Scan barcode
prettycloud's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.75
This book is a weird hybrid of a cozy mystery and a steamy spy book. Sure, the world is full of dark deeds and terrible secrets, but there's kindness and healing and found family. And the mystery does come unraveled by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, Mental illness, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Infidelity, War, and Violence
This book is a murder mystery set after WWII, so the trauma from the war, the period-typical homophobia, and the explicit discussion of the victim's death are to be expected. Neither of the two main characters are suicidal, and no one interacts with a centralized medical system (one of the main characters is a small-town doctor).erickabdz's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"Tell me something true, then."
Aw this was so good! I always love everything Cat Sebastian writes, but this time I was delightfully surprised to find such an intriguing mystery and the awfully complicated feelings of having lived a war.
I didn't expect being so attracted to the mystery, but I was immediately drawn to Wychcomb St. Mary and its odd set of characters, especially the women at Little Briars. They were unique and intriguing, and stood on their own in the storyline. They all worked pretty fine for the novel climate and made it a compelling story to hear.
While the mystery is what makes the bigger part of the book, what really captivated me was the romance. I especially loved that this was not falling in love at first glance, but instead seeing a person and thinking, ah, I could fall in love with this person; falling in love with the possibility of love, of something warm and cosy and generally precious.
"All it would take me would be a stiff breeze to push me into outright love with you, and I thought you ought to know that."
There was something so beautiful and lovely in yearning for the idea of falling in love, instead of falling in love outright, and I found myself incredibly sappy for these feelings. Still, though, this romance was part of the story and I'd only recommend this book if you're looking for an interesting mystery in a little English village post-war.
The reason I won't give the book five stars is that the end felt a little rushed and confused me a little bit. I thought I should have mapped the characters to understand it well, and reading at insane hours in the early morning certainly didn't help. I do feel, though, a reread would make it a full five star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Homophobia
More...