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ellaspring's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
I'm rather ambivalent towards this book. I feel that it was a bit repetitive, especially the first half. I found out the same thing over and over in different ways: that none of the suspects knew each other, that Mr. Pandy drowned, John McCrodden didn't know anyone, Annabell Treadway is sad and loves her dog, etc. . I don't mind how it resolved, but I do wish there were less red herrings.
I did like the side characters though! They were all interesting, and most of their motiviations made sense. They were engaging, and I was interesting in finding out more about them.
I do feel that subplots weren't fully resolved, but I'm okay with that since it wasn't the main focus of the point.I hope that Mildred, Eustace, and Slivia resolve their conflict beyond a temporary truce; and the cake lady (Mrs. Springs??) sorts out the cake thing with the woman who stole her recipe. .
Side note: why was Roland McCrodden involved so much in the investigation??? Why did he do a 180 and defend Lenore? It feels OOC from what I think I know of him
I did look up church window cakes, but I'm still confused why it's called the mystery of three quarters, and not four quarters.
I did like the side characters though! They were all interesting, and most of their motiviations made sense. They were engaging, and I was interesting in finding out more about them.
I do feel that subplots weren't fully resolved, but I'm okay with that since it wasn't the main focus of the point.
I did look up church window cakes, but I'm still confused why it's called the mystery of three quarters, and not four quarters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Abortion and Fatphobia
nataliekeith's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.5
I love Agatha Christie novels and so far I enjoyed the other Sophie Hannah revival of Hercule Poirot. This book just felt lack lustre. The mystery wasn’t that exciting, the resolution even less so. I read another review that said Hannah writes it as if her reader is incredibly dumb and I completely agree. She repeats everything in so much unnecessary detail but doesn’t really give much plot.
At the end of the novel Poirot gathers all the people “involved” in the mystery to the scene of the crime to do his big reveal (typical Poirot). But he brings people like Mildred and Eustace, all the Rule Family for that matter, the children, Rowland McCrodden, all for no real reason. Once Lenore is revealed as the letter writer and maybe murderer it doesn’t really matter that Sylvia Rule has a minor connection to her. Eustace gains nothing from being there. Neither do the Dockerills. There are so many unnecessary characters!
Overall I don’t recommend this book. It also has very over zealous and unnecessary anti-abortion and pro-death-penalty rhetoric.
Overall I don’t recommend this book. It also has very over zealous and unnecessary anti-abortion and pro-death-penalty rhetoric.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Death
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