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cmcrockford's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My first Christie and there's even more class subtext than I expected (probably what Rian Johnston is copying in the Benoit Blanc films even more than any parlor scene). The racism is shocking and unfortunately makes sense for the writer and the characters she's writing - they're largely British in the 20th century and by default bigoted. Caveat emptor though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Infidelity, Grief, and Classism
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
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
3.0
CW: racial slur (an old phrase which contains the N-word is used; it is not directed at anyone, but still is unpleasant to read), a lot of classicism. In this one, Miss Marple goes to visit an old school friend who lives with her family and husband at a "college" for young men who are criminals to be reformed. Another relation comes to visit, has some foreboding things to say, and then is promptly murdered. It is up to Marple and the police to solve the case. This was a re-read for me, and I still enjoyed it. The solution caught me off-guard the first time around. I would definitely be fooled by illusionists, doing tricks with mirrors. However, this book feels oddly Marple-lite. She is there and interacts with the people around her, but it feels like she doesn't do much, either with the cast of characters or the police. Things mostly happen around her and she just happens to be there. Not one of Christie's best, but far from the worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Classism
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Ableism, Classism, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
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