Scan barcode
hexthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I don't regret reading this but it was not my favorite of the Golden Age Detective books. Markedly less racist, which was a bonus, and I did like the theatricality of the narrative. Still, I did not fall in love with Roderick Alleyn.
casualdarings's review against another edition
4.0
The person that recommended this to me called it a "deliberately artistic novel" and I think I agree, the prose is beautiful and pretensious but in a good way? I kept reading some of the dialogue outloud to myself in my best English accent cause it needed it, y'know?
Anyway, I liked it, it was a fun little mystery.
Anyway, I liked it, it was a fun little mystery.
nathuffman97's review against another edition
4.0
I did these out of order because I accidentally read the 7th book first despite the fact that it kind of continues from this one. Despite that, this was a great golden age mystery and a fun read. Lots of characters, multiple people who might have done it, and the romance between Alleyn and Troy is well done and touching. Definitely there is a gory death that feels a little violent for golden age mysteries, but I thought it set the whole thing off well. Very good and clever. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Alleyn and his mother.
ruthmeyer's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
saraboye's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
kath_knits's review against another edition
4.0
Loving the Alleyn mysteries the more I read. Like Agatha Christie only (as implied on cover of my book) better? (Almost as racist unfortunately). I guessed who'd dunnit in this one but then I get that smug feeling that's part of the enjoyment of this type of crime novel.
This is also the one where Alleyn meets Troy for the first time and reminded me slightly of Peter Wimsey and Harriet.
This is also the one where Alleyn meets Troy for the first time and reminded me slightly of Peter Wimsey and Harriet.
briarfairchild's review against another edition
2.0
I'm now officially sick of Roderick Stupid Alleyn. What a ninny. He spends half of each book lamenting over what a Terribly Loathesome job he's got but never shows any signs of actually giving it up, which he has more than enough privilege to do. He's tediously affected too. And the author is a yawnsome snob who can't draw a character to save her life. Pah.
mepitts's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Liked this. It’s a little old-fashioned in both good and not so good ways but a good, light read. Recommended.
wealhtheow's review against another edition
2.0
Inspector Alleyn is called in to investigate the murder, and finds among the suspects the artist he fell for on a recent cruise. They act tortured and repressed at each other in between scenes of Alleyn & co measuring marks on windowsills and the like. As always with Marsh, a large portion of this book is given over to seemingly endless natterings between characters about who was ~psychologically~ capable of murder. Eventually the murder is solved, but I'd lost all interest in the case by that point.
Putting aside the rather uninspired mystery, I was bothered that Alleyn seems set up as a perfect paragon, so much wiser and classier and richer and bluer blooded than all the rest. I was particularly bothered by this because he outright SAYS to his lady-love-the-suspect that she's totally not a suspect, and the extent of his investigation into her guilt is to have an underling check her alibi. I'd put up with that kind of favoritism from an amateur detective, but not the official investigator!
Putting aside the rather uninspired mystery, I was bothered that Alleyn seems set up as a perfect paragon, so much wiser and classier and richer and bluer blooded than all the rest. I was particularly bothered by this because he outright SAYS to his lady-love-the-suspect that she's totally not a suspect, and the extent of his investigation into her guilt is to have an underling check her alibi. I'd put up with that kind of favoritism from an amateur detective, but not the official investigator!
ruth's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0