A review by saber
Scandal Above Stairs, by Jennifer Ashley
3.0
2.5 stars - overall rating should be two stars, but I'm still hoping the series will get better and decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.
This is one of those books/series in which I love the premise, but the execution has much to be desired. The mystery is once again a bit weak and the investigation had me rolling my eyes at times. Everything just felt so lame...
I really like Kat's character, but I don't see why people respect her opinion so much in matters of intrigue. She's intelligent, but her observations aren't much better than the average layman, and certainly shouldn't be better than the police's. It really just makes me think she has slightly above average intelligence and is surrounded by idiots.
And I can't explain it, but half the time some 'epiphany' to the case is explained or when the villains at the end describe they're 'diabolical plans', it feels stupid. Okay, maybe 'stupid' isn't the right word - simplistic. I guess for a mystery it just isn't clever enough to grab my attention.
But, despite all that, I really like the characters - especially Kat, and I love the whole premise. I do plan on reading the next book when it comes out, but this will be the last time I give a 3 star rating if the mystery/investigation doesn't improve. I really like the authors historical-romances and her overall writing style, it's just the mystery aspect I am struggling with.
This is one of those books/series in which I love the premise, but the execution has much to be desired. The mystery is once again a bit weak and the investigation had me rolling my eyes at times. Everything just felt so lame...
I really like Kat's character, but I don't see why people respect her opinion so much in matters of intrigue. She's intelligent, but her observations aren't much better than the average layman, and certainly shouldn't be better than the police's. It really just makes me think she has slightly above average intelligence and is surrounded by idiots.
And I can't explain it, but half the time some 'epiphany' to the case is explained or when the villains at the end describe they're 'diabolical plans', it feels stupid. Okay, maybe 'stupid' isn't the right word - simplistic. I guess for a mystery it just isn't clever enough to grab my attention.
But, despite all that, I really like the characters - especially Kat, and I love the whole premise. I do plan on reading the next book when it comes out, but this will be the last time I give a 3 star rating if the mystery/investigation doesn't improve. I really like the authors historical-romances and her overall writing style, it's just the mystery aspect I am struggling with.