Linda S. (Ladyslott) reviewed The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 22
This book had a great premise, a âfish out of water' story of a librarian from London who takes a job in rural Ireland only to find the library closed and all the books missing. He then decides to solve the mystery of the missing books. I love books, I love mysteries and I like books set in countries other than my own, so what's not to like about this book? Unfortunately just about everything. I found the main character, a nebbishy Jewish vegetarian named Israel, to be so annoying I wanted to smack him upside the head more than once. All of the local people he meets are eccentric beyond belief, and scenarios are repeated more than once, losing whatever charm they had along the way. The plot about the missing books, and its ridiculous resolution, was unbelievable and more than a little flimsy. All in all a waste of a couple of days vacation time.
Karen S. (CacaoBear) reviewed The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library, Bk 1) on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I just LOVE mysteries about books. Usually.
Unfortunately, the characters and storyline in this book were so woefully underdeveloped that the only reason I finished it was sheer cussedness!
Four days after finishing it, I can't call to mind a single memorable scene.
Unfortunately, the characters and storyline in this book were so woefully underdeveloped that the only reason I finished it was sheer cussedness!
Four days after finishing it, I can't call to mind a single memorable scene.
Helpful Score: 10
Nice little story about Israel Armstrong, a librarian, who gets a job in a small North Ireland town - only it's not what he expected it to be. The library is closed and he even has to find all the books. The writing style gets a little repetitive and tedious after a while, but a nice read, nevertheless.
Helpful Score: 5
If you like mysteries, literature and comedy-- this is a great series. Because the author lives in Northern Ireland, American readers will be unfamiliar with some of the references. The author is British like Israel, the protagonist. I've been to a number of the places mentioned - the dialogue and setting are spot-on, as they might say over the pond. Try a computer search engine if you find that you don't understand what Israel is all about.
Kathleen J. (cozyreader) reviewed The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library, Bk 1) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this series and have read all of them. You have to be able to deal with the main character, though, who is an unbelievable loser, BUT VERY FUNNY. Don't try to like Isreal(main character- a British Woody Allen) and you will enjoy this. It is more about the townspeople trying to get him in line then about him being wonderful.
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 1
Couldn't finish this book. To me, it just wasn't interesting, I didn't like the main character, or any of the others I met in the first 52 pages, and found myself not caring whether Israel Armstrong ever got his mobile library going or not. Disappointing.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting little book. Very easy and ucomplicated read. Sets a good base for the next books in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
First in the series of an Irish bookmobile librarian. Main character very quirky, other characters equally unusual. Irish language colorful, very dialogue driven writing. Plot so-so.
Cynthia (cswetzel) reviewed The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
If you enjoy run-on sentences (I realize it is for stylistic reasons, but it still gets really tiring) and... hm.... let me just say it was an okay book, a fast, light read, and a bit of an unpredictable resolution. Not sure I care about Israel Armstrong's further adventures... but I'm willing to try again (she says, placing the other series books on her wishlist).
Gary F. (garythefowler) reviewed The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
Great silly fun! One or two evenings--three at most--and well worth the diversion. Israel Armstrong travels from London to Tumdrum, in rural Ireland. There the adventures begin, entangled with odd and unlikely characters, confusing local dialect, and more adventure than he wants or deserves. It took me about 50 pages to get into it, but maybe I just had to slow down and settle into the style and pace. Glad I did. The unexpected mishaps, odd names, and creative right-on descriptions made me laugh out loud once it got going. Not like most of what sells these days, which makes it a welcome diversion. I recommend!
An unusual mystery with local Irish color.
