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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a pretty good talent for not remembering whodunnit even if I'd read or seen a detective story before, but this book, for some reason, was not the case.
Which made me pay attention to the means of the end closer than I usually would have. I wonder how much there is of Old Lady Agatha in this ultra-elderly feeble Miss Marple. Confused by the way the world moves on, not as physically able as she once used to be, but still sharp as a blade.
I think the central case is absolutely brilliant (which might be why I remembered it from a TV adaptation),, but it all makes perfect sense.
Definitely one of Christie's best.
Which made me pay attention to the means of the end closer than I usually would have. I wonder how much there is of Old Lady Agatha in this ultra-elderly feeble Miss Marple. Confused by the way the world moves on, not as physically able as she once used to be, but still sharp as a blade.
I think the central case is absolutely brilliant (which might be why I remembered it from a TV adaptation),
Spoiler
the following deaths are kinda of a traditional Agatha overkillDefinitely one of Christie's best.
3.75 stars
This was my first Miss Marple book and I have to say I think I prefer Hercule Poirot. Maybe it was just this one, but I felt like Miss Marple was treated as an invalid and not much a part of the mystery solving. I read the new Marple short-story collection last year and really enjoyed that so I was hoping for a bit more.
Aside from that, this story was entertaining and I kept changing my mind on who the killer was and what the motive would be. I find that to be a great sign of a mystery.
I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Emilia Fox. She did a fabulous job with all sorts of voices and accents.
Read if you like:
Agatha Christie
Mysteries
Elderly ladies pushing back against the status quo
This was my first Miss Marple book and I have to say I think I prefer Hercule Poirot. Maybe it was just this one, but I felt like Miss Marple was treated as an invalid and not much a part of the mystery solving. I read the new Marple short-story collection last year and really enjoyed that so I was hoping for a bit more.
Aside from that, this story was entertaining and I kept changing my mind on who the killer was and what the motive would be. I find that to be a great sign of a mystery.
I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Emilia Fox. She did a fabulous job with all sorts of voices and accents.
Read if you like:
Agatha Christie
Mysteries
Elderly ladies pushing back against the status quo
Miss Marple doesn't even have to leave her cottage to solve this one. It's a great story of the changes in village life after the war and how people really remained the same in essence.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Miss Marple elements of the book were delightful, however the book is full of moments which are uncomfortable to read.
In particular, Christie really forces her weird opinions about adoption and nature vs nurture, which seriously ruins the tone of the book.
In particular, Christie really forces her weird opinions about adoption and nature vs nurture, which seriously ruins the tone of the book.
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Only 4 stars because some of her mysteries are truly incredible. This one was very good.
I don't know if it's because I'm reading these in such quick succession or if it's because they're just written that way but I'm guessing a lot of the murderers a lot better than I ever did with Poirot. Not that I'm getting the why and how right but regardless of how I'm guessing the whodunnit I find her stories more engaging and enjoyed this one.