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madelinemaesmith's reviews
611 reviews
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
3.0
10/10 for themes and questioning sexality and gender!!!
0/10 for plot and way too many names and terms and definitions that made this feel like a textbook
0/10 for plot and way too many names and terms and definitions that made this feel like a textbook
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
3.0
3⭐️/5
Hello? Thriller? Mystery? Are you there?
This is more a survival story than any sort of mystery. In fact, I’m genuinely not sure there was a central mystery or any moments of suspense. The journey was harrowing to be sure, but I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen that we couldn’t see from a mile away and it never came. Though I love a character-driven book, this one felt predictable and the characters lacking depth.
Hello? Thriller? Mystery? Are you there?
This is more a survival story than any sort of mystery. In fact, I’m genuinely not sure there was a central mystery or any moments of suspense. The journey was harrowing to be sure, but I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen that we couldn’t see from a mile away and it never came. Though I love a character-driven book, this one felt predictable and the characters lacking depth.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
4.0
4⭐️/5 - It’s hard not to compare this to our beloved Thursday Murder Club gang, but this book definitely holds its own. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries—those charming stories with quirky characters and crimes that are more about the puzzle than the gore—this is a great pick. It captures the same warmth and wit that fans of Thursday Murder Club will recognize, blending humor with a true sense of mystery.
The narrative structure is reminiscent of Thursday Murder Club—a layered mystery with multiple perspectives and a delightful ensemble cast—but this one adds a little more excitement to the mix, making it feel fresh while still fitting snugly into the cozy mystery genre. For those who enjoy spending time with a lovable cast and unraveling clever puzzles, this is an excellent addition to your reading list.
Perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club (obviously), The Maid, and Finlay Donovan is Killing It!
The narrative structure is reminiscent of Thursday Murder Club—a layered mystery with multiple perspectives and a delightful ensemble cast—but this one adds a little more excitement to the mix, making it feel fresh while still fitting snugly into the cozy mystery genre. For those who enjoy spending time with a lovable cast and unraveling clever puzzles, this is an excellent addition to your reading list.
Perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club (obviously), The Maid, and Finlay Donovan is Killing It!
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
3.0
3⭐️/5
This one had its cute moments, but the tone was all over the place. The premise? Absolutely ridiculous—and I loved every second of it. A sexy firefighter and a damsel in distress? Sure, why not? It delivered all the cheesy Hallmark movie vibes… until that last chapter, which took a spicy turn (
This one had its cute moments, but the tone was all over the place. The premise? Absolutely ridiculous—and I loved every second of it. A sexy firefighter and a damsel in distress? Sure, why not? It delivered all the cheesy Hallmark movie vibes… until that last chapter, which took a spicy turn (
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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