A review by lastblossom
The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The previous book, much like its lead, felt very new to the scene. The premise was interesting enough to hook me, but the mystery didn't feel terribly Sherlockian in nature. This one, however, really does. It's a step up from the first book, as the writing and the character feel a lot more confident.

The mystery is just a little more tangled in all the good ways. There's an aura of Baskerville hanging over the proceedings. And our lead actually does a reasonable amount of detective work! It's a subtle but welcome shift from the first book, and the mystery lines up a lot more with expectations for a Holmes-style adventure. The B plot departs from the Holmes formula with complications in Harry's own life, but it's also a step up from the first book, with the mystery of what's happening at her workplace getting deeper, and a potential romance getting warmer.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings