Book Review: Orson and the World's Loudest Library by Laura Gehl

Image
Orson and the World's Loudest Library by Laura Gehl is about a boy named Orson and how the library is one of his favorite places to read. However, on a particular day, it's super noisy. NetGalley and Astra Publishing House approved my request to read this book, which I am extremely thankful about. They provided me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Orson and the World's Loudest Library for free in exchange for my honest review. I love that Laura Gehl used this book to teach a lesson that libraries are used for more than reading and research. They now are more of a community center that offers all sorts of activities including book clubs. The story was well written along with being beautifully illustrated. This children's book is geared towards kids between the ages of four and eight and grade levels of preschool through third grade. The expected publication date is April 15, 2025 and is thirty-two pages in length. Five out of five stars is what I rated Orson and the...

Book Review: Devices and Desires (Adam Dalgliesh, #8) by P.D. James

devices and desires pd james book review
A serial killer is preying on young women in Norfolk. Moments before dying, a woman  appears on the roadway with a small dog. When all is said and done, the victims are found with their own hair stuffed in their mouths. The killings have becoming more frequent since the first death fifteen months ago. The serial killer has been dubbed The Whistler. Police Commander Adam Dalgliesh arrives in Norfolk on holiday to stay in a converted windmill that was left to him by his late aunt. Dalgliesh only becomes involved in the case when he discovers a strangled body that turns out to be the acting administrator of an atomic power station.

Devices and Desires by P.D. James is not a book I would've probably picked up to read on my own. However, I enrolled in a 20th Century World Literature class at my university, and we had 8 books that were required reading for the eight week course. Devices and Desires was one of those on the list, and I was excited to read it because I heard good things about author, P.D. James.

What I loved about the book was that there were several sub-plots throughout that kept me guessing as to the identity of the killer. This is what made the story line more realistic to me because real life is full of sub-plots whether you're aware of them or not. With all the twists and turns, I had trouble putting the book down. 

Something that surprised me was that this being the eighth installment of a detective series, I would have thought that Adam Dalgliesh would have had a more prominent role seeing as he is the character the entire series is based on. With that being said, it didn't detract from me liking the book.

The premise of the story suggested that atomic power station played a large part, but it was hardly mentioned. Any time it was brought up, it seemed to detract from the story, and it quite annoyed me when I came to those parts as it didn't seem to flow as well as  other sections. It almost seemed like an after thought. This in fact is what made me give Devices and Desires four out of five stars instead of a perfect score.

Devices and Desires isn't for everyone as the style of writing seems more old fashioned compared to many of the modern day writers. I would recommend this book to people who also enjoy books by Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle.


Follow Us On Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/runningbibliophile/https://www.instagram.com/therunningbibliophile/https://www.pinterest.com/therunningbibliophile/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Product Review: Mr. Clean: Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist - Gain Scent

Book Review: The Dare by Natasha Preston

Book Review: Hidden Beneath (Maine Clambake Mystery, #11) by Barbara Ross