OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Revelations of the Pink and TanvBag" by Susan J Doyle.]

Josie, or Jo as she goes by later in life, faced tragedy at a young age when a dear friend was murdered. Miss Tildy, considered eccentric by some, was young Jo's best friend. Years after her murder, Jo sees Tildy's pink and tan bag again, which sparks her determination to solve the case once more. Her husband and love of her life, Charlie, does not understand why Jo is still obsessed with a murder that took place so long ago. However, Jo will not rest until Tildy's murderer is caught and brought to justice. Follow along with her efforts in Revelations of the Pink and Tan Bag by Susan J Doyle.

I thought Doyle did an excellent job of turning Jo into a compelling character. The opening of Jo spotting the pink and tan bag in the flea market grabbed my interest right away. It set the scene for the main conflict. I appreciated how Doyle then went back to Jo's childhood and gave us her backstory. Her obsession with journaling her evidence of the murder was fascinating. I also thought the details of her romance with Charlie added a lot to her character. At first, she resisted his charms and played hard to get. However, eventually, the two had such a sweet love story. All of these aspects worked together to turn her into an unforgettable character.

In my opinion, the main plot of the book was wrapped up about halfway through. I thought that finding Miss Tildy's killer would be the focus of the entire book. Instead, Doyle continues the novel and gives a glimpse of Jo's life beyond the case. I was not expecting this and thought this section was not as interesting. While it gave great insight into her character, without a strong plot to drive the action, I struggled to finish the novel.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. While I was excited by the murder mystery, I thought the second half of the book dragged on a bit too long. Jo was compelling, and her determination to solve the murder of her childhood friend was commendable. While it was not a personal favorite, fans of murder mysteries who enjoy well-developed characters might enjoy Revelations of the Pink and Tan Bag. If you enjoy seeing a large portion of a character's life, this is a great option!

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Revelations of the Pink and TanvBag
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Psychological murder mystery...gripping story of tragedy, obsession, betrayal, and forgiveness. A cold case murder, endless investigation, thirty-year-old find, twists and turns that even surprise the author.

Jo feels like a character you can really root for with her determination to solve the mystery, though it seems the story slows down a bit once the main plot is resolved. I can see how the deep dive into her life might appeal to some readers, but it seems like it could drag for others.

Jo’s determination to solve her friend’s murder sounds gripping, but it’s surprising that the mystery wraps up halfway through. It seems like a story with a strong start that shifts into something unexpected.

This can be a great book when the author gives it another round of edition, though its still a must read for me.

Jo sounds like a deeply compelling character, and her determination to solve an old murder makes for an intriguing mystery. It’s a shame the second half lost some momentum, but her journey still seems worth following.

This novels seems to be half murder mystery and half something else, which can be disappointing to read after the mystery ends. It might be suitable for readers who are looking for something more than a mystery. Thank you for your honest review!