tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624195623041420024.post7189690712209517525..comments2023-09-05T12:07:54.742-07:00Comments on LJ's Mystery Reviews - It Is Purely My Opinion: The Madness of Crowds by Louise PennyLJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624195623041420024.post-29840957310359891552021-11-23T16:13:16.498-08:002021-11-23T16:13:16.498-08:00I agree that social issues are important but it wa...I agree that social issues are important but it was truly the lack of editing that let this book down. There are so many books written in late 2019/2020 and released in 2020 I felt weren't up to an author's usual standard. I do wonder whether the pandemic is the cause with lack of focus, and worry, both on the part of the writers and the editors. LJ Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624195623041420024.post-47747756065082409252021-11-23T15:40:20.405-08:002021-11-23T15:40:20.405-08:00Hi Lesa - I did, and then rewrote it at least four...Hi Lesa - I did, and then rewrote it at least four times as it was so hard for me to find the words without being angry. No, it won't make my top list this year either. We should talk as I want to know which quote, and also ask whether I'm right about her also switching a character. The good news, though, is that I loved "State of Terror." LJ Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624195623041420024.post-48352801717056966242021-11-23T14:03:56.320-08:002021-11-23T14:03:56.320-08:00LJ, I know you waited until you felt ready to writ...LJ, I know you waited until you felt ready to write this review. I agree with you that this was an "off" book. In fact, I totally agree with you on your comments. This is one of the few Louise Penny books that will not make my favorites list at the end of the year. It felt too soon, as you said. And, she ruined one of my favorite quotes from the series. It was disappointing.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624195623041420024.post-78146703868809409292021-11-23T11:35:15.689-08:002021-11-23T11:35:15.689-08:00Sorry to hear you didn't like this better than...Sorry to hear you didn't like this better than you did. You make a really interesting point, though, about the value of editing. Everyone needs a good editor! I'm with you, too, on the focus of a well-written mystery novel; it may be just my taste, but I prefer crime fiction where the main focus is the crime/mystery plot. I don't mind social issues being addressed; they're important and should be addressed. But I like the focus on the main plot. Margot Kinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599589137890528065noreply@blogger.com