dmwhipp's review
4.0
Though I didn't expect to like it even more than the first in the series, I was happily surprised at how fun this book was. Miss Seeton remains a bit of a bumbling dear and the further development of secondary characters was nicely done. All in all a well done British cozy. I look forward to reading more books in the series.
vsbedford's review
4.0
Another extremely good time in the village of Plummergen with our Miss Seeton - this time beset with artistic difficulties, a string of robberies, and, rather darkly, a series of child murders. The second entry in the series leans a bit more heavily on the preternatural ability of Miss Seeton's drawings to lead the police to the culprits (supernatural or just an uber Miss Marple?) and there was a highly, highly confusing description of Miss Seeton in her cups that serves more to confuse the reader (and the police) than move the plot along. (Also, either journalism has really changed or Mr. Carvic makes up the British paper news system out of whole cloth as the dispatched journalist and her assignment strike a strange note in this book.) This small misstep cannot mar what is a lovely read.
I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
emerion's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
robinellen149's review
3.0
Probably more like 2 1/2 stars. Miss Seeton and her antics are certainly amusing, while the strangulation of children isn't. The fact that Supt Delphic believes in her is a plus, it avoids all that time with him having to be convinced. However, she has been compared to Miss Marple and other older amateur detectives. That does not make sense to me. Yes, she seems to have an intuitive ability to sort things out through drawing and yes, she seems to be at the center of the capture of most perpetrators. However, the latter is usually (totally?) accidental and she typically has no idea what she has done. In fact, she is often totally misguided in her impressions of these people - other than through drawing. In that sense she is not like the very wise Miss Marple. I found the first book amusing, but hoped that somewhere along the way in the second book she would begin to become aware of her talents and strengths and use them proactively instead of accidentally. I know - she is way more amusing this way - and that is fine. However, if you read the reviews that suggest she is like Miss Marple, be aware that is not exactly true.
michelleful's review
4.0
Another fun read. Miss Seeton's powers of perception grow positively supernatural, but not in a way that jars with the feel of the rest of the book. Her talent for falling in and out of trouble goes in the same category. Same caveat regarding the writing style, which is slightly too opaque for genuine easy reading. But it stays funny, so there's that!
jinxlerai's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
mystereity's review
I'm not really sure what to think about this book. I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series, so this was my introduction to Miss Seeton. The plot; solving the murders of several children and the possible link to post office robberies was enjoyable, as was the charming locale of a small village in England.
The dialogue is what kept me from enjoying the book. In a few places, I had to re-read some passages several times just to understand what was being said. And it wasn't the British accent that confused me, it just seemed like it was double talk. An example; when Miss Seeton went to the Yard after drawing the 12 year old murder victim, there were 3 other people in the room and it was a round robin of who could confuse the conversation the most. I found it pulled me from the story and diminished my enjoyment.
Overall, a fine plot marred by confusing dialogue. It may appeal to people who enjoy older mysteries (the original book was written in the late 1960s) but just did not resonate with me.
The dialogue is what kept me from enjoying the book. In a few places, I had to re-read some passages several times just to understand what was being said. And it wasn't the British accent that confused me, it just seemed like it was double talk. An example; when Miss Seeton went to the Yard after drawing the 12 year old murder victim, there were 3 other people in the room and it was a round robin of who could confuse the conversation the most. I found it pulled me from the story and diminished my enjoyment.
Overall, a fine plot marred by confusing dialogue. It may appeal to people who enjoy older mysteries (the original book was written in the late 1960s) but just did not resonate with me.
julieannec's review
5.0
The follow up to Picture Miss Seeton, Miss Seeton Draws the Line
Is an equal delight. The ultimate heroine without a clue, but a trusty umbrella in hand, thwarts thieves and other murderous villains in her quiet little town with a few pictures thrown in for good measure.
Thoroughly recommend this light hearted romp.
Is an equal delight. The ultimate heroine without a clue, but a trusty umbrella in hand, thwarts thieves and other murderous villains in her quiet little town with a few pictures thrown in for good measure.
Thoroughly recommend this light hearted romp.
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