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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very fun serial. It was a little madcap and zany, and I loved the dry humor in it, as well as its meta examination of the tensions between bloggers and authors. Very well done and very enjoyable to read.
joo13's review against another edition
4.0
Invitation to Die is a cozy murder mystery. The Romance Writers of Great Britain are about to have their annual conference and decide to invite some of their enemies - Bloggers. Emily Castles was invited to be one of the writer's assistant in organising the event.
Being a murder-mystery, some characters die and suspicion goes back and forth. This story flowed well. We were drip fed clues and red herrings, throughout. I didn't get it at all.
I understand this was originally a serial. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much. I read this as a book in one afternoon.
Being a murder-mystery, some characters die and suspicion goes back and forth. This story flowed well. We were drip fed clues and red herrings, throughout. I didn't get it at all.
I understand this was originally a serial. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much. I read this as a book in one afternoon.
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Read the full review and others like it at my blog, Inkspots & Tea.
I really enjoyed this book, although the fact that it was a debut novel seemed a little odd with how Ms. Smith introduced the main character, heroine, and amateur sleuth, Emily Castles. There was very little introduction to Emily Castles; she just kind of appeared and we were to accept that she had a keen mind and had the ability to figure out mysteries such as the one presented in this novel.
However, the mystery was fun to read, since it centered around writing, blogging, and writing reviews for books. It seems a little odd to be writing a review for a book like that, though, I must admit!! It was relatively light-hearted - I don't believe Ms. Smith intended for this book to be a frightening, realistic series. The characters were a little over the top, for the most part, and while they were well-written and mostly likable, they were just not quite believable.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing through Netgalley for allowing me to read this title in return for an unbiased review.
I really enjoyed this book, although the fact that it was a debut novel seemed a little odd with how Ms. Smith introduced the main character, heroine, and amateur sleuth, Emily Castles. There was very little introduction to Emily Castles; she just kind of appeared and we were to accept that she had a keen mind and had the ability to figure out mysteries such as the one presented in this novel.
However, the mystery was fun to read, since it centered around writing, blogging, and writing reviews for books. It seems a little odd to be writing a review for a book like that, though, I must admit!! It was relatively light-hearted - I don't believe Ms. Smith intended for this book to be a frightening, realistic series. The characters were a little over the top, for the most part, and while they were well-written and mostly likable, they were just not quite believable.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing through Netgalley for allowing me to read this title in return for an unbiased review.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
I wonder if I should be concerned as a blogger that an author might be out to get me! This is the 3rd book in the series (the first 2 were novellas so not sure how they count) and the characters have become more fleshed out. I never suspected the killer and was surprised when Emily had it all figured out because it seemed like she was thrown into the situation to reveal the killer and didn't seem very confident when she was approached.
I do wonder if Emily is going to have a romantic relationship with the detective. guess we shall see!
I do wonder if Emily is going to have a romantic relationship with the detective. guess we shall see!
awin82's review against another edition
2.0
Not great, but not bad. Would consider reading another Emily Castles mystery.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
4.0
It’s not a story that’s going to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it will amuse you.
See my whole review at Carol's Notebook.
See my whole review at Carol's Notebook.
alofiego's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. A very effective antidote to Mr Mailer and the horrors of war
miztrebor's review against another edition
3.0
Quick, easy read. The characters and writing were lacking for me, as was the mystery, as well. I would have enjoyed it more if it stayed to just being Emily Castles' 3rd person POV, rather than jumping around, sometimes in the middle of a chapter to another character's POV. If it was cleaned up a bit in spots and strengthened in some others, this could be a great mystery. Also could use more showing than telling. I'll have to see how Smith improves in the second novel in the series ([b:Beyond Belief|18318672|Beyond Belief|Helen Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384195823s/18318672.jpg|25817357]).
bookcrazereviews's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts off slow and continues at a slow steady place as far as the action goes. There is detail where there is really no need for it and a lack of detail where there should be. The characters could of used a little more development and the plot could have been better. Each of the characters are introduce one at a time and then all brought together at the conference. The story would make for a great one if there was a little more work put into the writing and development . With 208 pages it is fairly a quick read.
I say you give it a try and decide for yourself.
I say you give it a try and decide for yourself.