[NOVEL] Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason

Leave Sherlock Holmes alone ahaha

The widowed marchioness of Darling has successfully married off all of her children, and her son’s wife is the new marchioness—making her the dowager, and giving her absolutely no responsibilities. As a woman who was not born into the peerage, but, against the mores of Victorian London society wed Lord Darling in a love match thirty years ago, Lady Darling chafes at the restrictions of the gentility and is looking forward to her “retirement” to the country—at least until the grandchildren come along.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans for her. When an old friend implores her to sponsor her daughter into society, Lady Darling agrees. Not long after she commences with this project, Lady Darling and her charge, Miss Bedwith, attend a dinner party where a man is found dead.

Lady Darling, an aficionado of Sherlock Holmes (and friend of Arthur Conan Doyle) and Wilkie Collins’s work, dives into the investigation simply because she can.

During her investigation, she employs the assistance of her housekeeper and butler—the Josephs, who are also her close friends (another impropriety! being friends with servants!)—as well as her favorite modiste, Monsieur Claude—to help her track down clues to the killer. When the investigation takes her into the dingy streets of Seven Dials, she encounters a mysterious and dangerous man who seems to know an awful lot about her. Maybe too much. Still, even at her so-called advanced age of fifty, Lady Darling finds him interesting and titillating. But can she trust him?

Lady Darling Mysteries. Book 1

I would have edited some parts for sure.

Well, I really wish Arthur Conan Doyle would be left alone, but this author just stuck with the idea of making Lady Darlking into Sherlock Holmes wannabe where she often mentions his name. I could understand the sentiment, I really do, for example in times of something "trending" like the peak of fashion you can see the splurge in popularity of certain things, it's the same as trendy fashion nowadays. I have a basic example, when a manga about basketball like Slam Dunk became popular, there was a rise of basketball being the most popular among Japanese teens as a result (same with other popular manga and sports).

For example, when a certain book became popular it dictated a popular trend when it comes to genre, so you can see more dystopia, romantasy, books about vampires for the next few years.

I mean people could have copied a limp, because someone from a royalty had it and it was considered trendy.

But there is still a limit to how many times you can mention Sherlock in your story. Not to mention one thing is to just mention the fictional character, but the whole fantasy about our FMC being acquainted with ACD, not to mention the hint of Irene being a prototype of one of the characters i beyond the limit for me.

I don't like the use of real people in books. Of course it's harder to create an author for your own universe for reader to care, but others did it splendidly, I have no idea why Gleason decided otherwise.  And this is why I shaved off stars for that. 

I know historical fiction is possible without involving real people to this extent, as I previously reviewed Patrice McDonough who used some real events to her advantage, but did not impose too much on it.

Otherwise Lady Darling was an interesting woman of certain age. With her own perks of course.

She is 50 and her aching hip won't let you forget the fact.

She also fairs quite well for her age, but being of certain age I can relate to some of the things she says.

Though some of it does sound quite modern-thinking.

I'm not sure if author wanted us to remember how Lady Darling was once a travelling girl who crossed the seas and is so daring and saw/experienced a lot or we should see her version that also switches back to marchioness, although eccentric but quite haughty if you ask me, who knows her status and uses it to her advantage, even if it sounds snobbish of her.

By this I mean the fact that she decided to investigate the case, because she wants to and because she can (as if it's a common thing to do). I know some people might be upset because her approach and others act as if it's not something gruesome that happened. But actually not everyone mops around all day, especially people who were not close. This happens a lot more than you think. The only thing that is off-putting for real is how she calls herself intelligent and smart etc. Truly smart people don't do it. But the thing is she has no prior experience of solving cases, it's good this one was rather simple for her. Even if she absolutely excluded the work of Scotland Yard as inadequate (in attempts for it to sound like Sherlock Holmes) and after it was over considered her own work done brilliantly.

Another part is how she had no qualms in basically facing off everyone she suspects of doing it. It's like she interrogates people in public and asks all the questions and waits for the reaction. "Did you do it?" As a person with experience of reading people she might have done it, but again, she has no experience in solving cases. It'd be silly to wait and see whose facade will crack from unexpected questioning. In the end it was the conclusion of both murders that had a natural exclusion to help her solve the case, if it was just a singular case, who knows how long she'd waste on it.

I honestly liked the lively beginning and her eccentric personality, but then Conan Doyle appeared in a picture and she couldn't stop bringing him up. Not to mention she had some not appealing thoughts about other people around her. Even her ward - Priscilla Bedwith. Pris actually was also a bit annoying at the beginning, but then I realized it's a bit like a caricature and not a character with how she was scared of the feelings of her childhood friend and decided she will strive for a man with the highest title, this included her delulu as if she's going to be a sensation. As if she's supposed to be this young delulu girl. She also served as a constant reminder at first how different and shocking Lady Darling is.

The consequent haughtiness and the feeling of superiority and constant reminder "I'm brillian, I'm the smartest" also toned the excitement down. Which otherwise would have been a nice character.

The mystery itself was not that impressive. Maybe because it got lost at the constant mention of Holmes. If you isolate it, it might sound not that bad, but again it was overshadowed by everything else.

RATE: 2,75/5.

[NOVEL] Murder at the Mayfair Hotel by C.J. Archer

Why a character can't just be smart when sleuthing?

December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas Eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?

A Cleopatra Fox Mystery. Book 1

Fell flat. And I have a lot to say.

The plot is too obvious and also too convenient. A lot of forced parts. There is a biggest plothole in there. The establishment of characters is flat. And the main character despite impressive name did not impress me. Although a lot of things happened it left me with the feeling like I don't care.

Also the story is told from 1st person POV, which I dislike.

Let's dissect.

Part 1. Arrival. Character introduction. 

Cleopatra Fox is a "poor relation" of her uncle and aunt Ronald and Lillian Bainbridge. Here she finds out that uncle sponsored her for all these years and she had no idea (why establish this fact, who knows). Her two cousine Florence and Floyd are people who are the most basic youth among the wealthy, quite carefree and positive.

Cleopatra meets several main figures of the hotel that will play a role in the consequent development. The manager Mr Hobart, his nephew Mr Harry Armitage (whose father is a detective inspector of Scotland Yard). She also witnesses how Mrs Kethering, a housekeeper reprimands a maid Edith who wasn't supposed to go to 5th floor. I have no idea how more obvious you should be to establish that one of the characters has illicit relationship with one of the guests. 

I hope I didn't butcher their names, because this is how some of the characters are forgetful.

because Cleo is now part of the family she is given room to occupy on the 4th floor with the rest of the family. Her maid is called Harmony.

Part 2. Murder.

The one murdered is called Mrs. Warrick. We have to rewind back to introduction of this character. I had no idea how old she is actually, they say she is old enough. Cleo first met Mrs Warrick in passing in front of the lift, where Mrs Warrick turned back and commented to herself that "this person shouldn't be here". Meaning she recognized someone, but who for some reason couldn't be here in the hotel in her opinion. This is what I call convenent, it works for the story, but if we were in the universe that comment might mean nothing at all and can't be used as a solid lead, but will be used as such.

The other convenience that happens is that there are only 3 men that she could have talked about - Mr Armitage, Mr Hookly and Mr Duffiled.

This happened on Christmas Eve and the next morning Mrs Warrick is found dead, poisoned in her own room.

Honestly, if Poirot was here he'd crack this case in a nanosecond if I'm being honest, but what followed is what got on my nerves the most - the false lead. While to readers I think it becomes apparent who is at fault.

The circumstances of Mrs Warrick death: The door locked, found by maid Edith around 7 AM, all signs of poisoning, she did not dine the previous evening and only consumed hot chocolate (which was taken for testing). For a reader it becomes obvious that the two points of her recognition of someone and her death are connected. Which leaves three suspects, which can be reduced to one because of the two following scenes.

Part 3. Investigation.

It is known that police interviewed the staff and especially one footman who brought the chocolate. Now they need to establish what contained poison, time of death etc. All under the wing of Armitage's father who is brother to Manager Mr Hobard.

For some unknown reason, the above-mentioned maid Harmony asks Cleo to investigate. Absolutely no clue why, because Cleo just arrived, she had no prior cases to solve etc. Just because she is a relation and also does not believe the footman did it, or at least wants to prove the innocent.

What baffled me is how she discussed the details with all the staff, while being naively sure that none of them could have done it. Amateur mistake.

Now about the two scenes and why Mr Armitage couldn't have been the culprit but Cleo still took this false lead anyway.

Firstly, I was under the impression that Mrs Warrick stayed in the hotel not once. Proof: they talked about her "routines" about the time when she drinks her hot chocolate or tea, which means she stayed at this hotel several times and because Mr Armitage is a visible figure she should have noticed him on her prior visits if he was at fault. And Cleo followed this false lead for half a book, digging the past of Harry and actually exposing it to her uncle, which eventually led to his dismissal and she regretted it horribly, but honestly.. She felt so stupid at that time. Her leads were so flimsy, she thought that everyone would cover up for him (because of his relationship with his father). Anyway, her imagination got the best of her.

Edit:  I cam back to the book and found this quote, which proves why I was under the impression Mrs. Warrick was a regular:

"I was delivering her tea at seve this morning, as I have done ever since she arrived. She has a regular order, you see; tea delivered at seven by a maid, not a footman. She doesn't want men seeing her in her nightgown." Explained by Edith about Mrs. Warrick's usual order.

It felt forced because now Harry can do what he wanted to do, he found himself attracted to being a private detective type. Because the reason he was shifty and Cleo suspected him is that he was also trying to find who was steling the silver from the hotel. Honestly so forced just to make your two character do the investigative work later on.

Other two suspects:

Scene 1. Mr Duffield who dined with Cleo because she needed to ask him questions or at least hear his story of what and why. She finds he is dressed in worn clothes despite telling her he had an estate. Later we find out tha 1) he indeed lied about his estate; 2) he was a neighbor to Mrs Warrick; 3) he sold gossip to paper for a reward. None of which are a solid motive.

Scene 2. Smoking room with Mr Hookly. Again Cleo was just talking and hears a story from Mr Hookly that he just returned from Africa after selling his mine. She noticed he has no tan and was rather pale but thought he wore a hat *facepalm*. Later on she learns from the post that Mr Hookly receives a lot of parcels from different places. Very early on she also found that he orders from different places in bulks, without paying the bill, the only thing he has is a letter from some noble or smth.

It becomes obvious that he is a fraud. And they find out later that he is a fraud because real Mr Hookly died months ago. At least this is suspicious. I don't say the characters should have connected him to murder right away, would have been too much, but at least thought that guy is a fraud. Could have been connected to murder later. But no.

I don't deny that some of the suggestions by Cleo were solid. Because no poison was found in chocolate or in her items, meaning she somehow digested it. She found who ordered a portion enough for two. Even if it led to nothing, but it connected her and Mr Hookly who is not Mr Hookly. It also meant that someone from the staff was indeed responsible and the first to raise questions is of course - Edith, who found the body. Because the spare keys that could have been taken from senior staff were all locked and there was no sign of breaking, which means only maids could have done it. One who was also present when they discussed theories and what police found etc. Conveniently only later Cleo remembered the first meeting with Edith and Mrs Kethering. Connected it to the fact that fake Mr Hookly was living on the 5th floor where Edith was found. And when they all came to these conclusions Edith was nowhere to be seen.

If you put it together and put the pieces apart it's not a bad idea, but I just felt like the order to reveal things was odd.

Part 4. Conclusion.

Fake Mr Hookly was apprehended and his identity was out. He was a footman of real Mr Hookly and his idea was to get all the things and money and leave.

Edith was a woman madly in love (though honestly we don't care because it suddenly is revealed at the very end) and believed all those sweet nothings how they're going to be together. The reasoning of this fake Mr Hookly to involve Edith is a story that Mrs Warrick was his past lover who threatens his life and hers too, so she believed it's kills or be killed. We absolutely don't care as readers and it sounds ridiculous. Because Edith was a nobody among other staff so far.

Characters.

Honestly, I wish Cleo would give me more. She is quite basic to me. She is said to be intelligent, but one thing is to say rather than show. Same as when she mentions her parents and suddenly has tears in her eyes. Honestly, I couldn't care, there were no bits and pieces to showcase at least something that would make her emotions more vivid, like even if it's a jealousy of the warmth others have while she lost it and it'ss till raw as she says. Sometimes these moments were a miss, sometimes they hit.

She said she wanted to prove herself, well, she got ahead of herself too.

Mr Armitage who will be the main lead later is also not that interesting, sure described as handsome, but basically they have little interactions with Cleo and it's always different in her impression from good to bad. We had no idea he was investigating something just to make him suspicious. How do they manage to make a character present and so background at the same time.

The only thing that was nice to me is how united the staff were in the face of this incident, they wanted to solve it, they felt close, they were rather interesting.

Cleo's family is okay, instead of her worst nightmares they're pretty close to her, though I agree it feels weird that they were not present in her life for all these years, but now they're close and it might have been to do with her grandparents, but who knows, not explained, left for later..maybe.

Well, yeah, I don't regret just spoiling the whole thing, could have been better, but it is what it is.

I really need a smart female lead, but not someone who is too boastful.

RATE: 3/5.

[NOVEL] Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I was surprised to find it was such a fun read.

A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay...

Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend's engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist's knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.

Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she'll have none of that.

The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it's not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Manners and Monsters. Book 1

Alternative history where magic is present. Imagine timeline past 1812, war between England and France, Napoleon is defeated, but it all sprinkled with supernatural.

As a plan for England's demise from within a batch of snuff and facial powder was stopped from the spread among the ton, but part of it still foound its way to the vanities of aristocratic ladies, this is how few hundred people were cursed to die, but not be dead.

It took me a moment to realize that I'm reading about zombies while they're not called such in the book. Despite the cover being obvious haha It's just the angle this book takes on living dead is really interesting.

Back to the story. Since few years back all cursed were called Afflicted. New rules were made for them (like they can't legally marry since they can't produce a heir, they can't inherit etc. because they're practically dead), so there was a substantial shift in lives of many ladies who found themselves victims of such a vile curse. These are same women (and men) but their hearts don't beat, they live among others and some are obviously Afflicted, but others can be masked among others, it all depends on how well they're "fed". The point is, there is no full list of people who are Afflicted, the information can be acquired partially only through the supplier of "pickled cauliflower".

It's just to express few points in short, while the book to me was much more.

So Hannah's mother is one of the first Afflicted, since she is a mage (former, since her death), she partially siffered from the effects of this curse (decay), but her family works tirelessly to find how to reverse the process.

Hannah is the type of wallflower, her family is now nothing much, her mother is now in the past for others and her father stopped being a famous surgeon and concentrated on Afflicted and how to cure his wife. An exception among many men who either discarded their spouces or broke off engagements with loved ones who became Afflicted.

Then at the beginning of the book a murder happens and the victim was found with their brain missing, something only a deprived and very hungry Afflicted would do.

Viscount Wycliff is appointed to solve the case and also he was present at the scene. Hannah found herself tagging along because 1 - this topic concerns Afflicted and 2 - someone dared to spoil the engagement ball of her friend (honestly this is the worst part that was mentioned, because at the beginning it was said that they're great friends etc. although some of the details rubbed me the wrong way, but throughout the whole book no sign of her friend was present). Hannah found herself a mediator between those who were baffled by Wycliff's rudeness.

Having a list of people present at the ball the list of suspects is narrowed down. Some seem suspicious, but some feel as if they have no reason to commit anything.

You can read the Afflicted as an allegory to something else too. Because partially it does not directly comment on Afflicted, but while the two of our protagonists interview people we meet different women and listen to their different situation, like Mrs Albright, very much walking and talking but tossed aside by her husband for younger wife (I reeeaaally have a strong feeling that he might have found about the powder and used it to get rid of his wife, I have no proof, but the things he said). Like Lady Emma whose fiance ditched her, but her parents do everything for their child. Or mean Lady Gabriella whose outlook completely changed after losing the shackled of being preceived as a woman.

Although it felt like their stories won't mean much, but they still paint a full picture and an interesting take on how society treats those who may be walking and talking, but are partially cast aside.

It's not just a zombie apocalypse where zombies run the streets like mindless menace.

I found that the story is well-paced and well-balanced, it's not an info dump, we get to know about the curse and Afflicted step by step, our characters are not some all-powerful minds that got it all solved, because the study of Afflicted continues. A lot is laced through.

As for the relationship between the two main characters, I do not agree with peopel commenting that someone out of the two is in love with the other, totally don't agree. For the first half they almost loathed each other and later just found the company of each other agreeable enough, they have a long way to go. She finds him so because he may be the one to stir her mind. He is still broody like a heavy cloud, the fact that he finds more sides about her that are better among other women is a common trope. I would cut some of his parts to let him simmer a bit more and so they could develop more in later books, others did this too and  found it quite successful.

Overall was pleasantly surprised.

RATE: 5/5. 

[NOVEL] A Perilious Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

Why is this novel titled like that is beyond me, they never did any undertaking.

London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task--saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Ramsforth, accused of the brutal murder of his mistress, Artemisia, will face the hangman's noose in a week's time if the real killer is not found.

But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural-historian colleague, Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer. From a Bohemian artists' colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed....

Veronica Speedwell Mystery. Book 2

I would call this an adventure rather than a mystery, even if the sleuthing does take part of it, but honestly, I always feel so detached when reading this.. I'm saying as if I've read ten books and not simply two.

I actually finished it few days ago, but forgot to pour all my frustration out I suppose. So here it is.

Before proceeding with my annual criticism of Veronica and her antics, I must admit, I like Stoker as a character, he is the logic of this team, he gives more sound ideas and when it comes to action he is truly a man to rely on.

Some may point out that he gives way to Veronica a ot, but it does not look good for her that he is basically - let her do whatever she wants, because that girl is stubborn af.

Veronica is the Victorian adventuress-lepidopterist. She is stuck in England with Stoker because their planned expedition was cut short because their patron (and also the man who provides them with shelter) had broken his leg, so instead they use their services of cataloging everything the generations of this family collected.

When suddenly Lady C. asks Veroica to visit the Curiosity club with her where she meets none other than Lady Sunbridge, but who is also Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise.

She tasks Veronica to impossible, figure out the real murderer, because Princess Louise swears she knows the man did not kill his mistress.

I don't know how to feel about involving real people in novels and portraying them as you see fit, but basically Princess Louise is one insufferable ass, considering I think of Veronica the same, I guess it's a family trait then.

Veronica agrees for nothing else but the idea that she might meet her real bio dad, though she knows it's impossible. There are no real ties between Veronica and the man she tries to save, but they portray it as if she is going to do it, as if she suddenly has this just heart and she gives a damn about a man she never even saw in her life.

Soon things become apparent that there is something going on with the murder, because someone sends them a threatening letter not to dig into this matter, which sounded so stupid, the perpetrator could have as well proclaimed it at every corner. Of course this leads our duo to investigate the case with conviction that Ramsworth should be saved. My only matter with such books is that.. there is no feel of urgency, even if they had like a week for solving the case.

And again Veronica and Stoker are not pro sleuths, just both of them reading some detective stories they often mention is not enough. And it shows. They always have a great deal of suspects, but they fail to narrow it down.

The book doesn't make a secret of who did it because author can't help but mention several times that a certain character wore white so it removes them from the list of suspects. Which was the stupidest thing I've heard, because you can change. As it happened, I was right.

I have no idea how these two sleuths have read some books but forget one major point when it comes to solving the case - person of interest. We starts from closest people and those they were involved with. But it always baffled me how two protags just let it slide past them.

Anyway, we have a short but still a list of people we suspect. I found this part like other parts a bit forced, since the above-mentioned Louise did not think of being discreet and announced she gave the go to our main characters, and she said it among countless witnesses in the place which we'll shortly call Art House (which isn't its' real name of course), which lodges and connects people of the ton and artists.

So we have several people who act suspiciously or catch our attention, but was I disappointed with the outcome, surely I was.

The revelations that followed after we know the whodunnit moment were not impressive to me. Not impressed and don't really care.

As for the characters.

I already said that Princess Louise acted as insufferable b. She basically acted on emotions when they first met to make Veronica yield. Veronica called her bluff, which honestly is one great part about her character. Later she demanded things like report on progress and such, which honestly, you gave the task and gave nothing and thought it's going to be solved in two days or what? Lol might I add that she always said about friendship and loyalty and honor, but honestly, she wanted investigation more for herself imo, because her name was on the ledger, which was a prove that she visited the naughty grotto Ramsforth kept. And she knew he didn't do it because they were there when things happened, but no one could say a word about it.

Veronica doesn't change much from the first book, still stubborn to do her own thing, it's a bit wild how she basically was so THIRSTY in this book, but she was noticing everyone, not only Stoker. Honestly, the girl should have toned it down. It's like she notices every man, but still names them "male species". She is not giving them any respect, but is always ready to use their services. Maybe sometimes she had good moments, but often time I was simply so over with her antics. It always feels like she thinks she is above the rest. She talks so much about freedom, but I am mad at her for basically degrading other women, changes are not something that can be done in a day or two. And I will stand by my previous conviction that she is so freedom-loving for no one's sake. She helps no one. The fact that she is so free to do whatever she wants, how she flaunts her escapades and romantic relationships exists only for herself.

Also I always found it hypocritical how she "does not bed Englishmen", basically because she knows the consequences of that. She can be hush about it, but she basically confessed to multiple characters in this book that she is not a virgin and had multiple lovers.

Poor Stoker, he is stuck with this menace. He is a brooding man, but honestly he is gentlemanly in a good way, has some really good qualities and is always there for the rescue. I felt like I need more of him.

The rest of the cast is.. well, they're there, have no idea what was the point of some characters getting so much attention.

Now the mystery.

[ANIME] Saigo ni Hitotsu dake Onegai Shite mo Yoroshii Deshouka / 最後にひとつだけお願いしてもよろしいでしょうか (2025)

Or - May I Ask for One Final Thing?

Very light, easy on the eye, humorous take on villainess who actually beats everyone's ass. The story is pretty simple, but Scarlet as FMC of this anime is really refreshing. Let me elaborate.

SHE BEATS PEOPLE.

It's not ladylike, but SHE BEATS PEOPLE.

No one knows how frustrating it is to read about some annoying characters and the main character is always like - well, I can't do anything about it or not now. Or another set of female characters who are not keen on revenge through violence. But Scarlet is a different type of girl and this story allows her to drop those shackles that bind with basic development, instead she finds joy in hitting people because they're pieces of crap who deserve it.

The plot starts with the most basic scenes ever, where a second prince and Scarlet fiance declares that he breaks the engagement, after years upon years of Scarlet trying not to send this idiot and abusive scum into space, but he also dares to accuse her of things she never did. This was the last straw that finally unleashed what Scarlet wanted for all these years - give him a good beating.

The most refreshing moment of it all is how she also smashed the mistress, Terenezza, into her pretty face.

Delicious. PEAK OF CINEMA!! I can watch this forever.

Some may find Scarlet and her beatings quite fun at the beginning and might be bored by it, since it doesn't change. But hello?! Wouldn't it be weirder if she changed her ways suddenly, fistfight is her thing after all. And also every time she describes it differently, which adds to the humor of the scene. I mean the way she can delightfully laugh, while spinning someone around by their leg is worth some laughs. At least from me.

The story is simple, Terenezza is a person who can be considered a true villainess, with a power of goddess (where people can be blessed by gods in this universe) she strives to bring chaos to this world.

There are plenty of characters and it plays like a comical reverse harem, I think that was the aim, but I have no proof. Because most of the people are ridiculous.

I have no idea if Scarlet will ever get a second season, because the manga goes beyond that, but there is one thing I'd like to see as a trend in it.

Because the moment Scarlet admitted her feelings for the Prince Julius it felt more like plot needed it, it didn't look great or organic, it was more fun to watch her refusing his advances throughout the whole anime, because that guy is shifty af. At least if the girl ever falls for someone, she can acquaint the face of the person involved with her fists (as she demonstrated).

All in all, a very entertaining and refreshing watch. It gave me hope that there will be fun animes in this genre. 

[ANIME] Tamon-kun ima docchi? / 多聞くん今どっち!? (2026)

But isn't this anime quite dark? Also, first half, I might add more after I see the whole thing.

Tamon-kun tells a story of Kinoshita Utage who one day replaces another housekeeper at her part-time, but finds herself looking after her favorite idol sitting and rotting in a corner with lowest self-esteem and temperament polar opposite from what she had seen on the screen. Even Tamon-kun himself spirals the very first meeting, because he is disappointing her with the way he truly is. But Kinoshita is a die hard fan, so these things are not what is iportant to her, so while being his housekeeper she also tries to uplift him.

This anime indeed has a lot of comedy and it's hysterical, but it's also dark as fuck.

Let's start from very positive side, animation is done beautifully, it's bold and bright and beautiful, has a lot of humorous moments that are memable.

The music is amazing, considering this story has idol group they did not cut corners on making some good songs for the anime group F/ACE, performed by seiyuus. 

And yeah, the anime is about an idol group, but mainly its' member Tamon-kun and his housekeeper Kinoshita Utage while they both navigate his mood swings and personality. May not be for everyone, but I found it enjoyable, even when I see their personas on stage and spouting most cringe phrases imaginable (about it later).

As for the rest and what I mean by it's fucking dark, although it's all sparkles and sunshine on the screen. The anime makes light of it, by making it a comedy, but I see it as pitch black at times.

1. True face of idols. Me, watching 6 episodes of this anime I see that 3 out of 5 idols of F/ACE group have completely different personalities from what they show on the screen and some are to the point of being nasty. This is the part I always consider when I look at idol groups, because why can't it exist, it certainly can. And this is kinda scary in itself. Tamon-kun maybe the tamest of them all, but it's also dark if you dig deep. He's like the representative of all the idols who lose themselves in self-doubt and lose purpose, get so depressed they actually think about.. you know. When we find out about Ouri he also has a different personality, but partially it may be the result of his upbringing, although his temperament is nasty. So idols indeed are the idea, a fever dream and not a real person. To me it was always surprising that people eat this shit up. I mean it's obviously fake and sometimes it's obviously a fan-service, but fans will gobble it up. Same was shown here, like Tamon-kun and Ouri are teamed up for a bit of queer-baiting or how they act and what they say. Tamon-kun may be working hard on what to say, but in one of the episodes he clearly wrote a script, although heartfelt words he thought a lot about, but they're still a script. Interesting combo, right.

2. Parasocial relationships. This is also the cringe to me. When Tamon calls the fans "girlfriends" and fans eat it up, not leaving crumbs. To me this is beyond cringe. I was kinda surprised when I saw such behavior in real life, but this is how parasocial relationships are built. Idols act as if they're close to their fans through words, but fans take it so seriously that it's quite scary, like some honestly believe they can become something more than just a fan. They build this strong bond based on illusion and propel the group to success with support and sales. I know it's co-dependent relationship, but still. This is perfectly shown through Kinoshita, because outside of Tamon she has no life, at least we don't see it. Her room is full of Tamon-kun's cards and posters and all types of peripherals, while she also calls him god, prays to him and calls herself an 'otaku', meaning she's the crazier type (it is shown). To her Tamon-kun came as a savior (although we don't see much, they showed one incident of broken friendship, but maybe something to do with Kinoshita's temperament as well), but what she does is so obsessive, not only collecting everything related to him, but also having notes with everything he said in all of his shows.

Although we can laugh at it, because for others such behavior is crazy or silly, but another episode that is a good example is when Utage and her two schoolmates see news about idol seeing someone and they switch a mode dancing maniacally while we hear a word 'murder' on repeat, since they are ready to harm anyone who dares to be close to their idol. Because they consider the idol "THEIRS". meaning he belongs to everyone and no one in particular, he is not allowed to have a relationship, because otherwise they can't have a fantasy relationship with their favorite idol. Look this shit up, how many idols lost fans when they disclosed their relationships, some may even break up because of fans harassment.

3. Utage and Tamon. Now.. we know so far that Utage is an openly obsessive girl. To her all Tamon is good Tamon. She tries everything in her power to help him, but she also always remembers her place and does not cross teh line.

But Tamon becomes a different story. His obsession becomes darker. Borderline dark romance tbh. He spouts phrases like he wants her to continue to be his fan only, to never leave him, to never cheat on him. He also starts switching between his personas and he does this because he knows this will influence Utage, meaning him being manipulative. Like holy shit!

Honestly, this show may be fun, before you dig deeper. It makes fun of a lot of things, but claims to be comedy and romance, yeah right, I will believe if it's dark comedy and dark romance ahahaha

[MANHWA] The Divorcée's Dessert Cafe / 이혼한 악녀는 케이크를 굽는다

Well, this was a journey.

After nine miserable years of marriage, Erin de Brissia is thrilled when her husband, Duke Raymond Von Lebensberg, accuses her of infidelity as an excuse to be with his own lover. After signing the divorce papers, she uses the recipes from her late mother to open a dessert cafe and receives rave reviews. But when her ex-husband and his lover get wind of this, they’re set on sabotage. Will Erin ever be able to taste the sweetness of success, or is this divorcée doomed to disaster?

This was a basic story for one sitting.

Very cliche plotline, very cliche developing of some parts. Have some thoughts on the whole thing, especially the ending. Saw some comments I don't agree with (if you see the special chapters).

The very cliche part is that this is an arranged marriage to future heir of the throne, but who already has a mistress by his side. The Emperor did not allow this woman to be a future Empress, so this is the compromise. But who knew her husband Raymond would gallivate his mistress everywhere for nine years. After being framed by Serena (mistress) for another time Erin is forced to divorce her husband with nothing but leftovers of her dowry.

With the help of those money she opens a cafe in a more remote area, since she always liked baking and it was her dream. But more to me she liked the feeling of independence.

She thought she left it all behind but the vile mistress couldn't leave her alone and kept getting in her way.

Another cliche part is how Erin has a childhood friend, who was caught with her and what actually caused the scandal, but he was friendzoned quite early and disappeared. I think we don't see him as ML because when he had the chance to clear her name he didn't and we don't forgive mistakes (according to author), but honestly if you think about it, she was dirvorced on charges of infidelity and carried that infamy with her.

Another cliche part is how the ML is someone she knows, he belongs to Imperial family as adopted grandson, but his family is the branch of Imperial family so yeah.

He is an interesting fellow, he liked Erin for a long time and actually was sent away not to get too caught up in his feelings, so dude also paid his price for his feelings. Now hearing that she was forced to divorce he is back in the capital and is ready to get the girl. Not truly. He is very respectful of her wishes, even if he might seem a bit pushy at times.

Manhwa does not dwell or spend times on details, I forgot several times it had some fantasy element. Like Erin had the power to heal, even through her desserts.

Tbh this was a sudden turn, I wouldn't mind if she was just baking and it was a little cute story where she travels with a newfound love to his realm, but no, we have to add the basic stuff where the mistress Serena has to try and frame Erin more and more times before she finally gets caught up in her own shit.

Same for her former husband, so greedy for power that he was ready to do anything. Blind to the decisions of others, that he could have just laid back and waited for his throne to arrive, especially if he listened to what was said to him by the Emperor.

Serena and Raymond have such a cliche ending tbh, like she betrays him, because she didn't get what she wanted from him - throne. And he also got caught up in his struggles and is exiled.

Back to FMC. She spent 9 years of loveless marriage and opened a cafe. She has her strong opinions and can take care of herself. Calix happened to be there to uplift her in what she's been doing. He has his own conflicting stance where he wants her for himself, but also can't confine her.

Like some say her baking is her dream and she literally dropped it for a guy, but I do not agree. Baking is more like manifestation of doing what you want and Calix unlike previous Raymond is capable of giving her all the freedom and trust in their relationship, something she never received previously, even if her status changes from baking to the Empress. Also her cafe was still going on through other people, so the legacy was kept afloat. Not to mention their extra chapters show that it was quite significant they had a daughter with both powers from their parents and she is the sole heir, despite being a girl.

But in general because the story was so galloping it felt quite shallow. I even type here right now so I won't forget it in five minutes. And I am capable of that. It's quite sweet for a quick read, but honestly... I don't know what I should be waiting of it. From one side it's sweet and cute, but from another it felt like some parts were just glossed over. Like very background conflict, or poisonous demon venom etc. But we can't have that in a cooking manhwa. 

Also, I still don't like gourmet, I skipped all those parts about cooking and desserts. And ten times when someone says it brings you joy. For a change I wanted someone to cry.

Anyway, that's how this story went. I even included most of the spoilers here. But who cares.

But she always cooked with her hair down, it bothered me a lot!