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Tricia D. (Woodland Hills, CA)
The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
This was really my kind of book! I loved the unique characters and their problems while mixed along with the historical facts of London Tower itself. There was everything in this book I needed: romance, humor, mystery, empathy, slapstick, and even anger. Being an animal lover, the tales that were provided about the animals themselves, helped attach me to the story even more. If you're looking for something a little different to read, this book is a MUST!
Ann D. (CLEARFIELD, PA)
Ever After
Julia Stewart has wrapped the sadness of Bathazar and Hebe Jones' personal loss in what I found to be a fairy tale for grownups.
The Tower provides the backdrop for this story. Its staff and their families live is the spotlight of hundreds of daily tourists and the haunting presence of its former residents.
Beefeater Jones and his wife live with a one hundred eighty-one year old tortoise. One day the wife leaves and ever-so-slowly the tortoise does, too.
The Tower Menagerie is re-established by the Queen, who sends her many exotic animals there. Some of the towers new inhabitants go missing, some roam freely, some terrorize, and others befriend their caretakers.
'The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise' provides a great deal of humor. Each page has you wandering with all of the exotic characters as your guides.
Nancy D. (West Chester, PA)
A Breath of Fresh Air
Take a cup of tea or a glass of wine, settle into your favorite chair, and be prepared to lose yourself in a wonderful little book. This book will make you want to skip your commitments so you can read another chapter, and then you will want to visit the Tower to soak up the atmosphere.
Sarah H. (Belford, NJ)
The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise
This is a very charming novel! Each of the quirky characters has his or her own storyline and the writer has you routing for them all. This book will make you smile, and quite possibly giggle, while reading it, but also will tug at your heartstrings. I highly recommend it!
Michael P. (San Marcos, CA)
A delight in every way
A fantastic story told by a very talented writer with a gift of picking ideal adjectives. To wit: "capacious nostrils" and "mouthful of humiliation" -- and that's in the first 10 pages. I wish I could pay a visit to Ms. Stuart's Tower!
Julie B. (Menomonee Falls, WI)
The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and very moving story about the residents of the Tower of London. The author keeps us amused with the quirkiness of the characters and weaves fascinating historical facts into a heartwarming love story about overcoming horrible loss. This book touched my heart and my funny bone.
Linda K. (Belvidere, IL)
Don't Miss!
"The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise" is one of the most creative and entertaining novels I've read since Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. What a delightful way to learn about another place in the world while being fully entertained. Ms. Stuart provides a full description of each character and invites us to join "the party", and what a party it is! Be quick like a rabbit to get this one!
Suzanne G. (Tucson, AZ)
Love, Love, Love
This is a great book. Not knowing about the Tower of London, I learned so much. The characters are wonderful. I had two or three laughs per page. This was such a pleasing read. I have to disagree with one review: I found no repetitiveness of phrases within the book. But then, I was enjoying myself so much my criticism took a back seat!