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xenaschakram's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
omegabeth's review against another edition
4.0
Fewer holes than the first novel
Lovely, relaxing read, fun blend of characters and light plot. The writing is much, much better than average for cozy-style mysteries, and the characters drawn with wit and affection. Perfect for lying on the couch while fighting a head cold.
Lovely, relaxing read, fun blend of characters and light plot. The writing is much, much better than average for cozy-style mysteries, and the characters drawn with wit and affection. Perfect for lying on the couch while fighting a head cold.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
Sarah is much more fun impoverished and scrappy, and more than a little snarky towards her blue-blooded relatives and Boston high society. I had to DNF the first book in the series because she was so naive, but this was very fun.
jvilches's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
anderson65's review against another edition
2.0
p.1 "Cousin Dolph's jowls quivered with empurpled outrage. Dolph went in rather heavily for outrage."
slferg's review against another edition
4.0
I love Charlotte MacLeod. This is the second Sarah Kelling/Max Bittersohn book. Sarah is trying to recover from the loss of her husband and trying to keep the properties that were fraudulently mortgaged by her mother-in-law's conniving lover. Sarah is fighting to keep them until the decision can be made whether they belong to her or the bank. So, she has decided to take the house in Tulip Street and turn it into a boarding house. Not all of her relatives approve and she has to shout down Cousin Dolph to tell him that Aunt Emma and Anora Protheroe approve of the idea. So she gets Dolph to get her the necessary permits and Uncle Jeremy helps to chivvy the workers to get alternations done to the house. Sarah interviews prospective borders with Mariposa and Charles to help. She has fired the unhelpful and angry Edith, and will take on the cooking and housekeeping with Mariposa's help. Charles, Mariposa's friend, is going to play the butler in the evenings since he works in a factory during the day (doing his bit for room and board). Several of the relatives have sent boarders to her, and she has to weed out those who are looking for a handout from those who can pay.
Anora brings her Mr. Quiffen, an unpleasant man, but he can pay the amount she is charging for the private suite she had made from the withdrawing room.
Anora brings her Mr. Quiffen, an unpleasant man, but he can pay the amount she is charging for the private suite she had made from the withdrawing room.
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
I've been sick, so all I've really wanted to do is lie in bed, drink orange juice, read cozies written before the genre embraced the pun so wholeheartedly and feel sorry for myself. Thank goodness I had a few Charlotte MacLeod/Alisa Craig books on deck to help with that.
lberestecki's review against another edition
2.0
Very fun that this was set in Boston, but it didn't age well and I didn't find it suspenseful at all.
abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0