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Review Date: 3/6/2016
POSSIBLE SPOILERS. This book has so much going for it. The writing is lovely, with many a marvelous turn of phrase, or an observation that rings so true. The author paints a vivid picture of post war England/Scotland, including all the cracks and rot of a society in transition. The modern times already arriving and the mores and manners of the past are both a backdrop and an explanation for the mysteries. Her characters are complex. But with the first person viewpoint we don't see or hear more than Dandy does, and most of the little mysteries that appear are not addressed. As other reviewers have said, the middle lags in endless cycling through the facts-something that feels very true to how the mind works in these circumstances, but which makes for tediousness, which makes for less careful reading.
So although the diamonds are found, the dozen dangling ends only make one hope that the sequels have some answers. What is most frustrating is the last paragraph, "Finally the last piece fell into place." it begins. But does the author tell us what it is and what it means? No, she does not.
I am sure I missed a clue in the book somewhere, and that a careful reader would know what the big truth is. But I am not inclined to go back and read it through again to find the key. The personalities of almost everyone in the book rather put me off the first time through.
So here is my recommendation. Read the book for the clever language, and read it carefully. When you figure out the ending, drop me a line.
So although the diamonds are found, the dozen dangling ends only make one hope that the sequels have some answers. What is most frustrating is the last paragraph, "Finally the last piece fell into place." it begins. But does the author tell us what it is and what it means? No, she does not.
I am sure I missed a clue in the book somewhere, and that a careful reader would know what the big truth is. But I am not inclined to go back and read it through again to find the key. The personalities of almost everyone in the book rather put me off the first time through.
So here is my recommendation. Read the book for the clever language, and read it carefully. When you figure out the ending, drop me a line.
Review Date: 9/12/2020
Helpful Score: 2
My problem with the book was the story and the cover did not match. If you think, based on the cover, you're getting a standard cozy, book themed mystery, you will be somewhat disappointed. It's actually rather grim in places as it explores a very dysfunctional family and their generational murderous solutions. The Agatha Christie element also seemed to me to be unnaturally shoehorned into the narrative.
Review Date: 8/25/2020
I have now read four of the Moonlight Harbor novels and for the most part enjoyed them. This one is the best of them. However, there are some quirks that are starting to drive me crazy. In every single one the author oddly takes the time to disparage pants with elastic waists. Her scorn for them is clear and, as a woman at the age where elastic waists are a blessing, I was startled to discover I was taking it personally. I couldn't figure out why it bothered me so much, and spent way too much time thinking about it instead of enjoying the story. I know it is part of the characterization of the unpleasant character, Susan, but I think it is, indirectly, fat-shaming. And I expected better of a writer with Ms. Roberts talent.
Review Date: 2/13/2023
This was the first Liaden book I read and I had to get a second copy, having read the first to bits. If you have not read any of this series, and have a taste for lovely world-building blended with romance and great characterization, I urge you to give it a try. This volume is a good place to start, even though technically it is in the middle...of a series of about 30 books. Don't let that put you off; if you like this one, you have so much to look forward to!
Review Date: 2/14/2016
Warning, spoilers later in review. It's good that John has taken over his mother's legacy--her series was one of my favorites. He's changed them, however, into a mere reflection of the earlier novels. The books have lost Dixie's voice.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
Review Date: 10/31/2021
The book was actually good, but the cover is baffling. I have never before come across a book where the cover picture had absolutely nothing to do with the contents. The characters pictured are not in the book. There is no outdoor picnic in the book, no turkey, no black horse with a mysterious rider trying to lasso a turkey. Even the background trees do not look particularly like Texas, the location of the book. And how is that horse being directed when there are no reins? If I were the author, I'd sue. That said, it was a reasonably good mystery. Just...that cover.
Review Date: 3/4/2024
This book became semi-famous on the Internet in a viral post about male authors who get female anatomy incredibly wrong. I can see why.
Review Date: 1/12/2008
There was no information anywhere on the page or in the reviews that told me there was Christian content in this book. I didn't think it was a very good story, since the point of it seems to be to push this particular brand of religion. After I got this book and went looking I found information about the religious content on a page for another edition, but this particular entry did not have it. The book does not have any clue on the exterior that it is religious, so perhaps the poster did not realize, either, but I feel almost tricked out of my postage money and credit! I am going to see if I can get more information added to the description so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
Review Date: 4/28/2013
I haven't read this book and don't plan to now, which makes this a very odd review,I know. However, as I was looking this copy over before reading it, I noticed it had an odd format which I thought I might mention. Inside each chapter, the text it is divided into scenes, which are anywhere from one to about 30 paragraphs long, and each scene begins with three words in bold uppercase font. I read a few pages and found it incredibly disruptive. Also instead of using an actual name, most of the time the main character is referred to as Oscar's niece or "the niece," which frankly, also rubbed my nerves raw. What, she isn't allowed her own identity? Oscar and the degree of relationship to him is the most important part of her identity? Kind of insulting to her personhood, isn't it, and a wee bit sexist?
To be quite honest and transparent, I must confess I did read the first book in the series and thought it needed more polish than it received before publishing; hope springs eternal and I picked this one up, assuming that subsequent experience would have generated improvements in the author's style and substance. The jury will remain out, as I can't talk myself into reading this. One of you will be benefiting from my reaction, as I will be listing the book soon.
To be quite honest and transparent, I must confess I did read the first book in the series and thought it needed more polish than it received before publishing; hope springs eternal and I picked this one up, assuming that subsequent experience would have generated improvements in the author's style and substance. The jury will remain out, as I can't talk myself into reading this. One of you will be benefiting from my reaction, as I will be listing the book soon.
Review Date: 5/8/2022
A good book, but just a warning that it deals with cancer and impending death. It is definitely triggering, as I almost could not get through it.
Review Date: 9/12/2017
This book impressed me on several levels. It's witty and fun, and the characters are so engaging. The romance is quirky and feels real. All the usual problems that teens have, on top of saving the world, are blended with such style that small flaws don't show up until the second or third reading--but some of the deeper elements start showing up at that point, too. There is, of course, swearing, in two languages, which keeps me of recommending it at the middle school level, but older students have heard worse. It's on my Keeper shelf as one of the best young adult books I have ever read.
Review Date: 3/25/2020
Spoilers: This series has wonderfully well constructed characters and story lines which make a compelling read. However, part of this is only on the surface. If you get to thinking about it long enough you might, as I did, become completely creeped out. The cop who so easily makes his own rules, unnaturally fixated on the woman whose religion takes her in equally far directions... One night after finishing Murder in Hindsight I connected some dots and totally freaked myself out wondering if the author was putting in these subtle horror elements on purpose or not. And I don't know if I could read the next one to find out!
Review Date: 5/4/2017
Helpful Score: 2
None of the books in this series seem to have a review here at this point, which is too bad. I am interested in other views about the book,as I was left with very mixed feelings. I'm sure that is reflected below. It's difficult to outline the problems without spoilers, but an ick factor may be present due to individual perceptions of strict Catholic behavior, women's rights, and stalkers.
This is both mystery and romance, although not at all standard for either genre, and both elements had their frustrations due to the way the story was constructed.
Parts of the book was written backwards, with information provided in the last few pages that other stories would include in the beginning. Too,the author chooses not to give information which would explain the reasons behind the actions and character of her leading man, making him creepier than your usual romantic lead. The female lead is a bit unsettling in the opposite direction. Both characters do stupid things which are later explained, but this leaves one still with that first impression.
The tale is skewed by being almost entirely from Doyle's point of view. The story telling is not linear and I had to go back after I was finished and read parts again--fortunately it was not a hardship as I got caught up in the story once more and read to the end.
The mystery itself is fairly well crafted, the main characters engaging if not totally believable, the supporting characters are great, and the anticipation for the next volume is wickedly intense by the last page. Yet it still left me off-balance, and other views will be read with interest.
This is both mystery and romance, although not at all standard for either genre, and both elements had their frustrations due to the way the story was constructed.
Parts of the book was written backwards, with information provided in the last few pages that other stories would include in the beginning. Too,the author chooses not to give information which would explain the reasons behind the actions and character of her leading man, making him creepier than your usual romantic lead. The female lead is a bit unsettling in the opposite direction. Both characters do stupid things which are later explained, but this leaves one still with that first impression.
The tale is skewed by being almost entirely from Doyle's point of view. The story telling is not linear and I had to go back after I was finished and read parts again--fortunately it was not a hardship as I got caught up in the story once more and read to the end.
The mystery itself is fairly well crafted, the main characters engaging if not totally believable, the supporting characters are great, and the anticipation for the next volume is wickedly intense by the last page. Yet it still left me off-balance, and other views will be read with interest.
Review Date: 9/13/2008
Helpful Score: 6
This is the best urban fantasy I have ever read. The story is told first person, by Cal, a teenager with more than the usual reasons for angst and snark. Cal and his brother Nic are standing together against a host of problems, but most specifically the Auphe, and it's the devotion of the two to each other that is solidly at the center of these books. As baddies go, the Auphe are pretty bad. There's gore, but it's surprisingly well written gore that never goes completely over the top, and there's language appropriate to the situations (meaning that while there's cussing, you can't really fault the characters for it. You'd cuss, too, if somebody was trying that hard to kill you!). This series has new twists on your usual monsters, and the werewolves especially make interesting characters. My only (minor) complaint so far is that Cal's body seems to be able to take abuse and keep going when it really should not, but I'm hoping this proves to be an aspect of his not-all-human heritage.
Nothing To Fear But Ferrets (Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter, Bk 2)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
105
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
105
Review Date: 12/21/2020
This book made me uncomfortable on several levels. It lacks logic (how in the world is a pet-sitter salary paying for that mini-mansion, even temporarily?) and it lacks depth. It's a little weak on ferret facts, too. Ferrets are tricky to keep correctly and her descriptions amount to ferret abuse. The character is shallow and the author makes her judgemental, especially towards anyone who is not skinny. "hefty Tilda...who apparently had added an extra pound for every year of her life" and "her plump face shone with perspiration" and and Lyle "bulging belly beneath his snug shorts." All that just in the first chapter. It doesn't get better.
Review Date: 12/7/2013
I, to, found it disturbing that there was no indication in the description that this was a Christian oriented book. It was just not what I expected, and so I was annoyed at wasting a credit. I read it anyway. Should have trusted my instincts and just sucked it up and moved it on. It was relatively short, which means there was not much time for the development of the plot OR the romance. The setting was supposed to be in Colorado. As a Colorado native I don't think she quite caught the essence of it.
The religion seemed inserted, instead of a natural part of the story. At any rate, the book wasn't bad as much as it was just slightly misrepresented by the publisher. The description here also needs to be upgraded to more accurately reflect the contents.
The religion seemed inserted, instead of a natural part of the story. At any rate, the book wasn't bad as much as it was just slightly misrepresented by the publisher. The description here also needs to be upgraded to more accurately reflect the contents.
Review Date: 2/2/2008
You know, he lost me early on, at the part where the Tooth Fairy animates a corpse to have sex with it and voraciously eats it during the act, and then poops out quarters. (I'd use the word he uses in the book, but I'm not sure of the PBS rules about that.) He tells you in authors notes at the first of the book AND the ones at the end that this is all hysterically funny and folks who don't find it so are somehow flawed. I shall take it as read that the flaw is in me, but somehow, I am not a hundred percent sure about that.
Review Date: 8/15/2011
It's a good book, worth reading. I have a little bit of problem with the comparison to the Herriot stories on the back cover and in reviews, as I don't think it was quite in that category of storytelling. I'd say it was often heartwarming and charming, but it missed being excellent by a hair. It's more interesting as a biography of the writer than as storytelling about animals; I suspect one problem is the underlying heartbreak of the dog catching business affects the whole. The other problem is, even when there are happy endings the author sometimes had a hard time with ending the individual story or tale. Otherwise the writing is fine. There are a few little problems that will annoy purists. For example, a calico cat is referred to as "he" in one tale. The book, for me, was worth a read but was not a "keeper."
Review Date: 10/14/2007
Although the author can write, this story has a half dozen plot holes that weaken the book. A character hiding for her safety should not be forced to go to parties by those charged with keeping her safe, for example. Also, sometimes the author gives in to unfortunate impulse in regards to what I am sure is supposed to be a colorful phrase. The most unfortunate aspect is the political one, since the thinly disguised homeland security agency is breaking the law and gutting the constitution and no one (either characters or author) seemed concerned at all. It was briefly dealt with at the end, but by that time I had already sworn never to read another book by this woman in my life.
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