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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I read this because I want to watch the series with Bill Nighy. Between the massacre of The ABC Murders and the....uh, whatever the Limehouse Golem was, I don't know why I'm doing this. Other than the fact that Agatha Christie is a comfort read.
This one wasn't my fave, not going to lie. Far more in the heads of the characters than a lot of her books where there are interviews with lots of dialogue. Neither Phillip Durrant nor Arthur Calgary are as engaging as Poirot, Marple, or Tommy & Tuppence. Even so, very interesting to see how the book came together, and it will be interesting to see how a movie version would be constructed because see above about ALL THE THOUGHTS.
Warning: If you thought you'd get through this one without Christie making an ethnic slur, oh you are so wrong. Le sigh.
Another warning: OMG if you are adopted, you may not want to write this book. I don't know how Christie personally felt about adoption, but the characters in this book are simply horrible on the subject.
Yet another warning: The characters have a fun prejudice against "foreigners," too.
Fun times. All of our faves are problematic. Every last one of them.
This one wasn't my fave, not going to lie. Far more in the heads of the characters than a lot of her books where there are interviews with lots of dialogue. Neither Phillip Durrant nor Arthur Calgary are as engaging as Poirot, Marple, or Tommy & Tuppence. Even so, very interesting to see how the book came together, and it will be interesting to see how a movie version would be constructed because see above about ALL THE THOUGHTS.
Warning: If you thought you'd get through this one without Christie making an ethnic slur, oh you are so wrong. Le sigh.
Another warning: OMG if you are adopted, you may not want to write this book. I don't know how Christie personally felt about adoption, but the characters in this book are simply horrible on the subject.
Yet another warning: The characters have a fun prejudice against "foreigners," too.
Fun times. All of our faves are problematic. Every last one of them.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Engaging enough to finish, but I would not recommend it. The book’s strength is in its investigations of the motives and stories of each of the suspects, but it’s not impressively strong there either. Some weird ideas about adoption (e.g. that it’s never as strong as blood ties), heredity (e.g. some of the adopted children having bad genes that made them bound to turn out badly), maternal instincts, and women (e.g. vicious and mainly desiring a husband). The conclusion to the mystery felt overly dramatic and also underwhelming—not a good combination. Hopefully the next Christie book I pick up will be much better.
No one writes a locked room whodunit like the queen of mysteries and she's done it again!
Filled with suspense and intrigue, this book kept me guessing and turning the pages. I loved how there were clues scattered throughout that I didn't catch until they were pointed out during the reveal, which made this an even more effective puzzle.
There was a great cast each with a possible motive and opportunity, wonderful storytelling that kept the reader hooked, robust commentary about human nature and the justice system, and an ending as satisfying as the reveal.
All in all, a most excellent read throughout!
Filled with suspense and intrigue, this book kept me guessing and turning the pages. I loved how there were clues scattered throughout that I didn't catch until they were pointed out during the reveal, which made this an even more effective puzzle.
There was a great cast each with a possible motive and opportunity, wonderful storytelling that kept the reader hooked, robust commentary about human nature and the justice system, and an ending as satisfying as the reveal.
All in all, a most excellent read throughout!
Read the complete non-spoiler review of the book in my book blog. Link : https://bookbugworld.com/review-ordeal-by-innocence/
dark
hopeful
mysterious
My first experience reading an Agatha Christie novel. Of course, it lived up to the reputation. Very timeless, well written, great pace -- quite enjoyable.
Aww Calgary got his happy ending. Normally would have been a bit annoyed with how it ended but it was just so sweet. And the mystery made a lot of sense. Rounded up from 4.5 stars because of some weird ideas about adoption but that was the time period I guess.
Interesting premise. I did not guess the murderer.
Such a strange ending but it all made sense. Sometimes I found the chapters repetitive but knowing it’s a Christie novel written later in her life does play a part in that but overall I was entertained.
Two years after the death of Jacko Argyle, imprisoned for the murder of his wealthy adoptive mother, geologist Dr Arthur Calgary returns from a polar expedition to discover he held the key to proving his innocence. He admits to the police that the alibi Jacko provided was true, and he could not possibly have committed the crime.
Calgary makes a difficult visit to Jacko's family to tell them the truth, convinced they will be relieved that he was innocent, but the response he receives is unexpectedly dour. Having believed troubled Jacko was guilty, they are now forced to confront the fact that another among them must have murdered Rachel Argyle.
As the police reopen the case, admitting they may never find out the truth, the members of the Argyle household eye each other with ever increasing suspicion. Guilt-stricken for the trouble he has brought to their door, Calgary is determined to find out the truth...
So begins a slow-burn stand-alone Christie tale that has her at her psychological best. Who really murdered philanthropist Rachel Argyle, and why? With bad boy Jacko shown to have been elsewhere, it must be one of them... Was it her husband, Leo; one of her adopted children, Mary, Mickey, Hester, or Tina, all from disadvantaged backgrounds; the faithful nurse/companion, Kirsten; or the Leo's secretary, Gwenda, who is in love with him? Two years having passed, and the trail of evidence as cold as can be, will they ever know, and will the innocent ever be able to rid themselves of the taint of guilt?
Calgary stands as the sleuth of the piece. With the logical brain of a scientist, and the occasional help of the quiet Superintendent Huish, Calgary starts by questioning the Argyle's solicitor Mr Marshall and the local doctor Dr MacMaster, moving on to the family and those connected with them. He soon begins to see that all was not quite as rosy in the Argyle household as it seems, and most them had murky motives to do away with their controlling wife/mother/employer.
Christie, at the top of her game, gives you a glimpse into the minds of the characters alongside Calgary's efforts, creating lots of red herrings as their true feelings, suspicions, and actions the night of Rachel's death are revealed. The twists and turns are quite brilliant, driven by the legacy of dysfunctional relationships, and as the Argyle household falls apart, the tension ramps up, and more bodies start to fall. Fortunately, Calgary is a cracking detective, works out the whole messy affair, and wins fair maiden among the Argyle offspring too.
There are so many lovely themes in this story about family relationships, motherhood, adoption, and nature vs nurture. The motives behind the murder are surprisingly modern, and there are lots of fascinating references to famous murder cases of the day that will send you down multiple rabbit holes. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Calgary makes a difficult visit to Jacko's family to tell them the truth, convinced they will be relieved that he was innocent, but the response he receives is unexpectedly dour. Having believed troubled Jacko was guilty, they are now forced to confront the fact that another among them must have murdered Rachel Argyle.
As the police reopen the case, admitting they may never find out the truth, the members of the Argyle household eye each other with ever increasing suspicion. Guilt-stricken for the trouble he has brought to their door, Calgary is determined to find out the truth...
So begins a slow-burn stand-alone Christie tale that has her at her psychological best. Who really murdered philanthropist Rachel Argyle, and why? With bad boy Jacko shown to have been elsewhere, it must be one of them... Was it her husband, Leo; one of her adopted children, Mary, Mickey, Hester, or Tina, all from disadvantaged backgrounds; the faithful nurse/companion, Kirsten; or the Leo's secretary, Gwenda, who is in love with him? Two years having passed, and the trail of evidence as cold as can be, will they ever know, and will the innocent ever be able to rid themselves of the taint of guilt?
Calgary stands as the sleuth of the piece. With the logical brain of a scientist, and the occasional help of the quiet Superintendent Huish, Calgary starts by questioning the Argyle's solicitor Mr Marshall and the local doctor Dr MacMaster, moving on to the family and those connected with them. He soon begins to see that all was not quite as rosy in the Argyle household as it seems, and most them had murky motives to do away with their controlling wife/mother/employer.
Christie, at the top of her game, gives you a glimpse into the minds of the characters alongside Calgary's efforts, creating lots of red herrings as their true feelings, suspicions, and actions the night of Rachel's death are revealed. The twists and turns are quite brilliant, driven by the legacy of dysfunctional relationships, and as the Argyle household falls apart, the tension ramps up, and more bodies start to fall. Fortunately, Calgary is a cracking detective, works out the whole messy affair, and wins fair maiden among the Argyle offspring too.
There are so many lovely themes in this story about family relationships, motherhood, adoption, and nature vs nurture. The motives behind the murder are surprisingly modern, and there are lots of fascinating references to famous murder cases of the day that will send you down multiple rabbit holes. I thoroughly enjoyed it!