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stephbookshine 's review for:
How to Get Away with Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 2)
by Elizabeth C. Bunce
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Kelly Doyle at Algonquin Young Readers. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Myrtle returns for another adventure, and this time she is taking to the road… well, rail… with her beloved Miss Judson and less-beloved Aunt Helena. Can our young detective-in-training still practice her skills when she is out of her comfort zone, away from her resources, and under the disapproving eye of the family battleaxe?
Of course, she can… after all, Myrtle IS irrepressible!
In this story, she faces another classically-Christie style murder, whilst dodging responsible adult influences and making some new friends (and enemies!). As well as Harriet the Spy and Flavia de Luce, I got a distinct flavour of Amelia Peabody in Myrtle’s determined focus on finding the truth and fulfilling her ambitions, against the doubts and expectations of those around her. I could definitely see an adult Myrtle poking miscreants out of her way with a parasol!
It was lovely to see my own personal favourite character, Mr Blakeney, making a return this time around and I cheered his appearance as much as I booed Aunt Helena’s. But these are no pantomime characters, and Elizabeth C. Bunce develops even her side characters into more complex and nuanced individuals, subverting reader expectations delightfully.
This is another rippingly good adventure tale for young – and older – readers, and I am definitely adding copies of these books to my personal shelves. I love it when I find a new favourite author!
Fellow fans of classic mystery novels with unique characters, and a light, humorous style of writing, are sure to love these books as much as I do. I can’t wait to introduce Myrtle to Minishine!
I turned away and shoved the chemisettes into the trunk. If this were a proper holiday, Father would be coming with us, not separating us with a whole ocean.” On a Proper Holiday, Father and Miss Judson might even frolic on the beach together. They’d Promenade on the Pier together. We could be a Proper Family, just the three of us. Instead, Miss Judson and I were being Exiled to the seaside, while Father got as far away from us as possible.
Miss Judson turned me to face her. “You may not believe this, but your father just wants you to have a good time—”
“I’d have a good time in Paris. With him.”
“—doing something that does not involve murder.”
I glowered at her. “An ordinary holiday. Like an ordinary girl.”
“Exactly. I’m sure you can manage that. Rumor has it you’re clever and resourceful.”
– Elizabeth C. Bunce, How to Get Away with Myrtle
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/10/10/blog-tour-premeditated-myrtle-how-to-get-away-with-myrtle-elizabeth-c-bunce/
Myrtle returns for another adventure, and this time she is taking to the road… well, rail… with her beloved Miss Judson and less-beloved Aunt Helena. Can our young detective-in-training still practice her skills when she is out of her comfort zone, away from her resources, and under the disapproving eye of the family battleaxe?
Of course, she can… after all, Myrtle IS irrepressible!
In this story, she faces another classically-Christie style murder, whilst dodging responsible adult influences and making some new friends (and enemies!). As well as Harriet the Spy and Flavia de Luce, I got a distinct flavour of Amelia Peabody in Myrtle’s determined focus on finding the truth and fulfilling her ambitions, against the doubts and expectations of those around her. I could definitely see an adult Myrtle poking miscreants out of her way with a parasol!
It was lovely to see my own personal favourite character, Mr Blakeney, making a return this time around and I cheered his appearance as much as I booed Aunt Helena’s. But these are no pantomime characters, and Elizabeth C. Bunce develops even her side characters into more complex and nuanced individuals, subverting reader expectations delightfully.
This is another rippingly good adventure tale for young – and older – readers, and I am definitely adding copies of these books to my personal shelves. I love it when I find a new favourite author!
Fellow fans of classic mystery novels with unique characters, and a light, humorous style of writing, are sure to love these books as much as I do. I can’t wait to introduce Myrtle to Minishine!
I turned away and shoved the chemisettes into the trunk. If this were a proper holiday, Father would be coming with us, not separating us with a whole ocean.” On a Proper Holiday, Father and Miss Judson might even frolic on the beach together. They’d Promenade on the Pier together. We could be a Proper Family, just the three of us. Instead, Miss Judson and I were being Exiled to the seaside, while Father got as far away from us as possible.
Miss Judson turned me to face her. “You may not believe this, but your father just wants you to have a good time—”
“I’d have a good time in Paris. With him.”
“—doing something that does not involve murder.”
I glowered at her. “An ordinary holiday. Like an ordinary girl.”
“Exactly. I’m sure you can manage that. Rumor has it you’re clever and resourceful.”
– Elizabeth C. Bunce, How to Get Away with Myrtle
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/10/10/blog-tour-premeditated-myrtle-how-to-get-away-with-myrtle-elizabeth-c-bunce/