First off, both mysteries are very well done and mostly satisfying. The solution to the overarching mystery is a bit stretched, in my opinion, but I'm willing to overlook it because the ride to get their was filled with enough happy solutions.

However, it is shocking to me that this author continues to dance along the edge of good and bad LGBT representation. This is now the second series (the first being The Word is Murder) where portrayal of gay relationships, people, and plot threads falls flat more often than I was comfortable. It's a complicated issue and one that I think, mostly, comes from a place of good intention. I will 100% continue reading this series and the other mentioned, but I'm not sure how far down this line Horowitz can go.

Content Warnings

The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

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emotional funny hopeful medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

Really good - though very much a trigger warning for suicide and death. Wallace’s character development is a bit rushed, but the world, the people, the romance, and the characters make for a cozy read.

Content Warnings

Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

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adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud

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funny informative medium-paced

4.0

China by Edward Rutherfurd

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adventurous challenging informative reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book gave me a lot of vibes - boredom, interest, shock, humor, laughter - but overall it’s a historical fiction that taught me about a place that I knew little about. Some characters are more successfully written than others and the pacing is a bit verbose, but I still enjoyed my time in Rutherford’s almost-real world. It makes me want to read some of his previous work.

Content Warnings

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-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

2.75

Unfortunately, this is not one of Christie’s best works. It’s over-stuffed, meandering, and the characters haven’t aged well into 2021. That being said - it’s still entertaining if only because Christie is magnetic in her simple prose.

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joeytruty's reviews 148 reviews

joeytruty's reviews
148 reviews