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Emily Castles Mysteries #2
Showstoppers
In this zany second outing for twenty-six-year-old amateur sleuth Emily Castles, Emily helps out at a local stage school run by her neighbour Victoria in London. As parents and prospective new pupils turn up at the end of term show - where prizes will be handed out by eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel and famous romance novelist Morgana Blakely - Emily deals with a blackmail threat and two deaths, before teaming up with the guests of honour to try to prevent a massacre happening live on stage.
The funny lines will keep you giggling as you race through this madcap story to discover whether Emily and her friends will triumph over disaster.
Readers of M C Beaton or Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy discovering a new author in this entertaining British mystery series.
Chosen as a Favorite Book of the Year by Julie’s Book Reviews.
This short mystery is a standalone story set in London. The Emily Castles mysteries can be read in any order.
The funny lines will keep you giggling as you race through this madcap story to discover whether Emily and her friends will triumph over disaster.
Readers of M C Beaton or Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy discovering a new author in this entertaining British mystery series.
Chosen as a Favorite Book of the Year by Julie’s Book Reviews.
This short mystery is a standalone story set in London. The Emily Castles mysteries can be read in any order.
102 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
66 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Helen Smith
22 books275 followersSign up for Helen Smith's Book News and receive a FREE Kindle copy of one of Helen Smith's books: http://helensmithbooks.com/freebook
Helen Smith is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, The Crime Writers Association and English PEN. She traveled the world when her daughter was small, doing all sorts of strange jobs to support them both – from cleaning motels to working as a magician's assistant – before returning to live in London where she wrote her first novel. She's the author of Alison Wonderland, Being Light, The Miracle Inspector and the Emily Castles mystery series as well as children's books, poetry and plays.
Helen Smith's books have reached number one on Amazon's bestseller lists in the US, UK, Canada and Germany. Her first book, Alison Wonderland, was one of Amazon Publishing's top five bestselling books when it was launched in the US in 2011. In July 2013, following the publication of Invitation to Die, Helen Smith reached the top spot as "America's most popular mystery author" on Amazon. Her books have been praised in The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, the Guardian, Time Out and Wired.com. They have appeared on "best books of the year" lists in For Books' Sake, The Cult Den, The Independent and the Guardian.
Helen Smith has been invited to read at literary events and festivals in London and New York and points in between – including, most recently, a cruise ship en route to California via the Suez Canal. Her work has been read or performed at the National Theatre, The Royal Festival Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Amnesty International’s Headquarters, The Edinburgh Festival and The University of London. She’s a Literary Death Match champion and the recipient of an Arts Council of England award. Her work has been optioned by the BBC. She’s amazing! Please buy her books.
"Smith is gin-and-tonic funny." Booklist
Helen Smith is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, The Crime Writers Association and English PEN. She traveled the world when her daughter was small, doing all sorts of strange jobs to support them both – from cleaning motels to working as a magician's assistant – before returning to live in London where she wrote her first novel. She's the author of Alison Wonderland, Being Light, The Miracle Inspector and the Emily Castles mystery series as well as children's books, poetry and plays.
Helen Smith's books have reached number one on Amazon's bestseller lists in the US, UK, Canada and Germany. Her first book, Alison Wonderland, was one of Amazon Publishing's top five bestselling books when it was launched in the US in 2011. In July 2013, following the publication of Invitation to Die, Helen Smith reached the top spot as "America's most popular mystery author" on Amazon. Her books have been praised in The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, the Guardian, Time Out and Wired.com. They have appeared on "best books of the year" lists in For Books' Sake, The Cult Den, The Independent and the Guardian.
Helen Smith has been invited to read at literary events and festivals in London and New York and points in between – including, most recently, a cruise ship en route to California via the Suez Canal. Her work has been read or performed at the National Theatre, The Royal Festival Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Amnesty International’s Headquarters, The Edinburgh Festival and The University of London. She’s a Literary Death Match champion and the recipient of an Arts Council of England award. Her work has been optioned by the BBC. She’s amazing! Please buy her books.
"Smith is gin-and-tonic funny." Booklist
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 11, 2013
Make sure you have read Three Sisters novella first as Showstoppers will take right off into the happenings, without another introduction to Emily Castles, the quirky protagonist.
Three Sisters and Showstoppers were stories that were fast-paced from the beginning, light-hearted, and complete with quirky British humor. Smith's mysteries were set-up with precise thought and executed with twists and turns that made them both very entertaining reads. I think that Emily Castles is the newest proverbial nosey eccentric character that British cozy mysteries are so popular for creating.
I chose to feature these books because I am a big fan of British mysteries and their subtle humor, clues, and spunky dialogue. Smith's books delivered all this to me; they were the perfect 'snuggle on my end of the couch with a cup of English Breakfast Tea' type of mysteries.
Anyone who is a fan of British mysteries will enjoy reading these novellas just in time for the first full-length Emily Castles Mystery to publish. This is one book series worth following as you'll fall in love with Emily's commentary, humor, and energy. The character of Emily, as well as her supporting cast, will keep you wanting to make them a consistent part of your reading pursuits.
Three Sisters and Showstoppers were stories that were fast-paced from the beginning, light-hearted, and complete with quirky British humor. Smith's mysteries were set-up with precise thought and executed with twists and turns that made them both very entertaining reads. I think that Emily Castles is the newest proverbial nosey eccentric character that British cozy mysteries are so popular for creating.
I chose to feature these books because I am a big fan of British mysteries and their subtle humor, clues, and spunky dialogue. Smith's books delivered all this to me; they were the perfect 'snuggle on my end of the couch with a cup of English Breakfast Tea' type of mysteries.
Anyone who is a fan of British mysteries will enjoy reading these novellas just in time for the first full-length Emily Castles Mystery to publish. This is one book series worth following as you'll fall in love with Emily's commentary, humor, and energy. The character of Emily, as well as her supporting cast, will keep you wanting to make them a consistent part of your reading pursuits.
May 25, 2018
review coming up.
May 7, 2013
I always enjoy reading Helen Smith's writing. There is an appeal to it probably from the brilliant subtlety of British humor she so easily writes into her stories which is natural to her, and then there are the surprise comical situations as well. Stay on your toes while reading this so you don't miss some of this subtle humor that British authors are famous for writing! The other thing I love about Smith's writing is her knack with writing such descriptive scenes and thoughts from the characters. Smith truly has a voice of her own you do not want to miss!
This is a short, 75-page novella (Amazon has this listed as only being 48 pages long. I believe this to be an error. I read the ebook version, but it was more along the lines of the Goodreads description of the 75 pages.) that is actually the second Emily Castle novella, but don't let that 'short' fool you because this book is very full of happening. It did read quickly, and it was very entertaining for me. Showstoppers was a very enjoyable 'who-dunnit' at a local neighborhood dance school, which in London they call them Showstoppers, hence the title. At first this kind of threw me off, I did not understand what it meant, and after talking with a friend, and then while reading the book, I easily understood it. Don't allow this to make you not want to read this book because by doing so you are going to miss one heck of a great book!
Smith is a British author, and they have quite a few different words they use for things than what we do. I rather enjoy it very much, and sometimes find myself going on a hunt trying to figure different words or references out, but this truly is the appeal to me about Helen Smith's brilliant writing. I find it almost lyrical at times. I feel our 'same' language we use here in the states has become somewhat lackadaisical, especially when compared to Britians'. I do find myself gravitating more towards British authors quite often, and choose to read them over our authors here because of the language, and Smith foots this bill! When I saw this book was on tour, I jumped at the chance to review it! I will also be reviewing the first book in the Emily Castle series, Three Sisters, on the 22nd.
This story starts off with the mailman delivering the wrong mail to Emily Castle, and this happens rather often we are told. As we all do, we rip open envelopes assuming the mail is ours, after all, it was delivered to us. Surprise, surprise! This letter is a threat, but not to Emily, but to Victoria, her neighbor and owner of Showstoppers Showcase. Emily finds out Victoria, has been receiving riddling and rhyming threatening letters, and this is the fourth. She thinks it's about a VHS tape her and an ex-boyfriend made together, and she thinks it has to be someone she knows, but who? Something on this tape is not a tasteful situation, and Victoria does not want this to get out to the mainstream public. This could ruin her everything.
Are these threatening letters from that old boyfriend back in college? Who could have gotten their hands on this VHS tape? No one even seems to have VCR players anymore, either! Victoria hires Emily Castle to help her find out who the person is sending these riddling and rhyming threats to her. While investigating, a death has occurred, but who did it? The person sending the letters? Who?
The book is mostly prose, and I could just imagine in my head this story taking place on British TV or on our PBS. It was truly terrific! I received this book for FREE (yet I had already purchased it in July on my own, knowing it would be entirely enjoyable because of the author, Helen Smith! Go ahead and spend the 99cents to see if you enjoy it as much as I did!) from the author and through a Blog Tour promoted by Book Blast Promotions hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
This is a short, 75-page novella (Amazon has this listed as only being 48 pages long. I believe this to be an error. I read the ebook version, but it was more along the lines of the Goodreads description of the 75 pages.) that is actually the second Emily Castle novella, but don't let that 'short' fool you because this book is very full of happening. It did read quickly, and it was very entertaining for me. Showstoppers was a very enjoyable 'who-dunnit' at a local neighborhood dance school, which in London they call them Showstoppers, hence the title. At first this kind of threw me off, I did not understand what it meant, and after talking with a friend, and then while reading the book, I easily understood it. Don't allow this to make you not want to read this book because by doing so you are going to miss one heck of a great book!
Smith is a British author, and they have quite a few different words they use for things than what we do. I rather enjoy it very much, and sometimes find myself going on a hunt trying to figure different words or references out, but this truly is the appeal to me about Helen Smith's brilliant writing. I find it almost lyrical at times. I feel our 'same' language we use here in the states has become somewhat lackadaisical, especially when compared to Britians'. I do find myself gravitating more towards British authors quite often, and choose to read them over our authors here because of the language, and Smith foots this bill! When I saw this book was on tour, I jumped at the chance to review it! I will also be reviewing the first book in the Emily Castle series, Three Sisters, on the 22nd.
This story starts off with the mailman delivering the wrong mail to Emily Castle, and this happens rather often we are told. As we all do, we rip open envelopes assuming the mail is ours, after all, it was delivered to us. Surprise, surprise! This letter is a threat, but not to Emily, but to Victoria, her neighbor and owner of Showstoppers Showcase. Emily finds out Victoria, has been receiving riddling and rhyming threatening letters, and this is the fourth. She thinks it's about a VHS tape her and an ex-boyfriend made together, and she thinks it has to be someone she knows, but who? Something on this tape is not a tasteful situation, and Victoria does not want this to get out to the mainstream public. This could ruin her everything.
Are these threatening letters from that old boyfriend back in college? Who could have gotten their hands on this VHS tape? No one even seems to have VCR players anymore, either! Victoria hires Emily Castle to help her find out who the person is sending these riddling and rhyming threats to her. While investigating, a death has occurred, but who did it? The person sending the letters? Who?
The book is mostly prose, and I could just imagine in my head this story taking place on British TV or on our PBS. It was truly terrific! I received this book for FREE (yet I had already purchased it in July on my own, knowing it would be entirely enjoyable because of the author, Helen Smith! Go ahead and spend the 99cents to see if you enjoy it as much as I did!) from the author and through a Blog Tour promoted by Book Blast Promotions hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
January 11, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book (on request) in exchange for my honest review.
Quirky would-be sleuth Emily Castles is back in another fast-paced short story mystery!
Emily is thrown into a bit of a whirlwind when she innocently delivers a letter (mistakenly delivered to her own address) to her neighbour: dramatic, attention-seeking Victoria, who immediately has a very strange response. It seems she has been receiving odd, threatening notes pertaining to a video that she made at drama school many years previously with her then boyfriend David Devereux, who is now a well-known actor. We never discover the true nature of this video, except to learn that it isn’t actually pornographic, just an embarrassing performance piece, but Victoria is convinced that it brings bad luck to whoever watches it.
Upon learning that Emily’s work contract has ended that day, Victoria immediately invites her to come and help out at her drama school, Showstoppers, which is due to hold its year-end concert the next day. And so Emily finds herself thrown in the deep-end when she arrives at the school the next day where there is most certainly a buzz in the air! Here she meets the calm and collected Seema, who is Victoria’s right-hand running the school. Then there’s the handyman, Dizzy, and the much maligned landlord Mr Barrymore and his dog, Precious. Victoria is unable to focus on much, with her mind being on her upcoming performance in the concert, and having to focus on all her students, and is happy to hand as much responsibility as possible over to a confused Emily, including interviewing prospective new parent David Devereaux. To be honest, Victoria doesn’t come across as the most likeable character.
Another poison-pen note has arrived, at the school this time, and Emily teams up with her neighbour, the down-to-earth, no-nonsense Dr Muriel (who happens to be one of the guests of honour at the concert), in an undertaking to discover exactly who is behind them. There’s also a cameo appearance from a policeman who we first met in ‘Three Sisters’, who seems to be quite fond of Emily. However, due to her lack of social know-how, she doesn’t have a clue!
I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as I enjoyed ‘Three Sisters’. I found that there was a bit too much crammed into the minimal pages, not giving as much depth or detail as I would have liked, including no information given about how Victoria reacted when she discovered who the culprit actually was. That said though, it is a short story, so one shouldn’t expect the same detail as one would find in a full length novel.
Smith has done a good job in maintaining the continuity of the characters of Emily and Dr Muriel. Emily comes across as even more of a social misfit than in the first book. She is not comfortable in the company of confident individuals, and is not really au fait with social cues. However, this works to her advantage in her attempts at detective work, as she tends to see peoples’ character flaws a lot quicker than most, which might not obvious to other more easy-going, accepting people.
One thing which I feel I must mention is a major grammatical error that was glaringly obvious to me. The use of the phrases ‘They might of misunderstood …’ and ‘Must of been …’ instead of the correct ‘They might have misunderstood …’ and ‘Must have been …’.
Showstoppers is a quick, light, undemanding read.
Quirky would-be sleuth Emily Castles is back in another fast-paced short story mystery!
Emily is thrown into a bit of a whirlwind when she innocently delivers a letter (mistakenly delivered to her own address) to her neighbour: dramatic, attention-seeking Victoria, who immediately has a very strange response. It seems she has been receiving odd, threatening notes pertaining to a video that she made at drama school many years previously with her then boyfriend David Devereux, who is now a well-known actor. We never discover the true nature of this video, except to learn that it isn’t actually pornographic, just an embarrassing performance piece, but Victoria is convinced that it brings bad luck to whoever watches it.
Upon learning that Emily’s work contract has ended that day, Victoria immediately invites her to come and help out at her drama school, Showstoppers, which is due to hold its year-end concert the next day. And so Emily finds herself thrown in the deep-end when she arrives at the school the next day where there is most certainly a buzz in the air! Here she meets the calm and collected Seema, who is Victoria’s right-hand running the school. Then there’s the handyman, Dizzy, and the much maligned landlord Mr Barrymore and his dog, Precious. Victoria is unable to focus on much, with her mind being on her upcoming performance in the concert, and having to focus on all her students, and is happy to hand as much responsibility as possible over to a confused Emily, including interviewing prospective new parent David Devereaux. To be honest, Victoria doesn’t come across as the most likeable character.
Another poison-pen note has arrived, at the school this time, and Emily teams up with her neighbour, the down-to-earth, no-nonsense Dr Muriel (who happens to be one of the guests of honour at the concert), in an undertaking to discover exactly who is behind them. There’s also a cameo appearance from a policeman who we first met in ‘Three Sisters’, who seems to be quite fond of Emily. However, due to her lack of social know-how, she doesn’t have a clue!
I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as I enjoyed ‘Three Sisters’. I found that there was a bit too much crammed into the minimal pages, not giving as much depth or detail as I would have liked, including no information given about how Victoria reacted when she discovered who the culprit actually was. That said though, it is a short story, so one shouldn’t expect the same detail as one would find in a full length novel.
Smith has done a good job in maintaining the continuity of the characters of Emily and Dr Muriel. Emily comes across as even more of a social misfit than in the first book. She is not comfortable in the company of confident individuals, and is not really au fait with social cues. However, this works to her advantage in her attempts at detective work, as she tends to see peoples’ character flaws a lot quicker than most, which might not obvious to other more easy-going, accepting people.
One thing which I feel I must mention is a major grammatical error that was glaringly obvious to me. The use of the phrases ‘They might of misunderstood …’ and ‘Must of been …’ instead of the correct ‘They might have misunderstood …’ and ‘Must have been …’.
Showstoppers is a quick, light, undemanding read.
June 5, 2013
The book I read before Helen's turned out, regrettably, to be a very good cure for insomnia, so I was very ready to pick up a light-hearted, seventy-five page, mystery novella and the second in the Emily Castles series to boot! (See Three Sisters.)
It didn’t disappoint. In this, Emily finds herself—just a little reluctantly—solving the mystery of who is sending her neighbour, Victoria, who runs a drama school (Showstoppers), some unpleasant letters regarding a video she made with a former boyfriend. (Nothing smutty, don’t worry.) Victoria has been harbouring a guilty secret about the video and frets that the author of the poison-pen letters will use it in some way against her. It’s not long before other members in Emily's neighbourhood become involved in solving not just the mystery of who is sending the letters, but…a murder too.
I felt the first Emily Castles mystery, Three Sisters, lacked some character detail, but as there are some recurring (besides Emily) characters (wonderfully eccentric and colourful ones!), we discover a little more about them and their personalities. I’ve come to like learning about the characters novella by novella! This 'drip-feed' process works rather well here.
I like a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And this one doesn’t. I have to say that it's not really a sophisticated Poirot or Miss Marple mystery. It’s a little bit daft but tremendous fun: it’s easy and effortless to read, the characters are diverse, entertaining, and most are very likeable. (I say 'most' because, of course, murderers aren't really supposed to be likeable, are they?)
Forty-five minutes in the company of Ms Helen Smith/Emily Castles very well spent.
It didn’t disappoint. In this, Emily finds herself—just a little reluctantly—solving the mystery of who is sending her neighbour, Victoria, who runs a drama school (Showstoppers), some unpleasant letters regarding a video she made with a former boyfriend. (Nothing smutty, don’t worry.) Victoria has been harbouring a guilty secret about the video and frets that the author of the poison-pen letters will use it in some way against her. It’s not long before other members in Emily's neighbourhood become involved in solving not just the mystery of who is sending the letters, but…a murder too.
I felt the first Emily Castles mystery, Three Sisters, lacked some character detail, but as there are some recurring (besides Emily) characters (wonderfully eccentric and colourful ones!), we discover a little more about them and their personalities. I’ve come to like learning about the characters novella by novella! This 'drip-feed' process works rather well here.
I like a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And this one doesn’t. I have to say that it's not really a sophisticated Poirot or Miss Marple mystery. It’s a little bit daft but tremendous fun: it’s easy and effortless to read, the characters are diverse, entertaining, and most are very likeable. (I say 'most' because, of course, murderers aren't really supposed to be likeable, are they?)
Forty-five minutes in the company of Ms Helen Smith/Emily Castles very well spent.
February 18, 2013
Showstoppers is even more hilarious than Three Sisters, the first Emily Castle Mystery.
Poor Emily has been let go from her job due to the fact that it was a temporary situation. Not only that but the mailman has left a letter for her neighbor Victoria and Emily has to actually interact with her when she delivers the letter.
When Emily takes the letter to Victoria, Emily becomes unwillingly involved in yet another mystery. Victoria has been receiving threatening letters due to a video she and an ex-boyfriend made in college. The letters threaten to shut down Showstoppers, a musical theater that Victoria runs. Victoria begs Emily to come work with her and try to figure out who sent the letters.
Murder and mayhem again besiege Emily and friends. Dr. Muriel is back along with some new quirky characters. Poor Midori is sick, so she's not involved in this case.
Plenty of action and hilarious dialog will keep you enthralled with this book. I was laughing at something every other page! It took me less than an hour to get through this one since it was so funny and fast paced.
I really recommend both Emily Castle books to you if you like cozy mysteries. Even if you don't, the writing style and humor in them is enough to make them worth the read.
Poor Emily has been let go from her job due to the fact that it was a temporary situation. Not only that but the mailman has left a letter for her neighbor Victoria and Emily has to actually interact with her when she delivers the letter.
When Emily takes the letter to Victoria, Emily becomes unwillingly involved in yet another mystery. Victoria has been receiving threatening letters due to a video she and an ex-boyfriend made in college. The letters threaten to shut down Showstoppers, a musical theater that Victoria runs. Victoria begs Emily to come work with her and try to figure out who sent the letters.
Murder and mayhem again besiege Emily and friends. Dr. Muriel is back along with some new quirky characters. Poor Midori is sick, so she's not involved in this case.
Plenty of action and hilarious dialog will keep you enthralled with this book. I was laughing at something every other page! It took me less than an hour to get through this one since it was so funny and fast paced.
I really recommend both Emily Castle books to you if you like cozy mysteries. Even if you don't, the writing style and humor in them is enough to make them worth the read.
February 21, 2013
This is the second Emily Castles mystery, and I found it just about as pleasing as the first. No profanity, no sex, and nothing inappropriate. At least I feel that I knew the characters better, but I still struggled to really get into the mystery. Again, her vocabulary and descriptions are impeccable. I am not sure what genre I would like to see her write besides mystery, but she certainly has a gift. I am still looking forward to a full novel featuring Emily, and I can only hope that the mystery will be better-developed.
Lest you think I did not like the book, nothing could be further from the truth. I think I preferred the first story, but there were elements in the second story that intrigued me. I would have liked to have been more surprised in this story like I was somewhat in the first book, but I still found the writing exceptional and the story line pretty decent. And who can complain when a mystery book is short and readable?
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Lest you think I did not like the book, nothing could be further from the truth. I think I preferred the first story, but there were elements in the second story that intrigued me. I would have liked to have been more surprised in this story like I was somewhat in the first book, but I still found the writing exceptional and the story line pretty decent. And who can complain when a mystery book is short and readable?
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
June 19, 2013
Title - Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries)
Author - Helen Smith
Stars - 5
Reviewer - Wende Sheets
Emily Castle is back and once again out of work! Emily delivers a letter to Victoria, not realizing it is a "poisoned letter" and not the first one Victoria has received. Victoria believes the letters are from an old boyfriend and stems around a drama skit video they made several years ago. Emily soon finds herself working for Victoria at The Showstopper, a dance school. Her first day on the job a man is found passed out and another dead. Victoria is convinced this is based around that video ! ! Dr. Muriel is back and teams up with Emily to find the truth! When they do its a real SHOCKER :)
Emily Castle is one character you can not help but to fall in love with ! This is a great, down to earth cozy. Its a light read and just fun ! The author once again does a great job in her writing ! I can't wait to read more of Emily and her adventures!
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Author - Helen Smith
Stars - 5
Reviewer - Wende Sheets
Emily Castle is back and once again out of work! Emily delivers a letter to Victoria, not realizing it is a "poisoned letter" and not the first one Victoria has received. Victoria believes the letters are from an old boyfriend and stems around a drama skit video they made several years ago. Emily soon finds herself working for Victoria at The Showstopper, a dance school. Her first day on the job a man is found passed out and another dead. Victoria is convinced this is based around that video ! ! Dr. Muriel is back and teams up with Emily to find the truth! When they do its a real SHOCKER :)
Emily Castle is one character you can not help but to fall in love with ! This is a great, down to earth cozy. Its a light read and just fun ! The author once again does a great job in her writing ! I can't wait to read more of Emily and her adventures!
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
December 12, 2011
A continuation of the Emily Castles' series, Showstoppers follows the life of protagonist Emily Castles. Once again facing unemployment, Emily is drawn into a curious incident involving her neighbor and her dance studio. What starts off a strange series of letters becomes a matter of life and death. A wonderful who dun it, Showstoppers is written in Helen Smith's very unique and appealing style. Great characters, quirky humor and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing to the very end. Quick read and very enjoyable.
January 29, 2018
English Mystery Without the Fog
It's always good to read a mystery with characters you will identify with and a plot you don't guess the in's/out's/twists before the reveal....Showstoppers delivers.
I particularly identify with Emily Castle who works temp jobs that don't go permanent. I like her ability to separate actions from acting--she looks for a person's motive.
I look forward to the next book and getting to know Emily and Dr Marion a bit better
It's always good to read a mystery with characters you will identify with and a plot you don't guess the in's/out's/twists before the reveal....Showstoppers delivers.
I particularly identify with Emily Castle who works temp jobs that don't go permanent. I like her ability to separate actions from acting--she looks for a person's motive.
I look forward to the next book and getting to know Emily and Dr Marion a bit better
March 8, 2017
Come to the Show
An excellent way to spend a few hours! Emily is a very special and intuitive heroine who "sees" more than most people. I hope she gets settled into a good jobs, but that would bring the series to an early conclusion. I will look forward to more books in this series.
An excellent way to spend a few hours! Emily is a very special and intuitive heroine who "sees" more than most people. I hope she gets settled into a good jobs, but that would bring the series to an early conclusion. I will look forward to more books in this series.
February 13, 2018
My review for Showstoppers
I loved it! It is so witty! I love this character Emily, I wish I could meet her in person. Dr. Muriel is a hoot! This a must read series! I look forward to the next book!
I loved it! It is so witty! I love this character Emily, I wish I could meet her in person. Dr. Muriel is a hoot! This a must read series! I look forward to the next book!
August 4, 2018
too short
June 8, 2020
An amusing short story with laugh out loud moments with clever repartee! A fun read that will talk leas than an hour out of your day!
March 1, 2013
“Everything was on the spectrum from brown to cream, and the overall effect was a sepia-toned display that had been put together by someone nostalgic for a time before Britons had learned to cook, but after they had learned to shop at supermarkets.” - Three Sisters
A good mystery should read like a good magic show. Full of flash, curiosity, misdirects and in the end leave you wanting for more. We may learn what we think is the true outcome, the solving of a crime, but we will never know all of what was behind the curtain. It is what makes us pick up the next book in the series. Helen Smith has done this for me with these two novella’s. I want more and more Emily Castle adventures!
I never get tired of a good mystery. A mystery must keep me guessing, be written with a flair for the flamboyant (despite the blandness of colours on the buffet table) and keep me biting my nails till the end. Whatever mystery I am reading must have a unique protagonist combined with a cast of other intriguing characters. It should draw me in and make me part of the sleuthing. Though I have been want to read the new sub-genre of a cozy*, I will forever be a fan of Agatha Christie and Sir Author Conan Doyle. Classical mysteries at their finest.
“The south London sky exploded with a thousand deaths that night“ – Three Sisters
What makes me adore and driven with the need to send threatening e-mails for more more and more Emily Castles Mysteries is the combination of both the classical mystery, the cozy style (because she is an independent female and very smart) and a writing style which is reminiscent of a Hard Boiled Raymond Chandler (several metaphors and allegorical content remind me of The Big Sleep) and sublimeness of David Foster Wallace. The description of the buffet table is just a small example of the beautiful and poetic writing style of the author. I could see the table full of food and feel just as washed out as she was feeling. Each step was a hint, and a hint either leading you towards solving the mystery or down a dead-end.
How she managed to pull this off in under 50 pages with each book is beyond me. It works though, all aspects and conventions of the Mystery genre are not only intact but are more powerful than some of the full length novels I have read. They do not give you time to take a breath, it was non-stop reading with each and the stories kept me hopping. As with their length, Ellen has a shortened period of time to solve this mystery, whether stated or suggested. The surreal evening of Bonfire night (Guy Fawkes night) is a ticking bomb, the party is almost a traveling circus, a side-show pulling up in a covered wagon and pouring out with entertainers that could not possibly all fit inside. Three Sisters is like the wagon, so many distractions it is hard to keep up with what is going on and I felt like I was spinning in circles, despite the title which had me figuring out the main mystery, there were still tons of other blanks I had to fill.
“Sunlight streamed from the tall windows along the corridor and dripped coppery highlights into Victoria’s plaits and Dolly’s liquorice-coloured curly hair; a woman dressed as a child from a story about a tornado induced dream…” Showstopper
Moving onto Showstoppers, Emily is just coming up for air after the Bonfire party. We have several of the characters introduced in Three Sisters who are fleshed out. Emily seems to be coming into her own after the loss of a loved one and her constant temporary state of living. It is another race of the clock, but this time she has to engage with her neighbors, put herself out there more and trust in a few other people as well as own instincts.
These two novella’s, for me a mystery buff at heart (I have my complete Nancy Drew collection to prove it) were the perfect vehicle to drive new fans into a the “bated breath” stage of wait. If you love a good stand alone mystery heroine who has a love for dogs, has not figured out where she fits in life and is a bit too traditional with a setting in a London we do not get to peak at with many other of these types stories.. pick these two stories up and keep tabs on each upcoming books. I hope we will get new adventures soon!
February 8, 2013
I have review both of these novellas together.
Emily Castles Mysteries are fun, humorous and intriguing. You can’t help but get drawn into the mysteries that Emily undertakes. It’s like Scooby Doo or Nancy Drew, Emily gets the help of her neighbour, Dr Muriel and together they search for clues to discover the culprit to the murders.
Three Sisters
Emily is still grieving the loss of her beloved Golden Retriever, Jessie and to help her think about something else, she is invited to a street party down the road. There is to be a bonfire and fireworks, plus performers and all sorts of entertainment. Moving from room to room throughout the house, Emily is trying to sort out what is an act and what is a real person. During a performance, a knife throwing act, two sisters’ are blindfolded and throwing knives at each other, one gets misdirected and a sister dies, but does she. The next minute the sister walks on stage and gives a bow. Emily is determined to get to the bottom of it all. Was it really a murder or just part of the entertainment?
Showstoppers
Emily’s work contract has ended and her neighbour across the road, Victoria, needs some help at her drama school, Showstoppers. While returning mail to Victoria, Emily is unloaded with details of “poison pen” letters that have arrived trying to threaten Victoria about a long ago filmed video that apparently killed a man. With another mystery on her hands, Emily agrees to help Victoria at Showstoppers and help discover who is sending these elusive letters. During the end of term performance a murder is committed and there are several possibilities as to “who did it”. Emily and Dr Muriel take it upon themselves to find the clues and the culprit. What is the old boyfriend from the video or the landlord trying to sell the building? Perhaps it is Victoria seeking attention or the handyman Dizzy?
In both of these novellas, all of the characters are strong, personable people that everyone can relate to. Emily and Dr Muriel are determined, sticky-nose characters, that like to get into everybody’s business in order to solve the mystery at hand. With Dr Muriel’s analytical approach and Emily’s thoughtful, intellectual methods, they both make a fantastic team to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed Showstoppers more than Three Sisters, as it was faster paced and the mystery began towards the beginning of the book, which allowed more mystery and more time to think about the suspects. Overall this is a great series with well written, light and funny mysteries.
Emily Castles Mysteries are fun, humorous and intriguing. You can’t help but get drawn into the mysteries that Emily undertakes. It’s like Scooby Doo or Nancy Drew, Emily gets the help of her neighbour, Dr Muriel and together they search for clues to discover the culprit to the murders.
Three Sisters
Emily is still grieving the loss of her beloved Golden Retriever, Jessie and to help her think about something else, she is invited to a street party down the road. There is to be a bonfire and fireworks, plus performers and all sorts of entertainment. Moving from room to room throughout the house, Emily is trying to sort out what is an act and what is a real person. During a performance, a knife throwing act, two sisters’ are blindfolded and throwing knives at each other, one gets misdirected and a sister dies, but does she. The next minute the sister walks on stage and gives a bow. Emily is determined to get to the bottom of it all. Was it really a murder or just part of the entertainment?
Showstoppers
Emily’s work contract has ended and her neighbour across the road, Victoria, needs some help at her drama school, Showstoppers. While returning mail to Victoria, Emily is unloaded with details of “poison pen” letters that have arrived trying to threaten Victoria about a long ago filmed video that apparently killed a man. With another mystery on her hands, Emily agrees to help Victoria at Showstoppers and help discover who is sending these elusive letters. During the end of term performance a murder is committed and there are several possibilities as to “who did it”. Emily and Dr Muriel take it upon themselves to find the clues and the culprit. What is the old boyfriend from the video or the landlord trying to sell the building? Perhaps it is Victoria seeking attention or the handyman Dizzy?
In both of these novellas, all of the characters are strong, personable people that everyone can relate to. Emily and Dr Muriel are determined, sticky-nose characters, that like to get into everybody’s business in order to solve the mystery at hand. With Dr Muriel’s analytical approach and Emily’s thoughtful, intellectual methods, they both make a fantastic team to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed Showstoppers more than Three Sisters, as it was faster paced and the mystery began towards the beginning of the book, which allowed more mystery and more time to think about the suspects. Overall this is a great series with well written, light and funny mysteries.
August 7, 2014
Showstoppers is by Helen Smith. It is an Emily Castles mystery. It is a short, quick read that is interesting. You find yourself trying to solve the mystery and have many suspects.
Emily Castle lived alone in London. This day was a horrible day. She was laid off from her job and now she had to find another one. When she got home, she missed her dog once more. As she went through the mail, she noticed one was for her neighbor Victoria. It wasn’t unusual for her to receive mail for her neighbors. She really wanted to stay home and crash but she knew she should take the letter over. When she took it to Victoria, Victoria was upset. It was another threatening note. She knew it was concerning a tape she and David Deveraux had made in school. It was considered lethal. You could die from laughing, or so they thought. She had received a copy of the tape in the mail earlier that week. Now the threats continued. There was nothing in the tape that she was ashamed of, just that her advisor had watched it and died while laughing. Since David Deveraux was supposedly the only one who knew about the tape, she suspected it was David who was sending the notes.
Victoria convinced Emily to come to work for her acting studio, Showstoppers. Victoria was having her final show the next day and wanted Emily to come to see if she could get something out of David Deveraux who supposedly was coming to see about enrolling his daughter. Simply because she was out of a job, she took Victoria up on her offer. Now Emily could set out to hunt for the blackmailer.
Was Victoria the person everyone thought she was? Were the notes directed towards her or her husband who worked in the government? How was David involved? Can Emily find out who the person blackmailing Victoria is? What is going to happen to shut down Victoria’s show? Who is the blackmailer?
Emily Castle lived alone in London. This day was a horrible day. She was laid off from her job and now she had to find another one. When she got home, she missed her dog once more. As she went through the mail, she noticed one was for her neighbor Victoria. It wasn’t unusual for her to receive mail for her neighbors. She really wanted to stay home and crash but she knew she should take the letter over. When she took it to Victoria, Victoria was upset. It was another threatening note. She knew it was concerning a tape she and David Deveraux had made in school. It was considered lethal. You could die from laughing, or so they thought. She had received a copy of the tape in the mail earlier that week. Now the threats continued. There was nothing in the tape that she was ashamed of, just that her advisor had watched it and died while laughing. Since David Deveraux was supposedly the only one who knew about the tape, she suspected it was David who was sending the notes.
Victoria convinced Emily to come to work for her acting studio, Showstoppers. Victoria was having her final show the next day and wanted Emily to come to see if she could get something out of David Deveraux who supposedly was coming to see about enrolling his daughter. Simply because she was out of a job, she took Victoria up on her offer. Now Emily could set out to hunt for the blackmailer.
Was Victoria the person everyone thought she was? Were the notes directed towards her or her husband who worked in the government? How was David involved? Can Emily find out who the person blackmailing Victoria is? What is going to happen to shut down Victoria’s show? Who is the blackmailer?
December 13, 2011
The cozy mystery is a sub-genre I couldn’t have defined or even known had I seen it. Luckily Wikipedia purports to answer all my questions. Among other things, Wikipedia says cozy mysteries are built around the inhabitants of a small, insular community (a London neighborhood in this case), with characters that are often eccentric and provide comic relief. The emphasis is on puzzle solving, with the protagonist using their intelligence and knowledge of the community dynamics to solve the mystery. Examples of the genre given included Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books and the American television series, "Murder, She Wrote."
Having read several of Helen Smith’s books, it struck me how well the cozy mystery sub-genre plays to her strengths as a writer. Her prose is comfortable (dare I say cozy?) while still feeling more literary than a typical genre book. Her books are full of humor, but it is subtle — if you aren’t paying attention, it will fly past and you’ll miss it. More Woody Allen or Steven Wright than Mel Brooks or Benny Hill. More intellectual (or assuming intelligence on the part of the reader) than slapstick.
If I had any complaint with "Three Sisters," the first book in this series, it would be that I was well into the book before finding out what the “mystery” was. This isn’t an issue with "Showstoppers," as we find out about the mystery (or at least the initial mystery) early on. As Emily works toward the solution, we meet plenty of those quirky characters and Smith gives us numerous puzzle pieces to decipher along with Emily.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Having read several of Helen Smith’s books, it struck me how well the cozy mystery sub-genre plays to her strengths as a writer. Her prose is comfortable (dare I say cozy?) while still feeling more literary than a typical genre book. Her books are full of humor, but it is subtle — if you aren’t paying attention, it will fly past and you’ll miss it. More Woody Allen or Steven Wright than Mel Brooks or Benny Hill. More intellectual (or assuming intelligence on the part of the reader) than slapstick.
If I had any complaint with "Three Sisters," the first book in this series, it would be that I was well into the book before finding out what the “mystery” was. This isn’t an issue with "Showstoppers," as we find out about the mystery (or at least the initial mystery) early on. As Emily works toward the solution, we meet plenty of those quirky characters and Smith gives us numerous puzzle pieces to decipher along with Emily.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
February 13, 2012
Emily Castles, once again, finds herself mixed up in mystery and murder in the second book of the ‘Emily Castles Mystery” series.
One of Emily’s neighbors, Victoria, is receiving threatening letters. Victoria immediately asks Emily for help. Victoria admits that she made a video back in her college days with her former boyfriend and is afraid he’s the one sending the letters. From what Emily learns, the tape is not anything x-rated so she doubts that is the cause of the threats and she wonders if Victoria might not be a bit paranoid.
Since Emily’s current job status is non-existent, she agrees to help Victoria at her local children’s theater and, at the same time, keep watch for anything out of the ordinary. When the theater’s landlord is found dead, Emily realizes something truly is going on and she’s determined to help her neighbor.
This is a short story – only about 70 printed pages – and it goes way too fast. I wanted more, much more. I enjoyed every minute of this story. The good thing about short stories is that you can pick one up, settle in for a few hours and enjoy it with a nice cup of tea (or whatever you’d like to drink – LOL). The bad thing is you can’t wait for the next book to be published. That’s how I feel with this one.
The characters are very well-crafted and Helen Smith is a master story-teller. The story takes many twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing along with Emily. I’d love to see several Emily Castles’ stories in one complete volume. That would be fun to read.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
One of Emily’s neighbors, Victoria, is receiving threatening letters. Victoria immediately asks Emily for help. Victoria admits that she made a video back in her college days with her former boyfriend and is afraid he’s the one sending the letters. From what Emily learns, the tape is not anything x-rated so she doubts that is the cause of the threats and she wonders if Victoria might not be a bit paranoid.
Since Emily’s current job status is non-existent, she agrees to help Victoria at her local children’s theater and, at the same time, keep watch for anything out of the ordinary. When the theater’s landlord is found dead, Emily realizes something truly is going on and she’s determined to help her neighbor.
This is a short story – only about 70 printed pages – and it goes way too fast. I wanted more, much more. I enjoyed every minute of this story. The good thing about short stories is that you can pick one up, settle in for a few hours and enjoy it with a nice cup of tea (or whatever you’d like to drink – LOL). The bad thing is you can’t wait for the next book to be published. That’s how I feel with this one.
The characters are very well-crafted and Helen Smith is a master story-teller. The story takes many twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing along with Emily. I’d love to see several Emily Castles’ stories in one complete volume. That would be fun to read.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 4, 2013
I did not have high hopes for book two. I didn’t like book one at all and did not expect much from this second book. The only positive while reading this on the plane was that it was at least easier to understand the overall plot.
It was still very jumbled though and reminded me a lot of a short story Nancy Drew book. And to be honest I didn’t like those books either because they were too simple and Nancy felt like a ditz most of the time.
Emily Castles didn’t feel like a person. She felt very two dimensional to me and there were so many side characters that it was hard to keep track of who was who because frankly, there were all very similar. I also noticed that, similar to the first book, there were a lot of sexist things mentioned. I can’t think of any from this book but in the first one there was a bonfire and Emily automatically assumes it was built by men because it was huge and sturdy and only men could be strong enough to make such a good bonfire.
On top of that some of the descriptions were just odd. For example (I highlighted a really odd one to me):
"Sunlight streamed from the tall windows along the corridor and dripped coppery highlights into Victoria’s plaits and Dolly’s liquorice-coloured curly hair: a woman dressed as a child from a story about a tornado-induced dream holding onto the hand of a child who was so beautiful Emily thought she looked as though she’d be able to create tornadoes and stories of her own one day.
I still don’t understand what kind of description that is."
This series has gotten plenty of great reviews on goodreads so maybe you’ll like it. But it was just not my cup of tea.
It was still very jumbled though and reminded me a lot of a short story Nancy Drew book. And to be honest I didn’t like those books either because they were too simple and Nancy felt like a ditz most of the time.
Emily Castles didn’t feel like a person. She felt very two dimensional to me and there were so many side characters that it was hard to keep track of who was who because frankly, there were all very similar. I also noticed that, similar to the first book, there were a lot of sexist things mentioned. I can’t think of any from this book but in the first one there was a bonfire and Emily automatically assumes it was built by men because it was huge and sturdy and only men could be strong enough to make such a good bonfire.
On top of that some of the descriptions were just odd. For example (I highlighted a really odd one to me):
"Sunlight streamed from the tall windows along the corridor and dripped coppery highlights into Victoria’s plaits and Dolly’s liquorice-coloured curly hair: a woman dressed as a child from a story about a tornado-induced dream holding onto the hand of a child who was so beautiful Emily thought she looked as though she’d be able to create tornadoes and stories of her own one day.
I still don’t understand what kind of description that is."
This series has gotten plenty of great reviews on goodreads so maybe you’ll like it. But it was just not my cup of tea.
June 17, 2013
Showstoppers was a wee bit more sedate in its pacing when compared to Three Sisters. Nonetheless, it still barreled merry along, dragging Emily in its wake.
The humorous asides flowed naturally this time. The comedic factor was upped in general with the broader inclusion of Dr. Muriel. Though both Emily and Muriel are quite batty, they manifest it in different ways. Emily is the imaginative sort, prone to internal tangents. Dr. Muriel is the devil-may-care inquisitive, full of sly remarks. They prove an entertaining, balancing pair.
My only qualm was with timing. The telling of the piece seemed to be in "real" time, with so much happening within the space of a few pages. Yet a character whom we left merely a few pages before turns up dead...and supposedly has been dead for a few hours. Where does the time go?
Overall, the prose and characters are zany and engaging enough that I'll give the full length novel a try.
---------------------------------
David had eyes, hands, lips, teeth, a smile, a chest, a waist, long legs and strong arms - just like any other man, really. But the way they had all been put together seemed so much more appealing.
"No, my dear. That would be a denouncement. That wouldn't do at all. A denouncement is public and upsetting. A confrontation is by invitation only and most satisfying."
She wasn't too old to believe in magic, even if it made her feel sad sometimes.
The humorous asides flowed naturally this time. The comedic factor was upped in general with the broader inclusion of Dr. Muriel. Though both Emily and Muriel are quite batty, they manifest it in different ways. Emily is the imaginative sort, prone to internal tangents. Dr. Muriel is the devil-may-care inquisitive, full of sly remarks. They prove an entertaining, balancing pair.
My only qualm was with timing. The telling of the piece seemed to be in "real" time, with so much happening within the space of a few pages. Yet a character whom we left merely a few pages before turns up dead...and supposedly has been dead for a few hours. Where does the time go?
Overall, the prose and characters are zany and engaging enough that I'll give the full length novel a try.
---------------------------------
David had eyes, hands, lips, teeth, a smile, a chest, a waist, long legs and strong arms - just like any other man, really. But the way they had all been put together seemed so much more appealing.
"No, my dear. That would be a denouncement. That wouldn't do at all. A denouncement is public and upsetting. A confrontation is by invitation only and most satisfying."
She wasn't too old to believe in magic, even if it made her feel sad sometimes.
February 26, 2012
This book is the second in the Emily Castles series of cosy mysteries set in a London neighbourhood. Emily is an unlucky kind of girl whose patchy employment history gives her time to help out neighbour Victoria at her drama school. It's time for the Showstoppers Showcase but Victoria has been receiving poison pen letters and is concerned about what the author has planned for her. Emily again teams up with another neighbour to establish whether Victoria's ex, a dashing Hollywood actor, is really the culprit and to try and avoid disaster.
This short story (equivalent to around 75 printed pages) catches up with some of the characters from the first book, Three Sisters, but introduces more colourful individuals for the reader to enjoy. We are launched straight into the mystery of who is menacing Victoria and it soon becomes obvious that there is more than one candidate for the role of villain. The action moves at quite a pace and I romped through the book in no time.
I would like to have found out more about Emily's past, as the first book set up some mysteries about her background, but had to be happy with more of an update on the present regarding the appealing heroine. Although Helen Smith's style is quite literary this was an easy, enjoyable read and despite the malevolent hand at work there were moments of humour that made me chuckle.
This short story (equivalent to around 75 printed pages) catches up with some of the characters from the first book, Three Sisters, but introduces more colourful individuals for the reader to enjoy. We are launched straight into the mystery of who is menacing Victoria and it soon becomes obvious that there is more than one candidate for the role of villain. The action moves at quite a pace and I romped through the book in no time.
I would like to have found out more about Emily's past, as the first book set up some mysteries about her background, but had to be happy with more of an update on the present regarding the appealing heroine. Although Helen Smith's style is quite literary this was an easy, enjoyable read and despite the malevolent hand at work there were moments of humour that made me chuckle.
April 1, 2013
(This review is for both Three Sisters and Showstoppers)
Did I enjoy these books: Three Sisters and Showstoppers were okay. They were supposed to be quick reads but they did not hold my attention or interest. Each book was approximately 40 Nook pages and it took me almost all day to finish one story. I just could not get into them.
I did not connect with the leading lady, Emily Castle. I couldn't understand what she was thinking or doing. She seemed a bit too scattered. Emily didn't seem to like anyone in her neighborhood and appeared put out to have to talk to anyone. I'm surprised she ever left her house.
The mysteries that Emily finds herself somewhat involved in are not developed enough for my taste. I got the gist of what was happening but it was just difficult for me to really get into it...to wonder "whodunit?" Even the setting of the stage was confusing. I couldn't follow along with where Emily was and what she was seeing. And re-reading the synopsis for the books, I don't even remember Dr. Crowther being that important to the plot of the story. She was just kind of there but not really.
These stories could be really great but they fell flat in my opinion.
Would I recommend them: I would not recommend these books.
Will I read them again: I will not.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
Did I enjoy these books: Three Sisters and Showstoppers were okay. They were supposed to be quick reads but they did not hold my attention or interest. Each book was approximately 40 Nook pages and it took me almost all day to finish one story. I just could not get into them.
I did not connect with the leading lady, Emily Castle. I couldn't understand what she was thinking or doing. She seemed a bit too scattered. Emily didn't seem to like anyone in her neighborhood and appeared put out to have to talk to anyone. I'm surprised she ever left her house.
The mysteries that Emily finds herself somewhat involved in are not developed enough for my taste. I got the gist of what was happening but it was just difficult for me to really get into it...to wonder "whodunit?" Even the setting of the stage was confusing. I couldn't follow along with where Emily was and what she was seeing. And re-reading the synopsis for the books, I don't even remember Dr. Crowther being that important to the plot of the story. She was just kind of there but not really.
These stories could be really great but they fell flat in my opinion.
Would I recommend them: I would not recommend these books.
Will I read them again: I will not.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
January 11, 2013
This is the second Emily Castles mystery book. Three Sisters was the first.
First off, I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I did the first one. I think the reason for that is because the mystery starts right from the beginning in this story, where as it took a while for it to get going in the first book. I also liked the characters a little more, too. Victoria is funny, self-absorbed, and a little flaky. She makes me laugh.
I enjoyed the overlap of some of the characters. Dr. Muriel returns as a very helpful and amusing sidekick for Emily. The mention of characters and places from the first book was fun, too.
I liked the mystery in this book. It took me a lot longer to guess who the culprit is than in the first book. I still managed to guess correctly long before the guilty party revealed themselves, but it was fun to have suspicions and doubts about their identity.
There were some typos and spelling mistakes, and those always drive me a bit crazy, but the content was clean, humorous, and fun. This would definitely be classified as a "light" mystery. I would read the first book before reading this one, just so you have the background about all the characters. They aren't very long, so it makes for a nice afternoon read.
First off, I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I did the first one. I think the reason for that is because the mystery starts right from the beginning in this story, where as it took a while for it to get going in the first book. I also liked the characters a little more, too. Victoria is funny, self-absorbed, and a little flaky. She makes me laugh.
I enjoyed the overlap of some of the characters. Dr. Muriel returns as a very helpful and amusing sidekick for Emily. The mention of characters and places from the first book was fun, too.
I liked the mystery in this book. It took me a lot longer to guess who the culprit is than in the first book. I still managed to guess correctly long before the guilty party revealed themselves, but it was fun to have suspicions and doubts about their identity.
There were some typos and spelling mistakes, and those always drive me a bit crazy, but the content was clean, humorous, and fun. This would definitely be classified as a "light" mystery. I would read the first book before reading this one, just so you have the background about all the characters. They aren't very long, so it makes for a nice afternoon read.
February 7, 2013
Background: In this installment of Emily Castles Mysteries, Emily is helping her neighbor at her drama school when someone turns up dead. Again she teams with Dr. Muriel to solve the mystery of his death.
Review: Again I was a little disappointed by the writing. The long-winded sentences threw of my reading. I was interested to find out who-done-it so I did want to finish the story, there was enough build up that made it easy to continue reading.
I still think Emily is a bit off, I need more character development for her. She is very uninterested in the going-ons of others but very involved in the case solving, and it is weird. I think back to great mystery writers like Agatha Christie, who made you love the detectives…even if they weren’t actually detectives but instead a random old lady. I think that if me to love these stories I need more attachment to the people solving the mysteries.
There is a full book, not novella, coming out, so hopefully the characters grow.
Review: Again I was a little disappointed by the writing. The long-winded sentences threw of my reading. I was interested to find out who-done-it so I did want to finish the story, there was enough build up that made it easy to continue reading.
I still think Emily is a bit off, I need more character development for her. She is very uninterested in the going-ons of others but very involved in the case solving, and it is weird. I think back to great mystery writers like Agatha Christie, who made you love the detectives…even if they weren’t actually detectives but instead a random old lady. I think that if me to love these stories I need more attachment to the people solving the mysteries.
There is a full book, not novella, coming out, so hopefully the characters grow.
February 13, 2013
www.justfantasybooksadis.blogspot.ro/...
In "Showstoppers", the protagonist is Emily. When her neighbor, Victoria, is receiving threatening letters about a video that she made when she was younger, she asks Emily for help. A little time ago, Victoria and her friend made a video and, because of it, a man died laughing. Victoria is suspecting that her friend sent the letters. Because Emily didn't have a job, she accepts to help Victoria to organize the Showstoppers show. But Emily ends up being inolved in a murder and she tries to discover, along with the excentric Dr. Muriel, who the murderer is.
Showstoppers is a pretty captivating story, with a lot of twists. I'm really sorry that it was so short and I really think that everything happened too fast. And again, Emily and Dr. Muriel made a perfect team and, working toghether, they managed to discover a murder and, by the end of the day, the show was saved.
In "Showstoppers", the protagonist is Emily. When her neighbor, Victoria, is receiving threatening letters about a video that she made when she was younger, she asks Emily for help. A little time ago, Victoria and her friend made a video and, because of it, a man died laughing. Victoria is suspecting that her friend sent the letters. Because Emily didn't have a job, she accepts to help Victoria to organize the Showstoppers show. But Emily ends up being inolved in a murder and she tries to discover, along with the excentric Dr. Muriel, who the murderer is.
Showstoppers is a pretty captivating story, with a lot of twists. I'm really sorry that it was so short and I really think that everything happened too fast. And again, Emily and Dr. Muriel made a perfect team and, working toghether, they managed to discover a murder and, by the end of the day, the show was saved.
April 25, 2013
Emily Castles is not having a good day. Her temp job is over, and now she has to deal with misdirected mail. While delivering said mail to her neighbor, Emily gets involved in her neighbor Victoria's bad situation. You see, Victoria is an actress and made a video with her then boyfriend in drama school. No, not that kind of video. The kind that kills...with laughter. Victoria is getting threatening letters, so naturally she enlists Emily to help her discover who is behind it all.
This was a very cute story. It's novella length, so you can easily read it in one sitting. This also means that the story moves along at a very fast clip. I particularly enjoyed Victoria and her crazy student film. That was pretty hilarious. The mystery wasn't too predictable, and I actually enjoyed that no one was ever in any mortal danger or anything. Overall this was just a fun, cute story, and I look forward to reading more.
Book provided for review.
This was a very cute story. It's novella length, so you can easily read it in one sitting. This also means that the story moves along at a very fast clip. I particularly enjoyed Victoria and her crazy student film. That was pretty hilarious. The mystery wasn't too predictable, and I actually enjoyed that no one was ever in any mortal danger or anything. Overall this was just a fun, cute story, and I look forward to reading more.
Book provided for review.
February 8, 2013
Showstoppers is the second chapter in The Emily Castle Mysteries.
When Emily discovers she’s mistakenly received a letter for her neighbor Victoria, she does the good neighbor thing and walks it over to her. The response she gets is surprising.
“Oh God, no!” said Victoria.
Victoria explains she has been receiving these anonymous threatening letters. She thinks they may be from an ex-boyfriend, but Emily is doubtful.
The author has a colorful cast of characters in this cozy mystery. She leads you down many paths to discover who is writing the letters.
I had a really fun time meeting the cast of characters and trying to guess who did it.
See if you can spot the clues. How are your sleuthing skills?
When you read Showstoppers you’ll be drawn into this mystery to the surprising end.
Four Stars for setting the stage!
When Emily discovers she’s mistakenly received a letter for her neighbor Victoria, she does the good neighbor thing and walks it over to her. The response she gets is surprising.
“Oh God, no!” said Victoria.
Victoria explains she has been receiving these anonymous threatening letters. She thinks they may be from an ex-boyfriend, but Emily is doubtful.
The author has a colorful cast of characters in this cozy mystery. She leads you down many paths to discover who is writing the letters.
I had a really fun time meeting the cast of characters and trying to guess who did it.
See if you can spot the clues. How are your sleuthing skills?
When you read Showstoppers you’ll be drawn into this mystery to the surprising end.
Four Stars for setting the stage!
February 16, 2013
In Showstoppers, Emily Castles once again finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Emily's neighbor, Victoria has been receiving threatening letters. Someone has discovered an old video of her that she made years ago in film school. The video is apparently hideous and Victoria, who now runs a successful studio doesn't want anyone to see it. With another murder to solve, Emily again teams up with Dr. Muriel to find out who done it and hopefully save Victoria's reputation.
I also enjoyed reading this novella. I did not like the character of Victoria. She is flaky and spoiled and seems to always get her way, often at the expense of others. Emily and Dr. Muriel are once again fabulous and laugh out loud funny. I hope that there will be more cozy mysteries featuring these wonderful characters. A fast read that I recommend to all cozy reader fans!
I also enjoyed reading this novella. I did not like the character of Victoria. She is flaky and spoiled and seems to always get her way, often at the expense of others. Emily and Dr. Muriel are once again fabulous and laugh out loud funny. I hope that there will be more cozy mysteries featuring these wonderful characters. A fast read that I recommend to all cozy reader fans!
October 21, 2012
I think I love Dr. Muriel.
When I read the first Emily Castles Mystery I didn’t know what to expect. What I discovered was a short cozy mystery with lots of quirky characters and an author who writes descriptions like no other writer I know—and I mean that in a good way! Helen Smith’s voice is unique.
The set-up for this story is that Emily’s neighbor is receiving threatening letters and requests Emily’s help. Although Emily is the lead of this story, her presence (via inner monologue) doesn’t loom as large in this one as it did in the first. I could’ve used more Emily. But I was placated by the reappearance of Dr. Muriel, who not only returns, but has a larger role. Emily and Dr. Muriel are a great team and I eagerly await their next adventure.
When I read the first Emily Castles Mystery I didn’t know what to expect. What I discovered was a short cozy mystery with lots of quirky characters and an author who writes descriptions like no other writer I know—and I mean that in a good way! Helen Smith’s voice is unique.
The set-up for this story is that Emily’s neighbor is receiving threatening letters and requests Emily’s help. Although Emily is the lead of this story, her presence (via inner monologue) doesn’t loom as large in this one as it did in the first. I could’ve used more Emily. But I was placated by the reappearance of Dr. Muriel, who not only returns, but has a larger role. Emily and Dr. Muriel are a great team and I eagerly await their next adventure.
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