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thenovelbook's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of short stories--some feature Jaya Jones, the historian/detective at the center of most of Gigi Pandian's books. Some of them feature Sanjay, her best friend who is a master of illusion and misdirection. Some of them I had already read due to them having been in print before. While I like the Jaya Jones ones the best, they are all interesting reads for anyone who's a fan of a locked-door mystery.
I found the list in the foreword to be very enlightening; it details the eight methods that can be used to furnish a locked-room mystery. I would be interested to keep this list handy anytime I'm reading a book of that sort to see if the solutions really do all fall within those eight categories.
I found the list in the foreword to be very enlightening; it details the eight methods that can be used to furnish a locked-room mystery. I would be interested to keep this list handy anytime I'm reading a book of that sort to see if the solutions really do all fall within those eight categories.
katreader's review against another edition
5.0
THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES: A JAYA JONES TREASURE HUNT MYSTERY COLLECTION
By Gigi Pandian
THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES is an anthology of locked room mysteries featuring the main characters of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series and their friends. Each is an ingenious morsel, fully contained within itself, yet leaving readers wanting to read more about the intriguing characters found within. The first story in the book, "The Cambodian Curse", is the only brand new story while the others have been featured previously in various anthologies.
As a fan of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction I really enjoyed, not only the stories included here, but the introduction by Laurie R. King and the forward by Douglas Greene as well. Both are articulate, informative, and plain fun to read!
Each story in THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES features at least one of the methods defined by Golden Age Detective Fiction writer John Dickson Carr's character Dr. Fell. By doing so, not only does the author give a nod to that great age, but she provides a wide range of means as well as motives to these impossible crimes.
My favorite piece in this collection is the bonus novella, "Fool's Gold". Short stories are required to have a single focus and I admit to enjoying more details, more subplots, and, well, more...which the novella delivers! That being said, each short story was a perfect puzzle. A small perfectly contained bite.
"The Haunted Room" is my favorite short story here. Atmospheric detail, history, and ghosts combine for a delightfully spooky tale. Not only does Nadia tell a great story, I found the method here absolutely ingenious. "A Dark and Stormy Night" brought plenty of smiles, reminding me of my first mystery conference. "The Cambodian Curse" was also a delight, especially as it brought Henry North back on the scene.
If you're looking for a series of short puzzling reads, this is the perfect book for you!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through Edelweiss, in the hopes I would review it.
By Gigi Pandian
THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES is an anthology of locked room mysteries featuring the main characters of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series and their friends. Each is an ingenious morsel, fully contained within itself, yet leaving readers wanting to read more about the intriguing characters found within. The first story in the book, "The Cambodian Curse", is the only brand new story while the others have been featured previously in various anthologies.
As a fan of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction I really enjoyed, not only the stories included here, but the introduction by Laurie R. King and the forward by Douglas Greene as well. Both are articulate, informative, and plain fun to read!
Each story in THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES features at least one of the methods defined by Golden Age Detective Fiction writer John Dickson Carr's character Dr. Fell. By doing so, not only does the author give a nod to that great age, but she provides a wide range of means as well as motives to these impossible crimes.
My favorite piece in this collection is the bonus novella, "Fool's Gold". Short stories are required to have a single focus and I admit to enjoying more details, more subplots, and, well, more...which the novella delivers! That being said, each short story was a perfect puzzle. A small perfectly contained bite.
"The Haunted Room" is my favorite short story here. Atmospheric detail, history, and ghosts combine for a delightfully spooky tale. Not only does Nadia tell a great story, I found the method here absolutely ingenious. "A Dark and Stormy Night" brought plenty of smiles, reminding me of my first mystery conference. "The Cambodian Curse" was also a delight, especially as it brought Henry North back on the scene.
If you're looking for a series of short puzzling reads, this is the perfect book for you!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through Edelweiss, in the hopes I would review it.
magis1105's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.5
These are quick, fun read, and interesting. We follow Jaya and a few of her friends in different friends. We follow Jaya from the beginning, then up to the events that happened a year before the novel. I have not read the Artifact series novels- but after reading this story collection I'm totally convinced that I love the characters and I'll look forward to reading the main series.
If you're a fan of mystery novels where you can put your detective skills to the test, you'll definitely want to check out this collection of short stories. Even if you haven't read any of the Jaya Jones books, you'll still find these tales to be intriguing and engaging. With a little bit of imagination and some careful attention to detail, you just might be able to solve the mysteries before the final reveal. Trust me, it's a thrilling experience!
Full review can be found at https://bunkerofbooks05.wixsite.com/bunker-of-books/post/the-cambodian-curse-and-other-stories
If you're a fan of mystery novels where you can put your detective skills to the test, you'll definitely want to check out this collection of short stories. Even if you haven't read any of the Jaya Jones books, you'll still find these tales to be intriguing and engaging. With a little bit of imagination and some careful attention to detail, you just might be able to solve the mysteries before the final reveal. Trust me, it's a thrilling experience!
Full review can be found at https://bunkerofbooks05.wixsite.com/bunker-of-books/post/the-cambodian-curse-and-other-stories
ordwayhomebody's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
yeagleyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
rini's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
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