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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
Rarely do I read detective novels. In the same vein as I don't enjoy the true crime trend, the disposability of life isn't entertaining for me generally.
That said, the unfolding plot was interesting. The characters were basically unlikeable. I didn't really go for the vibes of women are meek or hysterical, and men a cool, calm and collected, even in the face of their own impending murder.
I borrowed this audiobook using the Libby app from my local library. Support your local library!
That said, the unfolding plot was interesting. The characters were basically unlikeable. I didn't really go for the vibes of women are meek or hysterical, and men a cool, calm and collected, even in the face of their own impending murder.
I borrowed this audiobook using the Libby app from my local library. Support your local library!
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Slow at some parts but a really good twist more than makes up for it. Loved the “And Then There Were None” vibes
mystery-wise, it's a bit meh. rather than being astounded by the twist, I was more confused than not. thought it'd be a start for The Mystery Club Shenanigans (Part One!), but it's just a one-time thing and they're all dead now 😕
the motive of the murders doesn't even make sense though I guess I can acknowledge how maddening grief is, but it wasn't even proven if they actually "killed" Chiori or not. if one of them went insane and slipped what actually happened that night, it might be more interesting, but it isn't so ?? what's the point ??
the motive of the murders doesn't even make sense though I guess I can acknowledge how maddening grief is, but it wasn't even proven if they actually "killed" Chiori or not. if one of them went insane and slipped what actually happened that night, it might be more interesting, but it isn't so ?? what's the point ??
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.9 stars, comments contain spoilers
- Clearly inspired by Christie's "And Then There Were None" where a group are brought onto an isolated island and picked off one by one.
- The clever twist is that the seemingly sealed island is not actually sealed, and the murderer also appears on the mainland during parts when other characters, including the actual Holmes character, speculate about events. The murderer also frames himself as not having actually attended the meetings, making him a phantom 7th member of the party.
- I liked the ending where the murderer only succeeds because the self-appointed 'Holmes' character is smart but foolish.
- The murders are not interesting in themselves and who the murderer is seems obvious based on contextual clues - e.g. their uncle is the person who owns the island, and the person does not travel to the island with the rest. The motivation is also a little ham-fisted.
- It also seems implausible that no one at all saw the killer on his many trips to and from the island.
- The eponymous Decagon House is an interesting setting that serves an important role in the story but somewhat less important than expected.
- Nakamura Seiji and Shimada are both interesting side-characters that I'm interested in seeing in other novels.
- Clearly inspired by Christie's "And Then There Were None" where a group are brought onto an isolated island and picked off one by one.
- The clever twist is that the seemingly sealed island is not actually sealed, and the murderer also appears on the mainland during parts when other characters, including the actual Holmes character, speculate about events. The murderer also frames himself as not having actually attended the meetings, making him a phantom 7th member of the party.
- I liked the ending where the murderer only succeeds because the self-appointed 'Holmes' character is smart but foolish.
- The murders are not interesting in themselves and who the murderer is seems obvious based on contextual clues - e.g. their uncle is the person who owns the island, and the person does not travel to the island with the rest. The motivation is also a little ham-fisted.
- It also seems implausible that no one at all saw the killer on his many trips to and from the island.
- The eponymous Decagon House is an interesting setting that serves an important role in the story but somewhat less important than expected.
- Nakamura Seiji and Shimada are both interesting side-characters that I'm interested in seeing in other novels.
This was great. It's been ages since I've read a classic "students locked in remote area with no escape" novel!
The members of a university's mystery club go to spend one week on a deserted island, where just 6 months prior, the previous home owner died alongside his wife and 2 servants in a house fire. As elite members of the club, they go by the names of Poe, Ellery, Van, Orczy, Carr, Agatha and Leroux in honour of famous crime / mystery writers.
The purpose of this from a literary point of view became clear towards the end and my mouth DROPPED.
Interesting reveal at the end that I hadn't seen coming, although I did ponder over the elements sometimes. Despite the fact that so many years have passed since this was first published, and the fact that more traditional crime novels are sometimes easy to predict from today's point of view, this one surprised me and I'm happy about that.
The members of a university's mystery club go to spend one week on a deserted island, where just 6 months prior, the previous home owner died alongside his wife and 2 servants in a house fire. As elite members of the club, they go by the names of Poe, Ellery, Van, Orczy, Carr, Agatha and Leroux in honour of famous crime / mystery writers.
The purpose of this from a literary point of view became clear towards the end and my mouth DROPPED.
Interesting reveal at the end that I hadn't seen coming, although I did ponder over the elements sometimes. Despite the fact that so many years have passed since this was first published, and the fact that more traditional crime novels are sometimes easy to predict from today's point of view, this one surprised me and I'm happy about that.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No