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jacquihertz's review against another edition
5.0
A novel adaptation of Agatha Christie's play of the same name. The plot twists kept me guessing especially near the end, and Clarissa is a simply delightful character. One of my favorite Agatha Christie characters so far.
jenreads1026's review against another edition
4.0
None of the major AC characters. An entertaining mystery with clever characters - I didn’t enjoy the storyline with the husband. He did have a part in the play that setup some of the reactions so he wasn’t all that bad.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
I read Spider’s Web, the play by Agatha Christie because I had tickets to go see it performed at Princeton University. The play was funny, lots of humor, and light-hearted for a murder mystery. The female lead, Clarissa, was a great character, engaging and making the reader root for her success in all of her machinations. The plot did not feel as complex as some of Christie’s other work and it is my understanding that this play was overshadowed by The Mousetrap and is Christie’s least performed work. I did enjoy reading it and seeing it performed.
lcy_rose's review against another edition
5.0
Someday I hope to see this live. But it is a delight of a play, and I love the main heroine. She is hilarious and delightful.
(Also props to discussion of child mental health.)
(Also props to discussion of child mental health.)
dan1066's review against another edition
4.0
I read this play; I've never seen it staged. If I were reviewing a staged version, I'm sure I wouldn't have this one complaint, which, I admit, is rather petty. Agatha Christie cripples the dialogue with blocking notes. Was she aware a play's director is capable of making these decisions? Somehow, someway, Shakespeare plays are staged and there's no blocking notes within his text. (The writer gets up, pours a glass of water in kitchen sink LC, then returns to desk RC) The continual description of character movement inserted in their dialogue became rather annoying after a while. (The writer gets up from desk RC and moves to French doors C) It's like, damn Agatha, let the director direct the play--just provide the dialogue.
As for the play itself, it's rather amusing. Though they are stereotypes, I enjoyed the character portrayals. I could readily see (even with the stage directions) how this play would work well with a live audience. There's a lot of humor and Christie keeps the pace moving forward. I also enjoyed the character Clarissa's continual knocking on the fourth wall by alluding to plays or detective novels as the action on the stage becomes more incredible and unbelievable.
All in all, a good play for what it's designed to do: To entertain.
As for the play itself, it's rather amusing. Though they are stereotypes, I enjoyed the character portrayals. I could readily see (even with the stage directions) how this play would work well with a live audience. There's a lot of humor and Christie keeps the pace moving forward. I also enjoyed the character Clarissa's continual knocking on the fourth wall by alluding to plays or detective novels as the action on the stage becomes more incredible and unbelievable.
All in all, a good play for what it's designed to do: To entertain.
jenny_king's review against another edition
5.0
Another one crossed off my list, and as ever enjoyed the various twists and turns. I will also say that I absolutely adored the ever hungry Pippa and Clarissa with her port competition. Fantastic characters!
leighannsherwin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the silliest mysteries I ever read. Based on a play by Agatha Christie, it revolves around moving a newly discovered body around the house. It kept me wondering what could possibly happen next, but was so much fun to read. Not wanting the police to find out the body moves around and turns up in the most unusual places. A different yet fun mystery I'm glad it was turned into a book as it certainly helped brighten my day.
tavleen_words's review against another edition
4.0
I found this mystery by Agatha Christie very intriguing. Clarissa is certainly an interesting character. She tells a lot of lies to prank people which leads to them not believing her when she actually tells the truth. The ending was definitely not what i expected.
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