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charf47's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book was not at all what I expected. It was listed as a cozy mystery so I was expecting something along the lines of the typical cozy mysteries with a murder and an amateur sleuth uncovering the killer. I was definitely wrong in that count, there was no murder and I don’t really know where the mystery was. With that said, it was a well written book that was a fast read. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters, but I did like how everything wrapped up at the end and tied together nicely. Overall it was a decent book, just not at all what I was expecting.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC or this book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC or this book!
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's by Debbie Young
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Previously published by Debbie Young as Secrets at St Bride's.
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets:
Hairnet, the eccentric headmistress who doesn't hold with academic qualifications
Oriana Bliss, Head of Maths and master of disguise
Joscelyn Spryke, the suspiciously rugged Head of PE
Geography teacher Mavis Brook, surreptitiously selling off the library books
creepy night watchman Max Security, with his network of hidden tunnels
Even McPhee, the school cat, is leading a double life.
Tucked away in the school’s beautiful private estate in the Cotswolds, can Gemma stay safe and build a new independent future?
My Opinion
This is a relaxing, quick read. It seems that all of the members of staff have their own secrets to keep. Debbie Young seems to have created a lovely series, with loveable characters. A cosy mystery, that will take you back to your childhood reading. An easy read that will appeal to adults that enjoyed the Malory Towers series.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Previously published by Debbie Young as Secrets at St Bride's.
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets:
Hairnet, the eccentric headmistress who doesn't hold with academic qualifications
Oriana Bliss, Head of Maths and master of disguise
Joscelyn Spryke, the suspiciously rugged Head of PE
Geography teacher Mavis Brook, surreptitiously selling off the library books
creepy night watchman Max Security, with his network of hidden tunnels
Even McPhee, the school cat, is leading a double life.
Tucked away in the school’s beautiful private estate in the Cotswolds, can Gemma stay safe and build a new independent future?
My Opinion
This is a relaxing, quick read. It seems that all of the members of staff have their own secrets to keep. Debbie Young seems to have created a lovely series, with loveable characters. A cosy mystery, that will take you back to your childhood reading. An easy read that will appeal to adults that enjoyed the Malory Towers series.
Rating 4/5
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
4.0
“Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's” the first instalment in a cozy mystery series by Debbie Young. (Now it’s definitely cozy but there is no murder) this was formerly published as Secrets at St Bride's .
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets:
The mystery is interesting, well plotted, with just the right amount of twists and turns. Overall this was an entertaining, fun easy read.
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets:
The mystery is interesting, well plotted, with just the right amount of twists and turns. Overall this was an entertaining, fun easy read.
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
mkrausk's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
annarella's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
I was expecting a cozy mystery but it's a fun book but there's just a hint of mystery.
I had fun but this isn't a cozy mystery but a funny romp.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I was expecting a cozy mystery but it's a fun book but there's just a hint of mystery.
I had fun but this isn't a cozy mystery but a funny romp.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
salatanita's review against another edition
3.0
This book started like a good cozy mystery: a closed community of a boarding school sounds like a great place to uncover secrets. Except that there's no real mystery to solve in this novel. The characters are no doubt interesting, but in some places the story felt like a parody. A man dressed and acting like a woman, a military-like security guard moving around in underground tunnels, an apartment wallpapered with actual money... There's a romantic subplot however I felt no sparkle whatsoever between the parties.
It was an easy and quick read but I am not sure if I will read the following books in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advance Review Copy.
It was an easy and quick read but I am not sure if I will read the following books in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advance Review Copy.
stephbookshine's review against another edition
5.0
In this cross between a cosy mystery and a classic girl’s boarding school book from the Enid Blyton era (think Malory Towers, St Clare’s or the Naughtiest Girl books). I honestly wasn’t sure it would work, but the blurb intrigued me enough to give it a go, and I am so glad I did because it really does!
Gemma Lamb is our main character and, as her name implies, the innocent eyes through which we enter the world of secrets at St Bride’s school. Everyone seems to be hiding something, but what is harmless personal history and what could threaten the safety of the staff and students?
There is plenty of mystery here (not of the traditional, murdery kind!), but no actual dead bodies (although it comes close), which makes it an ideal series starter for someone who wants to try mystery but is nervous about the violence. There is a bit of a potential trigger in mentions of a controlling, abusive domestic relationship, but as character backstory this occurs before the start of the story rather than within the pages. And there is a little – very light – romance. In fact, everything from tone to content remains pleasantly light throughout even the mild peril.
The main difference between this book and the traditional boarding school tales of adventure and mischief is that in this series the action focuses on the adults of the school, rather than the children. And I absolutely love the eccentric staff of St Bride’s!
By the finish of the story it was clear that, although the initial problem was solved successfully, there was plenty more potential in the secrets still left to be uncovered. Which makes me very glad that I already have Books 2 and 3 in this series ready to review for you soon!
Much like St Bride’s itself, this story is lovely and a little bit old-fashioned (in the best way), very high quality and good clean fun. It is different from any cosy mystery I have read before, and makes for a very enjoyable, easy read.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
Gemma Lamb is our main character and, as her name implies, the innocent eyes through which we enter the world of secrets at St Bride’s school. Everyone seems to be hiding something, but what is harmless personal history and what could threaten the safety of the staff and students?
There is plenty of mystery here (not of the traditional, murdery kind!), but no actual dead bodies (although it comes close), which makes it an ideal series starter for someone who wants to try mystery but is nervous about the violence. There is a bit of a potential trigger in mentions of a controlling, abusive domestic relationship, but as character backstory this occurs before the start of the story rather than within the pages. And there is a little – very light – romance. In fact, everything from tone to content remains pleasantly light throughout even the mild peril.
The main difference between this book and the traditional boarding school tales of adventure and mischief is that in this series the action focuses on the adults of the school, rather than the children. And I absolutely love the eccentric staff of St Bride’s!
By the finish of the story it was clear that, although the initial problem was solved successfully, there was plenty more potential in the secrets still left to be uncovered. Which makes me very glad that I already have Books 2 and 3 in this series ready to review for you soon!
Much like St Bride’s itself, this story is lovely and a little bit old-fashioned (in the best way), very high quality and good clean fun. It is different from any cosy mystery I have read before, and makes for a very enjoyable, easy read.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
jrhess1's review against another edition
4.0
This story was so much fun! I've never read a cozy mystery before, requested this from NetGalley on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! The story is set in an old English manor turned into a girl's boarding school, which makes for a wonderful setting. It's also filled with a cast of quirky characters and a little intriguing mystery. It was a fast, easy, fun, and cute read. I really enjoyed it!