Due to being sick for three weeks this month, I didn't do much reading!
Books Read:
The Lost by Jonathan Aycliffe 2/5 stars (my review here)
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Greip 3/5 stars (my review here)
Audio Books Completed:
Little Men by Louisa Mae Alcott 4/5 stars
While not as good as Little Women, this was an enjoyable read with memorable characters and cute vignettes.
Opening Night (a/k/a Night at the Vulcan) by Ngaio Marsh 5/5 stars
Marsh's excellent mystery focuses on a murder during the opening night of a play. It is complex and entertaining, as is the norm with her novels.
Devices and Desires by P.D. James 5/5 stars
James is a master storyteller, giving in depth character studies of all those involved. This was a complex, sophisticated, and engrossing mystery.
Inspector Queen's Own Case by Ellery Queen 4/5 stars (my review here)
Did Not Finish
The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen
Despite an intriguing synopsis, I could't connect with the characters and as a result was unable to be interested in the plot.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep
12 Days at Bleakly Manor
Michelle Griep
expected publication date: 1 September 2017
3/5 stars
In 1851, Clara, newly impoverished, receives a mysterious invitation to stay at Bleakly Manor for the Twelve Days of Christmas, with a promise of 500 pounds if she stays through to the end. Arriving there, she finds other guests who have been given similar invitations with differing promises if they stay all twelve days. One of the guests is Ben, from her past and an unwelcome addition. These twelve days become a time of second chances for the two of them.
This short book is very light reading, at times insipid, with a plot not fully believable and stereotypical characters. The Victorian atmosphere was not well pulled off, and details such as mores, language, and customers were often not quite right. Advertised as a Christian novel, it has only brief mentions of the faith. However, Griep did a great job of gradually revealing the past stories of Clara and Ben, which raises this book to three stars for me. Overall, though, while I didn't hate it, I wouldn't recommend it either.
Michelle Griep
expected publication date: 1 September 2017
3/5 stars
In 1851, Clara, newly impoverished, receives a mysterious invitation to stay at Bleakly Manor for the Twelve Days of Christmas, with a promise of 500 pounds if she stays through to the end. Arriving there, she finds other guests who have been given similar invitations with differing promises if they stay all twelve days. One of the guests is Ben, from her past and an unwelcome addition. These twelve days become a time of second chances for the two of them.
This short book is very light reading, at times insipid, with a plot not fully believable and stereotypical characters. The Victorian atmosphere was not well pulled off, and details such as mores, language, and customers were often not quite right. Advertised as a Christian novel, it has only brief mentions of the faith. However, Griep did a great job of gradually revealing the past stories of Clara and Ben, which raises this book to three stars for me. Overall, though, while I didn't hate it, I wouldn't recommend it either.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
The Lost by Jonathan Aycliffe
The Lost
Jonathan Aycliffe
2/5 stars
After his Romanian father's death, Englishman Michael discovers that he is the heir to a castle in Romania. A series of frightening events follow him, as well as his friends back in England, as he makes his way to the castle. Once there, he discovers the terrible secret of his family.
Excellently written in the epistolary style, The Lost mirrors Dracula in some ways. Like the original, it builds in suspense slowly, given the reader an increasing sense of unease. Unlike the original, though, it falls flat with it's climax. In addition, there were several unexplained circumstances and loose ends. Overall, I found it to be quite disappointing.
Jonathan Aycliffe
2/5 stars
After his Romanian father's death, Englishman Michael discovers that he is the heir to a castle in Romania. A series of frightening events follow him, as well as his friends back in England, as he makes his way to the castle. Once there, he discovers the terrible secret of his family.
Excellently written in the epistolary style, The Lost mirrors Dracula in some ways. Like the original, it builds in suspense slowly, given the reader an increasing sense of unease. Unlike the original, though, it falls flat with it's climax. In addition, there were several unexplained circumstances and loose ends. Overall, I found it to be quite disappointing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)