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eleaax's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lelia_t's review against another edition
4.0
How would you commit - and then hide - a murder? This is the question being discussed at a social gathering in the home of Bruce Attleton and his wife Sybilla. But when Bruce is discovered to be missing, we have to wonder if the discussion has had dark consequences.
This is a fun mystery - lots of suspects keep MacDonald on his toes. I enjoyed the supporting characters - even the intrepid reporter who muddles more than he helps didn’t get too annoying in this one. Surprisingly, MacDonald is at his gruffest - usually so mild-mannered as to be almost a non-entity, a gruff MacDonald is still fairly easy-going, and he keeps his self-deprecating humor.
If you enjoy Lorac and golden age mysteries, you'll like this one.
This is a fun mystery - lots of suspects keep MacDonald on his toes. I enjoyed the supporting characters - even the intrepid reporter who muddles more than he helps didn’t get too annoying in this one. Surprisingly, MacDonald is at his gruffest - usually so mild-mannered as to be almost a non-entity, a gruff MacDonald is still fairly easy-going, and he keeps his self-deprecating humor.
If you enjoy Lorac and golden age mysteries, you'll like this one.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I am enjoying E.C.R. Lorac books - Golden Age mysteries. Like many Golden Age mysteries that haven't been cleaned up for modern sensibilities, this one has one nasty bit near the end where anti-Semitism rears its ugly head - but the one character who "doesn't like Jews" is one of the most disliked characters in the book, and the other characters clearly are a bit ... incredulous about the situation. And the book was published in 1937, so it does seem reflective of the casual anti-Semitism in British society of the era. The plot was complicated, and a bit over-the-top - but there's an explanation for the why of that as well at the end. All in all, despite the one or two cringe-worthy moments, a good read.
john_r's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed my first mystery by Lorac which made me look to see what other books were on Hoopla by her. This is the earliest in her MacDonald series that was available.
I was very entertained. Which was exactly what I was looking for.
I was very entertained. Which was exactly what I was looking for.
tracey_stewart's review against another edition
4.0
The writing in this is 50's Hollywood clever ("...entreated him earnestly to do his best for his patient. 'All right, we will, since you make such a point of it,' retorted the
surgeon. 'We generally kill ’em in the lift, to save trouble, especially when we’re over full...'"), and it's as quick and clever as could be wanted. It's kind of wonderful to have almost the whole ouevre of a new-to-me Golden Age mystery writer still in front of me.
surgeon. 'We generally kill ’em in the lift, to save trouble, especially when we’re over full...'"), and it's as quick and clever as could be wanted. It's kind of wonderful to have almost the whole ouevre of a new-to-me Golden Age mystery writer still in front of me.
mrears0_0's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
2.5
a quaint British mystery
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Bats in the Belfry is a re-release of a classic golden age mystery by E.C.R. Lorac published in the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press.
I must admit I was unfamiliar with this gem of an author going into this book. I had taken a chance on poisoned pen titles before and I hadn't got a 'stinker' yet in the crime classics series (highly recommended), so I requested it and I'm so glad I did.
For fans of classic British golden age mysteries this one has it all. The characters are charming and well written with a touch of wry humour. I absolutely love interwar mysteries. There's a sort of lack of cynicism and guile which is missing from later periods. This isn't gritty. It isn't even particularly realistic... there's a LOT of is he/isn't he... with red herrings and potentially fake beards galore. I found myself giving up trying to figure out 'whodunnit' and just really enjoying the read.
I enjoyed the diverting plot, somewhat silly characters and mixed up clues. The pacing was a trifle slow compared to 'modern' procedurals and gritty crime novels, but perfectly within acceptable parameters considering the time period. It's a book to be enjoyed and, yes, savored a bit.
The place setting (London and environs) was a tangible part of the book and very well written.
Just a wonderful undiscovered (for me) gem. Enjoyed it very very much!
Available in ebook and paperback in this edition (also hardbound originals, apparently).
Four and a half stars. Enjoyed it enough that I'm making an effort to locate and read her other works- high praise indeed from me since my TBR pile is neverending.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Bats in the Belfry is a re-release of a classic golden age mystery by E.C.R. Lorac published in the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press.
I must admit I was unfamiliar with this gem of an author going into this book. I had taken a chance on poisoned pen titles before and I hadn't got a 'stinker' yet in the crime classics series (highly recommended), so I requested it and I'm so glad I did.
For fans of classic British golden age mysteries this one has it all. The characters are charming and well written with a touch of wry humour. I absolutely love interwar mysteries. There's a sort of lack of cynicism and guile which is missing from later periods. This isn't gritty. It isn't even particularly realistic... there's a LOT of is he/isn't he... with red herrings and potentially fake beards galore. I found myself giving up trying to figure out 'whodunnit' and just really enjoying the read.
I enjoyed the diverting plot, somewhat silly characters and mixed up clues. The pacing was a trifle slow compared to 'modern' procedurals and gritty crime novels, but perfectly within acceptable parameters considering the time period. It's a book to be enjoyed and, yes, savored a bit.
The place setting (London and environs) was a tangible part of the book and very well written.
Just a wonderful undiscovered (for me) gem. Enjoyed it very very much!
Available in ebook and paperback in this edition (also hardbound originals, apparently).
Four and a half stars. Enjoyed it enough that I'm making an effort to locate and read her other works- high praise indeed from me since my TBR pile is neverending.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
traceymlee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0