Member Reviews
Educator 529431
This seemed like the kind of novel you would pick up in an airport and wish you didn’t. Definitely not recommended. |
When I see a book that’s written about a library, I get excited. But this one was just not a well written book. The fact that it is the 18th in the series surprises me. The characters are not well developed and I can’t believe the author has managed to tweak out 18 books without making them realistic. The advantage of this book is that it is a quick read…and a mystery. So if you want something you can pick up and read one night while you’re curled up in front of the fireplace, then this would be the perfect book for you. Thank you to NetGalley and Créme de la Crime for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. |
This book sounded amazing, the premise was fascinating and I was really looking forward to it. I love cozy detective novels, but there has been so much slagging off the Police investigating, that it made me feel like the author either had no clue about how it all works or that they did not bother doing their research. Somewhat it felt like it the plot took the path of least resistance. |
I had no idea this was book #18 in a series!!! Maybe if I read the others I would have liked this more? Overall, this wasn't my cup of tea. I had high hopes for this one based on the synopsis, but I was a bit let down. |
Reviewer 539282
I have enjoyed all the books in this series, this one being no exception, it is a lovely light cozy read and I love following the characters. The story line is good and eagerly await the next in the series. |
This is a fun mystery in the style of the classic parlor mysteries with a dose of modern wit. Jude and Carol are a couple of amateur sleuths in a small English town, and when Jude is a suspect in the murder of an old acquaintance she sets off to clear her name. Jude and Carol travel down parallel paths until once again they team up to question any and all suspects and witnesses. The police are sure Jude is the murderer, and is Carol even beginning to doubt her friend? Author Simon Brett keeps the reader guessing, and smiling through this delightful book. Many thanks to Netgalley and Black Thorn for an advance copy in return for an honest review. |
I loved reading this book from beginning to end. Jude finds herself Suspect Number One in the murder of author Burton St. Clair, who is found murdered after giving a talk at her local library. How can she prove her innocence when both St. Clair and his ex-wife have insisted she's the reason for the breakup of their marriage? A fast-moving mystery with a satisfying ending that will appeal to those who love the Golden Age of Mystery mysteries. |
I just knew I would love this book. It didn't happen....at 40% I gave up. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own. |
Brett has written a cozy, fun mystery to follow, and I would guess that his others are the same. Jude is very likable, and with her friend Carole, make a great sleuthing team. I did not entirely expect the outcome of the story, which makes a mystery more fun. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. |
Jeanette M, Reviewer
This cute cozy mystery was just ok for me. There were several suspects hence a slight amount of mystery but no real twists. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. |
Samantha A, Reviewer
For some reason I just couldn’t get into it, I started skimming words to read faster but sadly it just didn’t gripped me. Think this could be one I go back to as it sounded so good and right up my street. |
Sharon H, Librarian
This was an okay read, I perhaps should have read some of the others in the series. It was less about libraries and more about a murder in the community of Fethering, and getting together at the pub to solve said murder. |
I was interested in reading this book after seeing the author Simon Brett do a reading and talk about his writing at Harrogate crime writing festival in England. I enjoyed the tale. The story focuses on Jude, a woman who lives alone on the south coast of England who attends an author talk (Al Sinclair) in her local library. The author, Al, is the ex husband of her old friend and they meet after the talk to catch up, where he tries to make romantic advances, she refuses him and the next day he is found dead. The novel plot focuses on the police investigation into the murder, as well as Jude's own attempts to find out who murdered Al Sinclair. The story was interesting, but the reason I gave it three starts is due to the repetition I experienced in the story. At one point Jude's neighbour talks to the librarian Di about whether she saw anything on the night of the murder, Di rants and raves about how her library is underfunded, under used and under staffed and a few days later in the narrative makes nearly the same speech to Jude, which felt frustrating as a reader. I also didn't find the murderer to be believable, especially the motive and felt the sub plot about the Polish uncle didn't add anything to the story. A nice gentle read. |
The story unfoldes on a winter evening author's night at the local library. The author is killed and a local woman is suspect Ed of his murder. As the plot unfurls, many are included . The golden oldies of mystery stories plays a role in the solution. I haven't read Brett in a long time and found this to be a good read, |
The Liar in the Library is a simple cozy with no huge complications or plot twists. Actually, it feels like the author didn't expend much energy on the book.. Still, the book is okay for an afternoon's light reading, with well-known characters that are fun. |
Maureen N, Reviewer
This was an intriguing read, There were enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing.The characters are entertaining and interesting enough to keep you coming back. |
Thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book. I loved the look of this book, it looked so interesting and different to what I would normally read. I hadnt heard of this book nor the author so it had me intrigued which is why I requested it. I am sad to say that I was disappointed by this book. I didn't realise that it was the 18th in the series, I didn't even know it was part of a series? So I suppose that this didn't help. However I just couldn't engage in the plot and with the characters. I do feel like I missed some kind of backstory that I would have got had I have read the other books. Some of the characters I was slightly intrigued by however I did feel that they were underdeveloped. I felt like something was missing and that certain characteristics were not developed or were definitely missed. There are humorous parts in this book which I did enjoy, I feel like there would have been more to this if I had read the others so I am at a loss. I can't say whether I would recommend this book because I feel like I am at a disadvantage however I am going to hunt for the first in the series to see whether I can begin to appreciate it more. |
A female duo of investigators, one of whom is the last person to see an old friend before he was murdered, therefore the main suspect. The duo work together to find the real perpetrator, Cosy mystery and not too taxing. |
Mia A, Reviewer
This was different than my normal genre - a bit lighter, still crime mixed in, but some humor too! It was a cool approach to this type of story, I definitely enjoyed it! |
Simon Brett is a wonderful author. Each book that keeps coming out gets better and better. Hope he doesn't stop writing for along time. You wont be disappointed in this book. keep up the good work. |




