Reviews

A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen

saraelizabetha's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

readingwithkirstyn's review

3.0

This was an interesting read, but definitely not for me. The descriptions were amazing, but too much. Defintiely for someone who loves a descriptive writing style.

notesfromthebookdrop's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

joceyreads's review

3.0

This was fun. I enjoyed it more than the other book I finished tonight. The heroine is appealing, though the plot is a bit impossible. Very fun though!

mairelon's review

3.0

I thought the repeated use of the term person of colour was included as an anachronistic but sensitive term for modern readers but apparently, it was in use 1796! Not sure it had the same connotations at that time, but it's interesting nonetheless.

birdyinthewild's review

5.0

Dear A Novel Disguise,

I love you. This was charming and full of humor. It is strong story of strength, justice and equity. The handling of racism, slavery, colonialism, and misogyny were handled so well. For being a “cosy mystery” this didn’t shy around the truth. 

This stars a single, 40 yr old woman (she doesn’t have a cat though) and I could not be more thrilled. She is has such a beautiful journey. 

I loved all of this. Highly recommend! 

I’m off to read the sequel now! 

leasummer's review

4.0

This historical (cozy?) mystery is really a surprise delight. A women pretends to be her dead brother and takes over his job as a librarian at a private estate. Things just become more complicated as there’s more people dying. There’s a very diverse cast for the time period and I enjoyed the author’s note at the end with more historical information.
There’s some romance, too, which is always fun.

hedgielib's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

2.0

An okay romance and a poor mystery.

For me this was just not very satisfying as a mystery. I felt the true culprit was obvious but treated not as a true suspect but as a surprise twist. It also didn't make sense to me how so few people were able to see through the 'male' disguise as described.

jematral's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a cozy historical mystery. Very out of my usual genre. I honestly wasn't expecting much as I picked it up on a whim. But it turned out to be rather delightful. I was drawn in by the cross dressing librarian but was pleasantly surprised that the book weaved in themes of sexism, racism and classism rather seamlessly. I also appreciated the authors note at the end to provide historical examples to back up the plausible nature  of her characters. Overall a fun read and I'll be back for book two.