poppyshake Posted March 9, 2015 Author Posted March 9, 2015 Murder Most Unladylike by Robin StevensSynopsis: When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own deadly secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which they don’t, really.) But then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She thinks it must all have been a terrible accident – but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now the girls know a murder must have taken place . . . and there’s more than one person at Deepdean with a motive. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove a murder happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning, scheming and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?Review: Brilliant, brilliant .. just brilliant. If the synopsis appeals to you even the smallest bit then I urge you to read the book. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. This is Malory Towers with murders!! .. and with bunbreaks!! It has a gorgeous map of the school at the front and a cast list .. plus they have a midnight feast!! Even Enid wasn't brave enough for that in the first book. They play good old fashioned hockey too and not just lacrosse .. a game that might as well have been Quidditch for all I understood it. Hazel Wong is our narrator and I just love her.'Look at Daisy and you think you know exactly the sort of person she is - one of those dainty, absolutely English girls with blue eyes and golden hair; the kind who'll gallop across muddy fields in the rain clutching hockey sticks and then sit down and eat ten iced buns at tea. I, on the other hand, bulge all over like Bibendum the Michelin man; my cheeks are moony-round and my hair and eyes are stubbornly dark brown.I arrived from Hong Kong part way through second form, and even then, when we were all still shrimps (shrimps, for this new casebook, is what we call the little lower-form girls), Daisy was already famous throughout Deepdean School. She rode horses, was part of the lacrosse team, and was a member of the Society. The Big Girls took notice of her, and by May the entire school knew that the Head Girl herself had called Daisy a 'good sport'.But that is only the outside of Daisy, the jolly-good-show part that everyone sees. The inside of her is not jolly-good-show at all.It took me a while to discover that.'Hazel may be the Watson to Daisy's Sherlock but she is every bit as intuitive .. even though Daisy thinks otherwise. They bicker just as much as Holmes and Watson and have differing opinions on suspects, evidence and life in general but are sensible enough to come together when it matters (ie .. the crunch )If you have any children in your life, aged 8 or over, then buy them this .. they will thank you with tears of gratitude in their eyes There is a murder .. there may even be more (I'm not saying ) but it's not grisly .. it's more or less .. a body in the library .. only this one is in the gymnasium Buy it for adults too .. anyone who loves a boarding school tale or even anyone who loves a murder mystery (well .. not lovers of Stuart MacBride obviously .. they will probably be looking for something a bit grittier ) If you know anyone who needs cheering up .. send them this .. along with a great big iced bun .. they'll gobble up both in no time.It's set in the 1930's so has all the appeal of a vintage setting but with the advantage of a modern day approach. It's very Blytonesque in all the right ways. I can't wait to read the next Wells & Wong mystery! Thanks so much Claire for lending it to me xx Loved it! Quote
chesilbeach Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Smashing review! I know it's not set in a school, but I know you'll love the second book just as much too. Book three out in July Quote
poppyshake Posted March 9, 2015 Author Posted March 9, 2015 Smashing review! I know it's not set in a school, but I know you'll love the second book just as much too. Book three out in July I can't wait Quote
Athena Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Great reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying your reads ! Quote
~Andrea~ Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Did you listen to an audio version of The Mangle Street Murders Kay? If so who read it? Quote
Janet Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 You have read some great books recently, Kay. I hope 2015 continues to be great for you. Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Great reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying your reads ! Thanks Gaia! Did you listen to an audio version of The Mangle Street Murders Kay? If so who read it? Yes I did Andrea .. Emma Gregory reads it most excellently You have read some great books recently, Kay. I hope 2015 continues to be great for you. Thanks Janet .. you too xx I have been fortunate with my reads .. and still no CBtD so .. result! Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Next jar pick .. (No. 13) Dandy Gilver & the Proper Treatment of Bloodstains by Catriona McPherson It is written in the stars obviously that I must continue to wade knee deep in murder and mayhem This is Dandy Gilver 5 .. I've only read Dandy Gilver 4 but that didn't seem to require any prior knowledge. I didn't enjoy it that much I seem to remember .. it was okay but then it was about a circus Unless Enid's involved I'm not fond of circuses .. ooh except The Night Circus .. that was a triumph This one sounds more my thing Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 I hope you enjoy your jar pick . I hope so too Gaia xx It's got two chances Quote
chesilbeach Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I don't mind circuses, but I'm a bit wary of clowns … they creep me out a bit. Having said that, the cover looks great ... I'd pick it up and at least read the blurb, if not just buy it straight away if I was in a shop and saw it … but then, like others here, I have a problem impulse buying too many books … Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 I don't mind circuses, but I'm a bit wary of clowns … they creep me out a bit. Having said that, the cover looks great ... I'd pick it up and at least read the blurb, if not just buy it straight away if I was in a shop and saw it … but then, like others here, I have a problem impulse buying too many books … Yes .. clowns are macabre aren't they? Sinister little devils I bought another book this morning. I did have a Waterstone's card full up of stamps but even so .. I was supposed to be saving that to spend on others I'm past hope .. it's terminal Both the Dandy Gilver's came from charity shops .. the covers are lovely. Even if I hate this one I'm definitely getting this one if I see it .. too luscious for words Quote
chesilbeach Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Ooh, pretty … I don't blame you for wanting it! Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 The Curse of the House of Foskett by M.R.C. Kasasian Animal lovers will particularly find it upsetting Yeah, I didn't like that bit at all - thought it was quite unnecessary and didn't bring anything to the story, tbh That apart, though, I loved the book just as much as the first, if not more. It had a better ending, I think. Glad you enjoyed it, great review as usual Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Yeah, I didn't like that bit at all - thought it was quite unnecessary and didn't bring anything to the story, tbh That apart, though, I loved the book just as much as the first, if not more. It had a better ending, I think. Glad you enjoyed it, great review as usual Thanks Steve Yes, the ending was great and their relationship is getting more and more intriguing. I want to know everything now though! Quote
Janet Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I absolutely loathe clowns. That cover is gorgeous, Kay. I shall have to check the book out. Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 I absolutely loathe clowns. That cover is gorgeous, Kay. I shall have to check the book out. Down with clowns!! Quote
pontalba Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Good reviews, Kay. On a detective streak are we? Clowns are creepy. Period. Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood Synopsis: Thanks to their plucky governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf cubs now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees.Yet the Incorrigibles are not entirely civilized, and still managed to ruin Lady Constance’s Christmas ball, nearly destroying the grand house. So while Ashton Place is being restored, Penelope, the Ashtons, and the children take up residence in London. As they explore the city, Penelope and the Incorrigibles discover more about themselves as clues about the children’s—and Penelope’s own—mysterious past crop up in the most unexpected ways.Review: It's quite a while since I read the first book .. or listened to it .. and it took me a few chapters to get back into the story but once the Ashton's take themselves off to London (to Muffinshire Lane no less ) I quickly got back into the flow. I find the narrator hilarious (the narrator of the story .. though the narrator of the audio is hilarious too) .. always ready with sound advice for the reader if they are at all in doubt.'Nowadays, people resort to all kinds of activities in order to calm themselves after a stressful event: performing yoga poses in a sauna, leaping off bridges while tied to a bungee, killing imaginary zombies with imaginary weapons, and so forth. But in Miss Penelope Lumley's day, it was universally understood that there is nothing like a nice cup of tea to settle one's nerves in the aftermath of an adventure- a practice many would find well worth reviving.''As you may know, "dudgeon" is a word that describes feeling cross, and to be in high dudgeon means feeling very cross indeed. (Do not be one of those careless speakers who says "dudgeon" when they mean "dungeon". Being locked in a dungeon might well cause a person to be in high dudgeon, but that is the only real connection between the two.)' There was a great piece about 'epiphanies' but I can't find it .. that's the trouble with an audio .. you can't just find the page afterwards I love Penelope too always trying to do her best for the Incorrigible's and putting to good use all the sensible things she learnt at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females It takes a special kind of governess to tame these children, but they howl less than they used to and they don't tend to snack on the wildlife anymore There is a touch of the Lemony Snicket's about it. Lots of mishaps leading to mayhem, lots of unanswered questions and shady people with dastardly plans. Lord Ashton remains a mystery, why does he always disappear when the moon is full and why does Penelope's old headmistress insist that she continues to use the Swanburne hair poultice which turns her lovely auburn locks a dull blackberry brown?I really enjoy Katherine Kellgren's narration .. she throws herself into the story with abandon and it's a joy. Great story to read to children (probably aged 8 and above) .. or better still get Katherine to read it Actually, I think the books have illustrations .. I do feel in that respect I've missed out Liked it! I love the covers but was disappointed to see that book five is different. It's still a great cover but it doesn't match the others Blow!! Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Good reviews, Kay. On a detective streak are we? Thanks Kate .. I am actually Clowns are creepy. Period. Very true. Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Bought a book today ... The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain Was not on ANY of my lists .. don't even think it has the 'right' coloured spine. I just saw it and wanted it Blurb says: Bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street, and feels impelled to return it to its owner. The bag contains no money, phone or contact information. But a small red notebook with handwritten thoughts and jottings reveals a person that Laurent would very much like to meet. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions? Quote
~Andrea~ Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Yes I did Andrea .. Emma Gregory reads it most excellently Thank you. I will give that a go Quote
Janet Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 That's on my Wish List. I loved The President's Hat by him! I hope you enjoy it. Quote
poppyshake Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Thank you. I will give that a go Yay! I really hope you enjoy it Andrea That's on my Wish List. I loved The President's Hat by him! I hope you enjoy it. Thanks Janet I meant to read The President's Hat .. I saw it a lot last year and almost got it several times. If I get on well with this one then I'll definitely get it Quote
~Andrea~ Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Yay! I really hope you enjoy it Andrea I think anything would be an improvement on my last audio book - The Trial by Kafka! That was HARD going! Quote
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