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bookhussy's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cooperca's review
3.0
This is my first read with the League of Literary Ladies and my introduction to Bea and her B&B on South Bass Island on Lake Erie.
The title and plot line is a nice twist on Agatha Christie's classic And Then There Were None, but this time the ten are nuns. Bea's mysterious background is revealed as she unravels the latest string of murders (I gathered from the story that this is not the first time that Bea has been involved in a murder mystery and there's been local gossip about why she showed up on the island).
Although I found the name twist a hook for me to pick up the book, the overall read I found lacked warmth and was rather forgettable. When I'm reading a cozy murder mystery, I need some warmth and coziness to go with that murder. The murderer was fairly obvious from the beginning and for a woman in Bea's position, I'd have thought she would have caught on.
Bea herself I found rather full of herself and when a perceived slight by someone who is supposedly a best friend for many years, she just cuts him out of her life. I kept hoping she'd realize that she overreacted and would call and apologize but no, she just held on to this grudge like a hobo on a ham sandwich. I can't see this woman having many friends so I'm thinking she should keep the ones she has, especially one who was only trying to protect her.
I'll read the first in the series to see if Bea's as big a beeswax as she was in this one or if she is someone I'd actually like to have coffee with.
The title and plot line is a nice twist on Agatha Christie's classic And Then There Were None, but this time the ten are nuns. Bea's mysterious background is revealed as she unravels the latest string of murders (I gathered from the story that this is not the first time that Bea has been involved in a murder mystery and there's been local gossip about why she showed up on the island).
Although I found the name twist a hook for me to pick up the book, the overall read I found lacked warmth and was rather forgettable. When I'm reading a cozy murder mystery, I need some warmth and coziness to go with that murder. The murderer was fairly obvious from the beginning and for a woman in Bea's position, I'd have thought she would have caught on.
Bea herself I found rather full of herself and when a perceived slight by someone who is supposedly a best friend for many years, she just cuts him out of her life. I kept hoping she'd realize that she overreacted and would call and apologize but no, she just held on to this grudge like a hobo on a ham sandwich. I can't see this woman having many friends so I'm thinking she should keep the ones she has, especially one who was only trying to protect her.
I'll read the first in the series to see if Bea's as big a beeswax as she was in this one or if she is someone I'd actually like to have coffee with.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
And Then There Were Nuns by Kylie Logan is the fourth book in the League of Literary Ladies series. Bea Cartwright owns Bea and Bees on South Bass Island, Ohio on Lake Erie. After having a wonderful night with Levi Kozlov, Bea is confronted by nuns on her front porch (a little upsetting to find a nun on your porch after a night of bliss). Ten nuns have arrived for a retreat. Bea has agreed to help out Elias Weatherly at the Water’s Edge Center for Spirit and Renewal (retreat center). Elias had to go to the mainland because his mother-in-law is ill. Bea agreed to help the nuns (with anything they would need while staying on the island) as well as supply the meals for the retreat. The nuns need a lift to the retreat center (one of the is elderly). Upon arrival Sister Sheila has an unusual reaction to her assigned room, but she will not explain (room had view of water). Then Sister Sheila turns up missing and is later found floating in the ocean (but she was terrified of water). Then Sister Helene goes missing. What is happening with the nuns and who would want to harm them? Bea and the League of Literary Ladies set out to solve the case. Will they be able to find the culprit? Things are not helped by Chandra acting a little oddly (well, odder than normal). What is going on with her? She seems to be deliberately trying to antagonize Kate and Luella. Join the ladies (Kate, Chandra, and Luella) on South Bass Island, Ohio for another adventure.
And Then There Were Nuns was a fun cozy mystery to read. I enjoyed the characters and the beautiful setting (of course, I may be a little prejudiced since I come from Ohio). The mystery was intriguing and complex. I loved solving it (you just need to follow the clues). While And Then There Nuns is the fourth book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I give And Then There Were Nuns 4 out of 5 stars. It gave me some good laughs, entertaining characters, and an entangled mystery (what more could I ask for—being stumped)! I eagerly anticipate the next book in the League of Literary Ladies Mystery series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
And Then There Were Nuns was a fun cozy mystery to read. I enjoyed the characters and the beautiful setting (of course, I may be a little prejudiced since I come from Ohio). The mystery was intriguing and complex. I loved solving it (you just need to follow the clues). While And Then There Nuns is the fourth book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I give And Then There Were Nuns 4 out of 5 stars. It gave me some good laughs, entertaining characters, and an entangled mystery (what more could I ask for—being stumped)! I eagerly anticipate the next book in the League of Literary Ladies Mystery series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
mmingie's review
Very good. The people you think are going to be involved are, but there are still some good twists to keep the interest. The ladies are themselves with the interpersonal drama. Not sure how I feel about Bea's personal stuff, hopefully she does stand up for herself in the next book- or stand strong anyway.
staticdisplay's review against another edition
3.0
three stars is "liked it," which is about right. I think there was a bit of a gap between the publication of #3 and #4, and this book felt tonally different from some of the earlier entries in the series. Bea takes on all of the catering and transportation needs for 10 nuns who are on the island for a retreat; almost immediately, they run into all kinds of problems - interpersonal drama quickly escalates into disappearances and murder. there are two subplots; Chandra is bugging everyone and Bea and Levi finally get together (for a moment).
1) the mystery was interesting, and this series manages to have really dark and sad plot points. Bea did seem to be ignoring some fairly obvious and bizarre behavior from some of the people around her, which is kind of funny in conjunction with some of the people who keep hyping up her mystery-solving skills. it was definitely weird for Hank to just invite her into the case.
2) I enjoy the characters' friendship and found the resolution with Chandra cute and redeeming. I wish the 3 other literary ladies played a bigger role in the story, as they're consistently relegated to the background with little character development.
3) the Levi subplot... is not where Bea shines. they don't seem to have much chemistry, and a lot of her behavior and poor communication just makes her seem immature and dysfunctional. Levi is written as a pretty likeable character, which makes Bea's choices even more perplexing. I've never really enjoyed this subplot.
I also don't understand the decision to highlight Jerry Garcia (the cat) on the covers, although I have to be honest, the cute cat on the cover has played a role in my decision to read and continue reading the series, so maybe that's the reason?? (great marketing. I'm basic.) but the cat is not a beloved or significant character in the story...
1) the mystery was interesting, and this series manages to have really dark and sad plot points. Bea did seem to be ignoring some fairly obvious and bizarre behavior from some of the people around her, which is kind of funny in conjunction with some of the people who keep hyping up her mystery-solving skills. it was definitely weird for Hank to just invite her into the case.
2) I enjoy the characters' friendship and found the resolution with Chandra cute and redeeming. I wish the 3 other literary ladies played a bigger role in the story, as they're consistently relegated to the background with little character development.
3) the Levi subplot... is not where Bea shines. they don't seem to have much chemistry, and a lot of her behavior and poor communication just makes her seem immature and dysfunctional. Levi is written as a pretty likeable character, which makes Bea's choices even more perplexing. I've never really enjoyed this subplot.
Spoiler
also, the FX O'Grady reveal was pretty obvious to me from the beginning, but this is one of the tonal shifts I was referring to, as it was pretty surprising how quickly Bea made the reveal after the immense secrecy of the past several novels.I also don't understand the decision to highlight Jerry Garcia (the cat) on the covers, although I have to be honest, the cute cat on the cover has played a role in my decision to read and continue reading the series, so maybe that's the reason?? (great marketing. I'm basic.) but the cat is not a beloved or significant character in the story...
historical_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it! From the moment I read Mayhem At The Orient Express I knew I found my new favorite cozy mystery series. In the fourth installment Kylie Logan doesn't fail to deliver a marvelous book. And Then There Were Nuns is a play on words of Agatha Christie's classic novel And Then There Were None like the other books in the series that are centered around a book that The League of Literary Ladies are reading. In this book there are plenty of twists and turns that when you think you have figured it out, there is a new twist. Readers should be warned that there are spoilers in the books over the book that the ladies are reading. This isn't a major deal breaker since they are older books that most have read. I love And Then There Were None and Kylie Logan's And Then There Were Nuns is my favorite so far in the series.
*Disclaimer, I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.
*Disclaimer, I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.
lunifur's review against another edition
4.0
**I received a copy of this from NetGalley**
A highly enjoyable story. The storyline is loosely based on the classic Agatha Christ book And Then There Were None, but with nuns. Going into it, I thought it would be closer to the original, but I was pleased with how she adapted it. Somehow, she managed to capture the essence of the original story while adding her own twists to the story. All of the characters are unique, and I can't wait to read about them again.
A highly enjoyable story. The storyline is loosely based on the classic Agatha Christ book And Then There Were None, but with nuns. Going into it, I thought it would be closer to the original, but I was pleased with how she adapted it. Somehow, she managed to capture the essence of the original story while adding her own twists to the story. All of the characters are unique, and I can't wait to read about them again.
teawithdee's review
3.0
There is nothing literary or amazing about this book, but I was intrigued to read a book about a book club helping to investigate a series of unfortunate events. Since I had just read Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, I thought this could be a fun, lighthearted read by the pool. It was - well except for the murdered nuns, but I will still say it was a fun read.
amalyndb's review
4.0
A group of ten nuns is invited to a retreat on an island in Lake Erie. One of them is found drowned by the shore. Bea and the League of Literary Ladies begins to assist the local police with the investigation. Another nun dies.
An interesting mystery, although after reflecting a bit, realized there were some unanswered questions at the end of the novel remaining, nibbling at my brain. Possibly a metaphor for life and that not all questions can be answered?
An interesting mystery, although after reflecting a bit, realized there were some unanswered questions at the end of the novel remaining, nibbling at my brain. Possibly a metaphor for life and that not all questions can be answered?
mystereity's review
5.0
I knew I'd love this book when the opening lines concerned seeing penguins on the front porch that turned out to be nuns. And so started a new mystery for The League of Literary Ladies, full of murder, betrayal, secrets and lies. I really enjoyed the intricate plot, with so many twists and turns that it was impossible to finger the real killer.
I enjoy how Bea and the other Literary League ladies have formed such a tight bond. Their squabbles always remind me of how sisters argue all the time but always have each other's back. I would like to see more of the ladies develop as time goes on. They're a little more than one dimensional but are still nothing more than wallpaper. Levi was better utilized in this book, you get a tiny bit more of a back story, but not much. I have to say, the whole Levi story line was my least favorite part of the book. It just seemed a little...melodramatic. I'd like to say that Bea's reactions were out of character but it occurred to me that I really don't know if it's out of character. The backstories really haven't been well developed. Then it occurred to me that I liked the stories the way they are and adding in a lot of backstory would just bog the books down, so, you know what? It's all good.
A fantastic read in a stand-out series, and the only disappointment was that the recipes for the really tasty dishes were not included at the end. *sigh* That super duper Special Day Hallelujah cake sounded pretty darn good.
I enjoy how Bea and the other Literary League ladies have formed such a tight bond. Their squabbles always remind me of how sisters argue all the time but always have each other's back. I would like to see more of the ladies develop as time goes on. They're a little more than one dimensional but are still nothing more than wallpaper. Levi was better utilized in this book, you get a tiny bit more of a back story, but not much. I have to say, the whole Levi story line was my least favorite part of the book. It just seemed a little...melodramatic. I'd like to say that Bea's reactions were out of character but it occurred to me that I really don't know if it's out of character. The backstories really haven't been well developed. Then it occurred to me that I liked the stories the way they are and adding in a lot of backstory would just bog the books down, so, you know what? It's all good.
A fantastic read in a stand-out series, and the only disappointment was that the recipes for the really tasty dishes were not included at the end. *sigh* That super duper Special Day Hallelujah cake sounded pretty darn good.