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lollybee's reviews
149 reviews
The Vanishing of Class 3B by Jackie Kabler
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Not my favourite read. The 'big' secrets took too long to reveal. The story was too slow and I didn't like any of the parents of the missing children who were key to the story.
The Midnight Hour by Elly Griffiths
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The sixth book in the Brighton Mysteries series, The Midnight Hour has plenty of twists & turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing 'whodunnit'.
The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
An easy- read cozy crime novel that, for me, has been spoiled by the TV dramatisation.
I forever see the actors from the series when I read this novel, rather than the characters I saw in my mind before and this spoils it for me.
I forever see the actors from the series when I read this novel, rather than the characters I saw in my mind before and this spoils it for me.
Echo of the Dead by Alex Gray
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When two bodies are discovered in quick succession near the mountain village of Glencoe, Lorimer's Major Incidents Team is despatched to investigate.
With plenty of twists and turns, Echo of the Dead:book 19 in the Lorimer series, is one of the best so far.
With plenty of twists and turns, Echo of the Dead:book 19 in the Lorimer series, is one of the best so far.
The Village Hall Vendetta by Jonathan Whitelaw
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Local entrepreneur, Hal Murray realises his dream of buying the painting Buttermere at Dawn and brings it back to the Lake District to put it on show.
Unfortunately on the night of the unveiling, Hal is found murdered.
An enjoyable cozy crime read.
Unfortunately on the night of the unveiling, Hal is found murdered.
An enjoyable cozy crime read.
A Prey to Murder: A George and Molly Palmer-Jones Mystery, Book Four by Ann Cleeves
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is an earlier work from Ann Cleeves and it is noticeably lacking in her deft touch and rounded characters from the 'Shetland' and 'Vera' series. The female characters are dismissed by the male characters: their thoughts, opinions and ideas are an irritant to them rather than being worthy of consideration.
On the whole I found this book more of a chore than a pleasure to read.
On the whole I found this book more of a chore than a pleasure to read.
Hands Down by Felix Francis
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
When former jockey turned Private Investigator Sid Halley receives a telephone call from ex-jockey trainer Gary Bremner, asking for help to stop someone threatening his livelihood, he becomes involved in a web of corruption, blackmail and intimidation centred around horse racing and betting.
An enjoyable read
An enjoyable read
The Secret of Villa Alba by Louise Douglas
adventurous
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
With a dual timeline narrative this had the potential to be a gripping story.
Unfortunately I found the main characters very difficult to warm to.
The ending tied everything neatly together but was rushed considering how much time had been taken in the build up to the 'big reveal'.
Unfortunately I found the main characters very difficult to warm to.
The ending tied everything neatly together but was rushed considering how much time had been taken in the build up to the 'big reveal'.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's New Year's Eve and six potential buyers are being shown around an apartment when a hapless bank robber rushes in and takes them hostage.
As the police gather outside, the hostages - and unsuccessful bank robber - begin to share their life experiences with each other, gradually realising that they have far more in common with each other than they originally thought.
Fredrik Backman always provides food for thought with his stories; this was no exception.
As the police gather outside, the hostages - and unsuccessful bank robber - begin to share their life experiences with each other, gradually realising that they have far more in common with each other than they originally thought.
Fredrik Backman always provides food for thought with his stories; this was no exception.
Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The fifth book in the 'Magic Men' series, jumps forward eleven years to 1964.
A young schoolgirl has disappeared and Superintendent Edgar Stephens and his team are tasked with finding out what has happened to her. To add to the pressure, Brighton is under siege with the Mods and Rockers declaring all out war on each other.
This was an entertaining story with several strands revolving around the main characters' frustrations with their personal lives.
A young schoolgirl has disappeared and Superintendent Edgar Stephens and his team are tasked with finding out what has happened to her. To add to the pressure, Brighton is under siege with the Mods and Rockers declaring all out war on each other.
This was an entertaining story with several strands revolving around the main characters' frustrations with their personal lives.