Well-Written, Well-Plotted, Devilishly Clever, and LongI would second every comment I've seen about how clever the story is, how well plotted, how amusing, and how creative. The characters are engaging and interesting, the atmosphere is as thick as a London fog, and the treatment of ghosts, from the knocking and the Unseen Door to the ghosts' selfish demands for attention from a Talker, is as rich, complex and rewarding as any ghosty story I've ever read.But this is a long and exhausting book. It's not because it is overstuffed with incident or plot complications, or anything like that. It is long because everything goes on for more than it needs to. We don't walk down one described street, we walk down three. Before we go in to an office we have to describe the reception area and meet the receptionist. Every conversation has a few unnecessary exchanges that don't really contribute to the story. That's fine - it helps build atmosphere and illuminate character. It adds to the Victorianness of it all. But it also tries the patience and saps momentum. That might not matter that much, except this is aimed to be a middle grade read. I may be way off base here; I'm sure there are fifth and sixth graders willing to read over 400 pages of clever, whimsical, very Victorian ghost adventure, but there are also such readers who might just run out of steam or interest. It's not a deal breaker, but something to keep in mind when recommending this title.Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book. This book surprised me. It first caught my eye because of the beautiful cover. I was in a hurry, so I grabbed it without paying too much attention to the description. But I found that the book was enjoyable, intriguing, and clever. I did get a little annoyed with the constant switching of focus, and the sheer number of characters who showed up once and never had closure. The ending also felt a little rushed, but overall, it was an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars.
What do You think about Constables & Toops Kistor Och Kransar (2013)?
Cute. Ends rather suddenly and neatly. Beautifully laid out.
—sharona
