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papergirl's review against another edition
challenging
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
honsderbons's review against another edition
3.0
Die Gäste eines englischen Landhauses spielen ein Mörderspiel, einer Mischung aus Verstecken und "Werwolf", doch etwas geht schief und nun liegt tatsächlich ein Toter im Kaminzimmer. Nun tritt DCI Roderick Alleyn auf den Plan, Inbegriff des Gentleman-Detektivs, um den Mörder zu überführen.
Der Fall selbst ist gut konstruiert und es macht Spaß mitzurätseln. Leider verliert sich die Geschichte vor dem Finale ziemlich in einem weniger interessanten Nebenhandlungsstrang, der mit dem Mord selbst nur peripher zu tun hat. Davon einmal abgesehen unterhält der Krimi auf ganzer Linie.
Der Fall selbst ist gut konstruiert und es macht Spaß mitzurätseln. Leider verliert sich die Geschichte vor dem Finale ziemlich in einem weniger interessanten Nebenhandlungsstrang, der mit dem Mord selbst nur peripher zu tun hat. Davon einmal abgesehen unterhält der Krimi auf ganzer Linie.
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
This is my first Ngaio Marsh, and her first!, and while it generally left a favorable impression, there are definitely some odd parts. There is the normal classism and racism of the time, and the whole Russian political cult is incredibly ridiculous and to go from an English country house murder scene to torture at the end was a weird change of topic, genre, flavor, etc . I did think the person with the greatest motive was likely the murderer, but it seemed kind of obvious that it was possible, so I thought there would be another twist coming. I guess the twist was the absolute ridiculous series of events that needed to happen for the murder to occur in about 30 seconds. The characterization of the detective is also all over the place, by the book, humorous, wry, mean, etc. The saving grace of the story is there are several funny lines or pieces of dialogue. I might read more Marsh, but I will probably only pick one up if the mystery sounds especially good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Classism, Racial slurs, Torture, Racism, and Bullying
zaliamai_b's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
danta's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
indianajane's review against another edition
4.0
This was a reread. I read everything Ngaio Marsh wrote during high school and my early twenties, so it was fun to revisit her work to round out a couple of challenges. A good solid country house mystery.
maplessence's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ★
& that high only because this was Marsh's first book. Makes you realise what a remarkable achievement Christie's first , [bc:The Mysterious Affair at Styles|816084|The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482495814s/816084.jpg|3366260] was.
Other reviewers have criticised Marsh for inconsistencies in Alleyn's characterisation. I actually don't mind this. I prefer it to having Alleyn & various aristocrats angsting over being involved in something as low bred as a murder! This is very tedious in Marsh's other novels. And I did enjoy the start- although for some strange reason, the frenetic pace had me imagining everyone saying their lines while dancing 30s style.
Marsh's theatrical background always makes me see her characters as actors playing a part, rather than as three dimensional humans.
Like many of Mary Stewart's books, there was another character in this one.
Alleyn even smokes while searching a suspect's dressing room!
But I was enjoying this until around the 80% mark when I became impatient with a silly sub plot. & then a very long explanation.
It was my idea to read this in the Reading the Detectives group. I hope, in time, they will forgive me!
& that high only because this was Marsh's first book. Makes you realise what a remarkable achievement Christie's first , [bc:The Mysterious Affair at Styles|816084|The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482495814s/816084.jpg|3366260] was.
Other reviewers have criticised Marsh for inconsistencies in Alleyn's characterisation. I actually don't mind this. I prefer it to having Alleyn & various aristocrats angsting over being involved in something as low bred as a murder! This is very tedious in Marsh's other novels. And I did enjoy the start- although for some strange reason, the frenetic pace had me imagining everyone saying their lines while dancing 30s style.
Marsh's theatrical background always makes me see her characters as actors playing a part, rather than as three dimensional humans.
Like many of Mary Stewart's books, there was another character in this one.
Alleyn even smokes while searching a suspect's dressing room!
But I was enjoying this until around the 80% mark when I became impatient with a silly sub plot. & then a very long explanation.
It was my idea to read this in the Reading the Detectives group. I hope, in time, they will forgive me!
isabel_llo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
vireogirl's review against another edition
4.0
Old-fashioned, twisty, turny mystery. Might have to reread it just to catch everything I missed the first time through.