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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first book in a historical series in Cracow. I knew nothing of this area which caused me to find the first half of this book a chore trying to place myself in the context. It was not badly written but the personality of Zofia did not emerge thru the background until the last half of the book. The exact moment she became a person to me was when she was having her recently washed hair brushed by her maid, Franciska told her that her husband was concerned she was spending so much time at the retirement place Hecnel House because she was going to send him there and her response was to hurry and have marital relations with him. The overbearing matron starts to show her street smarts and her softer side after that. I look forward to a followup in this series.
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
This gave me warm and fuzzies (despite being a murder mystery at an old folk’s home)! So many Agatha Christie vibes but without racism! This big cast of characters is so interesting and our main character Zofia is absolutely charming as she plays detective. She’s curious, independent, sneaky, and frugal. I loved how hard she penny pinched throughout this book, what a relatable character trait. I listened to this on audiobook and was able to keep all of the characters straight pretty easily. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series to be released in English.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
TERRIBLE.
slow-paced
Fantastyczny pastisz powieści retro-kryminalnej. Pani Zofia Szczupaczyńska to barwnie napisana bohaterka w późno dziewiętnastowiecznym Krakowie, która niczym generał, ma przygotowaną strategię na każdą ewentualność. Aż żal, że takich postaci nie ma więcej w polskiej literaturze. Świetna rozrywka na jesienne popołudnie!
About halfway through the book and it just feels like it doesn’t know what it wants to be, and I don’t care to find out either
In late 19th century Krakow (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), a bored society wife investigates a series of deaths at a care home where she does charity work. A humorous cozy mystery with a clever and ambitious amateur sleuth and an interesting historical background.
This was a really fun period mystery, with such a distinctive character. The social commentary could be very funny at times.