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A review by thephdivabooks
Tightrope by Amanda Quick
3.0
I didn’t actually realize this was the third in a series when I read it but I was able to jump right in. I did go check a few other reviewers once I realized this and those who have read the full series said that while it may have a few characters here and there that overlap, this can be read as a standalone and the series itself can be read out of order. Thank goodness because I definitely would love to read more!
Set in the 1930s, the story centers around Amalie Vaughn, a former trapeze artist who escaped an attack from notorious serial killer nicknamed “The Death Catcher” and who specifically targeted trapeze artists. Amalie has used her family inheritance to purchase a villa in California resort town Burning Cove, with the goal of turning it into an inn. When her first guest is murdered by the very robot he invented during an exhibition, Amalie worries about it damaging the reputation of her inn, especially since there was another famous death at the villa before she purchased it. When the attractive and dangerous Matthias Jones arrives to investigate the most recent death, things get a bit more interesting around the inn.
Sometimes books from certain era can have leads who feel a bit dated but I didn’t find that to be the case with Amalie and Matthias. Amalie is a savvy business woman (where she learned to do this after a career as a trapeze artist I can’t say; maybe a bit of razzle dazzle). I did at times find the dialogue to be a bit of a weak point. It was at times contrived and repetitive. I also didn’t find Matthias to be as well-developed as he probably needed to be. The book is more plot-driven than character-driven.
Overall and quick and easy read, though nothing groundbreaking. Historical mystery fans who like a bit of romance will enjoy!
Set in the 1930s, the story centers around Amalie Vaughn, a former trapeze artist who escaped an attack from notorious serial killer nicknamed “The Death Catcher” and who specifically targeted trapeze artists. Amalie has used her family inheritance to purchase a villa in California resort town Burning Cove, with the goal of turning it into an inn. When her first guest is murdered by the very robot he invented during an exhibition, Amalie worries about it damaging the reputation of her inn, especially since there was another famous death at the villa before she purchased it. When the attractive and dangerous Matthias Jones arrives to investigate the most recent death, things get a bit more interesting around the inn.
Sometimes books from certain era can have leads who feel a bit dated but I didn’t find that to be the case with Amalie and Matthias. Amalie is a savvy business woman (where she learned to do this after a career as a trapeze artist I can’t say; maybe a bit of razzle dazzle). I did at times find the dialogue to be a bit of a weak point. It was at times contrived and repetitive. I also didn’t find Matthias to be as well-developed as he probably needed to be. The book is more plot-driven than character-driven.
Overall and quick and easy read, though nothing groundbreaking. Historical mystery fans who like a bit of romance will enjoy!