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lollybee's reviews
164 reviews
One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner
adventurous
dark
sad
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
Frankie Elkin - finder of missing persons - joins a hiking team who have taken part in a yearly search for Tim O'Day, who went missing five years ago when camping out in the woods with friends.
It's a tough hike for the team, with some members having secrets that they would prefer remain hidden.
A very enjoyable crime novel let down, in my opinion, by the ending which felt a little far-fetched.
It's a tough hike for the team, with some members having secrets that they would prefer remain hidden.
A very enjoyable crime novel let down, in my opinion, by the ending which felt a little far-fetched.
The bench by Cromer beach by R.J. Gould
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book appealed to me because of the many family holidays I spent in Norfolk, including Cromer.
However, I was sadly disappointed: very little happens throughout the story; I didn't connect with any of the characters and the ending(which was abrupt) felt rushed and unfinished.
However, I was sadly disappointed: very little happens throughout the story; I didn't connect with any of the characters and the ending(which was abrupt) felt rushed and unfinished.
Before the Storm by Alex Gray
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
2.5
Easy to read, fast-paced crime novel.
Several story lines running throughout the book, which all come together at the end.
Several story lines running throughout the book, which all come together at the end.
The House of Many Lives: Uplifting Cornish feel-good fiction about love, friendship and second chances. by LK Wilde
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Finding herself stuck in a rut, when she is left her grandmother's house, Kate decides to travel to Bodmin, decorate the house and turn it into a B&B, as well as trying to resolve some personal dilemmas.
This was an easy, light, enjoyable read with the various guests bringing additional layers to the story.
This was an easy, light, enjoyable read with the various guests bringing additional layers to the story.
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
There are three storylines in this book: 15th century Constantinople,
present-day Idaho, and
a futuristic spaceship.
Libraries play an integral role throughout all of the stories, as places of sanctuary and gateways to knowledge: accessible to all.
Although beautifully written, the stories jumped about; were difficult to follow at times and far too detailed in parts.
The construct was reminiscent of David Mitchell's The Cloud Atlas, unfortunately it just didn't really work for me.
present-day Idaho, and
a futuristic spaceship.
Libraries play an integral role throughout all of the stories, as places of sanctuary and gateways to knowledge: accessible to all.
Although beautifully written, the stories jumped about; were difficult to follow at times and far too detailed in parts.
The construct was reminiscent of David Mitchell's The Cloud Atlas, unfortunately it just didn't really work for me.
The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When thirteen-years-old Olivia is abducted from her home by a masked intruder, younger sister Caitlin can only watch, frozen in terror.
Sixteen years later, Caitlin and her family are trying to lead normal lives when Olivia suddenly reappears out of the blue.
After the initial euphoria in having her sister back, Caitlin begins to have doubts that the woman in their home is really Olivia.
This was a story full of twists and turns, with two storylines running alongside each other, which kept me guessing until very near the end.
Sixteen years later, Caitlin and her family are trying to lead normal lives when Olivia suddenly reappears out of the blue.
After the initial euphoria in having her sister back, Caitlin begins to have doubts that the woman in their home is really Olivia.
This was a story full of twists and turns, with two storylines running alongside each other, which kept me guessing until very near the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.0
Frankie Elkin, a recovering alcoholic who is fighting her own demons, has been on a mission during the past ten years to track down missing people.
She finds herself in Boston where a sixteen-year-old girl has disappeared and the local police appear to have no hope of finding her.
A well-paced crime novel with lots of twists and turns.
She finds herself in Boston where a sixteen-year-old girl has disappeared and the local police appear to have no hope of finding her.
A well-paced crime novel with lots of twists and turns.
The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When Jem Rosco, a local legend suddenly returns to Greystone and then disappears just as suddenly, nobody gives him a second thought.
Until the local lifeboat is called out to a stranded dinghy and finds Jem's body.
Matthew Venn and his team, called in to investigate the mystery surrounding the victim's life, have to deal with storms, local superstitions and distrust from the local community.
Anne Cleeves weaves her usual magic, making for a very enjoyable read.
Until the local lifeboat is called out to a stranded dinghy and finds Jem's body.
Matthew Venn and his team, called in to investigate the mystery surrounding the victim's life, have to deal with storms, local superstitions and distrust from the local community.
Anne Cleeves weaves her usual magic, making for a very enjoyable read.
Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown by Alison Weir
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
King Henry VIII is arguably one of England's most famous monarchs.
Not destined to be King, until the death of his brother, we see an angry, spoilt young man who grows up to become an angry, spoilt tyrant.
Not destined to be King, until the death of his brother, we see an angry, spoilt young man who grows up to become an angry, spoilt tyrant.
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
At the age of five, Ayla finds herself orphaned when an earthquake kills her family.
After surviving in the wilderness for days, she is discovered by another Clan who take her in.
As Ayla grows up she struggles to conform to expectations of the Clan: the prejudices, superstitions, distrust and hatred of her because she doesn't look or behave like one of them.
This was an interesting story but overlong on description and explanation in places.
After surviving in the wilderness for days, she is discovered by another Clan who take her in.
As Ayla grows up she struggles to conform to expectations of the Clan: the prejudices, superstitions, distrust and hatred of her because she doesn't look or behave like one of them.
This was an interesting story but overlong on description and explanation in places.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, and Pregnancy