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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
It pains me to say that I am torn between rating this either 2.5 or 3 stars, but I'm rounding up.
I am genuinely so sad to say that this is easily my least favorite book in the series.
First, there are just So. Many. Characters. in regards to the new mystery that it was really hard to keep track of who is who, who did what, etc. and therefore who to care about. Their mystery went back and forth between Stevie and her friends' personal lives, which some people seemed to be annoyed by but I didn't mind; it's realistic and I actually felt like we didn't have enough of Stevie's friends in this story. To be honest, it made me sad that as usual Stevie dominated their study abroad time with the things she wanted to do (i.e., solve the mystery) instead of the also very important things her friends needed to do. I'll just say it: Stevie is a shitty friend.
AND THEN, by the end of the novel, the new mystery is *sort of* but not really resolved??? WHAT IS EVEN THE POINT.
Second, I am so over David. That's all. I haven't been able to stand him for several books now, but I can't say more without ranting again.
And lastly, I just hated the ending. For all of it. For Stevie, for the mystery that wasn't actually resolved, for Stevie's friends. Everything about it. :(
I am so sad. I love Maureen Johnson and this is my favorite series of hers (I've rated every other book 4.5 or 5 stars), but this book was so disappointing. HOWEVER, because this horrible cliffhanger leads me to believe that there will be a 6th book, I will continue reading because I love this series and I will never give up on Maureen Johnson.
I am genuinely so sad to say that this is easily my least favorite book in the series.
First, there are just So. Many. Characters. in regards to the new mystery that it was really hard to keep track of who is who, who did what, etc. and therefore who to care about. Their mystery went back and forth between Stevie and her friends' personal lives, which some people seemed to be annoyed by but I didn't mind; it's realistic and I actually felt like we didn't have enough of Stevie's friends in this story. To be honest, it made me sad that as usual Stevie dominated their study abroad time with the things she wanted to do (i.e., solve the mystery) instead of the also very important things her friends needed to do. I'll just say it: Stevie is a shitty friend.
AND THEN, by the end of the novel, the new mystery is *sort of* but not really resolved???
Spoiler
Like, Stevie figures it out and does the Big Reveal but literally nothing happens.Second, I am so over David. That's all. I haven't been able to stand him for several books now, but I can't say more without ranting again.
And lastly, I just hated the ending. For all of it. For Stevie, for the mystery that wasn't actually resolved, for Stevie's friends. Everything about it. :(
I am so sad. I love Maureen Johnson and this is my favorite series of hers (I've rated every other book 4.5 or 5 stars), but this book was so disappointing. HOWEVER, because this horrible cliffhanger leads me to believe that there will be a 6th book, I will continue reading because I love this series and I will never give up on Maureen Johnson.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the 5th book in this series and somehow, every single time, I flip the final page of the book and am dumbfounded to see the Acknowledgements instead of more chapters. This book is funny, clever, heartbreaking, and so enthralling that you can hold it in your hands and read so intently to the last second that you are shocked that it's over.
Now for the final book, for the time being, in Stevie Bell's story. This one takes place primarily in London where Stevie, with the help of her boyfriend David, has managed to secure a week-long (not nearly long enough in my view) study abroad trip so that she can spend time with him as he studies at a British university. Of course, one of his study partners just happens to be related to a woman who was present when two friends who were murdered with the case going unsolved until the present day. I wish I had enjoyed this one as much as I did the previous one. The idea of an American author writing a book so British manor house mystery coded, just did not work. Even though Johnson did not write anything that came off as overtly wrong about the Britishisms included in the novel, nothing about it felt right either, especially the past sections where all of the characters are supposed to be British through and through. Then that ending. Sheesh. I will not be holding onto this one but I will probably check out the next one from the library just to see how Johnson deals with the relationship between Stevie and David.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Best Stevie Bell Mystery so far. And I’ve enjoyed them all so far. I need the next one NOW
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
An enjoyable but average read of a very fun series - I was listening to the Audiobook and actually was quite enjoying the setting. This book works great as a standalone mystery book. But it does miss the essence of the personal lives and drama of the main characters much - for the first time, in this book, I was more into the mystery than Stevie. I also found her a bit annoying in this book, just bossing her friends about. But still, I have a lot of heart for this series and hope the next one would be like the old ones?
rep: asexual side character, nonbinary side character, gay side character, Black side character
cw: blood; descriptions of violence, murder, etc.
hmm what a strange way to end the story
cw: blood; descriptions of violence, murder, etc.
hmm what a strange way to end the story