dochie1984's review against another edition
3.0
Don't say this often, book was ok, but TV show is better!! Love James Norton;)
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Peaceful, thoughtful stories, reminiscent on a small scale of G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown tales and in some ways, Alexander McCall Smith’s Detective Varga series. This is not a series to seek out if you’re looking for fast-paced action, gore, and/or racy sex scenes. But it is an excellent series to help one slow down, appreciate the smaller things in life (and beautiful prose), and be thoughtful. These tales are gentle, and Canon Chambers is a kind, philosophical, yet very human hero that one cannot help but encourage.
k5tog's review against another edition
4.0
If you are looking for an exact replica of the Grantchester series from PBS (BBC?), this is not it. There are many story lines that are different in the book. However, if you're looking for a period piece with light mysteries, this could be it. Set in Grantchester and Cambridge in the 1950s, the tone is often somber and reflective - as the life of someone who has gone through the brutalities of war can be. But the character development is very good; the scene setting is great; and there is no gratuitous blood, gore or sex - which I think makes the mysteries more interesting.
donnagrayce's review against another edition
4.0
Aww: a novel about a priest that didn't make me, a devout Christian in ministry, wince at the Christian-isms. I could believe in and like Sidney and his friends without rolling my eyes at the depiction of his vocation. I like the episodic plot structure. I'd seen season 1 of the TV series first, and I like this book better. I'll seek out and read more of these.
wmdwight's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hannahjoy91's review against another edition
4.0
"Canon Sidney Chambers had never intended to become a detective."
These were the ultimate cosy mysteries and I enjoyed them immensely!
I say 'these' because within this one book are about six short stories, each containing its own mystery and each story interwoven with the next.
The little town of Granchester, Cambridge where this series is set is a quaint little place during the 1950s with a host of interesting characters that you meet along the way.
Sidney is such an endearing fellow and I quickly fell for his quiet English charm!
I found that these mysteries were not on the same level of suspenseful mystery as a Christie novel, but they were still very gripping & I always found myself turning the page to find out what would happen next and struggled to put it down!
I liked the fact that there weren't only murders but things like art thefts and stolen jewellery.
I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series & return to Granchester & all its charming residents & intriguing plot mysteries soon!
These were the ultimate cosy mysteries and I enjoyed them immensely!
I say 'these' because within this one book are about six short stories, each containing its own mystery and each story interwoven with the next.
The little town of Granchester, Cambridge where this series is set is a quaint little place during the 1950s with a host of interesting characters that you meet along the way.
Sidney is such an endearing fellow and I quickly fell for his quiet English charm!
I found that these mysteries were not on the same level of suspenseful mystery as a Christie novel, but they were still very gripping & I always found myself turning the page to find out what would happen next and struggled to put it down!
I liked the fact that there weren't only murders but things like art thefts and stolen jewellery.
I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series & return to Granchester & all its charming residents & intriguing plot mysteries soon!
einstein7931's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
cthuwu's review against another edition
4.0
couldn't tell you anything about the plot (i read this is a bit ago), but i do remember liking it.
ruthailuj's review against another edition
4.0
After watching Grantchester I was interested in the original stories the show was based on. Listening I has assumed that they were old. They are very low key, very little blood or violence. The style is similar to other mysteries written in the 40's or 50's I'm familiar with. But they aren't old, written in the 2000's. It's great to find something written so well that it stands on it's own, not relying on violence, sex, profanity, or fast paced action.
marlo_c's review against another edition
3.0
Sidney is rather charming, but the book itself lacked cohesiveness. It was a slow read for me. Perhaps because I'm not British? But the dialogue was rather clipped and dry.