robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)

The Trouble with the Daring Governess

Annie Burrows

4.25

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Fast, sweet and fun. A Regency treat

Loyalty

Mary Kingswood

4.0

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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: N/A

The romance was fine, but it was a distraction from the mystery which was more interesting

The Bloomsbury Affair

Anita Davison

DID NOT FINISH: 20%

The writing just felt lifeless and pedestrian

The Scandal of the Season (Harlequin Historical)

Annie Burrows

4.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

sweet fast and fun

Caesar's Last Breath: Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us

Sam Kean

4.0

informative lighthearted medium-paced

I really like good popsci, and the science in this book was interesting and informative. But the style was too jokey for my tastes. The author seemed to be trying to hard to be witty and jocular.

The Studio Crime

Ianthe Jerrold

4.0

lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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: N/A

An entertaining story, written a style that meshed perfectly with my tastes. The "exotic foreigner" trope was a bit tiresome, a reminder of the book's age, but it was relatively low-key and not ultimately pivotal. A good read and I'm looking forward the next one

The Dog Sitter Detective

Antony Johnston

DID NOT FINISH: 65%

I'm not a big fan of the 'braindead cops need their thinking done for them' genre to start with, but when the author picks my favourite micro-state as background setting & shows zero interest in getting anything about it right, that's a pass.

In The Republic of San Marino (home to some of my dearest friends and fondest memories, hence the photo of le tre Torri in my profile) the cars all have "RSM" stickers, and the country is VERY proud of being the oldest republic still in existence. It has twin heads of state/government who are democratically elected. So why is it a "principality" in the book?

Also, when I was last there, I got one of their novelty stamps on my passport – the Sammarinese friend I was staying with (again) thought it was a huge joke and a waste of 5 euros. But it had an unexpected after-effect. It confused the customs official at Fiumicino on our way home. As he checked our passports prior to boarding he asked “how did you fly into San Marino?” and that’s the question I’d like to ask too:

How was it that Tina and her fiancé were going to fly into a country without an international airport and without an airport large enough to accommodate an international flight, and without any customs control points?

How do two dogs raised in an Italophone country respond so well to English commands? The list of examples of the author's indifference to details, especially about a country that I have strong sentimental ties to, was just too long in the end, and I bailed.

The Man with the Dark Beard

Annie Haynes

DID NOT FINISH: 50%

My third attempt at an Annie Haynes, and my third DNF. Dull, antiquated writing - the author seemed to be in love with language from 50 years or more prior. The characters are dull, and unlikeable