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nolegirl's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pulchro24's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
ginalyn's review
2.0
This was an okay plot line with no character work and bad writing. If round myself lost in scenes due to the lack of sentences which placed characters in setting or transitioned spaces or time. It was a little creative and I liked the antiques though so that why it was over a 1
katreader's review
3.0
FAKE DEATH by Victoria Tait
The First Dotty Sayers Antiques Mystery
Recovering from a head injury, Dottie Sayers is happy to be working at Akemans Auction House. Reluctantly, she agrees to take part of a Remembrance Parade honoring her late husband and all soldiers who died in the line of duty. Shocked when the body of a soldier is found after the parade, Dottie soon realizes she recognizes the man. As she assists the auction house in appraising items, she winds up discovering that the man was not who he appeared to be. Will Dottie be able to put the pieces together and solve the mystery?
FAKE DEATH is a perplexing mystery. As I started to read I soon became confused. Dottie's head injury was continually mentioned, as was the attack that caused it. But what attack? By whom? I thought I had made an error and started this series a book or so in, but no, this was the first in the series. Indeed for most of the book I felt as if I was missing something important.
Dotty acts more like a victim than a protagonist. She appears meek and subservient to pretty much everyone. I really liked Sarah and hoped she'd help Dottie come into her own. The story itself was interesting. I quite liked how the identities of the victim were revealed and Dottie's growing realizations as to what was going on. I loved Norman and Earl Grey and was captivated by the Duke's story.
FAKE DEATH highlights appearances and honor in a Cotswold mystery.
The First Dotty Sayers Antiques Mystery
Recovering from a head injury, Dottie Sayers is happy to be working at Akemans Auction House. Reluctantly, she agrees to take part of a Remembrance Parade honoring her late husband and all soldiers who died in the line of duty. Shocked when the body of a soldier is found after the parade, Dottie soon realizes she recognizes the man. As she assists the auction house in appraising items, she winds up discovering that the man was not who he appeared to be. Will Dottie be able to put the pieces together and solve the mystery?
FAKE DEATH is a perplexing mystery. As I started to read I soon became confused. Dottie's head injury was continually mentioned, as was the attack that caused it. But what attack? By whom? I thought I had made an error and started this series a book or so in, but no, this was the first in the series. Indeed for most of the book I felt as if I was missing something important.
Dotty acts more like a victim than a protagonist. She appears meek and subservient to pretty much everyone. I really liked Sarah and hoped she'd help Dottie come into her own. The story itself was interesting. I quite liked how the identities of the victim were revealed and Dottie's growing realizations as to what was going on. I loved Norman and Earl Grey and was captivated by the Duke's story.
FAKE DEATH highlights appearances and honor in a Cotswold mystery.
wilko's review
4.0
So I was a bit lost to begin with as I wasn't aware there was a prequal for this book Hour is Come as it wasn't noted at the beginning of the book or on the Amazon page for the series I only found out from another review left.
This book starts off with Dotty who appears quiet sheltered and not use to making her own decisions recovering from a head wound and starting at new job at Akemans Antiques, which leads her to meeting new people as well as going out to help look at antiques which is great until it appears a dead body and some of her friends may be involved. This is a great cozy mystery where you have a good few suspects as well as a red herring or too while getting to know some fun and quirky characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book starts off with Dotty who appears quiet sheltered and not use to making her own decisions recovering from a head wound and starting at new job at Akemans Antiques, which leads her to meeting new people as well as going out to help look at antiques which is great until it appears a dead body and some of her friends may be involved. This is a great cozy mystery where you have a good few suspects as well as a red herring or too while getting to know some fun and quirky characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
chemay's review
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bee_interrupted's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sabretooth's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this new series from Victoria Tait, we meet Dotty Sayers. A young military widow now under the care of her husband’s regiment she is excited about her new job at Akemans Auction House. She still has duties to honor her husband like the Remembrance parade for him and his fallen comrades. She is nervous about being on public display and happy when her duty is complete. Then she learns a soldier was found dead after the event. The man has no identification on his person and Dotty agrees to help the police by checking out his home. She finds some very surprising things. She soon starts to put the clues together but can she reveal the killer before she becomes their next victim?
Dotty Sayers is a very interesting protagonist. Her life has changed since the death of her husband and she is just finding her way and handling her independence. In addition to starting a new job and helping to solve a murder, she has a very big decision to make. This character grew a lot over the course of this story and it will be fun to see her continue to evolve as the series continues.
Ms. Tait has surrounded Dotty with a strong cast of supporting characters Including the very entertaining Aunt Beanie and her niece, Gilly, as well as her other workmates, Marion, George, and David. She also has to deal with men from her husband’s regiment and the authorities. Constable Varma is quite a character. A bit of a clutz but she and Dotty form a quick friendship. All these characters are cleverly crafted.
The mystery was complicated and very well-plotted. I really enjoyed the antique theme and all the background provided about the work entailed to pull off a successful auction. David and Dotty’s travels to view and photograph items were very interesting and set up the mystery part of the story so well. It puts Dotty in fantastic places to find clues and follow where they led. The author provided wonderful detail to easily see everything clearly in my mind. From Dotty’s little cottage to the many rooms at the auction house to her trips to the Colonel’s office and more, she puts us right there on the scene. A second murder late in the book was surprising and emotional for all involved. I was definitely sad to see the character removed from the story but it was key to moving the story in the right direction.
I really enjoyed Ms. Tait’s Kenya Kanga Mystery Series
An excellent mystery with engaging characters in a wonderful setting. Fake Death
, is set to be released on June 10. My bags are already packed for my next virtual return trip to the Cotswolds.
, is set to be released on June 10. My bags are already packed for my next virtual return trip to the Cotswolds.
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