Fiona Troon

Strong Plot, Interesting Characters, Good Puzzle

Reviewed: 11-03-24

Once in a while a reader gets lucky....and this was such a time. This book is built on the "retired cop becomes a PI and saves the day", but does not sink into the realm of cliches. The rationale for the case at hand is intriguing. The characters - even the minor ones - are well drawn and interesting. The narrator was, generally, very good, although voices occasionally slipped and lost their distinguishing characteristics. My only real frustration was with the abrupt ending. While it made sense, I wanted the subplots tied off as well. For instance, why all the references to incriminating photos, if they were just going to evaporate at the end of the book? Why insert them in the first place? This will not cause me to stop reading Grainger's work, but I did feel the ending of this one went flat.

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2 people found this helpful

Great fun with lots of twists

Reviewed: 02-09-24

A pleasantly confusing mixed group of mysteries well integrated into a single story. Overall, it is a bit light, but there are plenty of twists and turns that require close attention. Well worth reading. I was not thrilked with the performance, with Campion's voice sometimes going from sore-throat alto to screechy tenor. On the other hand, the overall performance handled multiple voices well, so the Campion issue was only mildly distracting.

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Well worth reading

Reviewed: 09-28-23

A well presented mystery focused during a very specific point in history. I suspect a comparison to the Brother Cadfael mysteries is unavoidable. However, the Sister Fidelma mysteries focus on a narrow moment in history, and represent that moment in a very human ... not to mention mysterious ... way. I am especially delighted to see the details of Brehon law woven through these books. One other thing deserves mention: Caroline Lennon is a superior narrator. Her presentation of the characters - male or female, elderly, young adult, and child - was spot on. There was never any confusion about who was speaking, despite the large number of characters she presented.

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Dated Plot, But Full of VERY Timely

Reviewed: 08-24-23

I first read this book at the height of the cold war, and had been intending to re-read it for some time. it held up well, even though the plot is seriously dated. it is one of the earliest "anti-war" books i ever encountered. it is set in the era of Woodrow Wilson's presidency, and that fact turns out to be central to the core mystery. Much of the philosophy expressed in the book applies right now, especially given the conditions in the U.S. in recent years. It is a quick and worthwhile read.

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1 person found this helpful

Amazing Book: Absolutely Original Concept

Reviewed: 08-10-23

This is science fiction for intelligent readers... including those who think they don't like science fiction. It is unlike any science fiction that I've ever seen ... and I have been reading science fiction since the "golden age" of the 1930s and 40s. I had already read, and enjoyed, some of Jemison's other science fiction. I knew the book would give me brilliant writing, would involve VERY interesting characters, and would twist my brain around in joyful, stimulating ways. To make this experience even better, the narrator is extraordinary. There was never any confusion, because each of the many characters was provided with an utterly distinct voice, even when the dialogue switched quickly as the characters conversed. The essence of the plot lies in the fact that several very confused individuals each discover that some power from somewhere has tasked them with becoming the human representative of one of the Burroughs of New York City. Why this has happened, and all the resulting ramifications make up one very unusual and brilliantly presented tale. Read it. I did, and it will stay with me for a very long time.

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Extraordinary insights into Multiple Topics

Reviewed: 07-11-23

This book offers detailed insights into the hellacious experiences involved in genuine missions of exploration. It brings the Brazilian jungle into your living room so effectively that you can feel, smell, and hear the beauty and the terror that the jungle encompasses. As a bonus, the focus of the book is Teddy Roosevelt's post-presidential expedition down an Amazon tributary a thousand miles long....that had never been seen by anyone except the indigenous people who lived there. This mission was a combined scientific/exploratory/mapping event. Those participating in the expedition were harried by pretty much everything that Mother Nature could throw at them. Some lived to tell the tale; some did not. I am extremely glad to have learned so much from this book....and a hundred times more glad that I was never part of such an expedition. Bottom line: this one is well worth reading.

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See London Through New Eyes

Reviewed: 06-29-23

London, as seen from them Number 12 Double Decker Red Bus.....written by the world-wise and unusually bright Sandi Toksvig. Each stop along the route brings interesting historical information, along with the reminder that women remain poorly represented in our public view of the world. She introduces several women of historical significance, who clearly deserve recognition they have never received. In addition she provides both painful and funny incidents regarding her life as a lesbian. She adheres to the lifestyle, but avoids promoting it...or any other type of lifestyle to readers. She simply talks about life as it is: hers, yours, mine, and the rest of the human race. She comes across as someone I would cherish as a friend.

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Characters to Remember Long After Reading the Book

Reviewed: 05-12-23

This elderly white woman was lucky to study African philosophy with Igbo and Yoruba professors. This book was a bit like a continuation of that study, in that its references to Lagos felt familiar, and its mix of "history" (albeit fictional events) and philosophy rang true. The plot was well developed, and the characters were people I would like to know in the real world. The author's afterword strengthened the connection of her story to the confusion and brutality of the world in which we now live.

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Very vivid characters, intriguing twists, and....

Reviewed: 03-20-23

...occasionally some sexually explicit words and scenes. The plot is well written, leading the reader merrily along the proverbial garden path via a whole lot of red herrings. Most of the plot lines are tied off by the end of the book, but there are plenty of open-ended issues to encourage readers to explore the rest of the series.

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Not my Cup of Tea

Reviewed: 12-27-22

I had to force myself to finish this, as the narration was truly awful. The narrator paused after almost every phrase, and his voice was about a 3-note range of sing-song. I cannot judge the plot very well, as the narration was so distracting. However, it did seem seriously predictable in several ways....especially as to "whodunit".

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