Wednesday, March 1, 2023

A Five Star Review


 Five reasons I’m giving Five Stars to 
Down a Dark River by Karen Odden:

1. The stage - the year is 1878 and we are in Victorian 
London, a time of discovery and innovation, 
a time when people are still bound by their class and history.

2. The lead - Michael Corravan is an inspector in Scotland 
Yard, a young man with a prickly character and complicated 
history, in no hurry to share his secrets. 

3. The supporting cast - Corravan is surrounded by a motley 
crew of friends and colleagues who all add another 
dimension both to his character and to the story.

4. The plot - the book, the first in a new series, 
begins with the disappearance of one woman, 
the murder of another and a river that runs between them. 
Nothing more from me, this is a spoiler-free zone.

5. The summary - if you are in the market for a 
hard-to-put-down historical mystery with a different voice, 
plenty of atmosphere, plot twists, suspense, quality writing 
and a satisfying end, this could well be the book for you.



Featured: I upcycled these bags
with a tea wash and embroidery.

49 comments:

VeggieMummy said...

Thank you for the review. That one sounds right up my street. Those recycled bags are gorgeous! xx

Ellie Foster said...

I agree, the bags are lovely! What a great recycling project.
Best wishes
Ellie

Ann said...

I may have to look for that book.
Love those bags.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
The bags are cute! I always love a good detective series, this one is new to me. Thanks for the review. PS, thanks for visiting my blog. Take care, have a great day!

Margie said...

What an interesting book!

I liked how you used tea wash for the cute bags!

Vee said...

Sounds so good! The upcycled bags are a great idea. I have some small linen bags that I have not been able to ditch. Hmmm...

Conniecrafter said...

The bags are so pretty, I love how you gave them a bit of antique look and your embroidery on them is so lovely!

Aritha V. said...

I love your bags and your review. But I will never read scary books :-)

Dewena said...

I've written this down as others on Amazon seem to agree with you and this is a favorite time period and location for me. I tend to read cozy mysteries about women sleuths but want to see if my library can get it for me. Your little tea stained bags are so pretty with their embroidery that speaks to my longing for spring heart!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I always need new books to add to my list---especially for those long car or plane trips!
P.S. Your bags are so sweet!!

Carla from The River said...

I will be adding this book to my read list. Thank you for the review.
I love the recycled bags. Flowers, bees and brightness!

Lowcarb team member said...

Sounds a very good book, many thanks for the review.
I do like your bags ...

Have a happy month of March.

All the best Jan

baili said...

this crime thriller sounds great to me dear Amalia :)

thank you for recommendation .

Oh i love these bags ,looking at makes me smile as thinking of your skills makes me happy .such a gift you fill everything with your magic :)

Mia Coman said...

Sunt foarte dragute si mai mult de atat, utile!
Cele mai calde salutari,
Mia

Barwitzki said...

Your little bags are beautiful. I am amazed by the beautiful embroideries.
I haven't read any books by Karen Odden.
Thanks for the tip.
Many greetings to you.

A Joyful Cottage said...

The bags are delightful, Amalia. I enjoy stories about inspectors, especially a Scotland Yard inspector. Your review is inspiring. Happy Friday, my friend! xo

Sum of their Stories said...

Those bags are so sweet Amalia, and the book sounds really interesting.

Kim said...

I always love your "spoiler free" book reviews. Intriguing! I'm also going to pass this one on to my daughter. I think she'd love it, too.

Creations By Cindy said...

Those little bags are simply adorable! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

This is an excellent review Amalia! Thank you for your bullet list, and spoiler-proof teaser! Your embroidered burlap bags are adorable!

Lorrie said...

Thank you for the review, Amalia. I recently read Under a Veiled Moon by the same author and very much enjoyed it, so now I put this one on hold at the library.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for the review of this book....Definitely sounds like something I would definitely want to read....Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs.
Deb

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Amalia, you made such pretty bags and I like the book you read.

Snowbird said...

You've sold that book! Just loving those little bags.xxx

Nancy Chan said...

Pretty and cute bags. The book sounds like a good read.

Teresa said...

Todo se ve muy bonito. Feliz fin de semana.

Becki said...

I love these little bags, Amalia.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

Sounds like a good read :)

Pam Richardson said...

Thank you for the review, Amalia. That one sounds interesting. The bags are darling!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

It does sound like a winner. Thanks for sharing.

Tom said...

...and the bags are five star too!

Joanne said...

Oh that sounds good!!

Junkchiccottage said...

This sounds like a really good read. Happy St. Patrick's Day sweet friend. Hugs. Kris

Jo Tracey said...

This one sounds interesting. Thanks for linking up.

NCSue said...

I like those little bags. Did you make them?
Thank you for joining us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/03/i-wish-i-was-there.html.

Women Living Well After 50 said...

You had me at #1 & #2 I know I will enjoy this book so thanks for the recommendation and for joining us at What's On Your Bookshelf? I'm off to download Down a Dark River Now. I look forward to you joining us next month. x

Veronica Lee said...

Love the cute bags.

What a great recycling project!

Hugs and blessings, Amalia.

Angie said...

Amalia - adorable little bags! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!

retirementreflections said...

Thank you for joining us for What's On Your Bookshelf.
This sounds like a great book - I loved your review and its format.

Jo said...

It's always good to read a positive review of a book. The bags are so pretty.

Pam said...

sounds interesting

Daniela said...

Dearest Amalia,
I don't know this book, and never heard of it before, but it has everything to catcht my interest!
I'm going to look for it on the web, thank you for your beautiful review.
Wishing you a beautiful end of your week
XO Dany

VENTANA DE FOTO said...

Una vez leído el libro, has hecho un buen resumen de las razones que te mueven para recomendarlo.
Que tengas un feliz domingo.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thanks for the review! This sounds like an interesting book, I like mysteries and read many.

ALLIE NYC said...

Ooo this sounds good!! I am excited to start watching The Boston Strangler on HULU.

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

Deb's World said...

This sounds right up my alley and a series too. Thanks for sharing :)

Ann said...

I love a good mystery! I'll be adding this book to my list!

Diana Studer said...

Love both the book, and your embroidered tea bags!

EL INVENTARIO DE MJ said...

Es ideal leer historias de misterio y disfrutar de un buen té.
Maravillosas bolsas bordadas.
BESOS