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The Brenda and Effie Mysteries #2
Something Borrowed
Brenda must face her demons, but first she needs to get to the bottom of the sinister goings-on that threaten to overcome an all-too-quiet seaside town.
When poison pen letters start flying around the quiet lanes of Whitby, trouble is in store for Brenda and Effie. And with Jessie the Zombie Womanzee, trips down memory lane and amorous ghoul hunting, literary minded and strangely youthful professors of Icelandic history, as well as a terrifying encounter with bamboo wickerwork gods from the dawn of time, even Brenda's ample cup is running over. But her most challenging battle is the one she must fight with herself - or, at least, parts of herself...
When poison pen letters start flying around the quiet lanes of Whitby, trouble is in store for Brenda and Effie. And with Jessie the Zombie Womanzee, trips down memory lane and amorous ghoul hunting, literary minded and strangely youthful professors of Icelandic history, as well as a terrifying encounter with bamboo wickerwork gods from the dawn of time, even Brenda's ample cup is running over. But her most challenging battle is the one she must fight with herself - or, at least, parts of herself...
391 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 12, 2017
Knocked off a star because I haven't decided yet if I found it kind of racist or not.
June 13, 2021
The second installment of Brenda and Effie's adventures in Whitby see the friendship they hold so dear tested. With the fallout from Never the Bride still apparent on the beaches of Whitby and Brenda's past arriving in town unexpectedly the fast friend are pushed to their limits. Asked to investigate a poison pen scandal they unearth so much more than they had originally expected with supernatural beings and old flames being thrown in the mix. What I loved most about this book was Brenda coming into her own and finding her own inner strength to face her demons. She is such a fun characters with so much depth but was overshadowed by Effie in book one. Here we see Brenda having no choice but take charge. I love the friendship if Brenda and Effie and can't wait to read the next installment of their adventures.
July 8, 2024
Knocking off a point for the (thankfully only minor) use of Fu Manchu. Otherwise I adore this strange mix of bleak horror, dark comedy, and cozy village stories. A nice, casual read, but with much better structure than the first. I’m looking forward to seeing how plot points introduced in this develop in future books!
June 20, 2009
There are good ideas and there are great ideas.
Naming a band 'Dogs Die in Hot Cars' and my own plan to remake Seven Brides for Seven Brothers using only the music of 'The Smiths' are good ideas.
Tetris, naming a band 'The Jesus and Mary Chain', and Joss Whedon making his vampire slayer a hot young Valley girl are great ideas.
But Paul Magrs making his vampire hunter the Bride of Frankenstein? Now that's a superb idea.
Not that I'd want to give the impression that Magrs' series of books about Brenda (Whitby B&B woman and wonderfully human creature of the night) is in any sense a mere extension of Whedon's earlier TV series. As any number of poor tv shows demonstrate, trying to copy Joss Whedon leads only to crass scenes of alien sex in toilets and tedious yawnfests aplenty - and Paul Magrs isn't the pinching ideas kind of writer in any case. Other writers work isn't so much grist to his mill as an odd kind of mulch fermenting in his head, being subsumed and broken down to its constituent parts before being launched back into the fresh air as something virtually unrecognisable (that sounds a bit arty-farty, I know, but this is my literary review head:)
Which brings me neatly to Magrs new book, 'Something Borrowed', the sequel to 'Never the Bride', in which all manner of dark and forgotten creatures come burrowing back into the light of day to menace our heroines, Brenda and Effie.
Opening a little after the events of the first novel in the series, Something Borrowed features (as you would expect) many of the cast of that book but also - to the delight of this reader at least - Henry Cleavis, Reg Tyler and the rest of the Smudgelings, as seen in both Magrs' Doctor Who novel, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, and his more recent 'real world' novel, To the Devil - A Diva.
Fresh from the discovery that Whitby hosts its very own Hellmouth, Brenda unexpectedly hooks up with old flame, centenarian academic and Smudlgelings' founder member, Henry Cleavis and in doing so awakens long repressed memories from the past. Meanwhile, someone is sending poison pen letters round town, Effie and the Womanzee get shot at, Sheila Manchu turns to the ladies for help and Brenda has some very unexpected visitations in the night.
This is, quite simply, the best book of 2007 - a marvellous mix of an Alan Moore comic and an Alan Bennett play, packed with the odd, the perverse and the fabulous, stuffed with memorable characters and over-flowing with incident, both humorous and otherwise. Where else but in a Magrs novel would you expect to see both the Bride of Frankenstein rescuing her 100 year old lover from Goomba the Wicker(work Chair) Man and a genuinely human and touching tale of the strengths which bind friends together?
Nowhere, that's where.
Which is why Magrs is an author to be treasured in these days of writing by rote and publishing only the plastic and the puerile. Do everyone a favour - don't bother buying whatever the latest formulaic Garth Nix fantasy yawnfest is called and buy 'Never the Bride' instead. Then go to Amazon, ignore the adverts for The Bejewelled Sword of Wizardry in the Land of Implausible Unicorns and Other Faintly Chirpy Foolishness and buy S'omething Borrowed'.
You won't regret it, I guarantee it.
Naming a band 'Dogs Die in Hot Cars' and my own plan to remake Seven Brides for Seven Brothers using only the music of 'The Smiths' are good ideas.
Tetris, naming a band 'The Jesus and Mary Chain', and Joss Whedon making his vampire slayer a hot young Valley girl are great ideas.
But Paul Magrs making his vampire hunter the Bride of Frankenstein? Now that's a superb idea.
Not that I'd want to give the impression that Magrs' series of books about Brenda (Whitby B&B woman and wonderfully human creature of the night) is in any sense a mere extension of Whedon's earlier TV series. As any number of poor tv shows demonstrate, trying to copy Joss Whedon leads only to crass scenes of alien sex in toilets and tedious yawnfests aplenty - and Paul Magrs isn't the pinching ideas kind of writer in any case. Other writers work isn't so much grist to his mill as an odd kind of mulch fermenting in his head, being subsumed and broken down to its constituent parts before being launched back into the fresh air as something virtually unrecognisable (that sounds a bit arty-farty, I know, but this is my literary review head:)
Which brings me neatly to Magrs new book, 'Something Borrowed', the sequel to 'Never the Bride', in which all manner of dark and forgotten creatures come burrowing back into the light of day to menace our heroines, Brenda and Effie.
Opening a little after the events of the first novel in the series, Something Borrowed features (as you would expect) many of the cast of that book but also - to the delight of this reader at least - Henry Cleavis, Reg Tyler and the rest of the Smudgelings, as seen in both Magrs' Doctor Who novel, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, and his more recent 'real world' novel, To the Devil - A Diva.
Fresh from the discovery that Whitby hosts its very own Hellmouth, Brenda unexpectedly hooks up with old flame, centenarian academic and Smudlgelings' founder member, Henry Cleavis and in doing so awakens long repressed memories from the past. Meanwhile, someone is sending poison pen letters round town, Effie and the Womanzee get shot at, Sheila Manchu turns to the ladies for help and Brenda has some very unexpected visitations in the night.
This is, quite simply, the best book of 2007 - a marvellous mix of an Alan Moore comic and an Alan Bennett play, packed with the odd, the perverse and the fabulous, stuffed with memorable characters and over-flowing with incident, both humorous and otherwise. Where else but in a Magrs novel would you expect to see both the Bride of Frankenstein rescuing her 100 year old lover from Goomba the Wicker(work Chair) Man and a genuinely human and touching tale of the strengths which bind friends together?
Nowhere, that's where.
Which is why Magrs is an author to be treasured in these days of writing by rote and publishing only the plastic and the puerile. Do everyone a favour - don't bother buying whatever the latest formulaic Garth Nix fantasy yawnfest is called and buy 'Never the Bride' instead. Then go to Amazon, ignore the adverts for The Bejewelled Sword of Wizardry in the Land of Implausible Unicorns and Other Faintly Chirpy Foolishness and buy S'omething Borrowed'.
You won't regret it, I guarantee it.
September 4, 2010
Brenda is still not able to get the quiet life she has always wanted in this book - in fact things get even more exciting and dangerous in his book. She is also able to bring back some significant memories which help her to solve some of the problems. Her friendship with Effie goes through some difficult times too. A really good second novel in e series which I much enjoyed.
July 24, 2011
The second book in the Brenda and Effie series. Just as much charm and silly wit as the first book. A realisation that Magrs (pronounces Mars), has set up a big plot line that leaves the story open enough for him to write as many of these novels as he likes... I don't mind though... Keep them coming!
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December 23, 2022I’ve never been to Whitby, and if it’s anything like the place the Paul Magrs describes, I’m not sure whether to jump in the car or lock the doors and stay at home. There are more than a few strange goings on there.
Luckily they’ve got Brenda and Effie investigating them. The immediate thing is that Magrs doesn’t forget the events that took place in Never the Bride. Not that you need to have read the first one.Magrs does a good job of brining you up to date, and even teasing, on the events that happened. But knowing what happened in Never the Bride does add certain edge to events.
This time it starts with poison pen letters being sent to some of Whitby’s residents. Then there is Jessie the Zombie Womanzee, a problem left over from Never the Bride. And don’t mention the past that comes back to Brenda by being unlocked from her memory. Oh and then there are wickerwork gods, and professors of Icelandic History.
There is so much to love here it’s hard to know where to start. There is a very clear sense of place. This isn’t any seaside town, this is Whitby with Cod Almighty, The Christmas Hotel and Brenda’s own B&B with its luxurious bedroom to name a few places.
It’s not only the place but Magrs has managed to make the extraordinary seem natural. I was going to say normal but that would imply that its boring and it’s anything but that. It is certainly quaint and has gentle English horror, so more is left to the imagination. No need for gore and blood to shock the reader. And it’s not that kind of horror story.
Magrs does approach Lovecraftian darkness and the otherworldly danger Whitby faces though the human’s are just as dangerous as some of the other more monstrous residents.
What you end up with is a couple of old ladies who end up solving mysteries though the focus in this one is Brenda and a section in the middle involves her remembering her forgotten past, which has a bearing on current events but also puts new light on the events of Never the Bride.
It’s not perfect though as Magrs does sometimes over indulge himself and it feels that he’s not quite in control of events letting the characters lead things. This is alright for the most part but there were a couple of moments where things were dismissed and underplayed by the characters when they should have been focused on more.
But those are really small niggles. Magrs strength might not be the plotting as it is little mad but he certainly makes up with through his cast of characters and that’s what makes Something Borrowed a joy to read. I really do care about Robert the same way Brenda does and want to protect him and for him to be my friend. I can understand why Effie has this cast iron front to hide behind but most of all I want Brenda to be safe and happy even if she isn’t technically human, she’s more human than most.
I’m greatly looking forward to Conjugal Rights quickly followed by Hell’s Bells, which is released next month. Reviews soon.
Luckily they’ve got Brenda and Effie investigating them. The immediate thing is that Magrs doesn’t forget the events that took place in Never the Bride. Not that you need to have read the first one.Magrs does a good job of brining you up to date, and even teasing, on the events that happened. But knowing what happened in Never the Bride does add certain edge to events.
This time it starts with poison pen letters being sent to some of Whitby’s residents. Then there is Jessie the Zombie Womanzee, a problem left over from Never the Bride. And don’t mention the past that comes back to Brenda by being unlocked from her memory. Oh and then there are wickerwork gods, and professors of Icelandic History.
There is so much to love here it’s hard to know where to start. There is a very clear sense of place. This isn’t any seaside town, this is Whitby with Cod Almighty, The Christmas Hotel and Brenda’s own B&B with its luxurious bedroom to name a few places.
It’s not only the place but Magrs has managed to make the extraordinary seem natural. I was going to say normal but that would imply that its boring and it’s anything but that. It is certainly quaint and has gentle English horror, so more is left to the imagination. No need for gore and blood to shock the reader. And it’s not that kind of horror story.
Magrs does approach Lovecraftian darkness and the otherworldly danger Whitby faces though the human’s are just as dangerous as some of the other more monstrous residents.
What you end up with is a couple of old ladies who end up solving mysteries though the focus in this one is Brenda and a section in the middle involves her remembering her forgotten past, which has a bearing on current events but also puts new light on the events of Never the Bride.
It’s not perfect though as Magrs does sometimes over indulge himself and it feels that he’s not quite in control of events letting the characters lead things. This is alright for the most part but there were a couple of moments where things were dismissed and underplayed by the characters when they should have been focused on more.
But those are really small niggles. Magrs strength might not be the plotting as it is little mad but he certainly makes up with through his cast of characters and that’s what makes Something Borrowed a joy to read. I really do care about Robert the same way Brenda does and want to protect him and for him to be my friend. I can understand why Effie has this cast iron front to hide behind but most of all I want Brenda to be safe and happy even if she isn’t technically human, she’s more human than most.
I’m greatly looking forward to Conjugal Rights quickly followed by Hell’s Bells, which is released next month. Reviews soon.
August 17, 2018
picked up this particular little gem in a charity shop, not realising at the time that it is, in fact, the second in a series. I only realised this when I came to read it. Normally, I would have put it aside until I could get hold of the preceding book, but as I also realised it was set in the seaside town of Whitby, a place I was due to visit that very week, I decided to plough on regardless.
Something Borrowed mixes gothic horror, fantasy and comedy to produce a tale that is both ludicrous and compelling. Not having read the first book (soon to be rectified) I was a little behind with Brenda and Effie’s story, but Magrs (pronounced Mars apparently) very thoughtfully included enough references to the two ladies’ first adventure (Never The Bride) that I was very soon fairly up to date. In Brenda and Effie Magrs has created two wonderfully idiosyncratic characters who manage to blunder their way through a plot full of overflowing with vampires, zombies, stray body parts and a set of possessed furniture, all set against the gothic spookiness of Whitby.
Thanks to Bram Stoker, this busy little seaside town has become something of a mecca for fans of the gothic tradition. The swirling mists that often shroud the imposing Abbey, its narrow alleys and steep, winding pathways, make it the perfect setting for tales of possession and devilment. In Something Borrowed the town itself is as much a character as Brenda and Effie and their assorted friends and foes.
Something Borrowed has all the elements of a good old fashioned horror story, told with a wonderful comic twist that makes it a very entertaining and unique read. At times I was reminded of watching those old black and white movies that are now more amusing than they are terrifying.
Brenda is one of those characters who leap out of the page and demand your attention – and affection. I can almost picture myself enjoying coffee and a cake with her in the Walrus and Carpenter. Her straight talking honesty and her strength of character make her a compelling narrator as she and Effie face a demon from Brenda’s murky past.
There is also the question of the poison pen letters that have been dropping through people’s letterboxes. Who would write such horrible things? And who, or what, is haunting Brenda every night with their incessant tappings and scrapings? And why has Henry Cleavis turned up here and now, dragging up long-forgotten memories and feelings?
Read and all will be revealed.
Something Borrowed has everything I could want from a book – captivating characters, recognisable setting, great plot and plenty of humour, all told with style and wit. I will definitely be reading Brenda and Effie’s debut, and am looking forward to the rest of their crazy adventures.
Something Borrowed mixes gothic horror, fantasy and comedy to produce a tale that is both ludicrous and compelling. Not having read the first book (soon to be rectified) I was a little behind with Brenda and Effie’s story, but Magrs (pronounced Mars apparently) very thoughtfully included enough references to the two ladies’ first adventure (Never The Bride) that I was very soon fairly up to date. In Brenda and Effie Magrs has created two wonderfully idiosyncratic characters who manage to blunder their way through a plot full of overflowing with vampires, zombies, stray body parts and a set of possessed furniture, all set against the gothic spookiness of Whitby.
Thanks to Bram Stoker, this busy little seaside town has become something of a mecca for fans of the gothic tradition. The swirling mists that often shroud the imposing Abbey, its narrow alleys and steep, winding pathways, make it the perfect setting for tales of possession and devilment. In Something Borrowed the town itself is as much a character as Brenda and Effie and their assorted friends and foes.
Something Borrowed has all the elements of a good old fashioned horror story, told with a wonderful comic twist that makes it a very entertaining and unique read. At times I was reminded of watching those old black and white movies that are now more amusing than they are terrifying.
Brenda is one of those characters who leap out of the page and demand your attention – and affection. I can almost picture myself enjoying coffee and a cake with her in the Walrus and Carpenter. Her straight talking honesty and her strength of character make her a compelling narrator as she and Effie face a demon from Brenda’s murky past.
There is also the question of the poison pen letters that have been dropping through people’s letterboxes. Who would write such horrible things? And who, or what, is haunting Brenda every night with their incessant tappings and scrapings? And why has Henry Cleavis turned up here and now, dragging up long-forgotten memories and feelings?
Read and all will be revealed.
Something Borrowed has everything I could want from a book – captivating characters, recognisable setting, great plot and plenty of humour, all told with style and wit. I will definitely be reading Brenda and Effie’s debut, and am looking forward to the rest of their crazy adventures.
May 31, 2019
This is the second in a series of books written by Paul Magrs which mixes classic horror with fantasy and black comedy, to create one of the most imaginative literary worlds I have ever found myself absorbed in.
When the Bride of Fu Manchu now running a pub and night spot in Whitby starts to receive poison pen letters, she does what anybody would do in that situation, call on the services of Brenda, who happens to be the Bride of Frankenstein (who is running a Bed and Breakfast in the same town), and her best friend Effie, a descendent of a long line of witches and keeper of the towns secrets.
The entire affair is completely absurd, and that is what makes it such a brilliant and fun read. Written and standing by its own rules it even ends with a terrifying encounter with a giant effigy of a wickerwork god from the dawn of time, made by entranced locals from the bamboo furniture of a pub beer garden.
As I mentioned this is the second in a series, and Magrs expands on the story started in Never the Bride, bringing real depth and even a sense of tragedy to his characters. Once this gets a grip of you, you will not want to put it down.
When the Bride of Fu Manchu now running a pub and night spot in Whitby starts to receive poison pen letters, she does what anybody would do in that situation, call on the services of Brenda, who happens to be the Bride of Frankenstein (who is running a Bed and Breakfast in the same town), and her best friend Effie, a descendent of a long line of witches and keeper of the towns secrets.
The entire affair is completely absurd, and that is what makes it such a brilliant and fun read. Written and standing by its own rules it even ends with a terrifying encounter with a giant effigy of a wickerwork god from the dawn of time, made by entranced locals from the bamboo furniture of a pub beer garden.
As I mentioned this is the second in a series, and Magrs expands on the story started in Never the Bride, bringing real depth and even a sense of tragedy to his characters. Once this gets a grip of you, you will not want to put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2023
Oops, I didn't mean to get large print but what a treat for my post-nightshift eyes! I didn't even need my specs!
Another rollicking riot around Whitby with Brenda and Effie. More strange tales and some insights into the monstrous heroine's past. Great fun read and I look forward to continuing this series.
Another rollicking riot around Whitby with Brenda and Effie. More strange tales and some insights into the monstrous heroine's past. Great fun read and I look forward to continuing this series.
October 20, 2018
Fantastically Frightful Fun
May 16, 2020
Brenda meets an old friend who returns some of her memories to her, and together they stop the bamboo god Goomba from sacrificing someone. Another cliffhanger ending. Very funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2020
Was not as good as the first but still good to read
November 8, 2022
3.5 these Brenda and Effie books are just so delightfully silly
October 1, 2023
Absolutely in love with these books. I end up thinking about Brenda throughout my day and can't wait to get back to her and her adventures.
September 28, 2016
This series is an oddity to me. I find it boring but the characters are just so gosh darn charming. I wasn't bowled over by the first book but I remember having a good impression of Brenda and Effie. I just find my mind wandering at times while reading. Well, my mind wandered a lot in this book. It is a bit perplexing because I do like the characters. However, their story, while unconventional and whacky, just bores me. I think I just mentally tuned out when Brenda was remembering her past with Henry. It was just a real snoozer.
The best part of this book is definitely Brenda and Effie's friendship. I just find the friendship between these two people pretty cute. I find Effie's obnoxious cruelty pretty funny. She is just so unapologetic about it and I find her hilarious. Brenda, as the straight man in their comedy pair, was pretty good. I love their dynamic.
The story revolves around Brenda and the weird happenings in Whitby town. There is a string of poison pen letter incidents in the town and Brenda and Effie are on the case. The letters claim that the sender knows the recipient's deepest secrets. People are paranoid and there are several suspects. One of them turned out dead. It was later revealed to have been committed by an elf who felt pressured by Ms. Claus. The culprit was Brenda's spare parts. They seemed sentient and have been typing the letters using Effie's typewriter.
The bigger story was the interdimensional Goomba. The creature is powerless on its own but could control people to do its bidding. Mu-Mu, Sheila's husband, used to be its servant. Anyways, Goomba returned and tried to return to his home planet. Whitby seemed to be a hotbed for paranormal occurrences and that was the destination. Goomba had to perform a ritual that needs a sacrifice. Henry was the sacrifice and Brenda came through and saves him.
Henry was there to investigate monstrous affairs. He left once the issues were cleared up.
The book ended with Brenda's husband sending her a letter declaring that he would return for her.
The best part of this book is definitely Brenda and Effie's friendship. I just find the friendship between these two people pretty cute. I find Effie's obnoxious cruelty pretty funny. She is just so unapologetic about it and I find her hilarious. Brenda, as the straight man in their comedy pair, was pretty good. I love their dynamic.
The story revolves around Brenda and the weird happenings in Whitby town. There is a string of poison pen letter incidents in the town and Brenda and Effie are on the case. The letters claim that the sender knows the recipient's deepest secrets. People are paranoid and there are several suspects. One of them turned out dead. It was later revealed to have been committed by an elf who felt pressured by Ms. Claus. The culprit was Brenda's spare parts. They seemed sentient and have been typing the letters using Effie's typewriter.
The bigger story was the interdimensional Goomba. The creature is powerless on its own but could control people to do its bidding. Mu-Mu, Sheila's husband, used to be its servant. Anyways, Goomba returned and tried to return to his home planet. Whitby seemed to be a hotbed for paranormal occurrences and that was the destination. Goomba had to perform a ritual that needs a sacrifice. Henry was the sacrifice and Brenda came through and saves him.
Henry was there to investigate monstrous affairs. He left once the issues were cleared up.
The book ended with Brenda's husband sending her a letter declaring that he would return for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2012
Brenda wants a return to normalcy, while Effie is all for further fun. Brenda just wants to run her Bed and Breakfast and make it the cleanest and friendliest place in all of Whitby. Yet their adventures of the previous year has made Effie realize that there's so much more out there. Sure, growing up with a family of powerful witches, you know about "other" things, but dating Dracula and watching a hell mouth open change your priorities. Without consulting Brenda, Effie has got them a case investigating a string of poison pen letters. Sheila Manchu, who runs the decidedly low rent Hotel Miramar, is the latest victim. She has been shaken by the accusations and hopes that Brenda and Effie can help her.
Their first suspect is Mrs. Claus, with her mysterious ways and otherworldly air. She runs the upscale Christmas Hotel and is hoarding more secrets than perhaps even Brenda. Yet, she seems to be too classy to resort to poison pen letters. Lucky for Brenda and Effie, their now significantly transformed friend Jessie's nephew Robert works at both hotels and is will to help in their investigations when not tending to his womanzee aunt Jessie.
With a beer garden with evil undertones and a rampaging womanzee, sleep deprivation and things that scuttle in the night, surprisingly it's a man from Brenda's past that upsets the precious balance of life in Whitby. Henry Cleavis was a part of Brenda's life at one time, if only she could remember that time. Both of them are long past the time they should have left this earth, Brenda for more easily explainable, if unbelievable reasons... Henry though? What secrets does he hold? One things clear, he still hunts monsters, so where does that leave him and Brenda... Jessie is in danger, that's for sure. Yet if he's in town, there must be something more sinister that drew him here.
At first I was not sure if I would love this second book in Paul Magr's Brenda and Effie series as much as I did the first installment. There was a distinct structure shift. The narrative style changed from little vignettes to a more overall narrative arc. I loved the little "monster of the week" structure of Never the Bride, because it felt more Victorian in construct. Little sweets of stories that take place in Brenda and Effie's lives. Yet, there shouldn't have been a doubt in my mind. While the structure changed, my love for the characters didn't. Paul's style change perfectly fitted the story at hand. Instead of all these little individual tales, we have one tale that every little aspect of the narrative fed into. The story kept building on itself till we finally got the big reveal in Brenda's flashback that locked all the pieces down into place.
Also, learning more about Brenda's past, and her working as a housekeeper and maid back in 1946, makes sense with her continued love of a clean home. Her run in with Dracula way back in the day makes sense as to her prejudice against him when he previously was in Whitby and courting Effie. Secret societies comprised of academics, B Horror movie characters come to life and running amok. Creatures so dangerous that other evil creatures will inexplicably band together for "the greater good" all make this book a wonderfully fun read.
Still, the heart and soul of the book is Brenda. One doesn't really sit down and often think about if someone had an extremely long life, without the supernatural elements, Brenda after all is a creation of man, having been created by Doctor Frankenstein, what would happen to your brain after all these years. Obviously, there's only so much information that a human brain can retain, so amnesia or just plain having problems remembering your own past would be common. Not to mention, there might be a lot that you wish to forget! Brenda has "too many memories to fit inside one body." Memories return to her in flashes. Everything would be easy if she could quickly recall what happened the last time her and Henry where together, because it's obvious with his return, whatever was a danger to them in the past is a danger to them in the present. Yet, that is not how things work. Life is complicated and messy, and never simple, especially if you've had more than your fair share. You can quite literally be haunted by your past... who knows who or what might appear next. I know I can't wait to read about it!
Their first suspect is Mrs. Claus, with her mysterious ways and otherworldly air. She runs the upscale Christmas Hotel and is hoarding more secrets than perhaps even Brenda. Yet, she seems to be too classy to resort to poison pen letters. Lucky for Brenda and Effie, their now significantly transformed friend Jessie's nephew Robert works at both hotels and is will to help in their investigations when not tending to his womanzee aunt Jessie.
With a beer garden with evil undertones and a rampaging womanzee, sleep deprivation and things that scuttle in the night, surprisingly it's a man from Brenda's past that upsets the precious balance of life in Whitby. Henry Cleavis was a part of Brenda's life at one time, if only she could remember that time. Both of them are long past the time they should have left this earth, Brenda for more easily explainable, if unbelievable reasons... Henry though? What secrets does he hold? One things clear, he still hunts monsters, so where does that leave him and Brenda... Jessie is in danger, that's for sure. Yet if he's in town, there must be something more sinister that drew him here.
At first I was not sure if I would love this second book in Paul Magr's Brenda and Effie series as much as I did the first installment. There was a distinct structure shift. The narrative style changed from little vignettes to a more overall narrative arc. I loved the little "monster of the week" structure of Never the Bride, because it felt more Victorian in construct. Little sweets of stories that take place in Brenda and Effie's lives. Yet, there shouldn't have been a doubt in my mind. While the structure changed, my love for the characters didn't. Paul's style change perfectly fitted the story at hand. Instead of all these little individual tales, we have one tale that every little aspect of the narrative fed into. The story kept building on itself till we finally got the big reveal in Brenda's flashback that locked all the pieces down into place.
Also, learning more about Brenda's past, and her working as a housekeeper and maid back in 1946, makes sense with her continued love of a clean home. Her run in with Dracula way back in the day makes sense as to her prejudice against him when he previously was in Whitby and courting Effie. Secret societies comprised of academics, B Horror movie characters come to life and running amok. Creatures so dangerous that other evil creatures will inexplicably band together for "the greater good" all make this book a wonderfully fun read.
Still, the heart and soul of the book is Brenda. One doesn't really sit down and often think about if someone had an extremely long life, without the supernatural elements, Brenda after all is a creation of man, having been created by Doctor Frankenstein, what would happen to your brain after all these years. Obviously, there's only so much information that a human brain can retain, so amnesia or just plain having problems remembering your own past would be common. Not to mention, there might be a lot that you wish to forget! Brenda has "too many memories to fit inside one body." Memories return to her in flashes. Everything would be easy if she could quickly recall what happened the last time her and Henry where together, because it's obvious with his return, whatever was a danger to them in the past is a danger to them in the present. Yet, that is not how things work. Life is complicated and messy, and never simple, especially if you've had more than your fair share. You can quite literally be haunted by your past... who knows who or what might appear next. I know I can't wait to read about it!
August 24, 2021
I'm really enjoying this series! The end of this one...*gasp* Absolutely looking forward to Conjugal Rites. 😊
May 5, 2011
Never the Bride was playful, original, lightweight, but great fun.
Something Borrowed is a sequel that continues the tale of Brenda, the Bride of Frankenstein's Monster, living in a small coastal town in Northern England (Whitby), as landlady in a Bed & Breakfast, and teaming up with neighbour Effie, an elderly, somewhat grouchy witch, to solve mysteries and creepy monstrous doings.
The plot trundles along happily, the writing and story feels like something that should be in the Young Adult section of the book shop, and the characters are perhaps a little too British and chappy. There's more Gothic sinister stuff in this one, and perhaps a tad more violence and gore, but the pacing and general tone roughly match what came before. The previous book must have had more plotlines than I remember - a repeatedly mentioned incident in this book (and story strand) has gone so completely from my memory that I spent the entire time convinced that I'd accidentally bought the third book in the series rather than the second. I simply do not recall the pies made of human meat, or the zombiefication of Jessie the womanzee...
This book does reveal something new about Brenda: she has deleted many of her memories, perhaps even most. So the book gets an opportunity to tell big chunks of Brenda's history by having her recall them and overcome her self-imposed amnesia with hypnosis. Lots of action sequences told in the present tense, but taking place in the 1940s...
It does feel like the book is cheating a little, being a sequel and a prequel at the same time, and opening up an entire avenue of flashbacks that could continue in the rest of the series, giving the author freedom to skip to and fro in time and write little segments rather than continuing long stories.
In the end, this is still lightweight, pleasantly entertaining, full of Gothic references and the same kind of energy that fuelled things like Eerie, Indiana the TV series. It's still worth a look, but it did not quite delight me as much as the first book.
Something Borrowed is a sequel that continues the tale of Brenda, the Bride of Frankenstein's Monster, living in a small coastal town in Northern England (Whitby), as landlady in a Bed & Breakfast, and teaming up with neighbour Effie, an elderly, somewhat grouchy witch, to solve mysteries and creepy monstrous doings.
The plot trundles along happily, the writing and story feels like something that should be in the Young Adult section of the book shop, and the characters are perhaps a little too British and chappy. There's more Gothic sinister stuff in this one, and perhaps a tad more violence and gore, but the pacing and general tone roughly match what came before. The previous book must have had more plotlines than I remember - a repeatedly mentioned incident in this book (and story strand) has gone so completely from my memory that I spent the entire time convinced that I'd accidentally bought the third book in the series rather than the second. I simply do not recall the pies made of human meat, or the zombiefication of Jessie the womanzee...
This book does reveal something new about Brenda: she has deleted many of her memories, perhaps even most. So the book gets an opportunity to tell big chunks of Brenda's history by having her recall them and overcome her self-imposed amnesia with hypnosis. Lots of action sequences told in the present tense, but taking place in the 1940s...
It does feel like the book is cheating a little, being a sequel and a prequel at the same time, and opening up an entire avenue of flashbacks that could continue in the rest of the series, giving the author freedom to skip to and fro in time and write little segments rather than continuing long stories.
In the end, this is still lightweight, pleasantly entertaining, full of Gothic references and the same kind of energy that fuelled things like Eerie, Indiana the TV series. It's still worth a look, but it did not quite delight me as much as the first book.
August 16, 2010
Something Borrowed is the second novel in the Brenda and Effie series, following Never the Bride and succeeded by Conjugal Rites. Like its predecessor, the story is told in the first person by the main character, Brenda, but unlike it, this novel is related in the present tense, which I found rather off-putting, a literary game for which there was really no need. Like its predecessor, Something Borrowed tells of mysterious goings-on in the legend-haunted North Eastern coastal town of Whitby. This time, poison-pen letters are going around the town, sowing seeds of suspicion in their wake, something is haunting Brenda, and an old friend has returned from the grave. On top of this, Brenda has to cope with the return of someone from her past, and the sudden deluge of memories this brings. As is this weren’t enough to cope with, the town is falling increasingly under the spell of an ancient Being from the dawn of time itself.
Whereas Never the Bride was a novel made up of several short stories, the plot of Something Borrowed feels more integrated. That said, I felt there was too much flashback to Brenda’s earlier life, much of which reads like padding. Overall, a slight disappointment, but the finale, which leads into the third novel, promises much, and I shall be continuing with the series.
Whereas Never the Bride was a novel made up of several short stories, the plot of Something Borrowed feels more integrated. That said, I felt there was too much flashback to Brenda’s earlier life, much of which reads like padding. Overall, a slight disappointment, but the finale, which leads into the third novel, promises much, and I shall be continuing with the series.
January 3, 2014
To be fair, I should have realised this wasn’t my genre, and I should definitely have realised it was the second in a series. It can be read as a stand alone novel, since the bring-you-up-to-speed sections come quickly and are comprehensive. The problem was, I got the impression the adventures in the first novel were way better than the adventures in this one, and there would be no point reading them now as I’ve been filled in on what happened. This one delivered little in the way of excitement, with the possible exception of the typewriter confrontation scene, and nothing in the way of laughs. Again, the comparison with “the League of Gentlemen” on the back cover should have given me warning: I didn’t find that funny either.
I am sure there are readers out there – probably quite a lot of them – for whom this would be a great read. People who like a bit of gothic nastiness and humour that largely centres itself around eccentricity and people called Effie. To me it read like a children’s book and was just a bit daft. I have read many of the author’s articles on creative writing, all of which were brilliant, and had looked forward to reading some of his fiction. Perhaps I just picked the wrong one.
I am sure there are readers out there – probably quite a lot of them – for whom this would be a great read. People who like a bit of gothic nastiness and humour that largely centres itself around eccentricity and people called Effie. To me it read like a children’s book and was just a bit daft. I have read many of the author’s articles on creative writing, all of which were brilliant, and had looked forward to reading some of his fiction. Perhaps I just picked the wrong one.
May 9, 2012
The second offering in Margs Brenda and Effie series was just as enjoyable and satisfying as its prequel. The writing continues with the same enjoyable whimsy and charm though Something Borrowed is a bit heavier with the gothic and supernatural themes. There is also a marked improvement of threading the story together throughout the novels length as it feels far less episodic than it's predecessor.
This novel offers set up the continuing series well as it does a good job of fleshing out a number of the locals and location of Whitby (and setting a mould for future characters). Though it links in nicely with Never the Bride it still offers itself as an enjoyable stand alone story.
The story chugs along nicely offering plenty more 'sexagenarian gone wild' action in a gothic vein. while it is still a lightweight offering it there is a bit more excitement through the inclusion of mild gore and violence. It offers more monster troubles, odd interpersonal relationships and some Lovecraft-style ancient gods issues. Further avenues are opened through extensive use of flashback into Brenda's life.
This novel offers set up the continuing series well as it does a good job of fleshing out a number of the locals and location of Whitby (and setting a mould for future characters). Though it links in nicely with Never the Bride it still offers itself as an enjoyable stand alone story.
The story chugs along nicely offering plenty more 'sexagenarian gone wild' action in a gothic vein. while it is still a lightweight offering it there is a bit more excitement through the inclusion of mild gore and violence. It offers more monster troubles, odd interpersonal relationships and some Lovecraft-style ancient gods issues. Further avenues are opened through extensive use of flashback into Brenda's life.
February 1, 2013
This is a very unique, unusual and clever story. It's an entertaining combination of dark and gothic humour with eclectic and odd characters, and a truly Machiavellian plot!
For anyone who ever thought small seaside villages were quiet and boring, they need to visit Whitby! There are more demons, vampires, mind-controlling gods, and zombies in this one town than in all of Anne Rice's books combined!
The shenanigans and machinations going on in this seemly ordinarly little hamlet will keep you on the edge of your seat, and, more importantly laughing your head off at the absurdity of the situations.
The main character/protagonist - Brenda - is an extremely likeable, smart character, and her determined attempts to save . . . well, just about everyone, will keep you glued to your chair until you reach the last page.
The only caveat I would mention, is that there is a large amount of references to the previous book (Never the Bride) written by Paul Magrs, which will be somewhat confusing if you haven't read it, so start at the beginning and read the first book before picking up this one. But DO pick them up - very entertaining!!
For anyone who ever thought small seaside villages were quiet and boring, they need to visit Whitby! There are more demons, vampires, mind-controlling gods, and zombies in this one town than in all of Anne Rice's books combined!
The shenanigans and machinations going on in this seemly ordinarly little hamlet will keep you on the edge of your seat, and, more importantly laughing your head off at the absurdity of the situations.
The main character/protagonist - Brenda - is an extremely likeable, smart character, and her determined attempts to save . . . well, just about everyone, will keep you glued to your chair until you reach the last page.
The only caveat I would mention, is that there is a large amount of references to the previous book (Never the Bride) written by Paul Magrs, which will be somewhat confusing if you haven't read it, so start at the beginning and read the first book before picking up this one. But DO pick them up - very entertaining!!
October 8, 2007
This is the second book in the series, following on from "Never The Bride" and is a pretty good continuation. The book is a lot more coherent than the first, which is both a strength and a flaw. The first book was much more sketchy. Yes, the different sections fed into each other, but overall, it was like reading a bunch of short stories about the same place, rather than one long story.
With this one, the storyline makes more sense, which is nice. There is character progression and despite issues with memory and flashbacks, a fairly linear bit of storytelling. Possibly, this is why the book is more of a piece, so the issues with memory and the past don't just get lost in the shuffle.
At the same time, there are fewer new people being introduced and the ones that are, while charming in their way, aren't really as interesting as the old ones. There's also the slight danger you get with flashbacks where the most interesting bits are already in the past.
I'm giving it a pretty high mark because it is a good book. Less quirky than the first, but still a good read.
With this one, the storyline makes more sense, which is nice. There is character progression and despite issues with memory and flashbacks, a fairly linear bit of storytelling. Possibly, this is why the book is more of a piece, so the issues with memory and the past don't just get lost in the shuffle.
At the same time, there are fewer new people being introduced and the ones that are, while charming in their way, aren't really as interesting as the old ones. There's also the slight danger you get with flashbacks where the most interesting bits are already in the past.
I'm giving it a pretty high mark because it is a good book. Less quirky than the first, but still a good read.
July 28, 2010
I enjoyed the first volume (Never the Bride) enough to get the second, but I'm not sure I'm enjoying it enough to pay money out for any further volumes. Maybe the library has them.
This volume is less episodic than the first, with several problems overlapping instead of being dealt with sequentially. I'm not sure it succeeds any better.
Must admit I'm getting a bit tired of the oblique pop culture references. I am unconvinced that Fu Manchu would team up with Dracula to fight a Lovecraftian horror. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, just that it doesn't succeed here. I'm also getting fed up of all the action that occurs off-stage.
And I'm way too pop-culturally aware to believe that a character who was apparently killed but whose body has not been found is actually dead.
I may get around to reading the next volume sometime, but right now there are too many other things I'd rather read.
This volume is less episodic than the first, with several problems overlapping instead of being dealt with sequentially. I'm not sure it succeeds any better.
Must admit I'm getting a bit tired of the oblique pop culture references. I am unconvinced that Fu Manchu would team up with Dracula to fight a Lovecraftian horror. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, just that it doesn't succeed here. I'm also getting fed up of all the action that occurs off-stage.
And I'm way too pop-culturally aware to believe that a character who was apparently killed but whose body has not been found is actually dead.
I may get around to reading the next volume sometime, but right now there are too many other things I'd rather read.
March 22, 2009
"gloriously, zanily ludicrous... Magrs presents us with something unique, idiosyncratic and unclassifiable" - see how many superlatives The Guardian tries to fling at Something Borrowed. It can't compete! Not with a book about old ladies - one of them hundreds of years old, dressed in her best frock and a light cardy - solving supernatural mysteries in the spooky town of Whitby.
You can't say anything to compete with a book which has lines like: "I'm staring at the tall windows of the Christmas Hotel. I am glaring at that gaudy tribute to bad festive taste: that tawdry establishment where the grotesque Mrs Claus rules her own fantasy empire."
A fantastic fun read.
You can't say anything to compete with a book which has lines like: "I'm staring at the tall windows of the Christmas Hotel. I am glaring at that gaudy tribute to bad festive taste: that tawdry establishment where the grotesque Mrs Claus rules her own fantasy empire."
A fantastic fun read.
July 5, 2011
Not impressed. If I'm brutally honest it was boring quite often and I started speed reading just to get to the end and I don't do that very often. I won't be getting the follow up book and I can't recommend this at all - quite surprised that it got published really (harsh I know). There are occasional humorous passages but far too few to rescue an otherwise somewhat derivative attempt to create a new duo of bumbling supernatural investigators.
September 22, 2011
Picking up where Never The Bride Left off this Chronicles the further adventures of Brenda and Effie.
Unlike Never the Bride; something borrowed is much more of a traditional novel rather than a series of episodic adventures. It picks up strands from the first book and expands upon them in this continuation. I enjoyed the new style as it allowed some ideas to be developed more fully.
I am looking forward to seeing what happens next to Brenda and Effie.
Unlike Never the Bride; something borrowed is much more of a traditional novel rather than a series of episodic adventures. It picks up strands from the first book and expands upon them in this continuation. I enjoyed the new style as it allowed some ideas to be developed more fully.
I am looking forward to seeing what happens next to Brenda and Effie.
December 16, 2011
I really enjoyed the flashback sequence. The rest was a bit meh for me. Although the idea is pretty cool - the bride of Frankenstein tries to solve paranormal mysteries in a small town - and the quirky writing style, scattered with references to Frankenstein, is also pleasant.
I wasn't planning on reading the next one in the series after this one, but the teaser at the end may have almost pursuaded me. I am a bit of a sucker for anything Frankenstein, after all.
I wasn't planning on reading the next one in the series after this one, but the teaser at the end may have almost pursuaded me. I am a bit of a sucker for anything Frankenstein, after all.
September 17, 2013
This is second in a series, but I read it first - for me a much better read than 'Never the Bride', and you pick up anything you need to know from the first as you read through. The characters seem to have consolidated more by this book and it's a great fun read. The heroines are old ladies in a northern seaside town pitted against the encroaching forces of darkness - a kind of Alan Bennet meets hammer house of horrors. Witty, charming and engaging.
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