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nathanjhunt's reviews
211 reviews
The Mystery Of The Blue Jar by Agatha Christie
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
This was my 57th book finished in 2025.
I didn't guess the twist at the end until it was too late! Not what I expected at all, very good.
I didn't guess the twist at the end until it was too late! Not what I expected at all, very good.
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was my 56th book fished in 2025.
I wasn't sure what I'd think of this book initially, but I grew to find it very charming and likeable. I enjoyed a lot of the characters and their near-constant use of slang. The idea of a heist novel set in Victorian London was very original and fun.
It was a great insight into Victorian London - far more interesting and engaging than anything Dickens could write! Crichton clearly did a lot of research, but he tripped up on a couple occasions:
He begins by saying people only travelled by horse before 1830, and seems to entirely forget about the canal boom. Canals and railways were so closely tied in those early days, but he doesn't mention a canal once.
Crichton uses Pounds and Guineas interchangeably, but they are not the same (pound = 20 shillings, guinea = 21 shillings aka £1.05).
I was surprised that an American could focus so accurately on this British story, but it slipped on two occasions:
The one time it is mentioned, he says "pants" instead of "trousers". And throughout, which irked me, he refers to it as a railroad; we call it a railway. And he uses it accurately when referring to the company SER (South Eastern Railway), so it surprised me that he cocked it up on every other occasion.
The book is unfortunately bogged down by occasional sexism; uncomfortable sexual passages and unnecessary racist words. I understand the historical context behind this, but the narrator is clearly speaking directly to a modern audience; therefore it seems very strange to talk about these things as a matter of fact, without acknowledging how these things are not suitable to a modern audience.
I wasn't sure what I'd think of this book initially, but I grew to find it very charming and likeable. I enjoyed a lot of the characters and their near-constant use of slang. The idea of a heist novel set in Victorian London was very original and fun.
It was a great insight into Victorian London - far more interesting and engaging than anything Dickens could write! Crichton clearly did a lot of research, but he tripped up on a couple occasions:
He begins by saying people only travelled by horse before 1830, and seems to entirely forget about the canal boom. Canals and railways were so closely tied in those early days, but he doesn't mention a canal once.
Crichton uses Pounds and Guineas interchangeably, but they are not the same (pound = 20 shillings, guinea = 21 shillings aka £1.05).
I was surprised that an American could focus so accurately on this British story, but it slipped on two occasions:
The one time it is mentioned, he says "pants" instead of "trousers". And throughout, which irked me, he refers to it as a railroad; we call it a railway. And he uses it accurately when referring to the company SER (South Eastern Railway), so it surprised me that he cocked it up on every other occasion.
The book is unfortunately bogged down by occasional sexism; uncomfortable sexual passages and unnecessary racist words. I understand the historical context behind this, but the narrator is clearly speaking directly to a modern audience; therefore it seems very strange to talk about these things as a matter of fact, without acknowledging how these things are not suitable to a modern audience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual content
Belinda Blinked; 2: The continuing story of, dripping sex, passion and big business deals. Keep following the sexiest sales girl in business as she earns her huge bonus by removing her silk blouse. by Rocky Flintstone
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was my 29th book finished in 2024.
I listened to this book in podcast form. It was very entertaining like the first, and it's interesting to see Rocky begin to include actual literary devices. I enjoyed the first book just a little bit more, as, oddly, it seemed to have a more concise "plot".
I listened to this book in podcast form. It was very entertaining like the first, and it's interesting to see Rocky begin to include actual literary devices. I enjoyed the first book just a little bit more, as, oddly, it seemed to have a more concise "plot".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Alcohol
The Secret Diaries Of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This was my 7th book finished in 2024.
Having read slave narratives from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as diaries from the 17th and 18th centuries, I have to say that Joseph delivers an authentic and important book.
I will admit, I thought a bit more would happen. But I should be relieved and not disappointed that Sancho escaped some of the more brutal treatments black people received at this time.
I'd say this book was, surprisingly, a romance! I didn't think I would enjoy a book like that, but I was proven wrong.
It was so interesting to read about such a white-washed period of Britain. Even when you think a black man is free, he is not truly free. Sancho's referring to himself as a "caged bird" was perfect.
At times, I felt the book was slightly too long and slow-paced, but in retrospect, I think it was fine. I found it very easy to read, and flew through it. I feel my admiration for this book is growing over time.
For a debut novel, it is impressive. And Joseph clearly is very passionate and knowledgeable about Sancho. It was a delight to read.
Having read slave narratives from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as diaries from the 17th and 18th centuries, I have to say that Joseph delivers an authentic and important book.
I will admit, I thought a bit more would happen. But I should be relieved and not disappointed that Sancho escaped some of the more brutal treatments black people received at this time.
I'd say this book was, surprisingly, a romance! I didn't think I would enjoy a book like that, but I was proven wrong.
It was so interesting to read about such a white-washed period of Britain. Even when you think a black man is free, he is not truly free. Sancho's referring to himself as a "caged bird" was perfect.
At times, I felt the book was slightly too long and slow-paced, but in retrospect, I think it was fine. I found it very easy to read, and flew through it. I feel my admiration for this book is growing over time.
For a debut novel, it is impressive. And Joseph clearly is very passionate and knowledgeable about Sancho. It was a delight to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Classism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, Alcohol
Accident by Agatha Christie
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
This was my 55th book finished in 2025.
This is my favourite Christie short story so far. I ended up finding it more interesting than I thought I would, and quite liked the ending.
This is my favourite Christie short story so far. I ended up finding it more interesting than I thought I would, and quite liked the ending.
Witches by Terry Deary
dark
funny
informative
fast-paced
3.5
This was my 1st book finished in 2025.
Informative and interesting. I wish it featured a bit more on witches in other cultures, however.
Some aspects were a bit repetitive.
Informative and interesting. I wish it featured a bit more on witches in other cultures, however.
Some aspects were a bit repetitive.
Right On Track by Terry Deary
informative
medium-paced
3.25
This was my 46th and last book finished in 2024.
I had high hopes for this book, being an avid railway "fan". The early history of engines and the railway were informative and well-written, but the book quickly descended into steam railway disaster tales... One after the other, after the other, after the other...
I feel like a lot was missed out - nothing whatsoever about canals or the Beeching axe, or modern trains / railways? And it was dotted with random "fake adverts" which was just used as filler.
Slightly disappointed.
I had high hopes for this book, being an avid railway "fan". The early history of engines and the railway were informative and well-written, but the book quickly descended into steam railway disaster tales... One after the other, after the other, after the other...
I feel like a lot was missed out - nothing whatsoever about canals or the Beeching axe, or modern trains / railways? And it was dotted with random "fake adverts" which was just used as filler.
Slightly disappointed.
The Blitzed Brits by Terry Deary
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
This was my 44th book finished in 2024.
I'll admit, I liked it more than I thought I would, as this is not an era I usually take interest in. Although it seems like an oddly specific topic for one of the earliest HH books, especially seeing as another book about WWII was released a few years later.
I actually found a lot of it interesting, but some sections were really drawn out, especially towards the end.
A side note: The recipes had the measurements all wrong - since when was half a pint 800ml? And when was 1 tsp equal to 15g, but 2 tsp is only 5g?
I'll admit, I liked it more than I thought I would, as this is not an era I usually take interest in. Although it seems like an oddly specific topic for one of the earliest HH books, especially seeing as another book about WWII was released a few years later.
I actually found a lot of it interesting, but some sections were really drawn out, especially towards the end.
A side note: The recipes had the measurements all wrong - since when was half a pint 800ml? And when was 1 tsp equal to 15g, but 2 tsp is only 5g?
The Savage Stone Age by Terry Deary
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This was my 42nd book finished in 2024.
I liked this book as a kid, it's no wonder I grew up to be a commercial archaeologist.
So this book does a pretty bad job at defining periods of the "stone age", aka Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic. The "stone age" is a vast period of human history, technologies were so varied, and they're all just kind of smooshed together in here.
With such a vast period, I was surprised that some aspects of the book touched upon the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval period. The Bronze Age and Iron Age could be their own books, there's so much to say!
There was also a lot of time taken to talk about the history of archaeology. As an archaeologist, I'm not mad about this, but again, this could be its own book.
My last point, is that there are a lot of sections with theories that are presented as fact. This is bad as theories change and evolve, and it can badly date a book that's already 25 years old. Everything in this book is a theory - we don't know for sure if humans did what they did, and the book should be more open about that.
I liked this book as a kid, it's no wonder I grew up to be a commercial archaeologist.
So this book does a pretty bad job at defining periods of the "stone age", aka Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic. The "stone age" is a vast period of human history, technologies were so varied, and they're all just kind of smooshed together in here.
With such a vast period, I was surprised that some aspects of the book touched upon the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval period. The Bronze Age and Iron Age could be their own books, there's so much to say!
There was also a lot of time taken to talk about the history of archaeology. As an archaeologist, I'm not mad about this, but again, this could be its own book.
My last point, is that there are a lot of sections with theories that are presented as fact. This is bad as theories change and evolve, and it can badly date a book that's already 25 years old. Everything in this book is a theory - we don't know for sure if humans did what they did, and the book should be more open about that.
Angry Animals by Nick Arnold
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This was my 38th book finished in 2024.
I've had this book since childhood but never read it until now! It was actually quite funny and witty.
I thought it was informative and neatly layed out, but some parts felt like filler. The ending was predictable, but well-written for kids.
As other reviews have said, it was a shame it didn't include anything on invertebrates.
I've had this book since childhood but never read it until now! It was actually quite funny and witty.
I thought it was informative and neatly layed out, but some parts felt like filler. The ending was predictable, but well-written for kids.
As other reviews have said, it was a shame it didn't include anything on invertebrates.