Sometimes you start a book think "Let's read some pages" and then you switch off the light past 2 am because it becomes a "just one more page" case anSometimes you start a book think "Let's read some pages" and then you switch off the light past 2 am because it becomes a "just one more page" case and you cannot stop reading. I love John Banville's style of writing and he's a master storyteller who keeps enthralled and reading. This is the 4th Strafford and Quirke mystery, a sort of follow up to The Lock-Up as we meet some of the characters again. It's a multilayered novel, sort of literary historical mystery. The characters are involved in an investigation but there's also an inner monologue about their life, memories, and what is going on. This is not the right book to read if you want an action-packed and fast paced thriller. I was involved in the inner monologue of the characters since the beginning and I realised I was reading very fast as I wanted to know what was going to happen. A great novel and a gripping mystery, I loved it and it's strongly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
A poignant, well written, and informative story about Jews persecution in USSR. It's well researched, moveing, and interesting. Recommended. Many thanks A poignant, well written, and informative story about Jews persecution in USSR. It's well researched, moveing, and interesting. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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A poignant, well written, and informative story about Jews persecution in USSR. It's well researched, moveing, and interesting. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
A nice and well written cozy mystery, engrossing and entertaining. It's the first I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I appreciated tA nice and well written cozy mystery, engrossing and entertaining. It's the first I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I appreciated the plot and the cast of characters. The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and even if I guessed the culprit quite soon part of the solution came as a surprise. The cast of characters is likeable and the setting interesting. I appreciated the fact that Rory is an independent IT consultant, something that is not the usual baker or shop owner. A good read, recommended. Many thanks to Henery Press and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Merged review:
A nice and well written cozy mystery, engrossing and entertaining. It's the first I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I appreciated the plot and the cast of characters. The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and even if I guessed the culprit quite soon part of the solution came as a surprise. The cast of characters is likeable and the setting interesting. I appreciated the fact that Rory is an independent IT consultant, something that is not the usual baker or shop owner. A good read, recommended. Many thanks to Henery Press and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine....more
I loved this series. Loved Al, Nadia, Buck, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, and the characters from the Iron Druid series. I had a lot of fun and follI loved this series. Loved Al, Nadia, Buck, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, and the characters from the Iron Druid series. I had a lot of fun and followed the crazy adventures of this groups of misfits and magic beings. It was a lot of fun and, even if this is not the best in the series, I was very happy to learn about the causes of Al's curse and all the events that took place. Very funny, fast paced, entertaining. A bit confusing at times but always a good novel. I was a bit sad to say goodbye to these characters, hope to catch up one day again. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I didn't read the previous book but this one was highly entertaining and well written. Fast paced, action packed. Good world building and storytelling HI didn't read the previous book but this one was highly entertaining and well written. Fast paced, action packed. Good world building and storytelling Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
It was so over the top to be very funny. I made me think of a mix of a naughty 80s novel and a 60s fantasy I'm sure it will be loved by a lot of peopleIt was so over the top to be very funny. I made me think of a mix of a naughty 80s novel and a 60s fantasy I'm sure it will be loved by a lot of people, I had fun Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
A strong, intriguing, and well plotted story featuring strong characters. I'm fascinated by book that talks about spiritualism and the age when it wasA strong, intriguing, and well plotted story featuring strong characters. I'm fascinated by book that talks about spiritualism and the age when it was the hype. Well researched and well done Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
Liked the first one in this series, loved this one: powerful, entertaining, gripping. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, allLiked the first one in this series, loved this one: powerful, entertaining, gripping. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I know this review should have been issue long time ago but as a Gareth Hanrahan huge fan couldn't write something just well-done-good-book. This is anI know this review should have been issue long time ago but as a Gareth Hanrahan huge fan couldn't write something just well-done-good-book. This is an excellent book, the second in this series, a mix of epic and dark fantasy that kept me hooked and having fun till the the last page The world building and the plot are as well done as usual, the characters are changing. Cannot wait to read the next book by this author as I was never disappointed and this a powerful series Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I'm a huge fan of Val Mcdermid, this means I had high expectations even if I didn't know what to expect. Gruoch, the so called Lady Macbeth, is famous I'm a huge fan of Val Mcdermid, this means I had high expectations even if I didn't know what to expect. Gruoch, the so called Lady Macbeth, is famous for being of the most dangerous femme fatale in Western literature. Ms McDermid give us back the real woman with her complex story and the role she played in an age not nice to women. I loved the storytelling and the fleshed out characters. An excellent read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I was attracted by the setting as Bomarzo, il Sacro Bosco and il Giardino dei Mostri, are very intriguing and fascinating. I was also curious of readinI was attracted by the setting as Bomarzo, il Sacro Bosco and il Giardino dei Mostri, are very intriguing and fascinating. I was also curious of reading a story featuring Dalì as he visited the park in 1948. That said I found it an entertaining fantasy but quite far from the historical moment which was a bit more confusing and less nice. Plus I think that Gala was definitely a nicer woman even if a strong one. I appreciated the style of writing and it's a entertaining fantasy. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
Even if I didn't read all the Chronicles of Elantra I can say this is the best I read so far: a complex, intriguing, and gripping story that kept me tEven if I didn't read all the Chronicles of Elantra I can say this is the best I read so far: a complex, intriguing, and gripping story that kept me turning pages and reading as fast as I could. Past and present are getting mixed, things from the past are affecting the present, nothing is what it seems. Loved it since the beginning, was glad to catch up with the characters, and rooted for Mrs Edwards and her ghosts. This is a very exciting story but it cannot be read as a stand alone as it's very hard to understand the world of Elantra if you didn't read the previous story A wonderful fantasy that I strongly recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
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Even if I didn't read all the Chronicles of Elantra I can say this is the best I read so far: a complex, intriguing, and gripping story that kept me turning pages and reading as fast as I could. Past and present are getting mixed, things from the past are affecting the present, nothing is what it seems. Loved it since the beginning, was glad to catch up with the characters, and rooted for Mrs Edwards and her ghosts. This is a very exciting story but it cannot be read as a stand alone as it's very hard to understand the world of Elantra if you didn't read the previous story A wonderful fantasy that I strongly recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine...more
When I read Tik-Tok sensation I'm always a bit wary as it can be excellent or something I will stop reading after a couple of chapter. This is excellenWhen I read Tik-Tok sensation I'm always a bit wary as it can be excellent or something I will stop reading after a couple of chapter. This is excellent, original, dark, and twisty. A dark fantasy set in a universe where nightmare are creatures of the night and the different worlds are divided by the Border. The bad guy, very bad, wants more and this will bring nightmares and other creature to joinf forces. It's complex to explain and I loved what I read as it's a dangerous and frightening universe, lots of characters are on the moral grey spectrum, and the villain is a very dark lord. Can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I never read anything by Ethel Lina White and this was an excellent way to start reading her mysteries. An intriguing and twisty story, it kept me guesI never read anything by Ethel Lina White and this was an excellent way to start reading her mysteries. An intriguing and twisty story, it kept me guessing and trying to solve the puzzle. A good whodunit featuring fleshed out characters and and a solid mystery There're some parts at the beginning that could be talking about a contemporary influencer. Iris is an interesting characters and Ms White an excellent storytelling...more
The books like this one are heartwarming and cosy but there's also some layers that makes you reflect. This one is a cosy fantasy that talks about memoThe books like this one are heartwarming and cosy but there's also some layers that makes you reflect. This one is a cosy fantasy that talks about memories, second chances, and what could you if give the possibility of coming back and changing something in your life Loved it Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
I wanted to read this book because I found the blurb intriguing as there's not a lot of book that deals with death or Death (there's DEATH but it's paI wanted to read this book because I found the blurb intriguing as there's not a lot of book that deals with death or Death (there's DEATH but it's part of a different world). I found this novel entertaining and moving, a story that doesn't sugarcoat the grief and the loss and how we related to death. Nora wanted to be something else but the loss of her parents changed her plans and she's working in the family business: selling caskets. She's lonely and with nearly no relationship with people of her age. Gareth is the nearly perfect man if you don't care for his profession and how death follows him (no, he's not a serial killer). A small town, two person who could be perfect but they will have to face their own inner demons before any possible HEA. Nora is not a very likeable character but she's realistic and her raw grief is one of the strongest point in this story. This is a story difficult to classify: you smile but you're also moved. The main theme, I think, it's not the romance but the relationship with grief and death. My main issue was the pace as it's very slow and after a brilliant start it drags a bit. I enjoyed it and would like to read other books by this author. Many thanks to this digital copy, all opinions are mine ...more
I thought it was the right book for me as I'm a cosy-anything reading moment and the blurb was full of promises. I had fun and enjoyed a lot of aspectsI thought it was the right book for me as I'm a cosy-anything reading moment and the blurb was full of promises. I had fun and enjoyed a lot of aspects of this book but there're two big BUT: - Bella: I spent the book hoping she was going to grow a spine and became her own woman but it didn't happen. She would be the right person for managing the bookshop, a good witch and blah-blah She spent her life moping and felling not up to do what she's already doing - The page: the beginning is promising that it gets very slow till the 50%
There's a lot of potential, there's humour, and I would to read another book featuring this magical system and Bella as a grown adult. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
3.5 upped to 4 I liked it but not loved it as I wasn't in love with the storytelling that and the three POVs I appreciated the world building and dragon3.5 upped to 4 I liked it but not loved it as I wasn't in love with the storytelling that and the three POVs I appreciated the world building and dragons. Would like to read the next one as I'm curious about the next one Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine...more
An intriguing and entertaining novel that I enjoyed but made me feel I was missing something as there's not a lot of backstory. I loved the atmosphere An intriguing and entertaining novel that I enjoyed but made me feel I was missing something as there's not a lot of backstory. I loved the atmosphere of Paris, characters, and the solid mystery. I think I will read the rest of the series and re-read this one Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more
This was the first Flavia de Luce mystery I read even if I often read high praises about this series. This is the 11th installment and it wasn't hard tThis was the first Flavia de Luce mystery I read even if I often read high praises about this series. This is the 11th installment and it wasn't hard to understand the characters and the background as there's backstory. It's an excellent read, a solid and twisty mystery featuring an intriguing young detective, Flavia, and a cast of lovely characters. The mystery kept me hooked and guessing. Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now, a proper review will follow Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more
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