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shannismcewen's reviews
1379 reviews

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the characters and the setting, and the mystery was entertaining. 
The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was an entertaining read — I picked it up because I got a suggestion for the newest book in this series and I can’t read a book from a long running series without starting with the earlier books. The only issues I had with this book were just a result of it being a product of its time — it was originally published in 1987, so the sexism and gross portrayal of the main character as a womanizer were super irritating. Dude’s out here flat out booking up with the women who hired him for his private detective services and it was honestly pretty laughable. Fun story though. I assume things improve as the publishing years pass. I’ll give it another book or two. 
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The Divide by Morgan Richter

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a solidly enjoyable LA noir. Very quick read. 
The Verifiers by Jane Pek

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was so much fun! I really love the main character Claudia — despite her very risky decision making as a detective. But I liked getting to know her family and colleagues as well, and the mystery was so interesting. Very entertaining and well written. 
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

A nearly perfect romance novel. Loved the characters, the plotting, all of it. Super fun. 
The Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Beautiful coming of age story.
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

5.0

Amazing book. Intense and deep. 
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Silent Spring Revolution: John F. Kennedy, Rachel Carson, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and the Great Environmental Awakening by Douglas Brinkley

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challenging hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships, and Surprising Tales by Kristian Nairn

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

He’s a good storyteller! This was much better than I dared hope, for a book I was going to read no matter what.