marie

Since I have run the gamut of Agatha Christie's mysteries (some multiple times) I was starting to feel like a part of my life was missing, so I figured that I would give this author a shot, even on the outset, I thought these books would be overly hokey. They aren't. Also, I have to say that although the story lines are sometimes, but not wholly predictable, that this series is pretty darn enjoyable. They definitely fit the cozy genre to a "t" and I think the main character is great. Like Christie, Bowen treats English artistocracy with a tongue in cheek type of humor and manages to keep the reader interested enough in the plot to want to keep going without stopping. I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing to be able to predict some of the outcomes, as long as we aren't able to guess them all, and hey maybe this was the author's intent, anyway.
If you are looking for a happy, fun, cozy, enjoyable whodunit, this series is for you.

Excellent adaptation of the play with great narration! Characters are made even more interesting. Extremely well done. Loved it! Couldn't put it down.

This is a beautiful story. Tragic and breathtaking, but the narration kills it. Jefferson's voice is mealy-mouthed and terrible. He's narrated in a way that is almost condescending, which takes away from the beauty and strength of his character. It might work if the voice changed to match the change in character, but this unfortunately does not happen.

This entire book was memorable.

The one who narrated Jefferson needs to find new work. The person who narrated Grant did a great job. They may be the same person. I didn't actually check who narrated which.

Breathtaking.

Just read it. It's amazing.

I really like this series. It's cozy fiction aimed at the "booksy" female audience, but I think these authors handle it well. It's fresh enough not to be stuffy and safe enough that it will appeal to many. If you are a fan of the Royal Spyness series, try these authors. I would prefer they drop the constant name-dropping of vintage clothing and furniture and stuff because I find it distracting, but it probably appeals to some people.
Overall, these are entertaining stories which will not bore you and they wrap up their endings well.

The Royal Spyness series.

No.

This would probably adapt better for the stage, like an Agatha Christie play.

Beautiful, magical, sweet.

The end. I know there is some controversy about it, but I thought it was just perfect.

No. They do an amazing job.

Not at first. I admit that the exposition was a bit slow, but it also think it was necessary for the plot. After that, I couldn't listen long enough.

This is YA fiction and I would have never picked it up if it had not been assigned as summer reading. There is a degree of predictability to one of the plot lines in here, too, but that doesn't matter. It's just beautiful. The protagonists will stay with you long after you finish the book. Great for YA readers and equally great for cynical adults.

Compelling and believable. A glimpse inside another world.

Fireworks. Sad, tragic and beatuiful all at the same time.

No. This narrator is great. Will not hesitate to listen to him again.

Great book. Just use the credit and listen. The time flies by.

I have never given up on a book this soon, but after an hour of listening to the unbelievably annoying, simpering, melodramatic voice of the narrator, and the overly wordy while telling me absolutely nothing and having no point story, I had to give up. And I was on a road trip! I'd listen to someone read the dictionary on a road trip if there was nothing else (unless, of course, it was this narrator).

I liked the premise, so maybe I'll try to Kindle this and scrape through the first hour of the story again, but I probably won't.

Wish there was a way to tag this narrator in case I mistakingly pick a book that has her on it again.

No way.

I simply cannot imagine how anyone could not enjoy this book, unless it is a result of not fully understanding it because of the diction. When reading a Preston Child the first few times, it's helpful to have a dictionary handy. After the first two or so reads, you get up to speed.
I was anxiously anticipating the latest installment from these awesome guys and I was not disappointed. I've read everything they have ever written (and increased my vocabulary in the process) and this particular book is one of the best. The best books (in addition to this one) are Still Life With Crows, Cabinet of Curiosities, Relic and Reliquary, although everything they have written is very good. My only complaint is that they don't write faster, and more movies are not made based on their books, although I get why since the plots are somewhat complex. You realize that they wiped Pendergast completely out of the movie Relic? Whaaaaat?
Anyway, ignore all the poor reviews on this book or any of their other ones. They rock.