The Challenge Factory discussion

Starting in the next days :-D

Off to a good start: had already some chuckles, love the witty and visual style and found a new favorite expression (tail wagging nineteen to the dozen). I like Charlotte and Jess already and from the description am pretty curious about her friend, DI Nathan Costello.

I love the fact the Spanish food has a good reason and an emotional link for the MC.

I’m curious about the importance of the pinky swear. Each time it’s mentioned in a book I have the impression there’s a depths of mean behind the expression and I don’t get it. Perhaps because I grew up under communism in Poland and by the time we moved to Germany (and the many moves in the first years there) was already too old to form this kind of childhood friendships that appear to be linked to this phenomenon or it’s a cultural thing not common in continental Europe. Can you explain it to me or do I read way too much into it?

My favorite scene from the first couple of chapters was Jess taking the order from Leo Reeves (and verbal sparring partner, Harry Jenkins). I’m still chuckling each time I think about it. As well as I do when thinking about the description of the village Jess came just back from (how a church clock that stopped conversation for two days - was a busy week :-D)

I’m a bit over half the way through and though I’m no more so enthusiastic as I was for the first three chapters I’m enjoying the story enough I expect to finish it tomorrow afternoon (Tuesdays and Thursdays are my busy days so I won’t have much time in the morning).
I like most of the interpersonal relationships, find the mystery part a bit slow and enjoy most of Charlotte’s and Nathan’s relationship (so far struggled only with the scene regarding his night out - was unnecessary in my eyes, plus think it’s not very realistic how much details of the case he shares with her)
I love the fact the police isn’t described as incompetent - happens much too often in cozy mysteries, so this is another plus point in my book.
Loved the emotions in the scene when Tom was three hours late for his breakfast - and I love how active he’s described at that age!

Starting this tonight. Looking forward to it :)

For a change I finished earlier. I’ll post my thoughts when you are done as well.

Agnieszka wrote: "I’m curious about the importance of the pinky swear. Each time it’s mentioned in a book I have the impression there’s a depths of mean behind the expression and I don’t get it... Can you explain it to me or do I read way too much into it?"

I remember seeing it or hearing it when I was growing up. It wasn't anything deep or meaningful. Just two friends promising something or other. Here a link to Wikipedia explaining more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinky_s...

I finished reading the book. It was a nice story. That's about it.

I did expect it to be more British, if you know what I mean. Different idioms, different customs, different something. Except for a few minor details, the story could have been set anywhere.

Agnieszka wrote: "I love the fact the police isn’t described as incompetent - happens much too often in cozy mysteries, so this is another plus point in my book...."

I agree with you, Agnieszka. I don't like it when the police are described as incompetent. It seems like it's the author's way of excusing the main character's nosiness and interference.

Lanelle wrote: "Agnieszka wrote: "I’m curious about the importance of the pinky swear. Each time it’s mentioned in a book I have the impression there’s a depths of mean behind the expression and I don’t get it... ..."

Thanks!

I started this. Should be finished with it tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. It's cute so far but I've noticed something that throws me off a bit: there is A LOT of exposition. That is to say, the author is TELLING us a bunch of stuff. The first chapter in particular was info-dumping galore. It was a little off-putting. That said, I do find the setting itself very charming. I'd like to visit St. Eves ... you know, as long as I wouldn't get murdered there lol

D.L. wrote: "I'd like to visit St. Eves ... you know, as long as I wouldn't get murdered there lol"

LOL though first you’d have to find it :-D

Well, I finished it. I wasn't sure how to rate it. I gave it 3 stars, but maybe that was generous. I thought it suffered from an identity crisis. It wasn't exactly a light-hearted cozy, and it wasn't all from Charlotte's POV so I am not sure what to make of it. I don't think I would read another book in the series BUT it was definitely better than our other buddy read.

The thing that did bother me is there were only 2 suspects. That's not fun for me as a reader lol I need a lot of motives and suspects to sort through to figure out whodunnit. The motive here was very surprising though.