Zoe Adams

3.75. This is such a great series. Eskens' writing is beautiful, and the characters so well developed.

3.75. This is definitely my favorite Crime series. The characters are great, and the crimes themselves are always interesting.

3.5 stars. This was very compelling, well-written, and really kept my interest. Shame that the narrator was awful.

This was probably my best read for 2024. I have never read a book that is written as well as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, with as similar level of historical detail, vivid characterisation, and beautiful writing. I did not want this to end.

3.75 stars. This was surprisingly enjoyable and very interesting. My first - but will not be may last - Robert Harris.

3.5 stars. This book was enjoyable mostly for the very sensitive portrayal of OCD.

This was another good ‘thriller' with depth. But I'm angry that Audible advertised this as the second Joe Talbert novel, when it isn't - it's the second Max rupert novel.

This was terrible. I had loved the author's last book, but this was just lacking in nuance. It was melodrama, with all the subtlety of a sledge hammer. It was made even worse, however, by an absolutely apalling narrator. What a shame.

This series really does show Boyne at his best.

There are so many layers to this book. It addresses so many complex questions. It was so beautifully written - even it's a little hard to follow at times. Powers truly is a genius.

3.75 stars. Like all Lucinda Riley's, I find I love the book, and then realise I've got another 200 pages, and end up getting irritated that it's so long. But it was good.

This was a huge disappointment. It had so much potential, but was let down by really poor writing. There was no consistent narrative voice; the second person perspective was inconsistent and poorly done, and no new perspectives were brought on over-done themes.

3.75. This was much better than I was expecting. I loved how self-mocking the character was, and how self-aware she was of her contradictions. I didn't understand the ‘romance', as I couldn't see anything in the relationship, but that didn't really matter. It was a nice piece of social commentary wrapped up as a story about an affair - and that was fine with me.

I am still not 100% sure if this was an awful book, or an average book made awful by a terrible narrator. But I'm leaning towards the former. The characters are absolutely vile. But not in the sense of being flawed but realistic. They are ridiculous, detestable charicatures. The whole book is vaccuous and unbelievable.

This was just okay. Readable, but a bit too predictable - even for Heidi Swain.

I didn't enjoy this as much as Eskens' other books. At times it was beautiful, and I did enjoy it overall, but you could tell this was something he initially wrote when he was younger - it just didn't seem quite as refined or as well worked-out.

This was another beautiful novel. Eskens' books are all crime/mysteries, but they are all more than that. The character development is great and the writing gorgeous.

3.75. This was one of the best Karen Rose's I've read yet. Great characters, an interesting story at the heart of it. Only complaint is that it felt longer than it needed to be.

3.5 Heidi Swain is true to form once again.

This did not work for me. I found it boring; I found the way it switched between characters AND timelines without much sign posting confusing, and I just felt it was very cliche.

What a lovely surprise this was. It was beautifully written, very under-stated, great characters and good character development, while also being an intriguing storyline. So pleased I found this series.

There was nothing wrong with this, but it is the first Heidi Swain I've struggled to get into. I don't know why, but this just felt very contrived to me this time.

3.75 stars. Heidi Swain never disappoints. There's nothing particularly original or memorable about any of her books, but they're reliably enjoyable. Great escapism - and you can't beat a Karen Kass narration.

This was a really pleasant surprise. Despite a slightly ropy start, this proved to be a really enjoyable read, with much more depth than I was expecting. I loved the way the author weaved in reflections on Victorian Literature, while also maintaining a pleasant balance between light and humorous, and serious discussion about mental health and suicide.

3.75 stars. Heidi Swain does it again. No complaints. Won't remember it, but it gave me a really enjoyable few hours of escapism.