The Leopard’s Prey (Hist Mys-Jade del Cameron-Kenya, Africa-1920s) – 4th in series – Suzanne Arruda Andrea – G- - She also read the first book in the series, “Mark of the Lion,” which helped her tremendously in understanding the characters, events and relationships in this book. The writing was uninspired at best, the plot was poorly done, and the motivations unclear. Yet she enjoyed the location and read the books through to the end. She doesn’t, however, expect to read more books in this series. Corona – G- - She felt as though she was reading “Nancy Drew Grew Up” The book was silly and stilted. She liked the time period, references to the lifestyles of the 20s, the location and the insight on the people of Somalia. LJ – DNF - The book started off well for me. The opening scene was exciting and suspenseful. Jade is an interesting character, I had hoped she would remind me of Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher. Unfortunately not. However, I did like her reaction to finding a dead body. However, I found I had very hard time getting into the story and the characters. The whole exchanging journals thing annoyed me. There are references to events from previous books but I don’t mind them as they are adequately explained. There is a lot of exposition but nothing that pulls me into the plot. There is copious extraneous detail the strong sense of place I would expect for a book in this setting, is completely lacking. I loved the chapter headings from the traveler, but that wasn’t enough to save this book for me. Between not being able to feel any affinity for the characters, the plot plodding along and the very poor dialogue, I couldn’t stay with it. Marcy G – DNF – Read the first chapter and that was enough.
Sonnet of the Sphinx (Trad. Cozy-Grace Hollister-England-Cont) – 3rd in series – Diana Killian Linda F – Okay – Liked the characters and the dialogue, but was disappointed there wasn’t much information on Shelly. It was not a literary mystery. The first book in the series, “High Rhymes and Misdemeanors” is much more so. LJ – VG - I’ve not read this author before and was concerned she might be too cozy for my taste. I’m happy to say I was wrong. There are wonderfully evocative descriptions that both add to the appeal of the location and to the suspense of the story. Both the outdoor and the indoor locations come to life. I enjoy the author’s voice. There is wonderful, subtle humor, appreciated that a character realized the coincidence of an event and enjoyed her analogies: “Grace’s brain continued to spin sweet airy fantasy as though someone had left a cotton candy machine on overdrive.” Grace is a character with whom I could identify on many levels. She may get herself into situations, but it never feels as though she is too stupid to live. She keeps her head and gets herself out of danger, never expecting someone to come to her rescue. Peter is intriguing and someone about whom I want to know more, but it is always Grace in the lead of the story. The plot was good, but not perfect. There were hints to events in previous books which became annoying as no background information was provided. Although there seemed to be several threads, they were all tied up at the end and I certainly never identified the killer. With the combination of a strong sense of place, excellent dialogue, great characters, literary information, good suspense, and unexpected killer and a wonderful ending, I so enjoyed the book, I’ve ordered the others in the series so I may start at the beginning. Marcy G – G – Learned she should always read a series in order. The book did have a great sense of place, set in the Lake District. It was an easy read but there should have been more about the poets.
Bone by Bone (Unl. Invest-Oren Hobbs-No. Calif-Cont) – Standalone – Carol O’Connell Andrea – G- - The characters were too weird, the writing too stilted. She had trouble following the plot and didn’t like the ending as it felt there were a lot of questions unanswered. There were too many gaps, but she still enjoyed reading it. Charlotte – VG – Felt the relationship was a bit over the top. However, the story held her attention, way later into the night than it should have, and she couldn’t anticipate the story. Corona – VG – She enjoyed the story for no good reason. The characters were stiff and stereotypical and the relationship a bit too pointed. However, she did enjoy the story. LJ – Ex - O’Connell didn’t start her writing career until her 40s and after a career as a painter, proof reader and copy editor, skills which are apparent in her writing. She knows how to hook the reader from the first sentence; without a prologue or a single portent. I’m delighted to add. Her humor is slightly off center, which I appreciate. “It had been her mission to save him from literacy and send him outdoors in search of a life.” “…why does the town have so many loonies?” “Tolerance.” To me, it is the sign of a fine writer who can create an eccentric cast of characters but, without manipulation, justify each one. The characters are fully developed but in an artist’s way of creating layer upon layer until the full representations are clear. The characters drive the story, and there are some wonderful characters. But they also show how our foibles and the constraints we often put on ourselves by not saying things out loud can cause great damage to ourselves and to others. The story is very well plotted. This is not a fast-paced, quick read, but one with intrigue and as intricate as the tango which occurs late in the story. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen blood drawn on a dance floor.” A hint of magic and mysticism only add to the feeling that should one find this town in a map, one would be wise to drive around it. O’Connell has such a deliciously subtle style that plays with your emotions and provides an ending that is both heartbreaking yet filled with promise. Marcy G – G – She was alternatively fascinated and repelled by the book. The characters were eccentric with too much baggage. The pacing was uneven. Her end reaction was that it was a creepy book. Marcy S – G+ - Enjoyed it a lot. Thought the tango was a bit over the top. It had an intriguing plot full of so many possibilities you couldn’t anticipate the story.
Andrea – G- - She also read the first book in the series, “Mark of the Lion,” which helped her tremendously in understanding the characters, events and relationships in this book. The writing was uninspired at best, the plot was poorly done, and the motivations unclear. Yet she enjoyed the location and read the books through to the end. She doesn’t, however, expect to read more books in this series.
Corona – G- - She felt as though she was reading “Nancy Drew Grew Up” The book was silly and stilted. She liked the time period, references to the lifestyles of the 20s, the location and the insight on the people of Somalia.
LJ – DNF - The book started off well for me. The opening scene was exciting and suspenseful. Jade is an interesting character, I had hoped she would remind me of Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher. Unfortunately not. However, I did like her reaction to finding a dead body. However, I found I had very hard time getting into the story and the characters. The whole exchanging journals thing annoyed me. There are references to events from previous books but I don’t mind them as they are adequately explained. There is a lot of exposition but nothing that pulls me into the plot. There is copious extraneous detail the strong sense of place I would expect for a book in this setting, is completely lacking. I loved the chapter headings from the traveler, but that wasn’t enough to save this book for me. Between not being able to feel any affinity for the characters, the plot plodding along and the very poor dialogue, I couldn’t stay with it.
Marcy G – DNF – Read the first chapter and that was enough.
Sonnet of the Sphinx (Trad. Cozy-Grace Hollister-England-Cont) – 3rd in series – Diana Killian
Linda F – Okay – Liked the characters and the dialogue, but was disappointed there wasn’t much information on Shelly. It was not a literary mystery. The first book in the series, “High Rhymes and Misdemeanors” is much more so.
LJ – VG - I’ve not read this author before and was concerned she might be too cozy for my taste. I’m happy to say I was wrong. There are wonderfully evocative descriptions that both add to the appeal of the location and to the suspense of the story. Both the outdoor and the indoor locations come to life. I enjoy the author’s voice. There is wonderful, subtle humor, appreciated that a character realized the coincidence of an event and enjoyed her analogies: “Grace’s brain continued to spin sweet airy fantasy as though someone had left a cotton candy machine on overdrive.” Grace is a character with whom I could identify on many levels. She may get herself into situations, but it never feels as though she is too stupid to live. She keeps her head and gets herself out of danger, never expecting someone to come to her rescue. Peter is intriguing and someone about whom I want to know more, but it is always Grace in the lead of the story. The plot was good, but not perfect. There were hints to events in previous books which became annoying as no background information was provided. Although there seemed to be several threads, they were all tied up at the end and I certainly never identified the killer. With the combination of a strong sense of place, excellent dialogue, great characters, literary information, good suspense, and unexpected killer and a wonderful ending, I so enjoyed the book, I’ve ordered the others in the series so I may start at the beginning.
Marcy G – G – Learned she should always read a series in order. The book did have a great sense of place, set in the Lake District. It was an easy read but there should have been more about the poets.
Bone by Bone (Unl. Invest-Oren Hobbs-No. Calif-Cont) – Standalone – Carol O’Connell
Andrea – G- - The characters were too weird, the writing too stilted. She had trouble following the plot and didn’t like the ending as it felt there were a lot of questions unanswered. There were too many gaps, but she still enjoyed reading it.
Charlotte – VG – Felt the relationship was a bit over the top. However, the story held her attention, way later into the night than it should have, and she couldn’t anticipate the story.
Corona – VG – She enjoyed the story for no good reason. The characters were stiff and stereotypical and the relationship a bit too pointed. However, she did enjoy the story.
LJ – Ex - O’Connell didn’t start her writing career until her 40s and after a career as a painter, proof reader and copy editor, skills which are apparent in her writing. She knows how to hook the reader from the first sentence; without a prologue or a single portent. I’m delighted to add. Her humor is slightly off center, which I appreciate. “It had been her mission to save him from literacy and send him outdoors in search of a life.” “…why does the town have so many loonies?” “Tolerance.” To me, it is the sign of a fine writer who can create an eccentric cast of characters but, without manipulation, justify each one. The characters are fully developed but in an artist’s way of creating layer upon layer until the full representations are clear. The characters drive the story, and there are some wonderful characters. But they also show how our foibles and the constraints we often put on ourselves by not saying things out loud can cause great damage to ourselves and to others. The story is very well plotted. This is not a fast-paced, quick read, but one with intrigue and as intricate as the tango which occurs late in the story. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen blood drawn on a dance floor.” A hint of magic and mysticism only add to the feeling that should one find this town in a map, one would be wise to drive around it. O’Connell has such a deliciously subtle style that plays with your emotions and provides an ending that is both heartbreaking yet filled with promise.
Marcy G – G – She was alternatively fascinated and repelled by the book. The characters were eccentric with too much baggage. The pacing was uneven. Her end reaction was that it was a creepy book.
Marcy S – G+ - Enjoyed it a lot. Thought the tango was a bit over the top. It had an intriguing plot full of so many possibilities you couldn’t anticipate the story.