taliesien's reviews
605 reviews

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Still don't like the MC, loathe the NPC characters (aka the 'picks') and the attempt at "cozy" in book 7! is still failing. It's like reading a bad Josh Lanyon (circa 2010) impersonator. I skimmed most of the book, like every one after book 1, just to see if I guessed the murderer. I hope the author puts this series out its misery soon and goes back to writing what they're good at. It sure isn't cozies.

The Lilbury Murder by James Quentin

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funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

4 stars and much better amateur sleuth murder mystery than I've read from established authors in quite some time. Would have been better if I understood what was going on with the MC and one of the supporting characters, Simon. That was confusing. Oh and the ludicrous almost every guy is gay plot device. Enjoyable murder mystery with gay protagonist. I hope there is a followup book in future to resolve some inconsistencies and the odd relationship dynamics with the MC and supporting characters. If you read a lot of murder mysteries you'll twig to the murderer in this one but the MC is likeable enough to overcome the overreliance on red herrings.

Pride and Puncture by Chase Connor

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Company Business by Sherry A. Burton

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Not So Innocent by Dani Alexander

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dark sad tense fast-paced

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

2.75

First half of book was going well and looked like it was going to be a 4 star but the 2nd half gave me whiplash with major MC revelations & behavior that made me wish he was dead. So yeah, second half left me very disgusted and no longer rooting for MC's to be together.

Also some serious plot holes that I suspect were created when editing blew some of the continuity in the writing. All and all the book was a huge disappointment for me.

Content Warnings

Killer Secrets by Kathleen Donnelly

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

MC's were acting emotionally immature. Inner narrative of "bad guy" was cartoonish. I kept flashing to Snidely Whiplash from my childhood cartoon days and just couldn't take them seriously. Overall the plot and characterizations were just too over the top in this one. My least favorite of the three.

Hunting the Truth by Kathleen Donnelly

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced