What readers think of One Puzzling Afternoon, plus links to write your own review.

Emily Critchley's "One Puzzling Afternoon" is a captivating journey through time, mystery, and the enduring complexities of friendship. The novel delicately explores the intertwining lives of Edie Green and Lucy Theddle, creating a narrative that is as poignant as it is mysterious.

Set in the evocative backdrop of 1951 on Sycamore Street, the story introduces us to fifteen-year-old Edie, a character painted with the brushstrokes of loneliness and a yearning for something beyond the ordinary. Critchley skillfully crafts the atmosphere of the era, immersing readers in Edie's world of eccentricity and isolation.

The heart of the narrative beats with the friendship between Edie and Lucy, a connection that promises an escape from the mundane. However, beneath the surface lies a secret, a hidden thread that adds a layer of complexity to their bond. The disappearance of Lucy Theddle becomes the pivotal moment that propels the story forward, leaving readers with a sense of intrigue and anticipation.

The seamless transition to 2018 reveals an octogenarian Edie still grappling with the events of the past. The author masterfully intertwines the timelines, skillfully navigating between Edie's teenage years and her elderly self. This dual perspective adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to witness the enduring impact of choices made in youth.

At the heart of "One Puzzling Afternoon" is the character of Edie, a protagonist whose emotional depth resonates with readers. The portrayal of aging and memory loss is both tender and realistic, capturing the challenges faced by Edie as she grapples with the elusive memories of the past.

The mystery surrounding Lucy Theddle is a well-crafted puzzle that keeps readers engaged until the final pages. Critchley expertly parcels out clues and revelations, creating an atmosphere of suspense and curiosity. The sense of urgency as Edie endeavors to uncover the truth adds a layer of tension, making the novel a compelling page-turner.

Critchley's prose is rich and evocative, painting vivid images of both the 1950s and contemporary small-town life. The exploration of themes such as friendship, secrets, and the passage of time adds layers of complexity to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read.

In "One Puzzling Afternoon," Emily Critchley has crafted a novel that transcends the boundaries of time, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring nature of friendship and the impact of untold secrets. This is a mystery that not only keeps you guessing but also tugs at the strings of your heart.

One Puzzling Afternoon was just what I was hoping for. It was a mystery with a lot of heart, and it was truly unique.

First of all, the narrator of this story is an elderly woman who has a lot of “mix-ups” in her mind. As the reader, you have a lot of suspicions about what that might mean, but you don’t find out about any diagnosed condition right away. As you jump back and forth between Edie’s memories and her present day, you learn more about her and her family, and the way her memories slip.

Have you heard the term “unreliable narrator” in books? It’s a concept we went over quite a few times when I was in school getting my degree in English. If done well, it can add a lot to a story. In this case, it really added to the mystery for me. The flashbacks are really vivid and detailed in her mind, then present times get more muddled as the book goes on. How much can you really trust her thoughts and her memories, which are what you’re immersed in? This concept really made the mystery elements pop for me.

Plus, Edie can tell her muddles are getting more frequent and it becomes kind of a race against the clock to figure out what happened to Lucy before the forgetfulness takes over her thoughts.

Not only is the mystery exciting as you get closer to figuring out what happened to Lucy so many years ago, but the author really managed to add heart to the story. It’s really not just a mystery, but instead it’s a story of a family and their very much loved mother/grandmother having memory problems. It adds this really important second layer of family and heart to the story.

Overall, I really liked this book! The mystery was captivating, the characters hooked me, and I looked forward to reading this every day to find out what was going to happen. I recommend picking this one up! 4 stars.