Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
"A woman, in her own sphere, can do wonders."
Thank you?
Rarely does this happen but, throughout my reading of this novel, I kept changing my mind about whether this book was any good. My final opinion is that it was, despite some areas sort of dragging.
The whole international scope of this novel sort of reminded me of The Big Four. However, fortunately, not too much. My opinion is that The Secret of Chimneys succeeded in what The Big Four tried to achieve. Chimneys felt less forced, less gimmicky, and less inspired - and therefore, more original. I did get a bit of a pre-noir vibe from it though. If that's a thing.
Anthony Cade was highly enjoyable. The secondary characters were great, especially Billy and Virginia. The plot twist at the end really threw me for a loop, but I'm sure I'd be able to pick up on more foreshadowing the second time around.
This novel is quite different from Christie's other works. If you're comfortable with that, you might really like this one.
Thank you?
Rarely does this happen but, throughout my reading of this novel, I kept changing my mind about whether this book was any good. My final opinion is that it was, despite some areas sort of dragging.
The whole international scope of this novel sort of reminded me of The Big Four. However, fortunately, not too much. My opinion is that The Secret of Chimneys succeeded in what The Big Four tried to achieve. Chimneys felt less forced, less gimmicky, and less inspired - and therefore, more original. I did get a bit of a pre-noir vibe from it though. If that's a thing.
Anthony Cade was highly enjoyable. The secondary characters were great, especially Billy and Virginia. The plot twist at the end really threw me for a loop, but I'm sure I'd be able to pick up on more foreshadowing the second time around.
This novel is quite different from Christie's other works. If you're comfortable with that, you might really like this one.
mysterious
medium-paced
Very clever, very Agatha. Including, alas, her usual eye-popping racism. Her books make me glad I wasn’t alive then - I can’t imagine hearing people say the things she writes. She gets five stars because the books were written so long ago; of course she wouldn’t write them the same way today.
Beautifully written and plotted, as usual. I do prefer Poirot to Battle but this was excellent, too.
Beautifully written and plotted, as usual. I do prefer Poirot to Battle but this was excellent, too.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The bigotry is thick in this story of spies, thieves, jewels, stolen manuscript(s) and letters, blackmail, secret identities, politics, and crime. Superintendent battle does his “I’m a stolid copper” act, while actually suspecting everyone who needed to be suspected. The adventurer/courier Anthony is mostly unlikeable but does figure out who’s who and who did what.
Did I like this? Not as much as I’d hoped, but I did really enjoy Lord Caterham and Bundle (Lady Eileen), his daughter, who both stole every scene they were in.
Did I like this? Not as much as I’d hoped, but I did really enjoy Lord Caterham and Bundle (Lady Eileen), his daughter, who both stole every scene they were in.
My favorite Christy novel to date. I found the characters engaging and the plot twisty.
In 2021 I rated this 2/5, but I feel like it's a solid 4/5 for our girl Agatha this time. I like fake Balkan countries and I am immune to British Imperial Condescension at this point.