Helpful Score: 7
While this book is a little darker than most cozies, it was excellent and I enjoyed it immensely. Great character development and tension building. I found myself thinking about this book several times a day, which is a good sign, as I only read it at night. I also read as long as I possibly could when I did lie down at night to read. Lily is believable, and I feel like I know the area in which she lives very well. I am sad to learn that there are only five books in this series as Charlaine Harris went on to write the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series and never went back to this series. It is being reprinted by Berkely Prime Crime, as the original series was published by Dell
Second Lilly Bard book, wonderful. At first you think you missed something because she refers to a fight that took place earlier, but later in the book she explains everything.
Lily Bard continues to satisfy my idea of a strong woman with some chinks in her armor. The introduction of a new man in life adds a lot of spice to this well-written mystery.
Go Lily!
Mary Ruth
Go Lily!
Mary Ruth
I enjoyed this series
Tense and exciting, written around the theme of racial injustice in Shakespeare, Arkansas, Lily Bard's home town. She's a gojo expert and well able to handle the action. New, unread book.
2nd book in series of lily bard mystery does not disappoint as good as the first
Penny T. (iluvmysteries) reviewed Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard, Bk 2) on + 431 more book reviews
I enjoy all of Charlaine Harris' books, but this series is my favorite.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Enjoyable mystery. Second entry in the Lily Bard mystery series.
This book was very good. She uses her gift to help people but her life is about much more than that. It is a must read.
Lovely short read. Engrossing characters, easy 2 follow plot
I really like these series. I read the 3rd book before this 2nd in the series, which messed up my enjoyment a little, because I sort of new what happened, but it's still a good series. I love the author's writing style.
Melissa A. (melymermaid) -
Can I say wow?...
I mean, I knew Lily's story was gonna be dark. I expected her to be depressed to the point of making the reader depressed. Of course, I expected her to work out her issues throughout the story. What I did not expect was the story to be so good. The character to be so strong. Lily does have some serious issues to work with, and a heavy burden on her shoulders, but she is not miserable. She is not depressing. She is resourceful, a fighter... so much more than a survivor. I read the story and felt ashamed for all those times I've whined about petty nuisances, which are nothing compared to what Lily went through. I also felt proud of her for fighting her way out of the darkness and refuse being pitied and being treated like a victim.
This book series is a must-read for mystery novels. But it is also a must-read for women of all ages. I loved it.
I mean, I knew Lily's story was gonna be dark. I expected her to be depressed to the point of making the reader depressed. Of course, I expected her to work out her issues throughout the story. What I did not expect was the story to be so good. The character to be so strong. Lily does have some serious issues to work with, and a heavy burden on her shoulders, but she is not miserable. She is not depressing. She is resourceful, a fighter... so much more than a survivor. I read the story and felt ashamed for all those times I've whined about petty nuisances, which are nothing compared to what Lily went through. I also felt proud of her for fighting her way out of the darkness and refuse being pitied and being treated like a victim.
This book series is a must-read for mystery novels. But it is also a must-read for women of all ages. I loved it.
Love the entire series!
Lily is a strong but wounded heroine and Jack is a tough hero with a past. Some of the descriptions of violence are fairly graphic. A good mystery about the increasing racial mistrust and violence in small town Arkansas.
Lisa B. (momof3boysandagirl) reviewed Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard, Bk 2) on + 58 more book reviews
Very pleased with this book! I was worried that this series wouldn't get rolling after so much was dedicated to the body building in the first installment. The real Harris is starting to shine thru again.
#2 in the Lily Bard series -
a great little mystery in typical Charlaine Harris style; a quick read!
a great little mystery in typical Charlaine Harris style; a quick read!
There's something rotten in Shakespeare... Lily Bard was running from shattering memories when she moved to Shakespeare, Arkansas. Now cleaning houses pays her bills. Working out helps her heal. Still protecting her scars, she hides a hard body and impressive skill at martial arts under baggy sweats. And nobody knows how strong she is until racial violence has her looking behind closed doors for a killer -- doors to which a housecleaner might have the key.
When Lily uses her training in goju to help a black man jumped by white teens, she does it for justice...only to hear he's been abducted and beaten to death a few weeks later. Then a bodybuilder is killed at her gym. Both incidents jar Lily's need for security and refuge. Looking into closets, sweeping under rugs, she soon uncovers enough dirt to confirm that something sinister is growing in her adopted town. Getting involved could endanger her life. But Lily is seeing a new man and dreaming new dreams. And no one can make this strong woman run again.
When Lily uses her training in goju to help a black man jumped by white teens, she does it for justice...only to hear he's been abducted and beaten to death a few weeks later. Then a bodybuilder is killed at her gym. Both incidents jar Lily's need for security and refuge. Looking into closets, sweeping under rugs, she soon uncovers enough dirt to confirm that something sinister is growing in her adopted town. Getting involved could endanger her life. But Lily is seeing a new man and dreaming new dreams. And no one can make this strong woman run again.
Great book! This book is as good as the first book. The action moves easily and enjoyably.
I like the Shakespeare series the best of all the Charlaine Harris series. Lily Bard is a very strong character. She matures over the story arc of the series, and gets stronger and yet a bit more vulnerable at the same time. I am very sorry that Charlaine feels she has gone as far as she can go with Lily Bard; our loss as readers, that's for sure.
This series is so good I hardly notice that its a fast read. The characters are colorful & mysterous. Lily remains strong, while her usually subtle town explodes around her.
Great book, most sets that have more then two books to it kind of get redundent well this set dose not. It just gets better and better. This is my Third Set i have read by her
another good book in part of a good series.
Great book. Great series. Really enjoy this author. Suggest starting with the first book of the series.
Danielle R. (danielleraybuck) reviewed Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard, Bk 2) on + 76 more book reviews
Finished this book in a day, it's slightly over 200 pages. Cute storyline and wonderful character development.
I still find the main character, Lily, to be grating and not very likeable, but with the addition of Jack the book is more enjoyable. I'll read the rest in the series.
This one Lily falls in love. Whew.. Liked it the best.
This is a great series.
