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sailaranel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
openmypages's review against another edition
4.0
The Shattered Portrait was a bit of an unusual read for me. Although it is a murder mystery, it takes place in the Victorian era and is written with the atmosphere of the times at its heart. There are a lot of flamboyant characters and complex relationships with a who-dun-it mystery at the center. I enjoyed the environment of the story more than the murder mystery. There were a few times where I was quite frustrated with Lola and her need to be at the center of things. There are also a lot of characters each with their own unique motive. One of the twists I did see coming but the other I did not. That's the sign of a well written thriller to me, some mysteries you can solve but equally some red herrings to throw you off.
I would say the story was a bit like a game of Clue set in the time of the movie Moulin Rouge. Some glitz, glamour and social subterfuge with sassy characters including some women who were strong in a time where they were expected to be demure. The story and writing style reminded me a lot of Gail Carringer's Parasol Protectorate Series without the supernatural elements. I also like that although I hadn't read the first in this series, I could jump right in without feeling lost. That said, I will go back and read the first since I enjoyed this one so much!
I would say the story was a bit like a game of Clue set in the time of the movie Moulin Rouge. Some glitz, glamour and social subterfuge with sassy characters including some women who were strong in a time where they were expected to be demure. The story and writing style reminded me a lot of Gail Carringer's Parasol Protectorate Series without the supernatural elements. I also like that although I hadn't read the first in this series, I could jump right in without feeling lost. That said, I will go back and read the first since I enjoyed this one so much!
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one less than the previous one, mostly because here Lola acts very foolishly and this isn't who she was in the previous book.
The mystery was interesting, though, and there was a real sense of place and time, some very captivating characters (I'm thinking Lady Sarah particularly) and although some twists I saw coming, others took me completely by surprise.
I certainly will read any future book in this series.
The mystery was interesting, though, and there was a real sense of place and time, some very captivating characters (I'm thinking Lady Sarah particularly) and although some twists I saw coming, others took me completely by surprise.
I certainly will read any future book in this series.
joycerl's review against another edition
5.0
Lola is a courtesan who lives in Cannes in the 1800’s.She is blackmailed into finding the killer of a much hated swindler.
Fast moving whodunnit.Interesting look into like in Cannes then.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC
Fast moving whodunnit.Interesting look into like in Cannes then.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It's a good historical mystery that flows and keeps you hooked.
The cast of characters is interesting and the mystery solid.
I liked the vivid and well researched historical background.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The cast of characters is interesting and the mystery solid.
I liked the vivid and well researched historical background.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
annarella's review
5.0
It's a good historical mystery that flows and keeps you hooked.
The cast of characters is interesting and the mystery solid.
I liked the vivid and well researched historical background.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The cast of characters is interesting and the mystery solid.
I liked the vivid and well researched historical background.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
andkellyreads's review
2.0
I wanted to like this one, I really really did. I don't know what was missing for me, but I just couldn't get into it. It took me a long time to even make it over halfway. I'll probably come back to it in a year or so and try it again, but for right now, this book was not a great one for me.
Lola was fun, and I loved her wit, but beyond that, I just kept getting stuck.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book to review.
Lola was fun, and I loved her wit, but beyond that, I just kept getting stuck.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book to review.
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