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mischievous_monkey's review against another edition
1.0
I had heard this author interviewed many times on my local public radio station and found her articulate and charming. Hearing her interviews made me want to read one of her many books. Unfortunately, I found the language of this book cumbersome and the beginning of the story kept referring to peoples and places as though I was already familiar with them which I wasn't. I believe this is her first novel so I would be interested in reading something written a little later in her career.
nik_reads02's review against another edition
3.0
3 - 3.5 stars
A solid start to the series, sets the world in place and does a good job with introducing the characters. I liked the writing style, and it’s quite funny at times. There is some lack of clarity in the solution of the mystery (which I’m pretty sure I have guessed correctly, but who knows!) which is a bit frustrating, but overall a good read.
A solid start to the series, sets the world in place and does a good job with introducing the characters. I liked the writing style, and it’s quite funny at times. There is some lack of clarity in the solution of the mystery (which I’m pretty sure I have guessed correctly, but who knows!) which is a bit frustrating, but overall a good read.
misajane79's review against another edition
2.0
I think I should give up my search for a "Maisie Dobbs-like" mystery series. This got added because it certainly looked like my kind of book--British, post-WWI, strong woman. And yet. The writing annoyed me, the characters annoyed me, and the mystery never really gelled. Not a series for me to continue with.
bergamint's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled across one of her later books first and loved it, so returned to the beginning to read her from the start, and I'm so glad I did. She's one of those rare authors who I can't imagine anyone not liking (there are plenty who don't, I just can't imagine it!), whereas with most writers, even if I adore them (especially if I adore them) I can easily see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
But McPherson manages to straddle that middle ground between comic (without being silly) and serious (without being grim), being entertaining (without being mindless) and being intriguing (without being mystifyingly complex), etc. etc. I've read six of her books now, and half of them got 5 stars, which is a better ratio than I gave Dame Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers.
She is now my current favourite living mystery author (at least I hope she is, I haven't checked on her recently!) To celebrate, I'm purchasing nice copies of her books in hardcover to keep, as I had originally read several on kindle or in paperback.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
But McPherson manages to straddle that middle ground between comic (without being silly) and serious (without being grim), being entertaining (without being mindless) and being intriguing (without being mystifyingly complex), etc. etc. I've read six of her books now, and half of them got 5 stars, which is a better ratio than I gave Dame Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers.
She is now my current favourite living mystery author (at least I hope she is, I haven't checked on her recently!) To celebrate, I'm purchasing nice copies of her books in hardcover to keep, as I had originally read several on kindle or in paperback.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
sarah1001's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
majkia's review against another edition
4.0
Dandy is a woman of privilege who appears rather ditzy. A friend of hers asks her to use her ability to appear innocuous to investigate an acquaintance who is attempting to extort some money from the woman's husband. Dandy is on the case.
I found getting used to the book a bit diffuclt, the writing giving me some problems at first. But After a few Chapters that problem disappeared and I enjoyed the characterizations and Dandy a lot.
Light cozy and fun.
I found getting used to the book a bit diffuclt, the writing giving me some problems at first. But After a few Chapters that problem disappeared and I enjoyed the characterizations and Dandy a lot.
Light cozy and fun.
diannel_04's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay but I found it very repetitive at times and slightly confusing. Also, the ending was really stupid (in my opinion). I read it for book club but certainly won't read any more in this series.