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bev_reads_mysteries's review
3.0
A collection of stories that give the reader a fictional tour of the criminal haunts of London. Unfortunately, my tour of London wound up being a major case of deja vu. I would have enjoyed my wanderings a lot more if I hadn't already visited most of the sites. I had already read a great number of these stories in other collections. The highlights of the sight-seeing trip came with "A Little Place off the Edgware Road" by Graham Greene and "People Don't Do Such Things" by Ruth Rendell. Greene's story provided a clever little twist...this time it's not the murderer who gets away, but the body of the victim. And Rendell's offering provides a surprise ending for the straying wife and her lover.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
shells's review
3.0
This book was given to me for free at a neighbors yard sale (I DID pick it out to purchase it) but I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
It took me far too long to finish this because only about 3 of the stories were interesting and fleshed out enough to be worth my time to read (for which, I've awarded one star each). Short doesn't have to mean incomplete, one-dimensional characters. Most of the "detectives" in these stories were so full of themselves they never shut up, resulting in stories that told the reader what happened rather than showing us as a good story should. In some of the stories, the logic was so haphazard, it was difficult to follow what was going on or who was speaking at any given moment.
It took me far too long to finish this because only about 3 of the stories were interesting and fleshed out enough to be worth my time to read (for which, I've awarded one star each). Short doesn't have to mean incomplete, one-dimensional characters. Most of the "detectives" in these stories were so full of themselves they never shut up, resulting in stories that told the reader what happened rather than showing us as a good story should. In some of the stories, the logic was so haphazard, it was difficult to follow what was going on or who was speaking at any given moment.
alexisdpatt's review
4.0
“London After Midnight: A Tour of Its Criminal Haunts” edited by Peter Haining.
The following reviews are for the stories I chose to read from this collection.
“The Adventure of the Worst Man in London” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED. Britain’s number one consulting detective is now a burglar! Published under the title, “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton,” in 1904, Doyle bases his story on real life Victorian blackmailer, Charles Augustus Howell. Full of sleuth, stealth and humor, Doyle creates a charming story for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with an ending that will keep you guessing.
“Yellow Iris” by Agatha Christie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
Very intriguing to see how Hercule Poirot manages a deductive reasoning and lands the execution in 15 pages. Such a small, yet impactful story full of quick and witty banter.
“Flight From Fleet Street” by Carter Dickson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Little “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” action going on here. I absolutely love Dickson’s use of the dim witted-ness of a first time American in London. Getting messed up in places where he doesn’t belong yet never shutting up to give anyone a moments peace. Absolutely brilliant.
“People Don’t Do Such Things” by Ruth Rendell ⭐️⭐️
Way too predictable and dull and a bit annoying to be honest. Woman cheats on husband with husband’s best friend and lover kills her....boring....NEXT.
The following reviews are for the stories I chose to read from this collection.
“The Adventure of the Worst Man in London” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED. Britain’s number one consulting detective is now a burglar! Published under the title, “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton,” in 1904, Doyle bases his story on real life Victorian blackmailer, Charles Augustus Howell. Full of sleuth, stealth and humor, Doyle creates a charming story for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with an ending that will keep you guessing.
“Yellow Iris” by Agatha Christie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
Very intriguing to see how Hercule Poirot manages a deductive reasoning and lands the execution in 15 pages. Such a small, yet impactful story full of quick and witty banter.
“Flight From Fleet Street” by Carter Dickson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Little “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” action going on here. I absolutely love Dickson’s use of the dim witted-ness of a first time American in London. Getting messed up in places where he doesn’t belong yet never shutting up to give anyone a moments peace. Absolutely brilliant.
“People Don’t Do Such Things” by Ruth Rendell ⭐️⭐️
Way too predictable and dull and a bit annoying to be honest. Woman cheats on husband with husband’s best friend and lover kills her....boring....NEXT.
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