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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable book and a good conclusion to the series, with a theme of reconciliation. I'm almost glad the culprit was not the person initially suspected. The sense of place was very strong, and one can really see the author's love for her home city and its history, which is great.
Why the lower rating? It was a matter of taste, really because of two things that tend to get on my nerves in historical fiction. The first being protagonists that come over as too modern in attitudes or outlook. This was not always the case with Merinda Herringford and Jemima Watts but is often. I understand that this is meant to be part of the point of the female detective protagonists, but sometimes they don't seem historical at all.
Second, in the author's note, it was mentioned that some of the main events and themes in this story were meant to have modern parallels, and I appreciate that, but at times I felt this was laid on rather thick, to the point that I felt I was being preached at. There was no subtlety or nuance in this aspect, just the assumption that because the hated mayor and authorities are involved, and they are always in the wrong, it must be wrong as well. I don't appreciate that in any book, or movie, so its nothing personal.
Overall, I did like the book, which was well worth the money, and Hamish, Jemima's little son was so adorable. He's going to be getting his own series, which is amazing.
Why the lower rating? It was a matter of taste, really because of two things that tend to get on my nerves in historical fiction. The first being protagonists that come over as too modern in attitudes or outlook. This was not always the case with Merinda Herringford and Jemima Watts but is often. I understand that this is meant to be part of the point of the female detective protagonists, but sometimes they don't seem historical at all.
Second, in the author's note, it was mentioned that some of the main events and themes in this story were meant to have modern parallels, and I appreciate that, but at times I felt this was laid on rather thick, to the point that I felt I was being preached at. There was no subtlety or nuance in this aspect, just the assumption that because the hated mayor and authorities are involved, and they are always in the wrong, it must be wrong as well. I don't appreciate that in any book, or movie, so its nothing personal.
Overall, I did like the book, which was well worth the money, and Hamish, Jemima's little son was so adorable. He's going to be getting his own series, which is amazing.
readingwitherin's review
medium-paced
4.5
This is the final full book in this trilogy and I am so sad to see it end. This one was bitter sweet for me in the fact that it is the end and that throughout most of the book one of the characters had a problem with another character making it hard to like both of the characters. As for the mystery part I could not figure it out and I was shocked by who the person was, I never would have suspected them. I'm still shocked by it.
emmymbee's review against another edition
4.0
I was unaware that this is apparently the last book in the series, though looking back I can see that there is a finality to it, and a sense of closure or resolution to several of the plot threads throughout the series.
Overall I enjoyed this book, though knowing it is now the final one I do wish more were coming. I'd like to see how Merinda's Moriarty situation plays out in the end, and though it was true to character, I do wish Jasper got a happier ending than he did. Still, the series ended on a generally upbeat note despite the events of the time frame, and it's a good close to the series.
Overall I enjoyed this book, though knowing it is now the final one I do wish more were coming. I'd like to see how Merinda's Moriarty situation plays out in the end, and though it was true to character, I do wish Jasper got a happier ending than he did. Still, the series ended on a generally upbeat note despite the events of the time frame, and it's a good close to the series.
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#3 in series (I started reading this series in August 2022. )
Will I read other installments?Probably Not Maybe Definitely
This was published in 2017. There have been a couple of short stories since then, but I don't think there will be a book four. If there is an audiobook, I will listen to it. This will now go on my "Waiting for More" shelf and will be retired if nothing else is released until 2027.
Comparison to others in series:Not as good About the same Better
The end of this book lingered; I like a nice wrap up. I liked the story about Toronto, but my attention lagged.
The narrator was Marnye Young. Ms. Young has been a good narrator for the series. I found her a little slow, so I advanced the speed to 1.2.
Source: Hoopla
#3 in series (I started reading this series in August 2022. )
Will I read other installments?
This was published in 2017. There have been a couple of short stories since then, but I don't think there will be a book four. If there is an audiobook, I will listen to it. This will now go on my "Waiting for More" shelf and will be retired if nothing else is released until 2027.
Comparison to others in series:
The end of this book lingered; I like a nice wrap up. I liked the story about Toronto, but my attention lagged.
The narrator was Marnye Young. Ms. Young has been a good narrator for the series. I found her a little slow, so I advanced the speed to 1.2.
Source: Hoopla
haselrig's review against another edition
4.0
I won this novel from Goodreads Giveaways.
Not having read the first two entries in this series, take any criticisms that follow with a grain of salt as I may have missed something that would have cleared things up for me had I read them. With that out of the way, I have to say, I had a ton of fun reading this. From the great setting of a Toronto on the brink of entering WWI (and all the racism and gender discrimination that that entails), to the Sherlock Holmesian vibe throughout, this was just a fun, comfortable read. Even though I occasionally had the feeling that I'd missed out on some key elements of the characters not having read the earlier installments, I felt right at home most of the time. I think the wonderful little footnotes really helped in that regard and highlighted the little twinkle of humor that's sprinkled throughout the novel as well.
One of the more striking things I found about The White Feather Murders was how much author Rachel McMillan loves her characters and how hard to she works to make you love them, too. From our leads, the lady detective duo of Jem and Merinda, all the way down to our Baker Street Irregulars stand-ins, Kat and Mouse, each character is given a chance to shine.
I think my only real criticism lies with the ratio of plot given over to the domestic issues Jem faces compared to that given to the actual mystery of the white feather murders. Although I don't think any of Jem and Ray's relationship should have been excised as I think it worked well, maybe a couple more chapters with Merinda doing some sleuthing and a chapter here-and-there focusing on Kat's and Mouse's activities would have balanced things out a bit more for me. As this is the concluding entry in the series, I can understand why McMillan made the choices she did to get the characters to a satisfying place when the novel, and series, wrap up.
All-in-all, I found this to be an enjoyable read with a lot of heart and just enough humor. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery and for Sherlock Holmes fans in particular. Four stars.
Not having read the first two entries in this series, take any criticisms that follow with a grain of salt as I may have missed something that would have cleared things up for me had I read them. With that out of the way, I have to say, I had a ton of fun reading this. From the great setting of a Toronto on the brink of entering WWI (and all the racism and gender discrimination that that entails), to the Sherlock Holmesian vibe throughout, this was just a fun, comfortable read. Even though I occasionally had the feeling that I'd missed out on some key elements of the characters not having read the earlier installments, I felt right at home most of the time. I think the wonderful little footnotes really helped in that regard and highlighted the little twinkle of humor that's sprinkled throughout the novel as well.
One of the more striking things I found about The White Feather Murders was how much author Rachel McMillan loves her characters and how hard to she works to make you love them, too. From our leads, the lady detective duo of Jem and Merinda, all the way down to our Baker Street Irregulars stand-ins, Kat and Mouse, each character is given a chance to shine.
I think my only real criticism lies with the ratio of plot given over to the domestic issues Jem faces compared to that given to the actual mystery of the white feather murders. Although I don't think any of Jem and Ray's relationship should have been excised as I think it worked well, maybe a couple more chapters with Merinda doing some sleuthing and a chapter here-and-there focusing on Kat's and Mouse's activities would have balanced things out a bit more for me. As this is the concluding entry in the series, I can understand why McMillan made the choices she did to get the characters to a satisfying place when the novel, and series, wrap up.
All-in-all, I found this to be an enjoyable read with a lot of heart and just enough humor. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery and for Sherlock Holmes fans in particular. Four stars.
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
Toronto, 1914 and Canada is travelling fast to the beginning of the Great War. War measures are introduced, corruption seems to be everywhere. When a member of the newly formed Cartier Club is found dead that is just the start.
I enjoyed this story, the latest in the series with its likeable characters.
I enjoyed this story, the latest in the series with its likeable characters.
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