3.5 stars An enjoyable diversion on audio, since it's read by Elizabeth Knowelden, who probably elevated the material a bit. I think as a book it woul3.5 stars An enjoyable diversion on audio, since it's read by Elizabeth Knowelden, who probably elevated the material a bit. I think as a book it would probably be a so-so read since I'd want more depth and passion and plot, but listening to it was a very pleasant experience.
The Emma-like story is agreeably undemanding, though I wish a few elements and turns of phrase weren't quite so strongly reminiscent of other Austen works. I'm also not sure how much the additional POVs added to the story, primarily Cecelia's? (Why not more of the hero's POV, though, if you're going to do it at all?) But I enjoyed it overall nonetheless....more
I have to admit this one keeps you guessing, but there are a few too many twists for my taste, particularly when it keeps going and going eve3.5 stars
I have to admit this one keeps you guessing, but there are a few too many twists for my taste, particularly when it keeps going and going even after you've admired the cleverness of something that has just happened. Totally happy with what happened overall, it's just with so many factors and red herrings and sharp turns, it gets a bit wearisome. And it's fairly predictable as well, which I wonder if it isn't part of the reason that so many twists got thrown into the mix, to muddle things up and make you think you weren’t right after all.
Still, the author gets you into the heads of the two primary narrators well (particularly Sophie's) and does a good job with a couple of the others. The complicated female relationships are all interesting, even though you probably could have cut out a few characters and ended up with the same/better/more streamlined plot. I do think the "other" mothers and the husbands are a bit one-note as well; a bit more complexity would have bumped this up a little higher in rating. The men are terrible in the usual ways that men are terrible.
Audio Notes: I liked both narrators, but I really really liked Dakota Blue Richards' understated performance. Remember her as the fierce, fearless Lyra Belacqua with the beautiful curls in The Golden Compass film? She is an excellent narrator and I hope we get to listen to more of her work....more
I'm astounded by how obvious the antagonists and secrets were and how limp and unconvincing the herA humorless, charmless Christmas The Westing Game.
I'm astounded by how obvious the antagonists and secrets were and how limp and unconvincing the heroine was. The clues are also lacking in any kind of cleverness and wit, the lesbians are token, and the characters are one-note and resoundingly uninteresting.
One thing I'm not surprised by is how annoying third person present tense was. NEVER THE RIGHT CHOICE, GUYS....more
The main issue is there's a bit of a disconnect between the central darker subject and much of the tone. You expI enjoyed this, with one major caveat.
The main issue is there's a bit of a disconnect between the central darker subject and much of the tone. You expect murder, obviously, but this also explores (view spoiler)[rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and their aftermath (hide spoiler)] at some length, so those triggered by that might find this difficult. Even if you are not sensitive to those subjects, it's difficult to reconcile their seriousness with what would otherwise be a cozy mystery, particularly in a fairly short book. I found the epilogue with the lighthearted inclusion of a recipe to be particularly tone-deaf and in poor taste. Frankly, I'm surprised it made the final cut.
I loved the setting so much, however, in no small part because I took the Harry Potter steam train through the Scottish highlands a few months ago and went through many of the beautiful cities and countryside mentioned. *sigh* I'd love to go back again during the winter, so the snowscape and train carriages drew all kinds of wistful emotions.
I also enjoyed how well the author wrote a modern cozy mystery. I think some purists will scoff at it, but the author certainly acknowledges the Agatha Christie influence upon the story, and she does make it her own. I often find it jarring when contemporary technology and references are included in certain stories such as locked-room mysteries, but here it's integrated organically as part of the setting and characters. I also love the snowiness and literal coziness of it all, and I liked Roz even though towards the end, giving her a little more conflict over her choices would have garnered more respect.
Maybe the tonal issues could have been resolved in a longer novel. I found enough to enjoy overall, but there's no denying that the one issue is a pretty big one. A cozy mystery that takes on more serious issues isn't impossible, but in this instance, it wasn't balanced as well as it should have been.
Audio Notes: Mhairi Morrison's narration is so lovely to listen to. The gentle Scottish lilt is so pleasing to the ear and she does all the voices well! I'm glad I listened to this one on audio....more
The opening chapters of this historical novel are incredibly immersive, so much so that I went through the author's other novels and added a bunch of The opening chapters of this historical novel are incredibly immersive, so much so that I went through the author's other novels and added a bunch of them to my TBR. But the length, structure, and focus of this book eventually wore me down a bit, so that the visceral grip of the beginning never quite took hold in the same way again.
This story is based on the life of an 18th century New England midwife named Martha Ballard, and much of it centered around a brutal rape in her small community and Martha's contributions to uncovering the truth of what happened. The author's note at the end indicates that there is no historical documentation of Martha's existence other than her own notes and by way of her husband in public records. There's no doubt she was an extraordinary woman whose work and determination was remarkable, and considering the dearth of research material available, this work of fiction is pretty solid piece in some ways.
Still, as a novel, it is pretty uneven. After an incredible beginning written almost like a suspense novel, much of the rest of it felt like it was having an identity crisis. The most urgent parts relate to the central crime, though I would expect to feel anger and compassion more acutely for all the women. Ideas and observations are set forth from Martha's POV, which eventually felt like a writing shortcut in many instances, without enough actual demonstration or passion to balance them out. I'm also a little surprised by the inclusion of a couple of (mild, fade-to-black) sex scenes, which I have no objection to on principle, but felt out of place here when there are few instances of genuine emotion expressed otherwise other than a meager handful in passing.
All in all, I am glad to have learned about this very interesting woman, but as a work of fiction this didn't quite hit the mark for me. But it depends on what you're drawn to as a reader, I suppose; for me, this was overly long and needed more focus, deeper exploration of themes and a lot more emotion.
Audio Notes: Jane Oppenheimer's voice is very pleasant, but her narration feels more suited to cozy mysteries or modern thrillers than a historical work like this, though certainly the writing contributed to that as well. As a whole, this just didn't feel very "period," and I think the responsibility is both in the writing and in the choice of narrator....more
This is…fine. But with so many books with similar conceits, this doesn’t offer anything new or exciting in terms of plot, writing, setting, social comThis is…fine. But with so many books with similar conceits, this doesn’t offer anything new or exciting in terms of plot, writing, setting, social commentary, or characterization.
“Bitingly funny” and “full of shocking twists?” Are we reading the same book?! ...more
The Square of Sevens tries very hard to be Fingersmith, but it falls short on every level.
I try not to let marketing influence me too much, but when mThe Square of Sevens tries very hard to be Fingersmith, but it falls short on every level.
I try not to let marketing influence me too much, but when my favorite author is invoked, please forgive me for fixating on that a bit. Claiming that a book is "perfect for fans of Sarah Waters" sets up very high, perhaps impossible, expectations. I wish it was a surprise that the story, writing, historical immersion, atmosphere, and characters don't come anywhere near Waters level, but it's not. The comparison really does this book a disservice, because on its own, this is a perfectly serviceable bit of historical frippery if you're reading solely for plot, and in fact, with some edits probably would've made a better YA novel than an adult historical.
It does some Fingersmith sleight of hand, but the reveals come very late in a book that feels far too long for its content, and it's not nearly clever enough to justify the somewhat exhausting lead-up and the unnecessarily convoluted (in that it does not add as much to the story as it seems to think the reader wants) structure of painstakingly matching chapter content to playing cards, which here are used in divination. I also had trouble feeling immersed in Georgian society as well; aside from a few nice details such as when she's making fake coins on the streets, the historical elements felt somewhat generic and glossed over.
Anyway, I listened to all 20 hours even though I could tell after 3 major deaths that the book wasn't going to hit the intricacy of plotting, depth of character and themes, or emotional impact of a Sarah Waters book. A missed opportunity, because while it feels historical lite for adults, reworked a little, this could've been a much stronger cozy historical mystery or book for young adults....more
Basically And Then There Were None, set in Scotland, with a Christmas twist. Solid, but a little more character work and cleverness with the mystery wBasically And Then There Were None, set in Scotland, with a Christmas twist. Solid, but a little more character work and cleverness with the mystery would have gone a long way. Also: humor! It’s baffling that a story revolving around one of the delightful but sillier carols would have so little humor in it. ...more
Liked, but it felt overly long by at least 100 pages. The relationships hinging on drawn out miscommunication got old, especially since it’s one of thLiked, but it felt overly long by at least 100 pages. The relationships hinging on drawn out miscommunication got old, especially since it’s one of the major reasons they broke up and the book takes forever to tell you that.
I liked the narrative voice though, and the humor, and I’ll try another book by this author for sure. ...more
Disliked the tiresome twist, disliked the pedestrian writing, disliked the slightly chirpy narrator. Can hardly believe the same author wrote the brilDisliked the tiresome twist, disliked the pedestrian writing, disliked the slightly chirpy narrator. Can hardly believe the same author wrote the brilliantly subversive Chronicles of Alice.
It’s competently executed for the most part, so the rating reflects my disappointment because I know what the author is capable of, as well as my not enjoying any specific single character, sentence, or plot line. (I admittedly really dislike this type of story, which is very similar to Will Dean’s The Last One.)...more
I really don’t know why anyone does what they’re doing, especially the main character who inexplicably involves herself into an investigation into a sI really don’t know why anyone does what they’re doing, especially the main character who inexplicably involves herself into an investigation into a student’s suicide. (I know the reason the book gives us, so don’t @ me. It just isn’t convincing.) And she used to be a detective, but no longer is? I can see why, because she’s not very good at it. Tempted to create a “weirdly incompetent” shelf for this....more
Somehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distractinSomehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distracting chemistry! Such an unabashedly absurd plot! Such a violent smashing of fruitcake!
...a look so wicked, he might as well as gone through and dog-eared all her pages.
And such wonderful, wonderful love of literature, present directly in the story (they are both soothed by their books, and he is bespectacled), in the witty dialogue, and in quotes/misquotes brazenly seized and tossed into the story at dizzying speed. I want to ply India Holton with copious amounts of tea and cake and inspect her pockets for daggers, as her prose is so wickedly sharp, I'm half in love with her myself, despite being neither witch nor pirate. Along with The Lady Janies' work, this series is a masterclass on how to write a madcap historical with a modern eye.
I loved the book, adored the ending, and can't wait for her new series featuring RIVAL ORNITHOLOGISTS in 2024.
4.5 stars
Audio Notes: I fear I'll sound like a deranged stalker if I heap more praises upon Elizabeth Knowelden's narration, but I'll just say she has in her armory a series of demented social laughs that made me burst into giggles every time they appeared.
Wendy Darling
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