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caterina15's review against another edition
3.0
First uni book club read has been completed!
This book was a very fluctuating experience for me. Second part was definitely much more interesting than the first, which was way too slow compared. I think what made this go from a 2 star rating to a 3 star one was the ending, as some of the stories told truly were unexpected to me as a reader.
PJ as a main character was great, likeable and relatable to a certain extent. On the other hand, many more were frustrating because of their undeveloped egos no matter the age which they were. For example, Evelyn still being so hung up on Tommy who, for God's sake, just gifted her a scarf for her help on the farm, was ridiculous.
Or what about Abigail, who's morals completely change by the end of the book when she kills herself and tries to bring PJ down with her? She hid the death of Tommy to 'protect' her sister's feelings but then she would do something as selfish as throw herself off a cliff and leave Evelyn without half of her family members? The way of thinking of these characters no matter the old age which they were given baffles me still.
This book was a very fluctuating experience for me. Second part was definitely much more interesting than the first, which was way too slow compared. I think what made this go from a 2 star rating to a 3 star one was the ending, as some of the stories told truly were unexpected to me as a reader.
PJ as a main character was great, likeable and relatable to a certain extent. On the other hand, many more were frustrating because of their undeveloped egos no matter the age which they were. For example, Evelyn still being so hung up on Tommy who, for God's sake, just gifted her a scarf for her help on the farm, was ridiculous.
Or what about Abigail, who's morals completely change by the end of the book when she kills herself and tries to bring PJ down with her? She hid the death of Tommy to 'protect' her sister's feelings but then she would do something as selfish as throw herself off a cliff and leave Evelyn without half of her family members? The way of thinking of these characters no matter the old age which they were given baffles me still.
beccajbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Quaint, cosy, a bit slow at times, but well worth a read if you want something a bit more chilled and not too brain heavy.
Www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
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meaghandesigns's review against another edition
4.0
great little small town mystery set in a village in Ireland
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
Easily one of my best reads of the year so far, I think of this mystery as a cozy in the sense that it is about the characters far more than the puzzle, and there are more scenes of character interaction that have nothing to do with the mystery, and very few talking heads discussing clues and forensics.
The omniscient narrator once in a while shifts abruptly from POV to POV, but doesn't lost the reader as we get to know the principle people in the tiny Irish town of Duneen. Central is Sergeant PJ Collins, a fat man who never had much social skill. Being the only "garda" of the tiny town has sufficed, but he's secretly hoped for the challenge and bustle of a case. When builders find the remains of a man, it looks like he's going to get his chance.
Norton's characters are so well-realized, the narrative voice gently sympathetic while illustrating fierce loneliness and sometimes suppressed anger. The village is beautifully evoked, and--though I make no pretence at knowing whether the dialogue is authentic for the locale or not--I could hear the Irish cadences in the speech patterns.
I figured out the probable murderer fairly early on, but that was all right. I suspect the reader is meant to, or that it doesn't matter if you do or not, as it's the gradual uncovering of the past as characters' lives are impacted in the present that is the real focus.
I especially loved Norton's handling of Collins's situation, and through him, the delicate exploration of human dignity, of human connection, and of the ephemerals of emotions and how they add up over the years, into hard-won wisdom in one person, and burning anger in another. A riveting climax unfolded to a lovely, lovely ending.
Copy provided by NetGalley
The omniscient narrator once in a while shifts abruptly from POV to POV, but doesn't lost the reader as we get to know the principle people in the tiny Irish town of Duneen. Central is Sergeant PJ Collins, a fat man who never had much social skill. Being the only "garda" of the tiny town has sufficed, but he's secretly hoped for the challenge and bustle of a case. When builders find the remains of a man, it looks like he's going to get his chance.
Norton's characters are so well-realized, the narrative voice gently sympathetic while illustrating fierce loneliness and sometimes suppressed anger. The village is beautifully evoked, and--though I make no pretence at knowing whether the dialogue is authentic for the locale or not--I could hear the Irish cadences in the speech patterns.
I figured out the probable murderer fairly early on, but that was all right. I suspect the reader is meant to, or that it doesn't matter if you do or not, as it's the gradual uncovering of the past as characters' lives are impacted in the present that is the real focus.
I especially loved Norton's handling of Collins's situation, and through him, the delicate exploration of human dignity, of human connection, and of the ephemerals of emotions and how they add up over the years, into hard-won wisdom in one person, and burning anger in another. A riveting climax unfolded to a lovely, lovely ending.
Copy provided by NetGalley
mollyhyland's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hannah_stebbings's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
quizoola's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brandihardison's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This was our March book club pick. I loved this. Short, easy read. And full of TEA! I love the small town gossip and drama. Kept me entertained the entire time. My only reason for half star less was because I felt like the mystery of the person who committed the crime was pretty predictable. But overall I loved it!