Lela Ellsworth

Very tightly woven story with interesting character characters

Revisado: 04-14-25

I was impressed with the writing, and also the way the author was able to create compelling characters. There were definitely times when I laughed out loud when one of them shared an absurdly “all-too-human” thought. I will definitely read the next volume although I’m not sure the style of starting slow and flushing out characters works for me that well. I would love to keep hearing about the adventures of some of them, and I don’t know if they will be fixtures or not. The thing I like about detective novels is that I know the characters already and don’t have to start over each time. I’m not sure that I want to have to get to know a substantial number of brand new ones every time. That said, I’m glad I was patient, because it all worked out, and the ending was very nice. A bit to pat, perhaps, but it was definitely worth the wait. She’s definitely a gifted author, and the reader was excellent, as he always is.

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Wonderful “regulars” but the mystery’s solution is rather unconvincing

Revisado: 04-03-25

Wonderfully narrated chapter in the life of Ruth, Nelson, and their motley crew of friends, family, and colleagues. The mystery was quite intriguing but fell flat at the end. (Don’t want to go into spoilers.) The big reveal felt under-prepared and unrealistic to me. Up until that point, and afterwards, it was the usual wonderful writing - with wry, wistful, and self-deprecating humor.

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An intricate weaving of past and present lives …

Revisado: 03-18-25

… and the secrets people keep. As always, a sympathetic and oftentimes humorous depiction of Ruth and her motley group of friends. I love Ruth’s wry inner comments on her own and others’ motivations. We learn more about Nelson - and Michelle!- and poor Frank. Interesting story of Cluff … horrible family secrets, but there is redemption of sorts, if not a Christmas miracle. As always, I’m as interested in the main characters as I am in the murder. Very enjoyable.

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A clever mystery, as usual, and extremely well read

Revisado: 02-04-25

I’m really enjoying the Hawthorne series, the way the author plays with fiction and reality. His own character is slightly foolish, but kind hearted. This was the most challenging one to figure out yet, except for the fact that the actual assassin was not a huge surprise. I really liked the introduction to Hawthorne’s new-old sidekick, and I enjoyed hearing Anthony Horowitz read out the acknowledgments at the end. All in all, a clever, witty, and satisfying story.

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Another fine story by Mel Starr

Revisado: 01-19-25

This one took me a little longer to get into, because the narrator changed. It’s not his fault, but it’s hard to switch in the middle of a series. I found the roles of the Abbott and the prior interesting, and enjoyed the heresy subplot. There were the appropriate number of twists and turns, and the story ended most satisfactorily.

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Clever and twisty

Revisado: 01-03-25

The plot thickens! Characters grow and develop and this one was a little hard to follow but pleasantly so. Love the characters, the growing love interest, the narrator.

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Clever and heartwarming

Revisado: 12-22-24

Wonderful detective story - I’ve got a new hero who reminds me of Master Shardlake.(As well it might, as it’s the same excellent reader!) Very clever and got a bit of a two-fer in terms of mysteries.

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Clever Whodunnit on a small island

Revisado: 12-20-24

Charming and clever follow-up to The Word is Murder and The Sentence Death - with a bit of a cliffhanger concerning the mysterious Sleuth himself. The author portrays himself as a rather hapless and secondary character to Hawthorne, which is fun, although I could see it going a bit too far. The book is very delightfully read, and I plan on continuing the series. Horowitz is a fine - and fun - writer.

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Lovely story - perfect for Christmas

Revisado: 11-26-24

Beautiful story and a perfect reminder of courage in dark times. Well-written and well-read - and grim reminder of what living under church rule looked like… Still, there is a Christian/Christmas message in there. I loved the main character and found it interesting that the women were the hard, “practical” ones.

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One of his best yet

Revisado: 10-19-24

This new twist in the series was thrilling. I must say, the series has gone from clever but a bit sleepy to rather adrenaline-inducing! By the end of this book, I couldn’t put it down (that’s an expression, as it was an audiobook…). Fortunately, it has still retained its wit, wisdom, and enough connections with the past characters that it doesn’t feel too disorienting. I am quite enjoying the new and internationally-inclined DC Smith!

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