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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Starting the year with a Christie Comfort Classic - almost figured out whodunnit haha
I always rated Agatha Christie but the last few books of hers that I’ve read have me doubting her purported skill. The only reason this has two stars instead of one, is that it’s not the worst book I’ve read this week.
The writing for the first part of the book is fine and there is a lot of detail that a reader can appreciate, especially as it sets the scene fantastically. But then, inexplicably towards the end, she races to a conclusion that makes little sense.
For example, she uses a chapter to describe the musings of a middle-aged man as he crosses the water on a ferry. But she fails to spare even a paragraph to describe how a doctor recognises in seconds, what the Argyle household has failed to notice... that Tina has not fainted but has been stabbed. What gave it away - was it the blood? It may be me but that’s the detail that matters to a reader in a murder mystery.
And Micky. What knife? Who found it where and when? Was it the police? Was it a member of the household? And how would Kirsten even have found the time to frame him? Again, the key details in the mystery are missing and so many key questions remain unanswered. And yet, I have to read through chapters on Mary and Phillip’s unsatisfactory marriage.
The end was also so abrupt I flicked through empty pages puzzled. Hester and Arthur Calgary? How did that even happen? There’s mention of a relationship but it seems as though he regards Hester as a puppy or a daughter or younger sister... anything but a lover.
I’m really glad this is my first book of 2021...
The writing for the first part of the book is fine and there is a lot of detail that a reader can appreciate, especially as it sets the scene fantastically. But then, inexplicably towards the end, she races to a conclusion that makes little sense.
For example, she uses a chapter to describe the musings of a middle-aged man as he crosses the water on a ferry. But she fails to spare even a paragraph to describe how a doctor recognises in seconds, what the Argyle household has failed to notice... that Tina has not fainted but has been stabbed. What gave it away - was it the blood? It may be me but that’s the detail that matters to a reader in a murder mystery.
And Micky. What knife? Who found it where and when? Was it the police? Was it a member of the household? And how would Kirsten even have found the time to frame him? Again, the key details in the mystery are missing and so many key questions remain unanswered. And yet, I have to read through chapters on Mary and Phillip’s unsatisfactory marriage.
The end was also so abrupt I flicked through empty pages puzzled. Hester and Arthur Calgary? How did that even happen? There’s mention of a relationship but it seems as though he regards Hester as a puppy or a daughter or younger sister... anything but a lover.
I’m really glad this is my first book of 2021...
"Think about it–and then you’ll begin to see what you’re doing to us all…"
The premise of this novel had unbelievable potential. Doctor Calgary, recovering from mild amnesia, is finally able to give credence to the alibi of a convicted man -- a man that died in prison years ago. Now his family has to experience the gruesome case again. If he didn't kill her, than who did?
This premise alone must be why Christie deemed this book one of her favourite novels written by her. Unfortunately for me, I found the excitement ended with the set-up.
Other than the underlying commentary on the contrasting bonds between adoptive siblings and blood siblings, I didn't find the characters had much character. They weren't completely one-dimensional, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to them.
I've never seen any screen adaptations of this story, but I read that the most recent one went in an entirely different direction with who murdered Rachel. I don't really like when adaptations do this, but in this case, I kind of understand.
But, you know. Congrats Doctor Calgary.
Reread 2022: I was really hoping to have changed my mind after a second read, but I can't say I have. Enjoyable, but I still feel left wanting.
The premise of this novel had unbelievable potential. Doctor Calgary, recovering from mild amnesia, is finally able to give credence to the alibi of a convicted man -- a man that died in prison years ago. Now his family has to experience the gruesome case again. If he didn't kill her, than who did?
This premise alone must be why Christie deemed this book one of her favourite novels written by her. Unfortunately for me, I found the excitement ended with the set-up.
Other than the underlying commentary on the contrasting bonds between adoptive siblings and blood siblings, I didn't find the characters had much character. They weren't completely one-dimensional, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to them.
I've never seen any screen adaptations of this story, but I read that the most recent one went in an entirely different direction with who murdered Rachel. I don't really like when adaptations do this, but in this case, I kind of understand.
But, you know. Congrats Doctor Calgary.
Reread 2022: I was really hoping to have changed my mind after a second read, but I can't say I have. Enjoyable, but I still feel left wanting.
mysterious
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
mysterious
slow-paced
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
After some years away from England, Dr. Calgary returns from a scientific expedition, and discovers that he has information vital to a murder case. Unfortunately, it's a few years too late. But, he ends up sharing it anyway with the affected family, exonerating the son who was convicted, and later died in prison (while Calgary was out of the country).
The news doesn't thrill the family, as they were all, for their own reasons, relieved to believe that the ne'er-do-well son was the one who had killed their mother. Now, all their assumptions about him and each other are thrown into question, and now every family member is suspicious of each other.
I was expecting a more difficult and twisty case than this, and was a little disappointed to be able to figure out who the murderer was.
I was also facepalming over Dr. Calgary's cluelessness about how his information would be received, and was sickened by the general perception about adopted children and biracial individuals.
The news doesn't thrill the family, as they were all, for their own reasons, relieved to believe that the ne'er-do-well son was the one who had killed their mother. Now, all their assumptions about him and each other are thrown into question, and now every family member is suspicious of each other.
I was expecting a more difficult and twisty case than this, and was a little disappointed to be able to figure out who the murderer was.
I was also facepalming over Dr. Calgary's cluelessness about how his information would be received, and was sickened by the general perception about adopted children and biracial individuals.