lollybee's reviews
164 reviews

The Bordeaux Book Club by Gillian Harvey

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

When a group of eclectic people get together to form a monthly book club, not only do they discuss the books they gradually open up to each other about what is bothering them in their lives. 
Strong friendships develop; problems are resolved and help is provided for those who need it.
A slow-paced, enjoyable read.
A Spoonful Of Murder by J.M. Hall

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lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Described as a cozy mystery, this plodded along. I also guessed the murderer right at the beginning.
No Reserve by Felix Francis

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

A weak female character was too much of a stereotypically helpless woman, who at the age of 26 did exactly as her mother and brother said, including being back at home for 9 p.m. and allowing callers' phone numbers to be blocked on her phone.
The main storyline was quite good but the writing felt clunky and somewhat pedestrian.
No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer

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dark emotional funny informative mysterious 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

4.0

February, 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries, owner and landlady 23 Burlington Square – has a decision to make.
Which of the three applicants for the spare room should she choose and how will it affect the successful applicant's life and those around them?
This story is written predominantly in three parts: each applicant being the successful lodger.
A really interesting story that also reveals Agnes's life and the memories that lie within 23 Burlington Square.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

If you could travel back in time would you change the past; could you change the past and - more importantly - should you change the past?
A fantasy time- travel novel about good and evil and the steps you might take to protect what you believe in.
And excellent read, I couldn't put it down.
The Vanishing of Class 3B by Jackie Kabler

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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

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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

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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. 
Echo of the Dead by Alex Gray

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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.
The Village Hall Vendetta by Jonathan Whitelaw

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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.