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muffinamy's reviews
72 reviews
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
mysterious
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
3.5
Definitely less intriguing than the first book unfortunately. The mystery just wasn’t very compelling. I love the B plot arc of Mary and John though, and as per, Sherlock is such a good character.
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
I love all things Sherlock, so found it fitting to finally sit down and read the books everything I adore is based on. Off to a strong start, Watson is so compelling and Sherlock is hilarious (I doubt this was ACD’s intention but he just is so unserious I love him). I can’t wait to delve properly into this series further!
The Narrator by K.L. Slater
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This wasn’t my favourite. As a reader, there was just absolutely nothing given for even a mere guess of what the end could be. Trying to piece together the plot from the clues given was like trying to squash water. It was utterly pointless. I suppose that was the intention, but it’s a shame that there was absolutely no way for the reader to guess - because it was pretty black and white that Chad was a bad guy until the very, very end . Though I have to admit Hugo’s involvement was the only bit that I had guessed, but he was ginormous pain in the butt for the entire book so of course he was involved. I just presumed he’d have been bestie mates with Chad. Chad’s little 180° change from being creepy stalker weirdo to being the saviour who never had any bad intentions at the end was ridiculous and made no sense when you compare it to every behaviour he exhibited for the entire first 95% of the book!?!? . Idk, definitely not my thing. I like K.L Slater but I’d definitely give this one a miss.
Missing by K.L. Slater
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
I’ve become a big fan of these books. I had this one figured out down to the very last detail, until the final reveal at the end. They’re so silly but so great and such easy reads. Obsessed.
Cats and Catnapping by Julia Koty
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
3.0
Simple, short and relaxing first read of the year!
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
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
1.0
This was certainly not a book for me. I heard excellent things but I found it quite a struggle to get through, which is definitely my fault for not properly researching the themes. My first and very prominent issue with this story was Zade. How and why are people finding this disgusting man endearing? He was introduced as this awesome Dexter style murderer stalker who was scary but so intriguing and interesting. But when he r*ped Adeline TWICE and took advantage of her when she was drunk I had more than had enough of him. WHAT am I reading?!? Isn’t this exactly what you kill people for, Zade? R*ping innocent people? But it’s okay bc she’s your ‘mouse’? Your self proclaimed property? Absolutely not. People are seriously finding the gun scene anything but absolutely horrifying??? When she is explicit in her thoughts that she’s horrified and exploited and embarrassed that her body is responding so favourably to something she’s finding so traumatic? People are rating this ‘high on spice’? Are you guys SERIOUS????? If you find this ‘spice’ up your street, so be it. But violent r*pe certainly isn’t something I’d rate 5 stars. Despite the cliffhanger, I definitely will be passing on the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
The Girlfriend by K.L. Slater
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the second book by this author that I have read and my review of the first book said it fell short in that the story was impossible for the reader to solve because necessary elements were withheld. The same cannot be said for this book, and I found it MUCH more enjoyable. I had correctly guessed bits and pieces which made their reveals all the more satisfying, but there was also a good amount of shock value which didn’t feel displaced or included for the sake it of. Definitely worth the read. Side note: I also love the reoccurring police characters. Idk if this is a staple across all of her books but I have enjoyed their presence in the two I have read so far.
Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Great end to a great series. Definitely would recommend !
Husband and Wife by K.L. Slater
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.75
I found this book both intriguing and silly. Every time I thought I had the plot down, the author took a 180 and I was thrown right back to square one. I like to be surprised, but I do also enjoy in mystery books for the ability to be able to guess, and there was absolutely no way to guess what was going on until we are told. Too much information is withheld to allow the reader a decent shot of piecing the plot together. Regardless though, I thought the plot was interesting despite all of the characters being unlikeable. You struggle to root for anyone because Parker is dying, but he’s also a cheat and suspect/believed killer for way too much of the book for you to sympathise. Luna is believed to be being cheated on, but she’s too jealous and insufferable for you to feel sorry for her. Nicola is losing everything, but she other than the car accident she is the sole reason literally everything that happens, happens. If she literally just shut the hell up Luna wouldn’t have gone to the police and everything wouldn’t have unravelled in such a ridiculous way. Go to the police girl? She clearly thought Parker was innocent, so I didn’t understand what her silly apprehension was about. Even Sarah, the poor girl who got murdered, is painted as a villain blackmailing stealing money from who is believed to be Parker but is revealed to be his father. There is no redeeming quality about any of the characters and I’m honestly quite glad none of them got their happy ending.
One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly any one of these characters (other than keisha, slay) could’ve been the character that died at the end and I’d have been satisfied. Not one of them was likeable in the slightest. However I did like the ending and the author did a good job of keeping me hooked despite not rooting for anybody. Pretty decent book, I’m glad I read it !