Elle Hartford
So. . . Looking through the other reviews, I can see this has been a polarizing book! I wouldn't be as tough as some of the other critics out there, but I will say that I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped.
I'm not a serious Austen fan–I preferred the Brontes, haha–so I mostly picked up this book out of curiosity. It is, indeed, a little repetitive if you've seen the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice . . . And I personally just couldn't get a feel for the narration. In a lot of classics like Austen's works, the narrator has a distinct flair, almost to the point of being another character. I think I was missing that. Of course, that narrative style isn't as common these days, so maybe that's just one area where a modern telling of an Austen ‘sequel' runs into trouble!
In any case, if you're very invested in P.D. James or in Austen, this is a cool crossover idea . . . Just make sure you're in the right mood first!
I very much enjoyed the characters and their relationship in this book! So much fun for a rainy afternoon. The ending was magical, too. <3
> slight spoilers ahead<
I will say, the mystery element wasn't super engaging at first–I think because of the lack of viable suspects, perhaps, or because I didn't understand enough of the world at first to see how the crime could be investigated? However, the conclusion to it was very satisfying and all my questions were answered. I really liked how it circled back around to the beginning, too!
Overall, the attitude and sheer fun of this book was very engaging. I'll most likely check out the others in the series :)
I loved the painting business and family dynamics here! The mystery itself wasn't super satisfying–it did wrap up well, but we don't learn some of the key evidence until the final confrontation, so there wasn't a lot to theorize on as a reader during the investigation. That said, though, the characters were interesting and the community definitely had a cozy feel!
An interesting world and very strong characters! I saw a quote calling this “a romance wrapped in a western wrapped in a fantasy” and I think that is exactly right. It was actually a tiiiiny bit too “gritty” for my cozy tastes sometimes, but I am a self-proclaimed wimp with an overactive imagination, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. ;)
The letter element (and the mail deliverers!) was cute and insightful. I did kind of wonder why they never exchanged names at least . . . I mean, that would have cut short the plot, though ;) The characters' reflections and developments were the best part for me, definitely.
Overall I'd particularly recommend this to people who like that somewhat apocalyptic or western/cowboy flavor to their fantasy & romance. It's not my personal jam, but I did still enjoy the characters' growth!
A very thorough conclusion to the series (at least, I'm pretty sure this is where things wrap up!). The romantic theme is resolved and some new very sweet romances develop. :) And it's heartwarming to tag along as Ella Mae's re-establishes herself in the community!
You could read this one out of order, but I'd definitely suggest reading the others first. They're very cozy and go by quickly! I love this series mostly for the setting and characters; the mysteries themselves sometimes feel a little under-developed. That said, the conclusion to this one was still suspenseful and satisfying!
Overall, I found this book to be extremely inventive and clever. I originally picked it up on a whim as potential inspiration for a short story or new character down the line (I write mystery/fantasy, so survival is relevant, haha)–but I imagine horror or supernatural fans would love it too. And, of course, if you're a masquerading monster of any kind, this book is a must-have (along with my congratulations for having made it this far!).
I looked this up on a recommendation from a friend, and was intrigued. Some of the language and characterization is not what we would use today, but the word play is whimsical and fun, and the interactions between Cinderella and the Prince feel real and sentimental. I must say too that in this version the father is alive, and my heart just broke for him–he's a sweet, lost character, also a victim of the stepmother's abuse.
I have a theory–totally unproven, and I've only done the most cursory of research–but still, I have a theory that this book helped inform the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Instances of unique language and the fairy godmother backstory are the same, and some of Cinderella's dialogue with the Prince feels similar. I only happened to notice it because I saw the musical recently. ;)
The relationships make this book, for sure. The found family aspect is strong!
The mystery itself came together well, but–well, it felt particularly unfortunate for all the characters involved. It left me feeling uneasy and sad. However, the follow up scenes restored the community of fun and caring that characterized much of the rest of the book.
Overall, it was an interesting cozy, and even though I may not continue the series, I did enjoy the brief trip to Scotland! ;)
While this might be my favorite of the series so far–Ella Mae's drive and passion are so clearly in focus–it also is a little tough for a cozy reader. Just a bit more tense than most cozy series might get, in what I think is perhaps characteristic Adams style!
I will say one teeny-tiny spoiler right out, which is that no animals get hurt (well, except butterflies). Aside from that . . . I will admit Ella Mae's relationship difficulties can get frustrating because she is surrounded by so many good men. However, the way things were left at the end of this book is definitely satisfying!
Overall, this was an excellent installment in the series, and I've already requested the next. If you're reading out of order, you should be able to follow along–but if you've read book three, it's particularly rewarding to see how some side characters have blossomed!
It's a bit dense and overwhelming right at the beginning, but overall very well-researched and thought out. Plus, it has a great variety of examples of this type of tale! I think though that the true strength of this book is a clear understanding of how tales of magic reflect real-world beliefs, injustices, and mechanisms of power.
Check out the full review on my blog~
https://ellehartford.com/book-review-sorcerers-apprentice/
I was way behind the crowd on this one, and just recently picked it up at a Little Library out of curiosity. It's amusing and a little suspenseful (just wondering how things will work out!), and of course, maybe just a tiny bit too relatable, haha. The romantic subplot left me a little unsatisfied, though . . . I wasn't too sure about our main character's judgment.
I loved this book. One of my favorite Christies, for sure!
But let me give some context. I'm a nerd–I studied archaeology, have worked in museums, and learn about Ancient Egypt for fun. That said, I'm really not inclined to judge the “realism” of Christie's setting at all. I'm sure there are details we could argue about–after all, there are many gaps in our knowledge of ancient Egypt–but I don't know enough to get riled up about it.
That said, there ARE signs of historical prejudice in the book–both ancient, and of Christie's time. There are enslaved characters, and none have names. There are also very clear gender roles, and gender stereotypes are a big deal to the characters. Again, I really can't say if this is accurate for Egypt, but it is pretty accurate for the early 1900s (Christie's context). Like all Christie or “classic” novels, the modern reader has to be critical of certain cultural views and turns of phrase.
I am a character reader, and that is why I loved this book. I adored Hori. Renisenb's thoughts are very basic–she often gets described as “childlike”–but, to be fair, she's also probably 18 or so, and received no education. (There's also theories out there that ancient people simply didn't think the way we do–I have no idea if Christie was thinking that, so I won't get into it–but I found it interesting to consider as I read.) Christie does a great job of taking classic characters familiar to a British 20th century audience and translating them into a new context. All the members of the family are very recognizable and distinct.
And the romance. sigh Now, in a modern context, the romance could border on problematic; questions of age, agency, etc. However. In my own personal opinion, in the end, Renisenb thinks it through and has full agency. I loved the way she weighed her choices about her future. There are, of course, cultural situations that we might not stand for today, but I think Christie actually did a lovely job of letting her characters rise above those–even more so than she did in some of her more modern stories, I think.
Anyway, on to the main point: the mystery. It is classic. There is no stereotypical “detective” character, and there isn't a main character telling us the narrative, either (though by far we see the most of Renisenb's thoughts). Instead, a coalition of family members evolves to investigate and compare notes. At the beginning of the story, it seems like the murder will be very cut and dry . . . But then it twists. As the story continues, there's a high body count, and everyone ends up under suspicion.
[Slight spoilers ahead]
There are several characters that feel like familiar, obvious perpetrators. But I didn't catch on to the true murderer until perhaps the last 15%, just before the big conclusion. I found it incredibly satisfying the way the pieces fell into place–and, in perfect Christie fashion, it was a chilling reveal.
[Slight spoilers over]
Throughout the book, the main characters are thoughtful and observant, and that is perhaps what I enjoyed most. I loved their thoughts on life and death, in part because they saw such things very simply. The tension definitely rose in the last few chapters, and the ending was exactly what I didn't know I wanted. ;) I'd happily recommend this book to people who like Christie, internal/family drama mysteries, or simply people who like historical fiction/trying to see life from a new point of view. There are views expressed in the book that do not resonate today (thank goodness), but there is also a lot of value and honesty, too.
Tatar's basic premise seems to be that the hero is a superhuman, conquering, often violent figure, while heroines are characterized by curiosity, compassion, and an interest in justice. She argues for the development of a new Hero's Journey. For my part, as a female author with a female amateur sleuth, I particularly enjoyed Tatar's thoughts on curiosity . . .
Check out my full review on my blog: https://ellehartford.com/book-review-heroine-1001-faces/
I loved the depth and development of the relationships in this one. The plot itself was pretty tense, for a cozy at least! More than once I was skimming just to see what would happen because I couldn't wait, haha. [Slight spoiler ahead] I wasn't too excited about the solution to the mystery–it fit well, it just was a bit sudden. But I'm still looking forward to the next book and to seeing how the overarching story eventually concludes!
An intriguing cold case mystery with some great twists. I love this series, and it was fun to return to it with this novel! Plus, the relationship subplot was very satisfying. :)
If you haven't read the previous books, you don't need to in order to enjoy this one; but really, the setting, characters, and mysteries are all engaging and well-thought out, so why not read the other books too? ;D
The relationships!! By far, the highlight of this book, and an element of any story that I love. ;) The main character has a 14 year old daughter who is razor sharp, and their relationship rings very true. There's also a sizzling love interest with lots of great banter. And a lovely friendship that falls under question . . . But I won't say more.
The mystery is a little wacky but very satisfying. Overall the book is great fun; my one reservation is that it does get a bit gory for a cozy. The main character is a thriller writer with a mind like a steel trap, spouting off facts about putrefaction at the drop of a hat (research skills that make me, also an author, rather jealous!). But those moments are brief and overall, this book is full of classic capers and deep love for the Pacific Northwest.
A truly modern, fun, and engaging cozy!
In the interest of being totally honest, let me say that at first, Coco was seriously making me feel under-accomplished, haha. She's got a very successful career, which she outlines in chapter one. But as the story progresses, you get to see her worries and anxieties, and how much she loves her partner and her friends. This really endeared her to me, and I was rooting for her very strongly in the end!
The setting is modern and luxurious, moving from beachfront condos to galas to an up-and-coming main street shopping strip. Much as I adore a small-town feel, I quickly got the hang of Coco's life and enjoyed riding along with her to local stores and high-end clubs. And her friends! Their humor and wit kept me grinning, and it was clear how closely-knit they were.
The mystery itself has some dramatic twists and red herrings. I enjoyed Coco's practical–if also somewhat obsessive, haha–approach to sleuthing. The conclusion is very suspenseful and all the loose ends are wrapped up–including a bit of appreciation from the police, which was sweet!
Overall, I found myself sad the book was over, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone looking for a modern cozy. Looking forward to the next one!
The edition I got is a beautiful hardcover, a perfect “coffee table book” full of interesting tidbits. Because of its comprehensive information–a combination of chemistry, botany, and some folklore–the book is a great example of the way plants intertwine with our lives (pun intended, haha). In my opinion, it's a worthy reference! If interested, you can find a more complete review on my blog:
https://ellehartford.com/book-review-plants-that-cure/
Okay, so. The back cover copy/”book blurb” for this one really doesn't do the book justice. The murders are connected by the underlying magical plot, which is that the local witchy community needs a new leader, and all volunteers for the role are in danger. (That's not really spoilery, I promise: I think maybe it was just too much to explain on the back cover? Haha. It all comes out in the first few chapters.)
Anyway, as a sequel, this is a great unfolding of what we learn in book one–and honestly, you don't need to have read book one in order to enjoy it. Personally, I found that the mystery itself was rather easy to guess (the identity of the murderer, at least, if not their motive) but, like with the first book, it was the characters who really made the plot compelling. Plus the new, powerful magic coming in. It was very satisfying to watch that grow!
Overall, once I grasped what was going on (no thanks to that blurb! ;D), I was happily along for the ride. A very engrossing witchy mystery!
Another book that has been in my TBR forever! When I finally read it, it reminded me of a mashup of Beauty and the Beast, zombies, and Theseus and the Minotaur. Maybe a little random, I know, but it comes together rather well! xD
My one reservation is that while I liked the twist on the main character–that she's clumsy and wild, and that's her strength–I didn't connect with her much more deeply than that. Maybe it was her narrative style, but I felt a little distant from her. However, it was still an intriguing and magical story!
This had been in my TBR pile forever, and I finally got around to reading it while traveling. It's emotional and melancholy, for sure, and also reminded me a lot not only of tales of “snow children” but similar tales of selkies and the like. If you're familiar with the folklore, you'll appreciate the story on an additional level, I think!
