Nancy

This could develop into a good mystery series.

This, the first book, had quite a LOT of setup. It had a good story, but you had to wade through way too much Coffee-love. I get that this is a book centered around an historic coffee house, but there was just too much of it in one book. It was reminiscent of Diana Mott-Davidson's Goldie Bear cooking mystery series, but it was rather overdone.

This series has potential. The premise is good, the character development is good and the mystery has potential. I'll give it another few books to see if it gets better.

The narration is excellent.

I've listened to 5 books in this series, and am so very disappointed with the author. It has nothing to do with the writing or her mystery crafting prowess, which are fine. This author seems to have a big agenda to degrade and trounce Christians. It isn't so obvious in the first book, but becomes a bit more pronounced in subsequent books.

Christians are portrayed as bad parents, bad politicians, shady criminals, .. while the only ones that truly care about people are the heroine's friends - a sordid group of dominatrix, gays and dummies.. There hasn't been one positive portrayal of a Christian that I can remember in any of the first 5 books.

Why did I wade through 5 of her books? Well, I kept thinking that maybe it was just this one story.. and it would get better. By the end of the 5th novel, I didn't even want to finish the book because the vitriol was so bad.

While I'm not a hard-lined, rigid, people bashing Christian, it does seem to me that the author appears to have an agenda, to promote alternative lifestyles, and denounce Christians.

While this is absolutely her right to do so, I won't be supporting her with any more of my money.

It is such a shame., she had a creative mind for the mystery.

I've listened to all of the Flavia de Luce Novels and loved every one of them, but this novel has the best mystery so far. I must admit, I didn't put it all together even though all the clues were there.

Alan Bradley has created a wonderfully saucy and precocious girl detective with Flavia de Luce. She is a genius with Chemistry and has a great grasp of human nature, even for 12 years old. She doesn't miss a thing! Somehow, Mr Bradley makes it all believable. In this installment, Flavia finally gets a chance to shine in the end, by recounting her deductions to the idolized Inspector Hewitt and his adored wife, Antigone. A milestone for Flavia!

With all the family dynamics, problems and personalities in the de Luce household, this series keeps us enthralled from book to book. Each book so far has satisfied us with complete stories. This one, however, leaves us with several unanswered questions and a startling cliffhanger. If I'd have known, I may have waited to read it until the next book is released!

Jayne Entwistle, once again, does a marvelous job narrating. She brings Flavia to life with oodles of personality and mischievous charm.

I highly recommend any of the books in this series - especially this one! It is a charming cozy mystery with available clues but subtle twists that will keep you guessing until the end.

This plot reminded me of a "Murder She Wrote" mystery. It seemed rather more simple and predictable. The story was well written and the process of uncovering the culprit was good, but just not the best of the lot.

Once again, the narrator was excellent!

Yes, I'd recommend it to those reading the series in order.. it continues the saga of the characters.

This series keeps getting better! I don't know how JDRobb does it, but the stories and plots are continually fresh and full of twisty-goodness.

This plot is intricate and well developed. I didn't figure it out until right before the end.

The narrator is excellent!

I recommend the series for those mystery buffs, that like a lot of romance thrown in for good measure!

This was an enjoyable listen. It was interesting to follow the thought processes of a serial killer as well as the detective pursuing him at the same time. It is interesting how the author portrayed the killer's descent into madness as part of the effects of the murders. The writing was excellent. The time frame of this book is the mid-70's. It was rather fun to relive that era and see the differences with today's world.

Mr. Vietor did an excellent job narrating. He was easy to understand and follow.

Yes, I'd recommend the book.

I have to say that the author is really coming into her own. Still a few weird things that I couldn't understand why she did, but it didn't really interfere with my enjoyment of the book.. except I kept wanting it to be explained!

The mystery was excellent. I didn't figure it out until the author wanted me to do so. I enjoyed the characters much more and thoroughly laughed and smiled when Madame and Clare start investigating together.

You can tell the author is very proud of her New York areas. The descriptions get a little long winded, but doesn't really detract from the story.

The narrator makes this book!

This series is becoming really fun.

I wasn't expecting this series to pan out into something I could enjoy. But, I'm happily mistaken.

There were parts of the book that didn't make a lot of sense to me.. for instance, why would this female just hop right in and start right in investigating before the police? That wasn't answered for me.

Other than those few questions though, the book was a delightful cozy who-dun-it. The mystery was great and the writing is maturing nicely.

I've really enjoyed the narrator in this series. She does a superb job on the voices and makes the characters come alive.

Yes, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book and can honestly say I look forward to listening to the rest of the series now!

I suppose I expected a lot more from the book. There were sections that held my attention.

I guess I'm just not very fond of the fantasy superman detective. This detective that can throw a punch and not get his shirt wrinkled, inexplicably foresee what will always happen next, etc. I like a more human detective, one that is a bit more human and fallible. I can follow the fallible detective's thought patterns more. Sir John, our detective, was just too perfect.

The mystery was a bit so-so and obvious.. but, the author attempted to throw in a twist at the end, but it just didn't "follow". The entire story was rather trite and choppy, for my liking. There didn't seem to be much originality. The historic portrayal of Animal Magnitism though, was portrayed accurately for the period. So, I'd give the author kudos for research.

The narrator had moments of brilliance, but alas, Sir John was played very condescendingly and arrogantly. This may be how the character was written, but I just didn't like it. Other characters' voices were played well though. His meter was just a bit too fast for my liking as well. I struggled to keep up with him at times.

This book is obviously part of a series. This being the only one to which I've listened, may have also colored my inability to bond with the characters. I'd have much rather started at the beginning of the series.

I'd say that if this book were given to me, it might be worth it. However, if this is a typical representation of the entire series, I'd give it a miss if it cost me anything.

At first, I thought I wasn't going to enjoy this, but after 30 minutes I became enthralled.

The writing was excellent! Vivid phrases and subtle sardonic humor permeate this book. There are several layers of mysteries which interlace nicely throughout the story. I suspected one, but was not sure until the end and was surprised by several twists!

The narrator was perfectly chosen. His voice and manor were perfectly suited to the witticisms and tongue in cheek humor. I found myself envisioning Rumpole. The book has 2 main characters both in 2 time-lines. I never had a problem distinguishing between them.

I am looking for books by this author and narrator! Yes, I recommend it!

I just couldn't keep my mind from wandering, then had to go back and listen to it again, and again.. To me, the story lines were blurry and undefined. I had a hard time following, of course, I may have missed a bit while my mind was elsewhere! And, too many characters, I kept mixing them up.

The description of the culture and people was terrific, though. I felt as if I was right there, and could see, feel and smell India. And, perhaps understand them a bit more as well.

The narration was great. His accents were wonderful and the pace was just right.

I'd say the series has potential, but I suppose, I need a bit more definition in my plots and investigations.