Category: Reviews

Book Review: ‘Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery’ by A.E. Radley

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On October 18, 2022

In Reviews, The Warm Mug of Cozy Corner

Image courtesy of Smashwords

Synopsis

When Clara Harrington finds herself between jobs and out of rented accommodation, she opts for a change of scenery. So, she heads to the quiet village of Picklemarsh, England, where her aunt Vanessa, a famous crime novelist, lives. Unfortunately, on her first night there, the local town councillor is murdered. Vanessa wants in on the sleuthing action — and drags Clara along with her…

What We Liked

Many things! All the classic elements that make a good cozy mystery are there. The story moves at a good pace and is supported by a great cast of quirky characters. Vanessa’s piquant sense of humor offers a great counterpoint to Clara’s often too timid demeanor. While dialogues are good and flow naturally throughout the story, they are at their best between the two protagonists, helping to make their relationship endearing and relatable.

What We Disliked

The police procedure is not very convincing, due to an officer in charge who seems inexperienced. Or maybe he does not take his job seriously enough. His presence is not strong enough in the book to be able to figure that out.

What Could Be Improved

Two things.

First, the character of Clara. Despite being in her mid-20s, her behavior is often reminiscent of a teenager’s. At times, it feels as if she was written into the story as an afterthought…

I also believe that the last chapter could have worked better with a little extra “padding” material. After the murderer is revealed, the book ends quite abruptly, leaving the reader unsure about the future of Clara’ and Vanessa’s investigative adventures. Maybe author A.E. Radley was just testing the waters? Only time will tell, of course.

Our Favorite Quote from the Book

“I hope you’re not here to speak with Mr and Mrs Vos?” Will asked, looking at her.

“No, we’re here for eggs. If we’re allowed?” Vanessa queried. “I’d like to make my niece an omelette for dinner. As you can see, she is wasting away.” (Chapter 13, Vos Farm)

Final Verdict

Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery is a quick read and an entertaining book. Overall, lovers of the cozy mystery genre will find something to enjoy among its pages.

Rating: ☕️ ☕️ ☕️

About the Book

  • Title: Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery
  • Author: A.E. Radley
  • ISBN: 9781912684328
  • Release date: March 28, 2021
  • Published by Heartsome Publishing
  • Purchase link: https://books2read.com/deathbeforedessert

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The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews – Taiyō no ko Esuteban

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On July 22, 2021

In PoArtMo Mini-Reviews, Reviews, The PoArtMo Corner

Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.

PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you may not be familiar with, and that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.

Taiyō no ko Esuteban (The Mysterious Cities of Gold – TV Series)

Genre: Action, adventure, science-fiction, history, myths, archeology.

Year: French Japanese animated series originally aired in France from September 1983 to June 1984, 39 episodes.

Creator(s): The story was written by Jean Chalopin and Bernard Deyriès, and is very loosely based on the novel ‘The King’s Fifth’ by Scott O’Dell. The series’ chief director was Hisayuki Toriumi.

Summary:

Barcelona, 1532. Esteban is an impulsive young orphan who wants to find his father. He follows Mendoza, the navigator who saved his life ten years ago, in a Spanish expedition toward the New World.

The main aim of this expedition: the discovery of the Seven Cities of Gold.

During his journey from Spain to South America, Esteban will meet his best friends : Zia an Incan girl and Tao the last descendant of the Mu Empire (Hiva Empire in English).

Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 5 stars.
Family-friendliness: 5 stars.

Why we like it: Another French Japanese series with a beautiful animation, beautiful landscapes and a wonderful soundtrack. I’m fond of Tao, but my favourite character is without a doubt Mendoza, he is neither totally evil nor totally good, I find him rather realistic in his characterization.

Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 7 and above.

Favorite moment: The discovery of the solar ship Solaris in episode 6. I was (and still am) totally devastated when it was destroyed in episode 9…

PoArtMo verdict: A wonderful TV show, I eagerly awaited the documentary at the end of each episode as to how it was made! It was my first discovery of the pre-Columbian civilizations and an absolute revelation!

For more information on the show, check out these links below.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold – Wikipedia

IMDb – The Mysterious Cities of Gold

The Mysterious Cities of Gold Cartoon Intro Opening Theme HD

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-0UQi6e6A

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The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews – Gake no ue no Ponyo

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On May 13, 2021

In PoArtMo Mini-Reviews, Reviews, The PoArtMo Corner

Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.

The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you may not be familiar with, and that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.

Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the cliff by the sea – Japanese Animated Film)

Genre: Anime, Fantasy, Adventure.

Year: First aired in Japan : 19th July 2008.

Creator(s): Hayao Miyazaki.

Summary:

Sôsuke is a five year old boy living in a small fishing town. One day while playing on the shore, he discovers a strange goldenfish with a human face trapped into a glass jar. He frees the strange creature and names it Ponyo. This strange goldenfish is in fact Brunehild, the daughter of Fujimoto (a once-human wizard) and Gran Mamare (also known as the Goddess of Mercy by humans). Fascinated by Sôsuke and his world, she wants to become human and live on Earth. But her use of magic causes a dangerous unbalance in Nature…

Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 5 stars.
Family-friendliness: 5 stars.

Why we like it: A beautiful story, I’m rarely disappointed by a Ghibli, as usual the characters are well rounded and very moving. Same conclusion with the background, which is absolutely wonderful.

Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 8 and above.

Favorite moment: The appearance of Gran Mamare, I found her to be absolutely beautiful.

PoArtMo verdict: While searching some information about the film, I found out that the animation was totally hand-drawn, which is amazing and incredible! Beautiful music by Joe Hisaishi (as usual I’m tempted to say). I love the references to Andersen and his Little Mermaid and those to Wagner with Brunehild (which is the real name of Ponyo) and ‘The Ride of the Valkyries’ when Ponyo, as a little girl, rides waves to find Sôsuke.

For more information on the show, check out these links below.

Tomonoura which inspired Sôsuke’s birth place

Ponyo – Wikipedia

Ponyo’s YouTube trailer

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The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews – Ulysses 31

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On April 19, 2021

In PoArtMo Mini-Reviews, Reviews, The PoArtMo Corner

The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you may not be familiar with, and that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.

Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.

Uchū Densetsu Yurishīzu Sātīwan – Ulysses 31

Genre: French-Japanese anime series. Action, adventure, science-fiction, fantasy.

Year: Originally aired in France from October 1981 to April 1982 (26 episodes)

Creators: Jean Chalopin and Nina Wolmark

Summary: 31st century, space base of Troy. After securing peace in the solar system, it’s time for Ulysses and his crew to go back to Earth. On their way, a mysterious cosmic force kidnaps Telemachus, Ulysses’s son. To save him, Ulysses destroys the Cyclops, a monstrous biomechanical entity.

Angered and asking for revenge, the Olympian Gods condemn Ulysses to roam within the Olympian stellar system until he finds the Kingdom of Hades to save his crew from the Gods’ curse and find the path to return to Earth.

“Mortals, you defy the Gods? I sentence you to travel among unknown stars. Until you find the Kingdom of Hades, your bodies will stay as lifeless as stone.”

Ulysses begins the strangest and most dangerous journey of all…

Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 5 stars.
Family-friendliness: 5 stars.

Why I like it: The characters and their interactions are well developed. All in all, Ulysses 31 is a great way for people to get into Homer’s Odyssey. And the soundtrack is fantastic.

Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 7 and above.

Favorite episode: In Strange Meeting ( “Ulysse rencontre Ulysse”), Ulysses meets his ancestor Ulysses, King of Ithaca and helps him to get rid of Penelope’s suitors.

PoArtMo verdict: A very enjoyable TV show even 40 years later! Chalopin and Wolmark had the brilliant idea of giving the classical myth a fantastic and futuristic twist. Ulysses 31 allowed me to discover Homer’s Odyssey as a child!

For more information on the show, visit https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_31.

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The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews – The Girl Who Leapt through Time

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On February 11, 2021

In PoArtMo Mini-Reviews, Reviews, The PoArtMo Corner

Happy Monday!

Today, we are starting a new series. The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you might not already know about that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.

Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.

Toki wo Kakeru Shōjo – The girl Who Leapt through Time

Genre: Japanese-animated science-fiction romance film.

Director: Mamoru Hosoda.

Year: 2006.

Summary: Summer is almost here and high school will soon be over. 17-year-old Makoto Konno lives a happy, carefree life with her friends Kôsuke and Chiaki.

One day, when coming back from school, she’s violently ejected into a railroad crossing because of the defective brakes of her bicycle. However, she escapes an untimely death by leaping back through time several minutes before her fall. As her aunt explains to her later, the lucky tomboyish heroin is able to leap through time. But how will she use this power?

Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 4 stars.
Family-friendliness: 4 stars.

Why I like it: I love the well developed characters, their interactions and how they evolve in the story.

Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 9 and above.

Favorite moment: Makoto’s first attempts at using her newly found ability are hilarious!

PoArtMo verdict: A beautiful story about the passing of time and the consequences of frivolous choices.

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