Cover Image: The Night in Question

The Night in Question

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The Night in Question takes place a few months after the crime that took place in The Agathas was solved. This time we start off at a Sadie Hawkins' Dance at Castle Levy. Of course, it's stormy outside and things get tense quickly. One of Alice and Iris' classmates is assaulted and ends up in a coma. They did see their classmate standing over her with the weapon that was used, but that's too simple of course. I loved that we started this book off on a dark and rainy night.

Alice and Iris have a feeling things don't feel right and they don't think Helen was the one that was behind hurting Rebecca. This was such an entertaining mystery, because this also uncovered a lot of town secrets and what happened to the film starlet Mona Moody. I love that this was intertwined with everything happening in the present.

This crime solving duo couldn't be more different, but they're also more alike than they seem. The friendship they've formed is something both of them really need in their own way. I love their group of friends and how all of them participate in their own way. Alice and Iris also go through some character growth in this one and it definitely added an extra emotional element to The Night in Question.

I haven't personally read any Agatha Christie novels yet, but I love the quotes from different things at the start of each chapters and how both girls talk about these stories throughout the book. All in all, I enjoyed The Night in Question a lot and I hope this author duo brings us more cases.

My review will also be published on https://thebookdutchesses.com on April 27th.

Was this review helpful?

"The Night in Question" by Liz Lawson and Kathleen Glasgow is a poignant and powerful exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complexities of human emotions. This collaboration between Lawson and Glasgow weaves a narrative that is both harrowing and hopeful, showcasing their unique ability to capture the raw essence of their characters' experiences.

The novel delves into the lives of two protagonists, each grappling with their own devastating pasts and the aftermath of a singular, tragic event that connects them. Lawson and Glasgow masterfully portray the intricacies of grief, guilt, and the search for forgiveness, making their characters' journeys resonate deeply with readers. The narrative switches between perspectives, allowing a comprehensive insight into the emotional landscapes of the protagonists, making their pain, struggles, and eventual healing palpable.

The writing style is both elegant and accessible, with Lawson and Glasgow employing a language that is rich with emotion and imagery. Their skillful handling of such sensitive topics is commendable, offering a narrative that is not only engaging but also thought-provoking. The authors do not shy away from the harsh realities of their characters' situations, yet they manage to infuse the story with moments of tenderness and hope.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its character development. The protagonists are fleshed out with such depth and complexity that they feel incredibly real. Their flaws, fears, and desires are laid bare, allowing readers to connect with them on a profound level. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, adding layers to the narrative and contributing to the protagonists' growth.

The pacing of the novel is deliberate, with Lawson and Glasgow taking their time to build the story's emotional core. This slow burn might not appeal to all readers, but it is essential in creating a meaningful and impactful reading experience. The culmination of the protagonists' journeys is both satisfying and heart-wrenching, leaving a lasting impression.

Was this review helpful?

it sucks to say that i actually never fully got around to finishing this book. unlike the first book (which i loved), this one was kinda slow pacing to me and felt like a drag. i’ll try to pick this book up again soon

Was this review helpful?

One of my favorite movies is the 2007 Emma Roberts film, Nancy Drew. This book is so reminiscent of that movie that it's a little insane (in a good way).

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Agathas. The Agathas was one of my favorite summer reads of 2022, and this was a welcome continuation to the amateur sleuths, Alice and Iris. This sequel did a good job of reminding the reader what happened in the first book, without completing retelling.

I enjoyed the slight romances in the first book and felt that was missing a little bit in this book. The character of Cole felt stunted throughout this book and almost like an afterthought, when it felt like he was going to be a bigger role in the beginning.

I had a lot of fun with this book!

Was this review helpful?

Get ready to dive into my latest obsession—the Agatha series, where it's all about quirky crime-solving and a duo that's redefining the term "misfit magic." Meet Alice and Iris, two girls on opposite ends of the social spectrum who channel their inner Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple to crack cases wide open. Alice, with her high-society background and a penchant for keeping emotions under lock and key, meets her match in Iris, a warrior with a heart of gold, fighting for justice after turning her own life's lemons into lemonade.

This round, the dynamic duo tackles the near-fatal mishap of their classmate, Rebecca Kennedy, which might just tie back to the decades-old mystery surrounding movie icon Mona Moody's dramatic demise. Picture this: a glitzy dance at Levy Castle turns chaotic when a fashion faux pas escalates into a full-blown catfight, only for Alice to stumble upon a bloodied Rebecca in a scene straight out of a classic whodunit.

With the castle locked down by a mudslide and suspicion swirling, Alice and Iris put their detective hats on. Despite the local law's side-eye (looking at you, Officer Thompson), these girls are on a mission, weaving through a web of clues that might just link back to a scandal from the 1940s.

In a tale where every twist is more gripping than the last, I can't help but cheer for Team Agatha and admit a soft spot for Iris. If you're craving a mix of mystery, history, and high school drama served with a side of sleuthing brilliance, then look no further. The adventures in Castle Cove are just getting started, and I'm here for the ride—bring on more of Alice and Iris's escapades!

Was this review helpful?

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Was this review helpful?

I love a good who did it book. This was good and kept my attention through the whole book. I loved the Agatha Christy references. I read the first book and loved. I loved this one too!

Was this review helpful?

Even though this is a YA book and I'm an adult, it was really good! Definitely Agatha Christie inspired and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. Alice's best friend Brooke was murdered in October and there is another crime involving the kids they know. I do wish I had read The Agathas first as I really want to know the back story about Brooke and how that was all resolved. The characters were likeable and relatable and this was a great mystery.

Was this review helpful?

While I know I am not necessarily the target audience for this book, I can't even lie and said I didn't enjoy it.

I didn't read the first book in the series and I did not notice that it was in fact a series (I saw Agatha Christie and jumped on it), so I am going to look into getting my hands on a copy of that first book.

I loved how things were intense at the beginning but then we saw the story slowly start to unfold throughout, and the pacing was very well done. The atmosphere was also extremely enjoyable, with the setting of Castle Levy at the beginning being a personal favourite.

I won't lie, the dialogue was a bit off at times, it kind of felt like adults trying to speak as teens and trying too hard, It made me internally cringe a little bit but honestly I had no problems overlooking it.

Was this review helpful?

Alice Ogilvie and her tutor Iris Adams have solved the murder of Alice's best friend Brooke Donovan. And so when they witness a murder at Levy Castle, they pool their resources to solve another crime. Together with Agatha Christie and several friends, the girls uncover clues. They also uncover an unsolved death from the 1940s that's probably related. Can they solve both crimes before their friendship unravels or they're charged as criminals?
I like the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They helped me connect to the story.
There are quite a few characters to keep straight. I wonder if I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the first book in the series.
And Alice is an entitled brat. She skips school whenever she wants and does whatever she wants, including hurting her friends.
I did like Iris and found myself wishing she could choose a different friend.
The mystery is a little complicated. Some of the details are revealed in a muted way and some revelations feel rushed.
I appreciate the thought and effort the authors put into this book. It's not a story that resonates with me, though, and I wouldn't read more books in the series.
Note: content includes emotional, physical and verbal abuse, some strong profanity and light sexual innuendo

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to read the sequel to The Agathas. I was excited from where it had left off, and this did not disappoint at all. Alice and Iris are messy complex teenage girls who you root for the entire way through. It felt like Alice got her own emotional arc in this book where as the first one focused more on Iris and the situation with her father. I love the multi formats of these books, and the intertwining mysteries of Mona Moody and Kennedy were so well balanced between the two. You could tell as like the first one where the loving homage to things in the book were coming from, but those elements were still fleshed out enough to stand on their own. I would truly read a million books in this series, since it feels like a modern girl detective, Scooby Doo type story in all of the best ways. You can tell how much both of these coauthors love this genre and that gentle care comes through in every aspect of the story.

Was this review helpful?

We were excited to get this in our library for all of our "Agathas" fans. Alice and Iris are back, bonding further over mystery solving, relying on their friend group, and stirring things up in their little elite town, Castle Cove. This time they are solving two cases at one time - something old and something new. Readers should start with Agathas 1 before they jump into #2, in my opinion. I thought this was another solid read from Glasgow and Lewis, and while I figured it out fairly early, most teens are probably not going to see it (or will second guess). The characters are fun and the writing makes it worth the read.
Thanks so much for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I really adored the first book in this series. I thought it was well-written and mysterious and I rooted for the characters. It made me excited to continue the series. When I picked up this book, I was excited to be taken on a whirlwind journey back into this world but I could spot the killer from a mile away. I mean I truly think it was given away almost instantly. It sucked the joy out of reading this. Don't get me wrong I believe Glasgow and Lawson are wildly talented writers but I do believe the mystery of this one doesn't compare to the first in the Agathas series.

Was this review helpful?

While I didn’t love this quite as deeply as I loved book one, I still am a huge fan of Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson’s teen detectives. Iris and Alice are deeply flawed, deeply relatable and so easy for me to love. This mystery once again involves a rich, popular girl being attacked, but it smartly ties into a decades old mystery. My biggest complaint is I wish the quirky friend group had more page time. I love Spike, Neal and Zora a lot. Still, Neal really got to shine when he was around, and Spike had some very sweet moments. Plus, I did appreciate seeing the girls work through the trauma they faced in book one. These authors are really great at writing the messiness of teenage girlhood. Also, I will never complain about Alice showing up law enforcement over and over.

Was this review helpful?

I am so in love with this series and The Night in Question was such a great follow up to The Agathas. A castle, an unsolved murder from the 1940s, and a current case all culminate in Alice and Iris coming together to do what they do best! I recommend this to any mystery lover, despite the YA rating.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to return to Castle Cove! Alice and her crime solving posse, with newcomer Iris, are such a treat to read. Easy and quick and ever engaging, this sequel to "The Agathas" was just as entertaining to read. The tie-ins to Agatha Christie novels are so innovative and Kathleen and Liz are a powerhouse team. I loved it. 4/5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher for a Netgalley of this sequel.

I really enjoy this series. I like the characters. I think the cases are well thought out. This case is an extensive one going back into generations of chaos. Iris & Alice are still figuring out their friendship and their want to solve cases. We get more of a glimpse into Alice's family this book, which I liked as well.

My biggest qualm with this one was the length felt a bit much. It felt a bit draggy in the middle.

But I am hoping for a book 3!

Was this review helpful?

I had such high hopes for this book because I loved "The Agathas" so much but I have to say, I was slightly disappointed. I felt that the book was too long and offered a lot of unimportant details that didn't really add to the story, but only made me more confused.

The feeling I had while reading this was very similar to what I felt while reading the final installment of 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' -- these teenagers have no business trying to be detectives and while I know this is a work of fiction, it just felt so unrealistic.

I think that it started off really strong but as the book went on and the story got a little weirder, a little less believable, and a little more twisted, I started to lose interest. I didn't really care about Mona Moody or the men in her life - it wasn't important to me; I didn't like how it all tied back to Rebecca Kennedy's attack - it felt like a stretch.

My thoughts can be summed up by saying this; "The Night in Question" felt like it jumped the shark way too early in the series. I loved The Agathas so much and I really wanted to love this as well. I do think if the authors write another installment, which the ending was set up perfectly for a third book, I will read it because I feel committed to these characters.

I have to say that the writing was really great; I just kind of wish the book went in a different direction. I do think that if you loved The Agathas and are curious about where Iris and Alice ended up you'll want to read this but just manage expectations

Was this review helpful?

The Night In Question is the second book in a series which I did not realize until I started the book. I was able to easily read this without reading the first book. I am not the typical age group targeted by YA but I enjoy a good story. Loveable characters who use the methods of Hercules Poirot and Miss Marple to solve mysteries!

Was this review helpful?

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

Was this review helpful?