pencilled_robin's reviews
109 reviews

I Know What You Did Last Wednesday by Anthony Horowitz

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Fun little read

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

funny lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Sacred and Profane by Faye Kellerman

dark emotional mysterious sad

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, and Murder

Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Alcohol

Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

funny informative lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

The Searcher by Tana French

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.75

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

5.0

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

A little too plot-focused for me... I would have liked to have spent a little more time developing the  relationships between established characters. In this book they are almost completely irrelevant to the mystery. The author set up an interesting set of dynamics in the first book, but since then it has remained frustratingly static, rehashing dramas without any real progress. Flavia's narration is lacking some of its usual charm as well.