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yash_verma's review against another edition
5.0
A masterpiece story and excellent narration. Clever use of sarcasm in many of dialogues made the reading even more engrossing. All of the 223 pages are full of action making it a fast paced power pack.
owen_spanner's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
I believe I have read this before, but that made it no less entertaining. The funny, cynical quips make the book with the main character's dialogue just making the book. The description is fantastic too, all around a very enjoyable read.
pjc1268's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good read with a twist at the end, I liked this book, but a bit slow in places.
williemeikle's review against another edition
4.0
This is my favorite of all of MacLean's thrillers, and not just because it is set in my native Scotland.
MacLean's books often rely of a big twist near the end. In many of the lesser books, Bear Island for example, you can see it coming from far away. But in WEBT, he keeps things taut, and the action moves so fast and furiously it doesn't give you time to think.
The other great thing about this one is the beginning. It starts right in with a great suspense scene, and just ranks up the tension from there.
MacLean's books often rely of a big twist near the end. In many of the lesser books, Bear Island for example, you can see it coming from far away. But in WEBT, he keeps things taut, and the action moves so fast and furiously it doesn't give you time to think.
The other great thing about this one is the beginning. It starts right in with a great suspense scene, and just ranks up the tension from there.
dhrutigopaluni's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
storiesforhisglory's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read
Look, I love Alistair MacLean books. I love the dynamic between Philip Calvert and Charlotte in this story. And I love how MacLean sets up the backstory in literally two sentences and makes it work. Calvert is awesome. And I love the twists in this story. That's why I keep re-reading these books!
Look, I love Alistair MacLean books. I love the dynamic between Philip Calvert and Charlotte in this story. And I love how MacLean sets up the backstory in literally two sentences and makes it work. Calvert is awesome. And I love the twists in this story. That's why I keep re-reading these books!
theobviousmystery's review against another edition
4.0
ARE YOUR PARENTS AVID READERS? My dad was. He used to read a lot. Whenever he sees me with a book in my hand, he comes over asks about that book and then recommends a few of his own. That is how I came across When Eight Bells Toll by Alistair MacLean. The book like any other Maclean book has a mystery that needs to be solved and there is a hero who solves it. That is the gist of most books out there. The only factor that makes a difference is the writing style and this is where Maclean excels!
When Eight Bells Toll is a first-person narrative that tells the story of agent Phillip Calvert on his mission to find out the reason for missing cargo ships in the Irish Sea. His mission leads him to a small port town of Torbay. From there the real mission starts. Like all thrillers, there are moments when you feel like gasping and awing and unlike all thrillers, every instance or turning point of the story seems real.
What adds to my wonderment is the fact that the entire timeline of the book is just a short while and the writing elucidates each and every moment of it and you are aware of every tiny detail and you feel like the book has lasted for hours. Honestly, this was to play both the boon and bane of the booking. When I started reading it, I did not like how the pace was set and it was almost added to my “I’ll read it later” pile. But I went on and found that this pace has its own positives. I learned so much about copters, ships and shark boats in this book and what interests me more is the fact that they did not bore me yet again. If you guys like thrillers and are looking for a good one. I say the same thing my dad said. Give it a try. You can always put it down if you don’t like it.
When Eight Bells Toll is a first-person narrative that tells the story of agent Phillip Calvert on his mission to find out the reason for missing cargo ships in the Irish Sea. His mission leads him to a small port town of Torbay. From there the real mission starts. Like all thrillers, there are moments when you feel like gasping and awing and unlike all thrillers, every instance or turning point of the story seems real.
What adds to my wonderment is the fact that the entire timeline of the book is just a short while and the writing elucidates each and every moment of it and you are aware of every tiny detail and you feel like the book has lasted for hours. Honestly, this was to play both the boon and bane of the booking. When I started reading it, I did not like how the pace was set and it was almost added to my “I’ll read it later” pile. But I went on and found that this pace has its own positives. I learned so much about copters, ships and shark boats in this book and what interests me more is the fact that they did not bore me yet again. If you guys like thrillers and are looking for a good one. I say the same thing my dad said. Give it a try. You can always put it down if you don’t like it.