mrdcoolblue's reviews
131 reviews

The Noh Mask Murder by Akimitsu Takagi

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

Classic Japanese locked-room mystery. What more can I say? 

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It’s a very weird and immersive character study with a healthy dose of manipulative eldritch plant creature, yearning, and the slow decay of the middle class. 

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

adventurous dark emotional 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

3.5

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

adventurous funny 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

4.0

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.0

It’s a very slow start, but once it gets going, it’s very tense, detailed, and visceral. There are a few writing quirks that I’m not a fan of, especially in the detailed descriptions. Overall, though, it was an interesting type of haunting. 

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

mysterious 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

3.0

The writing is appropriately quirky, and the mysteries are interesting. Just a fair warning that this is meant to lead directly into the next book. Nothing gets solved, both in the present and the past. It ends on what I would consider a dissatisfying cliffhanger. 

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

This was a cute mix of Agatha-Christie-an mystery mixed with a modern rom-com. I had a lot of fun, and Maggie and Ethan endeared me to them

Beast in the Shadows by Edogawa Rampo

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75