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lollybee's reviews
164 reviews
In a Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.0
This was an unusual and interesting story about synesthesia.
Alice is eight years old when she notices that everyone has colours emanating from them. She doesn't like seeing the brightness of the colours or having people touch her in case their colours leak into her, resulting in her always wearing sunglasses and gloves.
Alice has to come to terms with her ability to read people and how it affects her experiences of the world around her if she is to live a fulfilling life.
Alice is eight years old when she notices that everyone has colours emanating from them. She doesn't like seeing the brightness of the colours or having people touch her in case their colours leak into her, resulting in her always wearing sunglasses and gloves.
Alice has to come to terms with her ability to read people and how it affects her experiences of the world around her if she is to live a fulfilling life.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
The Vanishing Box by Elly Griffiths
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
When a young florist is found dead at her lodgings, DI Edgar Stevens is called in to investigate the murder.
My least favourite of The Brighton Mysteries so far, which is a shame as I usually enjoy Elly Griffiths's books.
The story was extremely sluggish with nothing much happening until the last ten percent of the book and then everything took place at a breakneck speed.
My least favourite of The Brighton Mysteries so far, which is a shame as I usually enjoy Elly Griffiths's books.
The story was extremely sluggish with nothing much happening until the last ten percent of the book and then everything took place at a breakneck speed.
The Distant Shores by Santa Montefiore
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.0
This was a disappointing read, especially after I had enjoyed the other books in The Deverill Chronicles series.
The pace was too slow due to all the back-filling of the previous storylines: it only picked up towards the very end.
The pace was too slow due to all the back-filling of the previous storylines: it only picked up towards the very end.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When Sage Singer, a young reclusive baker meets lderly Josef Webber at a grief support group an unlikely friendship develops.
When Joseph begins to tell Sage his life story and then makes a surprising request of her, Sage is torn between her beliefs and her desire to help.
This I a story about secrets, living with the atrocities of the past and seeking redemption.
When Joseph begins to tell Sage his life story and then makes a surprising request of her, Sage is torn between her beliefs and her desire to help.
This I a story about secrets, living with the atrocities of the past and seeking redemption.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
In The Dark Angel - the 10th in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series - Ruth is invited to Italy by an old friend, Professor Angelo Morelli, to investigate an excavation of a skeleton.
Accompanied by daughter Kate and friend Shona, Ruth soon finds herself caught up in secrets from the past and a present day murder.
As usual, Elly Griffiths gradually weaves a story, with several different strands, building the tension towards a satisfying conclusion.
Accompanied by daughter Kate and friend Shona, Ruth soon finds herself caught up in secrets from the past and a present day murder.
As usual, Elly Griffiths gradually weaves a story, with several different strands, building the tension towards a satisfying conclusion.
An Almost Perfect Holiday by Lucy Diamond
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Olivia, Maggie and Emm all have different reasons for finding themselves at Lorna's holiday cottages in Cornwall.
Em, a mum of two teenagers thinks this will be and ideal time for her children and her boyfriend George to all get to know each other better.
Maggie has a holiday of activities planned in the hopes of bringing her and her teenage daughter closer together.
Olivia, an exhausted mother of twin boys who has memories of growing up in the area, takes an unplanned break to try and find a solution to the turmoil of her daily life.
All three have to meet challenges from their past in order to find resolutions and ways forward if they are to be content with their lives.
Em, a mum of two teenagers thinks this will be and ideal time for her children and her boyfriend George to all get to know each other better.
Maggie has a holiday of activities planned in the hopes of bringing her and her teenage daughter closer together.
Olivia, an exhausted mother of twin boys who has memories of growing up in the area, takes an unplanned break to try and find a solution to the turmoil of her daily life.
All three have to meet challenges from their past in order to find resolutions and ways forward if they are to be content with their lives.
The Trial by Rob Rinder
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
When hero policeman, Grant Cliveden is murdered by Botox poisoning at the Old Bailey, pupil barrister Adam Green has to prove the innocence of number one suspect, Jimmy Knight.
As he investigates the case, Adam discovers that there is more than one person with reasons to want Grant Cliveden dead.
Rob Rinder's debut novel was an entertaining and informative read.
As he investigates the case, Adam discovers that there is more than one person with reasons to want Grant Cliveden dead.
Rob Rinder's debut novel was an entertaining and informative read.
The Secret Hours by Santa Montefiore
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Ponderous at times, The Secret Hours by Santa Montefiore is the fourth book in The Deverill Chronicles but can be read as a standalone novel
In the early 1890s, Arethusa (Tussy), flees to America severing all contact with her family in Ireland.
Upon her death, in 1961, at the reading of her will her diary is bequeathed to her daughter, Faye, along with instructions for her ashes to be scattered in her beloved Ballinakelly, Ireland.
When Faye travels to Ballinakelly to fulfil her mother's last wishes she feels a connection to her relatives and the surroundings, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about her mother's life and her own.
In the early 1890s, Arethusa (Tussy), flees to America severing all contact with her family in Ireland.
Upon her death, in 1961, at the reading of her will her diary is bequeathed to her daughter, Faye, along with instructions for her ashes to be scattered in her beloved Ballinakelly, Ireland.
When Faye travels to Ballinakelly to fulfil her mother's last wishes she feels a connection to her relatives and the surroundings, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about her mother's life and her own.
A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey
funny
lighthearted
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
Having grieved the loss of her husband for ten years, Nicky finds herself in Provence working as a business advisor, designer and TV presenter as a favour to her reality TV producer friend.
Robert, the owner of the B&B set to have a makeover for the series is grumpy and standoffish.
With only four weeks to make the project a success, will they be able to put their differences aside and work together?
This was a lovely, feel-good story with some humorous moments as well as insights into how different people cope with the loss of a loved one.
Robert, the owner of the B&B set to have a makeover for the series is grumpy and standoffish.
With only four weeks to make the project a success, will they be able to put their differences aside and work together?
This was a lovely, feel-good story with some humorous moments as well as insights into how different people cope with the loss of a loved one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness and Grief
The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
D.I. Edgar Stephens and his friend magician, Max Mephisto are called to investigate the death of their former commanding officer at his home in London.
Set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth ll's Coronation The Blood Card was a very slow burner but nevertheless an enjoyable murder mystery.
Set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth ll's Coronation The Blood Card was a very slow burner but nevertheless an enjoyable murder mystery.