John L. Walston

Too Many Unbelievable Components

Revisado: 12-16-24

From the epilogue a reader could be reassured that the author was the mother of a teenaged girl. From the book, it is difficult to believe author has ever been close to a high school. Okay one can buy that a poor math student could be taking trigonometry (not usually taught as a math course) or that an English teacher can get away with ignoring the guidelines and teaching just poetry (his favorite poem is Raven?) The situation on which the storyline hinges is so very unlikely that I almost stopped listening. No teacher would sit still for being forced to resign because he gave a student extra time and touched her arm when she was distraught. But then there was the completely incongruous episode in the grocery when the drunken Mr. Tuttle tried to warn Evie. He made it sound as though Addie was evil. It turned out she did have mean streak for which the reader was not prepared. The reader is likely to hate every character in the book except of course, Mr. Tuttle who drunk grocery shops in sandal and socks wearing a turtleneck and hopefully pants. Tip to the author: If you are including a twist, don't make it laugh out loud funny.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

One of Herron's Best

Revisado: 11-17-23

The most enjoyable aspect of the book was the author’s slow revelation it was not a stand alone book. I was delighted to recognize characters I knew from previous books. The opening grabbed my attention. It got better and better. Icing on the cake was the use of my favorite narrator.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not My Usual

Revisado: 10-01-23

I read The Dutch House and was surprised to find I liked it. (I typically read thrillers, police procedurals, spy novels) The story of a young woman find herself acting and being involved with actors in summer stock was interesting. I was reminded of Marjorie Morningstar. The thing that did it for me in this book is the way the characters were so well drawn, so consistent, interesting, and believable. Meryl Streep was terrific. The drama was believable and muted (?). I have not decided which of Ms. Patchett's books that I have read I liked best.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Way Too Busy

Revisado: 09-08-23

I can take a certain amount of coincidence, absolutely everything that occurs need not be explained, I understand that some people can not write plausible action and it is entertaining to have a few subplots. But in this book, we have a mother who went halfway around the world to retrieve her catatonic, epileptic, amnesia suffering daughter and when that daughter decides to go back to the place where she suffered the breakdown and loss of memory, decides not use all her influence to keep her daughter home. Then we have child molestation, murder, and the most incredible set of coincidences. Did the author see fit to tack a fairy tale ending on this? She really did. I did not return this book because it was free.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Worth Waiting For

Revisado: 08-18-23

A great installment to a great series. Interesting story. Great characters I really like the authors, literary and musical references. Here’s hoping Sean Duffy continues as a detective or a policeman.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Waited Too Long to Read this Series

Revisado: 08-09-23

This book had interesting characters, an entertaining story, and a quaint setting. I enjoyed the listen very much. I only had one quibble. The problem is not that the murder was committed with a bow and arrow in bow hunting season. It was that the story depended on an arrow passing through the breastbone, through the heart without hitting more bone and cartilage with enough force that arrow could be retrieved. If Ms. Penny has researched that bow hunters are regularly shooting arrows completely through deer, I apologize. Setting this mystery in an artist colony more than makes up for any slippery arrows.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Really Busy Book

Revisado: 07-22-23

I really don't mind a couple of storylines, sometimes a ghost can add something and provide means to get to know a character. The ghost should possess well defined powers. Sam, in this book, seems to be omnipresent but can't keep up with Laura's flirtation. He is jealous but not enough to slow her down. There are too many backstories. It is okay to have a couple of boatmen find love but how did it contribute to the telling of the story? The book was all over the place.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Excellent

Revisado: 06-01-23

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to this book. The narrator was very very good, The accents sounded authentic, but were understandable even to this American.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Disappointing

Revisado: 04-15-23

I had just watched the movie. The book had the feel of an authentic look at a criminal trial. Mr. Traver's prologue cantained an account the many rejections his manuscript got. I can see why it did not appeal to many editors. Mr. Travers language was desperately colorful. His dialogue was unbelievable at times. The narrator did not help. Maybe he suffered in comparison to James Stewart, who portrayed Paul Biegler.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Nice Addition to the Series

Revisado: 11-13-22

I enjoyed this one. It narrowly avoids having characters becoming caricatures of the originals. Elizabeth's background is becoming more colorful, but not over the line yet. The others seem stable. It is an enjoyable read.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona