moiramorgan's review
5.0
I absolutely loved the first Mirabelle Bevan book and think that London Calling was even better. Both Mirabelle and Vesta are such strong and interesting characters. The author combines the social and economic history of the post war period perfectly with a classic 'who dunnit' story that keeps you guessing until the end
vsbedford's review
3.0
While I enjoyed the first entry in this series, London Calling left me a bit flat. Mirabelle and her assistant Vesta are getting things done, which I appreciate, but the social issues seemed shoehorned in and I am a bit tired of Mirabelle's general malaise. I'll pick up the third entry but I need this to get a bit more snappy and quick.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
verityw's review
4.0
I really liked this. Why oh why has it taken me so long to get around to reading it! I must find book 3!
jerline's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
It’s a good mystery book.
lauren_sleight's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
bookish_arcadia's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free, advance copy of this work from Kensington Books and Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I do love a period mystery, with all the tropes of the eccentric amateur detective but Mirabelle Bevan just does not work for me. Unfortunately the main problem is the quality of the writing, it is very sophmoric and is completely overloaded with unnecessary descriptive detail and tortured syntax.
The 1950s setting would have been better served if Sheridan had focused less on irrelevant period props and more on catching jarringly out-of-place turns off phrase and clarifying historical details.
The characters were really just cyphers lifted from other work in the genre. More than once I was reminded of Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart stories, but the comparison was not favorable. The plot was increasingly ridiculous and the motivation behind the political machinations was tacked crudely and unnecessarily to end, as if these elements had not been properly prepared until it was too late.
With a dash of humour or a more tongue-in-cheek tone it might have been and enjoyable, if very silly, adventure but it wants to be taken far more seriously than it deserves. In the end it reads like a fond homage to the Golden Age classics of Christie, Sayers and Marsh and nothing about the writing has the strength lift it beyond enthusiastic but flawed pastiche.
I do love a period mystery, with all the tropes of the eccentric amateur detective but Mirabelle Bevan just does not work for me. Unfortunately the main problem is the quality of the writing, it is very sophmoric and is completely overloaded with unnecessary descriptive detail and tortured syntax.
The 1950s setting would have been better served if Sheridan had focused less on irrelevant period props and more on catching jarringly out-of-place turns off phrase and clarifying historical details.
The characters were really just cyphers lifted from other work in the genre. More than once I was reminded of Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart stories, but the comparison was not favorable. The plot was increasingly ridiculous and the motivation behind the political machinations was tacked crudely and unnecessarily to end, as if these elements had not been properly prepared until it was too late.
With a dash of humour or a more tongue-in-cheek tone it might have been and enjoyable, if very silly, adventure but it wants to be taken far more seriously than it deserves. In the end it reads like a fond homage to the Golden Age classics of Christie, Sayers and Marsh and nothing about the writing has the strength lift it beyond enthusiastic but flawed pastiche.
longtimereader's review against another edition
5.0
A cozy-crime book set in London, in the 50's, with a super smart and likable heroine, this book was a good read. I would read this author again, happily! It is reminiscent of what is now called "vintage" murder mysteries that I throughly enjoyed as a child. I am looking forward to more books in this series if at all possible. I'm glad I have found this author's books.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
In 1952 Brighton, Mirabelle Bevan and Vesta Churchill run a debt collections agency. When a chief suspect turns up at their office who is a childhood friend of Vesta they become involved in a case. The case of a eighteen-year-old Rose Bellamy Gore, who has goes missing outside of a jazz club in London.
I enjoyed the story and although I have not read the previous book in the series I didn't find that to be necessary. I liked the group of characters and looked forward to them all being in future books. A very easy style of writing to read.
A NetGalley Book
I enjoyed the story and although I have not read the previous book in the series I didn't find that to be necessary. I liked the group of characters and looked forward to them all being in future books. A very easy style of writing to read.
A NetGalley Book
td3's review against another edition
3.0
I read the first book of the Mirabelle Bevan series and enjoyed it, so I was happy to read the second one by Sara Sheridan. I’m pleased to say I think this one was even better than the debut novel.
This time, Sheridan takes Mirabelle and her sidekick Vesta into the smoky jazz bars of 1950’s London. An unexplained death and a missing young woman have them beating the pavement looking for answers.
In this novel, we get more of a peek into Mirabelle’s past life, which seems to be a story in itself. She’s got guts, that’s for sure! She’s also got some connections in high places.
Mirabelle’s collection agency is doing well, with two new additions to the office. (One of the additions is absolutely lovable!) It also seems possible there may be some romances blooming in the future. I’ll be looking forward to the third Mirabelle Bevan mystery!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.
This time, Sheridan takes Mirabelle and her sidekick Vesta into the smoky jazz bars of 1950’s London. An unexplained death and a missing young woman have them beating the pavement looking for answers.
In this novel, we get more of a peek into Mirabelle’s past life, which seems to be a story in itself. She’s got guts, that’s for sure! She’s also got some connections in high places.
Mirabelle’s collection agency is doing well, with two new additions to the office. (One of the additions is absolutely lovable!) It also seems possible there may be some romances blooming in the future. I’ll be looking forward to the third Mirabelle Bevan mystery!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.
veronica87's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second in the Mirabelle Bevans series and takes place about a year after the events of the last book. The intricacies of the mystery, this time involving a missing socialite, are not the strongest and Mirabelle does some rather unbelievable things, but there is a certain charm to the books and the early 1950s setting. I will say though that I am more than ready for Jack's ghost to be laid to rest. It's been three years, Mirabelle, move ON already.