.0

Published 2008.

This was actually very good, I can say that because I did not work out the killer! At the end I had settled on up to 5 different possibilities, all with motives. That is always the sign of a good mystery for me.
I really like Daisy, she is fun to have as a character. In this story the plot involves the U.S. illegal liquor and the rum trade between British liquor suppliers and the U.S. gangs.
I never really know what the star ratings are really worth so I will say that I enjoyed the book of course it is not a bestseller or great work but it is entertaining reading.

mamasquirrel's review against another edition

4.0

I picked this book up on a whim--because the cover is cute--and because I wanted to expand my knowlege of detective fiction, and was pleased with what I read. The characters are likable and believable; the setting is interesting and British (for the Anglophile in me); the plot is historically accurate (as far as I am aware) and had enough twists and turns to keep me interested. This is my first Daisy Dalrymple mystery and I think I will likely read more.

chrissa10's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

growintogardens's review against another edition

1.0

I tried to give this series another go because I did enjoy some of them, but I just can't get over how much I dislike Alec. Also, the extra characters in this book were boring and the story felt like it dragged on despite the short length.

croscot's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

drizcoll's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

cmbohn's review against another edition

2.0

On rereading, I found the mystery in this one really, really slight. The Fletchers are moving into a new house, an American acquaintance comes to stay, and Daisy finds another body. Actually, the dog finds the body this time. Right in their new neighborhood. And the next door neighbors are the prime suspects.

The solution is painfully obvious, but the American is not quite such a cliche this time around. Still, not really worth the reread.

staceylynn42's review against another edition

3.0

Daisy & family have moved into a new, large house that Alec inherited from an unknown great-uncle. While they are making preparations for the move and old acquaintance from America turns up in need of help. Agent Lambert, now working with the Treasury Dept to stop people smuggling booze into the US, has had his papers & money stolen and has turned to the Fletchers as the only people in the UK he knows.
The Fletchers' new neighbors, the Jessups, are wine merchants who do have dealings with US bootleggers. Their younger son has been in the US to arrange shipments & the day after he returns a body is found in the park in front of the Fletchers' home. Lambert has disappeared. The Jessups' eldest son has suddenly left town.
Alec & Daisy investigate.
It's a decent story but not one of my favorites