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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
i thought i would like this much more. i had watched an adaptation of this before, twice even, and i really liked it, so i bought the book thinking that it would be the same. however, and i think this is something that rarely ever happens (but has happened with a christie novel before, hallowe'en party), the show was better.
i don't think that it is technically correct to call this a marple story. she has such a minor role, that seems very orchestrated, compared to the chief inspector guy. he did most of the interviews and the work while she just provided her insight on things occasionally. i think that making your characters have a less prominent role, especially your detective, is only a good choice when the mystery is thrilling, exhilarating and exciting, nothing like this one.
i found 3/4 of this book so dull and the only reason why i continued reading was to see how this was going to end because nothing had to do with anything else directly. it was so domestic and nothing seemed to do with anything else; just a random series of crimes related to the hotel. i can see what christie wanted this to be, but it didn't work out well at all. it's a very messy, unplanned novel that's wrapped up rather unsatisfactorily. not to mention that it was so boring for the most part and the "important crime" came at the very end.
i think, in many ways, this is very unlike a christie novel that it's a little surprising that she was the one who wrote it. it lacks her adventurous senses, her witty dialogues, her peculiarly interesting cases, her simple to-the-point descriptions that usually leave everything to the reader's imagination (this was unusually descriptive for a christie novel), her satisfying conclusions. it lacks all of that.
all in all, i did not really like this. i think it could've gone a lot better, could've been written better. i didn't give this a lower rating, though, because it wasn't so painfully dull that i hated it. it was boring in a confusing way, nothing seemed to make sense or relate to each other and, normally, i wouldn't care to continue. i feel like im being too harsh, though, so 3 stars is alright enough and i don't think id exactly recommend it to anyone.
i don't think that it is technically correct to call this a marple story. she has such a minor role, that seems very orchestrated, compared to the chief inspector guy. he did most of the interviews and the work while she just provided her insight on things occasionally. i think that making your characters have a less prominent role, especially your detective, is only a good choice when the mystery is thrilling, exhilarating and exciting, nothing like this one.
i found 3/4 of this book so dull and the only reason why i continued reading was to see how this was going to end because nothing had to do with anything else directly. it was so domestic and nothing seemed to do with anything else; just a random series of crimes related to the hotel. i can see what christie wanted this to be, but it didn't work out well at all. it's a very messy, unplanned novel that's wrapped up rather unsatisfactorily. not to mention that it was so boring for the most part and the "important crime" came at the very end.
i think, in many ways, this is very unlike a christie novel that it's a little surprising that she was the one who wrote it. it lacks her adventurous senses, her witty dialogues, her peculiarly interesting cases, her simple to-the-point descriptions that usually leave everything to the reader's imagination (this was unusually descriptive for a christie novel), her satisfying conclusions. it lacks all of that.
all in all, i did not really like this. i think it could've gone a lot better, could've been written better. i didn't give this a lower rating, though, because it wasn't so painfully dull that i hated it. it was boring in a confusing way, nothing seemed to make sense or relate to each other and, normally, i wouldn't care to continue. i feel like im being too harsh, though, so 3 stars is alright enough and i don't think id exactly recommend it to anyone.
mysterious
medium-paced
Would have given more stars if the ending had been less predictable and we'd seen more of Marple
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Miss Marple is one lucky old lady for having a caring nephew and niece who are constantly devising treats and holidays for their aunt – even if they get inevitably interrupted by crime. This time around, she’s off to enjoy a stay at Bertram’s Hotel – an elegant luxury hotel in a quiet pocket of London that had left an indelible impression on Miss Marple when she had stayed there as a young girl of fourteen. To Miss Marple, with her usual clear-eyed common sense, this miraculous time capsule seems too good to be true. «At Bertram’s Hotel is unusual in that the mystery here is more «what is wrong» rather than «who did it» – an interesting approach with the downside being the lack of clear focus.
There is, in fact, a murder to be solved, but it happens almost 200 pages into the novel and is not the main story. It could be said that uncovering the truth behind the polished veneer of Bertram’s Hotel is the main story, but in fact, there are a few parallel strands in the novel, some more memorable than others. As it turns out I completely forgot the storyline about the police investigating a string of heists and robberies, including a daring robbery of the Irish Mail train, that all seem to be the efforts of a well-organised crime syndicate. Bertram’s Hotel attracts the attention of Chief-Inspector Davy when one of its guests, a comically absent-minded priest Canon Pennyfather, doesn’t make it back from his trip to a conference, and yet is somehow spotted on the robbed Irish Mail train and seen by Miss Marple at the hotel during the night he was supposed to be in Lucerne.
There’s also rather more compelling family drama involving famous society adventuress Bess Sedgewick and her estranged daughter Elvira Blake, who becomes the object of Miss Marple’s concern when she happens to see the young girl in the company of a no-good rakish race car driver, who also happens to be Bess’ lover. This is one of the Miss Marple novels where the presence of the old lady sleuth is unfortunately rather marginal – however she always seems to be in a right spot to overhear an important conversation or notice something significant. I wouldn’t mind these extreme coincidences if the overall plot was solid, but I just didn’t think that the organised crime/Canon Pennyfather story was all that interesting. Where the novel does excel in setting and atmosphere – I could almost say that Bertram’s Hotel, with its own vivid personality, is one of my favorite Christie characters.
P.S. I know it makes sense chronologically, but it’s just so surreal to see The Beatles mentioned in an Agatha Christie novel, as if two separate universes came together for a moment.
P.P.S. At Bertram’s Hotel is one of the very rare Christie novels where a murderer gets away, even if there’s a promise that the police won’t leave them alone until they pay for their crime. It’s an interesting choice, considering that a major appeal of Christie’s novels is the assurance that justice will always win in the end. Though some might find it unsatisfying, I quite like this darker and uncertain ending.
There is, in fact, a murder to be solved, but it happens almost 200 pages into the novel and is not the main story. It could be said that uncovering the truth behind the polished veneer of Bertram’s Hotel is the main story, but in fact, there are a few parallel strands in the novel, some more memorable than others. As it turns out I completely forgot the storyline about the police investigating a string of heists and robberies, including a daring robbery of the Irish Mail train, that all seem to be the efforts of a well-organised crime syndicate. Bertram’s Hotel attracts the attention of Chief-Inspector Davy when one of its guests, a comically absent-minded priest Canon Pennyfather, doesn’t make it back from his trip to a conference, and yet is somehow spotted on the robbed Irish Mail train and seen by Miss Marple at the hotel during the night he was supposed to be in Lucerne.
There’s also rather more compelling family drama involving famous society adventuress Bess Sedgewick and her estranged daughter Elvira Blake, who becomes the object of Miss Marple’s concern when she happens to see the young girl in the company of a no-good rakish race car driver, who also happens to be Bess’ lover. This is one of the Miss Marple novels where the presence of the old lady sleuth is unfortunately rather marginal – however she always seems to be in a right spot to overhear an important conversation or notice something significant. I wouldn’t mind these extreme coincidences if the overall plot was solid, but I just didn’t think that the organised crime/Canon Pennyfather story was all that interesting. Where the novel does excel in setting and atmosphere – I could almost say that Bertram’s Hotel, with its own vivid personality, is one of my favorite Christie characters.
P.S. I know it makes sense chronologically, but it’s just so surreal to see The Beatles mentioned in an Agatha Christie novel, as if two separate universes came together for a moment.
P.P.S. At Bertram’s Hotel is one of the very rare Christie novels where a murderer gets away, even if there’s a promise that the police won’t leave them alone until they pay for their crime. It’s an interesting choice, considering that a major appeal of Christie’s novels is the assurance that justice will always win in the end. Though some might find it unsatisfying, I quite like this darker and uncertain ending.
This was a fun and different turn. A hotel filled with old English ladies to attract American tourists who want to experience the real England, an unexplained disappearance, and an estranged mother and daughter.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book made me want to go to London and stay in a hotel like Bertram's. One of these days, I will do just that. :) An okay Marple. Better than the last, but not one of the best.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fun and fast read! I've wanted to try out an Agatha Christie mystery for a while now, and I'm glad I picked it up! The way she was able to start off telling so many different plotlines and neatly tie them all up together was really really cool to see unfold! I will definetlely be picking up other books by her.
I loved Miss Marple; she has so much life and personality and I wish she had ended up playing a bigger role! She was a very fun character.
I loved Miss Marple; she has so much life and personality and I wish she had ended up playing a bigger role! She was a very fun character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder
Moderate: Car accident, Abandonment
Minor: Blood
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No