Melissa O’Connor

I've enjoyed the Joe Talbert series. Very much appreciate the focus shifting between characters from book to book. I live in Twin Cities and recognize locations.

Slow to develop? No, just the pace of the book.

I've enjoyed the series. Freeman never disappoints.

Made it through a quarter of the book. Kept thinking it would get better. Nope.

Read about a third and just did not find the characters or the plot compelling. Skimmed the rest.

Couldn't finish. Tedious.

Trying to hard to be clever.

Annoying main character. I skipped large swaths of long descriptive passages.

I this this might be the rare book that would be better as a movie. Storyline was excellent, language/writing was spare and the actors could give it so much.

4th in Twin Cities based series.

Deeply satisfying read! Love Cal and Trey and Lena's characters.

3.5 stars. Plot was odd and did not quite hold together for me, but the characters are developed and relatable. Not all are likable but that is good too.

I wan't in the mood for this. After the first section, I skipped through the rest.

Most of this book was like a very long “Who's on first” skit. Sometimes too ridiculous interspersed with laugh out loud moments. Enjoyable but not my favorite by Backman.

A new to me series set in Venice.

Plot device of flipping between past (book written by Maggie's father) and present (Maggie's 1st person narrative) is tedious. It does not build suspense.

Themes of intersections of gender role expectations and cultures.

Wonderful hook to begin the book, middle development was strong but the finish was rushed and banal.

Great start, easily guessed middle/ending.

Did not finish. Too strange for my taste.

Although the book has too many tropes there is an unexpected twist or two.

This series has potential.

So dated and plodding.

Predictable.

Funny, with lovely relatable characters. You must be attentive or the plot will shimmer and you will miss the transition.