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planreadrepeat's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
v10's review against another edition
3.0
Perfectly acceptable insomnia book. A bit confusing with constant changes of point of view, bouncing with no warning between main characters and others who've barely been introduced, but not confusing enough to make me stop reading.
kristick's review
3.0
Okay mystery that bounces between the present day and post-WW2 France, with a protagonist trying to start over after the unexpected death of her husband by exploring his family's past by going to the French house she never knew he owned.
vesper1931's review
3.0
American Merle Bennett life becomes unravelled when her husband dies and his secrets are revealed. To recover she travels to France to access the house that he has left her. Only for her to discover a mystery. One that was connected to her husband's family.
It took a while to get into the rhythm of the book, but I found that it was worth it, and I liked the character of Merle, and quite a few of the other characters.
It took a while to get into the rhythm of the book, but I found that it was worth it, and I liked the character of Merle, and quite a few of the other characters.
wealhtheow's review against another edition
3.0
Merle is a middle aged lawyer doing good work when her husband abruptly dies of a heart attack. His death leads to many reveals: Harry gambled all their money on the stock market, leaving them broke; Merle realizes she'd fallen out of love with him years ago; he'd had a long affair and a secret illegitimate child. All of these earth-shaking revelations pale in comparison to the ones Merle uncovers when she goes to Harry's family home in France. There, she discovers he was actually the illegitimate child of his father and a teenager he seduced and abandoned, who was adopted by his father's first wife, and then the father killed the first wife and took off with a second wife, who stole the first wife's identity , that there's a great basement filled with casks of valuable wine hidden away , and even that numerous men who had brushes with Harry's dastardly father want to hurt Merle and/or steal the wine . All this while she's just trying to rehab the old French home!
I totally bought Merle as a character. The details of her life, and the way she thinks, seemed totally believable and recognizable. The tangled web of Harry's family and the various people out for blood seemed increasingly unlikely, however. I'd say this worked well as a character piece, not so much as a mystery.
I totally bought Merle as a character. The details of her life, and the way she thinks, seemed totally believable and recognizable. The tangled web of Harry's family and the various people out for blood seemed increasingly unlikely, however. I'd say this worked well as a character piece, not so much as a mystery.
prpltrtl946's review against another edition
4.0
France, inherited house, romance and wine.
I enjoyed some of the characters. The mysteries were okay. But I really don't enjoy corrupt police stories, here or abroad.
I enjoyed some of the characters. The mysteries were okay. But I really don't enjoy corrupt police stories, here or abroad.
aconitecafe's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start.
The first part of the book drug out for me. The writer gave away where the main character would go to rediscover herself but we had to wait through mindless what should I do for pages before it happened. I was disappointed with the end honestly. I was hopefully for an early retirement or something. I don't know. I guess its only a book one, so introduction to a series and all. Overall the writing was good, and the main character had depth but the other characters were meh. It was easy to get them confused.
The first part of the book drug out for me. The writer gave away where the main character would go to rediscover herself but we had to wait through mindless what should I do for pages before it happened. I was disappointed with the end honestly. I was hopefully for an early retirement or something. I don't know. I guess its only a book one, so introduction to a series and all. Overall the writing was good, and the main character had depth but the other characters were meh. It was easy to get them confused.