redhead_reader's reviews
767 reviews
Hammers and Homicide by Paula Charles
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A fun, cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading it as a change of pace to my usual thrillers. It was pretty predictable as far as whodunit, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved the wholesome, small town vibe of the book. It reminded me a little of my own hometown and Dawna’s sassy personality reminded me a bit of my own mother at times. It’s a quick read and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fast paced, light and cozy mystery.
I’m looking forward to picking up my next cozy mystery!
I’m looking forward to picking up my next cozy mystery!
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My favorite Alice Feeney so far!
I loved this darker take on the classic And then there were None locked room mystery. The perfect thriller for Halloween and spooky season.
So many twists and turns, in classic Feeney fashion. It kept me guessing up until the very end.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a Halloween read or anyone who loves a good locked room mystery.
I loved this darker take on the classic And then there were None locked room mystery. The perfect thriller for Halloween and spooky season.
So many twists and turns, in classic Feeney fashion. It kept me guessing up until the very end.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a Halloween read or anyone who loves a good locked room mystery.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
This book wasn’t for me. It is a gothic, lite horror novel that will probably be a great spooky read for someone else, just not for me.
The first half of the book was okay but it wasn’t anything special to me. If the book continued on that trajectory I would have given it a solid 3 star review. It moved slow and I kinda figured I knew where it was going but then when the actual plot twist hit I pretty much out the book down and was kinda mad that I wasted my time reading this book.
*Spoiler below*
Incidentally, that’s also how I felt after watching The Happening. I figured the mold was going to be the reason for Catalina and Noemi’s issues but it went above and beyond toxic mold, to unbelievable ridiculous levels.
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, except for Francis…until I didn’t like him either(of course I didn’t finish the book so maybe he has a redemption arc idk). As other reviewers point out, you expect Mexico from the title but it focuses on a gross English family obsessed with a superior race. And as others have pointed out it’s supposed to take place in the 1950s, but aside from some random pop culture references sprinkled in, there’s not really anything that feels 1950s. It could have been modern day. You also don’t really see Catalina, the entire reason Noemi even goes to High Place, and she’s like a minor character.
The first half of the book was okay but it wasn’t anything special to me. If the book continued on that trajectory I would have given it a solid 3 star review. It moved slow and I kinda figured I knew where it was going but then when the actual plot twist hit I pretty much out the book down and was kinda mad that I wasted my time reading this book.
*Spoiler below*
Incidentally, that’s also how I felt after watching The Happening. I figured the mold was going to be the reason for Catalina and Noemi’s issues but it went above and beyond toxic mold, to unbelievable ridiculous levels.
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, except for Francis…until I didn’t like him either(of course I didn’t finish the book so maybe he has a redemption arc idk). As other reviewers point out, you expect Mexico from the title but it focuses on a gross English family obsessed with a superior race. And as others have pointed out it’s supposed to take place in the 1950s, but aside from some random pop culture references sprinkled in, there’s not really anything that feels 1950s. It could have been modern day. You also don’t really see Catalina, the entire reason Noemi even goes to High Place, and she’s like a minor character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Incest, Racism, and Sexual assault
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What did I just read?
This book started out pretty decent, but that last quarter of the book was too much. It went from what could have been a 3.5-4 star read for me to a 2.5 star read.
The main plot twist did not do it for me at all, which is a shame because I’ve come to really enjoy Riley Sager’s books.
However, now that I’ve read all of his published books, I can say that my poor review of this book in no way reflects the actual quality of this book. This could very well be a 5 star read for someone else, it just didn’t work for me and is my least favorite of his books.
Still, it was a great fit for a spooky October read, even if I didn’t end up liking how the book ended.
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’m going to be in the minority here, but this is my favorite Riley Sager.
I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning and finished the book in less than 24 hours.
Highly recommend for Riley Sager fans, movie buffs, and anyone looking for a late 80’s/early 90’s nostalgia thriller.
I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning and finished the book in less than 24 hours.
Highly recommend for Riley Sager fans, movie buffs, and anyone looking for a late 80’s/early 90’s nostalgia thriller.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A cozy atmospheric witchy read.
To be honest, it was hard for me to get into. It didn’t really take off for me until about the halfway point, but I’m so glad I stuck it out.
It’s a very sweet, fun book and perfect for autumn or anytime you need a witchy pick me up.
It’s an inclusive read with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation.
It is probably technically a romance, but it’s light on spice. Tropes include grumpy/sunshine and found family.
Ken and Ian are my favorite characters 😊
To be honest, it was hard for me to get into. It didn’t really take off for me until about the halfway point, but I’m so glad I stuck it out.
It’s a very sweet, fun book and perfect for autumn or anytime you need a witchy pick me up.
It’s an inclusive read with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation.
It is probably technically a romance, but it’s light on spice. Tropes include grumpy/sunshine and found family.
Ken and Ian are my favorite characters 😊
Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee
adventurous
tense
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? No
4.0
I really liked this retelling of the Arthurian Legend.
It’s a modern story that combines fantasy and sci-fi for an apocalyptic story featuring the heroes of the Arthurian Legend. It’s very heavy on the environment and the impact humans have had on it…hence the apocalyptic setting.
It is a bit cliche in some regards, but I enjoyed the overall message of the book.
I also liked the representation offered in the book which features a BIPOC FMC and MMC, along with LGBTQIA+ representation.
I also really liked the author’s writing and humor, it reminded me of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s style of storytelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the copy of this eARC.
Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
adventurous
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