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stale_bagel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A very interesting British mystery - does a wonderful job making home feel unfamiliar.
The wrap up of all the bits was wonderful
The wrap up of all the bits was wonderful
artwinsintheend's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
fairyfluffcake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was very atmospheric but I felt like I was reading an overly long short story.
sallycacchi's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sanne230802's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
1mpossiblealice's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this thinking it was a. A Christmas book and b. A murder mystery - it's neither. Christmas does feature in it, but it's not essential to the plot and it's only a small section of the book.
That said, I enjoyed it anyway and found it very readable. The characters were often pretty annoying, but felt very real - she's got it spot on the way small children can be really annoying, constantly arguing with each other about nothing! It's well written, and is much more about women and their "ordinary" lives but with a hint of menace than an actual mystery. It reminded me much more of Anita Brookner or Elizabeth Jane Howard than any mystery/crime novels I've read. Which isn't a bad thing - they are great writers.
I know her other books have been republished too, and I'd definitely pick up one of those, based on this.
That said, I enjoyed it anyway and found it very readable. The characters were often pretty annoying, but felt very real - she's got it spot on the way small children can be really annoying, constantly arguing with each other about nothing! It's well written, and is much more about women and their "ordinary" lives but with a hint of menace than an actual mystery. It reminded me much more of Anita Brookner or Elizabeth Jane Howard than any mystery/crime novels I've read. Which isn't a bad thing - they are great writers.
I know her other books have been republished too, and I'd definitely pick up one of those, based on this.
bookwormellie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maryqueenofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
xanadu_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5