My Review of "Dear Philomena" by M. S. Spencer
I’m a fan of M. S. Spencer’s books. I’ve read “The Mason's Mark” and “The Penhallow Train Incident” so far and I’m planning to read many more. This book – initially the author’s debut and now republished – reconfirmed what I like about Spencer’s novels.
“Dear Philomena” is full of snark and hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) humour, of drama and the author’s uncanny understanding of human emotions. Sometimes the characters and the writing style seemed sarcastic and cynical, at other times I felt I had opened the character’s head and chest and was looking right into their brain and heart. This mix of raw feelings and wisdom, of situations and protagonists picked right out of real life and mixed with mystery and twists kept me entertained for the whole Sunday. Yes, I devoured the book in one go. Yes, it made me think. And yes, I liked it a lot.
The first chapter was unusual and hooked me straight away, and the continuity of its
‘special something’ right throughout the novel spiced the story up wonderfully. No spoilers, you’ll have to read the book to find out what detail I mean. I loved the spunky yet hurt, misunderstood and uncertain yet strong Dagne (the heroine) just as much as almost too good to be true Aidan (the hero). And I loved to hate Jack.
As with the other books by the author, the strengths lie in the dialogue, the integration of the setting, and the interesting minor characters. And of course there’s the murder to add mayhem.
Rating: 4/5
“Dear Philomena” is full of snark and hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) humour, of drama and the author’s uncanny understanding of human emotions. Sometimes the characters and the writing style seemed sarcastic and cynical, at other times I felt I had opened the character’s head and chest and was looking right into their brain and heart. This mix of raw feelings and wisdom, of situations and protagonists picked right out of real life and mixed with mystery and twists kept me entertained for the whole Sunday. Yes, I devoured the book in one go. Yes, it made me think. And yes, I liked it a lot.
The first chapter was unusual and hooked me straight away, and the continuity of its
‘special something’ right throughout the novel spiced the story up wonderfully. No spoilers, you’ll have to read the book to find out what detail I mean. I loved the spunky yet hurt, misunderstood and uncertain yet strong Dagne (the heroine) just as much as almost too good to be true Aidan (the hero). And I loved to hate Jack.
As with the other books by the author, the strengths lie in the dialogue, the integration of the setting, and the interesting minor characters. And of course there’s the murder to add mayhem.
Rating: 4/5
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