totallytales's reviews
1884 reviews

Finished The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie, and it’s a 3.5⭐ read from me! The mystery was clever, with all the small-town drama and sharp twists you'd expect. But Miss Marple? Blink and you'll miss her — she barely makes an appearance! Honestly, it feels like her name was just thrown in for good measure. A decent read, but not quite what I was expecting.

Have you read this one? Did you feel the same about her lack of presence? Let me know! 📚✨
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What a ride! Even though this wasn’t the first in the series, I had no trouble diving straight into the drama of this deliciously twisty tale. T. Orr Monroe throws you into the deep end with an established cast of characters who are equal parts intriguing and suspicious—and I absolutely loved getting to know them.

Set against the backdrop of an exclusive, scandal-ridden community, Liars Island is packed with secrets, lies, and betrayals lurking behind every perfectly polished façade. The dynamics between the characters felt so rich and layered, like I’d known them for years, which speaks to Monroe’s fantastic writing.

The twists kept me guessing, and the pacing was spot on—never a dull moment but not so rushed that you couldn’t savour the suspense. I’m now desperate to pick up the rest of the series to see how these tangled lives began and (hopefully) unravel further!

If you enjoy stories with sharp plotting and a whole lot of secrets, you’ll want to add this to your TBR. It’s juicy, it’s dramatic, and it’s the perfect escape into a world where trust is as rare as a quiet moment on Liars Island.

I was so sure I’d finally outwitted Agatha Christie with this one – I had my theory, my suspect, my smug little smile – but nope, she absolutely floored me again. The way she twists the story just when you think you’ve got it all figured out is nothing short of genius.

The structure is so clever, with Poirot piecing together a murder from five different perspectives. It’s like a literary jigsaw puzzle, and every piece seems to fit perfectly... until you realise it doesn’t. The characters are so vivid, each one pulling you further into the mystery.

I thought I’d finally outsmarted the Queen of Crime, but she pulled the rug out from under me in the most brilliant way. If you think you’ve read Christie’s best, this one will prove you wrong. An absolute gem!

If you love stories about the power of community, How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a must-read. Five shining stars for this heartwarming, touching tale that celebrates the magic of unexpected friendships and the way people can truly change each other’s lives.⠀
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At its core, this is a book about connection. Pooley weaves together the stories of an unlikely group of characters, each grappling with their own challenges, and shows how their lives intertwine in the most beautiful, transformative ways. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the people you least expect can bring out the best in you.⠀
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The humour is light but effective, adding warmth to a story that’s filled with moments of genuine vulnerability and reflection. The characters feel so real, like old friends by the end of the book, and watching them grow together was nothing short of uplifting.⠀
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This was the perfect start to my reading year—hopeful, heartfelt, and full of charm. If you’ve read this one, let’s chat! Or if you have any recommendations for other books about community and connection, drop them in the comments—I’d love to keep this reading vibe going.⠀
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