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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Devoured this audiobook in a day and a half ... And I thought it was meant to be the final book in this series, but that ending better mean there's at least one more book!!!!!!!
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.25, probably.
The vibes? Perfection. Immaculate. We love to see it. Classic british Manor House mystery, done very well. Stevie on the other hand. She was so all over the place, she almost felt out of character. The (perceived) similarities between her life and the mystery did feel a little forced, too. And that fucking ending? Book 6 WHEN, MAUREEN? MAUREEN?!
The vibes? Perfection. Immaculate. We love to see it. Classic british Manor House mystery, done very well. Stevie on the other hand. She was so all over the place, she almost felt out of character. The (perceived) similarities between her life and the mystery did feel a little forced, too. And that fucking ending? Book 6 WHEN, MAUREEN? MAUREEN?!
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
These books (and this one in particular) are odes to friendship. What it means to be a part of a close group, how that affects you, and the lengths you'll go to for them.
I enjoyed seeing Stevie, Janelle, Nate, Vi, and David in a different setting - London! But they're still doing what they do best - solving murders (and cold cases).
BUT! That cliffhanger! I need resolution!
I enjoyed seeing Stevie, Janelle, Nate, Vi, and David in a different setting - London! But they're still doing what they do best - solving murders (and cold cases).
BUT! That cliffhanger! I need resolution!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've really enjoyed the Stevie Bell books and, while I haven't read The Box in the Woods, I was pleased this was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award so I had a chance to give it a listen.
The premise was perfect for me: group of friends, manor house, murder.
But then most of the book was really just Stevie and David and relationship drama. Don't get me wrong, I love them as a couple, but especially in what claims to be a stand-alone, it should not be so heavily about a relationship established in other books. And then David breaking up with Stevie because she...knows what she wants too much? Instead of, like, having a conversation with her about his fears of the future? Completely out of character.
And ending a STANDALONE on a cliffhanger is wild.
Still a decent read but pretty disappointing.
The premise was perfect for me: group of friends, manor house, murder.
But then most of the book was really just Stevie and David and relationship drama. Don't get me wrong, I love them as a couple, but especially in what claims to be a stand-alone, it should not be so heavily about a relationship established in other books. And then David breaking up with Stevie because she...knows what she wants too much? Instead of, like, having a conversation with her about his fears of the future? Completely out of character.
And ending a STANDALONE on a cliffhanger is wild.
Still a decent read but pretty disappointing.
Another Stevie Bell mystery from Maureen Johnson. This time, as Stevie’s boyfriend David is studying in England, Stevie and her pals take the opportunity to travel to London on a whirlwind “study abroad” trip. Of course, once there, Stevie is called on to solve a murder from 20 years earlier that took place at a manor house. Nine Liars is a fun read for budding Anglophiles and fans of locked room mysteries, and one does not need to have read the other Stevie Bell books to enjoy the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the advanced reader copy!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the advanced reader copy!
3.5 stars
I am not sure what about this one felt so much slower, I over all enjoyed it though. I am taking away a half star just because of David's behavior there at the end.
I am not sure what about this one felt so much slower, I over all enjoyed it though. I am taking away a half star just because of David's behavior there at the end.