singerji's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readinglover22's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lostingothicmusic's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
charlottejones952's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this book at work in exchange for an honest review.
This is a brilliant children’s mystery novel that combines an exciting, sometimes funny plot, with endearing characters and amazing purple-toned illustrations.
Although as an adult I felt like this book was a little predictable and under-developed, this would be great for kids of all ages and there are really important moral messages portrayed without feeling preachy.
The characters were quite stereotyped but I enjoyed the cast that was created with this first novel in the series and am looking forward to the following books.
Overall I really enjoyed this children’s book and would recommend it to any parents reading this who have children who like mystery novels, and also adults who love reading kid’s books.
This is a brilliant children’s mystery novel that combines an exciting, sometimes funny plot, with endearing characters and amazing purple-toned illustrations.
Although as an adult I felt like this book was a little predictable and under-developed, this would be great for kids of all ages and there are really important moral messages portrayed without feeling preachy.
The characters were quite stereotyped but I enjoyed the cast that was created with this first novel in the series and am looking forward to the following books.
Overall I really enjoyed this children’s book and would recommend it to any parents reading this who have children who like mystery novels, and also adults who love reading kid’s books.
stephanienicole's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Ah, I loved this cute middle grade mystery story. It was really obvious who the bad guys were, but Violet had to PROVE it. The story is accompanied by very cute, detailed illustrations that were sometimes incorporated into the storytelling. It was very enjoyable and humorous to read as an adult.
2020-04-16: I re-read this book before continuing on with the series. The story is a page-turner and humorous (even for me, a 37-year-old grup), and the illustrations are cute plus add to the storytelling. I love that everyone has a cat! This time around, I noticed that the "villains" were described as ugly, which I hate. Not all villains are ugly, and not everyone who first appears "ugly" is a villain. The villains were red-heads, and the author is British, and I know the British have this weird racist hate against red-heads. I'm American, and this is very strange to me, but isn't all racism strange and illogical garbage like that? If not for this ugly villain trope that I am so over, I would've given this 5 stars. I would've ***loved*** this book as a first grader.
Ah, I loved this cute middle grade mystery story. It was really obvious who the bad guys were, but Violet had to PROVE it. The story is accompanied by very cute, detailed illustrations that were sometimes incorporated into the storytelling. It was very enjoyable and humorous to read as an adult.
2020-04-16: I re-read this book before continuing on with the series. The story is a page-turner and humorous (even for me, a 37-year-old grup), and the illustrations are cute plus add to the storytelling. I love that everyone has a cat! This time around, I noticed that the "villains" were described as ugly, which I hate. Not all villains are ugly, and not everyone who first appears "ugly" is a villain. The villains were red-heads, and the author is British, and I know the British have this weird racist hate against red-heads. I'm American, and this is very strange to me, but isn't all racism strange and illogical garbage like that? If not for this ugly villain trope that I am so over, I would've given this 5 stars. I would've ***loved*** this book as a first grader.
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