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The Marsh Queen
For fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, this powerful novel, set amid the lush landscape of the Florida wetlands, delves into past crimes, old memories, and the eloquent, limitless expanse of parental love.
Loni Mae Murrow’s life as a bird artist at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, is tidy, if a trifle constrained—until she’s abruptly summoned back home to the wetlands of northern Florida, where she grew up. Her mother, critical and difficult, has grown frail and been resentfully consigned to assisted living, and her younger brother, Phil, juggling a job, a wife, and two young children, needs her help. Loni may not be her mother’s only child, but there are some things only a daughter can do.
Going through her mother’s things when she returns, Loni finds a cryptic note from a woman whose name she doesn’t recognize: “There are some things I have to tell you about Boyd’s death,” it reads. Boyd is her father, a man who drowned in a boating accident out on the marsh when Loni was twelve and Phil just a baby. The circumstances of his death, long presumed a suicide, turn out to be murkier than anyone thought.
Against her better judgment, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous quest to discover the truth about how he died, struggling all the while to reconnect with her mother through the remnants of their past and to reconcile with her brother and his pushy, provincial wife. At last moved to avenge the wrongs done to her family, Loni has to decide whether to join the violence or end it.
Loni Mae Murrow’s life as a bird artist at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, is tidy, if a trifle constrained—until she’s abruptly summoned back home to the wetlands of northern Florida, where she grew up. Her mother, critical and difficult, has grown frail and been resentfully consigned to assisted living, and her younger brother, Phil, juggling a job, a wife, and two young children, needs her help. Loni may not be her mother’s only child, but there are some things only a daughter can do.
Going through her mother’s things when she returns, Loni finds a cryptic note from a woman whose name she doesn’t recognize: “There are some things I have to tell you about Boyd’s death,” it reads. Boyd is her father, a man who drowned in a boating accident out on the marsh when Loni was twelve and Phil just a baby. The circumstances of his death, long presumed a suicide, turn out to be murkier than anyone thought.
Against her better judgment, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous quest to discover the truth about how he died, struggling all the while to reconnect with her mother through the remnants of their past and to reconcile with her brother and his pushy, provincial wife. At last moved to avenge the wrongs done to her family, Loni has to decide whether to join the violence or end it.
369 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 362 reviews
August 5, 2022
Virginia Hartman has written an impressive debut about a nature artist who returns to her small town home in Florida to deal with her aging mother. Taking leave from her job at the Smithsonian, she expects to be gone for just two weeks. But between dealing with her younger brother and his wife, emptying out her mother’s house and trying to uncover more about her father’s death years ago, those plans go by the wayside. I found Loni to be a well developed character, although the other characters were less so.
Hartman’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric and I felt myself in the swamps. This isn’t a fast paced book by any stretch, but there’s a strong underlying sense of tension and suspense. The book covers old secrets and Loni’s attempt to suss out the truth. Someone really doesn’t want her looking into the past and there are ominous warnings repeatedly left for her.
And the family issues and how they might get resolved was just as powerful as the mystery surrounding her father’s death.
While it was obvious to me who the bad guy was, the suspense was in how Loni would figure it out, let alone prove anything all the years later.
My thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of this book.
Hartman’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric and I felt myself in the swamps. This isn’t a fast paced book by any stretch, but there’s a strong underlying sense of tension and suspense. The book covers old secrets and Loni’s attempt to suss out the truth. Someone really doesn’t want her looking into the past and there are ominous warnings repeatedly left for her.
And the family issues and how they might get resolved was just as powerful as the mystery surrounding her father’s death.
While it was obvious to me who the bad guy was, the suspense was in how Loni would figure it out, let alone prove anything all the years later.
My thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of this book.
October 25, 2022
This book was okay! I don’t typically gravitate toward historical fiction / literary fiction type of books these days, this is probably something I would’ve really loved if I had read it five years ago. Reminded me a lot of Where the Crawdads Sing, and I had similar feelings about that book.
Here’s the reading vlog where I read this one: https://youtu.be/JckXzQO4HuY
Here’s the reading vlog where I read this one: https://youtu.be/JckXzQO4HuY
July 22, 2023
A slow burn mystery romance that discusses the ripples of loss over time, and how grief and uncertainly can shape generations. Against the backdrops of the vivid Florida wetlands, The Marsh Queen is an atmospheric tale that blends suspense with the passion one has for art and finding new beginnings amidst the rubble of regret and deceit. This debut is a scenic trip around nature that inspires reflections on familial relationships.
October 24, 2022
In my first Aadvark Club box!
I see all these 4 & 5 star reviews and I am jealous, I wish I'd loved this one as much as others. But, no, this was a slow, choppy, boring read for me. Nothing happened for at least the first 200 pages. The introduction to the absolute complete WHOLE town took forever, was confusing and left me with characters I definitely didn't care about.
The mystery of what happened to the dad was completely buried behind packing and unpacking boxes, about 1000 visits in a canoe to draw every last bird in Florida, reading her mom's odd herb journal and visiting her mom in a new facility (visits that typically only lasted about 10 mintues). None of these side storylines seemed to really propel the story forward, only gave me more characters (past and current) to confuse and bogged the plot down with useless details. Even blow by blow of the jogs with her brother didn't provide much.
I wish I'd liked this more.
I see all these 4 & 5 star reviews and I am jealous, I wish I'd loved this one as much as others. But, no, this was a slow, choppy, boring read for me. Nothing happened for at least the first 200 pages. The introduction to the absolute complete WHOLE town took forever, was confusing and left me with characters I definitely didn't care about.
The mystery of what happened to the dad was completely buried behind packing and unpacking boxes, about 1000 visits in a canoe to draw every last bird in Florida, reading her mom's odd herb journal and visiting her mom in a new facility (visits that typically only lasted about 10 mintues). None of these side storylines seemed to really propel the story forward, only gave me more characters (past and current) to confuse and bogged the plot down with useless details. Even blow by blow of the jogs with her brother didn't provide much.
I wish I'd liked this more.
July 10, 2023
**Copy of this book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
After reading blurb for this book I was expecting a lot - sweet contemporary about reconnecting with your family with a dash of mystery and romance. In the end it turned out to be a very slow paced contemporary that was only partially about the family with the main heroine that I just could not bring myself to like.
Loni Murrow, thirtysomething single woman reads like she is at least 60 years old. And a very bitter 60 years old at that. The problems with connecting with her family are mainly because of her explosive temper and short fuse and I found myself wishing for her to shut up on at least couple occasions. Add the "holier than thou" attitude towards almost everyone and I found myself actively disliking her. Unfortunately we are stuck in Loni's head for entirety of 350+ pages and even her personal growth at the end of the book did not made me appreciate her more.
Romance is there but it feels almost like an afterthought - Loni and the love interest guy have maybe three couple sentences interactions before they start falling for each other. I've finished reading this book couple hours ago and I already can't recall what the guy was like outside of the very generic "good guy, well build" figure.
The mystery however seems to be a main focus of this book - Loni stays in her hometown (which she hates) because there is a hint that her beloved dad who died 25 years ago might perished not because of the unfortunate incident but rather because of a foul play. But... she is not actively pursuing any leads, the plot strenuously pushes her forward in her investigation conveniently dropping hints every couple pages. The mystery itself was pretty easy to figure out so for the second half of the book I was forced to observe Loni just not getting it and playing dumb. In the end I felt almost no tension and was really relieved when this book ended.
Well, seems like I have a lot to complain about but in the end this is not a terrible book. What it does really masterfully is creating an atmosphere of Florida swamp and honestly I would read this book just for the descriptions of the nature, weak plot be damned. It's also very easy to read and short chapters make it a breeze to go through so if you are craving a mood read with great atmosphere then go for it!
After reading blurb for this book I was expecting a lot - sweet contemporary about reconnecting with your family with a dash of mystery and romance. In the end it turned out to be a very slow paced contemporary that was only partially about the family with the main heroine that I just could not bring myself to like.
Loni Murrow, thirtysomething single woman reads like she is at least 60 years old. And a very bitter 60 years old at that. The problems with connecting with her family are mainly because of her explosive temper and short fuse and I found myself wishing for her to shut up on at least couple occasions. Add the "holier than thou" attitude towards almost everyone and I found myself actively disliking her. Unfortunately we are stuck in Loni's head for entirety of 350+ pages and even her personal growth at the end of the book did not made me appreciate her more.
Romance is there but it feels almost like an afterthought - Loni and the love interest guy have maybe three couple sentences interactions before they start falling for each other. I've finished reading this book couple hours ago and I already can't recall what the guy was like outside of the very generic "good guy, well build" figure.
The mystery however seems to be a main focus of this book - Loni stays in her hometown (which she hates) because there is a hint that her beloved dad who died 25 years ago might perished not because of the unfortunate incident but rather because of a foul play. But... she is not actively pursuing any leads, the plot strenuously pushes her forward in her investigation conveniently dropping hints every couple pages. The mystery itself was pretty easy to figure out so for the second half of the book I was forced to observe Loni just not getting it and playing dumb. In the end I felt almost no tension and was really relieved when this book ended.
Well, seems like I have a lot to complain about but in the end this is not a terrible book. What it does really masterfully is creating an atmosphere of Florida swamp and honestly I would read this book just for the descriptions of the nature, weak plot be damned. It's also very easy to read and short chapters make it a breeze to go through so if you are craving a mood read with great atmosphere then go for it!
August 18, 2022
Loni Murrow has escaped her childhood existence in the humid swamp/marshlands of Florida to work as a bird portraitist at The Smithsonian in Washington DC. She is called back home to attend to her mother who has developed dementia. Her return unlocks secrets about her father who she thought committed suicide when she was twelve years old as well as her arduous relationship with her mother.
Beautifully written and exquisitely detailed, the mystery is slow to unravel and there are a few different story lines. The descriptions of Loni’s canoe trips along the mangroves in search of a purple gallinule were so vivid, I felt I was there with her seeing the glorious flora and fauna of the area. Her characterizations of some of the locals were equally striking. I especially liked the man with the “barbecue belly”!
This is not an edge of your seat thriller. Read it not so much for the suspense, but rather for the eloquent depictions that transport you to the unique and primeval marshlands of Florida.
Thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks
Beautifully written and exquisitely detailed, the mystery is slow to unravel and there are a few different story lines. The descriptions of Loni’s canoe trips along the mangroves in search of a purple gallinule were so vivid, I felt I was there with her seeing the glorious flora and fauna of the area. Her characterizations of some of the locals were equally striking. I especially liked the man with the “barbecue belly”!
This is not an edge of your seat thriller. Read it not so much for the suspense, but rather for the eloquent depictions that transport you to the unique and primeval marshlands of Florida.
Thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks
November 19, 2022
I generally stay away from mystery/suspense novels, so I am not the best reviewer for this particular book. What drew me towards it, is that I enjoy birds, wildlife art and interesting characters. "The Marsh Queen" is about 36 year old Lonni Mae Murrow, who grew up in a small town in Florida and is a bird illustrator at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. She returns to Florida when her mother enters assisted living.
The plot involves Lonni solving the mystery surrounding her father's untimely death by drowning. He died when she was 12. Her father (Boyd) worked for the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and shared with Lonni his love of nature. They had a tender, loving relationship. Lonni's memories of him make up some of the best parts of the story.
While in Florida, Lonni also meets Adlai, who owns a canoe livery. A chemistry develops between them. He is a beguiling character. Readers who enjoy romances will like his role in the novel.
I enjoyed reading about the marsh that Lonni canoed through and the birds she saw there. There are also descriptions of her mother's herb and flower garden that are charming.
I did become interested in the central mystery concerning Boyd's death, but this was secondary for me. Perhaps for veteran readers of mysteries, it would seem slow-moving and tame? I'll leave that for others to decide.
Additional Note: There is a gorgeous painting of a great blue heron on the back cover.
3.5 stars
The plot involves Lonni solving the mystery surrounding her father's untimely death by drowning. He died when she was 12. Her father (Boyd) worked for the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and shared with Lonni his love of nature. They had a tender, loving relationship. Lonni's memories of him make up some of the best parts of the story.
While in Florida, Lonni also meets Adlai, who owns a canoe livery. A chemistry develops between them. He is a beguiling character. Readers who enjoy romances will like his role in the novel.
I enjoyed reading about the marsh that Lonni canoed through and the birds she saw there. There are also descriptions of her mother's herb and flower garden that are charming.
I did become interested in the central mystery concerning Boyd's death, but this was secondary for me. Perhaps for veteran readers of mysteries, it would seem slow-moving and tame? I'll leave that for others to decide.
Additional Note: There is a gorgeous painting of a great blue heron on the back cover.
3.5 stars
May 8, 2023
Man labai keista, kad tiek daug žmonių šią knygą lygina su romanu „Ten, kur gieda vėžiai“... Apart to, kad abiejų knygų pagrindinės veikėjo domisi ir paišo gamtos dalykus ir, kad yra pelkės – daugiau jokio panašumo čia neįžvelgiau. Vėžiai – nuostabiai gražiai parašyta knyga apie jausmus, paslaptis su puikiais aprašymais, jautriu moralu ir veikėja, kurią labai greit pamilsti. „Pelkių karalienė“ – detektyvas wannabe, bet išties – prėskas romanas su mįsle, kuriai išspręst tikrai nereikia 500 puslapių.
Pasakojimas čia apie moterį Lonę, kuri daro sėkmingą karjerą didmiesčio muziejuje piešdama paukščius ir nejaučia jokio noro grįžt į mažą gimtą miestelį. Tačiau tenka, mat susižaloja jos mama ir brolis prašo pagalbos ją slaugant. Lonė grįžta, o čia ją pasitinka ne tik atmintį beprarandanti mama, bet ir ne itin malonūs prisiminimai iš vaikystės. Apie nusižudžiusį tėtį ir įtemptus santykius su motina. Tvarkydama jos daiktus, Lonė randa mįslingą raštelį su užuomina apie tėvo mirtį, kuri gali būti ir ne savižudybė.
Labai matyta čia viskas – savarankiškas Lonės tyrimas dėl tėvo, krūva praeities šeimos problemų, naujos, greitos ir labai netikroviškos meilės scenarijus. Atvirai, tai nei detektyvinė, nei asmeninė veikėjos linija nekėlė jokių jausmų – viskas nuspėjama, jau kažkur skaityta ir nieko nustebinusio. Išvis, toks jausmas, kad autorė viena sėdyne bandė penkias kėdes apsėst – supynė šeimos dramą, meilės romaną, detektyvą ir mažo miestelio istoriją į vieną ir nė vienas nesigavo kokybiškai. Išsibarstęs, iki galo originaliai neišsuktas reikalas tapo dar viena knygą, kurią perskaičiau ir pamiršau.
Pasakojimas čia apie moterį Lonę, kuri daro sėkmingą karjerą didmiesčio muziejuje piešdama paukščius ir nejaučia jokio noro grįžt į mažą gimtą miestelį. Tačiau tenka, mat susižaloja jos mama ir brolis prašo pagalbos ją slaugant. Lonė grįžta, o čia ją pasitinka ne tik atmintį beprarandanti mama, bet ir ne itin malonūs prisiminimai iš vaikystės. Apie nusižudžiusį tėtį ir įtemptus santykius su motina. Tvarkydama jos daiktus, Lonė randa mįslingą raštelį su užuomina apie tėvo mirtį, kuri gali būti ir ne savižudybė.
Labai matyta čia viskas – savarankiškas Lonės tyrimas dėl tėvo, krūva praeities šeimos problemų, naujos, greitos ir labai netikroviškos meilės scenarijus. Atvirai, tai nei detektyvinė, nei asmeninė veikėjos linija nekėlė jokių jausmų – viskas nuspėjama, jau kažkur skaityta ir nieko nustebinusio. Išvis, toks jausmas, kad autorė viena sėdyne bandė penkias kėdes apsėst – supynė šeimos dramą, meilės romaną, detektyvą ir mažo miestelio istoriją į vieną ir nė vienas nesigavo kokybiškai. Išsibarstęs, iki galo originaliai neišsuktas reikalas tapo dar viena knygą, kurią perskaičiau ir pamiršau.
September 8, 2022
Thanks to @gallerybooks for an ARC of #TheMarshQueen.
𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙎𝙃 𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙀𝙉 by debut author Virginia Hartman has the unfortunate distinction of being compared to 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 by Delia Owens. Those are some big shoes to fill! This is the story of Loni, originally from the Florida wetlands, but for many years safely ensconced as a bird artist at the Smithsonian. Loni has been called back home because her mother is falling deeper and deeper into dementia and Loni's younger brother has decided to move her into assisted living. He needs help.
Loni’s father died a mysterious death when she was young and her relationship with mom was never quite the same after that, so returning to Florida is not what she wants. The story explores family relationships, the mystery surrounding her father’s death, and a related mystery Loni finds among her mother’s things. Despite the layers of “suspense” embedded in the story, the tension level never really ramped up. Nothing was unbelievable, but for me, it wasn’t all that compelling, either. I had no trouble getting through this book, but it also wasn’t close to the experience of reading 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨. Had the blurb not suggested that it would be, I might have had different expectations. I may have actually liked 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 for what it was instead of being disappointed in what it wasn't.
𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙎𝙃 𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙀𝙉 by debut author Virginia Hartman has the unfortunate distinction of being compared to 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 by Delia Owens. Those are some big shoes to fill! This is the story of Loni, originally from the Florida wetlands, but for many years safely ensconced as a bird artist at the Smithsonian. Loni has been called back home because her mother is falling deeper and deeper into dementia and Loni's younger brother has decided to move her into assisted living. He needs help.
Loni’s father died a mysterious death when she was young and her relationship with mom was never quite the same after that, so returning to Florida is not what she wants. The story explores family relationships, the mystery surrounding her father’s death, and a related mystery Loni finds among her mother’s things. Despite the layers of “suspense” embedded in the story, the tension level never really ramped up. Nothing was unbelievable, but for me, it wasn’t all that compelling, either. I had no trouble getting through this book, but it also wasn’t close to the experience of reading 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨. Had the blurb not suggested that it would be, I might have had different expectations. I may have actually liked 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 for what it was instead of being disappointed in what it wasn't.
December 6, 2023
Un roman de debut foarte fain, similar cu Acolo unde cântă racii (poate te ajută asta să-și faci o idee).
A fost o poveste intensă și interesant de urmărit.
Suntem într-un mic orășel și investigăm o așa zisă sinucidere ce a avut loc cu mult timp în urmă.
Acțiunea este împletită cu detalii despre zonă, descrieri ale mlaștinii și ale desenelor pe care personajul principal la face.
Chiar am simțit că autoarea a dozat foarte bine toate elementele și a creat o poveste captivantă.
A fost o poveste intensă și interesant de urmărit.
Suntem într-un mic orășel și investigăm o așa zisă sinucidere ce a avut loc cu mult timp în urmă.
Acțiunea este împletită cu detalii despre zonă, descrieri ale mlaștinii și ale desenelor pe care personajul principal la face.
Chiar am simțit că autoarea a dozat foarte bine toate elementele și a creat o poveste captivantă.
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May 22, 2023>>Wenn ich ein anderer Mensch wäre, dann gelänge es mir vielleicht, nur nach vorne zu schauen und niemals zurück. Dann würde ich nicht versuchen wollen zu begreifen, welche düsteren Ereignisse mich zu der Person gemacht haben, die ich heute bin. ...<<
"Tochter des Marschlands" von Virginia Hartman, aus dem Amerikanischen übersetzt von Frauke Brodd, ist eine der Geschichten, auf die ich mich unheimlich gefreut und leider viel zu große Erwartungen hatte. Das Buch konnte mich zu Beginn mit einem Zitat von Thoreau und einnehmender erster Zeilen sehr in seinen bann ziehen. Doch nach gut 200 Seiten habe ich dann doch das Handtuch geworfen...
Aber fangen wir von vorne an, worum geht es in der Geschichte eigentlich?
Gleich zu beginn steigen wir in die Gedanken von Loni Mae ein, eine junge Frau, die ihr Talent zum beruf gemacht hat und für ein Naturkundemuseum Zeichnungen von Vögeln anfertigt. Als schließlich ihre Mutter erkrankt ist Loni mehr oder weniger gezwungen in ihre alte Heimat, in eine Kleinstadt im Marschland Floridas zurück zu kehren. Neben alten Erinnerungen aus ihrer Kindheit und Jugend, bekommen wir als Leser die Problematik rund um die kranke Mutter und das immer schwieriger werdende Verhältnis von Loni und ihrem Bruder mit. Gleichzeitig kommt Loni Mae der Geschichte ihres Vaters, der vor vielen Jahren bei einem vermeidlichen Bootsunfall gestorben ist auf die Spur und gerät zunehmend selbst in Gefahr.
Klingt alles unheimlich spannend, letztlich ließ es sich für mein Empfinden aber unheimlich hölzern lesen. Die Dialoge wirkten auf mich sehr gestellt, einfach nicht echt... und Loni führte sich meinem Empfinden nach mehr und mehr wie eine 13-jährige auf, was mir schlicht weg auf die Nerven ging. Natürlich ist die ganze Situation nicht einfach und dennoch... sie verkompliziert vieles und kam mir vor, wie ein kleiner Trotzkopf, der mit dem Kopf durch die Wand rennen möchte.
Auch die einnehmende Sprache und Erzählweise vom Beginn ebbte leider immer mehr ab, sodass ich letztlich vollends das Interesse an Loni Mae und ihrem Marschland, und leider auch an der Geschichte ihres Vaters verloren habe.
Ein Satz mit X ... das war für mich persönlich leider nix... Schade. 📖
"Tochter des Marschlands" von Virginia Hartman, aus dem Amerikanischen übersetzt von Frauke Brodd, ist eine der Geschichten, auf die ich mich unheimlich gefreut und leider viel zu große Erwartungen hatte. Das Buch konnte mich zu Beginn mit einem Zitat von Thoreau und einnehmender erster Zeilen sehr in seinen bann ziehen. Doch nach gut 200 Seiten habe ich dann doch das Handtuch geworfen...
Aber fangen wir von vorne an, worum geht es in der Geschichte eigentlich?
Gleich zu beginn steigen wir in die Gedanken von Loni Mae ein, eine junge Frau, die ihr Talent zum beruf gemacht hat und für ein Naturkundemuseum Zeichnungen von Vögeln anfertigt. Als schließlich ihre Mutter erkrankt ist Loni mehr oder weniger gezwungen in ihre alte Heimat, in eine Kleinstadt im Marschland Floridas zurück zu kehren. Neben alten Erinnerungen aus ihrer Kindheit und Jugend, bekommen wir als Leser die Problematik rund um die kranke Mutter und das immer schwieriger werdende Verhältnis von Loni und ihrem Bruder mit. Gleichzeitig kommt Loni Mae der Geschichte ihres Vaters, der vor vielen Jahren bei einem vermeidlichen Bootsunfall gestorben ist auf die Spur und gerät zunehmend selbst in Gefahr.
Klingt alles unheimlich spannend, letztlich ließ es sich für mein Empfinden aber unheimlich hölzern lesen. Die Dialoge wirkten auf mich sehr gestellt, einfach nicht echt... und Loni führte sich meinem Empfinden nach mehr und mehr wie eine 13-jährige auf, was mir schlicht weg auf die Nerven ging. Natürlich ist die ganze Situation nicht einfach und dennoch... sie verkompliziert vieles und kam mir vor, wie ein kleiner Trotzkopf, der mit dem Kopf durch die Wand rennen möchte.
Auch die einnehmende Sprache und Erzählweise vom Beginn ebbte leider immer mehr ab, sodass ich letztlich vollends das Interesse an Loni Mae und ihrem Marschland, und leider auch an der Geschichte ihres Vaters verloren habe.
Ein Satz mit X ... das war für mich persönlich leider nix... Schade. 📖
April 3, 2022
The Marsh Queen is a beautifully written and descriptive novel set in the marshlands of Florida. It tells the story of Loni, a bird artist at the Smithsonian, who is called back home to Florida to help care for her ailing mother. While there, she spends time in the marshes, drawing birds of the habitat, and she meets someone who becomes important to her.
While in Florida, Loni tries to find out what truly happened to her father, who drowned when she was a child. It had been whispered that he committed suicide, but Loni finds that there is possibly more to that story. As she reaches into the past, she finds herself threatened by someone who doesn't want her to know the truth.
This was an interesting book in many ways. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the father's death; however, the book dragged for me at times, especially in the detailed descriptions of birds, plants, and the marshes. I do think the book was lovely, and those who are interested in the details of nature will probably love it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
While in Florida, Loni tries to find out what truly happened to her father, who drowned when she was a child. It had been whispered that he committed suicide, but Loni finds that there is possibly more to that story. As she reaches into the past, she finds herself threatened by someone who doesn't want her to know the truth.
This was an interesting book in many ways. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the father's death; however, the book dragged for me at times, especially in the detailed descriptions of birds, plants, and the marshes. I do think the book was lovely, and those who are interested in the details of nature will probably love it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 4, 2022
An atmospheric Floridian slow burn ! Loni Murrow is an artist at the Smithsonian. Loni paints portraits primarily of birds and loves it. She is reticent to return home when her brother requests help with their mother but she takes a short leave and assist with moving her to assisted living. As she goes through the home, she begins to learn secrets regarding her long dead father and clues to the problematic relationship she has with her mother. It's not until she begins asking around town for more information that she learns that uncovering these secrets could put her in danger.
Virginia Hartman paints an interesting heroine, who is still trying to make her way through life and not sure if she should take any gambles. I enjoyed the descriptions of the marshes and the birds and the flashbacks brought Loni's father to life. If you like an atmospheric slow burn, a Floridian wild adventure, or a complicated family mystery, then The Marsh Queen is for you! ..#Gallery #Gallerybooks #Netgalley #Netgalleyreads #TheMarshQueen #VirginiaHartman
Virginia Hartman paints an interesting heroine, who is still trying to make her way through life and not sure if she should take any gambles. I enjoyed the descriptions of the marshes and the birds and the flashbacks brought Loni's father to life. If you like an atmospheric slow burn, a Floridian wild adventure, or a complicated family mystery, then The Marsh Queen is for you! ..#Gallery #Gallerybooks #Netgalley #Netgalleyreads #TheMarshQueen #VirginiaHartman
August 8, 2023
Labai jau lėta knyga. 3.5⭐️
September 6, 2022
This was a stellar debut novel which makes me excited to read more of this author's work. It is evocative of one of my favorite novels "Where The Crawdads Sing", yet it retains its own uniqueness and has more of a crime fiction vibe.
The characters are vividly portrayed as is the Florida marsh and its inhabitants. The authors love of the natural world shines through, as does her obvious love of books. Her eloquent descriptions of the marsh and the birds transports the reader so that you can almost feel the humidity and hear the wildlife.
The book slowly progresses to the reveal of what really happened that fateful day when Loni's father died. This only after Loni encounters some threatening warnings and not a little danger.
With themes of familial duty, the value of honesty, and the long lasting repercussions of abandonment and loss, this is a crime novel with literary overtones. Highly recommended!
The characters are vividly portrayed as is the Florida marsh and its inhabitants. The authors love of the natural world shines through, as does her obvious love of books. Her eloquent descriptions of the marsh and the birds transports the reader so that you can almost feel the humidity and hear the wildlife.
The book slowly progresses to the reveal of what really happened that fateful day when Loni's father died. This only after Loni encounters some threatening warnings and not a little danger.
With themes of familial duty, the value of honesty, and the long lasting repercussions of abandonment and loss, this is a crime novel with literary overtones. Highly recommended!
January 24, 2022
I liked the writing style and the first couple of chapters started out so strong but about fifty percent in and I dnf'd it. I just didn't want this to keep dragging out. I'm just not in the mood for a mystery/thriller right now, at least not one with such a slow build up of nothing happening. RTC!
February 4, 2023
Knyga nebloga, ir norėtųsi duoti 5⭐️, bet kažko pritrūko šiek tiek, kad įvertinčiau puikiai🤷♀️ daug kas sako, kad panašu į “Ten, kur gieda vėžiai”, neskaičiau tos knygos ir filmo nemačiau, negaliu patvirtinti, bet iš to ką girdėjus, man atrodo tikrai ta pati atmosfera. O šioje knygoje, kartais mane pagrindinė veikėja nervino, atsirado mat drąsuolė🤦♀️ kažkaip keista, kai ji nėra ta tokia “badass” veikėja, bet kai jai grąsina, atsiranda drąsa, viena tvarkosi, ir niekam nepasako🙈 bet gamtos ir piešinių aprašymai - nerealiai detalūs, ir padedantys kuo puikiausiai viską įsivaizduoti!😍
September 26, 2022
I didn’t love this. I made it about halfway through before I just started skipping through and reading random sections to put together what happens. Here’s some things I didn’t love:
1. The main character. It’s really hard to get into a book when you can’t stand the main character. I had a hard time understanding her at first. At first I thought she came off as shy and timid and a little socially awkward but soon enough there’s just random bursts of anger. It’s hard to root for a person who is constantly having weird bursts of anger and just keeps making dumb hot headed decisions.
2. The flow. The flow seemed choppy. Abrupt scene changes. Thoughts that didn’t exactly play out. It doesn’t flow smoothly and multiple times I had to go back and reread things thinking I missed something.
3. It dragged on. Hence skipping through the second half
4. I honestly don’t think I liked a single person in this story. It’s hard to stay interested in a story when you don’t like any characters.
5. I feel like I was missing details and didn’t quite grasp what the author was trying to convey to me in a lot of scenarios. Random sentences and scenes just didn’t make sense.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend.
1. The main character. It’s really hard to get into a book when you can’t stand the main character. I had a hard time understanding her at first. At first I thought she came off as shy and timid and a little socially awkward but soon enough there’s just random bursts of anger. It’s hard to root for a person who is constantly having weird bursts of anger and just keeps making dumb hot headed decisions.
2. The flow. The flow seemed choppy. Abrupt scene changes. Thoughts that didn’t exactly play out. It doesn’t flow smoothly and multiple times I had to go back and reread things thinking I missed something.
3. It dragged on. Hence skipping through the second half
4. I honestly don’t think I liked a single person in this story. It’s hard to stay interested in a story when you don’t like any characters.
5. I feel like I was missing details and didn’t quite grasp what the author was trying to convey to me in a lot of scenarios. Random sentences and scenes just didn’t make sense.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend.
October 23, 2022
I enjoyed this book but the overall pacing felt strange to me. The author did a great job with the atmosphere.
December 22, 2022
This was my first ever Aardvark selection. The cover and synopsis are what made me choose it. I really enjoyed the beginning, but I started losing interest because of the pacing. The main character wasn’t particularly likable in my opinion — she was mean to her sister in law and mother. I enjoyed the setting & suspense. The author’s vivid descriptions of the marshlands and birds were well done.
November 1, 2022
3.5! This was such a solid debut, full of family drama and a decades-old mystery. But more family/small town drama than anything.
I just think the book could have been a bit tighter at the end - the plot was moving much too quickly and it wasn’t always connected in a clear way, but the majority of the book was so great. Beautiful imagery, characters you really want to spend time with, and all the wildlife things you didn’t know you needed to know until now.
I just think the book could have been a bit tighter at the end - the plot was moving much too quickly and it wasn’t always connected in a clear way, but the majority of the book was so great. Beautiful imagery, characters you really want to spend time with, and all the wildlife things you didn’t know you needed to know until now.
August 30, 2023
Citită în limba română cu titlul „Ținutul Mlaștinilor”, publicată la editura Litera.
Lectura acestei cărți a fost o adevărată experiență senzorială imersivă. În general, îmi plac cărțile cu descrieri de natură, ce să fac, eram din copilărie fana lui Calistrat Hogaș și ale sale drumuri de munte. În Ținutul Mlaștinilor, descrierile peisajelor sunt atât de bine realizate că te cufunzi complet în carte, vezi și auzi apele, păsările și plantele. Ești acolo cu Loni în caiac când alunecă pe ape în căutarea păsărilor pe care să le deseneze, vezi cu ochii minții grădina de plante aromatice a mamei ei și simți picurii de ploaie, auzi foșnetul vântului.
Premiza cărții este o moarte suspectă petrecută în urmă cu mulți ani. Loni Murrow se întoarce în oraș pentru a se ocupa de niște chestiuni de familie și, fără să vrea, începe să meargă pe firul ascuns al decesului tatălui ei, răscolind vechi amintiri și întâmplări pe care oamenii ar prefera să le lase îngropate. Loni a crescut în mlaștină și a explorat-o alături de tatăl ei, devenind la maturitate desenatoare de păsări la Institutul Smithsonian. Dragostea și respectul lui Loni față de natură este forța conducătoare din acest roman, comparat cu „Acolo unde cântă racii”. Cartea are un pic dintr-un thriller, un pic dintr-un romance (foarte puțin) și un pic dintr-un roman de familie, pe fundalul aspru, dar frumos al mlaștinilor din Florida.
Lectura acestei cărți a fost o adevărată experiență senzorială imersivă. În general, îmi plac cărțile cu descrieri de natură, ce să fac, eram din copilărie fana lui Calistrat Hogaș și ale sale drumuri de munte. În Ținutul Mlaștinilor, descrierile peisajelor sunt atât de bine realizate că te cufunzi complet în carte, vezi și auzi apele, păsările și plantele. Ești acolo cu Loni în caiac când alunecă pe ape în căutarea păsărilor pe care să le deseneze, vezi cu ochii minții grădina de plante aromatice a mamei ei și simți picurii de ploaie, auzi foșnetul vântului.
Premiza cărții este o moarte suspectă petrecută în urmă cu mulți ani. Loni Murrow se întoarce în oraș pentru a se ocupa de niște chestiuni de familie și, fără să vrea, începe să meargă pe firul ascuns al decesului tatălui ei, răscolind vechi amintiri și întâmplări pe care oamenii ar prefera să le lase îngropate. Loni a crescut în mlaștină și a explorat-o alături de tatăl ei, devenind la maturitate desenatoare de păsări la Institutul Smithsonian. Dragostea și respectul lui Loni față de natură este forța conducătoare din acest roman, comparat cu „Acolo unde cântă racii”. Cartea are un pic dintr-un thriller, un pic dintr-un romance (foarte puțin) și un pic dintr-un roman de familie, pe fundalul aspru, dar frumos al mlaștinilor din Florida.
November 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this debut novel. The writing is so beautiful and the novel contained everything from suspense to romance. I also found it interesting to learn about the species of birds and wildlife in general.
July 9, 2023
3,5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
October 26, 2022
THE MARSH QUEEN
Virginia Hartman
With the exception of being set in a marsh and the main character being an artist, there is almost nothing similar to WHERE THE CRAWDAD SINGS, at least for me. Once I got past looking for the similarities and relaxed with Loni's personality I have to say that actually enjoyed the book.
Hartman's writing had an atmospheric feel that rang dark and autonomous. Loni was a difficult character with a strong dark and unappealing side that made her snide and short with almost every other character in the book. This made me squint my eyes at her as she always seemed to have the best intentions, despite poor delivery, she was a terrible communicator with her family. But as the story unfolds it becomes clear why this might be a character flaw.
Thus, I found Hartman's characters both difficult and understandably flawed. The brother, the sister-in-law, and all the supporting characters shared some of these qualities. So when Loni goes to Florida to help with her aging mother, having to take a leave from her job at the Smithsonian, she hoped for a speedy return to work to avoid the downsizing that is happening there.
Once Loni gets to Florida, she is forced to deal with her father's unresolved death. When I say unresolved, I mean just that. Loni has never come to any stable terms with this death which she believes was intentional on his part. Also on the menu is the fact that her mother is in a "rehab" assisted living and her brother and sister-in-law are cleaning out mom's house and getting it ready to rent. This seems over-presumptuous to Loni as does her sister-in-law's attitude. A lot of alpha ladies in a small space.
The book mossies along in the southern heat and characters share facts that are not what she remembers as a child of 12 when her father died. I didn't think the book dragged along, but it wasn't a fast pace plot. There are lots of secrets exposed through warnings for Loni to get out of town or stop prying into the past. The book had some predictive issues, but when there are enough breadcrumbs on the ground one is sure to understand there is a bakery near!
All that said, I enjoyed the book and found it a solid debute.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Virginia Hartman
With the exception of being set in a marsh and the main character being an artist, there is almost nothing similar to WHERE THE CRAWDAD SINGS, at least for me. Once I got past looking for the similarities and relaxed with Loni's personality I have to say that actually enjoyed the book.
Hartman's writing had an atmospheric feel that rang dark and autonomous. Loni was a difficult character with a strong dark and unappealing side that made her snide and short with almost every other character in the book. This made me squint my eyes at her as she always seemed to have the best intentions, despite poor delivery, she was a terrible communicator with her family. But as the story unfolds it becomes clear why this might be a character flaw.
Thus, I found Hartman's characters both difficult and understandably flawed. The brother, the sister-in-law, and all the supporting characters shared some of these qualities. So when Loni goes to Florida to help with her aging mother, having to take a leave from her job at the Smithsonian, she hoped for a speedy return to work to avoid the downsizing that is happening there.
Once Loni gets to Florida, she is forced to deal with her father's unresolved death. When I say unresolved, I mean just that. Loni has never come to any stable terms with this death which she believes was intentional on his part. Also on the menu is the fact that her mother is in a "rehab" assisted living and her brother and sister-in-law are cleaning out mom's house and getting it ready to rent. This seems over-presumptuous to Loni as does her sister-in-law's attitude. A lot of alpha ladies in a small space.
The book mossies along in the southern heat and characters share facts that are not what she remembers as a child of 12 when her father died. I didn't think the book dragged along, but it wasn't a fast pace plot. There are lots of secrets exposed through warnings for Loni to get out of town or stop prying into the past. The book had some predictive issues, but when there are enough breadcrumbs on the ground one is sure to understand there is a bakery near!
All that said, I enjoyed the book and found it a solid debute.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
January 23, 2023
The Marsh Queen had a strong beginning, but I cannot say the same for the rest of the story.
One of the biggest reasons I had been interested in this book was that it had been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing. Their similarities are completely superficial. They’re connected by the almost identical nickname, nature drawings, and a mystery. The Marsh Queen, however, never immerses the reader into the hardship of the main character, never radiates beauty through its words, and never delves into anything meaningful, as the social commentary of Crawdads did. It was those qualities I had craved.
(Yes, I am aware that Delia Owens has become known as a problematic person. I am not condoning her life choices. I still greatly value what she did with her novel.)
I felt the writing in The Marsh Queen was rather flat. It failed to evoke emotion, despite some incredibly tragic circumstances. More dissatisfying, however, was how easy it was to identify the culprit. As the story revealed that I was correct, the narrative took a sharp turn into absurdity. I was unimpressed with the silliness that transpired.
I must have liked something about this to see it through and give it three stars, but I’m not entirely sure what that was. I can only say it didn’t irritate me as much as books I’ve given fewer stars to, despite not being what I had hoped for.
One of the biggest reasons I had been interested in this book was that it had been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing. Their similarities are completely superficial. They’re connected by the almost identical nickname, nature drawings, and a mystery. The Marsh Queen, however, never immerses the reader into the hardship of the main character, never radiates beauty through its words, and never delves into anything meaningful, as the social commentary of Crawdads did. It was those qualities I had craved.
(Yes, I am aware that Delia Owens has become known as a problematic person. I am not condoning her life choices. I still greatly value what she did with her novel.)
I felt the writing in The Marsh Queen was rather flat. It failed to evoke emotion, despite some incredibly tragic circumstances. More dissatisfying, however, was how easy it was to identify the culprit. As the story revealed that I was correct, the narrative took a sharp turn into absurdity. I was unimpressed with the silliness that transpired.
I must have liked something about this to see it through and give it three stars, but I’m not entirely sure what that was. I can only say it didn’t irritate me as much as books I’ve given fewer stars to, despite not being what I had hoped for.
January 19, 2023
A snail’s pace, that is how this story progressed. At the halfway point still nothing had happened, so I skimmed to the end. The stars dropped with every turn of the page. To mention this book in the same breath as Crawdads, is like comparing Motel 6 to The Four Seasons. The authors (never heard of any of them) who wrote glowing blurbs for the cover obviously never read the book!
It rambled incoherently and had no continuity - just a mish mash of words spouted by a bunch of idiotic characters. If this is on your TBR list, remove it immediately 👎
My biggest gripe - remember birds are tantamount to the story. The author describes a Moorhen AKA a Common Gallunile as having a white beak (page 58). Actually, it’s beak is bright orange (along with its face markings) with a yellow tip. An American Coot is black with a white beak. This story takes place in the Florida panhandle, White Herons are only found in Southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Somebody needs to Google the Cornell bird site, maybe both the editor and the author!!
It rambled incoherently and had no continuity - just a mish mash of words spouted by a bunch of idiotic characters. If this is on your TBR list, remove it immediately 👎
My biggest gripe - remember birds are tantamount to the story. The author describes a Moorhen AKA a Common Gallunile as having a white beak (page 58). Actually, it’s beak is bright orange (along with its face markings) with a yellow tip. An American Coot is black with a white beak. This story takes place in the Florida panhandle, White Herons are only found in Southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Somebody needs to Google the Cornell bird site, maybe both the editor and the author!!
April 23, 2022
The Marsh Queen is a debut novel for Virginia Hartman. It’s being compared to Where the Crawdads Sing which I’m assuming is because of the Marshland. I feel the two books are very different, this one is well written and has more of a mystery feel to it. I like that the Marshland was in Florida and not in the Carolina’s it felt very descriptive when it came to the location.
I did enjoy the plot although around 60% in I felt I was losing interest in the story, I finished and thought the story and writing was beautiful.
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I did enjoy the plot although around 60% in I felt I was losing interest in the story, I finished and thought the story and writing was beautiful.
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 10, 2022
Slow. Boring. Uneventful.
You can’t even put this in the same space as Where The Crawdad’s Sing. Nothing happened until the last 10 chapters, and even then I rolled my eyes far too often. By the end, I didn’t even really care what happened with the Dad. If not for the audiobook, I would have quit reading.
You can’t even put this in the same space as Where The Crawdad’s Sing. Nothing happened until the last 10 chapters, and even then I rolled my eyes far too often. By the end, I didn’t even really care what happened with the Dad. If not for the audiobook, I would have quit reading.
December 6, 2023
she said “I see your daddy issues and I raise you daddy issues unsolved mystery drug ring extravaganza”
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