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leandrathetbrzero's reviews
159 reviews
Once Upon a Murder by Samantha Larsen
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I read this book in ONE day. 🧩❤️
Thank you Samantha Larsen, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC in exchange for this honest review!
PUB DATE: 20 Feb 2024
Samantha Larsen does it again! This series is 2-for-2 in reads I devour within 24 hours. One of my comfort-premises these days is “Strong, Resourceful Woman Solves Crimes in a Historical Time.” And Larsen takes us to 18th-century England, a time period I don’t often find myself in. Even better, she ensures a level of diversity within her cast that I think historical fiction tends to lack, but Larsen proves WITH RECEIPTS at the end of the book how and why diversity and historical settings are not universally exclusive elements.
I really love how our amateur sleuth, Tiffany, gains confidence in her independence as she finds her place in the community her half-brother’s controlling oppression was withholding from her prior to his death in book 1. She also continues to face challenges to her own morality and sense of justice surrounding serious issues: domestic violence and SA, prejudice and racism, and sexism. I have so much respect for an author who can juggle serious topics in a compelling murder mystery. This is a MUST read for historical mystery lovers!!
- SYNOPSIS -
“Miss Tiffany Woodall must sleuth the slaying of a footman to clear her beloved’s name in the second Lady Librarian mystery, in the vein of Deanna Raybourn and perfect for fans of Bridgerton.
1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record; the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder...”
Thank you Samantha Larsen, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC in exchange for this honest review!
PUB DATE: 20 Feb 2024
Samantha Larsen does it again! This series is 2-for-2 in reads I devour within 24 hours. One of my comfort-premises these days is “Strong, Resourceful Woman Solves Crimes in a Historical Time.” And Larsen takes us to 18th-century England, a time period I don’t often find myself in. Even better, she ensures a level of diversity within her cast that I think historical fiction tends to lack, but Larsen proves WITH RECEIPTS at the end of the book how and why diversity and historical settings are not universally exclusive elements.
I really love how our amateur sleuth, Tiffany, gains confidence in her independence as she finds her place in the community her half-brother’s controlling oppression was withholding from her prior to his death in book 1. She also continues to face challenges to her own morality and sense of justice surrounding serious issues: domestic violence and SA, prejudice and racism, and sexism. I have so much respect for an author who can juggle serious topics in a compelling murder mystery. This is a MUST read for historical mystery lovers!!
- SYNOPSIS -
“Miss Tiffany Woodall must sleuth the slaying of a footman to clear her beloved’s name in the second Lady Librarian mystery, in the vein of Deanna Raybourn and perfect for fans of Bridgerton.
1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record; the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder...”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault
Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Peril at Price Manor by Laura Parnum
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I decided to listen to this both as a way to get me in the mood for Halloween but also as a cure to get me out of a reading slump. The audiobook was honestly such good fun, and I cannot recommend it enough. Writing this review in March 2024, nearly 6 months after reading it, I can say I still reflect on this title fondly. The three children protagonists were humorous, determined, and the type of characters you root for. Highly recommend it!
Firesong by Vashti Hardy
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Buddy read with Danni!
Extra Normal by Kate Alice Marshall
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was the perfect spooky audiobook in the lead up to Halloween. And such a pleasant surprise for so many reasons! I loved the band of children led by the eldest sister, Charlie. Charlie is extremely protective of her supernatural adoptive siblings in the best way--not to mention that the adoption rep was really lovely to see! There is also very easy, normalized deaf representation with the werewolf brother Mateo. Whenever his siblings signed for him, it warmed my heart.
The most fun surprise came when I realized that I had actually read a book by this author...and quite recently! But in a completely different age category and genre combo: the adult thriller, What Lies In The Woods. I enjoyed that book as well, but Extra Normal was even better in my opinion. I was gripped by the creepy family who moved in across the street, the spiders searching for ways to get inside their house, and the past events that still haunt Charlie. I loved this book (having borrowed the audiobook via Libby) so much that I had to buy a copy for myself!
The most fun surprise came when I realized that I had actually read a book by this author...and quite recently! But in a completely different age category and genre combo: the adult thriller, What Lies In The Woods. I enjoyed that book as well, but Extra Normal was even better in my opinion. I was gripped by the creepy family who moved in across the street, the spiders searching for ways to get inside their house, and the past events that still haunt Charlie. I loved this book (having borrowed the audiobook via Libby) so much that I had to buy a copy for myself!
The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This continues to be a series that I devour in a matter of days! It was so lovely to return to the dark, puzzling world of Joseph Spector. This time around, I entered it with a friend! And what a great buddy read choice this ended up being. Tom Mead kept us on our toes as we followed the perspective of lawyer Edmund Ibbs. There were so many elements to love: the illusionist sleuth, the multiple impossible crimes being juggled, the maps/blueprints included, and the Clue Key at the back of the book are just the tip of the iceberg.
P.S. Don't be fooled by the title. Yes, there is a Ferris wheel involved, but a majority of the setting takes place in a theater!
P.S. Don't be fooled by the title. Yes, there is a Ferris wheel involved, but a majority of the setting takes place in a theater!
No One Leaves The Castle by Christopher Healy
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A wizard, a bounty hunter, and a bard enter the castle....one of them is murdered!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the romance between Chloe and Red. Both characters provide important representation, not just as an interracial coupling with a black woman and a white man. Chloe is a fat main character who lives with chronic pain. Red has experienced an abusive romantic relationship, and he is struggling to piece his life together. The dialogue was sharp and pretty realistic, the spice was entertaining, and there was so much humor throughout. I really enjoyed the audiobook experience.
The narrator does give the tone a fairytale story vibe as an older British woman narrator. I would have preferred two voice actors, one for each protagonist, that sound closer in age to the characters as well.
NOTE: A friend did mention the discomfort she had with the voyeurism that takes place in this books. I will admit that I may not have noticed it as much due to the fact that it was Chloe being the voyeur which is a gender double standard. If I were to reread this, I would probably look at these scenes a bit more critically.
The narrator does give the tone a fairytale story vibe as an older British woman narrator. I would have preferred two voice actors, one for each protagonist, that sound closer in age to the characters as well.
NOTE: A friend did mention the discomfort she had with the voyeurism that takes place in this books. I will admit that I may not have noticed it as much due to the fact that it was Chloe being the voyeur which is a gender double standard. If I were to reread this, I would probably look at these scenes a bit more critically.
Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for access to an e-ARC in exchange for this honest review!
3.25 stars
For full transparency, even though this is the fourth book in the Lily Adler mystery series, it was my first time following the regency widow as she solves crimes and brings about justice in her own way.
Crooked Lane Books has become my #1 publisher for historical mysteries as of late, from the Lady Librarian series to Viviana Valentine. It is unsurprising that I would be drawn to yet another historical mystery from Crooked Lane, especially one set during a Christmas ball with murderer and guests snowbound together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of this Christmas mystery. Lily, our amateur sleuth, is thoughtful and patient in her investigation, reminiscent of Rosalind Thorne (A Useful Woman) and Caroline Morton (Miss Morton mysteries). The mystery was well-plotted, and the number of suspicious characters kept me wondering how everything would end. I also appreciated the inclusion of what I would describe as a prototypical demisexual character. My rating stands, however, because I did find the pacing of the mystery slower than I typically like. I wanted to feel more invested in characters' struggles than I did, and some of the character arcs felt underdeveloped or in need of more explanation, especially those involving blackmail.
3.25 stars
For full transparency, even though this is the fourth book in the Lily Adler mystery series, it was my first time following the regency widow as she solves crimes and brings about justice in her own way.
Crooked Lane Books has become my #1 publisher for historical mysteries as of late, from the Lady Librarian series to Viviana Valentine. It is unsurprising that I would be drawn to yet another historical mystery from Crooked Lane, especially one set during a Christmas ball with murderer and guests snowbound together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of this Christmas mystery. Lily, our amateur sleuth, is thoughtful and patient in her investigation, reminiscent of Rosalind Thorne (A Useful Woman) and Caroline Morton (Miss Morton mysteries). The mystery was well-plotted, and the number of suspicious characters kept me wondering how everything would end. I also appreciated the inclusion of what I would describe as a prototypical demisexual character. My rating stands, however, because I did find the pacing of the mystery slower than I typically like. I wanted to feel more invested in characters' struggles than I did, and some of the character arcs felt underdeveloped or in need of more explanation, especially those involving blackmail.