canadianbookaddict's review
4.0
I had never heard of this author before but the description sounded interesting so I decided to give it a chance.
I did enjoy this book. I loved the mystery with a hint of romance and it didn't take me long to read it because it was entertaining. I know some reviewers didn't like this book but personally I really did enjoy it. I though it is well written and I loved the fact that most of the book takes place in England . Characters and location are well described and I could very well imagine it all. Heck I even had a dream about this book last night.
I now want to read more books by this author and I have added all of her books in my to buy list.
I give this 4 out of 5
I did enjoy this book. I loved the mystery with a hint of romance and it didn't take me long to read it because it was entertaining. I know some reviewers didn't like this book but personally I really did enjoy it. I though it is well written and I loved the fact that most of the book takes place in England . Characters and location are well described and I could very well imagine it all. Heck I even had a dream about this book last night.
I now want to read more books by this author and I have added all of her books in my to buy list.
I give this 4 out of 5
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
3.0
Suspicion had the premise to be an excellent book.
However, I believe the layout and details put into the beginning chapters was done all wrong.
Too much time was spent leading up to Imogen's move to Rockford Manor. Once there Imogen's story moved much faster, maybe even too fast.
Overall, the concept and the characters were great. Unfortunately I did not love it all that much.
However, I believe the layout and details put into the beginning chapters was done all wrong.
Too much time was spent leading up to Imogen's move to Rockford Manor. Once there Imogen's story moved much faster, maybe even too fast.
Overall, the concept and the characters were great. Unfortunately I did not love it all that much.
zeldasayre's review against another edition
1.0
Skimmed most of the last part of the book. Yikes, yikes, yikes. By far the worst book I've read in a while.
mangoseaquest's review
4.0
While this book completely hooked me with the storyline,the suspense, and the twist-and-turns of the journey that Imogen experienced; there was one major issue that continuous caused problems: grammar. I'm not a huge grammar snob, I'm sure there are mistake in this review; but there were many mistakes that made reading this story difficult include a gender change back and forth.
Overall I would totally suggest this book. Just read carefully. :)
Overall I would totally suggest this book. Just read carefully. :)
sc104906's review
4.0
Imogen Rockford and her cousin Lucia were orphaned when they were very young, by a freak accident that occurred at her family's manor. Imogen returns to her home in New York and grows up with a close friend of the family. She cuts all ties with the rest of her family, especially Lucia, who she blames for the fire that killed their parents.
Years later, Imogen must return to her family estate because she is now duchess. Lucia and her great grandfather are dead, leaving her as the last heir. There is a constant element of mystery surrounding the estate and Imogen wants to know what lead to the death of her cousin.
Battling feelings for her dead cousin's boyfriend, Imogen takes on the mystery.
I found this book compelling and similar to Rosemary Clement Moore's Splendor Falls. The hint of supernatural and the modern-Gothic setting create an interesting novel.
Years later, Imogen must return to her family estate because she is now duchess. Lucia and her great grandfather are dead, leaving her as the last heir. There is a constant element of mystery surrounding the estate and Imogen wants to know what lead to the death of her cousin.
Battling feelings for her dead cousin's boyfriend, Imogen takes on the mystery.
I found this book compelling and similar to Rosemary Clement Moore's Splendor Falls. The hint of supernatural and the modern-Gothic setting create an interesting novel.
cendi's review
5.0
Reviewed By: Paperback Princesses
Suspicion brings together a multitude of different things; the classic thriller Rebecca, The Princess Diaries, magic, murder, and mystery. I loved everything about this book. The story gives us a girl, Imogen, who is the granddaughter of a Duke in England. She is not the heiress, but rather her older cousin Lucia is. After both of the girls’ parents die in a fire in one of the gardens at their manor, Imogen moves to New York City to live with her guardians, and loses all touch with her family in England. She recieves a letter that is promptly taken away by her guardians, and goes behind their back to meet with the sender, who informs her that her cousin the heiress has died , and so has her grandfather, making her the soul heiress to the manor. She returns to the English country and discovers her feelings for a boy never disappeared, and that she has an ability to control the elements.
Suspicion is a confused book. There’s no doubt about it. But that is what makes this book stand out. Alexandra Monir was able to bring together many different genres to create a whole new story that’s for everyone. Like romances? Here you go. How about a princess book? Okay. Murder mystery? Check. Ghost story? Definitely.
I said before, I loved everything about this book. It was everything I could have asked for, and more, all wrapped up with the beautiful cover to draw your eye. There were definitely somethings not rounded out by the end of this book, that is for sure, but it leave it both open to interpretation and, who knows, maybe a potential sequel. I will definitely 100% read this book again. And all the other ones by Alexandra Monir.
Suspicion brings together a multitude of different things; the classic thriller Rebecca, The Princess Diaries, magic, murder, and mystery. I loved everything about this book. The story gives us a girl, Imogen, who is the granddaughter of a Duke in England. She is not the heiress, but rather her older cousin Lucia is. After both of the girls’ parents die in a fire in one of the gardens at their manor, Imogen moves to New York City to live with her guardians, and loses all touch with her family in England. She recieves a letter that is promptly taken away by her guardians, and goes behind their back to meet with the sender, who informs her that her cousin the heiress has died , and so has her grandfather, making her the soul heiress to the manor. She returns to the English country and discovers her feelings for a boy never disappeared, and that she has an ability to control the elements.
Suspicion is a confused book. There’s no doubt about it. But that is what makes this book stand out. Alexandra Monir was able to bring together many different genres to create a whole new story that’s for everyone. Like romances? Here you go. How about a princess book? Okay. Murder mystery? Check. Ghost story? Definitely.
I said before, I loved everything about this book. It was everything I could have asked for, and more, all wrapped up with the beautiful cover to draw your eye. There were definitely somethings not rounded out by the end of this book, that is for sure, but it leave it both open to interpretation and, who knows, maybe a potential sequel. I will definitely 100% read this book again. And all the other ones by Alexandra Monir.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
2.0
I want to thank Delacorte Press for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
I had great hopes for this book. First I off, I had complete cover lust. I mean look at it. It's just so pretty. And I knew there was going to have to be symbolism in it. There just had to be. So that pulled me in. And then the premise reeled me in. Paranormal element, check. Takes place in England, check. Hot boy, check. And then I found out it was a retelling. And while I never read the book it's based on, I was hopeful it would play out well.
Imogen has lived the last seven years in America trying to keep herself out of any spotlight. Ever since her parents died, her guardians have made sure she has been taken care of, and that includes not having contact with her relatives in England. But her pull for Rockford Manor, the place she spent summers as a child with her cousin and best guy friend. When tragedy strikes, Imogen returns to her roots to take her place in the royal family.
My issues with Imogen started while she was still in New York. She snuck around behind her guardians' backs to find out information that was being kept from her. While I understand her curiosity, I don't agree with how she went about it. I don't think a teen would do what she did. I also felt no real connection to her. I could not sympathize with her. And I didn't feel her connection or respect for her guardians. I did see how she was very loyal and protective of her "sister." My next issue was with her love for Sebastian. I just didn't get it. She's been in love with her since she's ten, really? And even though she's been apart from him for seven years, she still feels the same, immediately upon seeing him, even though she doesn't know him? I just didn't buy it.
Sebastian was a nice enough character, but I will say I cannot picture him in my mind at all. I have no idea what he looks like. And he made me mad the way he treated Imogen and then turned around and confessed himself to her like it was there all along. I didn't feel that tension or pull that he had toward her. It just didn't feel real.
I liked Lucia's character. I liked the twist. But I wasn't convinced that they could pull it off, no matter how much Rebecca and Lucia looked alike. Given the fact that she and Imogen were so close I would have thought Imogen would have figured things out sooner than she did. Or at least have been suspicious of it.
The writing was really good. I think Monir did a great job of world building. I really liked the imagery she presented when describing NYC. Being a native there, I could really picture it in my mind. I would have liked more about the property in Rockford, though. And I didn't feel like the Maze was a necessary part of things. I mean, it had it's secrets, but I feel like it could have been the house itself, which would have really make more sense to me. But once I learned about the maze, I did understand the cover of the book.
I liked the idea of the paranormal element, but I felt like it was lacking in it's building. I knew something was off, as we kind of get a glimpse of it at the beginning of the book. But I don't really see how it fits in the story completely. Why was it important to it overall? It didn't seem to lend anything to the plot and it didn't seem to really help the main character solve the mystery.
From what I can see this is a stand alone. It started out with a big bang and pulled me in, but it didn't really follow through. And the ending certainly wrapped it up that way which is nice as I am not sure I would continue to read if it were a series. 2.5 stars.
I had great hopes for this book. First I off, I had complete cover lust. I mean look at it. It's just so pretty. And I knew there was going to have to be symbolism in it. There just had to be. So that pulled me in. And then the premise reeled me in. Paranormal element, check. Takes place in England, check. Hot boy, check. And then I found out it was a retelling. And while I never read the book it's based on, I was hopeful it would play out well.
Imogen has lived the last seven years in America trying to keep herself out of any spotlight. Ever since her parents died, her guardians have made sure she has been taken care of, and that includes not having contact with her relatives in England. But her pull for Rockford Manor, the place she spent summers as a child with her cousin and best guy friend. When tragedy strikes, Imogen returns to her roots to take her place in the royal family.
My issues with Imogen started while she was still in New York. She snuck around behind her guardians' backs to find out information that was being kept from her. While I understand her curiosity, I don't agree with how she went about it. I don't think a teen would do what she did. I also felt no real connection to her. I could not sympathize with her. And I didn't feel her connection or respect for her guardians. I did see how she was very loyal and protective of her "sister." My next issue was with her love for Sebastian. I just didn't get it. She's been in love with her since she's ten, really? And even though she's been apart from him for seven years, she still feels the same, immediately upon seeing him, even though she doesn't know him? I just didn't buy it.
Sebastian was a nice enough character, but I will say I cannot picture him in my mind at all. I have no idea what he looks like. And he made me mad the way he treated Imogen and then turned around and confessed himself to her like it was there all along. I didn't feel that tension or pull that he had toward her. It just didn't feel real.
I liked Lucia's character. I liked the twist. But I wasn't convinced that they could pull it off, no matter how much Rebecca and Lucia looked alike. Given the fact that she and Imogen were so close I would have thought Imogen would have figured things out sooner than she did. Or at least have been suspicious of it.
The writing was really good. I think Monir did a great job of world building. I really liked the imagery she presented when describing NYC. Being a native there, I could really picture it in my mind. I would have liked more about the property in Rockford, though. And I didn't feel like the Maze was a necessary part of things. I mean, it had it's secrets, but I feel like it could have been the house itself, which would have really make more sense to me. But once I learned about the maze, I did understand the cover of the book.
I liked the idea of the paranormal element, but I felt like it was lacking in it's building. I knew something was off, as we kind of get a glimpse of it at the beginning of the book. But I don't really see how it fits in the story completely. Why was it important to it overall? It didn't seem to lend anything to the plot and it didn't seem to really help the main character solve the mystery.
From what I can see this is a stand alone. It started out with a big bang and pulled me in, but it didn't really follow through. And the ending certainly wrapped it up that way which is nice as I am not sure I would continue to read if it were a series. 2.5 stars.
readingwithemmett's review against another edition
4.0
This was a surprisingly good read. I bought this years ago solely based on the cover, and I am surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I'm a huge historical fiction fan, and while this is NOT historical fiction (set in 2007 & 2014), I just got a lot of historical fiction vibes. Imogen becomes a duchess after she becomes the last living heir; however, not everything is as it seems at Rockford. I'm not a huge murder mastery person, but this was very enjoyable! I recommend this one to those who enjoy a YA mystery novel. This was a very quick read and has several trigger warnings (death of parents, grandparents, cheating), so just be aware of that before reading.
bigotterbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Great book. "There is something hidden in the maze." When I read that tagline I knew I had to read the book! Those are the last words Imogen hears from her father before a fire kills her parents and destroys the lush gardens at the family estate. Rockford Manor is a great setting with secrets galore! Imogen returns to England seven years later and the plot takes off with the real story of the family, Rockford Manor and just what is in the maze. It reads like a gothic romance but there is a paranormal twist.
The actual writing is fabulous-Monir can definitely set the scene and her characters are perfect. The problems I had with the book were that the different bits didn't work together all that well. By that I mean, the romance was good but a bit too forced-you will figure out how that ends WAY before the characters do! The paranormal part was fun and could have been a whole stand alone book just about that part. In this book it felt to me like it was thrown in to make the book more marketable to the YA crowd instead of being all that necessary in the end to make the plot work. All in all, I did enjoy Suspicion and if you can ignore the little bits that don't make sense and just enjoy the way Monir weaves her story you will find quite a nice book underneath. I was given a copy of the book-the review is my own opinion.
The actual writing is fabulous-Monir can definitely set the scene and her characters are perfect. The problems I had with the book were that the different bits didn't work together all that well. By that I mean, the romance was good but a bit too forced-you will figure out how that ends WAY before the characters do! The paranormal part was fun and could have been a whole stand alone book just about that part. In this book it felt to me like it was thrown in to make the book more marketable to the YA crowd instead of being all that necessary in the end to make the plot work. All in all, I did enjoy Suspicion and if you can ignore the little bits that don't make sense and just enjoy the way Monir weaves her story you will find quite a nice book underneath. I was given a copy of the book-the review is my own opinion.
losetimereading's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, I really liked this! The ending was totally not what I was expecting and after seeing a few less than savory reviews I was really leary about it but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Review to come.
***
Going into Suspicion, I had no idea what to expect. I hadn’t read the classic, Rebecca, so I didn’t know what this story contained at all – and I was so excited to go into it with no expectations!!
The characters were enjoyable to read about. Imogen, the main character, was definitely my favorite. I loved her inquisitive nature and how she refused to stop investigating what was happening. She was definitely brazen and I really appreciated that quality. The other characters didn’t stand out, but they did play a great part to the story so I can’t say anything negative about them.
The plot was interesting, fast paced and very enjoyable. I really was on the edge of my seat and had no idea what was coming next. I must say though that the paranormal aspect of this book was odd. It felt almost thrown into the story and didn’t really play a part until the very end. It obviously was a pivotal part of the final chapters, but it felt so out-of-place leading up to that point. Really though, that’s the only issue I had with Suspicion.
I flew through this book once I sat down to read it. I had initially started it, read the first chapter and then put it down for until the weekend but once I picked it back up I didn’t put it down until I finished! I was soooo intrigued with what was going to happen and everything would unfold.
The ending SHOCKED me. Honestly, I had no idea the twist that unfolded in the end. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t read Rebecca, but I absolutely didn’t see it coming at all and that really cemented it as a four star read for me. I love to be completely surprised by an ending, but it doesn’t usually happen so that alone was a huge plus in my mind.
I have seen a lot of mixed reviews for Suspicion since I’ve read it and I’m happy I fell on the good side of that coin. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes a bit of a dark mystery!
***
Going into Suspicion, I had no idea what to expect. I hadn’t read the classic, Rebecca, so I didn’t know what this story contained at all – and I was so excited to go into it with no expectations!!
The characters were enjoyable to read about. Imogen, the main character, was definitely my favorite. I loved her inquisitive nature and how she refused to stop investigating what was happening. She was definitely brazen and I really appreciated that quality. The other characters didn’t stand out, but they did play a great part to the story so I can’t say anything negative about them.
The plot was interesting, fast paced and very enjoyable. I really was on the edge of my seat and had no idea what was coming next. I must say though that the paranormal aspect of this book was odd. It felt almost thrown into the story and didn’t really play a part until the very end. It obviously was a pivotal part of the final chapters, but it felt so out-of-place leading up to that point. Really though, that’s the only issue I had with Suspicion.
I flew through this book once I sat down to read it. I had initially started it, read the first chapter and then put it down for until the weekend but once I picked it back up I didn’t put it down until I finished! I was soooo intrigued with what was going to happen and everything would unfold.
The ending SHOCKED me. Honestly, I had no idea the twist that unfolded in the end. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t read Rebecca, but I absolutely didn’t see it coming at all and that really cemented it as a four star read for me. I love to be completely surprised by an ending, but it doesn’t usually happen so that alone was a huge plus in my mind.
I have seen a lot of mixed reviews for Suspicion since I’ve read it and I’m happy I fell on the good side of that coin. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes a bit of a dark mystery!