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bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Black Swan Mystery the first translated edition of the Inspector Onitsura stories. It's a locked room mystery set in the 1960s Japan and has a varied cast of characters including, of course, the intrepid Detective charged with unravelling the mystery. Despite all of these elements (that I typically love), this one didn't really click for me. I think the intricacy of the plotting and the need to introduce multiple key characters meant that the pace was generally slow and I found it a clunky read.
Despite those issues this is very Agatha Christie alike and ultimately I didn't guess the culprit or they why which is why I set it as a solid 3 star mystery and I'm sure it will hit the spot for other mystery fans, especially those who enjoy Japanese mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo for this digital review copy of "The Black Swan Mystery" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Despite those issues this is very Agatha Christie alike and ultimately I didn't guess the culprit or they why which is why I set it as a solid 3 star mystery and I'm sure it will hit the spot for other mystery fans, especially those who enjoy Japanese mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo for this digital review copy of "The Black Swan Mystery" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Overall enjoyed this but just felt at times that some sections were a little thin (I.e. disappearance of Shelly Miscavage) and then others over weighted. So a little uneaven but a really interesting look scientology.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wonderful and will dip back in and re-read in future
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
There's nothing more horrific than real life sometimes and this book is 400 pages of literal WTF.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A gentle contemporary short story with a touch of romance and lots of book talk.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't help it, I'm such a sucker for books like this. Nearly 600 pages flew by and I read it in 24 hours over 3 sittings.
Much like The Seven Sisters series, it's utterly preposterous, just ridiculous, but what a compelling read. Multiple timelines, so many coincidences and crossed paths that stretch credibility but I gobbled it all up. Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton are the masters of this style of overly long and glamourous stories that are a mix of historical fiction/romance/mini mystery/mild thriller that I usually just inhale.
CW: What made this one different was just how dark it was with a Holocaust timeline plus domestic violence, stalking, addiction and murder all playing a part.
Much like The Seven Sisters series, it's utterly preposterous, just ridiculous, but what a compelling read. Multiple timelines, so many coincidences and crossed paths that stretch credibility but I gobbled it all up. Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton are the masters of this style of overly long and glamourous stories that are a mix of historical fiction/romance/mini mystery/mild thriller that I usually just inhale.
CW: What made this one different was just how dark it was with a Holocaust timeline plus domestic violence, stalking, addiction and murder all playing a part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Suicide, Violence
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: War
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lovely addition to the series