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Review Date: 5/1/2020
Helpful Score: 4
This book is very confusing. One has to suspend belief while reading it but even in doing that there are too many holes in the storyline and too many unanswered questions. I was constantly flipping back in the book to remember a certain encounter or incident that was once again being mentioned. I had high hopes the ending would answer a lot of questions but sadly it did not. The premise was good but in my opinion it was poorly executed. I will not be recommending this book.
Review Date: 1/16/2019
I am loving this series. This is the second book in the author's Department Q series. It features Carl Morck who has been put in charge of Department Q, a department of one, with a stack of Copenhagen's coldest cases to review.
In the first book he is given an assistant, Assad, who brings levity to the book. In this second installment he has been given a second assistant, Rose, who is equally entertaining. It's a dark story but engrossing and entertaining all the same. I loved the great characters, the humor and the suspense. I am looking forward to Book #3.
In the first book he is given an assistant, Assad, who brings levity to the book. In this second installment he has been given a second assistant, Rose, who is equally entertaining. It's a dark story but engrossing and entertaining all the same. I loved the great characters, the humor and the suspense. I am looking forward to Book #3.
Review Date: 8/18/2016
I loved loved loved this book. The writing was excellent, the mystery was well rounded and the ending was satisfying. My only complaint was having to go back occasionally to remember something that had happened previously because there were so many players. But it is a minor complaint and doesn't take any stars away from my rating. I highly recommend!
Review Date: 3/31/2018
I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book immensely. It was a good story and written quite well. There were a few times when things were repeated a bit but not enough to stop me from reading. I have to share a quote from a reader on Goodreads with whom I totally agree.
Usually for me, suspense/thriller books are like eating M&Ms...they're good, but I don't expect to get much (literary) nutritional value out of them. This was a surprising exception however, probably because of the twists and reveals.
If you like mysteries/thrillers this book is for you!
Usually for me, suspense/thriller books are like eating M&Ms...they're good, but I don't expect to get much (literary) nutritional value out of them. This was a surprising exception however, probably because of the twists and reveals.
If you like mysteries/thrillers this book is for you!
Review Date: 3/27/2019
Helpful Score: 6
I love it when historical fiction enlightens me on a place or an event I've been unaware of. I knew nothing about the women who were spies in WWI. This book follows the story of Eve Gardiner who was inducted into the Alice Network, a spy network consisting of women, during WWI. There are two stories being told within the book. One story takes place in 1915 during WWI and other is set in 1947, two years after WWII. Eve Gardiner plays a role in both stories. I was impressed how the author included real characters along with the fictional ones. The author's notes at the end identifies which people in her book were real live heroes.
I did not think the romance that blossomed during the story was necessary. There were also a few times the book could have been edited a bit tighter as it rambled in places. All in all though it was a 4 star read for me!
I did not think the romance that blossomed during the story was necessary. There were also a few times the book could have been edited a bit tighter as it rambled in places. All in all though it was a 4 star read for me!
Review Date: 6/21/2019
This was an okay read for me, not great. The story is simple, not very original and quite predictable. I felt like Celestial was not developed at all. We just see the outcome of her actions when Roy returns from prison. Roy is left wondering what is going on with his marriage while he is in prison and so is the reader. I agree with another GR reviewer that perhaps seeing more of Celestial's point of view would have helped me understand her actions. I could not summon up any sympathy for her. It's a love story on many different levels, but it just didn't do it for me.
With all the high reviews this book is/was getting I was certainly surprised to not enjoy it more.
With all the high reviews this book is/was getting I was certainly surprised to not enjoy it more.
Review Date: 8/4/2013
Helpful Score: 3
This book is mystical, magical and beautiful. The author's writing is so descriptive I wanted to savor every word. The way Donohue puts words together is inspiring.
This is a story of love and redemption, exploring relationships between mother and daughter, sisters and friends with a little mysticism thrown in. Who are the angels in your life?
Dont rush through it. Bask in the beauty of it all.
This is a story of love and redemption, exploring relationships between mother and daughter, sisters and friends with a little mysticism thrown in. Who are the angels in your life?
Dont rush through it. Bask in the beauty of it all.
Review Date: 10/12/2015
My opinion of this book is clearly in the minority. It is a simple tale told through the eyes of a dog. The dog had my heart as I am a dog lover but the story is way too predictable and the writing is simple. Within the story there are constant analogies comparing the struggle of life to race car driving. I did not like those parts at all.
I love books that either enlighten me in some way, teach me something about a bit of history I am unaware of or keep me guessing what is coming next. I like to be kept interested! This book did none of those things for me. It attempts to tug at the heartstrings (and succeeds a little) but not enough for me to give it more than 3 stars.
I love books that either enlighten me in some way, teach me something about a bit of history I am unaware of or keep me guessing what is coming next. I like to be kept interested! This book did none of those things for me. It attempts to tug at the heartstrings (and succeeds a little) but not enough for me to give it more than 3 stars.
Review Date: 7/2/2020
This was an okay read for me. It was an easy read but too simple of a story. It was very predictable and the characters were stereotyped. Three Americans set sail for Scotland during World War II in search of the Loch Ness Monster. This in itself seemed implausible to me. There is the typical abusive husband, the wife that finally sees the light and the hero to save the day. On top of this foreseeable story, random facts regarding the war are thrown in willy nilly. Inserting these facts seemed awkward and not relevant to the story at all.
Review Date: 9/11/2019
This book had its moments when it was very good but in between those moments it dragged. The story was sweet; of two twelve year olds and their "adventures" in the summer of 1960. It was easy to read but many times boring. However, I LOVED the ending. The last 40 or so pages the story really kicked in and the ending was perfect. The ending bumped my rating up 1/2 star.
Review Date: 6/21/2015
This was a solid 4 stars for me through most of the book. Then came the ending. The ending was rushed and the mystery explained in two seconds. And there are still questions that weren't answered. Very disappointed it ended so abruptly and poorly.
I did love learning about the Katrina trees in Biloxi, Mississippi. Very interesting what sculptors did to the standing dead trees after Hurricane Katrina. Check the trees out on line!
I did love learning about the Katrina trees in Biloxi, Mississippi. Very interesting what sculptors did to the standing dead trees after Hurricane Katrina. Check the trees out on line!
Review Date: 3/21/2017
I loved the execution of this story but the story itself was one that has been told over and over again leaving me feeling bleh. The crux of the story deals with spousal abuse, bullying, rape, marriage problems, etc. It is probably better suited for readers who have not read about these subjects time and time again. The fact that the reader knows right up front that someone has been murdered is what interested me enough to continue to the end. I wanted to know who was murdered! All in all I guess it boils down to that I want to read something I haven't read before.
Review Date: 8/23/2024
There were things I liked about this book and things I disliked.
The good things: There was a scavenger hunt for Miranda, the main character, to find out a "secret". Miranda inherited a bookshop from an uncle that she hadn't seen in 16 years and he left her clues to follow. She wasn't even sure, however, why she was following these clues. The clues were very clever and incorporated quite a few book titles and quotations to find the next clue. I enjoyed all the references to the books that were used. A scavenger hunt of this kind to find something fun or a prize at the end would have been very enjoyable.
What I didn't like was the whole idea of a scavenger hunt to reveal the "big secret". It seemed like a lot of work on the part of both parties when the truth could have and should have just been told to Miranda. I love scavenger hunts for the fun of it. This hunt was to reveal a hurtful secret that should have been dealt with in a more loving and passionate way. I guess though if she had just been told, there would not have been a story to tell.
The good things: There was a scavenger hunt for Miranda, the main character, to find out a "secret". Miranda inherited a bookshop from an uncle that she hadn't seen in 16 years and he left her clues to follow. She wasn't even sure, however, why she was following these clues. The clues were very clever and incorporated quite a few book titles and quotations to find the next clue. I enjoyed all the references to the books that were used. A scavenger hunt of this kind to find something fun or a prize at the end would have been very enjoyable.
What I didn't like was the whole idea of a scavenger hunt to reveal the "big secret". It seemed like a lot of work on the part of both parties when the truth could have and should have just been told to Miranda. I love scavenger hunts for the fun of it. This hunt was to reveal a hurtful secret that should have been dealt with in a more loving and passionate way. I guess though if she had just been told, there would not have been a story to tell.
Review Date: 11/24/2017
This is not a boring book and it kept me turning the pages. The subject matter of the torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities back in the 50's was interesting and a bit disturbing to say the least. And the mystery within the story was well rounded.
Why then did I give this book only 3 stars? I feel my reading interests have matured and I prefer a book that stimulates my brain a bit more. The story was just a little too simple for me. I do know if I had read this book in my 20's I would have rated this book 4-5 stars.
It is definitely a beach time, summertime book and perfect if you want to take a break and read something light.
Why then did I give this book only 3 stars? I feel my reading interests have matured and I prefer a book that stimulates my brain a bit more. The story was just a little too simple for me. I do know if I had read this book in my 20's I would have rated this book 4-5 stars.
It is definitely a beach time, summertime book and perfect if you want to take a break and read something light.
Review Date: 4/29/2019
I read this book 10 years ago and loved it. I just reread it for my book club and it still holds strong. It was as good as I remember it being the first time I read it. This isn't your normal who done it scenario. I thought it was very cleverly plotted and interesting to read.
Three cold case mysteries are brought to the attention of Jackson Brodie, ex-cop turned private investigator. He is asked by three different people to look into crimes that happened years earlier. The three cases seem to be totally unrelated but by the end of the book you find out how they are somewhat connected. Crimes are solved, questions are answered but not all the questions. Perhaps some will be answered in the next Jackson Brodie book, One Good Turn which I'm looking forward to reading.
1 like
Three cold case mysteries are brought to the attention of Jackson Brodie, ex-cop turned private investigator. He is asked by three different people to look into crimes that happened years earlier. The three cases seem to be totally unrelated but by the end of the book you find out how they are somewhat connected. Crimes are solved, questions are answered but not all the questions. Perhaps some will be answered in the next Jackson Brodie book, One Good Turn which I'm looking forward to reading.
1 like
Review Date: 5/13/2012
Helpful Score: 7
This book was like a breath of fresh air. It is written very well with just the right amount of humor included with the mystery. Dr. Siri is a hoot!
Any book that can make me laugh out loud gets a bigs thumbs up from me. I can't wait to read more in the series.
Any book that can make me laugh out loud gets a bigs thumbs up from me. I can't wait to read more in the series.
Review Date: 8/5/2015
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book a lot. It was cleverly written and held my attention down to the last page. The ending was a shocker and I'm not sure I liked it but that did not stop me from liking the book overall. Many reviewers have posted they did not like the book because they did not like the narrator. I on the other hand felt sorry for her and was rooting for her throughout the story. And even if you don't like the narrator, does that make it a bad book? I think not!
Review Date: 11/10/2024
In the 1960's Robert Nichols moved his family to Sellerstown NC to serve as pastor at a local church. Their life there was fine for a time and then a powerful member of the community (not even a member of the church) began to harass, threaten, and initiate violent attacks on Nichols and his family.
This is a true story by one of the now-grown children. The story in and of itself is sad and horrific. The writing is poor. The description of the events that the family endured over 7 years went on and on and other parts of the story were totally unnecessary. It angered me that Robert and his wife would allow their children to stay in a place where threats and fear and dynamite bombs and other atrocities became their way of life. ... No one in the church or in the town did anything to stop this man. It is a story of forgiveness which is always a good thing but I think after one or two bombings the family should have been out of there!
This is a true story by one of the now-grown children. The story in and of itself is sad and horrific. The writing is poor. The description of the events that the family endured over 7 years went on and on and other parts of the story were totally unnecessary. It angered me that Robert and his wife would allow their children to stay in a place where threats and fear and dynamite bombs and other atrocities became their way of life. ... No one in the church or in the town did anything to stop this man. It is a story of forgiveness which is always a good thing but I think after one or two bombings the family should have been out of there!
Review Date: 9/28/2014
This book is laugh out loud hilarious. I could not stop laughing and reading parts of it to my family. Definitely fantasy which is not my genre but I'm so glad I ran across it and gave it a try. If you want to laugh you've got to pick this one up.
Review Date: 9/26/2024
This is a powerful, well written book set in South Africa. It has a disturbing atmosphere delving into the changes brought about by the end of apartheid. It is this plus so much more.
It is the story of a man in his fifties and how he perceives and deals with his life and those around him. In reading other's reviews, I see he is unliked by many readers, but I did not feel that way. The story examines what an affair and a rape is like for both man and woman. It shows how people in post-apartheid are trying to adapt to the changes around them. The most upsetting part of the book to me was the cruelty to the animals. That definitely put a different spin on the book. One that I did not enjoy.
It is the story of a man in his fifties and how he perceives and deals with his life and those around him. In reading other's reviews, I see he is unliked by many readers, but I did not feel that way. The story examines what an affair and a rape is like for both man and woman. It shows how people in post-apartheid are trying to adapt to the changes around them. The most upsetting part of the book to me was the cruelty to the animals. That definitely put a different spin on the book. One that I did not enjoy.
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