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backpackfullofbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
“I think people more often kill those they love, than those they hate. Possibly because only the people you love can really make life unendurable to you.”
~
The protagonist of this story, a man called Charles, finds himself in the role of amateur detective when his father (who is high up in the police) asks for his assistance on a murder case.
The victim in the case is the overbearing elderly patriarch of the very wealthy Leonides family. He leaves behind a much younger wife, several dysfunctional adult children and several grandchildren. The protagonist Charles happens to be engaged to one of the old mans granddaughters, which is what gives him access to the family.
The Mr Leonides has been murdered by a switch in his diabetes medication, with a lethal injection being administered instead of his required insulin. Given his money and power a great many people may have wanted him dead, most notably his own family who have inherited not only money but a great deal of personal freedom.
~
Agatha went dark with this one!
One of things that Mrs Christie tends to do well is crafting fascinatingly dysfunctional family’s and this might be one of her best ones!
They all have some massive character flaw that is distinct to them in the family unit, making it a tapestry of unharmonious and loud personalities. This combined with the fact that the patriarch maintained control of his offspring well into their adult lives (to the extent where he dictates the raising of his grandchildren) makes this family a hotbed of dysfunction and frustrations.
~
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to try a Christie and are looking for a more intense storyline. I would also recommend this for fans of the film “Knives out” as the set up was definitely an inspiration for the film.
~
The protagonist of this story, a man called Charles, finds himself in the role of amateur detective when his father (who is high up in the police) asks for his assistance on a murder case.
The victim in the case is the overbearing elderly patriarch of the very wealthy Leonides family. He leaves behind a much younger wife, several dysfunctional adult children and several grandchildren. The protagonist Charles happens to be engaged to one of the old mans granddaughters, which is what gives him access to the family.
The Mr Leonides has been murdered by a switch in his diabetes medication, with a lethal injection being administered instead of his required insulin. Given his money and power a great many people may have wanted him dead, most notably his own family who have inherited not only money but a great deal of personal freedom.
~
Agatha went dark with this one!
One of things that Mrs Christie tends to do well is crafting fascinatingly dysfunctional family’s and this might be one of her best ones!
They all have some massive character flaw that is distinct to them in the family unit, making it a tapestry of unharmonious and loud personalities. This combined with the fact that the patriarch maintained control of his offspring well into their adult lives (to the extent where he dictates the raising of his grandchildren) makes this family a hotbed of dysfunction and frustrations.
~
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to try a Christie and are looking for a more intense storyline. I would also recommend this for fans of the film “Knives out” as the set up was definitely an inspiration for the film.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Murder, Suicide, and Terminal illness
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