rattybluestocking's review against another edition
3.0
I have always been a big Amanda Quick fan, but I was very disappointed in this book. I was so excited to read this because it is set in one of my favourite eras, 1930s. However, it did not live up to my expectations.
The dialogue sounded too modern to me and the way the plot line was laid out....it just didn't work for me. I'll keep testing her books, because I've always been a fan, but this book fell short.
The dialogue sounded too modern to me and the way the plot line was laid out....it just didn't work for me. I'll keep testing her books, because I've always been a fan, but this book fell short.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
The Girl Who Knew Too Much
4 Stars
The exclusive Burning Cove resort caters to the whims of the rich and famous of Hollywood. Nevertheless, when tabloid journalist Irene Glasson stumbles across a body in the pool, she joins forces with the owner, former celebrity magician, Oliver Ward, who is as determined as she is to get to the dangerous secrets concealed beneath the glamourous California sun.
In this first book of the Burning Cove series, Amanda Quick has left Victorian London behind and relocated to Hollywood in the 1930s. This is an uncommon setting in historical romance, yet Quick successfully incorporates the glitz, glamour, and corruption of the time period within her well-established writing style.
While readers familiar with Quick's works will easily recognize her quintessential character types in Irene and Oliver, it is nevertheless very interesting to see the changes in attitude and behavior that befit the early 20th century. Irene and Oliver have strong chemistry, but find it difficult to trust given their past experiences. They often rub each other the wrong way and it takes time and effort on both their parts to realize that they are better off together than apart.
In terms of the suspense plot, there are two mysteries. The first concerns Irene's past and the second revolves around the murder at the resort. Both are well developed and come to satisfying conclusions although one is rather anti-climactic given the buildup.
In sum, Quick's first foray into this new period is very entertaining and I look forward to continuing with the series.
4 Stars
The exclusive Burning Cove resort caters to the whims of the rich and famous of Hollywood. Nevertheless, when tabloid journalist Irene Glasson stumbles across a body in the pool, she joins forces with the owner, former celebrity magician, Oliver Ward, who is as determined as she is to get to the dangerous secrets concealed beneath the glamourous California sun.
In this first book of the Burning Cove series, Amanda Quick has left Victorian London behind and relocated to Hollywood in the 1930s. This is an uncommon setting in historical romance, yet Quick successfully incorporates the glitz, glamour, and corruption of the time period within her well-established writing style.
While readers familiar with Quick's works will easily recognize her quintessential character types in Irene and Oliver, it is nevertheless very interesting to see the changes in attitude and behavior that befit the early 20th century. Irene and Oliver have strong chemistry, but find it difficult to trust given their past experiences. They often rub each other the wrong way and it takes time and effort on both their parts to realize that they are better off together than apart.
In terms of the suspense plot, there are two mysteries. The first concerns Irene's past and the second revolves around the murder at the resort. Both are well developed and come to satisfying conclusions although one is rather anti-climactic given the buildup.
In sum, Quick's first foray into this new period is very entertaining and I look forward to continuing with the series.
jeana2's review against another edition
4.0
Good mystery
At first I was a little lost with so many different characters, that it took me a minute to figure out who was who and how they all worked in the story but it was a real good read.
At first I was a little lost with so many different characters, that it took me a minute to figure out who was who and how they all worked in the story but it was a real good read.
max_pink's review against another edition
4.25
4.25 Stars
An utter delight from Amanda Quick. Snappy, suspenseful, and dripping with atmosphere. I love how everyone talked like they were in a black-and-white film from yesteryear. A great start to a series, and wonderfully narrated by Louisa Jane Underwood.
An utter delight from Amanda Quick. Snappy, suspenseful, and dripping with atmosphere. I love how everyone talked like they were in a black-and-white film from yesteryear. A great start to a series, and wonderfully narrated by Louisa Jane Underwood.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review against another edition
5.0
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick is set in the 1930s but has nothing to do with the economic difficulties of the period. Anna Harris is a secretary to Helen Spencer, a “bold, adventurous, and daring” woman, who is murdered on page 1. Being a generous boss, Helen leaves Anna with a fancy wardrobe, a sporty Packard coupe, a shoebox of money, a mysterious, but valuable notebook, and a gun. In her dying moment, Helen wrote a message to Anna using her own blood: RUN. Anna does what any sensible woman would do. She changed her name (Irene Glasson) and moved to Hollywood. Thus, begins a thriller of Hollywood, espionage, and murders (too many to count).
A fast-paced story with a strong female lead.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-girl-who-knew-too-much-by-amanda.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
A fast-paced story with a strong female lead.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-girl-who-knew-too-much-by-amanda.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
nicolemasonxox's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick is a delightfully clever mystery that is set during the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood.
After her previous job abruptly comes to a dangerous and tragic end, Irene Glasson reinvents herself upon her arrival in Los Angeles. Now an up and coming reporter at gossip rag Whispers, she is hoping her upcoming meeting with Gloria Maitland provides her with the information for a titillating article on rising star Nick Tremayne. Unfortunately, Irene finds Gloria's lifeless body in the swimming pool at the upscale Burning Cove Hotel. Believing Gloria's death is no accident, Irene remains in town and pairs up with the hotel's owner (and former magician) Oliver Ward to try and uncover the truth about Gloria's death.
Irene is a spunky young woman who does not shy away from danger. She is resourceful, confident and determined to find the truth about Gloria's death. She is reluctant to completely trust Oliver, but once she realizes how far Nick's studio will go to protect their star, she has no choice but to work with him. Stubbornly convinced that Nick is connected to Gloria's death and her co-worker Peggy Hackett's eerily similar death, Irene ignores the danger surrounding her and doggedly pursues every lead she finds.
Despite his previous fame, Oliver now keeps a low profile and he is a little mysterious since he refuses to discuss the accident that ended his career. Since he is intensely protective of his guests, he is not at all pleased to discover that Irene somehow managed to find her way onto to the hotel grounds. It goes without saying he has a vested interest in learning the truth about what happened to Gloria since the negative publicity could harm his hotel's reputation. Oliver is stunned by the spark of interest he feels for Irene and the more time he spends in her company, the more vibrant and alive he feels. While he can be a little grumpy and close-mouthed, he is nothing but supportive of Irene throughout their investigation.
Irene's investigation takes many surprising twists and turns as Nick tries to downplay any involvement with her death. Although Irene is a little frightened by some of the strong arm tactics employed by the studio's hired goons, she refuses to give up digging for the truth. Will Irene and Oliver find the evidence they need to support her theory about that Nick is Gloria's killer?
Although there is plenty of danger surrounding them, Oliver and Irene find the time to explore their unexpected attraction for each other. While their romance is a delightful addition to unfolding story, the investigation into the suspicious deaths remains the main focus of the storyline.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much is a wonderful novel with a fantastic cast of characters and intriguing mysteries to solve. Amanda Quick deftly brings both the time period and setting vibrantly to life. Irene is a gutsy heroine who never lets anyone or anything deter her from finding the truth about the what happened to Gloria and Peggy. The killer's identity and motive for the murders are carefully concealed until the novel's dramatic conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed this spellbinding novel and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick is a delightfully clever mystery that is set during the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood.
After her previous job abruptly comes to a dangerous and tragic end, Irene Glasson reinvents herself upon her arrival in Los Angeles. Now an up and coming reporter at gossip rag Whispers, she is hoping her upcoming meeting with Gloria Maitland provides her with the information for a titillating article on rising star Nick Tremayne. Unfortunately, Irene finds Gloria's lifeless body in the swimming pool at the upscale Burning Cove Hotel. Believing Gloria's death is no accident, Irene remains in town and pairs up with the hotel's owner (and former magician) Oliver Ward to try and uncover the truth about Gloria's death.
Irene is a spunky young woman who does not shy away from danger. She is resourceful, confident and determined to find the truth about Gloria's death. She is reluctant to completely trust Oliver, but once she realizes how far Nick's studio will go to protect their star, she has no choice but to work with him. Stubbornly convinced that Nick is connected to Gloria's death and her co-worker Peggy Hackett's eerily similar death, Irene ignores the danger surrounding her and doggedly pursues every lead she finds.
Despite his previous fame, Oliver now keeps a low profile and he is a little mysterious since he refuses to discuss the accident that ended his career. Since he is intensely protective of his guests, he is not at all pleased to discover that Irene somehow managed to find her way onto to the hotel grounds. It goes without saying he has a vested interest in learning the truth about what happened to Gloria since the negative publicity could harm his hotel's reputation. Oliver is stunned by the spark of interest he feels for Irene and the more time he spends in her company, the more vibrant and alive he feels. While he can be a little grumpy and close-mouthed, he is nothing but supportive of Irene throughout their investigation.
Irene's investigation takes many surprising twists and turns as Nick tries to downplay any involvement with her death. Although Irene is a little frightened by some of the strong arm tactics employed by the studio's hired goons, she refuses to give up digging for the truth. Will Irene and Oliver find the evidence they need to support her theory about that Nick is Gloria's killer?
Although there is plenty of danger surrounding them, Oliver and Irene find the time to explore their unexpected attraction for each other. While their romance is a delightful addition to unfolding story, the investigation into the suspicious deaths remains the main focus of the storyline.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much is a wonderful novel with a fantastic cast of characters and intriguing mysteries to solve. Amanda Quick deftly brings both the time period and setting vibrantly to life. Irene is a gutsy heroine who never lets anyone or anything deter her from finding the truth about the what happened to Gloria and Peggy. The killer's identity and motive for the murders are carefully concealed until the novel's dramatic conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed this spellbinding novel and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.
chelsea_jack's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of setting and character building in this one, with a slower pace than I might have expected. Two murder plots are woven together to make this a particularly messy situation. I would have liked to turn up the romance two notches to give it a little more verve, but I enjoyed the book overall and I'm going to jump into the next one in the series.
mcmulroy's review against another edition
3.0
A cozy mystery I think? I think maybe I don't love cozy mysteries?
Was alright, not sure I'll continue reading the series.
Was alright, not sure I'll continue reading the series.