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norgrav2's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kellyjcm's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the puzzle aspect, but what I like most are the characters. Quirky and fairly well developed. A fun, light read
psalmcat's review against another edition
3.0
OK, I admit: I picked this up when I cataloged it, strictly because of the connection with Sudoku.
It's a relatively formulaic intro to a potential mystery series: hapless heroine thrown into unusual danger, fortitude in the face of danger, a hint of attraction to someone who she would prefer not to be attracted to.... Yep. There'll be sequel.
And by the way, with the exception of the Killer Sudokus that I've started doing this year, there is absolutely no math skill needed for solving sudoku. It's about LOGIC, not math; they could be solved with the letters A-J instead of the numbers 1-9. The author says she does sudokus, but then she make them into the Math Puzzle, which they aren't.
OK, the idea is that the former Geek of the Century of Granville, NH, is asked by her mentor, Professor P.T. Avondale (the "P.T." is enormously misleading--the man shares no personality characteristics with P.T. Barnum whatsoever!) to come back to her home town and help him save his Puzzle Museum. Then he's killed. Then someone tries to kill, or at least scare, her. And the police chief is out of his element, but has melty brown eyes and a beautiful smile. And her aunt keeps setting her up with "eligible" men (which the chief isn't because he gave Aunt Pru--I kid you not!--a traffic ticket). And she's plucky, although I'm almost sure that word isn't actually used.
I liked the book, actually. It had a nice, fresh take on some of the dusty stereotypical formula-heroine books. But don't expect Dostoevsky.
It's a relatively formulaic intro to a potential mystery series: hapless heroine thrown into unusual danger, fortitude in the face of danger, a hint of attraction to someone who she would prefer not to be attracted to.... Yep. There'll be sequel.
And by the way, with the exception of the Killer Sudokus that I've started doing this year, there is absolutely no math skill needed for solving sudoku. It's about LOGIC, not math; they could be solved with the letters A-J instead of the numbers 1-9. The author says she does sudokus, but then she make them into the Math Puzzle, which they aren't.
OK, the idea is that the former Geek of the Century of Granville, NH, is asked by her mentor, Professor P.T. Avondale (the "P.T." is enormously misleading--the man shares no personality characteristics with P.T. Barnum whatsoever!) to come back to her home town and help him save his Puzzle Museum. Then he's killed. Then someone tries to kill, or at least scare, her. And the police chief is out of his element, but has melty brown eyes and a beautiful smile. And her aunt keeps setting her up with "eligible" men (which the chief isn't because he gave Aunt Pru--I kid you not!--a traffic ticket). And she's plucky, although I'm almost sure that word isn't actually used.
I liked the book, actually. It had a nice, fresh take on some of the dusty stereotypical formula-heroine books. But don't expect Dostoevsky.
elli131001's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
bobareann's review
4.0
The writing was a little limpid because it immediately followed my reading of Freedom, but the story was fun and so was the setting. I will be looking for the next book in the series.
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