Scan barcode
themarinabox's reviews
191 reviews
The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah
3.0
I've listened to this as an audiobook.
Honestly, as a fan of Agatha Christie, I went into this I was a little hesitant. And I think I am little right about that. It's hard to say this but I thought this was slightly more complicated that it needs to be. There are some parts that are definitely kind of overwritten but once I get passed those parts that felt tedious, it's all enjoyable again.
In general, I think this book isn't that great but it's fine and still an enjoyable read. After reading this, I read the The Mystery of Threee Quarters, the third book in the series, and it's so much better. So, if you didn't like this book, I will say that I think it's worth try the other books because she definitely improved.
Honestly, as a fan of Agatha Christie, I went into this I was a little hesitant. And I think I am little right about that. It's hard to say this but I thought this was slightly more complicated that it needs to be. There are some parts that are definitely kind of overwritten but once I get passed those parts that felt tedious, it's all enjoyable again.
In general, I think this book isn't that great but it's fine and still an enjoyable read. After reading this, I read the The Mystery of Threee Quarters, the third book in the series, and it's so much better. So, if you didn't like this book, I will say that I think it's worth try the other books because she definitely improved.
The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
4.0
Firstly, thanks to The American Book Center for the advance copy of The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah.
This is the third instalment in the remake Poirot series by Sophie Hannah. After reading the first book, The Monogram Murders, I can definitely say that like this one much better.
As a fan of Agatha Christie mysteries, this book has all the ingredients that I look for in a mystery. It has a compelling storyline, clever red herrings and a great puzzle for you to try and solve as you read. Red herrings can be so frustrating and sometimes, even unnecessary but Sophie Hannah manages to weave the red herrings in so cleverly that it's hard to be angry about them. Speaking of weaving, the little side-track in the book blended in so well and you'll understand the title of the book even more.
Full review on my blog
This is the third instalment in the remake Poirot series by Sophie Hannah. After reading the first book, The Monogram Murders, I can definitely say that like this one much better.
As a fan of Agatha Christie mysteries, this book has all the ingredients that I look for in a mystery. It has a compelling storyline, clever red herrings and a great puzzle for you to try and solve as you read. Red herrings can be so frustrating and sometimes, even unnecessary but Sophie Hannah manages to weave the red herrings in so cleverly that it's hard to be angry about them. Speaking of weaving, the little side-track in the book blended in so well and you'll understand the title of the book even more.
Full review on my blog
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
5.0
Wow. I knew this book was going to be a dark one but to me, it got darker than I expected. Even though, it did took me a couple of chapters before getting into it, this book did manage to suck me in.
There were bits where I had my suspicions but there were also parts that took me by surprised. Sharp Objects did not disappoint. It's dark, dysfunctional, barely any likeable characters and so rich in story. I think Gillian Flynn did a brilliant job with this one and I've really enjoyed this way more than Dark Places.
There were bits where I had my suspicions but there were also parts that took me by surprised. Sharp Objects did not disappoint. It's dark, dysfunctional, barely any likeable characters and so rich in story. I think Gillian Flynn did a brilliant job with this one and I've really enjoyed this way more than Dark Places.
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
4.0
4,5 stars.
Yay! Finally, jumped onto the Marple bandwagon.
Great read. Very enjoyable and all the colourful characters were so fun! I was afraid that I wasn't able to keep up with all the characters but they all had their own standout personalities and roles, so it didn't become a problem.
Unlike Poirot, I love that Marple isn't a professional detective and just a nosy woman in the small town(village?). She just knows everything and everyone.
The reveal itself didn't really surprise me but the whole book was such a joy to read that it didn't bother me too much.
Yay! Finally, jumped onto the Marple bandwagon.
Great read. Very enjoyable and all the colourful characters were so fun! I was afraid that I wasn't able to keep up with all the characters but they all had their own standout personalities and roles, so it didn't become a problem.
Unlike Poirot, I love that Marple isn't a professional detective and just a nosy woman in the small town(village?). She just knows everything and everyone.
The reveal itself didn't really surprise me but the whole book was such a joy to read that it didn't bother me too much.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4.0
A quick audiobook listen but packs a punch.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
4.0
3.8 STARS.
I usually write my review right away or a couple of hours later. But with Behind Her Eyes, I needed to talk about it and let it settle in my brain so that I can decide if I like it or not. LOL! For those who have not read and wondering, yes, the ending can and might make you go "WTF?!". It's REALLY hard for me to say if it's shocking in a good or bad way because for me personally, it's a bit of both.
It's frustrating that I can't tell you much more than that without giving anything away. I will say that you've been warned and it's one of those things that you could potentially really don't like in a book.
Let's talk about the rest of the book. It's ooooookay. It's not fast-paced and in fact, some parts were, dare I say it, quite draggy but I felt curious enought to want to know what was the dark secret. And honestly, I was quite looking forward to reach the twist that blew everyone's head off lol.
Like what I've said earlier, the twist/reveal/whatever you wanna call it, was shocking to me in both good and bad way. Meaning, there were elements of it that I hated and other I liked. Either way, I found it very original. Or at least, I've never come across something like this before.
This book frustrates me but also haunts me. Does this mean I want to read more of Sarah Pinborough's book? Heck yes.
I usually write my review right away or a couple of hours later. But with Behind Her Eyes, I needed to talk about it and let it settle in my brain so that I can decide if I like it or not. LOL! For those who have not read and wondering, yes, the ending can and might make you go "WTF?!". It's REALLY hard for me to say if it's shocking in a good or bad way because for me personally, it's a bit of both.
It's frustrating that I can't tell you much more than that without giving anything away. I will say that you've been warned and it's one of those things that you could potentially really don't like in a book.
Let's talk about the rest of the book. It's ooooookay. It's not fast-paced and in fact, some parts were, dare I say it, quite draggy but I felt curious enought to want to know what was the dark secret. And honestly, I was quite looking forward to reach the twist that blew everyone's head off lol.
Like what I've said earlier, the twist/reveal/whatever you wanna call it, was shocking to me in both good and bad way. Meaning, there were elements of it that I hated and other I liked. Either way, I found it very original. Or at least, I've never come across something like this before.
This book frustrates me but also haunts me. Does this mean I want to read more of Sarah Pinborough's book? Heck yes.
The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
4.0
Basically, in this collection of short stories, Miss Marple and her friends were having a gathering of somekind. Each of them shared mysterious stories and the rest tried to guess what happened or who did it. As a reader, it’s just incredibly fun to make my own guess. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I want to say that there were interesting dynamics between older and younger generation. And my favourite comment from Miss Marple on this subject is, ‘I hope you dear young people will never realise how very wicked the world is.’
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s difficult to give 5 stars for a collect of short stories because even though they were generally absolutely entertaining, there were some stories that I liked more that others. But anyways, I’ll definitely recommend you to read if you like or want to get into short stories. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I want to say that there were interesting dynamics between older and younger generation. And my favourite comment from Miss Marple on this subject is, ‘I hope you dear young people will never realise how very wicked the world is.’
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s difficult to give 5 stars for a collect of short stories because even though they were generally absolutely entertaining, there were some stories that I liked more that others. But anyways, I’ll definitely recommend you to read if you like or want to get into short stories. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Friend Request by Laura Marshall
3.0
I’ve truly enjoyed reading Friend Request even though it felt a bit slow-paced at times. But it didn’t matter because there was much intrigue and I need to know!! Lol. So why did I only give it 3 stars? The reveal. Oh the reveal. It wasn’t a bad ending. It was just very anti-climatic.
Oh wells. I am interested to check out other books by Laura Marshall. So that’s not too bad ;)
Oh wells. I am interested to check out other books by Laura Marshall. So that’s not too bad ;)
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
5.0
5 BIG FAT STARS.
First of all, I didn’t realise that it is a part of a series. However, that didn’t really matter and you can read it as a standalone.
The book grabbed me right from the first page. I’ve never read a book that was as page-turner as this one. It was exciting, smart, cunning and thrilling. Everything I could ever hoped for in a crime book.
The short chapters kept me thoroughly intrigued and pretty sure you would too.
I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series and looking forward to the upcoming ones.
Such a clever book that is giving me a big book hangover. Cheer to Steve Cavanagh!
First of all, I didn’t realise that it is a part of a series. However, that didn’t really matter and you can read it as a standalone.
The book grabbed me right from the first page. I’ve never read a book that was as page-turner as this one. It was exciting, smart, cunning and thrilling. Everything I could ever hoped for in a crime book.
The short chapters kept me thoroughly intrigued and pretty sure you would too.
I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series and looking forward to the upcoming ones.
Such a clever book that is giving me a big book hangover. Cheer to Steve Cavanagh!