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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Knife Edge in Books

Aug 29, 2020

Knife Edge

Simon Mayo | 2020 | Crime, Thriller

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I was really looking forward to reading this having been a fan of Simon Mayo for many years in his other guise as a radio DJ so was quite disappointed that it didn't really do it for me.

The start was brilliant and had me hooked but it just went a bit "bleh" for me in the middle and although the ending was as good as the start, it just didn't make up for the middle because by that time I had lost a lot of interest and just carried on reading because I hate not finishing books. The characters were interesting but not particularly memorable enough to connect with me so I didn't really care what happened to them either way. The themes and plot of this book are up to date and you can certainly see them playing out in the real world unfortunately but it felt a little over complicated at times.

As usual, I am likely to be in the minority on this one as there have been many 4 and 5 star reviews given; maybe I was having a bad week! so I suggest you give a go for yourself. I have to say that this won't put me off reading Simon's books in the future purely based on the start and end of this particular book.

Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Miniaturist in Books

May 18, 2020

The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry

7.0

(11 Ratings)

Book Rating

73 of 200
Book
The Miniaturist
By Jessie Burton

On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .

Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?

An absolutely beautiful written book! I found it hard to put down! Only thing I found a little disappointing was I needed more about the miniaturist and the mystery surrounding her. I found the friendships formed in this book so endearing, although it also shows as humans we may have become more excepting of race and sexuality but we are still in some countries struggling to accept each other! I went on to watch the Tv adaptation which was absolutely brilliant and so close to the books!
Highly recommend!