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agave's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
meliaraastair's review
3.0
Cora, the Puzzle Lady, isn't actually good at solving word puzzles - but is a whiz at number puzzles. A Japanese publisher wants her to write a book...but then her "business manager" accidentally signs a contract with a different Japanese publisher. Add in some deaths, a jealous ex husband, and you get quite a puzzling mystery.
I was so excited to read this one. I enjoy puzzles and was really interested to see how the author managed to work that theme in. Unfortunately, the theme was really only present during the first few chapters of the book, and was a minor part of the main mystery. Add to that, I don't really love the main character, who had a strange personality and was allowed to suggest way too many things to the cops and they just go with it. And the whole story was just the mystery...no more with her TV show or the theme after the beginning. It was okay, but I just wasn't a fan.
It wasn't a bad read, but I won't be seeking out more of this series. 6 of 10 for enjoyment and 4.5 of 5 for readability. Definitely a quick read.
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I was so excited to read this one. I enjoy puzzles and was really interested to see how the author managed to work that theme in. Unfortunately, the theme was really only present during the first few chapters of the book, and was a minor part of the main mystery. Add to that, I don't really love the main character, who had a strange personality and was allowed to suggest way too many things to the cops and they just go with it. And the whole story was just the mystery...no more with her TV show or the theme after the beginning. It was okay, but I just wasn't a fan.
It wasn't a bad read, but I won't be seeking out more of this series. 6 of 10 for enjoyment and 4.5 of 5 for readability. Definitely a quick read.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
nicholsphoto's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Didn't rly feel like it was going anywhere I expected more puzzles and action..
txbookmama's review
3.0
I generally like this series quite well, but this was not my favorite. The mystery (and it's solution) were a little too convoluted, and I found Sherry / Aaron's squabbling annoying.
tony's review
3.0
Stanley Hastings is a Private Investigator. Not the sort from TV or books — he doesn't really do much more than take photographs for an ambulance-chasing law-firm of the cracked sidewalks people have tripped on. His wife, however, is sure he could be a real PI, and asks him to help the mother of one of their son's schoolmates, who has gotten herself into a mess. She had worked once as a high-end escort, but ended up being blackmailed and forced into prostitution.
Stanley has no idea how to handle something like this, but decides he should at least go see the blackmailer… only to find him dead. Now he really has no clue what to do. He can't call the police, or they'll want to know why he was there, which will mean giving up his client. So he comes up with an elaborate plan… which then promptly unravels, leaving him the prime suspect in the murder. His only way out is to find out who the real murderer was.
It's all very similar to the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, though Hall isn't quite in the same tier as [a:Lawrence Block|17613|Lawrence Block|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1303856083p2/17613.jpg]. The whole thing is very over-the-top, but it's quick, fun read. ★★★
Stanley has no idea how to handle something like this, but decides he should at least go see the blackmailer… only to find him dead. Now he really has no clue what to do. He can't call the police, or they'll want to know why he was there, which will mean giving up his client. So he comes up with an elaborate plan… which then promptly unravels, leaving him the prime suspect in the murder. His only way out is to find out who the real murderer was.
It's all very similar to the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, though Hall isn't quite in the same tier as [a:Lawrence Block|17613|Lawrence Block|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1303856083p2/17613.jpg]. The whole thing is very over-the-top, but it's quick, fun read. ★★★
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