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I Have Some Questions For You
I Have Some Questions For You
Rebecca Makkai | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I didn’t quite know what to make of this novel. It’s a true crime style story, that reads as literary fiction, and the mystery just went on too long. There were a lot of issues to deal with - it was just too busy. I couldn’t even prioritise the order of the storylines, it was as though they were all thrown at the book. What I like about a good crime story is usually the ‘tightness’ of the storyline, and this just didn’t do that. The characters would just deal with one thing, and suddenly something else would be thrown into the mix. It really did test my concentration levels!!

I loved Rebecca Makkai’s previous novel, and I’d had high hopes for this. Will I read her next book? Yes, I probably will - I still remember The Great Believers and know that she has written something I’ve really enjoyed. Just not this book.
  
Sleepyside’s annual Memorial Day parade is interrupted when a fire starts a few blocks away from Main Street. When Trixie’s friend’s father is accused of burning down his own store, Trixie knows she must solve the crime.

This is the first of the rarer final five in the series. Some fans really dislike them, and I do see their point. The characters are weaker than in earlier books. And, at least in this one, Trixie has to have the solution to the mystery pointed out to her – a solution I found obvious the first time I read it in high school. And yet, I must confess I still find the book fun. Definitely not top of the list, but a fun, quick visit with old friends.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-mystery-of-memorial-day.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
MI
Murder in the morning
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MoMo Book Diary recommends ‘Murder in the Morning’ which is the second of the Melissa Craig cozy mystery series by Betty Rowland.

Having enjoyed the first Melissa Craig instalment I was eager to get into the follow up.  I found this instalment, which begins where the previous book concluded, to be more entertaining than the first.  However, this could be due to reading them both in order and in the same week – I would definitely suggest reading them in order and together as I did.

Whilst the book focuses on a new crime the characters involved were developed in the first instalment and I assume will continue through the ongoing series.

This series will be enjoyed by those who enjoy Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin and Father Brown type of mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.