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georgina_ainsley's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
iceangel9's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first in the classic Philip Trent mystery series. When a scheming capitalist mogul is found dead in his English garden, amateur detective Philip Trent sets out to solve the crime. This classic tale is a masterpiece of false clues and a twisted ending. A must read for all mystery lovers, especially those fond of Golden Age mysteries.
thereadingbel's review
4.0
Philip Trent, a fairly successful artist, who also has a remarkable talent for solving the most baffling of murders and writing dispatches on them for the Record, is called in by the paper when the great financial giant, Sigsbee Manderson is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Was it suicide or murder, and even if the latter, what explains all the rather unusual little details associated with the case? He is friends with a man who is the uncle of Manderson’s wife, a connection that gives him unfettered access to the dead man’s property and associates. The twists in turns in the second half of the book keeps you on your toes and engaged into the story. It as written in 1913 and it still fits for today. I like old mysteries like this and the plot was so well written. I recommend this book.
lilirose's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Un libro di alti e bassi, con alcune buone trovate alternate a scelte discutibili.
Mi è piaciuto il tono scanzonato ed il fatto che parta con un'impostazione da giallo classico per poi sovvertirne la regola fondamentale, ossia l'infallibilità del detective: qui Philip Trent non ne azzecca una e deve essere guidato passo passo alla soluzione, con un doppio colpo di scena ben congegnato.
Il finale quindi è apprezzabile, ma lo svolgimento lascia molto a desiderare perché è piatto e troppo schematico, non stimola mai la curiosità del lettore. Il difetto peggiore però è la presenza ingombrante della love story tra il protagonista e la moglie della vittima: uno sviluppo di trama superfluo, che non si adatta alla leggerezza e all'ironia del romanzo e che finisce per occupare un posto troppo preponderante nell'intreccio, a discapito del mistero (che già di suo non era esattamente brillante).
Che dire dunque in conclusione? Giallo discreto, che si fa leggere ma non lascia il segno.
Mi è piaciuto il tono scanzonato ed il fatto che parta con un'impostazione da giallo classico per poi sovvertirne la regola fondamentale, ossia l'infallibilità del detective: qui Philip Trent non ne azzecca una e deve essere guidato passo passo alla soluzione, con un doppio colpo di scena ben congegnato.
Il finale quindi è apprezzabile, ma lo svolgimento lascia molto a desiderare perché è piatto e troppo schematico, non stimola mai la curiosità del lettore. Il difetto peggiore però è la presenza ingombrante della love story tra il protagonista e la moglie della vittima: uno sviluppo di trama superfluo, che non si adatta alla leggerezza e all'ironia del romanzo e che finisce per occupare un posto troppo preponderante nell'intreccio, a discapito del mistero (che già di suo non era esattamente brillante).
Che dire dunque in conclusione? Giallo discreto, che si fa leggere ma non lascia il segno.
bmip666's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this - although I found the writing a little hard going in places compared to what I'm used to from the Golden Age (I know this pre-dates that). It's a really good plot, lots of twists and turns and unexpected developments and I can see why it was so influential and why it has the reputation that it does. Glad I read it.
thereadingbel's review against another edition
4.0
Philip Trent, a fairly successful artist, who also has a remarkable talent for solving the most baffling of murders and writing dispatches on them for the Record, is called in by the paper when the great financial giant, Sigsbee Manderson is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Was it suicide or murder, and even if the latter, what explains all the rather unusual little details associated with the case? He is friends with a man who is the uncle of Manderson’s wife, a connection that gives him unfettered access to the dead man’s property and associates. The twists in turns in the second half of the book keeps you on your toes and engaged into the story. It as written in 1913 and it still fits for today. I like old mysteries like this and the plot was so well written. I recommend this book.
lizzy_sedai's review against another edition
4.0
That was a very intriguing story. Short, sweet, and satisfying.