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Cathy_J

Cathy_J

Joined January 2019

I ❤ 📚 😊🇦🇺
review
Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This was an enjoyable read. I think I set my expectations a bit high when I saw comparisons to Knives Out 😋 but it was a good murder mystery ⭐⭐⭐

48 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cathy_J
Untitled | Unknown
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Haven't posted in a long time but this looked like fun ☺️

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Cathy_J
Medusa | Jessie Burton
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Pickpick

5 months since my last post 😱 This was a nice read after a long reading slump. An easy to read retelling with beautiful illustrations ☺️ 🌟🌟🌟.5

Libby1 Hi! 👋 Great to see you again. 💐 2y
67 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Cathy_J
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Pickpick

Picked this one after a recent discussion about past Booker prize winners (1987 winner). I loved it. Claudia probably won't appeal to everyone but she was a fantastic character with a great story. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

CarolynM Wonderful book. I love Penelope Lively. 3y
MaGoose I love this one, too. ❤️ 2y
70 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Cathy_J
Still Life | Sarah Winman
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Pickpick

It took me a while to get into this one but I really enjoyed it when it got going. Interesting characters with genuine and heartwarming connections. The historical information and scenery descriptions were great also. ⭐⭐⭐.5

74 likes1 stack add
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I think my obsession with Greek mythology has just been reignited 😆 I really enjoyed this one! It focuses on the events immediately after the fall of Troy, mainly from the perspective of Briseis. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

73 likes3 stack adds
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This was a good read (Crime/Mystery). The 25th anniversary of a town shooting is approaching and the main character Cassie is starting to wonder what really happened on that terrible day. ⭐⭐⭐.5

MyNamesParadise Oh I really enjoyed The Friend Request by the author so I‘ll be on the lookout for this one! 3y
Cathy_J @MyNamesParadise Me too! I happened to get a FB friend request from someone in high school while I was reading it too 😳😱🤣 3y
MyNamesParadise @Cathy_J oh wow! What are the odds?! Lol! 3y
65 likes3 comments
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Cathy_J
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Panpan

I really enjoyed the first 2 books but sadly the series took a bit of a turn and lost me. There were some plot developments I just couldn't get on board with.

MyNamesParadise I agree the book took a turn that I wasn‘t expecting and thought it was out of character but I still really enjoyed it. 3y
Cathy_J @MyNamesParadise It was a difficult one for me to rate. I really liked the first two so I probably went in with some high expectations which didn't help 😁 3y
66 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I am currently discovering the music of BTS and have found some beautiful songs that try to support anyone dealing with mental health issues. This book inspired a song called Magic Shop with the lyrics below ??? ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"On days you hate to be you, on days you wish you could forever disappear,
Let‘s make a door, in your heart.
Open the door, go inside, and this will be what‘s awaiting you.
You can trust this. To console you, a magic shop."

Suet624 What is BTS? 3y
roronoazoro Have fun, BTS are the best! 💜 3y
bthegood @Suet624 a South Korean boy band - the name of the band 🙂 3y
Suet624 Thanks! 3y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Cathy_J
Oh William!: A Novel | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

I loved this. In this novel writer Lucy Barton (of My Name is Lucy Barton and Anything is Possible) reflects on her relationship with her ex-husband William. It is so well written and thoughtful. I love the way Elizabeth Strout uses a mixture of current events and past reminiscences to give us these fully developed and memorable characters ❤️

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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I have started reading the Girl Meets Duke series. I think they might be my first ever Mills & Boons 🤔☺️ Historical romance with great characters - I really enjoyed both books and I even laughed out loud. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ravenlee I‘ve really enjoyed all the Tessa Dare books I‘ve read…which is quite a few! 3y
Cathy_J @ravenlee That's excellent news! I will happily keep reading them ☺️ 3y
61 likes2 comments
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Cathy_J
Good Girl, Bad Blood | Holly Jackson
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Pickpick

This is book 2 in the fantastic Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Just as good as the first one, I really enjoyed it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Cathy_J
The Love Hypothesis | Ali Hazelwood
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Pickpick

Listened to the audiobook of this and I really enjoyed it. Was in the mood for something on the lighter side with a bit of romance and fun. This is my first Ali Hazelwood and I would be interested to read more now ☺️

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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This one was devastating. I listened to the audiobook and maybe the narrator's performance made it even more heart-wrenching but I feel so sad. It is very well written and tackles important topics. Oh Alice 😢 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

71 likes1 stack add
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Cathy_J
Great Circle | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

The epic story of a fictional female aviator Marian Graves. I really enjoyed traveling through history over such a great length of time with characters who became so familiar to me. I loved many sections of the book but there were others I thought were not entirely necessary. It is a long book but it does span a long and interesting life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

sprainedbrain Loved that one! 3y
81 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Cathy_J
The Gilded Cage | Lynette Noni
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Pickpick

Book 2 in the Prison Healer series, I really enjoyed this. I think I am quite invested now cause I found myself getting frustrated with the characters when they didn't realise things that were obvious to me 🤣 Now I have to wait until June for Book 3 😫 Looking forward to it though! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

71 likes2 stack adds
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Cathy_J
Dreamhunter | Elizabeth Knox
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Pickpick

This review is for both books in the Dreamhunter duet. I think you pretty much have to read them both 😋 YA fantasy with such an interesting concept I had to keep reading. I was still trying to work it all out right up until the end 😆 My initial rating is ⭐⭐⭐ but this may rise upon further pondering 😊

jessjess Looks interesting! 3y
61 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Cathy_J
Artificial Condition | Martha Wells
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Pickpick

Book 2 of the Murderbot Diaries, I enjoyed this even more than the first one! Murderbot is so relatable 😆 ⭐⭐⭐.5

SeaToSkyes Murderbot is the best!!! 3y
shanaqui I really love Murderbot's interactions with ART! (ART might be my favourite.) 3y
Lizpixie I LOVE MurderBot!!🤖❤️ 3y
67 likes3 comments
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Cathy_J
The Rose Code | Kate Quinn
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Pickpick

This was excellent historical fiction! I loved it. The characters, the story, the setting .. I was picking it up whenever I could to keep reading! Gee I would love to visit Bletchley Park some day. (The Google search result is amusing 😆) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great book 😊

melissajayne I would love to visit there as well. 3y
87 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Cathy_J
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Mehso-so

There was quite a bit I liked about this one but ultimately I found it a bit too fantastical - which is strange since I read quite a lot of fantasy books 🤣 The cover is gorgeous and the descriptions of the landscape, plants and animals were great but ⭐⭐⭐ for me.

perfectsinner That cover is definitely something 😀 3y
readordierachel Gorgeous indeed 😍 Sorry it wasn't more enjoyable to read 3y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This was a fun read with a great sense of humour. A murder mystery featuring Mona, a wizard with a talent for baking. Her sidekicks are wonderful 😊🍞🥖🍪🔪😯😆⭐⭐⭐⭐

SRWCF Sounds cute! 3y
rabbitprincess I‘ve requested this from the library! 3y
Lunakay It's bake off gone magical😂🥖🥨🥯 3y
79 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I thought this was a sweet book. A YA romance with a touch of fantasy. Evie becomes disillusioned with love after the separation of her parents and has to work out for herself - is love really worth the risk? I really enjoyed the dance studio setting (and her instructor Fifi 😊) ⭐⭐⭐.5

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Cathy_J
Cloud Cuckoo Land | Anthony Doerr
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Pickpick

I loved this! It is a big book with multiple characters across multiple time periods but I enjoyed them all. I really admire the author, just wow. Historical fiction, science fiction, Greek mythology and a love of books/stories/libraries in one book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Glad I own this one ☺️💕

Weisubei Great review!! I need to put this on my TBR 3y
BennettBookworm Absolute perfection!! Encompassing everything that you could want in a book! And now I need to buy it because I read it from the library 😄 3y
Cathy_J @BennettBookworm I am the same when I really love a book ☺️ I was lucky I got this one for Christmas. So good!! 3y
88 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This was exactly what I was wanting in a holiday read 😊 Caroline is visiting London when she discovers a distinctive vial near the river Thames. She tries to set aside her own problems for a while to solve the mystery of the lost apothecary. A little suspension of disbelief may be required but I really enjoyed this and the cover is gorgeous 💜 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cathy_J Thanks again @Flingogal 📚🧑‍🎄😊💕 3y
Kempii I really enjoyed this book, too! 3y
86 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Cathy_J
The Prison Healer | Lynette Noni
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Pickpick

Yikes, not sure if I can say I "enjoyed" this one cause I found it a bit nerve wracking with the constant threat of danger. It was very good though and I pretty much have to read the next one ? ⭐⭐⭐⭐

64 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cathy_J
Aussie Jingle Bells | Colin Buchanan
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Thank you so much to my #AussieSecretSanta !! I feel very spoiled and I'm really looking forward to reading both of these books while I am on holidays 🌞😎 Perfect choices 😊 Big thanks also to @thegirlwiththelibrarybag for organizing everything! Merry Christmas everybody. xx 🎄🎅🎁 @Lizpixie @MrsMalaprop @LapReader @Jhullie @CarolynM @LeeRHarry @Flingogal @Teresereading @Freespirit

Flingogal It was very tempting to keep the lost apothecary 🤣 3y
CarolynM Merry Christmas to you too😘 3y
Lizpixie Merry Xmas everyone!🎄🎉 3y
See All 6 Comments
Cathy_J Thank you so much @Flingogal The Lost Apothecary cover is gorgeous! Especially in the hard cover 😍 I really do love it 😊 3y
Freespirit Merry Christmas everyone🌲❤️📚 3y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I love Kate Quinn! Happy Christmas (and happy holiday reading) 🤩 3y
53 likes6 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

A fast paced sci-fi novella featuring Murderbot 😋 It was an easy read and I liked the characters. Even had me laughing out loud at one point ⭐⭐⭐

thegirlwiththelibrarybag I read this earlier in the year - I think it‘s a series that keeps improving with each instalment 😊 3y
Ruthiella I ❤️ Murderbot! 3y
Cathy_J @thegirlwiththelibrarybag & @Ruthiella I have the second one on hold from the library. Looking forward to it even more now! 😊 3y
65 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Cathy_J
The Apollo Murders | Colonel Chris Hadfield
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Pickpick

A sci-fi thriller written by someone who has actually been in space! I loved all the details of what the astronauts experience and even the more technical aspects of all the vehicles/machinery. Held myself back from Googling til the end 😆 I had to go for the audio book option with Ray Porter as the narrator 🧡🚀 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

julesG Sold! 3y
rabbitprincess I am so looking forward to this! Chris Hadfield is great 😊 3y
64 likes2 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This one has been on my shelf for years, finally got around to reading it! The first half was good but the second half was excellent. Really enjoyed it by the end 😊 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

kplovesbooks Starting this one soon. Can't wait! 3y
62 likes1 comment
blurb
Cathy_J
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Just a quick update. I've been borrowing the Phryne Fisher audio books from the library. They're great! Interesting mysteries and varied settings. They are quite short so they're nice little interludes between other reads 😊

EvieBee I agree and they‘re great on audio! I should continue the series. 3y
leah152 I've never tried them on audio, I always look out for the books when I'm op shopping. This series is my favourite comfort read 😊 3y
53 likes2 comments
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Cathy_J
Grown Ups | Marian Keyes
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Pickpick

It took a little while for me to become familiar with the characters but as I came to know the Casey brothers and their families I was pulled right in. I loved Jessie and Cara and I'm kind of sad to leave them now 😋 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

58 likes1 stack add
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Cathy_J
Aussie Jingle Bells | Colin Buchanan
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😍😍😍 I had not anticipated how excited this arrival would make me 😊😊 Thank you so much #AussieSecretSanta This is wonderful 😊 The countdown begins! 😁🎄🎅🎁❤💚❤💚 @MrsMalaprop @LapReader @CarolynM @thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Lizpixie @LeeRHarry @Flingogal @Teresereading @Freespirit @Jhullie

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Ooh! It looks so good! 3y
Cathy_J @thegirlwiththelibrarybag I adore the wrapping paper 🥰 3y
Freespirit How exciting 3y
56 likes3 comments
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Cathy_J
Leviathan Falls | James S. A. Corey
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Pickpick

Book 9 of The Expanse. The last installment in a brilliant series. A consistently high standard the whole way through. Now I guess I'll have to go back to Book 1 😆 So many great characters 😊 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

Peggy is a very relatable and endearing character. I loved her tendency to unknowingly use the wrong words - she admired her husband's "self-defaecating humour" ?? I enjoyed this one ⭐⭐⭐

Soubhiville 🤣😂🤣 I already do that in my 40‘s, so that‘s definitely going to be me in old age! 3y
73 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This was recommended by a friend and took me completely by surprise. I couldn't put it down. A great YA murder mystery. There was one particular plot development that I didn't like but it was a very good read ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ruthiella This is on my list! 3y
KCBee32 Just got a call from the library that this one is ready for me to pick up! Can‘t wait to read it! 3y
Cathy_J @KCBee32 Oh yay! Hope you enjoy it! I am in the queue at my local library waiting for book 2 😊 3y
61 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Cathy_J
Sunreach (Skyward Flight: Novella 1) | Brandon Sanderson, Janci Patterson
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Pickpick

This was great. A Skyward novella between books 2 and 3. I need to hurry up and read ReDawn as well now that Cytonic is here!! An excellent sci-fi series that I have been able to share with my 14yo 😊 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nutmegnc They are so good!! 3y
64 likes1 comment
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

A very personal book for the author, exploring grief and loss. It is magical, sweet, sad and hopeful 🐞 ⭐⭐⭐

72 likes1 stack add
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I was interested in reading Death in Daylesford only to find it is Phryne Fisher Mystery #21 😯 I might have some catching up to do! 😂 I really enjoyed the setting of 1920s Melbourne. We went for high tea at the Windsor Hotel for my Mum's birthday 😊 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

thegreensofa I did an Underground Cinema experience at the Windsor. I haven‘t read any Phrynn Fisher though, (I did watch the movie but that doesn‘t really count!). 3y
Cathy_J @thegreensofa That would be excellent! What a great setting! I went to a Dirty Dancing immersive cinema experience at Flemington and I loved it! I carried a watermelon 🍉😆 3y
Crazeedi I think I've read 9 or so. I need to get back, they are fun 3y
See All 6 Comments
leah152 Love these books! I'm slowly working my way through the series 😊📚 3y
PathfinderNicole I love Phryne so much! Both the books AND the show! 3y
MaureenMc I loved the tv show! Been meaning to start the book series. 😁 3y
60 likes6 comments
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Cathy_J
Witch's Heart | Genevieve Gornichec
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Pickpick

I loved this one 😍 A retelling/reimagining of Norse mythology, it brings to life the story of the witch Angrboda. It was all woven together so well and I loved the characters. There's just something about Loki that is so interesting. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

87 likes2 stack adds
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Cathy_J
None Shall Sleep | Ellie Marney
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Pickpick

Wow! I can't remember who recommended this one but thank you anyway! 😁 I could not put it down! Can definitely see why some have called it a YA Silence of the Lambs. A great psychological thriller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

BookDragonNotWorm I loved this one! SO good! 3y
MrsMalaprop Ooh, I bought this last Christmas (a Litsy rec) for my then 11yo, but decided it might be too old for him. Am planning to give it to him this Christmas. 3y
67 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Cathy_J
A Face Like Glass | Frances Hardinge
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Pickpick

This is my third Frances Hardinge book and they are all so imaginative! Admittedly A Face Like Glass is quite strange but I did really enjoy the mystery/intrigue 😊 ⭐⭐⭐.5

Lucy_Anywhere I‘ve only read The Lie Tree and I loved it - I need to read more of her books 3y
59 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

The Thursday Murder Club are back with another mystery to solve! I really like these characters with their distinctive personalities and interesting backgrounds. This was great 😊

81 likes4 stack adds
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Cathy_J
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Mehso-so

This one is gonna be hard for me to review. I read about a third of it and then stalled. A few months later I picked it up again but had to start over cause I had forgotten everything 😲 I felt myself stalling again but pushed on. It is very clever and creative, it is really very good but I did find it hard to keep going at times. Maybe just a bit too complicated for my current brain power 😁 ⭐⭐⭐

CollapsingLibrary This has been on my TBR for an embarrassingly long time. I tried to listen to the audiobook for it at first, but my mind kept wandering. I was hoping reading it might be better, but based on your review maybe not! 3y
Chelsea.Poole Same!! 3y
Cathy_J @CollapsingLibrary , @Chelsea.Poole I read that Netflix might be making a series of it. I would definitely watch it and I think it might help me to keep up in that format! 😋 3y
Chelsea.Poole @Cathy_J oh yeah, that would definitely be easier to follow! 3y
MrsMalaprop My review of this one was quite similar. 3y
80 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

This has been in my TBR pile for ages! A YA fantasy/mystery set in Victorian times, centring around "a tree that feeds off whispered lies and bears fruit that reveals hidden secrets". I really enjoyed it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

LazyOwl Ooh, I enjoyed this one and it was different to what I was expecting. 3y
NikkiM5 Sounds fun, stacked 👍🏾 3y
75 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

Klara is an AF (Artificial Friend) and I really enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. I found I had to concentrate a bit to try to work out what was really going on but I was happy to find this so thought provoking. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Addison_Reads Great review. I felt the same about this one. 3y
perfectsinner I've seen great things about this one. He's usually pretty hit or miss for me. 3y
74 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Cathy_J
Anne of Green Gables | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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Pickpick

😍😍😍 This came up in the audible plus catalogue and it has been many, many years since I read this classic. I loved it! Rachel McAdams did a fabulous job. ❤❤❤ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

mjtwo We just started listening to this today. Excited to finally get access to Audible Plus! 3y
69 likes1 comment
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I found this on my TBR list and went in not knowing anything about it. It was really good! Took me by surprise actually. A family drama set in Yorkshire, focusing on Leah - "Then" and "Now". ⭐⭐⭐⭐

62 likes4 stack adds
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Cathy_J
The Family Upstairs | Lisa Jewell
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Pickpick

When you're on a good thing ... 🙂 Another Lisa Jewell mystery/family drama read for me that I got quite immersed in. Thanks for the recommendation @TheLudicReader ⭐⭐⭐.5 What a story!

79 likes1 stack add
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Cathy_J
Then She Was Gone | Lisa Jewell
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Pickpick

This was very good. A family drama/mystery about the disappearance of 15 year old Ellie Mack. It kept my interest throughout. This is my first Lisa Jewell ⭐⭐⭐.5

TheLudicReader Lisa Jewell is very dependable. I have read several of hers and have enjoyed them all. I couldn‘t put The Family Upstairs down. 3y
Cathy_J Oh thank you @TheLudicReader I will check that one out! 😊 3y
5feet.of.fury I liked this one too, for as chilling as it was I found the characters very believable 3y
70 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

Okay I have been in a severe reading slump so maybe this book should get extra points cause I finished it! 🎉🥳🤣 I really liked Home Before Dark too so I think I will have to check out more of Riley Sager's books 😊 ⭐⭐⭐.5