20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best in my opinion, July 26 2005
By Donna G. Davis - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Theft on Thursday -Lib -Op/065 (Library Binding)
I had preordered this book after reading all the other books in the series, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Couldn't wait for "Theft on Thursday" - but I was disappointed. It just didn't hold my interest like the other three. Too disconnected with people jumping from satanism, the KKK, taking old medications and getting sick or dying.
Gran was the best of the lot. Not too many redeeming qualities in most of the other charaters. It's hold no interest to me that the author is trying to somehow romantically connect Inspector Cowgill with Mrs. Meade - it would be just as interesting without that. I like to see young people respecting one another (at least some of them) and not jumping in to bed as if that is the thing to do. I know it's the norm in this world - but in my opinion that doesn't make it right and I don't care to read about it.
I'd much prefer a good "old fashioned" cozy and clean mystery. One I can get lost in reading and feel like I haven't wasted my time waiting for it to get better. Sorry, I hope if there's a next one it's a 5 star. Bascially I like Mrs. Meade and her "New Brooms" brood. Also, this book let too many years go by between events in the village. I was surprised that all the main characters had changed so much.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too Dry, May 29 2008
By Andrea "Readaholic" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Theft on Thursday (Mass Market Paperback)
Lois Meade, the main character, is the supervisor and founder of her cleaning company. This book takes place in England. People die - will the mysteries be solved?
This book is the 4th book in this series. This book did not have the charm that the first 3 had. In the first 3 - which I gave 5 stars to each - I felt like I was in a charming English village, with purple freesias, birds singing, and childrens' laughter. I actually felt I was there, and felt comfort in the warmth and coziness of it all.
This book, however, was dry and boring; the first 100 pages could have been condensed into 20; nothing really exciting happened until into the second half of the book. I got so sick of hearing about choir practice. Only so much can be said about choir practice. This book did not hold my attention; I will probably not read anymore of this series.
Nonetheless, this was a good story idea with clever pieces and ideas that all fit together in the end. The presentation of these ideas were boring and not charming. I really got bored while reading this book. It did have potential, however.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful, however improbable, May 21 2008
By Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Theft on Thursday (Mass Market Paperback)
This is actually the first Lois Meade mystery that I read, and why I decided to read others. The plot was very complex, but as with the other two I've read, just what I would have expected.
On the whole, I found that the plot was not quite as believable as the other two, but it is definitely intriguing. Like the others, the characters, especially those of Lois's staff at New Brooms, are marvelously well crafted. The relationships among them and among Lois's family are so engaging that one can hardly fail to find them satisfying. Certainly the on going semi-romance with Inspector Cowgill is, as always, titillating even if neither acts upon the impulse. Lois's husband, Derek Meade, while he's a little jealous and irritable lately, is definitely a dear. In general I find it as satisfying reading about the people as trying to figure out who killed whom and why.
As usual the motives abound, and the things people decide to say or not say, do or not do delightfully confuse the issue. I doubt that I've read anyone short of Collin Dexter who could so thoroughly baffle me by the end of the story.
Delightful story, however improbable.