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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
If you've read Discworld, then the title is an absolute spoiler. And I'd cottoned on to the culprit within the first couple chapters, although the motive was far more convoluted than I had imagined.
The investigating duo felt like an attempt at Tommy and Tuppence but were far weaker copies.
The investigating duo felt like an attempt at Tommy and Tuppence but were far weaker copies.
With thanks to the author, publishers HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
A complex murder mystery with a supernatural flavour to it, lots of potential suspects throughout, and a satisfying reveal at the end. A worthy addition to the catalog of locked-room murder mysteries!
The characters are wonderfully written, and some of the sarcastic wit employed between them made me laugh out loud a few times, right up to the last scene! The narrator John Hopkins voiced each one really well, which helped to bring the story to life even more.
A really enjoyable work from this author and, like lots of her other works, I hope this one turns into a series, as these are characters I would certainly like to hear more from.
A complex murder mystery with a supernatural flavour to it, lots of potential suspects throughout, and a satisfying reveal at the end. A worthy addition to the catalog of locked-room murder mysteries!
The characters are wonderfully written, and some of the sarcastic wit employed between them made me laugh out loud a few times, right up to the last scene! The narrator John Hopkins voiced each one really well, which helped to bring the story to life even more.
A really enjoyable work from this author and, like lots of her other works, I hope this one turns into a series, as these are characters I would certainly like to hear more from.
***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
An enjoyable cozy murder mystery of which I assume the publicity will (as ever) align with Christie, however I felt that Arbie, the main character, put me in mind far more of a grown up Fredrick from Enid Blyton’s The Five Find-Doubters.
The narrative is pretty pacy, and whilst it’s heavy on the cozy aspect it never loses sight of being a murder mystery; so the reader is not bogged down in unnecessary background detail.
The main character and his sidekick have an enjoyable pseudo-partnership, and I could see this being the start of a series featuring them both.
An enjoyable cozy murder mystery of which I assume the publicity will (as ever) align with Christie, however I felt that Arbie, the main character, put me in mind far more of a grown up Fredrick from Enid Blyton’s The Five Find-Doubters.
The narrative is pretty pacy, and whilst it’s heavy on the cozy aspect it never loses sight of being a murder mystery; so the reader is not bogged down in unnecessary background detail.
The main character and his sidekick have an enjoyable pseudo-partnership, and I could see this being the start of a series featuring them both.
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one. I wanted a quick easy read and it was just that. I enjoyed the scene setting, the characters felt authentic and it didn't drag on like murder mysteries (esp. In historical settings) tend to. I enjoyed the solution, it was complicated enough but in my eyes not overdone. A very nice classic murder mystery!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Novelist by accident Arbie gets embroiled in a locked door mystery making him become an accidental detective after a lady in his village is discovered to be dead in her house. From the beginning of this novel, there are elements akin to PG Wodehouse. Although Arbie may seem hapless, he is in fact shrewd and has a great eye for detail. Arbie and Val are like two children playing detective who stumble upon a solution. A clever closer door mystery which doesn’t leave a clue unsolved.
I loved the book! Full of Agatha Christie type scenarios! Interactions between the two “detectives” Arbie and Val were most entertaining. Almost a romance there if Arbie gives himself a shake!
Full credit to the author on the creative and inventive plot. The only slight downside for me was the exaggerated Etonian dialogues “I say old bean etc”. A bit too much of that.
Full credit to the author on the creative and inventive plot. The only slight downside for me was the exaggerated Etonian dialogues “I say old bean etc”. A bit too much of that.
I enjoyed this book, I loved our main characters Arbie & Val - they made a great duo although think they would make a lovely couple also! Arbie seemed somewhat reluctant to be involved as the book he had written was mainly a tour guide of places to stay with very little 'ghosts' involved!
I loved the 'locked door' aspect as it did make it very difficult to work out the 'how' even though we had plenty of options for the why! There were some red herrings thrown in along the way to help throw us off the scent of our murderer and that was nicely done. I loved the final scenes when Arbie had figured it all out and was revealing who had done it, why they had done it and most - how they had done it!
I enjoyed the fact that we also got to learn a little about Arbie and his past and also his uncle who seemed very eccentric but another great character! I do hope that we may get to hear more from these characters as I would love to see them solve another case!
I loved the 'locked door' aspect as it did make it very difficult to work out the 'how' even though we had plenty of options for the why! There were some red herrings thrown in along the way to help throw us off the scent of our murderer and that was nicely done. I loved the final scenes when Arbie had figured it all out and was revealing who had done it, why they had done it and most - how they had done it!
I enjoyed the fact that we also got to learn a little about Arbie and his past and also his uncle who seemed very eccentric but another great character! I do hope that we may get to hear more from these characters as I would love to see them solve another case!