The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
usbsticky's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
 3.75 stars. Spoilers ahead.
I almost dnf'd this at about 20% but it got a bit better. This is a character driven novel. The mystery part was ok and not too thrilling, but despite everything, I was drawn towards the main character and the setting.
I did not read book #1 so I'm starting from scratch regarding the protagonist. Slim Hardy is a recovering alcoholic on holiday in rural Cornwall trying to recover. He stays in the B&B (Bed and Breakfast) of a Mrs. Greyson. The B&B is kind of dilapidated and Mrs. Greyson isn't great company but it doesn't look like he has a lot of other choices. He's been there for 2-3 weeks already and he's the only guest there.
One day while hiking in the hills, he discovers a cuckoo clock buried in the ground with a letter hidden in it. He brings it to an antique dealer who informs him it's the work of a famous local clockmaker, Amos Birch. Despite being unfinished, it's worth quite a bit of money. And Birch disappeared into thin air about 20 years ago.
Slim is intrigued by the story and decides to try and find out where Birch went. Since this is a small village, he quickly discovers the story. It seems that Birch lived with his wheelchair bound wife and teen daughter (Celia) at a local farm and simply walked away and was never seen again.
He quickly finds and questions Celia who still lives close by. It turns out that not only did Birch walk away, he walked away with Celia's toddler daughter (Charlotte), so not only one but two people were missing.
The plot progresses with Slim questioning basically everyone who lived in the village at the time. He finds more information but everything is a dead end because no one saw Birch leave. Eventually he finds the full story behind Charlotte but Celia goes missing. The story ends quickly when he finds Celia. He also figures out the meaning behind the letter and solves the mystery.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The author did a good job of putting the protagonist and the reader in the rural setting. The ending was quite a bit creepy, but not that mysterious. Overall I did enjoy it and I will be checking out the author's other books.Â
I almost dnf'd this at about 20% but it got a bit better. This is a character driven novel. The mystery part was ok and not too thrilling, but despite everything, I was drawn towards the main character and the setting.
I did not read book #1 so I'm starting from scratch regarding the protagonist. Slim Hardy is a recovering alcoholic on holiday in rural Cornwall trying to recover. He stays in the B&B (Bed and Breakfast) of a Mrs. Greyson. The B&B is kind of dilapidated and Mrs. Greyson isn't great company but it doesn't look like he has a lot of other choices. He's been there for 2-3 weeks already and he's the only guest there.
One day while hiking in the hills, he discovers a cuckoo clock buried in the ground with a letter hidden in it. He brings it to an antique dealer who informs him it's the work of a famous local clockmaker, Amos Birch. Despite being unfinished, it's worth quite a bit of money. And Birch disappeared into thin air about 20 years ago.
Slim is intrigued by the story and decides to try and find out where Birch went. Since this is a small village, he quickly discovers the story. It seems that Birch lived with his wheelchair bound wife and teen daughter (Celia) at a local farm and simply walked away and was never seen again.
He quickly finds and questions Celia who still lives close by. It turns out that not only did Birch walk away, he walked away with Celia's toddler daughter (Charlotte), so not only one but two people were missing.
The plot progresses with Slim questioning basically everyone who lived in the village at the time. He finds more information but everything is a dead end because no one saw Birch leave. Eventually he finds the full story behind Charlotte but Celia goes missing. The story ends quickly when he finds Celia. He also figures out the meaning behind the letter and solves the mystery.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The author did a good job of putting the protagonist and the reader in the rural setting. The ending was quite a bit creepy, but not that mysterious. Overall I did enjoy it and I will be checking out the author's other books.Â
reddragonsbg8's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
vesper1931's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
On holiday p.i. John 'Slim' Hardy stumbles across a hidden clock on Bodmin Moor. A still ticking clock. Curious he starts to question the inhabitants of Penleven. But how will being an alcoholic who cannot resist a drink affect the investigation if at all.
An enjoyable modern mystery.
An enjoyable modern mystery.
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