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kingkiller99's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fun murder mystery set in a retirement home. It was a fun concept though the resolution was a bit confusing/ didn’t necessarily seem 100% final. Still a fun read though, especially in October!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Suicide
kermittuesday's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Dementia
Minor: Grief
charlottedejoya's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicide, and Murder
yeppenny's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
sophiestbr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a quaint and cosy book, that's the best way I can describe it, despite it being a murder mystery. The idea of it taking place at a retirement home with a cast of characters overwhelmingly over the age of 75 was a surprisingly intriguing and easy to get into.
It is written in a really accessible and straightforward way, the mystery is set up early and in a way that made me want to read on and get to the bottom of it. The characters are rich and interesting, easy to connect to in one way or another.
Where the book fell down for me and soured the experience is a spoiler that comes with a trigger warning, so read on at your own risk:the author used suicide as a way out of storylines or as a scandalous side note far too many times that ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth. I think there were at least 4 characters that committed suicide or whose stories featured it.
Overall, with the above and the fact that I felt too many of the 'red herrings' were resolved too quickly made it less gripping and suspenseful than other crime/mystery novels. That said, I will read at least the next book in this series at some point to give another mystery with this fabulous cast of characters a shot, they were really the highlight for me.
It is written in a really accessible and straightforward way, the mystery is set up early and in a way that made me want to read on and get to the bottom of it. The characters are rich and interesting, easy to connect to in one way or another.
Where the book fell down for me and soured the experience is a spoiler that comes with a trigger warning, so read on at your own risk:
Overall, with the above and the fact that I felt too many of the 'red herrings' were resolved too quickly made it less gripping and suspenseful than other crime/mystery novels. That said, I will read at least the next book in this series at some point to give another mystery with this fabulous cast of characters a shot, they were really the highlight for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Cursing and Pregnancy
bealittlebrave's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
bootrat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Xenophobia
sierraclimbs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So fun!
Richard Osman did an amazing job creating an immersive world involving a retirement village solving crimes.
The way he crafted a mystery using all the tropes you would expect, but then with an added little twist you would never guess! Was *chefs kiss*
It gets very emotional in a beautiful way because of the relationships these elders have with each other & their spouses (dead & alive).
Can't wait to pick up the next one & rejoin these characters on their adventures.
Richard Osman did an amazing job creating an immersive world involving a retirement village solving crimes.
The way he crafted a mystery using all the tropes you would expect, but then with an added little twist you would never guess! Was *chefs kiss*
It gets very emotional in a beautiful way because of the relationships these elders have with each other & their spouses (dead & alive).
Can't wait to pick up the next one & rejoin these characters on their adventures.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Murder
chsm8's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, and Murder
gracegeeks's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder