I love Deborah Crombie's novels. The main characters and their lives are fun to follow through the series, and the mysteries themselves are well done...moreI love Deborah Crombie's novels. The main characters and their lives are fun to follow through the series, and the mysteries themselves are well done and believable. This one is notable for the way in which she immerses readers in the world of rowing. The involvement of officers within the force gave this installment a "Prime Suspect" feel--high praise, coming from me. (less)
I loved reading this and actually thought it was much stronger than The Magicians. Grossman has really hit his stride here. Julia's story, told in alt...moreI loved reading this and actually thought it was much stronger than The Magicians. Grossman has really hit his stride here. Julia's story, told in alternating chapters throughout, is fascinating and inventive, and her striving and angst is less frustrating and annoying, less merely adolescent, than Quentin's felt in the first book. The final scenes in this novel are unforgettable--one terrifying and sickening, all fascinatingly vivid in their imaginative detail--and Grossman also has some great moments of humor throughout (e.g., after the talking sloth tells Quentin that sloths remain hanging in their trees after death "[o]ften well into the process of decomposition" and he replies, "I did not know that," Grossman writes, "It wasn't an easy ball to throw back."). I look forward eagerly to more adventures in this series. (less)
These remind me of Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series, and I like them for the same reason. Each mystery involves the same core group of characters-...moreThese remind me of Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series, and I like them for the same reason. Each mystery involves the same core group of characters--Gamache and his team and the villagers of Three Pines. The tone is, as in Hill's series, a bit melancholy, though Gamache is not as tortured as Simon. (less)
This one was not as interesting as the previous two--not sure if the novelty of the series has worn off for me, but I didn't find it as funny, either....moreThis one was not as interesting as the previous two--not sure if the novelty of the series has worn off for me, but I didn't find it as funny, either. Still enjoyable, but I might not be rushing to get the next one in the series. (less)
Reading these books is like visiting old friends...all the usual foibles, from Mma Makutsi's great gleaming glasses to Mma Ramotswe's traditional buil...moreReading these books is like visiting old friends...all the usual foibles, from Mma Makutsi's great gleaming glasses to Mma Ramotswe's traditional build, red bush tea, and little white van, still entertain me. The sudden appearance of Clovis Andersen, author of Principles of Private Detection, in the women's world is delightful. (less)
I always love these books. This one was enjoyable...nothing earth-shattering, but a great escape into the lives of this group of people living in Edin...moreI always love these books. This one was enjoyable...nothing earth-shattering, but a great escape into the lives of this group of people living in Edinburgh. (less)
Sort of a guilty pleasure...I was curious to see what had happened to these characters. This novel picks up when the girls are 29 going on 30. There a...moreSort of a guilty pleasure...I was curious to see what had happened to these characters. This novel picks up when the girls are 29 going on 30. There are some well written passages in here--I especially liked some of the scenes toward the end of the novel. (less)
Sequel to Incredible Book of Hypnotism, continues a charming series in which Molly, Rocky, the orphans and her pug Petula head to Hollywood at Oscars...moreSequel to Incredible Book of Hypnotism, continues a charming series in which Molly, Rocky, the orphans and her pug Petula head to Hollywood at Oscars time to stop a Rupert Murdoch-esque character named Primo Cell.(less)
Sequel of sorts to Case Histories, and just as good, which is saying a lot. Jackson Brodie, the PI from Case Histories, returns in this novel and find...moreSequel of sorts to Case Histories, and just as good, which is saying a lot. Jackson Brodie, the PI from Case Histories, returns in this novel and finds himself caught up in a convergence of strange events including a traffic accident that leads to attempted murder and the mysterious drowning of a young woman.(less)
I thought this was Penny's best yet. The three storylines worked well together, and I think the break from Three Pines as the exclusive setting was a...moreI thought this was Penny's best yet. The three storylines worked well together, and I think the break from Three Pines as the exclusive setting was a wise move. Emotionally effective, suspenseful, and memorable. (less)
This has all the elements of a successful book of its sort, and while I enjoyed it to an extent, it didn't grab me. The main character, Kate, is winni...moreThis has all the elements of a successful book of its sort, and while I enjoyed it to an extent, it didn't grab me. The main character, Kate, is winning, but it was a bit too Tolkienish (dwarves, e.g.) for my taste. A quick, fun read, though. (less)
With this novel, the series made a quantum leap for me. The mystery here was more complex, and the character development of Gamache and several of the...moreWith this novel, the series made a quantum leap for me. The mystery here was more complex, and the character development of Gamache and several of the other villagers, particularly the Morrows (who were featured in the previous book), was subtler and more effective than in the early books in the series. The mystery introduced here is continued in the next novel. Great read--compelling and thought-provoking, clever and sophisticated. (less)
Based on the premise, I expected to like this one, but I found it silly where it was trying to be clever. Compared in other reviews to the Lemony Snic...moreBased on the premise, I expected to like this one, but I found it silly where it was trying to be clever. Compared in other reviews to the Lemony Snicket books, I actually think those are better--perhaps because they're even more over the top. (less)
If you like the Tomie dePaola picture books, you will like this series. It's a great chapter book for kids ready to make the transition, because there...moreIf you like the Tomie dePaola picture books, you will like this series. It's a great chapter book for kids ready to make the transition, because there's at least one small picture on every page. The stories are warm, simple, and contain the right amount of detail for a young reader. (less)
**spoiler alert** Breezy, fun read: in this installment, all the girls are preparing to go to college. Carmen, who will follow in her dad's footsteps...more**spoiler alert** Breezy, fun read: in this installment, all the girls are preparing to go to college. Carmen, who will follow in her dad's footsteps at Williams, has a sudden change of heart when she learns that her mother Christina is expecting a baby with her new husband David. Lena, still trying to recover from her romance in Greece with Kostos, is inspired by her wheelchair-bound drawing teacher Annik to fight for a merit scholarship to RISDE when Lena's dad refuses to pay her tuition. Tibby's friendship with Brian blossoms into romance and a near-tragedy involving her three-year-old sister Katherine helps her to realize the benefits of big sisterhood. Bee, coaching at the soccer camp she once attended, is thrown together with Eric, the older boy who slept with her in the first book. (less)
Jackson Brodie investigates a series of coincidentally related incidents involving a missing toddler (Olivia Land), a seemingly random murder (Laura W...moreJackson Brodie investigates a series of coincidentally related incidents involving a missing toddler (Olivia Land), a seemingly random murder (Laura Wyre) and a grisly killing of husband by his young wife (Michelle ?). Very well written and cleverly plotted. (less)
Set in a monastery, this novel does not include the characters from Three Pines, but the backstories of Gamache and Beauvoir are more than enough to s...moreSet in a monastery, this novel does not include the characters from Three Pines, but the backstories of Gamache and Beauvoir are more than enough to sustain the subplot involving their relationship. The mystery itself was compelling, the setting and characterization captivating (to me, at least). This did not disappoint; Penny maintains her high standard here. (less)
**spoiler alert** Last installment, and the stories are similar: Carmen becomes an actress and wises up to a vampirish friend, Bee engages in yet anot...more**spoiler alert** Last installment, and the stories are similar: Carmen becomes an actress and wises up to a vampirish friend, Bee engages in yet another illicit affair but ultimately returns to her boyfriend and her family, Tibby breaks up and gets back together with Brian after a pregnancy scare due to a broken condom, and Lena poses nude and sleeps with a fellow artist at school before reuniting with the divorced Kostos in Greece. The pants are lost at the end and all four friends travel to Greece to find them, without success.(less)
Tana French seems to get better and better with each book. This one was so genuinely suspenseful, disturbing, clever, and thought-provoking, and the w...moreTana French seems to get better and better with each book. This one was so genuinely suspenseful, disturbing, clever, and thought-provoking, and the ways in which Mike "Scorcher" Kennedy's story resonated with the case worked subtly and enriched both plots. Recommended. I'm curious to see who her next protagonist will be--Quigley? That would be interesting.(less)
I liked both the detective--Maeve Kerrigan--and the case. Although one strand of the plot seemed extraneous, it did allow Casey to achieve certain end...moreI liked both the detective--Maeve Kerrigan--and the case. Although one strand of the plot seemed extraneous, it did allow Casey to achieve certain ends with her characters. I will check out the next novel in this series. (less)
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