Another right good romp in 1920s Melbourne.Phryne Fisher is like the James Bond of her time and place! Very enjoyable- this is only the second of the Another right good romp in 1920s Melbourne.Phryne Fisher is like the James Bond of her time and place! Very enjoyable- this is only the second of the series that I have read, but I like the fact that it’s not too cosy with a definite darker edge to some of the crimes....more
Really well done historical mystery set in St. Petersburg. We observe the rising career of Erast Fandorin who manages to confound a global conspiracy Really well done historical mystery set in St. Petersburg. We observe the rising career of Erast Fandorin who manages to confound a global conspiracy from the smallest of starts....more
I have enjoyed the previous two books in this series more than this, although Mercurius does not fail to entertain as always. This one was set in LondI have enjoyed the previous two books in this series more than this, although Mercurius does not fail to entertain as always. This one was set in London rather than Holland, which should have made it more interesting, but somehow didn’t! The reveal was very extended too....more
2.5 stars. This book should have been much better than it was. It was well researched and about a fascinating period of New York’s history- so what we2.5 stars. This book should have been much better than it was. It was well researched and about a fascinating period of New York’s history- so what went wrong? The pacing was off. Very off. This book literally sent me off to sleep on several occasions where a few pages earlier I was really engaged. The themes of establishing a police force, political corruption, child prostitution, racism against the Irish, extreme poverty, the 5 points were terribly interesting but somehow got lost....more
I found this pretty bland and dull. The characters did not shine. The storyline should have been interesting enough to hold my attention, yet somehow I found this pretty bland and dull. The characters did not shine. The storyline should have been interesting enough to hold my attention, yet somehow failed to do so....more
As with the first in this series, the politics and context of this time in India was very interesting. The actual crime took us all round the houses, As with the first in this series, the politics and context of this time in India was very interesting. The actual crime took us all round the houses, looking at all the possibilities before a fairly abrupt solution which was much simpler than anyone had supposed! A good read....more
2.5 stars. What was charming in the first book of this series seems to have palled a bit (for me). It’s like VT has one formula which all her books mu2.5 stars. What was charming in the first book of this series seems to have palled a bit (for me). It’s like VT has one formula which all her books must follow- I found the same with what I read of the Gaslight series....more
I must admit to being pleasantly surprised by this book. I’m not a big fan of cosy mysteries but this one was excellent thanks to the excellently portI must admit to being pleasantly surprised by this book. I’m not a big fan of cosy mysteries but this one was excellent thanks to the excellently portrayed characters and the dynamics between them. I will be sure to continue the series....more
This was pretty decent! I think that had I known much about 1920s India, this may have been 3 stars rather than 4, but the context was all new and theThis was pretty decent! I think that had I known much about 1920s India, this may have been 3 stars rather than 4, but the context was all new and therefore fascinating to me....more
Such an evocative piece of writing of both time and place- absolutely fascinating. Authentic use of Outlandish, I’ve never read a historical mystery sSuch an evocative piece of writing of both time and place- absolutely fascinating. Authentic use of Outlandish, I’ve never read a historical mystery set in the time of the Vikings before. The two main characters Kettil and Sigrid were a good pairing and I am excited to read the rest of these stories set in the Orkneys....more
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