annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Dangerous Engagement is the 6th Amory Ames mystery by Ashley Weaver. Released 3rd Sept 2019 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 309 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a very well written stylish murder mystery series with sophisticated protagonists who are a married couple. Set in the interwar period, Amory and husband Milo are upper class (he's trying to be a good husband, reformed from his playboy days), intelligent, and modern. In fact, I've always gotten a sort of British Nick & Nora vibe from the books with the witty repartee and clever plotting, with a little dash of a more serious Tommy & Tuppence, and something all their own. The books aren't derivative at all, the author's talented and the characters stand quite well on their own.
This book sees them heading to New York for the wedding of Amory's childhood friend Tabitha. Hidden motivations and underhanded lucrative business dealings within the wedding party leave Amory less sure of her footing than on her home turf in England. Although this is the 6th book in the series, it does work quite well as a standalone. There's enough backstory woven into the narrative that readers new to the series won't have any trouble sorting out who's who.
This entry was well paced (if a trifle slow at the beginning) and solidly plotted. The dialogue is witty and rings true to the period. The setting was novel change for the main characters and seeing them in the USA and in much less formal surroundings than usual allowed for some interesting insights into their marriage and the way they worked together.
Four stars, solidly entertaining.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Dangerous Engagement is the 6th Amory Ames mystery by Ashley Weaver. Released 3rd Sept 2019 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 309 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a very well written stylish murder mystery series with sophisticated protagonists who are a married couple. Set in the interwar period, Amory and husband Milo are upper class (he's trying to be a good husband, reformed from his playboy days), intelligent, and modern. In fact, I've always gotten a sort of British Nick & Nora vibe from the books with the witty repartee and clever plotting, with a little dash of a more serious Tommy & Tuppence, and something all their own. The books aren't derivative at all, the author's talented and the characters stand quite well on their own.
This book sees them heading to New York for the wedding of Amory's childhood friend Tabitha. Hidden motivations and underhanded lucrative business dealings within the wedding party leave Amory less sure of her footing than on her home turf in England. Although this is the 6th book in the series, it does work quite well as a standalone. There's enough backstory woven into the narrative that readers new to the series won't have any trouble sorting out who's who.
This entry was well paced (if a trifle slow at the beginning) and solidly plotted. The dialogue is witty and rings true to the period. The setting was novel change for the main characters and seeing them in the USA and in much less formal surroundings than usual allowed for some interesting insights into their marriage and the way they worked together.
Four stars, solidly entertaining.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
elliemvbrown's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jazzthecat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
winternight_3's review against another edition
4.0
08/04/2020 - second time around, 4 stars. I don't know why I keep reading these novels (repeatedly). The mysteries aren't the best but I do love Amory and Milo, even though they have the same discussion about honesty and feelings and Milo never gives an inch...plus there is so much left unsaid it drives me bananas. And yet, here I am.
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
the_daily_orange's review against another edition
3.0
Rather disappointed. The story wasn't fun and Amory was unbearably annoying at times.
nasselin's review against another edition
4.0
This book is part of the excellent Amory Ames series of mysteries. This book follows Amory and Milo across the Atlantic to NYC to attend a wedding. Her childhood friend is having a whirlwind engagement, and Amory decides to learn more about the young woman's finacee. She ends up investigating in a world of speakeasies and gangsters, but still manages to keep her head. When the best man of the wedding is murdered on her friends doorstep by apparent gangsters, Amory flings herself into the investigation much to the chagrin of her husband Milo. I've written about their relationship before, but in this book Milo really bugged me right until the very end. I like that Amory doesn't put up with his bossiness or rules, but there were some moments I thought he was deliberatly a little mean. He definitely redeems himself in the end, but this investigation really put a strain on the couple. Still, the underground world of NYC gangsters was fascinating, as was the descriptions of the illegal activites of the new characters. I hope we see more of the dashing gangster and his singing accoutant, but who knows!
zombeesknees's review against another edition
5.0
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-a-dangerous-engagement-by-ashley-weaver/
shomarq's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
2.5
A fun 1930s gangster romp, Milo still the most awful male partner in a cozy I've encountered. Not totally thrilled by her not actually solving anything, and Milo being inevitably arrogant about his ability to do whatever and get better results than Amory (one of the reasons I detested Essence of Malice -- is this about Amory or not?)
emilineopines's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5