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nimeneth's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I really did not enjoy this book. The mystery wasn't really a mystery since the perp came out of nowhere in relation to the rest of the plot, the characters were dull, the setting for half the book lacked much of anything that set this in the Roaring Twenties beyond prohibition, and there was too much telling and very little showing going on. Also, there's a hell of a lot of Penelope's past that you don't find out but is relevant somehow, and so far as I can tell this is the first book of a series. Not planning on picking up any others.
katieann_reads's review
4.0
Loved the concept of this. The book takes place in the prohibition era United States, and it is full of social drama that quickly becomes a whodunnit as it all essentially takes place on the night of one lavish party where someone turns up dead. The Jade Tiger was the name of a casino run by the main character and her late husband back in Shanghai, and there are constant allusions to the mysterious circumstances of his death and all the various ties that the characters have the place and to each other. The way the story was written was light on character development in my opinion (it sort of had to be that way because of how the mystery unfolded), but I struggled at first with keeping up with the characters and their motivations until about halfway through- after that I was totally absorbed. Pick this up if you’re in the mood for a new take on an Agatha Christie type mystery!
yellowmoonreads's review
3.0
2.5/5 stars
It was ok I guess. Kind of boring and predictable for me and quite forgettable. It was written well, though. There were quite a few characters and it was difficult to keep track of them at times, but they were still decently fleshed out. Honestly wouldn't read this again and don't have much of an interest in the author's other writing. I probably wouldn't recommend it, not because it's bad but just because it's so boring.
It was ok I guess. Kind of boring and predictable for me and quite forgettable. It was written well, though. There were quite a few characters and it was difficult to keep track of them at times, but they were still decently fleshed out. Honestly wouldn't read this again and don't have much of an interest in the author's other writing. I probably wouldn't recommend it, not because it's bad but just because it's so boring.
vgillispie's review
3.0
A brisk murder mystery set in the 1920s, the heroine, Penelope, is the former proprietor of the Jade Tiger, Shanghai’s most glamorous and dangerous club. The mystery centers on a murder that happens during a raucous party in New York. The dialogue is snappy, but I did wish we learned more about the Jade Tiger, as it felt only very lightly described. But it was an enjoyable read overall.
I received a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
the_book_suite's review
4.0
The first thing that drew me to this book was the historical backdrop; a murder amongst the high society of 1920s New York City is a premise that promises excitement and intrigue, and Cooper definitely didn't disappoint.
The plot got rolling quickly and immediately had me hooked. Seriously, Cooper did an excellent job weaving together secrets past and present. And the reveals definitely had enough shock-factor to keep the excitement coming! I'll be honest; in a few places, I found the plot became a little convoluted, but the confusion never lasted long.
As for the characters, I found them to be compelling, as well. Cooper explored a multitude of perspectives throughout the book, which is something that I've found I enjoy in mystery novels. Also, I just genuinely enjoyed the different characters. They were well-written and I honestly don't think any of them was useless, so to speak. Excluding any of them from the narrative would have made the story significantly worse.
Finally, I thought Cooper did an amazing job at maintaining the careful balance between telling the readers too much about the crime and not telling them enough. That's probably the hardest thing when it comes to mysteries, but she definitely succeeded at it!
Honestly, Cooper wrote a very good book with a compelling plot. I was hooked from the start, and although there were admittedly some points where events seemed to drag a little or become a tad murky, overall, I really enjoyed The Jade Tiger. With plenty of fast-paced excitement and shocking reveals, this one did not disappoint; I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
***
(I was able to read this book for free through BookSirens. However, this review consists wholly of my own unbiased opinions and thoughts.)
The plot got rolling quickly and immediately had me hooked. Seriously, Cooper did an excellent job weaving together secrets past and present. And the reveals definitely had enough shock-factor to keep the excitement coming! I'll be honest; in a few places, I found the plot became a little convoluted, but the confusion never lasted long.
As for the characters, I found them to be compelling, as well. Cooper explored a multitude of perspectives throughout the book, which is something that I've found I enjoy in mystery novels. Also, I just genuinely enjoyed the different characters. They were well-written and I honestly don't think any of them was useless, so to speak. Excluding any of them from the narrative would have made the story significantly worse.
Finally, I thought Cooper did an amazing job at maintaining the careful balance between telling the readers too much about the crime and not telling them enough. That's probably the hardest thing when it comes to mysteries, but she definitely succeeded at it!
Honestly, Cooper wrote a very good book with a compelling plot. I was hooked from the start, and although there were admittedly some points where events seemed to drag a little or become a tad murky, overall, I really enjoyed The Jade Tiger. With plenty of fast-paced excitement and shocking reveals, this one did not disappoint; I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
***
(I was able to read this book for free through BookSirens. However, this review consists wholly of my own unbiased opinions and thoughts.)
matildereal's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ladyonequestion's review
4.0
Recently widowed opera singer and nightclub owner Penelope Harris has recently left Singapore to return to her family in prohibition era New York. Unfortunately, she's been followed by her husband's mistress who is hell bent on making her life as difficult as possible. With a cast of many colourful characters and filled with snappy dialogue, I found this a decent mystery. Penelope herself has hidden depths and not everything about her is as it seems. I thought she was a well written character in the way that the author gradually reveals her back story.
What let this down for me somewhat was that for a period mystery, the author focuses largely on the dialogue and doesn't spend a great deal of time on the descriptions of place and period (although I did enjoy her descriptions of the clothes at the party). Although I understand that it needed pace as well, I am a greedy reader who loves period atmosphere and I wanted some lavish descriptions of a decadent prohibition party. However, this may not bother other readers. The author had obviously done her research, particularly about Singapore and opera. I think that a prequel about her time in Singapore would be an interesting read as well as her planned sequel.
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What let this down for me somewhat was that for a period mystery, the author focuses largely on the dialogue and doesn't spend a great deal of time on the descriptions of place and period (although I did enjoy her descriptions of the clothes at the party). Although I understand that it needed pace as well, I am a greedy reader who loves period atmosphere and I wanted some lavish descriptions of a decadent prohibition party. However, this may not bother other readers. The author had obviously done her research, particularly about Singapore and opera. I think that a prequel about her time in Singapore would be an interesting read as well as her planned sequel.
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
louisekf's review
3.0
2.5 stars. The Jade Tiger was the longest short book I can remember reading. It felt like a much longer book, perhaps because it took until about 25% through the book until the murder took place. Up until then, there was a lot of confusing backstory, told in pieces, about the main character’s life in Shanghai, China (Penelope Harris). It took a very long time until it became clear why she was going to be blackmailed. The story takes place in 1928 in New York City, with lots of references back to her earlier life in Shanghai. Once the murder happened, the pace picked up, but there were a couple of long “monologues” that explained things, rather than any smart detective work. My favorite character was McCain, an honest cop who had earlier been busted down to patrolman from detective because he had the temerity to arrest a politically connected person.
I also have access to the follow-up book in the series, Murder at the Met, and I hope it will be better than this one.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Ink Dog Press for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I also have access to the follow-up book in the series, Murder at the Met, and I hope it will be better than this one.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Ink Dog Press for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
caroline_carnivorous's review
4.0
I got a PDF of this for free.
This really is a cozy mystery! I'm used to scandinavian crime mysteries, they're a bit more thrilling. This has a really good atmosphere, and while there is murder and other things involved, it's not action-packed and can be enjoyed at your own pace. Penelope and Lund are great characters.
I definitely want to read the next book!
This really is a cozy mystery! I'm used to scandinavian crime mysteries, they're a bit more thrilling. This has a really good atmosphere, and while there is murder and other things involved, it's not action-packed and can be enjoyed at your own pace. Penelope and Lund are great characters.
I definitely want to read the next book!