Nancy

I've always enjoyed this series. This book, though not the best in the bunch, was very enjoyable.

The mystery was good. I didn't guess who did it until the very end. I'm not really able to relate to the door-mat mentality of our heroine when it comes to her family though.

The narrator, as always, was excellent. She gives Ms. Swanson's sardonic humor the perfect emphasis.

I enjoyed the book, and will continue with the series.

This is one of the best in the series. The plot was exciting, suspenseful and gripping.

This narrator is absolutely the BEST! I am amazed at how much I get into it and always know who is speaking. Her breadth of voices is astounding.

Yes, this is an excellent installment!

I really enjoyed this book! This had a lot of elements that I enjoy. History, mystery, adventure, treasure hunting, and a smattering of romance! It was a cross between Indiana Jones and National Treasure!

The character development was excellent in this book. There were subtle under and overtones in the relationships between each of the characters. I felt like I really knew each one of them.

The narrator was excellent. He kept the characters identities separate and kept the story exciting.

Yes, I'd recommend this book to any adventure-loving archeologist wanna-be!

This book was ok, for a first in a series. I must admit, I agree with the previous poster who remarked that he felt “preached at”. I did too! The author comments, remarks, rants, and rather berates anyone that doesn’t agree with her opinions on many topics (from hand-washing to conservative talk-show hosts, to the American treatment of gays). This was a bit over-the-top!

However, the lecturing aside, the plot and mystery was rather a good one. I suspected the culprit, but didn’t know for sure. I didn’t find myself liking the main character. She held too much rage and was way too opinionated for me to be able to identify with her. Jumping and physically beating someone just for saying something she didn’t agree with.. just isn’t someone I’d care to know.

The narrator was good. I never had a problem distinguishing the speaker of the moment.

No, I wouldn’t recommend this book to any of my friends. Nor will I be buying another in the series. I just don’t care to pay to be bullied.

It isn't often that the first book in a series is really this good. The writing is excellent. The character development is superb! And the mystery is great as well! A trifecta!

The plot could very well be something in the news today. A very heavy subject - political corruption and incompetance. But, while the writer handles the issues seriously, there is enough humor to keep it from becoming too heavy. I did figure out who-dun-it, but not until the book was half over!

I really came to identify with Savannah and enjoy her take on life, crime, friends and authority.

The narrator did an excellent job. The accents were 'just right'! She made the characters come alive!

This is a great find in this genre. I'd recommend this to anyone liking a good female-detective-catching-the-bad-guy who-dun-it!

I enjoyed this story. However, the technology is very dated. There was also way too much "explanation" for every acronym, technological reference, etc. This was rather annoying.

I think this series has potential. The mystery was good, and the character development was good. I identified with the conflict and humiliation that the main character experienced in her working environment. I did "sort of" guess the perpetrator, but wasn't quite sure.

The narrator was good, though rather flat. This could be because of all the above mentioned explanations though! Perhaps it will get better in the subsequent novels. I'll give it another book or two to see.

Yes, I'd recommend the book - as long as the reader understands the dated information.

I've listened to all of the Molly Harper Half-Moon Hollow series. This is a nice addition to the group. Like other readers, I was quite taken aback by Amanda Ronconi's accents for the main character, but within the first 30 minutes it was explained. The character had a combination of a Boston/Irish accent. Which is what it sounded like. Very strange. But, I became use to it, and it didn't detract from my enjoyment.

I wasn't as fond of this story as I have been in the other books. It just didn't seem to have the "umph" of the previous Ms. Harper books. It isn't to say that it was bad, because it was very good - just not up to the excellence of the previous stories. The mystery was ok, but the character development seemed to lack something. I just didn't bond with the character. While Ms. Harper brought into the story some of the characters from her previous books, I didn't feel the same attachment that I had developed to them previously. They seemed rather flat - possibly gratuitous. However, after saying this, I still enjoyed the book - just not as much.

Yes, I'd recommend this to any of the Half-Moon Hollow followers. I just wouldn't start the series with this book.

I wish I’d never listened to this book.

This book is pure filth. Do not let your youngsters read this.

Not only is this writer once again, portraying Christians as evil hypocrites, but with this low story, she now makes the trio of dominatrix, gay friend, and idiot, look absolutely normal. I just didn’t want to read about the sexually perverted needing stuffed animals for intimate companions. Ugh, I need my mind washed out with soap!

Don’t waste your money.

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.