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sea_caummisar's review against another edition
4.0
I read this because I was looking for something light and humorous. It wasn't laugh out loud funny like I expected, but it still had some parts that should have been more serious than they were, keeping this upbeat and light-hearted. It's a good ole fashion murder, and then quirky characters try to solve it. Of course, there's other characters along the way to sidetrack you from the correct suspect.
I'm giving it 4 stars because there's nothing wrong with the story, it just wasn't as funny as I would have preferred
I'm giving it 4 stars because there's nothing wrong with the story, it just wasn't as funny as I would have preferred
lgpiper's review against another edition
3.0
I had reservations about this book when I began reading it. I thought it might be a bit too cutsey. But about a quarter in, I became interested in the story. There were some things in the end that didn't make complete sense, but overall, it wasn't a half-bad story.
So, we have T. S. Hubbert who has just retired from his job as the Personnel manager of a banking firm. On his first day of retirement, he is called back in because one of the firm's partners has been stabbed in the common partners' room where they gather to discuss business and so forth. The thinking is that Hubbert will help quell the panic and knows better how to keep down the bad press than the less experienced folks in the firm.
T. S. has an Auntie Lil, who is a rather spunky octogenarian. She has a passion for "mysteries", and immediately begins "helping" T.S. investigate things. It's obvious, both to T.S. and to Auntie Lil, that the police are way off track in their investigations. Well, some more partners meet their ends, but nephew and aunt manage to figure things out before a fourth partner is also put away.
I got a set of the first four books in this series, and will likely move on to the second one at some time.
3*+ were that possible on GR.
So, we have T. S. Hubbert who has just retired from his job as the Personnel manager of a banking firm. On his first day of retirement, he is called back in because one of the firm's partners has been stabbed in the common partners' room where they gather to discuss business and so forth. The thinking is that Hubbert will help quell the panic and knows better how to keep down the bad press than the less experienced folks in the firm.
T. S. has an Auntie Lil, who is a rather spunky octogenarian. She has a passion for "mysteries", and immediately begins "helping" T.S. investigate things. It's obvious, both to T.S. and to Auntie Lil, that the police are way off track in their investigations. Well, some more partners meet their ends, but nephew and aunt manage to figure things out before a fourth partner is also put away.
I got a set of the first four books in this series, and will likely move on to the second one at some time.
3*+ were that possible on GR.
secondhandbookshelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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
1.25
Very disappointed. I was hoping for a cute grandma detective book but this is not it.
The main characters are insufferable, the way people are written is so odd, and the female characters are described weirdly.
The male main character complains about women, their attributes & temperaments often.
He also said this, which is a big red flag for me:
"I always loved hiring young secretarial trainees from there. The name was so apt. And they were lovely girls. It was the perfect training ground for Sterling & Sterling. There's nothing like a Catholic school education to teach you how to conform."
TS and Lil end up making the murder of TS's boss a race between them & the police to see who can figure it out first.
There are many blunders on both sides along the way, and an old crime ends up being the reason for the multiple murders.
The book was a lot darker than anticipated and I did not enjoy it one bit.
here is a recap so you dont have to read the book. the senior partners at the bank got drunk when they were young, raped and beat a young secretary (Patricia) who worked there and then had the management cover it up. She gave birth to a daughter, gave the child to her best friend, then was commited to a mental institution by the HR guy. She died in the mental hospital 30 years later, having finally told her BFF what happened right before she passes. Her friend (who she gave the daughter to) goes on a rampage and kills the men who hurt Patricia, except for one because she was caught before she could finish her list.
The main characters are insufferable, the way people are written is so odd, and the female characters are described weirdly.
The male main character complains about women, their attributes & temperaments often.
He also said this, which is a big red flag for me:
"I always loved hiring young secretarial trainees from there. The name was so apt. And they were lovely girls. It was the perfect training ground for Sterling & Sterling. There's nothing like a Catholic school education to teach you how to conform."
TS and Lil end up making the murder of TS's boss a race between them & the police to see who can figure it out first.
There are many blunders on both sides along the way, and an old crime ends up being the reason for the multiple murders.
The book was a lot darker than anticipated and I did not enjoy it one bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Infidelity
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