Scan barcode
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
2.0
quick weekend read - nothing special, but good characters, nothing too melodramatic
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the book. Whodunit might not be the best category. Actor reading the book is excellent.
pdxpiney's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aetataureate's review
fine, beautifully written, but really slow and it's hard to read about two almost main characters who are just awful
felinity's review against another edition
3.0
The tone and pace are different from the Barbara Holloway novels, but both matched the plot and setting. The characters had depth, history and felt *real*. I think the only reason I rated it 3 rather than 4 is because it was a nice gentle read with a little compulsion to finish at the end but no driving force.
nomadreader's review against another edition
4.0
(originally posted at http://nomadreader.blogspot.com)
My thoughts: Despite what the title implies, this mystery-of-sorts doesn't start with a death. And with only one artist in the cast of characters, Stef, her death is a foregone conclusion. Furthermore, who kills her is also (mostly) apparent from the beginning. The why is debated, but it's the how that makes this novel shine. Thus, Death of an Artist feels off kilter until Stef dies. It's rare to discover a mystery not concerned with who did it, or even why, and much of this novel is a character-based exploration of Stef, her art, and her family.
This novel took me a little time to get into because of its unusual structure. If I didn't know the title, I would not have thought the novel was a mystery. Once Stef did die, however, all of the backstory was incredibly helpful because it made me as a reader immediately on the side of Marnie. What seemed to be more of a family drama soon morphed into a conspiracy, and I was hooked.
Audio thoughts: Carrington MacDuffie eagerly embraces her ability to create distinctive voices for each character. While I appreciated the clear voices for each character, some of the voices appeared distractingly hokey at first, particular Marnie, Stef's mother. As I got used to these voices, however, I found the voices quite illustrative of each character's quirks and whims.
The verdict: A surprisingly smart resolution and well-developed characters balance out the lack of whodunit; Death of an Artist is all about the how.
My thoughts: Despite what the title implies, this mystery-of-sorts doesn't start with a death. And with only one artist in the cast of characters, Stef, her death is a foregone conclusion. Furthermore, who kills her is also (mostly) apparent from the beginning. The why is debated, but it's the how that makes this novel shine. Thus, Death of an Artist feels off kilter until Stef dies. It's rare to discover a mystery not concerned with who did it, or even why, and much of this novel is a character-based exploration of Stef, her art, and her family.
This novel took me a little time to get into because of its unusual structure. If I didn't know the title, I would not have thought the novel was a mystery. Once Stef did die, however, all of the backstory was incredibly helpful because it made me as a reader immediately on the side of Marnie. What seemed to be more of a family drama soon morphed into a conspiracy, and I was hooked.
Audio thoughts: Carrington MacDuffie eagerly embraces her ability to create distinctive voices for each character. While I appreciated the clear voices for each character, some of the voices appeared distractingly hokey at first, particular Marnie, Stef's mother. As I got used to these voices, however, I found the voices quite illustrative of each character's quirks and whims.
The verdict: A surprisingly smart resolution and well-developed characters balance out the lack of whodunit; Death of an Artist is all about the how.
nonna7's review against another edition
2.0
An artist in a small Oregon seaside town is known for her on and off again talent and her emotional roller coaster personality. She lives in a two family house with her mother. She is married, but she and her husband don't formally live together. They are having problems. She has a grown daughter who is finishing medical school and will be interning in a Chicago hospital Stef, the artist, doesn't want to sell her art until she has detached herself emotionally from every work. This takes her years. Her current husband is a partner in an art gallery and is trying to convince her that he has her best interests at heart. Then she falls down the steps and dies. Is it murder? It can't be proved. Meanwhile, a retired NYC cop has moved to the area and is working with a local furniture maker. He gets to know the mother and daughter who are convinced that Stef was murdered.
I read this book even though I knew that it was an "open" mystery - basically a "how we got him" not a "whodunit." Normally I don't read this kind of book, but several reviews convinced me that I would like it. It wasn't bad, but I think I'm going back to avoiding the classic "suspense" novel. When I watch a television show where you know that everything is going to be okay in the end, the suspense, for me at least, is boring. After all there is an attraction between two people. Nobody wants that to end. So, for me, this book falls into the "meh" category. Readers of suspense - especially when there is romance attached will like this book.
I read this book even though I knew that it was an "open" mystery - basically a "how we got him" not a "whodunit." Normally I don't read this kind of book, but several reviews convinced me that I would like it. It wasn't bad, but I think I'm going back to avoiding the classic "suspense" novel. When I watch a television show where you know that everything is going to be okay in the end, the suspense, for me at least, is boring. After all there is an attraction between two people. Nobody wants that to end. So, for me, this book falls into the "meh" category. Readers of suspense - especially when there is romance attached will like this book.
heybrownberry's review against another edition
3.0
This is definitely light reading. A couple of interesting twists kept the pace of the story moving. Though it's set up as a murder mystery, several parts were quite predictable. Likeable characters with moderate depth.
literateworld's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rlbasley's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not giving this a 2 star rating because it's a bad book. If you are into mystery and romance this books for you. It's just not my genre.