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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
It's so aussie and I love it so so much! Man these characters, the PLOT OMG (even though I called it very early I was still SO intrigued to see how it all unfolded).
The ending was not what I expected and I absolutely adored everything, it's just so Melbourne and everything I've ever wanted from a book.
“I'm only a genius with facts. I'm an academic genius and a social moron.'
'At least you admit to being a moron at something.'
'I admit to being a moron at lots of things. Being a moron in one or two areas serves to highlight my extraordinary brilliance in everything else.”
Murder Mystery Aussie YA what?! This book is amazing, seriously, absolutely, fantastically amazing!
Rachel Watts moved to Melbourne after her parents farm went under and is still adjusting to city life, not able to escape into a paddock or see stars her life's turned upside down. Watts has been home schooled/ taken distance education so her first year in public school is different but she's upto date educationally and does well in her classes. Quickly making friends with Mai, Gus, and Mycroft this foursome is one of my favourite friendships groups and it helps that Mycroft lives 2 doors down from her.
First things first it is a SHERLOCK retelling! Now I know the basics about Sherlock but I've never actually watched or read it 0.0 What have I been doing with myself you ask? Dw I thought the same thing upon loving this story.
After a homeless man is killed Watts and Mycroft search for answers and learn a lot about themselves in the process, the mystery is perfect, the plot is fast and intriguing, the characters are stella, and the family relationships are my favourite.
Watts is such a kick ass chick, I'm torn between wanting to be her and wanting to be part of her friendship group. The language is so Australian I could happily read this book over and over again and the romance! It's not in your face and getting in the way of the plot but man it's beautiful.
Mycroft is a genius in every sense of the world and Watts is in no way a sidekick. A tough kickass smart character who I just want to go ride dirt bikes with on the weekend.
- Smart Characters
- SO AUSSIE
- Murder Mystery
- FAMILY
- Positive friendships
- Cute ass romance
- Sherlock retelling
Really can I ask for more?! I've decided to throw out my planned TBR (sorry review books) so I can binge read the whole trilogy BRING ON BOOK TWO!
The ending was not what I expected and I absolutely adored everything, it's just so Melbourne and everything I've ever wanted from a book.
“I'm only a genius with facts. I'm an academic genius and a social moron.'
'At least you admit to being a moron at something.'
'I admit to being a moron at lots of things. Being a moron in one or two areas serves to highlight my extraordinary brilliance in everything else.”
Murder Mystery Aussie YA what?! This book is amazing, seriously, absolutely, fantastically amazing!
Rachel Watts moved to Melbourne after her parents farm went under and is still adjusting to city life, not able to escape into a paddock or see stars her life's turned upside down. Watts has been home schooled/ taken distance education so her first year in public school is different but she's upto date educationally and does well in her classes. Quickly making friends with Mai, Gus, and Mycroft this foursome is one of my favourite friendships groups and it helps that Mycroft lives 2 doors down from her.
First things first it is a SHERLOCK retelling! Now I know the basics about Sherlock but I've never actually watched or read it 0.0 What have I been doing with myself you ask? Dw I thought the same thing upon loving this story.
After a homeless man is killed Watts and Mycroft search for answers and learn a lot about themselves in the process, the mystery is perfect, the plot is fast and intriguing, the characters are stella, and the family relationships are my favourite.
Watts is such a kick ass chick, I'm torn between wanting to be her and wanting to be part of her friendship group. The language is so Australian I could happily read this book over and over again and the romance! It's not in your face and getting in the way of the plot but man it's beautiful.
Spoiler
the kiss in the library?! Excuse me while I smile my face away, Mycroft you cutie! and the last scene were they call each other by their first names?! Who new first names could be so freakin cute eeeeeeMycroft is a genius in every sense of the world and Watts is in no way a sidekick. A tough kickass smart character who I just want to go ride dirt bikes with on the weekend.
- Smart Characters
- SO AUSSIE
- Murder Mystery
- FAMILY
- Positive friendships
- Cute ass romance
- Sherlock retelling
Really can I ask for more?! I've decided to throw out my planned TBR (sorry review books) so I can binge read the whole trilogy BRING ON BOOK TWO!
This was a very refreshing read. I'm glad I picked it up randomly, because I finished it within a day.
I loved the characters and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy the idea of it being set in my own city. It was nice to read about an Aussie household and know the lingo and street names. Won't be going to the zoo ever again though.
I highly recommend this book, a top book in my opinion. Not worth missing out on!
I loved the characters and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy the idea of it being set in my own city. It was nice to read about an Aussie household and know the lingo and street names. Won't be going to the zoo ever again though.
I highly recommend this book, a top book in my opinion. Not worth missing out on!
Wow, this book was surprisingly good! I haven't read a whole lot of YA mysteries since my addiction in the 80's with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, but out of those I've read in recent history, this is by far the best! I loved both main characters, and all the Aussie slang, and the incredible pacing - everything was fabulous, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
4.5 stars
So, when I first saw this book, I brushed past it. I didn't look at reviews back then and the cover and title just didn't appeal to me so I just clicked it away. Well, I would like to take my DeLorean, travel back in time, and wack my past self over the head with a big giant book because I'm really really stupid. I should have read this AGES ago. AGES I TELLS YOU. Because this book was freaking AMAZING.
You're probably wondering what made me pick it up. (Or not, but I'm telling anyways.) Well, I was on Twitter one day and Meg from Cuddlebuggery started explaining why this series is the best thing of ever and it made me curious. So I looked it up again. I recognized the hideous cover and this time I read the blurb and went over friends' reviews. Which were all overwhelmingly positive. So I got myself a copy and started reading. And then I fell in love. And I will tell you why. Because that's why you're here after all.
While, yes, the story was awesome and I loved it, that's not the main reason why I adore this book. Nor is the fact that this is set in Australia, though that is also fantastic. Nope. The reason I loved this book to the moon and back is the characters. They are the stars of this book, as they should be, naturally. These characters were real. They jumped off the pages and their dynamics were out of this world awesome. All of them, not just Mycroft and Watts. Even the side characters were like that. But of course Mycroft and Watts are the best ones. They were flawed and real and I loved them and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their friendship and how it blossomed over the course of the book. And might I add, this author knows how to write a good kiss. Holy smokes.
There are, however, two tiny things that kept me from giving this the 5-star stamp. One is that this book is, in fact, set in Australia. And while that is not a bad thing in the least, for me it took some getting used to because this book, the narration and dialogue especially, are very Australian and I'm not super familiar with it. So that was a bit weird at first. And the second thing is that Mycroft and Watts get off a little easy sometimes for the things they pull? And they're both REALLY smart and yes, it's YA and fiction so whatever, but still. Sometimes it was all a bit too convenient.
BUT I adored this book to bits and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of it because I adore these characters. And I want to know what's in store for them. So yes, you should read this. Don't let the cover fool you in the least. Pick up this book and read it asap.
4.5 stars
So, when I first saw this book, I brushed past it. I didn't look at reviews back then and the cover and title just didn't appeal to me so I just clicked it away. Well, I would like to take my DeLorean, travel back in time, and wack my past self over the head with a big giant book because I'm really really stupid. I should have read this AGES ago. AGES I TELLS YOU. Because this book was freaking AMAZING.
You're probably wondering what made me pick it up. (Or not, but I'm telling anyways.) Well, I was on Twitter one day and Meg from Cuddlebuggery started explaining why this series is the best thing of ever and it made me curious. So I looked it up again. I recognized the hideous cover and this time I read the blurb and went over friends' reviews. Which were all overwhelmingly positive. So I got myself a copy and started reading. And then I fell in love. And I will tell you why. Because that's why you're here after all.
While, yes, the story was awesome and I loved it, that's not the main reason why I adore this book. Nor is the fact that this is set in Australia, though that is also fantastic. Nope. The reason I loved this book to the moon and back is the characters. They are the stars of this book, as they should be, naturally. These characters were real. They jumped off the pages and their dynamics were out of this world awesome. All of them, not just Mycroft and Watts. Even the side characters were like that. But of course Mycroft and Watts are the best ones. They were flawed and real and I loved them and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their friendship and how it blossomed over the course of the book. And might I add, this author knows how to write a good kiss. Holy smokes.
There are, however, two tiny things that kept me from giving this the 5-star stamp. One is that this book is, in fact, set in Australia. And while that is not a bad thing in the least, for me it took some getting used to because this book, the narration and dialogue especially, are very Australian and I'm not super familiar with it. So that was a bit weird at first. And the second thing is that Mycroft and Watts get off a little easy sometimes for the things they pull? And they're both REALLY smart and yes, it's YA and fiction so whatever, but still. Sometimes it was all a bit too convenient.
BUT I adored this book to bits and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of it because I adore these characters. And I want to know what's in store for them. So yes, you should read this. Don't let the cover fool you in the least. Pick up this book and read it asap.
I judge this book by its cover and it turned out to be better than I expected.
This book is too underrated. It was a quick read and there was never a boring moment.
All the "stalking jack the ripper" fans should be reading this (in my opinion this is better).
All the "stalking jack the ripper" fans should be reading this (in my opinion this is better).
I really loved this book. I loved the main characters and the premise and the overall story line.
I thought this was a great first novel and FAR FAR and away better than a lot of 5th or 6th novels I've read by other authors. I don't usually read mysteries (for good reason, as I always guess who the bad guy is, and this book was sadly no exception), but I enjoyed this book for more than the mystery angle.
There were maybe a few things that I wish had been different:
I really don't get why Rachel had to go into the lion pit. It was a scalpel, and she was so brave. It would have been waaaaaay smarter if she'd run to find help, IMO. I mean, she's supposed to be a smarty, right?
I also wish there had been more explanation about the daughter's reasons for killing her dad, besides being committed. I didn't get it. Did he molest her or something? Was that what was in the mural? I get cutting the grit for the teen audience, but adding some of the necessary backstory would have helped me here.
But in the end, I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series. Can't wait to find out what is next in the world of Mycroft and Watts. :)
I thought this was a great first novel and FAR FAR and away better than a lot of 5th or 6th novels I've read by other authors. I don't usually read mysteries (for good reason, as I always guess who the bad guy is, and this book was sadly no exception), but I enjoyed this book for more than the mystery angle.
There were maybe a few things that I wish had been different:
Spoiler
The first kiss just seemed so odd to me, the placement of it. Like, why was he experimenting, because the other girl kissed him? I dunno. It was odd.I really don't get why Rachel had to go into the lion pit. It was a scalpel, and she was so brave. It would have been waaaaaay smarter if she'd run to find help, IMO. I mean, she's supposed to be a smarty, right?
I also wish there had been more explanation about the daughter's reasons for killing her dad, besides being committed. I didn't get it. Did he molest her or something? Was that what was in the mural? I get cutting the grit for the teen audience, but adding some of the necessary backstory would have helped me here.
But in the end, I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series. Can't wait to find out what is next in the world of Mycroft and Watts. :)
This book was so good, totally not what I expected but so damn good.
I actually don't know what I was expecting but within the first two pages I was hooked. Mycroft (James) and Watts (Rachel) are neighbours/school friends who turn into Melbourne's own Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Not something that I would have thought I was going to enjoy but I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen. There was mystery and intrigue, great conversations and laughs and then, hello page 162.... My legs turned to jelly with that little bit of swoon! This book is now on my 'top reads of the year' list and it has only been an hour since I finished it but I am already missing Mycroft and Watts and can hardly wait for their next adventure.
I actually don't know what I was expecting but within the first two pages I was hooked. Mycroft (James) and Watts (Rachel) are neighbours/school friends who turn into Melbourne's own Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Not something that I would have thought I was going to enjoy but I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen. There was mystery and intrigue, great conversations and laughs and then, hello page 162.... My legs turned to jelly with that little bit of swoon! This book is now on my 'top reads of the year' list and it has only been an hour since I finished it but I am already missing Mycroft and Watts and can hardly wait for their next adventure.
Maybe a 3.5. The mystery is lack luster but the characters and tension is really satisfying. A good quick Sherlock fix.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes