The meta asides and narrated humor pair well with the darker mystery and it just clicked for me. The addition of an excellent audiobook reader really The meta asides and narrated humor pair well with the darker mystery and it just clicked for me. The addition of an excellent audiobook reader really made this come to life. A very fun ride....more
An original mystery setting, which was certainly enjoyable. Sci-fi twists in a mystery always frustrate me because mysteries thrive on the reader knowAn original mystery setting, which was certainly enjoyable. Sci-fi twists in a mystery always frustrate me because mysteries thrive on the reader knowing the rules of the game so that they can make a reasonable guess at the hidden parts of the story, and while this book has them, it does get them out of the way in time for the reader to reform their opinions before the grand reveal.
The finale didn’t leave me quite satisfied, but the journey there is a good time....more
A successful sequel to the first Amory Ames book. I'm still just here for the relationship dynamic between Amory and Milo.A successful sequel to the first Amory Ames book. I'm still just here for the relationship dynamic between Amory and Milo....more
I really appreciated the historical sub-story here that takes up a decent chunk of the novel. It was the rare instance where I was invested equally inI really appreciated the historical sub-story here that takes up a decent chunk of the novel. It was the rare instance where I was invested equally in the modern and flashback story. In the broader context of the series it also helped freshen up the formulaic feeling of the books and help this stand out in the lineup of mysteries.
My one complaint is the two stories didn't ever seem to draw together. I kept waiting for some clue in the old letters to be the key to the modern mystery, but they remained fairly independent of each other....more
I'm not sure I even cared about who murdered Adonis by the end of this, I was just so in love with the slightly exaggerated humor of the writing that I'm not sure I even cared about who murdered Adonis by the end of this, I was just so in love with the slightly exaggerated humor of the writing that had me enjoying every word. I mean, how can you not be delighted at such language as:
"I had already established, as you know, that it was logically impossible for Kenneth to be distressed by anything that might occur between Ned and myself, but Kenneth, being an artist, has perhaps not studied logic and is unaware of the impossibility."
A whodunnit that's worthy of being read and reread. An instant favorite for me....more
The mystery itself is fine but forgettable. The relationship triangle and Amory and Milo's relationship is what makes this stand out for me.The mystery itself is fine but forgettable. The relationship triangle and Amory and Milo's relationship is what makes this stand out for me....more
I was afraid attempting a Christie via audiobook would ruin the effect, and while it did probably keep me from holding all the details in my head, thiI was afraid attempting a Christie via audiobook would ruin the effect, and while it did probably keep me from holding all the details in my head, this is a really well done version and I enjoyed every step....more
Taken in tiny pieces, there was a lot here I enjoyed. Douglas Adams has a fun way of phrasing that works perfectly with his absurd plots.
Taken as a whTaken in tiny pieces, there was a lot here I enjoyed. Douglas Adams has a fun way of phrasing that works perfectly with his absurd plots.
Taken as a whole, this story didn't hold up for me. I'm not sure Dirk ever solved anything. I'm not sure the female POV ever did anything that impacted the plot. Everyone was pulled in various directions by crazy events that never truly felt like they came together. The resolution happened offscreen and in a handful of pages, making it feel unresolved.
I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't work for me....more
A little too caricature and wild to really land. In some ways this very much felt like a fanfiction of Pride and Prejudice that was very polished up aA little too caricature and wild to really land. In some ways this very much felt like a fanfiction of Pride and Prejudice that was very polished up and sold to the mainstream. The humor and charm shone through often and I did enjoy it, but the book was often were simultaneously confusing. Minor (view spoiler)[ Mary is werewolf, but is so ignored and unnoticed by her family that literally no one knows even though it's obvious and spelled out in everything she does. It was an amusing running gag, but also, Mary is a werewolf? This is an otherwise not supernatural story, and it doesn't play into the plot, so why? (hide spoiler)]...more
This is definitely not the first story about potential heirs racing to solve a murder and win the whole inheritance. But it is a memorable and fun addThis is definitely not the first story about potential heirs racing to solve a murder and win the whole inheritance. But it is a memorable and fun addition to the trope. ...more
I appreciated a very original take on the cozy mystery genre, but this just didn't grab me in any way.I appreciated a very original take on the cozy mystery genre, but this just didn't grab me in any way....more
I liked a lot of this, but it's arguably the least National Park centered Anna Pigeon novel, which was disappointing.I liked a lot of this, but it's arguably the least National Park centered Anna Pigeon novel, which was disappointing....more
If you're reading it for the Cozy, it's pretty good. Rather fluffy and not dark. Character's are decently interestinThis is a Historical Cozy Mystery.
If you're reading it for the Cozy, it's pretty good. Rather fluffy and not dark. Character's are decently interesting if formulaic, it's a quick read you aren't going to be amazed with but which gives you the fun.
If you're reading it for the Historical, it's not good. Ignore all the social constructs of the regency era, they'd get in the way of our sleuth and therefore set aside. The setting supplies some atmosphere, but nothing more. Also be prepared for any good character to be very progressive and feminist, and any bad or simple character to believe in the status quo.
If you're reading this for the Mystery, it's meh. I had it figured at the half way point, but it felt like the only logical solution with no red herrings or complications, and not something to credit to my puzzle skills....more
Loading...
