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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Who doesn't want Emily Dickinson to have been secretly solving crimes in her teens? I love MacColl's books, and this one was no exception. Dickinson flirts with a 'Mr. Nobody' who ends up dead a few days later. No one comes to identify the body, which leads her to investigate. Quiet mayhem ensues. It's not a thrilling murder mystery where danger lurks around every corner, but you get the sense of what it is like to solve a mystery in a small town where everyone knows who you are. One of my favorite parts of the book is how each chapter starts with a line from one of Dickinson's poems. I think it would make kids pick up her poetry books.
Best described as an American, literary inspired cozy mystery. It was sweet and the interweaving of Dickinson's poetry was well done. A sweet and gentle mystery.
Graded By: Alix
Cover Story: Misleading
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Easy Breezy
Bonus Factors: Emily Dickinson, Bees, Stars Hollow, Mysterious Loner Dead Guy
Relationship Status: Summer Fling
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Misleading
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Easy Breezy
Bonus Factors: Emily Dickinson, Bees, Stars Hollow, Mysterious Loner Dead Guy
Relationship Status: Summer Fling
Read the full book report here.
I appreciated this story. I really enjoyed the recreation of Emily Dickenson's girlhood. It was believable and Emily was easy to root for.
In the story, Emily becomes a detective to solve the murder of a stranger "Mr. Nobody" whom she was beginning to befriend and had affections for. The identity of the murderer was surprising to me and I liked the unexpected twist at the ending.
I liked the references to Emily's poems too. Every chapter quoted her poems as the titles.
4.5 stars! Would definitely suggest if you like mystery, YA, or historic fiction. It's a delightful, fast read.
In the story, Emily becomes a detective to solve the murder of a stranger "Mr. Nobody" whom she was beginning to befriend and had affections for. The identity of the murderer was surprising to me and I liked the unexpected twist at the ending.
I liked the references to Emily's poems too. Every chapter quoted her poems as the titles.
4.5 stars! Would definitely suggest if you like mystery, YA, or historic fiction. It's a delightful, fast read.
(3.5/5 stars)
It wasn't until the last page that I realized that this book was inspired by a poem I studied for class!! That very much so excited me.
This book was very interesting but not great ~mystery~ wise. The ending was quite boring and they basically told you who killed in the first like 50 pages. But that's not really that big of a deal.
I found that this book wasn't really strung together very nicely (much like this review). It was a little all over the place and I think just needed to be pulled together a little more.
Very interesting idea and the kind of writing I really love.
It wasn't until the last page that I realized that this book was inspired by a poem I studied for class!! That very much so excited me.
This book was very interesting but not great ~mystery~ wise. The ending was quite boring and they basically told you who killed in the first like 50 pages. But that's not really that big of a deal.
I found that this book wasn't really strung together very nicely (much like this review). It was a little all over the place and I think just needed to be pulled together a little more.
Very interesting idea and the kind of writing I really love.
Belongs to the historical-figure-was-an-amateur-detective-and-defier-of-societal-norms trope, but I liked Mr Nobody so I was pretty invested, even if it could've been set up better.
I had a great time reading this, although it was very sad as well. I mean, her friend DIED. But it was a cute little story and I enjoyed many of the characters such as Vinnie and Henry. And, of course I loved Emily.
That’s all I really have to say. Now would be the time I talk about the bad stuff in this book, but I can’t because it’s perfect.
Happy reading!
That’s all I really have to say. Now would be the time I talk about the bad stuff in this book, but I can’t because it’s perfect.
Happy reading!
Nobody's Secret: A Dream Come True for This Dickinson Fan
I won a free paperback copy through a First Reads Giveaway in order to give an honest review.
As a fan of Emily Dickinson, Nobody's Secret was an instant grab for me. I feel in love with her work while learning about it in school and was soon perusing it on my own time. The opening scene had me literally d’awwing and giggling. I was totally regressed to when I first connected to Emily Dickinson so long ago.
Nobody's Secret is young adult, geared towards the younger end of the spectrum. On the back, it states for those 12 and up, but I could see myself reading it before then. Since teens usually like reading about those a few years older than them, this works well for the under 15 crowd.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it won't work for the older crowd as well. I’m proof positive it does and heartily recommend it for lovers of Emily Dickinson and for fans of the historical, mystery, or young adult genres.
The Emily Dickinson portrayal
She's the reason I picked up Nobody’s Secret in the first place, so it's vitally important Dickinson gets the proper treatment. It's achingly beautiful and poignant. Obviously, this is just MacColl’s vision of Emily Dickinson but it’s well research and grounded.
Dickinson’s poetic and written voice that speaks to so many is well represented here. It’s like you can hear the cogs in her head working on not just on the mystery but crafting those well-loved poems. Young Emily Dickinson in Nobody’s Secret sounds like a natural beginning for the world renown poet.
The Romance and Intrigue
I’m Nobody! Who are you?Are you – Nobody – too?Then there’s a pair of us!Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog – To tell one’s name – the livelong June – To an admiring Bog!
-Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886
Emily and Mr. Nobody's exchanges are brief to keep his nickname from becoming a misnomer quickly, since that's the point of the poem and mystery. However, it's clear they have a connection, a spark, from their first meeting. It's well done and does the spirit of Dickinson's I'm Nobody poem justice. It's not a full-fledged romance obviously, but I enjoyed their dreamy flirtation. It brought back memories. It's as innocent as Emily and even if nothing came of it, I could see them becoming friends. If only he'd lived. :(
The Mystery
It's refreshing to read a common sense version of a small town mystery after all the convoluted thrillers and quirky cozies. Nobody's Secret reminds me of all the Nancy Drew books I devoured growing up. (I had them all in the yellow flashlight hardcovers. #bowdown)
The experienced readers might follow the trail of clues before amateur sleuths but if you’re caught up in Emily’s narration, it’s quite easy to go with the flow and enjoy it. That’s what happened to me and I was pleasantly surprised at the way it ended.
Historically
Nobody's Secret accurately shows instead of tells. From attire to wagons, it’s painted in a way that really captures and transports you, like stepping out in the morning to find yourself in 1845. I can’t stress how well MacColl researched for this book. There's several pages in the back describing how she grew the story from the facts and where she deviated: Emily Dickinson never investigated a murder and the letter from Emily’s father, while based on the style of his real letters to home, was fictional. It’s clear how passionate she is about Emily Dickinson.
Bottom Line:
I can’t think of a single drawback in Nobody’s Secret.
Recommended for:
lovers of Emily Dickinson and for fans of historical, mystery, or young adult genres. Or just try it anyways. :3
I won a free paperback copy through a First Reads Giveaway in order to give an honest review.
As a fan of Emily Dickinson, Nobody's Secret was an instant grab for me. I feel in love with her work while learning about it in school and was soon perusing it on my own time. The opening scene had me literally d’awwing and giggling. I was totally regressed to when I first connected to Emily Dickinson so long ago.
Nobody's Secret is young adult, geared towards the younger end of the spectrum. On the back, it states for those 12 and up, but I could see myself reading it before then. Since teens usually like reading about those a few years older than them, this works well for the under 15 crowd.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it won't work for the older crowd as well. I’m proof positive it does and heartily recommend it for lovers of Emily Dickinson and for fans of the historical, mystery, or young adult genres.
The Emily Dickinson portrayal
She's the reason I picked up Nobody’s Secret in the first place, so it's vitally important Dickinson gets the proper treatment. It's achingly beautiful and poignant. Obviously, this is just MacColl’s vision of Emily Dickinson but it’s well research and grounded.
Dickinson’s poetic and written voice that speaks to so many is well represented here. It’s like you can hear the cogs in her head working on not just on the mystery but crafting those well-loved poems. Young Emily Dickinson in Nobody’s Secret sounds like a natural beginning for the world renown poet.
The Romance and Intrigue
I’m Nobody! Who are you?Are you – Nobody – too?Then there’s a pair of us!Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog – To tell one’s name – the livelong June – To an admiring Bog!
-Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886
Emily and Mr. Nobody's exchanges are brief to keep his nickname from becoming a misnomer quickly, since that's the point of the poem and mystery. However, it's clear they have a connection, a spark, from their first meeting. It's well done and does the spirit of Dickinson's I'm Nobody poem justice. It's not a full-fledged romance obviously, but I enjoyed their dreamy flirtation. It brought back memories. It's as innocent as Emily and even if nothing came of it, I could see them becoming friends. If only he'd lived. :(
The Mystery
It's refreshing to read a common sense version of a small town mystery after all the convoluted thrillers and quirky cozies. Nobody's Secret reminds me of all the Nancy Drew books I devoured growing up. (I had them all in the yellow flashlight hardcovers. #bowdown)
The experienced readers might follow the trail of clues before amateur sleuths but if you’re caught up in Emily’s narration, it’s quite easy to go with the flow and enjoy it. That’s what happened to me and I was pleasantly surprised at the way it ended.
Historically
Nobody's Secret accurately shows instead of tells. From attire to wagons, it’s painted in a way that really captures and transports you, like stepping out in the morning to find yourself in 1845. I can’t stress how well MacColl researched for this book. There's several pages in the back describing how she grew the story from the facts and where she deviated: Emily Dickinson never investigated a murder and the letter from Emily’s father, while based on the style of his real letters to home, was fictional. It’s clear how passionate she is about Emily Dickinson.
Bottom Line:
I can’t think of a single drawback in Nobody’s Secret.
Recommended for:
lovers of Emily Dickinson and for fans of historical, mystery, or young adult genres. Or just try it anyways. :3
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of art . . . The tale of Mr. Nobody’s, or James’, life and death(s) were truly enjoyable. I am also glad that I caught on halfway through the book, near the ending, just as Emily did, who murdered him. It was an interesting tale.
Nobody's Secret is a novel of historical fiction based on 15 year old Emily Dickinson, the famous poet of the 19th century. Emily becomes entangled in the investigation of the death of an unknown young man. She must keep her sleuthing secret from her disapproving mother and nosy sister. The story takes place in puritanical New England where Emily challenges the accepted rules of behavior for young women of that time. The story is very clearly and simply written. The characters are well-developed and believable. There is a build up of suspense as the solution of the mystery begins to become clear, but this is not a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat, whodunit.
I enjoyed reading this story as I like historical fiction. I did make one big mistake by "Googling Emily Dickinson" before I finished the book. The details of her actual life were not the sequel that I would have hoped to see. I would recommend this book to all readers who like history but feel that it is geared to younger people.
-Janeth
ReadingTeen.net
Content:
Language: Hell -1 time
Sexual Content: None
Violence: A man is murdered but there isn't any graphic descriptions.
Other: A description of and discussion about a dead body.
I enjoyed reading this story as I like historical fiction. I did make one big mistake by "Googling Emily Dickinson" before I finished the book. The details of her actual life were not the sequel that I would have hoped to see. I would recommend this book to all readers who like history but feel that it is geared to younger people.
-Janeth
ReadingTeen.net
Content:
Language: Hell -1 time
Sexual Content: None
Violence: A man is murdered but there isn't any graphic descriptions.
Other: A description of and discussion about a dead body.