The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
happytreereads's review against another edition
If I had been in a different mood, or it had been Tuesday instead of Wednesday, my opinion of this book might look decidedly different. But lucky for the book, it came along just at the right time, and I can find no fault in it.
Well, heh, that's not strictly true.
All of the male characters felt like carbon-copies of each other. Corpses are found and then just apparently forgotten about (Y'ALL...???) The villains were, now that I think about it, somewhat unbelievable? Contrived? The ending felt rushed and abrupt, and Sam and Mabel just disappeared and they were kinda my favorite characters so I'm a little peeved about that. They better come back in later books. The ending with Max was a little weird. Is it normal to say (and I paraphrase) "hey, yo, I know we can't be a thing right now but if your marriage goes south, hit me up, I'll be waiting around". ?? like wut. Ew. Characters did not act in entirely believable ways. And once the finer details of the mystery were revealed, and the histories recited, I found I was a bit skeptical and found it all a bit lackluster and underwhelming.
But I low-key don't care about the inconsistencies and weird/random/annoying plot choices. I wanted something quick and fun and I got it and I'm just over here having a GOOD TIME.
.
.
.
P.S.
My man S better get his sweet little duckies in a row and soon or Verity is gonna leave him and I'll support her the whole way out the door.
Well, heh, that's not strictly true.
All of the male characters felt like carbon-copies of each other. Corpses are found and then just apparently forgotten about (Y'ALL...???) The villains were, now that I think about it, somewhat unbelievable? Contrived? The ending felt rushed and abrupt, and Sam and Mabel just disappeared and they were kinda my favorite characters so I'm a little peeved about that. They better come back in later books. The ending with Max was a little weird. Is it normal to say (and I paraphrase) "hey, yo, I know we can't be a thing right now but if your marriage goes south, hit me up, I'll be waiting around". ?? like wut. Ew. Characters did not act in entirely believable ways. And once the finer details of the mystery were revealed, and the histories recited, I found I was a bit skeptical and found it all a bit lackluster and underwhelming.
But I low-key don't care about the inconsistencies and weird/random/annoying plot choices. I wanted something quick and fun and I got it and I'm just over here having a GOOD TIME.
.
.
.
P.S.
My man S better get his sweet little duckies in a row and soon or Verity is gonna leave him and I'll support her the whole way out the door.
holl3640's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
rebekel89's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
msbedelia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
2022 - RATING: 4 STARS
I reread this one so I can continue the series, and I have not read the second book yet, but am looking forward to it when I do. I think my 2017 review is great and would still agree with it.
2017 - RATINGS: 4 STARS
I have been wanting to read Anna Lee Huber for a few years but could never get my hands on the first book (well, at the price I could afford). Alas, I finally have the first book (yay!). Before then, I saw that This Side of Murder was book one in a new series. I was excited when my request was approved and dove into this one.
Verity is a World War I war widow. The loss of her late husband, Sidney, is renewed when she receives an anonymous letter vaguely stated that her husband may have committed treason before he died. She would love to dismiss this note, but the sender is aware that Verity actually worked for the Secret Service. Very few knew about this, not even Sidney. She feels she must uncover the truth and accepts the invitation to Sidney's fellow officer. As soon as she steps onto the island she senses this may be a bad idea, but she wasn't expecting it to be so dangerous...and heartbreaking.
I love historical mysteries, and this one was right up my alley. It is more than a cozy mystery as it is pretty realistic, but also is not graphic. I loved the characters and emotions. This one reminds me of Maisie Dobbs series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
I reread this one so I can continue the series, and I have not read the second book yet, but am looking forward to it when I do. I think my 2017 review is great and would still agree with it.
2017 - RATINGS: 4 STARS
I have been wanting to read Anna Lee Huber for a few years but could never get my hands on the first book (well, at the price I could afford). Alas, I finally have the first book (yay!). Before then, I saw that This Side of Murder was book one in a new series. I was excited when my request was approved and dove into this one.
Verity is a World War I war widow. The loss of her late husband, Sidney, is renewed when she receives an anonymous letter vaguely stated that her husband may have committed treason before he died. She would love to dismiss this note, but the sender is aware that Verity actually worked for the Secret Service. Very few knew about this, not even Sidney. She feels she must uncover the truth and accepts the invitation to Sidney's fellow officer. As soon as she steps onto the island she senses this may be a bad idea, but she wasn't expecting it to be so dangerous...and heartbreaking.
I love historical mysteries, and this one was right up my alley. It is more than a cozy mystery as it is pretty realistic, but also is not graphic. I loved the characters and emotions. This one reminds me of Maisie Dobbs series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Anna Lee Huber is rightfully well known for her Lady Darby mysteries (The Anatomist's Wife and others). This book is the first entry in what I fervently hope will be another long and successful series.
An aside: it takes serious chops to stand in a ring and go a few rounds with Muhammad Ali, or share a stage with Eric Clapton holding a guitar, or have a paint-off duel with Matisse. Not a bit of hyperbole to say this book represents exactly that. Ms. Huber takes the classic Christie setting: remote English country house, on an island, isolated by a storm, cut off from help, tosses in a house party of odd characters absolutely resonating with unresolved history and sets it in the English interwar period.
The writing is solid. The pacing is perfect and the plot moves along at a clip. The research into place and setting are perfect. I truly enjoyed reading this book so very much. The 'rules' of the setting and mystery writing were adhered to and I hadn't worked it all out by the end of the book.
To be perfectly honest, I revere Agatha Christie (and Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers and all the grand dames of mystery). I think Huber has the potential to stand right up there with them. This book is wonderful with flashes of brilliance.
Five stars seem too few but five it is.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
ashnight's review against another edition
4.0
Is a little dry in some parts but then gets into a good pace. And very twisty.
lakecake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
heatherhira's review against another edition
3.0
There are a number of reviews that sum up my feelings of this book quite well.
This book drew me in immediately with the cautiously moody tone and Verity's confident spirit. The mystery was interesting and brought in some heavier topics more along the lines of a Maisie Dobbs than your average whodunit.
However, as mentioned in other reviews, the plot went off the rails about halfway through. There were more scenes of drama and action than I expected, and for the most part, I thought the stronger parts of the book struggled under that weight. I found the plot twist so distracting I am not certain I will continue with the series.
But as I mentioned, the general murder mystery aspect was good.
This book drew me in immediately with the cautiously moody tone and Verity's confident spirit. The mystery was interesting and brought in some heavier topics more along the lines of a Maisie Dobbs than your average whodunit.
However, as mentioned in other reviews, the plot went off the rails about halfway through. There were more scenes of drama and action than I expected, and for the most part, I thought the stronger parts of the book struggled under that weight. I found the plot twist so distracting I am not certain I will continue with the series.
But as I mentioned, the general murder mystery aspect was good.
smdavis1495's review against another edition
Love triangles make me so mad. Like just be poly.Â