bookswithlydscl's reviews
593 reviews

Playing Dead by Martin Edwards (ed.)

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5* 

Members of the Detection Club, the most prestigious group of crime writers in the world, celebrate the eightieth birthday of their former president – the original king of cozy crime, Simon Brett – with this collection of all-new short stories.

Based on this premise I was really looking forward to this collection and overall I felt that it was ok. There were a couple of stand out stories including Silver Fox, by Michael Ridpath, Crimes Ancient and Modern, by LC Tyler, An Old-Fashioned Murder, By David Stuart Davies and Full Circle, by Abir Mukherjee come to mind but for the most part I would say the stories were fine.

This felt like a passion project written for a friend and some of the stories probably should have stayed private but it's a quick and easy read and will appeal to fans of old fashioned crime fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Severn House for this digital review copy of "Playing Dead" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

The Train from Platform 2 by Stephanie Steel

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Just the palate cleanser I needed. Genuinely enjoyed and read very quickly. Some issues with some of the character work but overall it worked well and was a fun read

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A really solid series opener, love the premise and looking forward to continuing the series

The Odyssey by Homer

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's a story everyone knows even without realising it.

Didn't love Claire Danes' narration on this edition so rating it a little lower because of that (flat in many areas).

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Effective and moving

The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths

dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I just really enjoy this series. The mysteries are always solid and the characters are really growing as each book goes by - my only bugbear - Nelson and Michelle. It just feels a little forced.

Telephone by Percival Everett

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

Fast becoming a favourite author of mine!
A great mix of pathos and humour in this one.

Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5*

This series has really found its stride and I'm finding Ffion to be much less abrasive, more rounded and im really enjoying how her character is developing. Leo and George (and of course Dave the dog) also balance her out brilliantly.

I thought the case was great in this instalment and love the mixed media elements interspersed throughout. My only real fault for this one was the Allie chapters. She was so infuriating and annoying to read for most of it and whilst I absolutely get why she was needed and what her angle added I did get a little frustrated. However, whilst not redeemed I did come to accept her perspective for the final quarter as everything started to round up.

This is a series I've become really fond of and based on the ending I'm looking forward to what comes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere for this digital review copy of "Other People's Houses" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

A little on the nose for the current state of society but is a story of hope, enlightenment and education.
Loved it overall!

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A few twists and turns and love the female rage idea running throughout. Unreliable narrators abound but overall I really enjoyed this.