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paronomaniac's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This is a good mystery story but it’s way too long; a good edit would bring the length down by at least 25% without losing any of the story. It also relies too much on exposition and telling you what’s going on, rather than showing you. More description of the scenes/settings would have been nice rather than another several pages of the characters going over (again and again) who the suspects are and if they could be the murderer.
There’s also a weird subplot with an ex-boyfriend that’s almost unnecessary. Again, cutting this would make for a tighter story.
There’s also a weird subplot with an ex-boyfriend that’s almost unnecessary. Again, cutting this would make for a tighter story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
"'I know I do like a murder mystery, and I am named after a detective, but be serious - it's not like er can actually investigate a murder.' 'We do know a lot about murder mysteries, though', her grandmother said then, her eyes twinkling a little. 'And if we don't trust the police to get justice for Lucy...' 'We take matters into our own hands?' Nancy finished for her. They looked at one another, uncertainly...'someone shouldn't just get away with murder!' Nancy cried. 'We know what it's like to never know the real truth, to always wonder...We can't let that happen again.' she added fiercely."
It's December, in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Dedley End, booksellers Jane and her granddaughter Nancy, run Nancy's late father's crime and mystery bookshop, Dedley Endings. They, along with close friend Jonathan (a local investigative journalist) and most of the village, are unexpectedly invited to the engagement party of the season, held at Roth House, where the wealthy, but reclusive Roth family live. The lavish party is interrupted by the sudden death of Lucy Roth, recently married into the family, who it appears has been pushed off the first floor landing. Unimpressed by the local police's efforts and given an in with the family with a prior invitation to update the family library, bright Nancy, spirited Jane and determined Jonathan start digging. Will they uncover the identity of Lucy's murder or will there be a deadly ending?
If you like The Thursday Murder Club series and the Agatha Raisin series, you will enjoy this cosy crime fiction, the first in a forthcoming series. It has a picturesque and festive setting, wonderful main characters I enjoyed getting to know, red herrings, dead ends and plenty of mystery and investigation. I guessed the culprit, but not why, but this didn't spoil my enjoyment reading. I enjoyed reading this between Christmas and the New Year and look forward to the next book in ths Dedley End Mystery series, following the adventures of Jane, Nancy and Jonathan.
It's December, in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Dedley End, booksellers Jane and her granddaughter Nancy, run Nancy's late father's crime and mystery bookshop, Dedley Endings. They, along with close friend Jonathan (a local investigative journalist) and most of the village, are unexpectedly invited to the engagement party of the season, held at Roth House, where the wealthy, but reclusive Roth family live. The lavish party is interrupted by the sudden death of Lucy Roth, recently married into the family, who it appears has been pushed off the first floor landing. Unimpressed by the local police's efforts and given an in with the family with a prior invitation to update the family library, bright Nancy, spirited Jane and determined Jonathan start digging. Will they uncover the identity of Lucy's murder or will there be a deadly ending?
If you like The Thursday Murder Club series and the Agatha Raisin series, you will enjoy this cosy crime fiction, the first in a forthcoming series. It has a picturesque and festive setting, wonderful main characters I enjoyed getting to know, red herrings, dead ends and plenty of mystery and investigation. I guessed the culprit, but not why, but this didn't spoil my enjoyment reading. I enjoyed reading this between Christmas and the New Year and look forward to the next book in ths Dedley End Mystery series, following the adventures of Jane, Nancy and Jonathan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Car accident