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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley takes us to Blue Lake, Indiana. Lena London along with her employer, Camilla Graham have returned from England to Graham House. Lena is thinking about her father’s upcoming visit when she gets a call from her friend, Allison Branch asking her to rush over. Allison has found mail carrier, Eddie Stack dead at the back of her property with Sam’s letter opener in his chest. It looks like the killer is trying to set up Sam to take the fall for Eddie’s murder. When they look at Sam’s surveillance footage to see how the guilty party obtained the letter opener, they see a figure in black break into Sam’s home. The individual took the unique letter opener along with a piece of paper. Lena along with Camilla delve into the case. But then Lena receives threatening notes and someone breaks into Camilla’s home. Lena is even more determined to identify the killer. What did Eddie see that got him killed?
A Dark and Twisting Path cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read the book in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series in order. The mystery that has been in all three books is coming to a head in A Dark and Twisting Path. It involves Sam, his ex-wife (Victoria), Victoria’s missing daughter (Athena) and the ruthless Nikon Leandros Lazos. I was happy that to see that this particular thread is wrapped up. I thought the mystery was complex and multilayered. Information is revealed a little at a time as the story progresses. However, the mystery plays out in the background. Other issues seem to overshadow it (unfortunately). The writing is good, but the pace is a little slow. The pacing does pick up near the end. Lena is a developed character. She is smart, engaging, loyal and creative. Lena, along with the other characters, are relatable and likeable. There is quite a bit going on in A Dark and Twisting Path. There is the murder, threatening notes, the kidnapped child, burglary, Lena’s father visiting, Lena and Camilla working on a new book, lunches, romance, dinners, adorable animals, and some man with a beard keeps popping up. I felt A Dark and Twisting Path was the best book in this series. At the end of the book, there is a hint at the mystery to come in the next A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery. I am giving A Dark and Twisting Path 3.5 out of 5 stars.
A Dark and Twisting Path cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read the book in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series in order. The mystery that has been in all three books is coming to a head in A Dark and Twisting Path. It involves Sam, his ex-wife (Victoria), Victoria’s missing daughter (Athena) and the ruthless Nikon Leandros Lazos. I was happy that to see that this particular thread is wrapped up. I thought the mystery was complex and multilayered. Information is revealed a little at a time as the story progresses. However, the mystery plays out in the background. Other issues seem to overshadow it (unfortunately). The writing is good, but the pace is a little slow. The pacing does pick up near the end. Lena is a developed character. She is smart, engaging, loyal and creative. Lena, along with the other characters, are relatable and likeable. There is quite a bit going on in A Dark and Twisting Path. There is the murder, threatening notes, the kidnapped child, burglary, Lena’s father visiting, Lena and Camilla working on a new book, lunches, romance, dinners, adorable animals, and some man with a beard keeps popping up. I felt A Dark and Twisting Path was the best book in this series. At the end of the book, there is a hint at the mystery to come in the next A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery. I am giving A Dark and Twisting Path 3.5 out of 5 stars.
melanietalksbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Sam is framed again. Lena is trying to find Nikon again. Nikon is crazy again. Lena doesn’t get that crazy people don’t have empathy and therefore it does not matter if she confronts then AGAIN.
This series is getting tiresome with the whole Nikon thing, we get it! Just get something different. I doubt I’ll read the next novel because it just feels like the same novel over and over again. First one was great but not for a third time.
This series is getting tiresome with the whole Nikon thing, we get it! Just get something different. I doubt I’ll read the next novel because it just feels like the same novel over and over again. First one was great but not for a third time.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a great mystery series! The first book grabbed me with the cover I saw, added it to my list on Wanton Wantin' List, then to Mt Git'r'Read. I saw this one at the store and bought it, thinking it was the next in the series. It's not, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment. There are enough bits here to fill you in on what happened in book 2 to move the story along and not so much detail that I don't feel like I can go without reading book 2. It's in the online shopping cart now.
I really like the premise, the characters are exceptionally well done, and the mystery/suspense....wish I could convey that Italian thing with kissing the fingertips...or is it French....anyway..in someone else's hands this could have been an eye-rolling in disbelief of everything that occurred in the 288 pages. I did not roll my eyes once and I know I've done that in some books I've read/listened to. I could see this happening "in real life".
I like Lena and Sam's blossoming relationship. She steadfastly believes in him and he cherishes her.
And another town I'd like to visit were it real.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
I really like the premise, the characters are exceptionally well done, and the mystery/suspense....wish I could convey that Italian thing with kissing the fingertips...or is it French....anyway..in someone else's hands this could have been an eye-rolling in disbelief of everything that occurred in the 288 pages. I did not roll my eyes once and I know I've done that in some books I've read/listened to. I could see this happening "in real life".
I like Lena and Sam's blossoming relationship. She steadfastly believes in him and he cherishes her.
And another town I'd like to visit were it real.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third book in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series and I think it is my favorite one to date. I've loved the previous two books, but this one feels like Ms. Buckley has hit her stride and all aspects of the book are firing on all cylinders. For me, this is such a great series. The characters are all well rounded, written with a lot of depth and realism. The mysteries keep me engaged and the plots in general seemed to be layered with clues, twists and turns pulling the reader deeper into the story. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series, I already have it on pre-order.
jupiter2932's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
meliaraastair's review against another edition
4.0
Lena London is back from a whirlwind book tour with her idol/boss Camilla Graham, but her best friend calls panicking about a dead body in the backyard. Lena rushes over to discover that a letter open she gave Sam is stuck in the body. Is Lazos the culprit? Will Victoria’s missing baby ever show up? Meanwhile, Lena has Belinda searching for Sam’s family secret and is trying to fix the romance between her and Doug.
A good book! I enjoy all the pieces of this story that are more about their daily life – because they really are all living their best life, outside of the murders and drama. But even the murders and craziness are well written and leave me wanting more. I was at first thinking this series must be reaching its end because it was starting to feel like the same old same old, but then there were quite a few plot developments in this book. I’m not sure where the next book would go, but I’d still be interested to read it!
If you’re looking for a great cozy mystery series, I really enjoy this one! Probably not the top 5 list, but the list immediately below that for the best I’ve read! 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 4.5 of 5 for readability.
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
A good book! I enjoy all the pieces of this story that are more about their daily life – because they really are all living their best life, outside of the murders and drama. But even the murders and craziness are well written and leave me wanting more. I was at first thinking this series must be reaching its end because it was starting to feel like the same old same old, but then there were quite a few plot developments in this book. I’m not sure where the next book would go, but I’d still be interested to read it!
If you’re looking for a great cozy mystery series, I really enjoy this one! Probably not the top 5 list, but the list immediately below that for the best I’ve read! 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 4.5 of 5 for readability.
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!