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9+ oeuvres 557 utilisateurs 56 critiques 2 Favoris

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Comprend les noms: Tessa Arlen

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Poppy Redfern's writing has gotten noticed, and she's been made a scriptwriter for the London Crown Film Unit to help showcase British civilians who are heroes in some way to the war effort. Through this job she meets women pilots from the Air Transport Auxiliary, whose job it is to fly new and repaired planes to military airfields throughout the country. While working on the script for the film about these ladies, one of them dies in a spectacular crash that is attributed to pilot error. But Poppy is not so sure it was an accident and starts asking questions that don't exactly relate to the script she's writing.

I really liked this book, though not quite as much as the first one in the series. The world-building and atmosphere were just as good, but the characters were just a little weaker. And the mystery plot was mostly done well, but I was left scratching my head a little at the end. There was a clue given near the beginning of the story that was never actually used in any way, unless I simply missed it. Still, the story played out well.

I love the history that this series brings to life, and learning about the ATA and Attagirls was the best part of the book. The American fighter pilot Poppy grows close to in the previous book, Griff, is in this one as well. Readers hoping to see their relationship ramp up may be disappointed, but I personally don't mind the struggles they're going through, only partly related to the differences between their cultures. Poppy comes to realize during this book that she may be offering Griff more than just "British reserve" due to her own past, but Griff shows that he can handle it. I wonder if we're seeing shades of the author's relationship with her husband, she being British and he being American. Either way, it's a much more realistic-feeling "romance" than most you find in books, and I like it.

Poppy's continued inner voice of the main character of the novels she's still writing is a quirk that doesn't detract from the novel at all, in my opinion. Like the previous book, I enjoyed the experience this book provided and would recommend you give it a try if either of the genres interest you. I may have to wait half a year for the next book to come out, but I'll definitely be watching for it.
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Signalé
Kristi_D | 6 autres critiques | Sep 22, 2023 |
Newly trained Air Raid Warden Poppy Redfern takes up her post in the small English village of Little Buffenden, where an American Air Force airfield is about to open. The airfield could make this otherwise quiet hamlet a target for an air raid, but the Germans aren't the only danger to Little Buffenden; trouble is much closer to home when two women are murdered only days apart. When suspicion is cast upon the Americans at the airfield, distrust for the "friendly invaders" surges in Little Buffenden. Poppy begins to investigate while continuing her duties as warden and trying not to end up as the next victim.

This book was all sorts of great! The descriptions made the story come to life, and though there were quite a few characters from the village and neighboring airfield involved, the author did a great job of helping me keep them all straight as I got used to them. Poppy had a wonderful mixture of spunk, loyalty, compassion, and intelligence, with a little quirk thrown in (it's not that strange to have the main character of the novel you're writing pop into your head with observations or admonitions now and then...or so I've heard).

I really liked the feel of this small town in 1942 England, where they've been at war for much longer than their American allies, not to mention more directly affected. The things the Air Force men take for granted, like having sugar and beef readily available, were luxuries to the locals. The attempts made by Poppy and her grandparents to help their fellow villagers see the Americans in a different light showed the great wisdom of this family. And though there are some bumps along the way that were a little frustrating, the American pilot that works with Poppy, Griff, was one of my favorite characters. Also, I'm not a dog person and don't normally care much about dogs in fiction, but Bess was pretty great.

I would classify this as a cozy mystery--it has all of the earmarks. I had guessed who the murderer was much earlier than I normally do, but I wasn't quite certain, and the reveal was still done really well. However, the book does probably have a little more description of violence and disturbing images than you'd normally find in a classic cozy mystery. That's not to say that it's very much--it didn't bother me at all, and I don't have a very high tolerance for some of that kind of thing--but enough that I thought it was worth mentioning if I'm classifying it as "cozy." All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience this book provided and would recommend you give it a try if either of the genres interest you. There's a second book in the series so far, which I'm looking forward to reading.
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Signalé
Kristi_D | 9 autres critiques | Sep 22, 2023 |
This fictionalized biography of the innovative London dress designer Lucy Duff Gordon, who also survived the sinking of the Titanic, reaches the midlevels of okayness. Which is fine as it starts out horribly, subjecting us as well as the protagonist to the shrill affectations of an unrealistic and difficult mother. While the colors of the gowns are lovingly described, the people have all been washed of color and we get only 3rd hand common gossip about the society and nothing that feels meaty about the principals.… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
quondame | 8 autres critiques | Jul 22, 2023 |
This one checked all the boxes for me – historical fiction, strong female protagonist, fashion, creativity, survival, and success.

Lucy Wallace, who later becomes Lady Duff Gordon, is deserted by her brutish first husband in 1893 and turns to designing and sewing women’s fashions to provide for herself, her young daughter, and elderly mother. I enjoyed reading how Lucy uses her remarkable talent and skill to create a successful haute couture business which rivals the top fashion designers of the day including Doucet, Lanvin, Pacquin, Poiret, and Worth. The beautiful gowns, colorful and gorgeous fabrics, detailed stitching and embellishments are all lushly described.

I found this book highly entertaining and difficult to put down. The writing is expressive and engaging, the characters and their relationships vividly described, and the lifestyles of both the wealthy and the lower classes are realistically portrayed.

Author Tessa Arlen skillfully incorporated many actual historical figures into the narrative, as well as weaving the politics, economics, and social conventions of the period into the story. I felt like I was experiencing life alongside Lucy. I especially enjoyed learning how she revolutionized that time period’s fashion and how her designs were sought after by the royals, aristocrats, and celebrities of the day.

In addition to being a story of success, Lucy’s story is one of survival. First, she survives - as well as thrives - as an independent businesswomen and then as a survivor of the Titanic. The disaster occurs in the last quarter of the novel, and the horrific experience and loss is vividly told. I may be one of the only people who hasn’t seen the 1997 Hollywood movie nor read any other account of this tragedy, so I found it fresh and dramatic.

This is a fascinating portrait of a legend, an epic story of a self-made woman. I highly recommend this always-hopeful novel of a strong trailblazer and fashion icon.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
PhyllisReads | 8 autres critiques | Feb 10, 2023 |

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Statistiques

Œuvres
9
Aussi par
2
Membres
557
Popularité
#44,822
Évaluation
½ 3.6
Critiques
56
ISBN
38
Favoris
2

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