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mehsi's review
5.0
This will just be a general review, I decided to just read and enjoy the book opposed to keep tracking of each story and their ratings. That keeping track just distracts from reading, and I also don't always have stuff ready to write down the rating + short description.
This book is 12 stories full of mystery, murder, mayhem, poison, and much much more. The stories are all short (20~ pages), and the stories range from told in the modern time to Victorian age (or thereabouts). The MCs in each story are either male or female.
The book is also separated in 4 parts. Like a part in which poisons play a big role in the mystery/murder, but we also have dogs, and 2 others. I think out of all of them the impossible rooms and the poison were my favourites.
There were only 2 stories that I didn't like. 1 was because it was just so obvious how the murder happened, and who did it, but the characters were all so stupid about it and couldn't figure it out until the last pages. So frustrating! I don't mind if it is slightly obvious what the murder weapon, or whodunnit is, but this was beyond that, and I just want to scream at the characters all the time.
The other one was one with very old English (or street Old English) which was terribly hard to read so I kind of gave up on that one because my head just started hurting too much.
A few stories were shorts from other series, especially one was a delight. I just love Lil (from the Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow) and I was happy to see a story from her POV! I wouldn't mind another one of that one.
I had great fun trying to find out the whodunnit, and the weapon of choice (since it isn't always obvious from the start).
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I hope that these authors will be writing another Mystery & Mayhem book, I would buy it in a heartbeat. :D
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book is 12 stories full of mystery, murder, mayhem, poison, and much much more. The stories are all short (20~ pages), and the stories range from told in the modern time to Victorian age (or thereabouts). The MCs in each story are either male or female.
The book is also separated in 4 parts. Like a part in which poisons play a big role in the mystery/murder, but we also have dogs, and 2 others. I think out of all of them the impossible rooms and the poison were my favourites.
There were only 2 stories that I didn't like. 1 was because it was just so obvious how the murder happened, and who did it, but the characters were all so stupid about it and couldn't figure it out until the last pages. So frustrating! I don't mind if it is slightly obvious what the murder weapon, or whodunnit is, but this was beyond that, and I just want to scream at the characters all the time.
The other one was one with very old English (or street Old English) which was terribly hard to read so I kind of gave up on that one because my head just started hurting too much.
A few stories were shorts from other series, especially one was a delight. I just love Lil (from the Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow) and I was happy to see a story from her POV! I wouldn't mind another one of that one.
I had great fun trying to find out the whodunnit, and the weapon of choice (since it isn't always obvious from the start).
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I hope that these authors will be writing another Mystery & Mayhem book, I would buy it in a heartbeat. :D
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
michalice's review
4.0
When I first heard about Mystery & Mayhem I was very intrigued. I love anthologies as they give you the chance to sample a variety of author all in one book. When I got the chance to take part in the blog tour I jumped at the chance.
As Mystery & Mayhem has a few stories, all split into its own category, I'm just going to review one book from each category, and mention the other books from the category.
Impossible Mysteries
* Emily and the Detectives by Susie Day
Emily is often overlooked because of her age and her sex, but is usually the first to solve the mystery before the investigation has really begun. This story see Emily being sent away while her Father investigates, only to have Emily solve it all herself.
* Rain on My Parade by Elen Caldecott
* The Mystery of the Green Room by Clementine Beauvais
Canine Capers
* The Mystery of Diablo Canyon Circle by Caroline Lawrence
Cliff, Darcy, and Rochester have been living in USA for a short while with their parents after moving there from the UK. Trying to find her frisbee, Darcy stumbles upon the case of a missing dog. With some sleuthing she is able to find the dog, and explain what happened.
* Mel Foster and the Hound of the Baskervilles by Julia Golding
* Dazzle, Dog Biscuits and Disaster by Kate Pankhurst
Poison Plots
*The Mystery of the Pineapple Plot by Helen Moss
A giant pineapple that tips the scales at seven pounds and two ounces is presented, but when cut into holds a horrifying sight. Quality Fruit (yes, that is a name) and Catherine must investigate to find out what happened to the pineapple to keep thier friend safe.
* God's Eye by Frances Hardinge
* The Murder of Monsieur Pierre by Harriet Whitehorn
Closed-System Crimes
* The Mystery of Room 12 by Robin Stevens
James is left to look after the desk at the hotel his father owns. He checks in a guest for room 12, who disappears in the night. With his dog, Alfie, James investigates the disappearance of this guest and finds out what happened to her.
* Safe-Keeping by Sally Nicholls
* The Mystery of the Purloid Pearls by Katherine Woodfine
Final Verdict
I really enjoyed most of the stories in this book. A lot of the authors are new to me, so getting to read a small sample of thier work makes me want to tackle more of thier books.
As Mystery & Mayhem has a few stories, all split into its own category, I'm just going to review one book from each category, and mention the other books from the category.
Impossible Mysteries
* Emily and the Detectives by Susie Day
Emily is often overlooked because of her age and her sex, but is usually the first to solve the mystery before the investigation has really begun. This story see Emily being sent away while her Father investigates, only to have Emily solve it all herself.
* Rain on My Parade by Elen Caldecott
* The Mystery of the Green Room by Clementine Beauvais
Canine Capers
* The Mystery of Diablo Canyon Circle by Caroline Lawrence
Cliff, Darcy, and Rochester have been living in USA for a short while with their parents after moving there from the UK. Trying to find her frisbee, Darcy stumbles upon the case of a missing dog. With some sleuthing she is able to find the dog, and explain what happened.
* Mel Foster and the Hound of the Baskervilles by Julia Golding
* Dazzle, Dog Biscuits and Disaster by Kate Pankhurst
Poison Plots
*The Mystery of the Pineapple Plot by Helen Moss
A giant pineapple that tips the scales at seven pounds and two ounces is presented, but when cut into holds a horrifying sight. Quality Fruit (yes, that is a name) and Catherine must investigate to find out what happened to the pineapple to keep thier friend safe.
* God's Eye by Frances Hardinge
* The Murder of Monsieur Pierre by Harriet Whitehorn
Closed-System Crimes
* The Mystery of Room 12 by Robin Stevens
James is left to look after the desk at the hotel his father owns. He checks in a guest for room 12, who disappears in the night. With his dog, Alfie, James investigates the disappearance of this guest and finds out what happened to her.
* Safe-Keeping by Sally Nicholls
* The Mystery of the Purloid Pearls by Katherine Woodfine
Final Verdict
I really enjoyed most of the stories in this book. A lot of the authors are new to me, so getting to read a small sample of thier work makes me want to tackle more of thier books.
pewterwolf's review
3.0
Review Taken From The Pewter Wolf
When I first heard of this collection of short stories, I was intrigued. Plus, this was when I actually started planning Murder Month (as in getting books/ebooks/audiobooks at the ready) so when I saw this on NetGalley, I couldn't resist requesting and holding for the best. To my surprise, I was approved (I'm not great at NetGalley books) so I started within a 48 hours of approval.
12 authors. 12 short stories. 12 mysteries to solve. Can you solve the crimes before the detectives do...?
Am going to keep this short as I don't want to go too in-depth as this is a collection of short mystery stories and I didn't make that many notes of these, but this feels perfect for middle-grade (oh, how I dislike this term! No idea why but I do) readers who enjoy reading mysteries.
And as this is a collection of stories, this is a cool way for readers to discover new authors and series (I believe three of these stories are connected to book series, published by Egmont and other publishers).
However, as this is a collection of short stories, this is a mixed bag. Some stories will grab your attention and others won't. It will depend on you and your tastes - some stories will just click with you, while others won't.
This sat in the middle of the road with me. Some of the stories just worked and I devoured, while others I just skimmed. But this is the nature of story collections.
When I first heard of this collection of short stories, I was intrigued. Plus, this was when I actually started planning Murder Month (as in getting books/ebooks/audiobooks at the ready) so when I saw this on NetGalley, I couldn't resist requesting and holding for the best. To my surprise, I was approved (I'm not great at NetGalley books) so I started within a 48 hours of approval.
12 authors. 12 short stories. 12 mysteries to solve. Can you solve the crimes before the detectives do...?
Am going to keep this short as I don't want to go too in-depth as this is a collection of short mystery stories and I didn't make that many notes of these, but this feels perfect for middle-grade (oh, how I dislike this term! No idea why but I do) readers who enjoy reading mysteries.
And as this is a collection of stories, this is a cool way for readers to discover new authors and series (I believe three of these stories are connected to book series, published by Egmont and other publishers).
However, as this is a collection of short stories, this is a mixed bag. Some stories will grab your attention and others won't. It will depend on you and your tastes - some stories will just click with you, while others won't.
This sat in the middle of the road with me. Some of the stories just worked and I devoured, while others I just skimmed. But this is the nature of story collections.
vmillswood's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
turquiosedragon123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
freyas_bookshelf's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jamesisreading's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
verityw's review
4.0
***Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
I love children's mystery stories - I have done since I was a child - and these are a really great mix - some historical, some contemporary, some with characters from other stories (I met old friends and discovered new books to look into) some completely standalone. I raced through these on a couple of train journeys, and although I figured out about 50% of the solutions that wasn't a problem (I was actually quite proud of myself!). This would be a great taster introduction for upper primary school/middle grade readers looking to dip their toe into mystery and work out what they like as much as it is a great book for fans of any of the authors to discover new things. There's a few new books on my to-read list because of this!
I love children's mystery stories - I have done since I was a child - and these are a really great mix - some historical, some contemporary, some with characters from other stories (I met old friends and discovered new books to look into) some completely standalone. I raced through these on a couple of train journeys, and although I figured out about 50% of the solutions that wasn't a problem (I was actually quite proud of myself!). This would be a great taster introduction for upper primary school/middle grade readers looking to dip their toe into mystery and work out what they like as much as it is a great book for fans of any of the authors to discover new things. There's a few new books on my to-read list because of this!