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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
2.0
Death on Lily Pond Lane by Carrie Doyle is the second book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series. Antonia Bingham owns the Windmill Inn in East Hampton where she is also the head chef. During the off season, she is the caretaker to two properties (while their owners are at their primary residences). Antonia is checking on the Mastersons’ property. Warner Caruthers, a friend of Luke Masterson, had been staying in the guest quarters, but he was supposed to have departed the previous day. Antonia searches the house for Warner and finds him in Eleanor’s bathroom (one of the Mastersons’ daughters). He is dead in the bathtub. Antonia calls the police and then quickly hides something from the bathroom. Antonia’s nosiness and dislike of police officers leads her to investigate his death. It turns out that Warner was doing a documentary that portrayed the wealthy town residents in a bad light (and they do not appreciate Antonia’s sticking her nose into their business). Can Antonia find the culprit before the killer finds her?
Death on Lily Pond Lane was a snooze fest. I found the book to be boring. The book only has 308 pages, but it felt twice the length. The mystery was basic (predictable). I was able to identify the killer very early in the book (before I was quarter of the way through the story). This is the second book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series, but Death on Lily Pond Lane can be read alone. The case from the first book is mentioned more than once during the course of the novel as well as why Antonia relocated to East Hampton. Actually, many things are replicated throughout the book. The reader is subjected to the details of Antonia’s failed marriage many times (she is divorced from a cop that abused her and caused the death of her father). I give Death on Lily Pond Lane 2 out of 5 stars. I just felt it was too simple. It was like the author used a cozy mystery checklist when writing (to make sure the book had the required elements). I also did not like the main character very much or her flighty best friend. Antonia puts herself down especially about her appearance and it is off-putting. I wanted to like Death on Lily Pond Lane, but it was just not the right book for me.
Death on Lily Pond Lane was a snooze fest. I found the book to be boring. The book only has 308 pages, but it felt twice the length. The mystery was basic (predictable). I was able to identify the killer very early in the book (before I was quarter of the way through the story). This is the second book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series, but Death on Lily Pond Lane can be read alone. The case from the first book is mentioned more than once during the course of the novel as well as why Antonia relocated to East Hampton. Actually, many things are replicated throughout the book. The reader is subjected to the details of Antonia’s failed marriage many times (she is divorced from a cop that abused her and caused the death of her father). I give Death on Lily Pond Lane 2 out of 5 stars. I just felt it was too simple. It was like the author used a cozy mystery checklist when writing (to make sure the book had the required elements). I also did not like the main character very much or her flighty best friend. Antonia puts herself down especially about her appearance and it is off-putting. I wanted to like Death on Lily Pond Lane, but it was just not the right book for me.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
While I enjoyed the first book in this series I felt like Carrie Doyle found her stride with DEATH ON LILY POND LANE. This mystery starts out quickly at the beginning of the book and pulls you in. She has included secondary mysteries that build the suspense and kept me turning pages until the reveal, which had it’s own heart-stopping action. Antonia Bingham, the owner and chef at Windmill Inn, is an interesting protagonist. Recovering from an abusive marriage to a policeman, she has a deeply ingrained distrust of the “law”. Yet as she gets pulled into the murder mysteries, she must grow and learn to trust even if it’s only a bit. She also shows more confidence from book one to book two and it’s a delight to see Antonia find her stride and find out what she’s capable of. While there’s some romance in the book, it’s not an overwhelming component of the story and I found it to be a more realistic depiction of the real world. As an innkeeper and chef, Antonia keeps a strong food theme running through the book…be prepared to become hungry while reading!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
becca_todaro's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There are just so many things taking away from the story that really bring my enjoyment down. Such as the relentless judgment and misogyny of the main character, the stupid things that Antonia does, Antonia’s extremely immature view on love and sex, her refusal to get therapy after going through trauma. I decided to no longer continue on with the series
katreader's review
4.0
a mystery filled with twists and turns
DEATH ON LILY POND LANE by Carrie Doyle
The Second Hamptons Murder Mystery
It's the off season in the Hamptons and Antonia Bingham has taken on extra work looking after a few estates while the owners are away. At one of her stops Antonia is surprised to discover the car of a house guest who was supposed to have already left town. She is even more surprised to find his dead body in the bathtub! In an attempt to protect the homeowners and thinking the death is a tragic accident, Antonia removes what may be a vital piece of evidence. However, the victim had been making high powered enemies by filming a documentary expose. Could his death actually be murder?
I thought for sure I knew a vital clue and was giving Antonia withering glances from my side of the book for not realizing it. I eventually discovered that I was hasty in my deductions. The object was a clue, but it wasn't what I thought it was. In fact, there were several other times that Carrie Doyle led me down paths and I willingly followed, fully believing I was correct, changing my mind a few times as I then followed new paths laid out for me. Carrie Doyle challenged me in this book, not only by the false trails left for me, but Antonia's attitude on certain subjects, and Genevieve's whole persona.
DEATH ON LILY POND LANE is a mystery filled with twists and turns, relationship conundrums, and an intriguing look at those who reside in the exclusive enclave known as the Hamptons.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
DEATH ON LILY POND LANE by Carrie Doyle
The Second Hamptons Murder Mystery
It's the off season in the Hamptons and Antonia Bingham has taken on extra work looking after a few estates while the owners are away. At one of her stops Antonia is surprised to discover the car of a house guest who was supposed to have already left town. She is even more surprised to find his dead body in the bathtub! In an attempt to protect the homeowners and thinking the death is a tragic accident, Antonia removes what may be a vital piece of evidence. However, the victim had been making high powered enemies by filming a documentary expose. Could his death actually be murder?
I thought for sure I knew a vital clue and was giving Antonia withering glances from my side of the book for not realizing it. I eventually discovered that I was hasty in my deductions. The object was a clue, but it wasn't what I thought it was. In fact, there were several other times that Carrie Doyle led me down paths and I willingly followed, fully believing I was correct, changing my mind a few times as I then followed new paths laid out for me. Carrie Doyle challenged me in this book, not only by the false trails left for me, but Antonia's attitude on certain subjects, and Genevieve's whole persona.
DEATH ON LILY POND LANE is a mystery filled with twists and turns, relationship conundrums, and an intriguing look at those who reside in the exclusive enclave known as the Hamptons.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
mrowkoob's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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