R. J. Gladden

Beautifully written

Reviewed: 14-07-24

This was a beautiful book to listen to, the characters are well drawn and the theme of the novel was something I hadn’t even thought about, that of freed slaves after the Civil War. The story, not without it’s invariably sad parts, was also totally uplifting.

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Not a usual Gregory but brilliant nonetheless

Reviewed: 15-01-24

Wasn’t sure whether I would like this book or not. I have read all of Philippa Gregory’s novels and have loved them. However, this is a different take as it’s set in the present day.

I needn’t have worried as I was hooked almost immediately and did a two day read finishing at 3am this morning. It should carry a health warning as I was just unable to sleep until I had reached the finale and it didn't disappoint. But no spoilers here, read it for yourself.

Is there a genre that Philippa Gregory can’t accomplish? I suspect not!

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Thoroughly enjoyable series

Reviewed: 23-01-23

I have now listened to books 1,2 and 3 consecutively and I am just about to embark on book four. This series just gets better and better and I know all the regular characters really well. The interaction between Oswald de Lacy and his mother provide a lighter side of what could otherwise be fairly grim tales and the background stories of the main characters continue to grow book by book.

It seems to me that Oswald is an inept investigator who bumbles through each story until, almost too late, he discovers the real culprits. The plots are excellent and I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this particular book, which is set in Venice, but I loved it. The historical detail in the stories are finely drawn and well researched. I only have two more books left in the series and I am already dreading the end.

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Beautiful

Reviewed: 26-08-22

I am so glad I decided to download this book. I was initially a bit daunted by the length of it. I was worried that it might not hold my interest that long. But I need not have worried. I fell in love with all the characters who were beautifully drawn, the storyline and the great narration by Olivia Vinall.

I was rapt from the very beginning and I found myself staying up at night not wanting to miss the next chapter…..the chapter after that….and the next.

I look forward to reading Joanna Quinn’s next novel.

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Not for me

Reviewed: 10-10-21

This was a novel that should have been fitted into a short story. Far too verbose, it could have said it all in five chapters, instead it rambled on forever. I gave up in the end as I didn’t really care what happened to either of the main characters.

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Not one of her best

Reviewed: 10-10-21

I usually thoroughly enjoy Alison Weir’s books, she is always meticulous in detail. However, I didn’t enjoy all the stories and it became difficult to follow when the book went chronologically back and forth. It may be my simple brain but I struggled to cope. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy the last few novellas as I found it hard to fit into context.

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2 people found this helpful

Not what I expected

Reviewed: 10-10-21

I usually love 1st WW novels - Birdsong etc, but this was utterly dull. In the end I didn’t really care who did it. I’m just really sorry I wasted four hours waiting for it to get better

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Grim

Reviewed: 10-10-21

I got this book free so I can’t complain too much, but it was dreadful. If I’d bought it I would demand my money back. The narrator struggled with a pretty grim novel.

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Brilliantly written

Reviewed: 14-06-21

I have read both previous novels written by Stacey Hall and enjoyed both of them. So it was with some anticipation that I waited for Stacey’s most recent creation. It was well worth waiting for, broody and scenic with a well drafted plot, I fell in love with Ruby May and, by the end, Mrs England too. Imogen Wilde’s narration could not be faulted either. I finished this book in 24 hours while on a short staycation in the Ribble Valley and was saddened when it came to an end. This author has rapidly become one of my favourite writers and, although I’ve only just finished this novel, I really can’t wait for the next!

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25 people found this helpful

Much ado about nothing

Reviewed: 16-02-21

On the face of it, and judging by the synopsis, I had great hopes of this book. However, I found it utterly, utterly tedious and persevered through it in the hope something exciting would finally happen. There was a medium, a seance, mysterious piano playing and a small child living on the estate, but this was the sum total excitement and just when I thought something would happen, it just didn’t. I persevered to the end and I was reminded of the occasion when I took my granddaughter to watch her favourite film “Annie” as a stage play at the theatre. ‘Live theatre’ I thought ‘what an exciting moment for the child’. As we left the theatre I said to her “and what did you like best Olivia?” “The end” said she. And this is how I feel about this book....the end was by far the very best bit.

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