Scan barcode
lisas_library_factory's review against another edition
4.0
This was another book for the ReadChristie Challenge 2021 and I very much enjoyed it. Miss Marple has a very prominent role in this one, which I absolutely adored. She really was the old lady dedective in this one that I always imagined here to be. The only thing that bothered me a bit was, that it took quite a while to get into the story and for it to becoming exciting. But from around page 100 I was not able to put the book back down. What I always find so fascinating with Christie is, that you as a reader have all the suspicions of who the murder could be, but in the end, it is always someone entirely different.
yarn_chicken's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the BBC 4 radio dramatization of this. Because I'm secretly a 75 year old British woman. It was amazing.
geenag90's review against another edition
2.0
I did enjoy the plot of this one, however the way that several male characters discussed young women and issues around rape were awful and leave a bad taste in the mouth. I note this my seem quite critical based on the age of the book but I would feel right not mentioning these elements as they were pretty awful.
readbycallum's review against another edition
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
2.75
alicemirage's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook read by Emilia Fox
From the book jacket: In utter disbelief, Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel – an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon, she is faced with a new crime – the ultimate crime – murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remain buried….
My reactions
Miss Marple is up to her usual tricks. She is a keen observer and an astute judge of character. She fully understands that people underestimate her – or even completely ignore her. She is only an old woman, after all. HA!
I have to admit that my mind wandered on this one. I just wasn’t keeping up with Miss Marple in following the clues, I guess. But not to fear. As is typical with these books, she will sit down and explain it all – in detail – to the detectives, suspects, and other interested parties.
Emilia Fox does a good job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and I like the way she interprets Miss Marple. My lack of attention was not due to any lack of skill as a narrator.
From the book jacket: In utter disbelief, Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel – an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon, she is faced with a new crime – the ultimate crime – murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remain buried….
My reactions
Miss Marple is up to her usual tricks. She is a keen observer and an astute judge of character. She fully understands that people underestimate her – or even completely ignore her. She is only an old woman, after all. HA!
I have to admit that my mind wandered on this one. I just wasn’t keeping up with Miss Marple in following the clues, I guess. But not to fear. As is typical with these books, she will sit down and explain it all – in detail – to the detectives, suspects, and other interested parties.
Emilia Fox does a good job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and I like the way she interprets Miss Marple. My lack of attention was not due to any lack of skill as a narrator.
outoftheofficeagain's review against another edition
3.0
Major spring vibes on this English country garden and historical home tour. Jane is recruited by her recently deceased “friend” to solve a mystery… maybe… but has no context and no clues.
There is commentary galore on justice, for better or worse, and it’s a bit of a slut-shaming read full of hot takes from older characters about how rape isn’t murder and we wouldn’t want to ruin boys potential. I found it to be eerily and frustratingly accurate, but I appreciate some of the attempt at nuance even if it was weak at best. Themes of accountability and objectivity that almost hit. It’s cozy, for sure despite some gruesome crimes, and I did enjoy the “three sisters” and the gimmick of Jane not actually knowing the crime going into the trip.
There is commentary galore on justice, for better or worse, and it’s a bit of a slut-shaming read full of hot takes from older characters about how rape isn’t murder and we wouldn’t want to ruin boys potential. I found it to be eerily and frustratingly accurate, but I appreciate some of the attempt at nuance even if it was weak at best. Themes of accountability and objectivity that almost hit. It’s cozy, for sure despite some gruesome crimes, and I did enjoy the “three sisters” and the gimmick of Jane not actually knowing the crime going into the trip.
sprinkledwithwords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
pinks_paperbacks's review against another edition
4.0
It was slow in the beginning but caught pace quite quickly. There usually isn't much action in Miss Marple's series owing to her age and personality but this book had an interesting way to keep you captivated. The clues were obvious but even then I was still not able to pinpoint the culprit until it was made obvious. Conclusively, there were few times when I needed to take breaks but not once did I want to stop reading completely.
As I am reading more of Agatha Christie's books the more I am realising (or maybe I am reading too much into it) that she was an open-minded and tolerant woman. I say so because in this book itself there were characters and characteristic features that could, in this day and age, be categorised under LGBTQ+ communities. For example there was one instance where Archdeacon Brabazon is discussing with Miss Marple the possible psyche behind Verity's decison to marry Michael and in a part of his discussion he mentions how she had lost her parents and come to live with Clotilde around the age when one starts developing 'crush on someone.' He adds that the schoolgirls can have these crushes on "......an attractive mistress. Anything from the games mistress to the mathematics mistress, or a prefect or an older girl. A state that does not last for very long, is merely a natural part of life." I know she puts it as a 'phase' in life but I will still give her props for mentioning it as a 'natural' part of life.
The reason I want to mention the above point is because I feel it is important to realise that if Agatha, in her time, could mention homosexuality albeit quite subtly, without prejudice then why is it still such a trouble for us to be, at the very least, tolerant about it? It's sad that even now we have so many people who view anything other than heterosexuality as unnatural and abnormal and with disgust and hatred. Quoting Agatha - “To care passionately for another human creature brings always more sorrow than joy; but at the same time, Elinor, one would not be without experience. Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived..." After all we humans are cut from the same cloth.
As I am reading more of Agatha Christie's books the more I am realising (or maybe I am reading too much into it) that she was an open-minded and tolerant woman. I say so because in this book itself there were characters and characteristic features that could, in this day and age, be categorised under LGBTQ+ communities. For example there was one instance where Archdeacon Brabazon is discussing with Miss Marple the possible psyche behind Verity's decison to marry Michael and in a part of his discussion he mentions how she had lost her parents and come to live with Clotilde around the age when one starts developing 'crush on someone.' He adds that the schoolgirls can have these crushes on "......an attractive mistress. Anything from the games mistress to the mathematics mistress, or a prefect or an older girl. A state that does not last for very long, is merely a natural part of life." I know she puts it as a 'phase' in life but I will still give her props for mentioning it as a 'natural' part of life.
The reason I want to mention the above point is because I feel it is important to realise that if Agatha, in her time, could mention homosexuality albeit quite subtly, without prejudice then why is it still such a trouble for us to be, at the very least, tolerant about it? It's sad that even now we have so many people who view anything other than heterosexuality as unnatural and abnormal and with disgust and hatred. Quoting Agatha - “To care passionately for another human creature brings always more sorrow than joy; but at the same time, Elinor, one would not be without experience. Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived..." After all we humans are cut from the same cloth.
adriannelikestoread's review against another edition
Too much misogyny by the male characters