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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun satire on classic Krakowian high society through the lens of a murder mystery. It's a delight watching Mrs. Turbotyńska sticking her nose in everyone's business and her self-important view of polite society.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I don't know if something was lost in translation but the whole novel, whilst being entertaining, felt quite shallow. The world building was excellent however and a few characters were particularly likeable, so it wasn't a total flop. As I said, maybe an issue with translation is to blame as opposed to the actual story, which was quite charming and engaging overall
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Slow in the beginning but last 100 pages had me racing through!
A mystery set in 1890s Cracow, this book follows a bored professor’s wife as she discovers that investigating mysteries is far more fulfilling than simply doing charity work and trying to fit into high society. The beginning of this book was slightly slow-going for me, but once it was in full swing I enjoyed Zofia’s growing understanding of the broader world as she get embroiled in the lives of missing and dead elderly residents of an old folks’ home. The book jacket and reviews describe this as a Golden Age/Christie homage and there are definitely touches of Christie’s dry wit but crossed with the cultural specificity of Cracow in this historical moment. Quite fun and I look forward to a second one!
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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:
No
At first it was difficult with the Polish names. Almost DNF. But I am glad I persevered. Funny, manners, mystery.