Tag: murdermystery

Murder on the Dancefloor Review

Quote IndiaReadsALot2 Comments

November 1933. Amateur sleuth-cum-dutiful granddaughter Kitty Underhay stifles a sigh of boredom as she attends the annual Hoteliers’ Association Dinner and Dance on behalf of her grandmother, the proprietress of the Dolphin Hotel. She hopes the company of ex-army captain Matthew Bryant will enliven the otherwise dull evening. That is, until bullish and overbearing local councillor Harold Everton drops dead into his bowl of consommé. While the local police are still scrambling for their whistles, Kitty and Matt waste no time leaping into action. Soon they find themselves caught up a dangerous search to uncover who amongst the distinguished guests used cyanide for seasoning?

Peril at End House Review

Quote IndiaReadsALot4 Comments

Hercule Poirot is vacationing on the Cornish coast when he meets Nick Buckley. Nick is the young and reckless mistress of End House, an imposing structure perched on the rocky cliffs of St. Loo. Poirot has taken a particular interest in the young woman who has recently narrowly escaped a series of life-threatening accidents. Something tells the Belgian sleuth that these so-called accidents are more than just mere coincidences or a spate of bad luck. It seems all too clear to him that someone is trying to do away with poor Nick, but who? And, what is the motive? In his quest for answers, Poirot must delve into the dark history of End House. The deeper he gets into his investigation, the more certain he is that the killer will soon strike again. And, this time, Nick may not escape with her life.

July Wrap Up 2020

IndiaReadsALotLeave a comment

I had a very varied month this time round with some high highs and some pretty low lows. What I did learn last month was to not binge read a series as I lose interest very quick!

  • I read 4 books this month. Technically one book at 3 stories in it as it was a bind up but I read the first 2 in June.
  • I read 3 books for my ONTD challenge, 1 book for my sequels challenge and 1 book for my Second Chance Challenge.
  • For genre: 1 murder mystery, 2 fantasy and 1 science fiction.
  • For the age range: All were adult.
  • All the books this month were physical paperbacks.

Introducing the Honourable Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood (3 stars)

So this book was a bind up of the first 3 novels in the Phryne Fisher series.

  • Cocaine Blues
  • Flying Too High
  • Murder on the Ballarat Train

I read the first two books in June and the final book in July. I personally count these books as individual books towards my goal. One thing I did take away from this was that I cannot binge read series as I lose interest fast. So much to the point that I don’t plan on continuing this series going forward. I felt like I read enough.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (4 stars)

This was an amazing book. I read this a couple of years ago and DNFed it early on because I couldn’t connect to the story. I think this was mainly due to the fact that I wasn’t ready to be tackling adult fantasy yet. I was so happy that I re-read this, great characters, great relationships. My only criticism was the lack of major female characters.

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (5 stars)

Another amazing story. I was worried that this book was not going to match how great the first book was but I was proven wrong. I have to do a disclaimer though… normally my reviews are concise and easy to follow but my review for this book was all over the place because the book left me mind blown! I couldn’t think straight! That ending was powerful!

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry (2 stars)

What must come up, must inevitably come down and that is how the month went for me. Sadly, I was disappointed again by Christina Henry. I was hoping after reading her book The Mermaid and not enjoying it that things would suddenly work out. But no! This story felt very flat to me and there was way to much walking!

June 2020 Wrap Up

IndiaReadsALotLeave a comment

I had a pretty good month this month. I read some amazing arcs and worked hard on educating myself on my white privileged and on systemic racism in both America and the UK.

  • I read 6 books this month.
  • I read 2 books for my ONTD challenge and 2 sequels.
  • For genre: 2 non-fiction, 1 fantasy and 3 historical fiction murder mysteries.
  • For age range: All were adult.
  • All of the books this month were ebooks.
  • 3 of the books were ARCS.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge (5 stars)

This is a must read I feel for everyone living in the UK. Especially, young people. I found out a lot of things about my country that I didn’t know/wasn’t aware of and I also found that this book was able to solidify something I knew to be true myself, especially when it came to intersectional feminism.

Sourcery – Terry Pratchett (2 stars)

A pretty disappointing read this one. I read numerous things about not reading this series in chronological order as he first books aren’t that strong and I am definitely feeling this sentiment. No review for this book as I just didn’t have much to say other than, I didn’t like it.

Murder at the Playhouse – Helena Dixon (4 stars)

This series is starting to solidfy itself as one of my all-time favourites. Everything that I felt uneasy about in the first two books gets amended and changed for the better in this 3rd book. We really get to see Kitty take hold of the case herself. I find myself so enthralled in the over-arching mysteries of the series. I need the next one now!

The Sin Eater – Megan Campisi (3 stars)

This was a solid read. Great concept, great mystery, solid protagonist. Not much else to say other than at times the writing made me quite uncomfortable which drew me out of the story.

Daughters of Night – Laura Shepherd-Robinson (5 stars)

If I could give this book 10 stars I would! Definitely, a book that I felt was out of my comfort zone but I am so happy I read it! This book had me constantly second-guessing and it just took over my whole life. Every moment I got I was reading this. This book was so good I plan on buying a physical copy when it comes out in January!

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Race – Robin DiAngelo (3 stars)

No review for this one. While I am happy I read it and could inform/educate myself. There was not much else to say about this book.

Murder at the Playhouse Review

Quote IndiaReadsALot2 Comments

Late Summer, 1933. After a quarrel with too-plucky-for-her-own-good amateur sleuth Kitty Underhay, dashing ex-army captain Matthew Bryant is nursing his wounds, and a tumbler of brandy, when there’s a heavy knock at the door and he finds himself arrested for murder. The body of aspiring actress Pearl Bright has been found, strangled with one of Matt’s own bootlaces, and the evidence seems to be stacked against him. The local constabulary might have locked Matt up, but before they can throw away the key, Kitty hears the news and hies to his aid, determined to prove his innocence. And when her investigations lead her to the home of retired theatre impresario Stanley Davenport, and the local amateur dramatics society, Kitty uncovers a web of deceit that stretches far beyond the stage make-up.