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By: AUCK 014
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2024-10-16 10:30:51 |
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Less popular with most of the group than many of our other choices, but regarded as a fast, easy read. A little outrageous, a quick and slightly unsatisfactory ending. The connection to the Canning affair was an interesting aside. Observations about the way public opinion can be manipulated is always relevant. |
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By: INVER 017
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2024-10-10 09:54:11 |
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Good discussion on the role social media plays in the modern world and how people make up their minds whether someone is guilty or not without verifying facts. Good discussion also on the pros and cons of small town life. |
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By: CHCH 299
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2024-09-03 10:05:26 |
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Not a popular choice. A few enjoyed it and found it an engaging read, but even those who enjoyed it agreed there were plot holes, the ending was contrived and rushed and some of the characters were one-dimensional. |
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By: DRUM 001
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2024-08-07 10:22:58 |
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Easy to read. It kept the reader wondering what would happen. Some found it a bit far-fetched. Enjoyed the Mary (mother) character. |
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By: MARLB 001
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2024-06-24 11:22:30 |
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We enjoyed this book, though felt the ending was slightly rushed. |
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By: AUCK 189
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2024-06-17 10:11:45 |
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Mixed reviews; some of our group thought the plot overcomplicated. Others really enjoyed it. |
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By: NAP 011
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2024-05-24 20:59:00 |
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Generally enjoyed by most in the group. Quite a quick read and kept most engaged until the end. |
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By: CHCH 344
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2024-04-18 10:15:38 |
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Enjoyable read - but somewhat implausible plot. |
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By: WHANGA 002
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2023-10-25 11:16:23 |
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There was a mixed reaction to 'An Accusation'. Some found it 'a great read'. Others were less impressed. All agreed that the characters were believable and the plot complex, clever and well-written. A shocking crime was revealed. Some details were disturbing to at least one of our Group. The notes were useful and appreciated. |
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By: AUCK 376
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2023-09-11 12:43:44 |
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We had a good discussion about trial by social media, and the various parallels that are happening in N.Z. at the moment. Overall, however, we thought it was quite a simplistic book, and a little formulaic in terms of its plot... |
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By: DUNED 089
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2023-08-08 11:36:57 |
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"Light read" - rather a weak ending, but enjoyed by all group members. |
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By: OHOPE 001
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2023-07-31 12:53:04 |
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Fascinating and thought provoking. Animated discussion. |
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By: OMAR 001
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2023-07-06 12:32:41 |
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Small group today - mixed opinions on book. Most of us felt there were too many holes in the story. After the calibre of the other books we have read over the last two years, this was disappointing. |
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By: COROM 003
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2023-06-15 11:32:21 |
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The book was an easy read and enjoyed by all. It includes many disturbing human traits eg. jealousy, envy, greed and dishonesty. We felt that the story depicted modern concerns of the effects of social media, online commenting and opinion which is often destructive and misleading. |
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By: ROTO 012
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2023-05-24 13:20:37 |
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The characters are very well portrayed. We were all very sympathetic towards the two victims right from the beginning. The small-town dynamics were excellently reproduced. The short chapters kept the reader captured. A great read. |
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By: CHCH 119
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2023-04-25 20:00:25 |
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Generally enjoyed with scores 4 to 4.5. Unpeeling of layers and interesting characters. A good book for our times. With scary reminders of social media, fake news etc. Court of public opinion stuff sobering. |
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By: CAMB 007
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2023-03-02 13:46:17 |
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Opinions varied on this book. Some found it predictable, others enjoyed it. |
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By: AUCK 058
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2022-11-23 18:29:49 |
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Most of the group thought that the book was slow to start but once the pace picked up it was a gripping read. The characterization was convincing and the twists and turns of the plot were deftly knitted together. We were interested to note the book was based on a true story adapted to a modern Australian setting. |
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By: CHCH 033
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2022-10-31 15:00:52 |
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We all thought it was a worthwhile read, and although many may not have chosen it personally we are glad it was on our list. Great discussion and all thought there were many twists and turns to it, so it kept us guessing as to who was at fault! |
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By: PIOPIO 001
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2022-10-29 17:00:55 |
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Some felt the book a bit 'contrived' but all really enjoyed it. A light and pacey read which generated good discussion. |
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By: AUCK 271
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2022-10-21 10:17:31 |
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This was a well crafted book and we felt it was well researched - when we were made aware of the historical event. Strong characterisations of very interesting characters, and the plot had surprises which kept us interested. We recommend this book. |
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By: SUTHER 001
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2022-10-12 12:57:56 |
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All but one of our group enjoyed this book. One thought it a bit 'dark'. |
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By: TAUR 053
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2022-10-03 11:29:38 |
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Very enjoyable, easy read. Entertaining if not particularly memorable. We would like more books of this kind! |
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By: TIMAR 008
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2022-08-29 10:36:20 |
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A very interesting book with links to the Canning affair. Enjoyed by all our members and a very good discussion. |
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By: NGON 002
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2022-08-29 10:35:14 |
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This book instigated a long and thoughtful discussion on fake news and its distribution. This included peoples' perception of 'facts', and how it is getting harder today to sometimes know what to believe. Also the effect of the media sensationalising events. A good evening! |
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By: ASHB 016
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2022-07-24 14:19:47 |
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Most of us enjoyed this book but found the storyline a bit far fetched in places. Still a good story - didn't pick the ending. |
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By: KATIK 004
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2022-06-29 11:40:36 |
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Easy read, not enjoyed by all but an interesting discussion. |
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By: TAUR 010
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2022-06-08 13:23:26 |
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This book was quite a change from those we have been reading lately and this was welcomed. However it was not universally enjoyed. The link with the English court case was cause for much discussion. |
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By: CHCH 481
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2022-05-05 15:24:17 |
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Lively discussion. A page turner, and an interesting look at social media. |
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By: FEILD 001
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2022-04-22 12:51:19 |
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Mixed opinions. Most felt this book did not engender the quality of discussion that most of our reads generally do. No one commented on the writing - most felt it a little 'limited'. Some felt that the characters were well developed enough. |
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By: WAIHEK 002
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2022-03-02 13:02:28 |
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Some of us really enjoyed it, others really didn't. Those that did thought it was an easy read, others thought the characters were terrible. A real mixed bag! |
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By: ROTO 015
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2022-03-02 11:29:30 |
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Good book. Some of us predicted the story finale early on, but a good read for all. |
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By: NELS 061
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2022-01-26 12:29:16 |
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Great book. |
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By: WESTP 006
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2021-10-26 13:55:12 |
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Half of us liked it and the other half had reservations, from memory!! We thought it started out well and had a very quick and therefore not so believable finish. We all liked the mother character, although none of us wanted to be in her daughter's shoes re caring for her. Everyone read the book, and the discussion was lively and brought up the damage that can be done via social media and the local interpretation and dishing out of punishment was also talked about. We Googled the original story which was interesting to everyone. |
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By: NELS 086
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2021-08-23 12:33:11 |
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Easy read, but a bit shallow. |
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By: WHAKA 020
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2021-06-30 14:19:23 |
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Plot a bit weak. A light quick read. |
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By: TIMAR 011
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2021-06-28 10:30:41 |
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All 10 of us read it. Nine enjoyed it, and rated it 4 or 4.5. Comments related to it being a quick, pacey and easy read, with well developed characters. One member didn't like it, and found it unconvincing and shallow. We talked about the original case (1750s), and the Josephine Tey interpretation (1940s).The 2020s version led us to a discussion of the impact of social media. We also thought the character of Ellie Canning was shown to have talent and opportunity in spite of her difficult upbringing, and thus avoided the issue of 'victim shaming'. |
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By: CHCH 312
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2021-06-16 14:33:30 |
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An interesting read - some of us picked the ending, some didn't see it coming. The 'mother' character was quirky. The realities of how manipulative people can be, and how an accusation can easily destroy people's lives in the court of public opinion is a little scary. |
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By: NELS 061
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2021-04-21 12:24:50 |
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Great book. |
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By: TAUR 035
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2021-02-23 14:20:21 |
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An enjoyable read. Easy to pick up and difficult to put down. |
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