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thenovelbook's review
3.0
The action begins with a shocking discovery almost at page one in this latest entry in the Lady Emily series. The setting this time is Pompeii, the city ruined by a catastrophic volcano eruption in 79 AD. Lady Emily, her husband, and her best friend are on hand to play tourist, but when they find a body that met a much more recent demise, it's time to start investigating.
Many new characters are introduced in this book, some that are probably intended to stick around and become part of Lady Emily's extended family and friends. Not all of them feel quite fleshed out, and I found myself feeling less than invested in the latest Jeremy (Duke of Bainbridge) romance. The other major addition to the family party was a bit more intriguing, and had me feeling distrustful, then ambivalent, then cautiously accepting. It will be interesting to see how that one develops moving forward.
As with many of Tasha Alexander's other works in this series, pacing is really helped by chapters that alternate between Lady Emily's time and antiquity. In this case, the story is of a young Greek slave girl living in Pompeii with a talent for poetry and a problematic infatuation.
The sense of place is well developed, and the wrap-up scenes in a subterranean library in Herculaneum are particularly evocative. The details of that library sent me on a quick detour to the Internet to find out more about the real story. I really enjoyed how well the setting was researched and used in this novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance review copy of In the Shadow of Vesuvius, to be published Jan. 7, 2020.
Many new characters are introduced in this book, some that are probably intended to stick around and become part of Lady Emily's extended family and friends. Not all of them feel quite fleshed out, and I found myself feeling less than invested in the latest Jeremy (Duke of Bainbridge) romance. The other major addition to the family party was a bit more intriguing, and had me feeling distrustful, then ambivalent, then cautiously accepting. It will be interesting to see how that one develops moving forward.
As with many of Tasha Alexander's other works in this series, pacing is really helped by chapters that alternate between Lady Emily's time and antiquity. In this case, the story is of a young Greek slave girl living in Pompeii with a talent for poetry and a problematic infatuation.
The sense of place is well developed, and the wrap-up scenes in a subterranean library in Herculaneum are particularly evocative. The details of that library sent me on a quick detour to the Internet to find out more about the real story. I really enjoyed how well the setting was researched and used in this novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance review copy of In the Shadow of Vesuvius, to be published Jan. 7, 2020.
rosemwood's review
3.0
This story takes place in Pompeii, Italy and is the main reason I bought this book. I have visited there and the story brought up many memories of that visit. The details were very well done. The authir always visits the sites and does m7ch research before she writes her stories. This is the 14th book in the series and truthfully I have no desire to read any of the others in this series. Though the details of the historical site were interesting the plot and characters fell short. This is a historical mystery that takes place in 1902 and 79 AD and neither timeline gave much to a plot.
kiminindy's review
5.0
I just love this Lady Emily series. Tasha always has a little side story going to add to the story. This one did not disappoint and made me long for a trip back to Rome and Southern Italy.
mamap's review
3.0
I didn't like Colin in this one - he was far too superior and condescending. I do like Bainbridge.
Colin, Emily, and Ivy have traveled to Pompeii to visit and learn. They find a boy and Colin's daughter. Not great.
p 9. "We take no pleasure in permitted joys, but what's forbidden is ore keenly sought."
p 17. "Death is everything final limit."
p 90. "I had no right to be hurt by the past, but emotion, as it was wont to do, overpowered rationality."
p 107 "An angry man is agin angry with himself when he returns to reason." Publilius Syrus
p 136. "The smallest evil, if neglected, will reach the greatest proportions."
p 158. "There's no sense standing around writing fiction when we can so easily learn the truth."
Colin, Emily, and Ivy have traveled to Pompeii to visit and learn. They find a boy and Colin's daughter. Not great.
p 9. "We take no pleasure in permitted joys, but what's forbidden is ore keenly sought."
p 17. "Death is everything final limit."
p 90. "I had no right to be hurt by the past, but emotion, as it was wont to do, overpowered rationality."
p 107 "An angry man is agin angry with himself when he returns to reason." Publilius Syrus
p 136. "The smallest evil, if neglected, will reach the greatest proportions."
p 158. "There's no sense standing around writing fiction when we can so easily learn the truth."
whitreadslit's review against another edition
4.0
Another fantastic mystery. I enjoyed the setting, as I have visited Pompeii before. I did find the modern story more interesting than the ancient one. I feel like the book would have had a better overall flow without it.
4 Stars
4 Stars
jolantheerb's review
4.0
Not my favorite of all the Lady Emily books, but a good distracting read. :)
laurenhlindsey's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
3.0