hkarlheim's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun mystery with suspense, romance and a little magic!!!
logantea's review against another edition
1.0
Ehhh. There's so many fun sounding gimmicks in this book -- a talking crow, a clingy cat, a magical bookshop. Unfortunately that's all they end up being -- hollow gimmicks.
The magical bookshop basically ends up being a deus ex machina that allows the entire book to have almost nothing to do with the mystery, and then have it magically solved at the end by a hint from the bookshop. There's no satisfying buildup of clues, no ongoing suspicious behavior from people around the village to throw you off the scent. Just a bland book about someone coming back to a village full of bad memories (how original) that suddenly gives you the answer to the mystery without any prior tension.
The magical bookshop basically ends up being a deus ex machina that allows the entire book to have almost nothing to do with the mystery, and then have it magically solved at the end by a hint from the bookshop. There's no satisfying buildup of clues, no ongoing suspicious behavior from people around the village to throw you off the scent. Just a bland book about someone coming back to a village full of bad memories (how original) that suddenly gives you the answer to the mystery without any prior tension.
mayeisla's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.25
courtagonist's review
4.0
This is a solid 3.5/5 stars for the first book in a couple series. I really enjoyed the main character’s relationship with her feisty grandma! Their dynamic was great fun to read!
I thought that the murder element was pretty well done but I wasn’t a fan of the pop up of the “whodunit”. I feel like there weren’t enough skillfully dropped hints to really have guessed the killer.
The characters are enough to make me want to pick the next book up in the series. I can’t wait to see how our main character takes up the caretaker role and settles into her new normal. This book even made me want to read some classics. Which is saying a lot.
I thought that the murder element was pretty well done but I wasn’t a fan of the pop up of the “whodunit”. I feel like there weren’t enough skillfully dropped hints to really have guessed the killer.
The characters are enough to make me want to pick the next book up in the series. I can’t wait to see how our main character takes up the caretaker role and settles into her new normal. This book even made me want to read some classics. Which is saying a lot.
sdevine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
racheldeal's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Hated the writing – it read like fan fiction by a 13-yr-old – but it was good for a light travel read.
megs_s's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
peggyemi's review against another edition
5.0
I was already of a fan of Amanda Flower, having been introduced to her though her Appleseed Creek series. This first book in her new paranormal series focused on a bookshop was absolutely delightful. I was drawn in right from the beginning as I found the premise behind the story to be intriguing and a fresh approach. The characters are really well written and developed for a first in a series. They already feel familiar and like old friends. I also thought the mystery was very solid with plenty of viable suspects and even a few surprise ones.
This is a great start to a new series and I for one cannot wait for the next installment.
This is a great start to a new series and I for one cannot wait for the next installment.
shelbyiswhere's review against another edition
The characters were aggravating me.