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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
An absolutely perfect cozy crime mystery with all the classic elements plus some more. The setting is the magnificent old and slightly crumbling Harrington Hall with its larger than life resident family. The head of the family has lost his wife recently and hastily remarried, not a popular choice with everyone, including his two daughters who struggle to bond with his new young wife and her odd ideas and obvious distaste for the countryside life.
A friend of the girls’ godmother is signed up to take some publicity photos of the house ready for its planned opening to the public and unwittingly finds a dead body in the ice house. When bones are found in the garden we suddenly have two mysteries running parallel.
I loved the very human stories that interlace these plot lines and the lovely whimsical setting and characters. The main characters are extremely likeable which also helps. The fact that a ghost is helping with the investigations is also a real bonus, who doesn’t like a bit of a ghost story? Top notch, looking forward to some of the loose ends being tied up in future books but you’ve definitely left me craving more.
A friend of the girls’ godmother is signed up to take some publicity photos of the house ready for its planned opening to the public and unwittingly finds a dead body in the ice house. When bones are found in the garden we suddenly have two mysteries running parallel.
I loved the very human stories that interlace these plot lines and the lovely whimsical setting and characters. The main characters are extremely likeable which also helps. The fact that a ghost is helping with the investigations is also a real bonus, who doesn’t like a bit of a ghost story? Top notch, looking forward to some of the loose ends being tied up in future books but you’ve definitely left me craving more.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So how does Georgina get herself where the dead bodies are. I would of like to hear more about Anna and her story. But we will see what the 3rd book brings with more ghostly stories.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Self harm, Dementia, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Sexual harassment
In "The Body in the House," Kate Hardy continues Georgina Drake's story in the second novel containing Drake's character. This time, she tries to solve the murder of a much-despised younger stepmother who ends up dead at the bottom of an ice house. She's joined by her "boyfriend" Colin, her ghost sidekick Doris, and her friend Sybbie.
Hardy does an excellent job with the process of solving a mystery. She details the research, the questioning, the websites, the genealogy searches, etc. In this aspect, I would like to see another book with Georgina Drake because Drake is a believable detective rather than one of those too-good-to-be-true detectives who know every small detail.
If I were to change anything, I would want the dialogue to be tighter and sharper. Some of the dialogue feels perfunctory and Hardy is so clever in other aspects that I wished for stronger dialogue. The romance between Colin and Georgina suffers a bit because of the dialogue. If Colin and Georgina continue as a couple in a third book, I want more impactful dialogue.
With that said, I enjoyed my time with "The Body in the Ice House" and I'm optimistic for a third Georgina Drake mystery.
Hardy does an excellent job with the process of solving a mystery. She details the research, the questioning, the websites, the genealogy searches, etc. In this aspect, I would like to see another book with Georgina Drake because Drake is a believable detective rather than one of those too-good-to-be-true detectives who know every small detail.
If I were to change anything, I would want the dialogue to be tighter and sharper. Some of the dialogue feels perfunctory and Hardy is so clever in other aspects that I wished for stronger dialogue. The romance between Colin and Georgina suffers a bit because of the dialogue. If Colin and Georgina continue as a couple in a third book, I want more impactful dialogue.
With that said, I enjoyed my time with "The Body in the Ice House" and I'm optimistic for a third Georgina Drake mystery.
Georgina Drake has settled, after her recent scare with a body showing up on her property. Now, she spends her time with friends, working on her photography, and beginning a relationship with the handsome detective, Colin.
When she goes to photograph the home of some friends of Sybbie, they discover a body at the bottom of the ice house, leading to questions of who WOULDN'T want to murder the lady of the manor. While the investigation is beginning, another body, is unearthed, though this one is only skeletal remains. Now there are two bodies to investigate, and time may be running out. It seems that someone is wanting to stop Georgina from asking questions, or uncovering who might have committed the crime.
This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down, and finished in one sitting. I love a good cozy mystery and this ticks all the boxes. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author, and I hope that she had many more planned!
When she goes to photograph the home of some friends of Sybbie, they discover a body at the bottom of the ice house, leading to questions of who WOULDN'T want to murder the lady of the manor. While the investigation is beginning, another body, is unearthed, though this one is only skeletal remains. Now there are two bodies to investigate, and time may be running out. It seems that someone is wanting to stop Georgina from asking questions, or uncovering who might have committed the crime.
This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down, and finished in one sitting. I love a good cozy mystery and this ticks all the boxes. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author, and I hope that she had many more planned!
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
This is such a cute series, I love it! I can't wait to see where Georgina & Colin's relationship goes! She should totally team up with him to be a crime-solving duo! I also can't wait for her to solve her resident ghost's murder.
#TheBodyintheIceHouse
#NetGalley
#TheBodyintheIceHouse
#NetGalley
funny
mysterious
fast-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
A cosy mystery set in my home county of Norfolk. Georgie Blake, photographer turned sleuth with the help of the voice of Doris the ghost who communicates through Georgia's hearing aids. She turns up at Hartington Hall to take photos for Posy and Hattie to set up the hall for visitors. But on arriving at the Ice House Georgie finds a body. Turns out its Karen, the disliked Lady of the Manor. Added to this an historic death is also bring investigated. I loved the way the past and present investigations were dealt with. A perfect read for fans of Midsomer Murders
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another smasher! I love the way these books are written. Murder mysteries of the modern variety with older protagonists who don't have dramatics at the drop of a hat and a ghost added in for good measure without the whole supernatural genre. A bit of something for everyone and a real.hook to grab your attention and making you eager for the next installment.
I guessed who might be behind things about a third of the way through and only because there wasn't a lot said about that person.
The characters are well thought out and very realistic and the book reads easily and flows really well.
If only I knew Shakespeare to get those references, I know I'd find those fantastic as well.
4.5 stars for me!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I guessed who might be behind things about a third of the way through and only because there wasn't a lot said about that person.
The characters are well thought out and very realistic and the book reads easily and flows really well.
If only I knew Shakespeare to get those references, I know I'd find those fantastic as well.
4.5 stars for me!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy