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angelfireeast24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Stalking, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Classism, Misogyny, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Murder
jillgoober's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
I thought maybe this would be a cute little quick read...but it was a slog to get through this. I think I need to stop trying to read cozy mysteries from the 90s/early 00s because the protagonist's inner monologue is somehow always fatphobic, sexist, subtly homophobic, and simply rude. Despite its short length, the book was filled with unnecessary descriptions. There were also multiple times where a character who was not even in the scene was written as speaking, i.e. there were some big editing mistakes. I also felt that the actual mystery component to this story was juvenile and predictable to say the least.
I thought maybe this would be a cute little quick read...but it was a slog to get through this. I think I need to stop trying to read cozy mysteries from the 90s/early 00s because the protagonist's inner monologue is somehow always fatphobic, sexist, subtly homophobic, and simply rude. Despite its short length, the book was filled with unnecessary descriptions. There were also multiple times where a character who was not even in the scene was written as speaking, i.e. there were some big editing mistakes. I also felt that the actual mystery component to this story was juvenile and predictable to say the least.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Sexism
strangeeigenfunction's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This might be the most ambivalent I've felt about a book. Most of the blame rests on Agatha Raisin herself, as she is a mixture of endearing and nearly intolerable. The narrative voice isn't exempt from many of her flaws either.
(This digital edition included a Christmas themed short story at the end which spoils some aspects of the further series but suggests that Agatha might smooth out ...a bit.)
I am not a huge Agatha Christie reader, but I was not particularly reminded of the few I've read a while back here, if I was meant to be.
(This digital edition included a Christmas themed short story at the end which spoils some aspects of the further series but suggests that Agatha might smooth out ...a bit.)
I am not a huge Agatha Christie reader, but I was not particularly reminded of the few I've read a while back here, if I was meant to be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Alcoholism and Racism
(note: I usually try to be more thorough but this time I have not even approached a complete survey of content to warn for.) Murder is genre typical.
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