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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
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A very solid three stars. The flow of the narrative is quite stop and go which makes the way the plot moves on a bit chaotic in my book. Never the less, the plot is interesting, the reveal not so far from left field, the hints are there. I liked the introduction of Roderick's 'love interest' who is so far a strong character in her own right. It reminded me of Sayer's introduction of Harriet Vane. Which is by far one of my favorite introduction of a 'partner' for a lead character. Looking forward to read the next title in the series.
my_potato_farm's review against another edition
3.0
The least painful one so far, and poser art students are still funny (sorry!) Still lots of casual slurs sprinkled around.
helenbronj's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
suzig's review against another edition
3.0
I love Agatha Troy, she’s so cool! I was very invested in the romance aspect of this book, so found the middle bit with all the questioning of the suspects dragged a bit. Also I like how the book seems to be leading you to guessing whodunnit and then has a few twists.
Content Notes: A rather gruesome corpse discovery scene. More graphic than corpse descriptions usually are in the genre typically.
Content Notes: A rather gruesome corpse discovery scene. More graphic than corpse descriptions usually are in the genre typically.
emileod4974's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0