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A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens
4.0
Since I've read my first Agatha Christie I understand that this is not entirely a whodunnit. After all, the characters in this story are growing and learning and developing. And not everything is about the case, although the case is constantly front and centre. It's what I like about it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself on the Orient-Express, but I prefer growing a little more attached to the characters. I was therefore quite excited to pick up the next book in this series.
I was even more excited about this book when I discovered that we were finally going to Hong Kong to see more of Hazel's family and culture. I love England, I love English boarding schools and I loved wandering around Oxford and the British high society, but it was amazing to have Daisy out of her element for once, especially because it really changed the dynamic between her and Hazel. Because here Hazel is the one always addressed first and Daisy is her side-kick.
What I quite liked is that it didn't cause loads of drama again. We've done that a few books ago, it was amazing and needed, but I'm glad the author chose to not repeat it. The way Daisy handled the situation, where she was the stranger and the outsider and the one not knowing how things were usually done, said loads about her character growth throughout the series and maybe even more about how true her friendship with Hazel is.
On top of that I really loved how much Stevens managed to put into this book, how much research much have gone into this and how it gives this book a unique and vibrant vibe. The city truly came to life and it was quite clear we were no longer in a Western country. Everything felt different and as a reader it felt like discovering a culture I knew next to nothing about and getting to experience it. I can't judge how accurate it all is, but the afterword gave me hope that she really attempted to do it well.
I was even more excited about this book when I discovered that we were finally going to Hong Kong to see more of Hazel's family and culture. I love England, I love English boarding schools and I loved wandering around Oxford and the British high society, but it was amazing to have Daisy out of her element for once, especially because it really changed the dynamic between her and Hazel. Because here Hazel is the one always addressed first and Daisy is her side-kick.
What I quite liked is that it didn't cause loads of drama again. We've done that a few books ago, it was amazing and needed, but I'm glad the author chose to not repeat it. The way Daisy handled the situation, where she was the stranger and the outsider and the one not knowing how things were usually done, said loads about her character growth throughout the series and maybe even more about how true her friendship with Hazel is.
On top of that I really loved how much Stevens managed to put into this book, how much research much have gone into this and how it gives this book a unique and vibrant vibe. The city truly came to life and it was quite clear we were no longer in a Western country. Everything felt different and as a reader it felt like discovering a culture I knew next to nothing about and getting to experience it. I can't judge how accurate it all is, but the afterword gave me hope that she really attempted to do it well.