Scan barcode
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This had potential, and it didn't live up to it. It didn't seem to know if it was a rom com, a grim murder mystery, or something else entirely. The supernatural element was mostly fine, but the rest of it was a mess.
The further through the story, the less I cared. I didn't like the protagonist, I didn't like the way things were half arsed, and mostly the writing wasn't good enough to keep me going. What got me to the end of the book was spite -- was the author really shoving the clue as far under my nose as I thought they were? And yes, they really really were. I was right, the mystery details were really unsubtly foreshadowed, and I wished I'd never bothered.
According to the reading app, this took me two hours and twenty minutes, and while those were almost all on the train, I could have spent that time reading something that gave me pleasure, rather than constant frustration.
If you like farce as the dominant plot driver, you might like this. But you also might find it disappointingly contrived. Even for farce.
The further through the story, the less I cared. I didn't like the protagonist, I didn't like the way things were half arsed, and mostly the writing wasn't good enough to keep me going. What got me to the end of the book was spite -- was the author really shoving the clue as far under my nose as I thought they were? And yes, they really really were. I was right, the mystery details were really unsubtly foreshadowed, and I wished I'd never bothered.
According to the reading app, this took me two hours and twenty minutes, and while those were almost all on the train, I could have spent that time reading something that gave me pleasure, rather than constant frustration.
If you like farce as the dominant plot driver, you might like this. But you also might find it disappointingly contrived. Even for farce.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Vomit, and Alcohol
Moderate: Violence
I'm missing a stack of content warnings, because it was just icky in so many ways. There really didn't need to be multiple morning afters where vomit was involved.beate251's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Claire is a 30 year old medium who gets invited to a posh manor house as the entertainment. The interesting bit about her is that she can actually see and talk to ghosts, and one, her best friend Sophie who was murdered at 17, is always with her. So far, her ability hasn't exactly got the cash rolling but she expects a good fee from this engagement. Unfortunately, the old nanna dies the next day and tells her as a ghost that a year ago someone died in the house. It's very vague but Claire feels like she needs to investigate nonetheless.
The problem is that Claire is a terrible detective. She behaves and speaks like a teenager, gets drunk regularly and has horrible hangovers. She also forgets info, and that she has access to ghosts. If it wasn't for Sophie and two characters from the posho family, an uncle and his non-binary nephew, this medium-sized medium wouldn't get very far with her "investigatoring".
At the beginning I wasn't convinced at all. There were too many characters with the silliest toff names and the helpful family tree was so tiny that I had to take a screenshot and enlarge it. The writing also feels childish sometimes.
But this book grows on you, it really does, once you stop taking anything seriously. It is a cozy crime with supernatural overtones but it becomes more about the interaction between characters and the journey than the actual solving of a crime. It is also screamingly funny, and I'm afraid to say a big purple dildo played quite a role in proceedings. And next time she should maybe remember to ask the manor house ghosts what they saw - turns out they saw everything! 🤣
Quote of the book:
"She discovered that pheasant tasted luxurious and meaty. Like chicken, but if hens voted Tory."
As an aside, Topic bars were discontinued in 2021.
The problem is that Claire is a terrible detective. She behaves and speaks like a teenager, gets drunk regularly and has horrible hangovers. She also forgets info, and that she has access to ghosts. If it wasn't for Sophie and two characters from the posho family, an uncle and his non-binary nephew, this medium-sized medium wouldn't get very far with her "investigatoring".
At the beginning I wasn't convinced at all. There were too many characters with the silliest toff names and the helpful family tree was so tiny that I had to take a screenshot and enlarge it. The writing also feels childish sometimes.
But this book grows on you, it really does, once you stop taking anything seriously. It is a cozy crime with supernatural overtones but it becomes more about the interaction between characters and the journey than the actual solving of a crime. It is also screamingly funny, and I'm afraid to say a big purple dildo played quite a role in proceedings. And next time she should maybe remember to ask the manor house ghosts what they saw - turns out they saw everything! 🤣
Quote of the book:
"She discovered that pheasant tasted luxurious and meaty. Like chicken, but if hens voted Tory."
As an aside, Topic bars were discontinued in 2021.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
lucykated's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
My first vaguely cosy mystery so nothing to measure against, but it was a lovely change from my usual more serious reads. An enjoyable few hours. Grateful for the family tree in the opening pages as otherwise I'd have needed to draw one myself. Lots of characters but not all made distinctive enough for me to remember. Not as much of a twist ending as I'd hoped for.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, and Murder
More...