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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked this one by pure chance and had it sitting on my shelf for litteral years so I finally decided to pick it up.
I'm trying to get back into reading crime novels and picking up an Agatha Christie book seemed like the safest choice to start again.
I like this one ! I thought I had it all figured out but I still got surprised in the end which (in my opinion) means it was a good crime novel ✨
I'm trying to get back into reading crime novels and picking up an Agatha Christie book seemed like the safest choice to start again.
I like this one ! I thought I had it all figured out but I still got surprised in the end which (in my opinion) means it was a good crime novel ✨
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 Stars
I love Hercule Poirot...This one did start off a little dry. Hercule did not show up until most of the characters had made an appearance. Once he did show up, it was game on. These stories aren't life-changers by any means, but so fun and entertaining.
I love Hercule Poirot...This one did start off a little dry. Hercule did not show up until most of the characters had made an appearance. Once he did show up, it was game on. These stories aren't life-changers by any means, but so fun and entertaining.
[a:Agatha Christie|123715|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589991473p2/123715.jpg]'s [b:The Mystery of the Blue Train|1086321|The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot, #6)|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1330594401l/1086321._SY75_.jpg|1748] is a delightful tale of murder, which I think will earn far more praise among fans than Christie would give herself. Based on her 1923 short story, The Plymouth Express, this novel expands upon the story, offering a far more intricate plot aboard the train with a story that is far different.
While Christie herself was notably critical of the book—having no joy in writing it and it being written during a difficult personal time—I found her judgment a bit too harsh. True, the novel lacks some of the flair and spontaneity seen in her other works, but there is still much to admire. The resolution is delightfully surprising, highlighting Christie’s genius for misdirection. Looking back, the clues are there, slyly tucked into the narrative, making the reveal both satisfying and humbling for us amateur sleuths.
One notable difference in this book is the absence of Poirot's usual companion, Hastings, and the shift to a third-person omniscient narrator. Without Hastings’ endearing commentary to soften him, Poirot feels more distant and arrogant, his pride verging on off-putting at times. I miss a lot of the humor that Hasting gives regarding Poirot's mannerisms. This change in perspective may leave some readers ambivalent about the beloved detective’s portrayal. The pacing in the novel's early chapters left something to be desired. It felt drawn out, with too much time spent introducing seemingly unrelated characters, yet connected in the end, before the crime was revealed. Poirot’s late arrival to the story was also a disappointment, as I missed his presence in the buildup to the mystery.
Despite its slow start and Christie’s own misgivings, the novel is a rewarding read for fans of classic whodunits Its surprising conclusion and meticulous plotting demonstrate why Christie remains the queen of crime fiction. Though not without its flaws, the novel is an enjoyable journey with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end. Christie may have been her own harshest critic, but for me, this book is proof that even her "lesser" works outshine many others in the genre.
While Christie herself was notably critical of the book—having no joy in writing it and it being written during a difficult personal time—I found her judgment a bit too harsh. True, the novel lacks some of the flair and spontaneity seen in her other works, but there is still much to admire. The resolution is delightfully surprising, highlighting Christie’s genius for misdirection. Looking back, the clues are there, slyly tucked into the narrative, making the reveal both satisfying and humbling for us amateur sleuths.
One notable difference in this book is the absence of Poirot's usual companion, Hastings, and the shift to a third-person omniscient narrator. Without Hastings’ endearing commentary to soften him, Poirot feels more distant and arrogant, his pride verging on off-putting at times. I miss a lot of the humor that Hasting gives regarding Poirot's mannerisms. This change in perspective may leave some readers ambivalent about the beloved detective’s portrayal. The pacing in the novel's early chapters left something to be desired. It felt drawn out, with too much time spent introducing seemingly unrelated characters, yet connected in the end, before the crime was revealed. Poirot’s late arrival to the story was also a disappointment, as I missed his presence in the buildup to the mystery.
Despite its slow start and Christie’s own misgivings, the novel is a rewarding read for fans of classic whodunits Its surprising conclusion and meticulous plotting demonstrate why Christie remains the queen of crime fiction. Though not without its flaws, the novel is an enjoyable journey with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end. Christie may have been her own harshest critic, but for me, this book is proof that even her "lesser" works outshine many others in the genre.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this in a day, the mystery was engaging, characters memorable and conclusion satisfying.