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bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's just lovely. Yes it's old fashioned but it's a true children's classic!
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK/Viking for an eARC of "The Story Collector" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
I read The Secrets of Rochester Place last year and loved its cleverly interwoven tale of dual timelines and mysterious family connections so when I saw The Story Collector was being released with a similar set up I knew I wanted to read it.
This time the historical timeline is the beginning and end of World War One, set in London with Katerina/Kitty in 1915 and Germany with Miriam in 1918. Our present day is set in Cornwall and sees Edie trying to start life again after the death of her husband David and in the process of renovating her cottage discovers a mysterious box that connects the story in some way to our 1915 and 1918 stories.
Long held secrets provide plenty of mystery, drama and trauma for all our characters and as a reader sees us swept along in a rich, warm and tender tale that is truly evocative and beautifully written.
I did find it took me a little while to feel connected to the 1918 storyline and for a major part of the book I was struggling to see the need for this extra part of the story, however as things started to come together I came to appreciate the story and characters more. I think I also struggled a little with it because I wanted more from the Edie storyline in the beginning, however by the tale's close I feel that that author did a lovely job in balancing the stories and giving them their due care and attention, leaving me feeling extremely satisfied with how it all comes together.
This was another thoroughly enjoyable read by Iris Costello and sits well alongside Rochester Place as a heart warming historical fiction/romance that I highly recommend to readers of the genre.
The Story Collector is released on February 29th 2024.
I read The Secrets of Rochester Place last year and loved its cleverly interwoven tale of dual timelines and mysterious family connections so when I saw The Story Collector was being released with a similar set up I knew I wanted to read it.
This time the historical timeline is the beginning and end of World War One, set in London with Katerina/Kitty in 1915 and Germany with Miriam in 1918. Our present day is set in Cornwall and sees Edie trying to start life again after the death of her husband David and in the process of renovating her cottage discovers a mysterious box that connects the story in some way to our 1915 and 1918 stories.
Long held secrets provide plenty of mystery, drama and trauma for all our characters and as a reader sees us swept along in a rich, warm and tender tale that is truly evocative and beautifully written.
I did find it took me a little while to feel connected to the 1918 storyline and for a major part of the book I was struggling to see the need for this extra part of the story, however as things started to come together I came to appreciate the story and characters more. I think I also struggled a little with it because I wanted more from the Edie storyline in the beginning, however by the tale's close I feel that that author did a lovely job in balancing the stories and giving them their due care and attention, leaving me feeling extremely satisfied with how it all comes together.
This was another thoroughly enjoyable read by Iris Costello and sits well alongside Rochester Place as a heart warming historical fiction/romance that I highly recommend to readers of the genre.
The Story Collector is released on February 29th 2024.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Plane crash
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an eARC of "Leave No Trace" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
I really enjoyed In The Blink of an Eye when I read it last year and as soon as I knew a second book was coming I knew I had to get my hands on it and boy, did it ever surpass expectations. This instalment of the Kat and Lock series is a fantastic follow up that for me was more well rounded and balanced than the first with a dark and thrilling case plus interesting and thoughtful commentary on the nature of identity especially in relation to AIDE Lock.
In this case DCS Kat Frank and Lock are finally able to investigate current events - a man has been found on a hilltop crucified with his ears cut off. With few leads and a race against time to solve this murder before more victims are found, the team have to battle the elements, the press and political pressure to ensure success.
I loved how current and modern this felt, including the slightly futuristic technology as well as the messaging around female and male safety, use of pronouns and ideas of found family and friendship. I love the diversity of characters and viewpoints including those of the more 'old school' Frank and her boss McLeish who are trying to adapt and get comfortable with the nature of AI Detection but also recognise that they risk becoming relics of a bygone age if they don't move forward (albeit begrudgingly). It's a very timely discussion considering the current implications of AI in modern life and the morality aspects of utilising such technology. I think the author has done a fantastic job of balancing out the viewpoints showing the positive and negative aspects whilst using these characters as a voice for the wider world at large.
This book overall is a wonderful mix of crime thriller/mystery with a fantastically dark, twisting and intriguing case which perfectly balances plot and character. The team is growing, personalities are becoming more rounded and formed and I'm finding myself becoming very quickly attached to them and their lives.
I was so pleased to see that 2 more books in the series have been commissioned and eagerly await those next instalments in the future as with plots and characters like these who wouldn't want to read more?!!
Leave No Trace is released on March 28th 2024
I really enjoyed In The Blink of an Eye when I read it last year and as soon as I knew a second book was coming I knew I had to get my hands on it and boy, did it ever surpass expectations. This instalment of the Kat and Lock series is a fantastic follow up that for me was more well rounded and balanced than the first with a dark and thrilling case plus interesting and thoughtful commentary on the nature of identity especially in relation to AIDE Lock.
In this case DCS Kat Frank and Lock are finally able to investigate current events - a man has been found on a hilltop crucified with his ears cut off. With few leads and a race against time to solve this murder before more victims are found, the team have to battle the elements, the press and political pressure to ensure success.
I loved how current and modern this felt, including the slightly futuristic technology as well as the messaging around female and male safety, use of pronouns and ideas of found family and friendship. I love the diversity of characters and viewpoints including those of the more 'old school' Frank and her boss McLeish who are trying to adapt and get comfortable with the nature of AI Detection but also recognise that they risk becoming relics of a bygone age if they don't move forward (albeit begrudgingly). It's a very timely discussion considering the current implications of AI in modern life and the morality aspects of utilising such technology. I think the author has done a fantastic job of balancing out the viewpoints showing the positive and negative aspects whilst using these characters as a voice for the wider world at large.
This book overall is a wonderful mix of crime thriller/mystery with a fantastically dark, twisting and intriguing case which perfectly balances plot and character. The team is growing, personalities are becoming more rounded and formed and I'm finding myself becoming very quickly attached to them and their lives.
I was so pleased to see that 2 more books in the series have been commissioned and eagerly await those next instalments in the future as with plots and characters like these who wouldn't want to read more?!!
Leave No Trace is released on March 28th 2024