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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
I started this several days ago but still had most of it left to go for a travel day yesterday. There is a mystery in this second installment in the Ruth Galloway series, but it is entirely secondary to the developing complications between the series regulars. Absorbing and twisty, exactly what I wanted for airports and planes. I’m not sure I’m going to like future installments, though, since there are hints that some of my pet peeves are coming (for example-I am out if there is a series-spanning love triangle, no surprise there). Will read at least one more to find out.
katiegilley's review against another edition
3.0
Ruth Galloway is no Armand Gamache, but I'm seeing story lines strengthen and the complexities of relationships take center stage -- so I'm not giving up on this series yet! Plus: a cozy cottage on a saltmarsh, tea, and toast. Please and thank you!
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
Most of my review from the first book also applies here:
too introvert, personal issues, nice scenery, but not too suspenseful.
Interesting MC, but I do not really like Nelson, the policeman. The other persons are interesting and believable. Felt too long, and it is more a 3.5 star, rounded up to 4.
Recommended for the MC and the scenery, although I have not been to that part of the UK.
Felt more like a romance-drama with a bit of crime thrown in, the dramatic scenes near the end where way over-the-top, too much (fog etc.) happening and thrown in.
too introvert, personal issues, nice scenery, but not too suspenseful.
Interesting MC, but I do not really like Nelson, the policeman. The other persons are interesting and believable. Felt too long, and it is more a 3.5 star, rounded up to 4.
Recommended for the MC and the scenery, although I have not been to that part of the UK.
Felt more like a romance-drama with a bit of crime thrown in, the dramatic scenes near the end where way over-the-top, too much (fog etc.) happening and thrown in.
lhirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
vickydaddo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this one, but this series seems to be establishing a pattern that will get old for me quickly. Here's hoping the third book breaks it.
Otherwise, I continue to be interested and invested in the characters. The mystery was also intriguing without being too convoluted; always a plus. The ending was a bit implausible, but that's often par for the course with mystery/thriller novels, so I'm willing to give it some leeway.
I enjoyed this one, but this series seems to be establishing a pattern that will get old for me quickly. Here's hoping the third book breaks it.
Otherwise, I continue to be interested and invested in the characters. The mystery was also intriguing without being too convoluted; always a plus. The ending was a bit implausible, but that's often par for the course with mystery/thriller novels, so I'm willing to give it some leeway.
sue_su's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mollieajohnson's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
A bit too predictable for me, didn’t have the same kind of “twist” as the first one but a good holiday read nonetheless
afender's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
b00kw0rms0fthew0rldunite's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a fantastic new find for me. I love a good police procedural and yet this book was written from a number of perspectives including the police and our heroine, an archeologist. This is the second in a series although plenty of backstory is added in this book if you wanted to read it as a stand alone or diving in from here. Me, personally? I'm headed to find book 1!!
I listened to the audiobook version and I cannot rave about the narrator and publisher enough. I think she did an amazing job with both male and female voices and the many varied accents involved with this set of characters. The other bits I loved were very atmospheric, including the way that any phone calls heard were differentiated between the normal voice of whichever character we were listening to in their point of view, to the tinny and far flung sound of whoever they were on the phone with. Very clever indeed! There were also other parts in the book told from the perspective of the villain of the piece that were read in echoey tones so we could tell immediately who we were listening to. Those production elements really made it stand out for me.
I loved the characters and their relationships and I was laughing out loud within the first few minutes of Nelson's character as he was telling his computer where to go. Grumpy and with the same accent as my own grumpy father, I could relate! I really enjoyed getting to know the flaws and foibles of Nelson from the police side and the charming Ruth from her perspectives too. It is refreshing to have a heroine with realistic flaws that doesn't look like a barbie doll/runway model. Really human and not fantasy characters. I appreciated the way the characters spoke their mind and didn't dodge around certain issues, for example Judy and her fear that she would be overlooked for promotion. I must admit that I am a little bit in love with Cathbad, too!
I don't know anything about Roman sites, Gods or their rituals but I found myself learning as each thing arose and not being overwhelmed by it. I enjoyed the pace of the book and the way that each new piece was revealed. It was a really good mystery and I'm thrilled that a few of the plot points made me say, 'Hang on...there's something in that', only to find out that I had guessed something that would come out later. There is plenty to enjoy, whether you are an armchair detective or just want to lay back and listen without initialising too many brain cells.
I would be thrilled to read another Dr Galloway book and I thank Netgalley, the author and publisher for the temporary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I listened to the audiobook version and I cannot rave about the narrator and publisher enough. I think she did an amazing job with both male and female voices and the many varied accents involved with this set of characters. The other bits I loved were very atmospheric, including the way that any phone calls heard were differentiated between the normal voice of whichever character we were listening to in their point of view, to the tinny and far flung sound of whoever they were on the phone with. Very clever indeed! There were also other parts in the book told from the perspective of the villain of the piece that were read in echoey tones so we could tell immediately who we were listening to. Those production elements really made it stand out for me.
I loved the characters and their relationships and I was laughing out loud within the first few minutes of Nelson's character as he was telling his computer where to go. Grumpy and with the same accent as my own grumpy father, I could relate! I really enjoyed getting to know the flaws and foibles of Nelson from the police side and the charming Ruth from her perspectives too. It is refreshing to have a heroine with realistic flaws that doesn't look like a barbie doll/runway model. Really human and not fantasy characters. I appreciated the way the characters spoke their mind and didn't dodge around certain issues, for example Judy and her fear that she would be overlooked for promotion. I must admit that I am a little bit in love with Cathbad, too!
I don't know anything about Roman sites, Gods or their rituals but I found myself learning as each thing arose and not being overwhelmed by it. I enjoyed the pace of the book and the way that each new piece was revealed. It was a really good mystery and I'm thrilled that a few of the plot points made me say, 'Hang on...there's something in that', only to find out that I had guessed something that would come out later. There is plenty to enjoy, whether you are an armchair detective or just want to lay back and listen without initialising too many brain cells.
I would be thrilled to read another Dr Galloway book and I thank Netgalley, the author and publisher for the temporary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.