Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 5
Author Paige Shelton takes many a book lover's dream-- moving to the UK and working in a bookshop-- and weaves it into a first-rate beginning of a new series. Through Delaney, she does an excellent job of portraying an American's culture shock in the ancient city of Edinburgh: driving on the "wrong" side of the road, the narrow streets, the incredibly old buildings everywhere, and the accents and friendliness of the Scottish people.
But the cultural differences aren't the only reason to devour The Cracked Spine. Delaney is an intriguing blend of intelligence and naïveté, and she's surrounded by an excellent secondary cast. The scarf-wearing Rosie with her little dog Hector always in tow. Handsome and charming Tom from across the street. Her landlords Elias and his wife. Detective Inspector Winters. And with all the treasures he's collected in The Cracked Spine's storeroom and his disorganized, mad professorish ways, Edwin MacAlister should be the source for many a future mystery.
Speaking of mysteries, the one in The Cracked Spine is a good'un. I didn't have a clue to the killer's identity, which always gives me a thrill. There were a couple of tiny things that made me raise an eyebrow: Delaney's finding her cottage was a bit too fortuitous, and I didn't quite believe her willingness to investigate Jenny's death, but they in no way ruined my enjoyment of the book. On the contrary-- I can't wait for the next installment!
(My review is from an advance copy of this book.)
But the cultural differences aren't the only reason to devour The Cracked Spine. Delaney is an intriguing blend of intelligence and naïveté, and she's surrounded by an excellent secondary cast. The scarf-wearing Rosie with her little dog Hector always in tow. Handsome and charming Tom from across the street. Her landlords Elias and his wife. Detective Inspector Winters. And with all the treasures he's collected in The Cracked Spine's storeroom and his disorganized, mad professorish ways, Edwin MacAlister should be the source for many a future mystery.
Speaking of mysteries, the one in The Cracked Spine is a good'un. I didn't have a clue to the killer's identity, which always gives me a thrill. There were a couple of tiny things that made me raise an eyebrow: Delaney's finding her cottage was a bit too fortuitous, and I didn't quite believe her willingness to investigate Jenny's death, but they in no way ruined my enjoyment of the book. On the contrary-- I can't wait for the next installment!
(My review is from an advance copy of this book.)
Amanda (RockStarGirl) reviewed The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop, Bk 1) on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't make it happen. I read a little over half of it before calling it a day. I never felt a connection with any of the characters and really didn't care who the murderer was.
Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
New series recommended to me by PBS members. I love the setting in Edinburgh as I have visited there.
This first in the series quickly opens with the murder of the bookshop owner's sister after a new employee has arrived from Kansas. Delaney barely has time to unpack her suitcase before mysterious friends of the bookshop owner hold a secretive auction, quickly followed by the murder. Delaney inserts herself into the investigation, eventually putting herself in danger for her snooping. She also possesses a 'super power' which doesn't come into play much in this first book, but which I anticipate will become more and more prominent in future books.
The bookshop owner and employees are likeable and well described by Shelton despite the rapid introduction of the murder mystery. If you have visited Edinburgh, you may recognize streets and landmarks that are accurately described and I expect more will be forthcoming. I will soon read the second in the series and see if it is worth continuing the series.
This first in the series quickly opens with the murder of the bookshop owner's sister after a new employee has arrived from Kansas. Delaney barely has time to unpack her suitcase before mysterious friends of the bookshop owner hold a secretive auction, quickly followed by the murder. Delaney inserts herself into the investigation, eventually putting herself in danger for her snooping. She also possesses a 'super power' which doesn't come into play much in this first book, but which I anticipate will become more and more prominent in future books.
The bookshop owner and employees are likeable and well described by Shelton despite the rapid introduction of the murder mystery. If you have visited Edinburgh, you may recognize streets and landmarks that are accurately described and I expect more will be forthcoming. I will soon read the second in the series and see if it is worth continuing the series.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop, Bk 1) on + 862 more book reviews
First book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. A good start....Delaney Nichols, from Kansas, takes a new job in Edinburgh, Scotland, working in a rare/collectible bookshop. She finds her new coworkers to be quite an unusual group and is quickly pulled into the mystery surrounding the death of her bosses' sister. I liked the character development, the start of a love interest, and the setting. I saw several reviews that found the Scottish dialog to be distracting, but I found that once I got accustomed to it I didn't have a problem. Good read!
Good beach read. Fun, light reading.
