Review of Mysteries you can't put down

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Ellylion
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Review of Mysteries you can't put down

Post by Ellylion »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Mysteries you can't put down" by Brad Bennett.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Mysteries You Can't Put Down by Brad Bennett is a delightful collection of eight short stories. A dead body of the head of the UnDead Movie Studios was found in the locked hotel room. Canadian police must identify the killer very quickly. None other than Howard Hughes himself, with the help of an old hotel employee, "provides the key" to the mysterious room 802. A married couple of winemakers finds an unusual way to enrich a bouquet of their Chardonnay. A gifted composer takes his own life after a performance of a musical masterpiece. Thus, a social worker must solve a long-time family mystery to help the rest of the family reunite.

An aircraft with Will and Jean McLain on board loses its engine over Alaska after hitting a bird. Will must land it as safely as possible to see his little daughter, Darlene, again. So he desperately asks for help. Two golf players fight for their lives and a large sum of money after making a bet with an eccentric millionaire. A lowly clerk of a big company gets haunted by a mysterious headdress. A teenage boy named Tommy is obliged to spend summer with an elderly aunt near Portland, Oregon. Soon it turns out that they are not alone in Aunt Mattie's antique Victorian mansion. A group of scientists gets a message from the most distant part of the universe. Their immediate task is to solve an ethical dilemma and to understand the meaning of the message.

Among my favorite aspects of the book is that the collection touches on a variety of topics and is written in many genres - from classic crime drama to science fiction. Also, it is worth mentioning the accuracy of the book's title, for I could not put it down. I loved a touch of dark humor in "Uri’s Full Bodied Wine." It lightened up otherwise quite a gloomy story. Unpredictability was another aspect of the book which I appreciated very much. For instance, "A killing on the 16th Tee" has a very twisted ending. In this short story, the author gives us a deep insight into the most hidden corners of human nature, making it even more intriguing. I love that "The Boy in the Attic" urges us to be kinder to people with special needs. Also, the characters of the stories are simply brilliant. For example, a highly likable Chief Inspector Edwin Steelside from "The Secret of the Undead Room" would do everything to help an innocent person and find an actual killer. Nathan Whitesides, a scientist from "The Message," leaves unforgettable impressions with his non-standard views on the universe and our place in it.

There wasn't anything to dislike about this book. I must add that I was asked to re-review the updated version of this book. The previous PDF file had editorial issues, because of which I was obliged to reduce the rating by one star. But now I am happy to award this outstanding book 4 out of 4 stars. I believe that the book was professionally edited, despite finding a few minor errors or typos. Any lesser rating would be inappropriate for this book because of the solid and well-researched background behind every short story. The author speaks about winemaking, golf, or even space-time theories in detail, enriching the narrative. I didn't change my previous observations regarding the book since it was revised only from error correction point of view. 

I highly recommend this book to all fans of classic detective fiction, for the first story is an excellent "locked-room mystery." The second story that shows the work of the criminal mind from within would not leave them disappointed as well. Lovers and explorers of the supernatural would appreciate the stories named "Flight to Fairbanks," "A Command Performance," and "The Boy in the Attic." Readers preferring psychological prose would enjoy "The Last Requiem" and "A killing on the 16th Tee." Finally, "The Message" would appeal to fans of the sci-fi genre.

******
Mysteries you can't put down
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Sharon Christanto
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Post by Sharon Christanto »

I love reading detective short stories! And I'm interested in reading The Boy in the Attic. I'll purchase a copy! Thanks for the great review
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Post by Adaeze Joan »

Indeed, this is a book full of mysteries and seems like quite an interesting read. it The book title is also a catchy one. Nice review.
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Post by AvidBibliophile »

Dead bodies, Victorian mansions, mysterious rooms, musical masterpieces, AND eccentric billionaires?! I can’t wait to give this one a read. What a neat collection of short stories! 🌟
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Post by Soraya Bayah »

You caught all my attention with your review. The author made sure to include something for everyone, and I will definitely read it, all thanks to your review. I immensely enjoyed your phrasing and found that even though the book had multiple stories, you did a great job with writing a review that did not distract readers, but quite the opposite, lure them in. Well done!
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Ellylion
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Post by Ellylion »

Adaeze Joan wrote: 23 Feb 2022, 13:21 Indeed, this is a book full of mysteries and seems like quite an interesting read. it The book title is also a catchy one. Nice review.
Thank you very much! :)
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Ellylion
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Post by Ellylion »

AvidBibliophile wrote: 23 Feb 2022, 13:56 Dead bodies, Victorian mansions, mysterious rooms, musical masterpieces, AND eccentric billionaires?! I can’t wait to give this one a read. What a neat collection of short stories! 🌟
It's a great collection indeed :) Thanks for your comments!
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Post by Prisallen »

This book certainly sounds like it is a very varied group of short stories. I think I would enjoy them. Thanks for a great review!
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Post by Umesh Bhatt »

I like mystery, suspense, and detective stories so would consider the book for going through. Thanks for the detailed review.
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Post by Mildred Echesa »

The review is great. Am wondering how you were able to catch up with all the stories. I love detective reads so I'll give it a trg
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Post by Amy Luman »

Normally I don’t like to read short stories, they just don’t seem to give enough to become involved, but your review made these sound very engaging. In addition, I like thrillers and murder mysteries without gore and this sounds like one.
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marta baglioni
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Post by marta baglioni »

I had already stumbled into this collection, and it left me a good impression. Glad to see you liked it, too. Thank you for the review :D
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Ellylion
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Post by Ellylion »

Sharon Christanto wrote: 23 Feb 2022, 13:11 I love reading detective short stories! And I'm interested in reading The Boy in the Attic. I'll purchase a copy! Thanks for the great review
Thank you very much for your comments! :) You would like this collection, I'm sure!
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Ellylion
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Post by Ellylion »

marba wrote: 24 Feb 2022, 10:39 I had already stumbled into this collection, and it left me a good impression. Glad to see you liked it, too. Thank you for the review :D
Thanks so much for your comments! :)
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Ellylion
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Post by Ellylion »

Amy Luman wrote: 24 Feb 2022, 09:45 Normally I don’t like to read short stories, they just don’t seem to give enough to become involved, but your review made these sound very engaging. In addition, I like thrillers and murder mysteries without gore and this sounds like one.
Thank you for your comments! :)
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