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veronadeau's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
primi's review
mysterious
slow-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
2.25
congressbaby143's review
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook from Phoebe Reads A Mystery.
Ms Anna Katharine Green really got it right what a pick me! man is capable of when he feels he has lost. God, I’ve had so many experiences in life that will make me believe the reality and possibility of the motive of this book's murderer.
Because he couldn’t own her in one sense, he decides to own her in a different sense. I’m just so glad Mary was strong enough to actually reject it even if she’s been known to love her wealth more than anything.
Ms Green was also able to write such complex women with no identical flatness which some period mysteries struggle with. From Eleanore to Mary to Hannah to Phoebe, the women really suffered in this novel.
I understand how Ms Agatha Christie was inspired by this novel. It was narrated by a man also sometimes blindsided by his affections for the women involved and there’s another more competent detective. Really does sound like Poirot without all the flourishes.
Ms Anna Katharine Green really got it right what a pick me! man is capable of when he feels he has lost. God, I’ve had so many experiences in life that will make me believe the reality and possibility of the motive of this book's murderer.
Because he couldn’t own her in one sense, he decides to own her in a different sense. I’m just so glad Mary was strong enough to actually reject it even if she’s been known to love her wealth more than anything.
Ms Green was also able to write such complex women with no identical flatness which some period mysteries struggle with. From Eleanore to Mary to Hannah to Phoebe, the women really suffered in this novel.
I understand how Ms Agatha Christie was inspired by this novel. It was narrated by a man also sometimes blindsided by his affections for the women involved and there’s another more competent detective. Really does sound like Poirot without all the flourishes.
tophat8855's review
3.0
Listening via CraftLit podcast
Podcast just wrapped up! This was a great little murder mystery, but it doesn't really give you all the clues until the end, so you can't try to figure out whodunit as you read. However, as an early mystery book, I see how this was impressive for its time. And I'm glad all the ladies ended up with good endings. :)
Podcast just wrapped up! This was a great little murder mystery, but it doesn't really give you all the clues until the end, so you can't try to figure out whodunit as you read. However, as an early mystery book, I see how this was impressive for its time. And I'm glad all the ladies ended up with good endings. :)
catechism's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
amyboughner's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I found I couldn't read this book in long stretches, the text just felt so heavy
briannad4's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wrenarf's review
4.0
Listened to this on Phoebe Reads A Mystery podcast. I thought it was a little slow but I think the shocking nature of some of the occurrences has become not-shocking at all in 2020 making the middle of the novel not as sensational as I’m sure it was.
oli_chip's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mainebookworm22's review against another edition
4.0
I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time as she is considered the mother of detective fiction. I really enjoyed this locked room mystery and the detective in charge of the case --Inspector Gryce. You can see where she inspired Doyle and Christie -- Raymond and Gryce are the precursors of Holmes and Watson and Poirot and Hastings. Also the way Gryce reviewed the whole case at the end of the book reminded me of Poirot gathering all the suspects together. Enjoyed this one very much and am going to try and hunt down some of her other works.