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robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
I agree with other reviewers that a thematic arrangement would have been more helpful and that more examples of 'phantom maps' from outside Erurope would have added greatly. That said. I enjoyed the book, and especially the information about real places that often turned up as a result of lookinbg for imaginary ones.
Neither playful nor light-hearted, this was dark and moody. Not what I was after at all
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only real mystery in this story is (a) How the family of snivelling brats survived being murdered by the heroine and (b) how the heroine survived after an 'investigation that made Clou's efforts seem like the pinnacle of finesse, subtlety and intelligence. Do yourself a favour and avoid this drivel
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very slow paced start to the series, VERY, VERY horsey, but with enough low-key promise to make book 2 seem worth checking out
More than a third through and the story completely failed to grab me. Dull characterisation, dull storytelling. For a book advertised as being a mystery about books it was lifeless and much more about the politics of academia.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A solid if unspectacular start to the series. The author spent so much time and effort stressing Cross's lack of emotional response that the story came across similarly flat and monotonal. One positive from the unappealing portrayal of Cross was that it made me grateful that the two friends I have who are on the spectrum, one with Asperger's and his autistic brother, are both more complex and relatably human 3-dimensional people than Cross
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Probably the funniest murder mystery I've ever read. The first two-thirds of the book are full of wry jokes and amusing descriptions, then the last third is practically surreal in its complexity. The unravelling of the whodunit and how is so long-winded and Byzantine it actually reminded me of the "previously" intros on the classic TV parody Soap. Risible but obviously meant to be, I salute the author's ability to make murder a laughing matter.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A much stronger story than the series debut, this one was reflective and thoughtful, with the whodunit being secondary to the journey of exploration regarding the cast of characters
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
An interesting debut, not sure if there is enough here to continue with the series
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
A satisfying end to the series, and as a long time Gooner seeing the hero ask "there's an arsenal at Woolwich? " brought such a smile to my face that I bumped the book from 3.75 to 4/5