Customer Reviews

Secrets on Saturday (Lois Meade)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Always a big fan of the Lois Meade mystery series, I was greatly disappointed in "Secrets on Saturday". There was just too much animal cruelty, above and beyond what was needed for the plot. Torture, abuse, especially of people's pet dogs and a cat, as well as murder for sport of countless wildlife......just not up to par and frankly a lot of it made me sick to my stomach. If you are an animal lover or of a sensitive nature, do NOT read this book.

I didn't even make it halfway through this book before I had to put it down. I really don't understand the author's purpose in graphically depicting such abuse of animals. Unfortunately, it's probably accurate, but I really don't need to read about it in books that I choose for escapist entertainment. I read Purser's Monday through Friday, which were all good; will skip Saturday, and try for Sunday. This book was just too upsetting for me to continue reading it. I'm very disappointed, because the author usually does such a good job with the Lois Meade series. I won't give up on Purser, but Saturday is a loser!

I've read the other books in this series & thought they were all right, but this one did it for me. It was tedious & boring & altogether unconvincing. The husband's attitude is annoying & doesn't ring true. The grandmother is annoying in general. Lois & her hostility towards Cowgill, the police officer is getting really old. To me, this series has an excellent premise but the execution falls far short.

I love Ann Purser, she is one of my top favorite authors! I feel like I am back in England whenever I read any of her books! It is exactly what a British cozy book is all about. I have absolutely loved each one in the Murder on Monday series and couldn't wait to get my hands on the latest one, Secrets on Saturday! I finished it in 2 days, that is the only bad thing - once you start reading any of her books, you can't stop till you finish!! I would highly recommend any of Ann Pursers' books - she is pure genius and fabulous at writing mysteries that are so real - you feel like you live in the village that she is writing about!! NEVER a dissapointment and I for one, cannot for the next one!!!

The Lois Meade books are interesting enough to read, but not good enough to buy or keep - strictly borrow from the library books.

The plots are interesting, and the secondary characters are generally plausible, but Lois herself is an enigma. We're told she is good looking, and the police guy has a crush on her, but why is unfathomable. She is autocratic, rude, and selfish, endangering her family and pets repeatedly by going after criminals when her work isn't even valued enough by the police so that they'll hire her.

Plus the puzzling triangle - Lois; her husband, Derek; and Hunter, the policeman. Derek is an adulterer, and yet Lois stays with him.

I'd give the books in general about 2 1/2 stars, but this particular one gets no stars because it is full of nauseating descriptions of animal cruelty.

I agree with the criticism regarding animal cruelty...not my idea of a mystery in the cozy genre. However, there was also reader cruelty since it appears that no one was around to proofread the book before it went to print. There were so many typographical errors that I felt insulted as a fan of Ms Purser's books. I think there was also an error concerning the birth order of Lois's children. That really annoyed me. The author writes an engaging tale but there's a developing carelessness in the series that needs to be addressed in upcoming books.

"Secrets on Saturday" by Ann Purser is the latest in the Lois Meade Series starting with "Murder on Monday." Lois Meade is a housewife who decides to earn extra money by starting a house cleaning business called "New Brooms." She has several people working under her in two different communities. As you may realize, cleaning people have a perfect way to do a little investigating. There is a detective who has an unreciprocated crush on her so she is often sucked in to mysteries.

What strikes me about the series is how very nice Lois, her employees, and her family are. Lois is very outspoken but has a heart of gold and good instincts. She is a little nosy and likes to find out, but she forbids her employees to gossip.. Her husband is an electrician and a good man. Her daughter, after being a little wild when younger, has settled down nicely. Her mother is a tremendous help running the household so Lois can run her business. This is a good series.

Ann Purser is Never a disappointment and once again with her twists and turns another great story is born!

I have read all of Ann Purser's books in this series, and I think this is the best one yet. I couldn't put it down. It kept my interest to the very last page. Can't wait for the next one.