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readwithash's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
4.0
leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
A first book in the series where there’s a a lot of set up. All the characters are introduced, one is missing. There’s some online scandal of the main sleuth that sent her running to England.
The murder mystery is over the top and surrounding hats and hat makers. Which maybe goes together. Overall entertaining.
The murder mystery is over the top and surrounding hats and hat makers. Which maybe goes together. Overall entertaining.
ellehartford's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for the Cozy Mystery Book Club and enjoyed it a lot! The characters are warm and very quippy, the setting is interesting, and there's an intriguing touch of the paranormal.
Personally, I love Jenn McKinlay's books--and honestly would prefer the library series over this one. This book was laugh-out-loud funny, for sure, but some of the main characters were (lovably) unpredictable and zany . . . so steady, cozy me was sometimes left thinking "what on earth? why would you do that?" xD So I personally am more at home with the characters in some of her other series. Again though, this one is still very enjoyable, and fearures an absolutely lovely community!
Personally, I love Jenn McKinlay's books--and honestly would prefer the library series over this one. This book was laugh-out-loud funny, for sure, but some of the main characters were (lovably) unpredictable and zany . . . so steady, cozy me was sometimes left thinking "what on earth? why would you do that?" xD So I personally am more at home with the characters in some of her other series. Again though, this one is still very enjoyable, and fearures an absolutely lovely community!
lady_gray's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
klutzykat's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pussreboots's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cutenanya's review against another edition
4.0
Really 3 stars but adding 0.5 for the wonderful cast of characters and taking into account that this is a debut novel.
This book is funny and the characters, though some of them could be wild and unrealistic, are all likable. Scarlett is radiant, like her firey red hair, Vivian is as wild and as a creative hat designer can possibly be. Harrison is the only one (probably) with self-control enough to compensate for the lack of controls of the owners of the hat shop. Fiona is sweet, so are Nick and Audrey. I also like the setting of the story (the hat shop in Nottinghill). The pacing of the story is adequate so that one never feels bored. Why then just 3 stars?
The PLOT is the reason for the average rating. When one reads a murder mystery, one expects to obtain clues throughout the story so that one could at least try figuring out who dun it. While there are certainly clues in this book, there is no logical sequence that leads to the revealation, leaving one feeling the conclusion is shoved to the audience. In this aspect, I think the quality of the plot is not up to par. Still, if this is the debut work, I think there is a lot of potential for the author to improve in the future and I certainly will be looking forward to the sequel though I am a little worried the author may throw in some paranormal elements (which I frankly do not think is good for murder mysteries as I am a steadfast fan of classic golden age mysteries).
This book is funny and the characters, though some of them could be wild and unrealistic, are all likable. Scarlett is radiant, like her firey red hair, Vivian is as wild and as a creative hat designer can possibly be. Harrison is the only one (probably) with self-control enough to compensate for the lack of controls of the owners of the hat shop. Fiona is sweet, so are Nick and Audrey. I also like the setting of the story (the hat shop in Nottinghill). The pacing of the story is adequate so that one never feels bored. Why then just 3 stars?
The PLOT is the reason for the average rating. When one reads a murder mystery, one expects to obtain clues throughout the story so that one could at least try figuring out who dun it. While there are certainly clues in this book, there is no logical sequence that leads to the revealation, leaving one feeling the conclusion is shoved to the audience. In this aspect, I think the quality of the plot is not up to par. Still, if this is the debut work, I think there is a lot of potential for the author to improve in the future and I certainly will be looking forward to the sequel though I am a little worried the author may throw in some paranormal elements (which I frankly do not think is good for murder mysteries as I am a steadfast fan of classic golden age mysteries).
emmasfro's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
Hat Shop Mystery #1/6 🕵🏻♀️
How fun! This was a solid read for me. I’m diving in deep to cozy mysteries and loving them!
The characters and setting most definitely play a larger part than the plot (i.e. mystery) of the story. This allows for humor, character development, and environment to shine. In “Cloche and Dagger,” the Notting Hill, London location with all its history and quirks was the perfect backdrop. I had never heard of “millinery” before, and I definitely didn’t know what a “cloche” was! However, that didn’t prevent my enjoyment. I ended up loving the hat shop location and the British way of life. The romantic tension and relationships were beginning to be fleshed out, and I can’t wait for their fruition in the next few books!
Cloche & Dagger includes:
- crimes of passion
- impulsive cousins
- dashing childhood crushes
- punny puns
- quaint pubs
- monarchal politics
and of course...
- hats & knives!
How fun! This was a solid read for me. I’m diving in deep to cozy mysteries and loving them!
The characters and setting most definitely play a larger part than the plot (i.e. mystery) of the story. This allows for humor, character development, and environment to shine. In “Cloche and Dagger,” the Notting Hill, London location with all its history and quirks was the perfect backdrop. I had never heard of “millinery” before, and I definitely didn’t know what a “cloche” was! However, that didn’t prevent my enjoyment. I ended up loving the hat shop location and the British way of life. The romantic tension and relationships were beginning to be fleshed out, and I can’t wait for their fruition in the next few books!
Cloche & Dagger includes:
- crimes of passion
- impulsive cousins
- dashing childhood crushes
- punny puns
- quaint pubs
- monarchal politics
and of course...
- hats & knives!
cskinner's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and enjoyable in a silly and predictable way. Feather light reading!