queensaru's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
marlobo's review
3.0
To my taste, marginally better than the first volume in the series, but I still don't feel like there's that emotional intensity I yearn for in a romance; And if there was, it was more in the character of Matthew than in the MCs.
I'm going to put this series on stand-by. Perhaps I'll return to it at another time.
I'm going to put this series on stand-by. Perhaps I'll return to it at another time.
wynwicket's review
4.0
A light-hearted m/m historical romance/mystery -- Jonty and Orlando are one of my favorite fictional couples. The mystery was a bit on the predictable side, but the flirtation was genuinely sweet and the banter was charming. Fun stuff.
suze_1624's review
3.0
A gentle cosy mystery set in gentler times.
Orlando is so up tight about things that modern day folk wouldn't even blink at - though he probably is highly buttoned up even for that era! What I like about these is that they (to me anyway) seem to stay true to the era.
The slow pace of a slow summer holiday comes over, interspersed with murder, clues and lots of potential culprits added along the way. And their entertainments are very redolent of a bygone age.
As Orlando relaxes into his holiday, allowing more intimacy from Jonty, Jonty actually seems to retreat as Orlando shies from a full sexual encounter.
The murder suspects gradually get whittled down
Enjoying these. 3.5*
Orlando is so up tight about things that modern day folk wouldn't even blink at - though he probably is highly buttoned up even for that era! What I like about these is that they (to me anyway) seem to stay true to the era.
The slow pace of a slow summer holiday comes over, interspersed with murder, clues and lots of potential culprits added along the way. And their entertainments are very redolent of a bygone age.
As Orlando relaxes into his holiday, allowing more intimacy from Jonty, Jonty actually seems to retreat as Orlando shies from a full sexual encounter.
The murder suspects gradually get whittled down
Spoiler
and whilst the culprit is seemingly identified, there is a twist - I knew the missing knitting needle had to be important!Enjoying these. 3.5*
maya56's review
4.0
I so like Jonty and Orlando! They make me laugh; they make me sigh; they make me happy in the sweet lovingness of their relationship.
alisonalisonalison's review
5.0
I adore this series and it's among my most favourite. This book is charming and delightful and there's also a grisly murder. Orlando and Jonty are what make this series special and they are simply wonderful in this book. I'm completely biased, so of course it gets five stars. This is my third time reading this and it doesn't lose its sparkle.
sylvia_is_reading's review
3.0
I didn't like the pressure Jonty put on Orlando to talk about traumatic experiences and having anal sex :(
gabi90's review
3.0
To use Jonty's endearing words, this was a great bowl of soppy pudding. Orlando and Jonty are so sweet together and there's something very charming about the writing itself.
However I can't wrap my head around how forgiving was everyone about the crime, or the person who did the crime. Which btw. I saw it from a mile away. Also I feel the murder and its investigation was set up rather as a secondary plot in this book. Mainly the focus was on the relationship development.
Overall this is a "lazy" book and I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean it was, for me, something that I would read on the beach or when I don't feel like doing anything and I have the time to read slowly and just appreciate the words.
However I can't wrap my head around how forgiving was everyone about the crime, or the person who did the crime. Which btw. I saw it from a mile away. Also I feel the murder and its investigation was set up rather as a secondary plot in this book. Mainly the focus was on the relationship development.
Overall this is a "lazy" book and I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean it was, for me, something that I would read on the beach or when I don't feel like doing anything and I have the time to read slowly and just appreciate the words.
vesper1931's review
4.0
1906. Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith are off on holiday to Jersey. But soon there is a death but how many suspects will they find. Inspector Wilson is also here on holiday and is helping the local police. Between them can they find the murderer.
An entertaining historical cozy mystery
An entertaining historical cozy mystery
writerlibrarian's review
2.0
One word : bored. The plot was slow paced and with too many red herrings. The ultimate culprit comes about like a bump on the road. Orlando and Jonty relationship is on a slow train to well... not much. The cutesy relationship bored me as the shy and in charge Orlando since the author couldn't seem to make up her mind did. Barely 2 stars