Three Things About Elsie was not in the least uplifting. I found it extremely sad and depressing. I had to stop reading after 5-6 chapters.
I will not be reviewing this title on my blog as perhaps it just wasn't the right time for this read.
Will perhaps try it again another time.
Thank you for the review copy.

Part mystery, part reflection on aging, this was a fun/ light read with strong character development. Overall enjoyed this read.

If I figure out a twist right away, I can't really give a book more than three stars. I guessed most elements of the plot before they happened, so this felt like more of a slog than it should have. There were some bright spots though. I loved the main character, Florence; her fiery spirit was so inspiring and I love a character who's elderly. They have so much more perspective and no filter (and often don't care at all what people think). Right off the bat, readers are given clues that Florence might not be the most reliable of narrators, which is a fun aspect to keep the reader on their toes. I appreciated the main mystery that Florence is trying to solve, but like I said, I guessed what was happening pretty early on. There were also chapters from other side character's perspectives, and I felt like this dragged attention away from Florence's story. I wanted to like this one so much more than I did!

"Everyone's life has a secret, something they never talk about." Three Things About Elsie is a slow burning mystery!

This novel pleasantly surprised me with its quick wit and humor amidst a plot that is much more character centered. The tone was delightful and Cannon handles such important and often difficult discussions about age, life, difficult choices and the consequences of them with such respect, and with wonderful sentences. Several times I was impressed with her use of language to be able to express such precise and intense thoughts, feelings, and characterizations using just a few words. I was delighted by this book in every way.

This was such a beautiful story, that left a lasting impression on me. I enjoyed every step of the journey and will admit that I shed quite a few tears by the end.

Oh, how I loved Florence and Elsie! This is a wonderful book about old age, youth, friendship, and what loss feels like. The themes are so pertinent to some of the things I've been through in the past few years with my grandmother. The details matter throughout the story, emphasizing the power of memory and perception in such an incredibly moving way. Great read!

Warm, entertaining, humorous, touching, and cleverly written; this novel was a lovely escape and a wise meditation on memory, aging, and especially friendship. This was my first experience to Joanna Carson's writing, and an enjoyable experience it was.

What a fascinating and engaging story, told from the perspective of Florence, an 84-year old resident of Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. We join Florence after she has fallen in her flat and is waiting to be found, and what unravels, is a fascinating study in what it means to age. Florence has experienced a trauma, which has suddenly reared its ugly head, forcing her to confront things that she long since buried. What I truly enjoyed, was how the author weaved the stories of several different people at different crossroads in their lives, and sprinkled the story with connectors (that you almost miss if you aren't paying close attention) which highlighted the effect we can have on other lives without ever knowing it. The story unfolds in a way that draws you in with each chapter. The lesson I take away, is that a life lived with kindness will always matter. Aging is inevitable and we should always strive to help everyone retain their dignity and to help them find their place.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

5 stars isn't enough. I loved, loved this book. We met Flo and Elsie. They live in a assisted living facility called Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. They have separate flats but spend their evenings talking and drinking tea at Flo's. They have know each other since they were in children. We meet Miss Ambrose, who is the assistant at Cherry Tree. She has put Flo on probation for not leaving her room and taking part in group activities. Flo doesn't want to be moved to another nursing home. We first meet Flo when she has fallen and she's waiting for someone to help her. Flo has a problem with remembering things and Elsie is always there urging her to remember. A new person arrives. A man that they thought had died by drowning many years ago. Why is this man here and watching them? They set out to solve this mystery. Things start to be moved in Flo's apartment. Jack, another resident, is determined to help them. The group goes on a weekend trip and things start to get crazy. You will love Elsie and Flo. This book will make you laugh and cry. You will need Kleenex at the end. We all need friendships no matter what age we are. Well done Joanna. My favorite book for the year. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the advance gallery.

I actually didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, so I prefer not to leave a negative review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank-you Netgalley for providing me an advanced digital copy of Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon in return for my honest review.

Although it took me a little while to settle into Three Things About Elsie, once I did, I enjoyed it, very much. Above all else, it is a novel about friendship, but it is also about aging, fading independence, the fight to be heard, and those that support us during the best and worst of times. The novel begins with the main character, 84 year old Florence Claybourne, telling the reader the first and second things about her best friend Elsie. The third takes the remaining of the book for her to reveal. I figured it out soon into the book. I would have preferred to have been surprised, but knowing did not make the story less compelling. The story takes place in the Cherry Tree eldercare facility. Florence has fallen and is yet to be discovered by other residents or staff, and as time passes, Florence shares her story of how this happened to her, along with her interesting backstory and a mystery occurring at the facility causing her grief. Florence is also suffering from dementia, or something similar, making her a likable but unreliable character. This story touched every emotion and made for an enjoyable read. Recommended.

What a story! I just loved Cannon's latest book about Florence and her BFF Elsie - Wow! I found myself pacing myself with this story, because I just didn't want it to end. I loved being in this world and trying to figure out what was happening and befriending these amazing characters. This was truly an unforgettable read. I loved it!!

A very enjoyable book written by an author who I enjoy very much. It's a twisty tale of two friends and the paths they have travelled in their lives. Definitely worth picking up because Joanna Cannon has written a winner of book that will be enjoyed by all. Happy reading!

THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE by Joanna Cannon is truly a puzzling look inside the mind of an aging resident of Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. Flo and her good friend Elsie seem almost inseparable and Flo relies on Elsie to be that friend, to help maintain calm in times of stress and ... what is that third thing? Yes, Flo is often forgetful, but she is convinced that a new resident is actually a sinister figure from the past. Readers will be uncertain as to how reliable a narrator Flo really is – just look at the beautiful cover where an older woman almost blends into the background. The story in THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE is disturbing at times due to a strong atmosphere of suspense, threat and danger where a surprising, manipulative character appears and where items (elephant statue, binoculars, etc.) move or go missing. It may not seem so unusual, but here's the weird coincidence ... I went to the public library to borrow a print copy and while the catalog said it should be on shelf, no one could find it. Kirkus gave THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE a starred review ("rich portrait of old age and friendship") and it was longlisted for the British Women's Prize for Fiction. Cannon writes extremely well about people of all ages; her previous work is The Trouble with Goats and Sheep which is reviewed here: https://treviansbookit.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-trouble-with-goats-and-sheep-by.html

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Three things about Elsie has been on my TBR since the beginning of this year. I really enjoyed "Elizabeth is missing" so was looking forward to this read. The story follows Florence, an elderly woman living in assisted housing. A new resident has arrived and he triggers memories in a Florence's past: an unsolved crime. I felt the book began well, but then got a bit too slow and meandering. However, it's a touching portrayal of dementia and the effects of aging.

Really sweet book about friendship, trauma, old age and dementia. The author was good at keeping you guessing about certain things that were going on, which kept the book interesting. I found it a little slow in some places, but overall, I really enjoyed it. I loved the ending, which produced all types of emotions at once....satisfaction, joy and sadness.

For fans of Ms. Cannon's previous book and those who enjoyed A Man Named Ove. Interesting look at the elderly and the homes they are often placed in. Very enjoyable book and a quick read.

The author did an amazing job of showing the realistic struggles of aging and memory loss and of the power of friendship. This was a sweet read that was sad at times, but that made it all the more enjoyable.

Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon is a very highly recommended mystery set in a home for the elderly.
"There are three things you should know about Elsie. The first thing is that she’s my best friend. The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better. And the third thing...might take a bit more explaining."

Eighty-four-year-old Florence Claybourne and Elsie have been best friends their whole lives. Now they are both at Cherry Tree, an assisted living facility for the elderly. The novel opens after Florence has fallen in her flat and is waiting for someone to find her and help. While lying on the floor, she thinks about a secret from the past and reexamines her life. Part of her thoughts turn to recent events, including the new resident who may not be who he claims to be and may, in fact, be someone from her past who is out to get her now.

The main narrator is Florence, but the narrative perspective occasionally shifts to Miss Ambrose, an administrator at Cherry Tree, and Simon, the handyman. Florence is an unreliable narrator, although it may be due to her age, because she just can't remember all the facts. Her friend Elsie encourages her to concentrate and try to remember all the facts. Elsie is a constant, positive and encouraging friend to Florence. Florence can be opinionated and cantankerous as she talks to others, walks the readers through her daily movements at Cherry Tree, and tells the story of her past. The suspense builds as it appears someone is trying to make Florence look senile and make others doubt her observations.

The quality of the writing is excellent. The narrative moves at a steady pace, although the pace seems to pick up once the mystery takes an ominous turn. I appreciate the way facts are revealed as Florence is encouraged by Elsie to slowly prod her memory to recall events from long ago. There are some coincidences that may seem unlikely, but the longer you live, the more often it appears that surprising coincidences seem to happen. I also like the characters Cannon has created in Three Things About Elsie. The third thing about Elsie is remembered/answered, but not until late in the novel (although some readers may guess it earlier).

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Scribner.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/08/three-things-about-elsie.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2487003161
https://www.librarything.com/work/20557060/book/159167343
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