Reviews

The Boy Who Stole the Leopard's Spots by Tamar Myers

mg_in_md_'s review against another edition

3.0

This is another "new-to-me" author and book I was introduced to courtesy of this year's Malice Domestic conference. While this was the third book in the "Amanda Brown" series, I didn't feel like I needed to have read the first two to enjoy this book. The story takes place primarily in 1958 in the Belgian Congo, shortly before independence, but also includes chapters that flashback to 1935. Past events eventually meet up with the present and it becomes clear why the book began the way it did. What I enjoyed most about this book was the historical setting and the details about life in the Belgian Congo for the Africans, Europeans, and Americans living there that the author included. I felt that she did an excellent job of conveying a sense a time and place, which made the story and characters come alive for me. While this book is called a mystery, I felt like it was more of an historical fiction story with a mystery aspect than a traditional whodunnit. Part of the reason may have been because I'd recently watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown" that was set in Congo. Having the images fresh in my mind added to the reading experience and gave me a different perspective on the Belgian characters in particular.

msthienkim's review against another edition

3.0

I’m on vacation working on my summer reading list. I read most of The Boy Who Stole the Leopard’s Spots by Tamar Myers on my flight to Louisiana last week. I’m really glad I took print copies of books to read on the plane. There’s usually 10-20 minutes before take off and landing when no electronics are allowed. That’s about 20-40 minutes I wouldn’t be able to read on my e-reader or phone. I don’t know about you all, but I can read a lot in 20 minutes.

So instead of napping on my flights, I read. I probably should have napped but I was enthralled by Myer’s description of the 1950s Belgian Congo. Her descriptions were lush and painted a vivid picture of the wildlife. I could practically feel the heat and humidity as her characters suffered during Suicide Month, the hottest month of the year.

Read the rest of my review here: http://www.fromlefttowrite.com/book-review-the-boy-who-stole-the-leopards-spots/

tashabye's review against another edition

2.0

Really a 2.5. Not terrible, just not all that exciting. I enjoyed the first 2 more.