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davidb71's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is perhaps my eighth Christie book - or possibly ninth - and what continues to impress me about them is that although they share stylistic similarities, they've all been completely different to each other, and this one is something different again. I enjoyed this a great deal - the cast of characters was interesting; the mystery that was established was more unusual than that of a straightforward murder - it was about uncovering the possible existence of a criminal enterprise bringing about people's deaths through potentially occult means.
I always find her books witty, intelligent, well-crafted and engaging - and there's often a subtle, dry humour in her writing that I can find very enjoyable.
This was published around 1961, I think, which probably makes it the latest of her books that I've thus far read. I thought it was very good - but there was something that didn't seem quite as tight about the crafting of it when compared to some of the others I've read. It felt a little drawn out - only a little, though. And the plotting didn't seem quite as ingenious. It was still a nicely structured and enjoyable book, though.
What massively impresses me about the Christie books I've read so far is how she doesn't just repeat familiar formulas and always seems to be striving to find something new. This book would have been written around 40 years into her publishing career - 40 years! It would have been easy for her to put out slight variations on books she's written before - and they probably would have sold well - but I sense in her a hunger to not repeat herself and to constantly come up with new ideas.
This for me was another very enjoyable Agatha Christie novel. I've enjoyed every one I've read so far. I'm aware that some of her books are not well-regarded, particularly the later ones, but I've yet to read anything by her that's anything less than very, very good.
I always find her books witty, intelligent, well-crafted and engaging - and there's often a subtle, dry humour in her writing that I can find very enjoyable.
This was published around 1961, I think, which probably makes it the latest of her books that I've thus far read. I thought it was very good - but there was something that didn't seem quite as tight about the crafting of it when compared to some of the others I've read. It felt a little drawn out - only a little, though. And the plotting didn't seem quite as ingenious. It was still a nicely structured and enjoyable book, though.
What massively impresses me about the Christie books I've read so far is how she doesn't just repeat familiar formulas and always seems to be striving to find something new. This book would have been written around 40 years into her publishing career - 40 years! It would have been easy for her to put out slight variations on books she's written before - and they probably would have sold well - but I sense in her a hunger to not repeat herself and to constantly come up with new ideas.
This for me was another very enjoyable Agatha Christie novel. I've enjoyed every one I've read so far. I'm aware that some of her books are not well-regarded, particularly the later ones, but I've yet to read anything by her that's anything less than very, very good.
ambrou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
mairywo's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
myladydisdain's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
evberry's review against another edition
3.5
Pretty decent little mystery! I really enjoyed the supernatural aspects. The self-insert mystery author was very charming.
arlamont13's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
d_hryniuk's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It seems to me that I'm a bit tired of Poirot and his grey cells, so I was relieved to see that it has totally new characters for me.
I liked Mark Easterbrook with his desire to get to know the truth. I loved to see his relationships developing. The mystery itself was quite unpredictable for me, although this time I at least managed to make a few connections by myself. This idea with witches was really creepy, but I don't like such things in thrillers and detective stories.
I liked Mark Easterbrook with his desire to get to know the truth. I loved to see his relationships developing. The mystery itself was quite unpredictable for me, although this time I at least managed to make a few connections by myself. This idea with witches was really creepy, but I don't like such things in thrillers and detective stories.
anaidelawless's review against another edition
4.0
I have read a lot of Christie´s books, but yet again I am caught off guard. I once again completely missed the mark and was led astray. I would not be a good detective.
So in this story we have a lot seemingly natural deaths, dark magic rituals, man on a wheelchair that was seen running around and other suspicious occurences, yet the solution is quite simple. Well, maybe not simple, but it all makes sense. It is like all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly and when you look at it you think to yourself how did I not see that? That is the magic of Agatha Christe´s books.
So in this story we have a lot seemingly natural deaths, dark magic rituals, man on a wheelchair that was seen running around and other suspicious occurences, yet the solution is quite simple. Well, maybe not simple, but it all makes sense. It is like all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly and when you look at it you think to yourself how did I not see that? That is the magic of Agatha Christe´s books.
mielbio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5