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tr3nzbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I would definitely recommend reading this book. With all it's twists and turns... And very surprising end.
It all started with the simple murder of Mrs. McGinty... Which Superintendent Spence investigated with all the evidence pointing to James Bentley as the murderer. But something in his gut made Superintendent Spence think that Bentley was innocent of this crime.
So Superintendent Spence enlists the help of our favorite detective Hercule Poirot to prove Bentley's innocence. Now Poirot is one the case we are introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Summerhayes, Dr. & Mrs. Rendell, Deirdre Henderson, Mr. & Mrs. Whetherby, Mrs. Upward and her son Robin Upward. And reintroduced to Mrs. Oliver.
A set of old photographs from the news paper is the only real clue to the murder of Mrs. McGinty... Which also leads to a second murder. In which a lot of misleading clues are left behind.
Who was the second victim? Who did the murderer try to pin the second murder on? Who is the murderer of both victims? How is the old photograph connected to the murderer? Read the book to find out.
It all started with the simple murder of Mrs. McGinty... Which Superintendent Spence investigated with all the evidence pointing to James Bentley as the murderer. But something in his gut made Superintendent Spence think that Bentley was innocent of this crime.
So Superintendent Spence enlists the help of our favorite detective Hercule Poirot to prove Bentley's innocence. Now Poirot is one the case we are introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Summerhayes, Dr. & Mrs. Rendell, Deirdre Henderson, Mr. & Mrs. Whetherby, Mrs. Upward and her son Robin Upward. And reintroduced to Mrs. Oliver.
A set of old photographs from the news paper is the only real clue to the murder of Mrs. McGinty... Which also leads to a second murder. In which a lot of misleading clues are left behind.
Who was the second victim? Who did the murderer try to pin the second murder on? Who is the murderer of both victims? How is the old photograph connected to the murderer? Read the book to find out.
licensetoshelbs's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.25
thebookboy's review against another edition
4.0
Another amusing mystery from the Queen of Crime. What I particularly liked about this mystery is that Agatha really lets some of her comic genius into the story - especially in scenes where Poirot is forced to stay in a lacklustre guest house (his reactions to green beans, draughts and other inconveniences are priceless). Ariadne Oliver also makes a rather fantastic if not brief appearance in this one and is used as a rather clever vehicle for Agatha to express her own dislike of certain parts of being an author and how Poirot was fast becoming a character she didn't enjoy writing anymore.
Now for the actual mystery. This one is full of twists and turns - a murdered charwoman, multiple photographs of past criminals, perfume scents, cups of coffee - it's all very typical Agatha, and the solution was absolutely not what I expected, especially as I was so certain I'd worked parts of it out!
I will say there is a lack of sparkle here, though. None of the characters are particularly exciting (save perhaps the lady who runs the guest house where Poirot stays) and it's a shame there isn't a stronger cast with someone to really love which is what I think elevates her best mysteries (Death on the Nile, Peril at End house etc.)
Still, a solid Christie crime and one that I'm glad I read.
Now for the actual mystery. This one is full of twists and turns - a murdered charwoman, multiple photographs of past criminals, perfume scents, cups of coffee - it's all very typical Agatha, and the solution was absolutely not what I expected, especially as I was so certain I'd worked parts of it out!
I will say there is a lack of sparkle here, though. None of the characters are particularly exciting (save perhaps the lady who runs the guest house where Poirot stays) and it's a shame there isn't a stronger cast with someone to really love which is what I think elevates her best mysteries (Death on the Nile, Peril at End house etc.)
Still, a solid Christie crime and one that I'm glad I read.
rachel_reads_it_all's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
kloughlin's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, and Gore
nmorin's review against another edition
4.0
Hightlight of this was Mrs. Oliver, Christie's self insert mystery author character, who loathes the popular detective character she created.
mschandrika's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.25
maryloulynninmi's review against another edition
5.0
Classic
Who really murdered the char woman Mrs McGinty? The police officer in charge of the case is afraid they are going to hang the wrong man, so he turns to an old friend, Hercule Poirot, for help. A very satisfying mystery.
Who really murdered the char woman Mrs McGinty? The police officer in charge of the case is afraid they are going to hang the wrong man, so he turns to an old friend, Hercule Poirot, for help. A very satisfying mystery.
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
In my re-read via audio of Agatha Christie's books, I've come across many that I have no memory of reading and yet I know I did. With Mrs. McGinty's Dead, what I do remember is the TV adaption which was not far off the book.
Mrs. McGinty's Dead has Poirot asked to revisit a murder case the police recently closed and the court trial finished with a man convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. The superintendent who investigated isn't satisfied that the right person was convicted.
So, already a different angle to approach the murder mystery. Poirot's got a time crunch and he's very much unofficial when he goes back to the small village and starts digging. Poirot being Poirot he spots details and interesting facts just in the course of seeing Mrs. McGinty's place, things, speaking with her surviving family, and her neighbors. He finds a tie to the past in a recent newspaper clipping.
I was struck by the personality of the man who was convicted. He's not a likeable person and he comes across as someone who looks as guilty as can be even when he's telling the truth. I found him to be the most under of underdogs and Poirot was forcing himself to do the case out a sense of justice rather than care for the man personally which was another unique aspect of the story.
The light note was the hilarious character of Maureen Summerhaven. She is an atrocious housewife and cook and her husband isn't much better when they open their home as a guest house and poor Poirot endures much in their care.
Hugh Fraser does a fabulous job telling the story and captures the personalities of the cast of characters and the story tone so well.
I enjoyed this village murder setting and the tension of Poirot having to beat the clock on solving the crime.
Mrs. McGinty's Dead has Poirot asked to revisit a murder case the police recently closed and the court trial finished with a man convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. The superintendent who investigated isn't satisfied that the right person was convicted.
So, already a different angle to approach the murder mystery. Poirot's got a time crunch and he's very much unofficial when he goes back to the small village and starts digging. Poirot being Poirot he spots details and interesting facts just in the course of seeing Mrs. McGinty's place, things, speaking with her surviving family, and her neighbors. He finds a tie to the past in a recent newspaper clipping.
I was struck by the personality of the man who was convicted. He's not a likeable person and he comes across as someone who looks as guilty as can be even when he's telling the truth. I found him to be the most under of underdogs and Poirot was forcing himself to do the case out a sense of justice rather than care for the man personally which was another unique aspect of the story.
The light note was the hilarious character of Maureen Summerhaven. She is an atrocious housewife and cook and her husband isn't much better when they open their home as a guest house and poor Poirot endures much in their care.
Hugh Fraser does a fabulous job telling the story and captures the personalities of the cast of characters and the story tone so well.
I enjoyed this village murder setting and the tension of Poirot having to beat the clock on solving the crime.