Laurence Bouvard

This may not be a game, but it's not a conventional novel either. I think it's trying to do something different. To me, this read like a board game or a video game that had been twisted into the format of a novel. Once I understood that, it was clear I was not the target audience for this novel. I get little to no enjoyment from board games or puzzles.

I enjoyed the start of the novel, where Mimi and her granddaughter Addie were introduced. I laughed at some of Mimi's attitudes and comments. show more Both Mimi and Addie felt real to me. I could easily imagine a fun dynamic between the "I'm too old to care what anyone thinks of me" Mimi and the people-pleasing, clever, puzzle-solving, self-esteem-damaged Addie I also wanted to know what Mimi had done that had set her up as a target for blackmail.

Then the action moved to the island, and the life started to drain from the story. The setup for the murder was a little clumsy. There were a lot of characters/future suspects but most of them seemed to come from Central Casting - they seemed familiar but not real. The initial interrogations by the Mimi were static and plodding. I felt as if both of their personalities were being drowned out by the creaking mechanics of the plot.

So, a third of the way through the book, I decided I was unlikely to have fun with it and set it aside.

I liked Laurence Bouvard's narration. I thought she handled the comedy well. Click on the YouTube link below to hear a sample of her performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAUhtdmGQw show less