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purplepenning's reviews
1654 reviews
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
We definitely need more like this for middle graders who aren't up for tackling longer books! Sweet, interesting, easy-reading, contemporary, mysterious, a little quirky.
The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
2.75
A decent idea but unbalanced execution. Most troublesome — the jaunty "Murder She Wrote" tone and tongue-in-cheek cozy cliches just didn't match the more serious publishing-industry #MeToo storyline or the even darker background of horrific abusive at the castle.
I Only Read Murder by Will Ferguson, Ian Ferguson
3.5
Picture Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek as an amateur sleuth investigating the murder of her rival in a community theater production.
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Transphobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Terminal illness and Alcohol
Threat of outing, blackmail
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
Minor: Death
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Great fun! A globetrotting mystery adventure with a quirky cast that includes a frighteningly competent body guard, her curmudgeonly ex-copper father-in-law, her high-rolling author client, plus bosses and bad guys, celebrities and wannabes, a cat called Trouble and a pub quiz team. You might have some of the mystery solved by the end, but Osman's writing is so compelling you'll read at a gallop and be happy for the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, and Death of parent
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Narnia vibes in the best possible way! Other than the Hedwig moment, I was all in and can't wait for the next installment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent