So, back in high school I desperately wanted to go to Yale but I didn't get accepted... and this book made me feel a LOT better about that. That being So, back in high school I desperately wanted to go to Yale but I didn't get accepted... and this book made me feel a LOT better about that. That being said, the book itself is super enjoyable. I was kind of ready to be mad at it for various reasons, like I didn't really want it to be a murder mystery, or the first in a series, or have upsetting scenes of sexual assault, but it handles all those things in such an organic way that I was completely won over....more
I loved the super awesome boarding school, but I wasn’t that interested in the mystery and I haaaated the love interest guy, I found him so stressful I loved the super awesome boarding school, but I wasn’t that interested in the mystery and I haaaated the love interest guy, I found him so stressful and icky. ...more
There are VERY few series that I'm still reading at installment #20. For mysteries especially, it's a delicate balance for the author to give us enougThere are VERY few series that I'm still reading at installment #20. For mysteries especially, it's a delicate balance for the author to give us enough fanservice (and I mean that in the best way possible--in this case it's lots of descriptions of fancy outfits and delicious meals and hot guys and so on) but still have an interesting-enough whodunit to be a framework for the fanservice. This one was doing a really excellent job for about the first half, but then detoured into some of the sappiest Holmes/Watson fanfic that I've ever read (and I've read some, believe me) plus a lot of what I assume are Ms. Greenwood's feelings about bad choir directors? Still, it's just the sort of thing to read on the veranda with a shady hat and a tall G&T. ...more
I don't think I would have liked this book as much if I hadn't listened to the audio version, which is absolutely the definition of the word charming.I don't think I would have liked this book as much if I hadn't listened to the audio version, which is absolutely the definition of the word charming. (A word that I'm afraid I use much too much...) The reader, Jayne Entwistle, has this particular and delicious way of saying "Flaaaaaviahh de LUCE" that I kept repeating to myself at odd moments through the day, as if rolling a rather expensive caramel around in my mouth....more
Fairly entertaining--like an Agatha Christie novel but missing the sharp characterization. The third star is mostly for the main character's name, "AmoFairly entertaining--like an Agatha Christie novel but missing the sharp characterization. The third star is mostly for the main character's name, "Amory Ames," which is perfection. ...more
This one was a lot more pulled-together than the first one, and even though I didn't really care who did it--I almost never do, with mystery novels--IThis one was a lot more pulled-together than the first one, and even though I didn't really care who did it--I almost never do, with mystery novels--I kind of miss the characters and I'm sad it's over.
Side note: The made-up author's work reminded me a lot of this book I had to review once, The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart. You can decide for yourself if that's something you'd be into......more
The premise of this is sort of charming--a woman is a "fixer" at a fancy casino in Las Vegas--but it was just so HOKEY. Ugh. I did kind of like how heThe premise of this is sort of charming--a woman is a "fixer" at a fancy casino in Las Vegas--but it was just so HOKEY. Ugh. I did kind of like how her best friend/love interest is a straight drag queen. He was cool. ...more
God, she is the MASTER of misdirection. I've actually even read this one before, and I still couldn't figure out who did it! I looked at all the leastGod, she is the MASTER of misdirection. I've actually even read this one before, and I still couldn't figure out who did it! I looked at all the least likely suspects, even the butler, but it turned out it was someone I didn't even think about, someone in plain sight, someone obvious...but someone I never. even. considered. Hats off....more
If you're into that whole Paris-in-the-20s thing, this is a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Maybe a little much with the name-dropping for me. If you're into that whole Paris-in-the-20s thing, this is a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Maybe a little much with the name-dropping for me. ...more
Pretty solidly entertaining! The writing's a little clumsy and people's names are overly weird, but if she writes another book about this guy I'll proPretty solidly entertaining! The writing's a little clumsy and people's names are overly weird, but if she writes another book about this guy I'll probably read it. ...more
I don't know, it was fine. It kind of carried me along but it felt like nothing actually happened. I'm still not quite sure who it was who did the thiI don't know, it was fine. It kind of carried me along but it felt like nothing actually happened. I'm still not quite sure who it was who did the thing to the person for the other thing/reason....more
the one where she is an arson investigator and he is a carpenter!
I was a little disturbed by the scene at the end where (view spoiler)[the bad guy rapthe one where she is an arson investigator and he is a carpenter!
I was a little disturbed by the scene at the end where (view spoiler)[the bad guy rapes and then burns to death a nice widowed lady. (hide spoiler)] Was not expecting to find that or the word "cunt" in a Nora Roberts book! Not that I'm against swearing in books, just found it surprising....more
I liked the Alaska setting, and interesting to have the male POV for a change, but I never got very invested in the romance part. and WHY ELSE am I reI liked the Alaska setting, and interesting to have the male POV for a change, but I never got very invested in the romance part. and WHY ELSE am I reading it?...more
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