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nnowels's review against another edition
2.0
I gave this series another chance, this time reading it for myself rather than listening to the audiobook. While I liked Luke a lot better this time, I felt that Emily was acting like a 50+ teenager. She was still very annoying. I’ll stop with this book, now that I know.
mal717's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Okay, I am going with 3 stars for this one. Why? Here are my issues:
-I really struggle with Emily and how... Possessive she is of Katie? I don't know that that's a super accurate word choice, but I'm sticking with it.
-How she said she's "a little uncomfortable having a gay couple as tenants" because of her faith, after she's sort of befriended one and even used his and his partner's expertise in antique furniture collecting to redecorate her newly acquired mansion? But, like, they shouldn't let themselves be treated poorly by other people, and she's sad others of faith don't let people just be because Jesus loves all. Like, this isn't the acceptance you think it is.
-How she went out of her way to possibly lie about someone's possible and potentially important motive for murder -to the love of her life?
-Poor Katie. No, really.
Anyway, overall, still an easy and fairly light read, though I will say this one definitely has some more heavy topics. I may continue the series. I wanted this to be so much better. It is upsetting, really. Idk. If I need a filler, maybe I'll try the third one. Just not soon.
-I really struggle with Emily and how... Possessive she is of Katie? I don't know that that's a super accurate word choice, but I'm sticking with it.
-How she said she's "a little uncomfortable having a gay couple as tenants" because of her faith, after she's sort of befriended one and even used his and his partner's expertise in antique furniture collecting to redecorate her newly acquired mansion? But, like, they shouldn't let themselves be treated poorly by other people, and she's sad others of faith don't let people just be because Jesus loves all. Like, this isn't the acceptance you think it is.
-How she went out of her way to possibly lie about someone's possible and potentially important motive for murder -to the love of her life?
-Poor Katie. No, really.
Anyway, overall, still an easy and fairly light read, though I will say this one definitely has some more heavy topics. I may continue the series. I wanted this to be so much better. It is upsetting, really. Idk. If I need a filler, maybe I'll try the third one. Just not soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Stalking
nae1226's review against another edition
3.0
The setting is the Oregon coast close to Halloween. The plot revolves around Katie, who works for Emily Cavanaugh. Katie's live is in danger and the plot thickens at a murder mystery dinner on Halloween night.
mullinstreetzoo's review against another edition
3.0
Finished it and went on to the next one because I was desperate for a read, but I didn't love this one. The protagonists are almost unabidingly difficult to root for. The mystery itself was fine.
pjj's review against another edition
2.0
I both read and listened to this book. Both bothered me. Emily is just stuffy. There is no room in her world for messy, human emotions. She withholds her affections when Luke is only doing his job - and she makes it more difficult for him by keeping information about the case from him. The murder victim was absolutely no surprise and I felt like the murderer was telegraphed pretty clearly. And based on Emily’s readings of classic books, she sets her sights on a specific target as the culprit and won’t let it go, regardless of facts to the contrary.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I won’t read any further. Emily is just vaguely irritating and Luke lets her walk all over him. He’s like a puppy begging for the scraps of her affection.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I won’t read any further. Emily is just vaguely irritating and Luke lets her walk all over him. He’s like a puppy begging for the scraps of her affection.
bookwyrm_lark's review
4.0
Bloodstains with Bronte is a well-crafted cozy mystery that kept my interest from beginning to end. To begin with, I very much like the heroine, Emily, a former professor who has inherited a Victorian mansion in her home town on the Oregon coast. At a guess, she’s in her 40s or perhaps early 50s—not so far from my own age. Imaginative but practical, caring but no pushover, Emily has taken under her wing (and into her heart) a young single mother barely out of high school, whom she hired as a live-in housekeeper. Emily is also involved with her high school sweetheart, Luke, now a police detective. Her loyalties come into conflict when a young man is killed during a murder-mystery fundraising dinner in Emily’s house, and Katie becomes the chief suspect.
Emily is convinced Katie is innocent, but her motive is strong and her story doesn’t entirely hold up. Torn between her feelings for Luke, her love for the girl she thinks of as a daughter, and her innate honesty, she decides to protect Katie and discover the real murderer. Luke doesn’t want to believe Katie did it, but he’s absolutely committed to finding the truth, no matter where it leads.
Luke and Katie are secondary characters, but not by much—particularly in Luke’s case. A number of scenes are told from Luke’s perspective, and Katie’s diary entries give the reader insight into her thoughts. I appreciated the way the narrative moves from character to character; it helps to develop the plot and gave me access to information each character had that the others did not, as well as deepening the character development of all three.
I mentioned that Emily and I are both in our middle years. There are too few heroines of that age, though admittedly more of them in cozy mysteries than almost any other genre. There are also too few of that age who get a romantic relationship , so I really appreciated the growing love between Emily and Luke (despite the tensions caused by this case), and will look forward to seeing where it goes in future books.
The author inserts a number of references to and quotes from both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, as Emily (former English professor that she is!) draws parallels between characters and situations in both books and the people around her. The allusions are skillfully woven in, and never felt contrived. Hyde also employs a delicate touch when it comes to Emily’s Orthodox Christian faith; it’s a part of her personality and something that matters to her, but it’s only one facet of her character. Moreover, it’s Emily’s faith and not the narrator’s; there’s nothing “preachy” about the book.
A well-constructed plot, nuanced characters I can relate to, and a touch of middle-aged romance add up to a very promising series. In short, I’ve discovered a new cozy author I will not only happily read again, but will follow with interest!
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
Emily is convinced Katie is innocent, but her motive is strong and her story doesn’t entirely hold up. Torn between her feelings for Luke, her love for the girl she thinks of as a daughter, and her innate honesty, she decides to protect Katie and discover the real murderer. Luke doesn’t want to believe Katie did it, but he’s absolutely committed to finding the truth, no matter where it leads.
Luke and Katie are secondary characters, but not by much—particularly in Luke’s case. A number of scenes are told from Luke’s perspective, and Katie’s diary entries give the reader insight into her thoughts. I appreciated the way the narrative moves from character to character; it helps to develop the plot and gave me access to information each character had that the others did not, as well as deepening the character development of all three.
I mentioned that Emily and I are both in our middle years. There are too few heroines of that age, though admittedly more of them in cozy mysteries than almost any other genre. There are also too few of that age who get a romantic relationship , so I really appreciated the growing love between Emily and Luke (despite the tensions caused by this case), and will look forward to seeing where it goes in future books.
The author inserts a number of references to and quotes from both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, as Emily (former English professor that she is!) draws parallels between characters and situations in both books and the people around her. The allusions are skillfully woven in, and never felt contrived. Hyde also employs a delicate touch when it comes to Emily’s Orthodox Christian faith; it’s a part of her personality and something that matters to her, but it’s only one facet of her character. Moreover, it’s Emily’s faith and not the narrator’s; there’s nothing “preachy” about the book.
A well-constructed plot, nuanced characters I can relate to, and a touch of middle-aged romance add up to a very promising series. In short, I’ve discovered a new cozy author I will not only happily read again, but will follow with interest!
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
traceyhodges's review against another edition
3.0
I was really excited about this book, and even more pumped to learn it was part of a series. This is a fun mystery that includes references to classics. At the beginning of each chapter is a quote from a classic piece of literature. I really enjoyed this and liked finding the connection between that literature and the current chapter.
There is a lot going on in the book, as the characters work through murder charges, a murder mystery dinner, and romantic emotions. I thought that was all good fun. The book is a bit dark, like the gothic writing style of the Brontes, which is also a nice nod to the classics.
Overall, I didn't find the characters very likable or relatable, but this is a fun read for a quick fall/winter day.
There is a lot going on in the book, as the characters work through murder charges, a murder mystery dinner, and romantic emotions. I thought that was all good fun. The book is a bit dark, like the gothic writing style of the Brontes, which is also a nice nod to the classics.
Overall, I didn't find the characters very likable or relatable, but this is a fun read for a quick fall/winter day.
raoionna's review against another edition
2.0
The second in this series seemed out of step with the previous one; the main character kept mentioning religion, which she hadn't previously. Also, the characters seem much less well-described; more procedural than character-driven.
moiralyle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rubenstein's review against another edition
3.0
While there were a few things about Bloodstains with Bronte that seemed a bit of a stretch (namely the three men who are completely obsessed with Katie), I found myself immersed in this mystery. I do wish certain elements would have been fleshed out a bit more - there are some characters who came across as caricatures which made solving the crime a bit too easy - I have to say I genuinely enjoyed this one and will waste no time in going back to finally pick up my copy of the first book! Also, major points for having a cat named Bustopher Jones.
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!