Here are the books I had read and some unfinished reads.
~ Books I read ~
01 - Lady of Ashes (#1) by Christine Trent
What's it about: lady undertaker, deaths, funerals, politics, the queen, war
Sadly this is not entirely about a lady undertaker solving murders as that bit was buried at the end of the book. The main character didn't do much investigating and the killer was caught quickly. This part is just another event along with all other events in the main character's life. There isn't a particular storyline that is focused on too long. You can say this book is stuffed with too many things that what was the best parts (the undertaking, the murders, the train crash) are buried with everything else.
The boring bits are the politics that involved various people and Queen Victoria who seemed like a caricature - I didn't care much for her viewpoint or the various other viewpoints. I haven't decide if I want to continue the series as the second book also involves the royal family which I really don't like reading about and also many viewpoints.
02 - Down a Dark River (Inspector Corravan #1) by Karen Odden
What's it about: murders, police politics, introspection from the main character
This is more of historical fiction than a murder mystery. The case in this first book is interesting and learning about why the crimes were committed makes sense but it makes this quite a depressing read. I don't quite like the main character/narrator, Inspector Michael Corravan, there seem to be too much of his thoughts and introspection. Into my mind (a phrase Corravan seemed to love to use), Corravan with his beat-up face and body (he was assaulted three times and think within the same week) and sitting somewhere in a pub having dinner and moaning over cases and that's it. I don't quite enjoy reading about his character. And for him to have a girlfriend seemed odd to me and because she had a terrible view of marriage and so would not marry the inspector but she calls herself Mrs. Gale even though she had never married which is just odd and unnecessary. This kept me reading but upon checking the second book, I decided I'm not reading that - that also seem less of a mystery and more politics.
03 - Protecting her heart (Matchmaker #3) by Nancy Campbell Allen
What's it about: mystery, romance, old crimes
The first part seems too much like a romance but once it got into the mystery, it got better. This is actually book 3 of a series and can be read as standalone since it sort of sums up the previous events but sadly, I am unable to read book 2 as it isn't available at the library. I enjoyed this book 3 but not as much as book 1.
04 - A Most Agreeable Murder (Beatrice Steele #1) by Julia Seales
What's it about: socializing in the regency era, murder, mystery, marriage
I didn't like the extras - footnotes, letters, plays - they contribute to the story but the whole thing could have been added into the story instead of being separate elements. I still enjoyed this book and it was a bit of fun. I will read the second book (not yet released) if it's available at the library.
05 - The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (The Ill-Mannered Ladies #1) by Alison Goodman
What's it about: amateur detectives, rescue missions, guns, little romance
Such a pretty cover but it does not reflect the sometimes hard to digest subject matters such as mastectomy, underage sex workers, etc., and the sometimes too realistic nature of how dirty London is and does not shy away from talking about horse dung and such.
I did enjoy this even with the tough subject matters. I like the two main characters, the sisters, they have good sisterly bond and isn't shy about speaking their minds.
It's a series of three adventures (they broke the book into three cases) and while there are no conclusions for some of the storylines (as this is a series), the cases are solved if not a bit messy in their ending but satisfying. I would read the next book if I can get it at the library.
06 - Murder on Black Swan Lane (Wrexford & Sloane #1) by Andrea Penrose
What's it about: a bored earl, poor woman & two street urchins, murders, society gossips, endless conversations about alchemy
The first main character (Wrexford) is an arrogant earl who doesn't want a conscience (A conscience was a cursedly inconvenient encumbrance. - direct from the book). For an earl who is stinking rich, he couldn't get someone to cook him breakfast - this seems so unbelievable considering everyone seems to think he has a temper and if that's true, then how could he not get someone to cook his breakfast?
The second main character (Charlotte Sloane) quotes latin phrases constantly. Of course Wrexford starts quoting latin too later in the book. She's strong-headed and intelligent but that's really all I like about her. For someone who is careful about her safety, she gets herself involve voluntary in dangerous things even knowing the danger. I like the two street urchins, Raven and Hawk she had sort of been taking care off. They make some scenes fun but we get little from them.
Everyone here moved, they don't walk, jog, run or anything, they moved. Okay, maybe they walked at the end of the book but that's just once in the entire book.
The writing is cliche and filled with many phrases, like the only time there aren't phrases is when they are flowery or romanticized. If you didn't know this takes place in the late 1800's, you might think it takes place in modern times. Some examples of romanticized writings:
(a) "Shadows hung from his dark lashes, accentuating the deepest hollows under his eyes."
(b) "A wink of smoke-dark green seemed to flash a warning."
(c) "A fitful breeze tugged at Wrexford's words, swirling them into the other night sounds."
The switching of perspective from Wrexford to Charlotte - back and forth every damm chapter and sometimes within the same chapter - annoys me as it stops the action to tell what each other is feeling or thinking or doing.
It doesn't feel like a mystery, more like a romance or why else would the two main characters keeps studying each other? In every encounter, Charlotte is studying Wrexford and Wrexford is studying Charlotte, trying to read each other's thoughts and feelings and trying to decipher each other's every movement, words and looks. At every meeting, they can't stop doing it even at the very last page. And Charlotte is even making sketches of Wrexford because she wants to paint him which somehow gets on my nerve and having Wrexford as an extremely good looking fellow also get on my nerves. In later books, they get together and it's not surprising when it just feels like you're reading a romance.
The way the story is going, I'm thinking something heinous, disgusting or horrifying at the end but nope, just mundane crimes for the murders. It's like the murderer didn't have enough to make him interesting other than the murders. But I guess readers are to be more interested in Wrexford (does he even have a first name? It was never mentioned, he is always the earl) and Charlotte and their upcoming romance. But I can't stand the writing so I won't be reading the other eight books.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ Unfinished Books ~
07 - The Ghost of Lilly Pilly Creek (A Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mystery #1) by Abbie L. Martin
What's it about: ghost, maybe murder, maybe mystery, conversations
Quit at: 46%
The main character's name irks me - who names their daughter Jones? And her sister name is Autumn so it makes me think these two characters are named after a person - Autumn Jones or how else to explain Jones?
For a story with a ghost, you would think there might be something exciting but no, it was boring. Perhaps it was the way it is written - straight forward but full of info dump in between the many conversations. The ghost aspect is mostly boring - if you say Jones hallucinated her dead sister as a ghost, it would not be hard to accept. The murder mystery is slow going and not even all that interesting. Also, it feels like I'm reading a cozy mystery with way too much cozy and not much mystery. Even at about 220 pages, it felt long as if nothing is happening so I am unable to muster up enough interest to finish this.
08 - Whispers Beyond the Veil (A Change of Fortune Mystery #1) by Jessica Estevao
What's it about: hidden past, spiritualists, psychics, maybe murder
Quit at: 22%
This is more historical fiction and less about anything paranormal. I was waiting for the paranormal part (the main character is supposed to be a psychic or it says so in the synopsis) but I got bored waiting. The main character has a voice that speaks to her but she doesn't know who it is and she doesn't believe she's a psychic. Having to hide her past, this means she cannot tell people anything about her real circumstance which means whatever she does, it's untruthful and full of uncertainty and that always annoys me. It also means whatever bonds she creates with people would be easily broken and causes dramas I hate.
There are two view points (the main character and another) but that didn't do much to drive away the dullness. This second point of view shows up and then sort of disappears and we are mostly in the first main character's view. Maybe we hear from him again when the murder occur (I didn't get to that far either) but even with that idea and a possible appearance from a psychic (not the main character), I couldn't get through the boredom to finish end.
09 - The Body in the Garden (Lily Adler Mystery #1) by Katharine Schellman
What's it about: a widow's life, murder, society of the rich and busybodies
Quit at: 40%
There is a scene where one of the main character (Jack) pissed in the streets or some dark corner and then carry on - that turned me off reading. So yes, this depicts the reality of that time period as out houses are not aplenty on the streets but is this necessary to the story? This reminded me of a preview/trailer I saw of a period drama where a man also pissed against a wall and then go about his business and that's reality that I really don't want to see or read. With that aside, this is a bit bland. After the body is discovered, somehow, everything became so dull, it's like, whatever I had cared about for any of the characters is suddenly gone. Mrs. what's-her-name (I forgot her name), the main character, sounded like a determined, intelligent woman who I found a little annoying but I'm not sure why. There is this complain that modern characters are being put into non-modern times and I think it's true for this character.
And Jack, a friend of her dead husband who I thought was a reasonably reasonable character suddenly seemed very childish and unreasonable when he is around Mrs. what's-her-name. I don't see the point of this story for some reason other than to get Mrs. What's-her-name and Jack to get together because the murder seemed bland and much like something for the main characters to have something to do. She's a well-off widow and he's a something (can't remember) who seemed to have a lot of free time to serve/indulge his lady friend of whatever whim she needed him to do.
I stopped reading this and then started on another book but when I return to read this again, my loan expired and I took it as a sign that I shouldn't finish this.
Have you read any books lately?
~ Books I read ~
What's it about: lady undertaker, deaths, funerals, politics, the queen, war
Sadly this is not entirely about a lady undertaker solving murders as that bit was buried at the end of the book. The main character didn't do much investigating and the killer was caught quickly. This part is just another event along with all other events in the main character's life. There isn't a particular storyline that is focused on too long. You can say this book is stuffed with too many things that what was the best parts (the undertaking, the murders, the train crash) are buried with everything else.
The boring bits are the politics that involved various people and Queen Victoria who seemed like a caricature - I didn't care much for her viewpoint or the various other viewpoints. I haven't decide if I want to continue the series as the second book also involves the royal family which I really don't like reading about and also many viewpoints.
What's it about: murders, police politics, introspection from the main character
This is more of historical fiction than a murder mystery. The case in this first book is interesting and learning about why the crimes were committed makes sense but it makes this quite a depressing read. I don't quite like the main character/narrator, Inspector Michael Corravan, there seem to be too much of his thoughts and introspection. Into my mind (a phrase Corravan seemed to love to use), Corravan with his beat-up face and body (he was assaulted three times and think within the same week) and sitting somewhere in a pub having dinner and moaning over cases and that's it. I don't quite enjoy reading about his character. And for him to have a girlfriend seemed odd to me and because she had a terrible view of marriage and so would not marry the inspector but she calls herself Mrs. Gale even though she had never married which is just odd and unnecessary. This kept me reading but upon checking the second book, I decided I'm not reading that - that also seem less of a mystery and more politics.
What's it about: mystery, romance, old crimes
The first part seems too much like a romance but once it got into the mystery, it got better. This is actually book 3 of a series and can be read as standalone since it sort of sums up the previous events but sadly, I am unable to read book 2 as it isn't available at the library. I enjoyed this book 3 but not as much as book 1.
What's it about: socializing in the regency era, murder, mystery, marriage
I didn't like the extras - footnotes, letters, plays - they contribute to the story but the whole thing could have been added into the story instead of being separate elements. I still enjoyed this book and it was a bit of fun. I will read the second book (not yet released) if it's available at the library.
What's it about: amateur detectives, rescue missions, guns, little romance
Such a pretty cover but it does not reflect the sometimes hard to digest subject matters such as mastectomy, underage sex workers, etc., and the sometimes too realistic nature of how dirty London is and does not shy away from talking about horse dung and such.
I did enjoy this even with the tough subject matters. I like the two main characters, the sisters, they have good sisterly bond and isn't shy about speaking their minds.
It's a series of three adventures (they broke the book into three cases) and while there are no conclusions for some of the storylines (as this is a series), the cases are solved if not a bit messy in their ending but satisfying. I would read the next book if I can get it at the library.
What's it about: a bored earl, poor woman & two street urchins, murders, society gossips, endless conversations about alchemy
The first main character (Wrexford) is an arrogant earl who doesn't want a conscience (A conscience was a cursedly inconvenient encumbrance. - direct from the book). For an earl who is stinking rich, he couldn't get someone to cook him breakfast - this seems so unbelievable considering everyone seems to think he has a temper and if that's true, then how could he not get someone to cook his breakfast?
The second main character (Charlotte Sloane) quotes latin phrases constantly. Of course Wrexford starts quoting latin too later in the book. She's strong-headed and intelligent but that's really all I like about her. For someone who is careful about her safety, she gets herself involve voluntary in dangerous things even knowing the danger. I like the two street urchins, Raven and Hawk she had sort of been taking care off. They make some scenes fun but we get little from them.
Everyone here moved, they don't walk, jog, run or anything, they moved. Okay, maybe they walked at the end of the book but that's just once in the entire book.
The writing is cliche and filled with many phrases, like the only time there aren't phrases is when they are flowery or romanticized. If you didn't know this takes place in the late 1800's, you might think it takes place in modern times. Some examples of romanticized writings:
(a) "Shadows hung from his dark lashes, accentuating the deepest hollows under his eyes."
(b) "A wink of smoke-dark green seemed to flash a warning."
(c) "A fitful breeze tugged at Wrexford's words, swirling them into the other night sounds."
The switching of perspective from Wrexford to Charlotte - back and forth every damm chapter and sometimes within the same chapter - annoys me as it stops the action to tell what each other is feeling or thinking or doing.
It doesn't feel like a mystery, more like a romance or why else would the two main characters keeps studying each other? In every encounter, Charlotte is studying Wrexford and Wrexford is studying Charlotte, trying to read each other's thoughts and feelings and trying to decipher each other's every movement, words and looks. At every meeting, they can't stop doing it even at the very last page. And Charlotte is even making sketches of Wrexford because she wants to paint him which somehow gets on my nerve and having Wrexford as an extremely good looking fellow also get on my nerves. In later books, they get together and it's not surprising when it just feels like you're reading a romance.
The way the story is going, I'm thinking something heinous, disgusting or horrifying at the end but nope, just mundane crimes for the murders. It's like the murderer didn't have enough to make him interesting other than the murders. But I guess readers are to be more interested in Wrexford (does he even have a first name? It was never mentioned, he is always the earl) and Charlotte and their upcoming romance. But I can't stand the writing so I won't be reading the other eight books.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ Unfinished Books ~
What's it about: ghost, maybe murder, maybe mystery, conversations
Quit at: 46%
The main character's name irks me - who names their daughter Jones? And her sister name is Autumn so it makes me think these two characters are named after a person - Autumn Jones or how else to explain Jones?
For a story with a ghost, you would think there might be something exciting but no, it was boring. Perhaps it was the way it is written - straight forward but full of info dump in between the many conversations. The ghost aspect is mostly boring - if you say Jones hallucinated her dead sister as a ghost, it would not be hard to accept. The murder mystery is slow going and not even all that interesting. Also, it feels like I'm reading a cozy mystery with way too much cozy and not much mystery. Even at about 220 pages, it felt long as if nothing is happening so I am unable to muster up enough interest to finish this.
What's it about: hidden past, spiritualists, psychics, maybe murder
Quit at: 22%
This is more historical fiction and less about anything paranormal. I was waiting for the paranormal part (the main character is supposed to be a psychic or it says so in the synopsis) but I got bored waiting. The main character has a voice that speaks to her but she doesn't know who it is and she doesn't believe she's a psychic. Having to hide her past, this means she cannot tell people anything about her real circumstance which means whatever she does, it's untruthful and full of uncertainty and that always annoys me. It also means whatever bonds she creates with people would be easily broken and causes dramas I hate.
There are two view points (the main character and another) but that didn't do much to drive away the dullness. This second point of view shows up and then sort of disappears and we are mostly in the first main character's view. Maybe we hear from him again when the murder occur (I didn't get to that far either) but even with that idea and a possible appearance from a psychic (not the main character), I couldn't get through the boredom to finish end.
What's it about: a widow's life, murder, society of the rich and busybodies
Quit at: 40%
There is a scene where one of the main character (Jack) pissed in the streets or some dark corner and then carry on - that turned me off reading. So yes, this depicts the reality of that time period as out houses are not aplenty on the streets but is this necessary to the story? This reminded me of a preview/trailer I saw of a period drama where a man also pissed against a wall and then go about his business and that's reality that I really don't want to see or read. With that aside, this is a bit bland. After the body is discovered, somehow, everything became so dull, it's like, whatever I had cared about for any of the characters is suddenly gone. Mrs. what's-her-name (I forgot her name), the main character, sounded like a determined, intelligent woman who I found a little annoying but I'm not sure why. There is this complain that modern characters are being put into non-modern times and I think it's true for this character.
And Jack, a friend of her dead husband who I thought was a reasonably reasonable character suddenly seemed very childish and unreasonable when he is around Mrs. what's-her-name. I don't see the point of this story for some reason other than to get Mrs. What's-her-name and Jack to get together because the murder seemed bland and much like something for the main characters to have something to do. She's a well-off widow and he's a something (can't remember) who seemed to have a lot of free time to serve/indulge his lady friend of whatever whim she needed him to do.
I stopped reading this and then started on another book but when I return to read this again, my loan expired and I took it as a sign that I shouldn't finish this.
Have you read any books lately?
Well done
ReplyDelete"Also, it feels like I'm reading a cozy mystery with way too much cozy and not much mystery."
ReplyDelete😂 I guess it happens often, at least judging from the complaints you have about the books you read. Everything must be secondary to the romance these days...at least with Agatha Christie it was the other way round.
Purple prose, also...I can enjoy it up to a point, but the examples you quoted above aren't even that original.
"The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies" is a fun title at least! Also, it sounds like it wasn't half bad.