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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I interviewed Kate Racculia for my podcast when BELLWEATHER RHAPSODY came out, and I remember her saying that she didn't solve the mystery of the story so much as she wanted to solve the characters. This makes so much sense, for her books are about characters who are themselves mysteries - why do they do what they do, and how do they all fit together in this puzzle? And this is a book about puzzles, so this question is particularly apt. Racculia's wry wit brings the perfect tone to this story about Tuesday Mooney, an awkward, curious young woman who loves facts and finding things out. When an eccentric billionaire dies at a fundraiser for the foundation Tuesday works for, he leaves a treasure hunt for the citizens of Boston to follow. Tuesday wants desperately to stay on the hunt, sacrificing everything she has in the process, but she has her own ghosts to confront - and the other hunters to account for, some of whom are her closest friends. And another is Archie, a rich man who has inserted himself into her life, almost impossibly. Reading one of Kate's novels is like eating a multi-course meal, with different taste points along the way - the bitter, the sweet, the melancholy, the delightful. Absorbing and thoughtful, this novel makes me want to go back and re-read BELLWEATHER, as well as all the Ellen Raskin books that influence this work.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Tuesday Mooney Wore Black" is a great, fun read. It's like a mystery and adventure story for grown-ups. It's one of those rare books you want to savour but can't help yourself racing ahead to find out where the story strands lead. I thought it was brilliant and would love to read more of Kate Racculia's work.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Medical content
A unique and flawed cast of characters, a rich dead man, and a mystery game that must be solved in order to win an inheritance, mystery readers who cut their teeth on Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game need look no further than Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts! While there is a very small ghost element in this novel, readers who pick it up based solely on the might be disappointed that the plot does not revolve around talking to or communing with ghosts, rather, the characters must face and let go of "ghosts" from their pasts.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
Like a lot of readers this cover and synopsis intrigued me. Who wouldn’t love to read about a treasure hunt around the city of Boston, set up by a billionaire? I know that as a 30 something year old you’re never to old to take part in games and have fun, that is what this book was.
I loved the air of mystery surrounding the whole story. What was the point of the treasure hunt? What were the clues? Who was Vincent Pryce? Perhaps more importantly what was Nathaniel Arches story? All of these questions are answered and neatly tied up by the end but the adventure getting there was brilliant!
Tuesday Mooney was a delight. Yes she was a loner but she wasn’t as disconnected from the world as I first thought. She was stubborn, outspoken and highly observant which all served her well throughout the story. I think she was someone who was happy with her own company and didn’t feel the need to surround herself with huge numbers of people but she wasn’t shy as you’d expect her to be. She breamed with confidence and attitude which I loved! Dex was another great character. He was everything you would want in a best friend and I loved the relationship between him and Tuesday. Granted there was a moment towards the end of the book where I thought Tuesday could of done with a little more than an umbrella, as a helping hand, but overall the bond between these two characters was strong and their friendship true. My heart broke for Dorry. Ultimately she needed closure and when he true motives behind the game were revealed I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and give her the biggest hug I could summon.
The only thing I wanted extra from this book was a bit more of a treasure hunt. It started off very strong but I felt after the ‘invitation’ had been found it fell a bit flat before the funeral. The funeral itself was spectacular, the costumes were amazing and the ‘interview’ was intriguing. I don’t know how I would feel about their transport methods but the final showdown in the house was fantastic. As I mentioned previously I think a few of the people (other than Dorry) could of helped Tuesday out but it still made for a dramatic scene.
My favourite part was learning about the Arches story. This story within the story was a great addition and wow that family had some serious issues! If I was Tuesday I would probably distance myself from that brood and get on with my life. Their family was complicated but I enjoyed the connection to Vincent Pryce, it was well thought out.
Overall this was a fantastic read that I took pure enjoyment from and I believe one of the lessons behind the treasure hunt is something we could all learn from.
“A living isn’t something you make it’s something you do.”
I loved the air of mystery surrounding the whole story. What was the point of the treasure hunt? What were the clues? Who was Vincent Pryce? Perhaps more importantly what was Nathaniel Arches story? All of these questions are answered and neatly tied up by the end but the adventure getting there was brilliant!
Tuesday Mooney was a delight. Yes she was a loner but she wasn’t as disconnected from the world as I first thought. She was stubborn, outspoken and highly observant which all served her well throughout the story. I think she was someone who was happy with her own company and didn’t feel the need to surround herself with huge numbers of people but she wasn’t shy as you’d expect her to be. She breamed with confidence and attitude which I loved! Dex was another great character. He was everything you would want in a best friend and I loved the relationship between him and Tuesday. Granted there was a moment towards the end of the book where I thought Tuesday could of done with a little more than an umbrella, as a helping hand, but overall the bond between these two characters was strong and their friendship true. My heart broke for Dorry. Ultimately she needed closure and when he true motives behind the game were revealed I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and give her the biggest hug I could summon.
The only thing I wanted extra from this book was a bit more of a treasure hunt. It started off very strong but I felt after the ‘invitation’ had been found it fell a bit flat before the funeral. The funeral itself was spectacular, the costumes were amazing and the ‘interview’ was intriguing. I don’t know how I would feel about their transport methods but the final showdown in the house was fantastic. As I mentioned previously I think a few of the people (other than Dorry) could of helped Tuesday out but it still made for a dramatic scene.
My favourite part was learning about the Arches story. This story within the story was a great addition and wow that family had some serious issues! If I was Tuesday I would probably distance myself from that brood and get on with my life. Their family was complicated but I enjoyed the connection to Vincent Pryce, it was well thought out.
Overall this was a fantastic read that I took pure enjoyment from and I believe one of the lessons behind the treasure hunt is something we could all learn from.
“A living isn’t something you make it’s something you do.”