Reviews

The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn

clothpeg's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.75

toreadistovoyage's review against another edition

3.75

A great middle grades mystery with clever nods towards Agatha Christie (as well as her famous detective Hercule Poirot). The main character, Aggie Morton, is smart, persistent, and bold. This is the type of book I wish I had been able to read in middle school.

micmezle's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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? No

4.0

katie_bookey's review

5.0

This was absolutely delightful to read. Aggie Morton is my favorite 12-year-old ever. I love her imaginative nature and her ability to observe those around her and her acceptance of reality when her imagination doesn't match up. Her friendship with Hector is also the best. The ending seemed a little intense for an actual 12-year-old to read, but as an adult I really enjoyed this level of suspense.

maeriaen's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

lixard's review against another edition

3.75

Delightful story! I would love to recommend this to a young person, start their questioning of topics brought up in here: 

• sexism, misogyny, women's suffrage and the rights of women in the 1900s
• immigration, race, refugees, the idea of outsiders
• grief, murder, mourning

I hope the other installments have more Hector and Aggie moments because their friendship is so cute and the way they support each other in their crime solving process is precious. 

typographic_whimsy's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? No

3.5

pinacolada's review

3.0

If I was younger, I probably would have liked it more.
Nice memories of Agatha Christie from middle school.

slothburglar's review

This book feels very much like it was written by an adult who doesn't remember what it was like to be a child.

serenereader9's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This was such a good book that was an easy read, very breezy. The book has underlying themes of race and class and the characters are fun to read about. In Hector Perot’s dialogue I actually hear Poirot’s voice clearly and the author has done a good job in keeping it authentic. The mystery was good, it is middle grade. I just wasn’t super impressed, shocked by or invested in the mystery. All the same I will read more in the series, it was lots of fun.