Search
Search results
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Apr 2, 2025
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Apr 13, 2021
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Jun 20, 2025
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Apr 28, 2026
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Aug 25, 2021
Deborah (162 KP) rated Henry: Virtuous Prince in Books
Dec 21, 2018
ClareR (6157 KP) rated The Catherine Howard Conspiracy (The Marquess House Trilogy #1) in Books
Apr 13, 2019
This is set in two timelines: modern day and the Tudor Court. Dr Perdita Rivers and her twin sister, Piper, have been left an enormous bequest by their maternal grandmother. Perdita’s grandmother was a renowned Tudor historian, and had cut off all ties with her granddaughters after the death of their mother. So this is a bit of a shock!
The other timeline follows Catherine Howard in the lead up to her marriage to Henry VIII, and those fateful months that followed it.
I really do like historical novels, and the Tudor period has always particularly fascinated me. I loved all of the historical detail (and I know a lot of it is just conjecture, but it’s fun to imagine!), and Perdie’s research was very interesting too. I’d love a library like hers!
I’m very much looking forward to reading the second instalment as the ending was most intriguing!!
The other timeline follows Catherine Howard in the lead up to her marriage to Henry VIII, and those fateful months that followed it.
I really do like historical novels, and the Tudor period has always particularly fascinated me. I loved all of the historical detail (and I know a lot of it is just conjecture, but it’s fun to imagine!), and Perdie’s research was very interesting too. I’d love a library like hers!
I’m very much looking forward to reading the second instalment as the ending was most intriguing!!
Merissa (13961 KP) created a post
Mar 27, 2026
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Chalk Man in Books
May 16, 2018
It’s hard to believe that The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor is a debut; it’s even harder to believe that it’s not considered horror. Though the book focuses primarily on a whodunnit sort of plot, it borrows heavily from my favorite genre. Certain elements of The Chalk Man are downright grisly, which is a welcoming change from many of the mystery books I tend to read. Then again, I love gore and that’s no secret.
The Chalk Man bounces flawlessly between past and present as the story of an unfortunate girl’s murder unravels. Normally, I find back and forth plots confusing. Tudor approaches this not by labeling each shift as a new chapter, but by naming the chapters with the year they take place. This weaving of the plot creates a sense of urgency, with each chapter ending on the cusp of a new discovery. When all the cards are on the table, nothing is as it seems. The popular, snarky definition of the word “assume” definitely plays a heavy-handed role in this book and Tudor pulls it off well.
Creating complex characters appears to be another forte of Tudor’s. By complex, I mean that his cast, much like the plot, has as several layers to it. In some cases, this can make a story difficult to comprehend, but Tudor exercises some caution in giving any of his characters too many traits.
The Chalk Man is a quick, entertaining read which is always a plus. The constant action kept the book from becoming a chore and thus I was able to devour it in a few days. I’d like to thank Penguin’s First to Read program for providing me with a free copy of this book. This review reflects my own opinion.
The Chalk Man bounces flawlessly between past and present as the story of an unfortunate girl’s murder unravels. Normally, I find back and forth plots confusing. Tudor approaches this not by labeling each shift as a new chapter, but by naming the chapters with the year they take place. This weaving of the plot creates a sense of urgency, with each chapter ending on the cusp of a new discovery. When all the cards are on the table, nothing is as it seems. The popular, snarky definition of the word “assume” definitely plays a heavy-handed role in this book and Tudor pulls it off well.
Creating complex characters appears to be another forte of Tudor’s. By complex, I mean that his cast, much like the plot, has as several layers to it. In some cases, this can make a story difficult to comprehend, but Tudor exercises some caution in giving any of his characters too many traits.
The Chalk Man is a quick, entertaining read which is always a plus. The constant action kept the book from becoming a chore and thus I was able to devour it in a few days. I’d like to thank Penguin’s First to Read program for providing me with a free copy of this book. This review reflects my own opinion.
