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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
mysterious
relaxing
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:
N/A
4-4.5
Controversial opinion (based on some of the other reviews) but I think this is one of my favourite Miss Marple's I've read (listened to) lately.
The hotel having its own mysteries adds an interesting layer.
The ending is ambiguous (slightly). There's maybe a sense that Christie felt sort of sorry for her villain hence giving them a potential "out". But there's enough resolution that this ending doesn't bother me.
Controversial opinion (based on some of the other reviews) but I think this is one of my favourite Miss Marple's I've read (listened to) lately.
The hotel having its own mysteries adds an interesting layer.
The ending is ambiguous (slightly). There's maybe a sense that Christie felt sort of sorry for her villain hence giving them a potential "out". But there's enough resolution that this ending doesn't bother me.
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:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
SO. Apparently this wasn't the book I should have read to introduce myself into the world of Agatha Christie. I was dragging my feet through this book. There's a lot of moving parts character wise- we are introduced to some people who will not matter in the book but I suppose it adds to the literary ambiance. I had to keep reminding myself that this book was written in a different time period, where people probably enjoyed Agatha Christie's narration- but I did not! Still, I kept reading because I was sure the book would pick up.
It does.. I'd say maybe around 60% into the story. Christie does that thing where they just throw you facts, rather than foreshadow or provide context to things that happen. I also couldn't understand Bess. She was so universally loved and adored but she literally pushed her daughter away from her so she could live her daredevil dreams out. There was not one word uttered about her actions or about her making the wrong decision in giving her child up and being an absentee parent. I just thought that was a little far fetched for the people at the time. Certainly that would have been some real juicy gossip, no? And then for Bess to just hop in her sports car and floor it to her death... that also made no sense. I just didn't understand any of this story. The characters aren't substantial enough to me. They are all so one dimensional that it made the whole story uninteresting. Even Elvira, I expected more from her. Even more of a storyline for her as well. As soon as we start making progress with one character, the narration switches to another character and all the interest we have been building up dwindles back down to zero.
Also.. Miss Marple is barely in this book?! Like she has probably 3-4 substantial scenes. Maybe like 2 or 3 chapters dedicated to her. She just comes off as a nosy old lady-which maybe is her shtick? IDK this book was overall a waste of time, with a forgettable story. If it was more focused on some of the interesting characters it would have been more enjoyable. A daring mother, a conniving daughter, an opportunistic racecar driver, it has great bones right there! But the story falls flat; especially in this day and age.
It does.. I'd say maybe around 60% into the story. Christie does that thing where they just throw you facts, rather than foreshadow or provide context to things that happen. I also couldn't understand Bess. She was so universally loved and adored but she literally pushed her daughter away from her so she could live her daredevil dreams out. There was not one word uttered about her actions or about her making the wrong decision in giving her child up and being an absentee parent. I just thought that was a little far fetched for the people at the time. Certainly that would have been some real juicy gossip, no? And then for Bess to just hop in her sports car and floor it to her death... that also made no sense. I just didn't understand any of this story. The characters aren't substantial enough to me. They are all so one dimensional that it made the whole story uninteresting. Even Elvira, I expected more from her. Even more of a storyline for her as well. As soon as we start making progress with one character, the narration switches to another character and all the interest we have been building up dwindles back down to zero.
Also.. Miss Marple is barely in this book?! Like she has probably 3-4 substantial scenes. Maybe like 2 or 3 chapters dedicated to her. She just comes off as a nosy old lady-which maybe is her shtick? IDK this book was overall a waste of time, with a forgettable story. If it was more focused on some of the interesting characters it would have been more enjoyable. A daring mother, a conniving daughter, an opportunistic racecar driver, it has great bones right there! But the story falls flat; especially in this day and age.
mysterious
medium-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
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:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
"'It’s been a good racket,' said Father. 'Well planned, beautifully executed. But nothing lasts for ever.'"
I always adore a Miss Marple, but this was one of my very favourites so far. I loved the fact that you basically know absolutely nothing going in and that (as fun as such stories always are!) the plot isn't centred around an advertised murder or even mystery - instead, you're left figuring out what the hell you're even trying to figure out. It's so cleverly and interestingly done and I absolutely loved the reading experience.
Miss Marple has a decent enough role in this one, though I do prefer it when she's even more front and centre and so that's my only slight gripe! As well as the unique plot and usual sharp writing and characterisation there's also some really great and seamlessly interwoven commentary on modernity and the passage of time. Just an all-round brilliant read <3
I always adore a Miss Marple, but this was one of my very favourites so far. I loved the fact that you basically know absolutely nothing going in and that (as fun as such stories always are!) the plot isn't centred around an advertised murder or even mystery - instead, you're left figuring out what the hell you're even trying to figure out. It's so cleverly and interestingly done and I absolutely loved the reading experience.
Miss Marple has a decent enough role in this one, though I do prefer it when she's even more front and centre and so that's my only slight gripe! As well as the unique plot and usual sharp writing and characterisation there's also some really great and seamlessly interwoven commentary on modernity and the passage of time. Just an all-round brilliant read <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Une chose est sûre : Miss Marple, ce n’est pas pour moi…