cmdro's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
cityjacko's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Whitecliff Bay Mystery Series and it certainly offered me enough to want to read more.
Whilst the mystery itself was a little slow paced there are a number of likeable characters, in particular the main character Millie and I look forward to seeing how they evolve over time in future books.
An enjoyable easy read which did leave me wanting a bit more but perhaps this was purposeful from the author given it is the first book in the series.
The audiobook was very well narrated and added to the overall enjoyment.
I am grateful to NetGalley for an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Whilst the mystery itself was a little slow paced there are a number of likeable characters, in particular the main character Millie and I look forward to seeing how they evolve over time in future books.
An enjoyable easy read which did leave me wanting a bit more but perhaps this was purposeful from the author given it is the first book in the series.
The audiobook was very well narrated and added to the overall enjoyment.
I am grateful to NetGalley for an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
nanal63's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katiya's review against another edition
4.0
Between the death of her parents and the very public end of her marriage, Millie Westlake has become a figure of notoriety in her small seaside town. To distract herself, she volunteers at a nursing home as a companion to those lonely souls who are without visitors. When one of her charges tells her about a girl who fell from the roof of a distant house, it captures Millie's curiosity enough to investigate the elderly woman's claim. Did the girl actually fall or was it just an aged mind playing tricks on the old lady?
Millie, the main character, has a personality that vacillates wildly; she stands up for herself (in rather a rude way) to strangers, but allows her ex-husband to walk over her rights and her self-worth. She's fearful in some situations and downright reckless in others. I couldn't get a handle on her in all the time I spent reading. I wanted to like her, but in the end, I was just too angry that she let her relationship with her son suffer because she was afraid to make waves. I despised the villains of the piece and enjoyed those who supported the main character.
The mystery was cloudy. I didn't expect the events to unfold as they did and the motive behind everything felt somewhat amiss. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining journey to the end of the book. Since some things were left unsaid at the end of the tale, I'll probably make my way to book two to see how it all plays out.
Millie, the main character, has a personality that vacillates wildly; she stands up for herself (in rather a rude way) to strangers, but allows her ex-husband to walk over her rights and her self-worth. She's fearful in some situations and downright reckless in others. I couldn't get a handle on her in all the time I spent reading. I wanted to like her, but in the end, I was just too angry that she let her relationship with her son suffer because she was afraid to make waves. I despised the villains of the piece and enjoyed those who supported the main character.
The mystery was cloudy. I didn't expect the events to unfold as they did and the motive behind everything felt somewhat amiss. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining journey to the end of the book. Since some things were left unsaid at the end of the tale, I'll probably make my way to book two to see how it all plays out.
melike_k's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall enjoyable book with some mysterious elements and a difficult to predict ending. Occasionally confusing as there seemed to be multiple storylines at once that didn't always fit together.
Spoiler
would have liked to see more development of the relationship between Jack and Millie as Jack seems a very flat character who's storyline in the midst of all the others doesn't go anywhere
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
kinzythefreak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mrsbusk16's review against another edition
3.0
Everything seemed to come together in the end, but still left room for the sequel (which has an excerpt at the end).
I think I would have preferred to read this instead of the audio version. I has a hard time following along and staying focused on the details.
It was a good story with a nice mystery to solve and I’m glad I had the chance to listen.
I think I would have preferred to read this instead of the audio version. I has a hard time following along and staying focused on the details.
It was a good story with a nice mystery to solve and I’m glad I had the chance to listen.
vesper1931's review against another edition
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Millie Westlake volunteers at the local Old folks home. When one of the residents informs her that she saw a girl get pushed off the roof across the road. When this is confirmed by another resident Millie investigates.
An enjoyable modern mystery.
An enjoyable modern mystery.
thepuppeteer's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Murder, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement and Grief
abercrombie1986's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What a great series. I guess you’d call them a cozy mystery since the Millie and Guy are amateur sleuths. It took me a little while to like Millie and Guy, but they grew on me. Now Guy’s dog was another matter. The mystery in book one seemed a little off at first. While visiting at a nursing home, residents tell Millie of a girl either falling or being pushed off of a roof. It’s Millies past and all the rumors surrounding her life that forces her to investigate. I had a little bit of hard time understanding why Millie investigated, but good thing she did as there was a mystery to solve.
I switched back and forth between the book and audio of book one and enjoyed both equally. Helen Keeley narrates the book and really draws you into the story and makes Millie come to life.
Cosy mystery lovers will want to find out more about Millie and like this series.