Scan barcode
thereadingmum's reviews
776 reviews
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is my first "meh" Discworld novel. I struggled through the middle parts and found my mind wandering. Particularly the parts following Tomjon in the theatre. I love the three witches, but even some of their bits was slow. The main action was at the start, a bit in the middle and right at the end. This probably could have been twenty pages shorter.
I do wonder though if Pratchett put himself into Hwel the dwarf playwright.
I do wonder though if Pratchett put himself into Hwel the dwarf playwright.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Sweet
The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I haven't been enthralled with Agatha Christie's standalone mystery novels. Perhaps because the main characters always paled in comparison to Poirot and Miss Marple. The Sittaford Mystery has been the one to change my mind.
It starts off in a secluded, snowed in house with an impromptu table turning session that takes a weird turn when a message is received that someone they know is dead. Then they discover he actually died, possibly at that moment. Wooooooo.......Queue Inspector Narracott, who unlike most other detective stories, is actually pretty sharp and not bad looking either. The amateur sleuth is Emily Trefusis, the main suspect's fiancee. She's pretty, clever and determined.
The mystery is solid and fun to follow and the resolution satisfying. My only bug bear was who Emily chose at the end, but that's probably a personal taste thing.
Definitely one of my favourite Christies.
It starts off in a secluded, snowed in house with an impromptu table turning session that takes a weird turn when a message is received that someone they know is dead. Then they discover he actually died, possibly at that moment. Wooooooo.......Queue Inspector Narracott, who unlike most other detective stories, is actually pretty sharp and not bad looking either. The amateur sleuth is Emily Trefusis, the main suspect's fiancee. She's pretty, clever and determined.
The mystery is solid and fun to follow and the resolution satisfying. My only bug bear was who Emily chose at the end, but that's probably a personal taste thing.
Definitely one of my favourite Christies.
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
slow-paced
3.75
This started off a bit slow and I was inordinately annoyed with Viola and really wanted Teddy to tell her off. However, this rambling, epic story of one man's life was ultimately engaging and I was eventually sucked into Teddy's story.
The fact that I couldn't stand Viola helped me swallow the twist at the end somewhat. I really don't like that type of literary device. It always feels like a bit of a cop out and like the author didn't know how to end the story. While this was less of a cop out, it still wasn't satisfactory and left me disgruntled.
The fact that I couldn't stand Viola helped me swallow the twist at the end somewhat. I really don't like that type of literary device. It always feels like a bit of a cop out and like the author didn't know how to end the story. While this was less of a cop out, it still wasn't satisfactory and left me disgruntled.
The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong
dark
mysterious
tense
3.75
Touted as a historical gothic mystery thriller, The Curse of Penryth Hall, is a debut novel that has already won an award. Ruby Vaughan is an American heiress in Exeter, working as an assistant to a rare books dealer. She travels back to Cornwall and the scene of painful memories to deliver books and gets sucked into a murder, family curse, an old love affair and a new one.
I loved the atmosphere and setting and thought Armstrong did a really good job of creating that. I also enjoyed the mystery part of it and Ruby's amateur investigation to try and unravel the curse.
However, I didn't feel it quite hit that gothic note. Historical mystery thriller is how I would describe it. I also found the complicated romantic aspects a bit out of context and some of them unnecessary. The resolution was a tad far-fetched and unbelievable.
Overall though it was an entertaining read that I would recommend to wile away a happy afternoon.
I loved the atmosphere and setting and thought Armstrong did a really good job of creating that. I also enjoyed the mystery part of it and Ruby's amateur investigation to try and unravel the curse.
However, I didn't feel it quite hit that gothic note. Historical mystery thriller is how I would describe it. I also found the complicated romantic aspects a bit out of context and some of them unnecessary. The resolution was a tad far-fetched and unbelievable.
Overall though it was an entertaining read that I would recommend to wile away a happy afternoon.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I'm so glad I waited to read this one. I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much amid the massive hype when it came out.
Zevin created characters that are so easy to connect with and root for. The way she wrote about the gaming world was accessible and easy to follow. As a late gen x-er, I relate to Sam and Sadie because I grew up with the early iterations of Nintendo and I've seen how computer games have evolved right from my basic as Apple dot matrix where I had this ridiculous lemonade selling game to today's Switch and PS5 and virtual games.
What I don't see it as is a romance. I never felt that specific chemistry between Sam and Sadie. For me, it was always this great platonic relationship built on a shared love for computer games and the experience of physical disability and illness. I also did not like the tragedy that I could see coming from miles away and dreaded because of the way she built up the happiness beforehand. This is very cryptic but if you haven't read it, I don't want to give it away.
This was more epic than I expected and I loved it. Makes me want to play Donkey Kong or Rampage again.
Zevin created characters that are so easy to connect with and root for. The way she wrote about the gaming world was accessible and easy to follow. As a late gen x-er, I relate to Sam and Sadie because I grew up with the early iterations of Nintendo and I've seen how computer games have evolved right from my basic as Apple dot matrix where I had this ridiculous lemonade selling game to today's Switch and PS5 and virtual games.
What I don't see it as is a romance. I never felt that specific chemistry between Sam and Sadie. For me, it was always this great platonic relationship built on a shared love for computer games and the experience of physical disability and illness. I also did not like the tragedy that I could see coming from miles away and dreaded because of the way she built up the happiness beforehand. This is very cryptic but if you haven't read it, I don't want to give it away.
This was more epic than I expected and I loved it. Makes me want to play Donkey Kong or Rampage again.
Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Sometimes referencing other authors or books helps entice readers who love those other authors or books. More often though, it either doesn't help or puts a reader off because it's not at all like what it's been likened to. And why should it? Each author should have their own voice and not mimic someone else.
Perilous Times is labelled on the cover as "imagine Good Omens with Arthurian knights" and "perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jodi Taylor and Ben Aaronovitch". Being a fan of those authors, I picked this up without hesitation. About 50 pages in, I was feeling a bit disappointed. It's not half as funny as Pratchett or Aaronovitch. Nor is it as witty or as wildly imaginative as Gaiman.
However, I ended up loving it nonetheless. It is a tad depressing and I felt some of the malais the MC, Mariam, felt with everything that is happening in the world and how dire the environmental situation is. We're honestly not that far off what is depicted in the book, which scares the !#&^ out of me.
But there is a lot of hope in here as well just as there is in real life. It doesn't take a hero to do something heroic. We need to stop waiting for someone else to do something, anything regardless of how small or impossible. I love this book for that message.
Perilous Times is labelled on the cover as "imagine Good Omens with Arthurian knights" and "perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jodi Taylor and Ben Aaronovitch". Being a fan of those authors, I picked this up without hesitation. About 50 pages in, I was feeling a bit disappointed. It's not half as funny as Pratchett or Aaronovitch. Nor is it as witty or as wildly imaginative as Gaiman.
However, I ended up loving it nonetheless. It is a tad depressing and I felt some of the malais the MC, Mariam, felt with everything that is happening in the world and how dire the environmental situation is. We're honestly not that far off what is depicted in the book, which scares the !#&^ out of me.
But there is a lot of hope in here as well just as there is in real life. It doesn't take a hero to do something heroic. We need to stop waiting for someone else to do something, anything regardless of how small or impossible. I love this book for that message.
Crime on the Fens by Joy Ellis
3.0
I think I just read this at the wrong time. It followed a lighter read. By contrast this was a bit heavy and I found myself drifting a bit and unable to pay attention. I got the jist of the crime though I didn't connect with Galena and Easter as much as I did with Jackman and Evans. Don't think I'll be following this series.
Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
My first Christmassy book of the year was a great choice and I enjoyed this cosy 1920s murder mystery.
It has all the right elements, closed group of suspects, large English country house and perky amateur sleuths. The pace was perfect with the set up not too tedious and the action starting very soon. A few good red herrings and a set of well thought-out characters.
The only thing I found a bit niggly was the soggy relations between Marius and Isabella and her OTT obnoxious fiance as the love rival.
Would definitely recommend this if you're a fan of the genre or want a seasonal read that's light and entertaining.
Thanks very much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my gifted copy of this audio book.
It has all the right elements, closed group of suspects, large English country house and perky amateur sleuths. The pace was perfect with the set up not too tedious and the action starting very soon. A few good red herrings and a set of well thought-out characters.
The only thing I found a bit niggly was the soggy relations between Marius and Isabella and her OTT obnoxious fiance as the love rival.
Would definitely recommend this if you're a fan of the genre or want a seasonal read that's light and entertaining.
Thanks very much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my gifted copy of this audio book.