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thepagesofmrsd's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Agatha Christie is never a bad choice for me so I was looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint. As always, the pacing was great and the plotting was excellent. I really enjoyed the little references to theatre scattered throughout the story and, although I didn't completely guess the solution, little clues had me tantalisingly close! Christie sure knew how to spin a good mystery! She also knew how to create wonderful characters. Whilst I did find it difficult to keep track of everyone, the main characters were a joy to read about, particularly Satterthwaite (who I had previously come across in a short story) and, of course, Poirot himself.
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⚠️CW: sadly, this book does contain a small amount of racial slurs, as well as antisemitism, and sexism/body shaming. Whilst perhaps expected in books of this time period, I did find it jarring as a modern reader.
.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to discussing it with my book club next week. I'd certainly recommend to classic mystery/cosy crime fans!
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⚠️CW: sadly, this book does contain a small amount of racial slurs, as well as antisemitism, and sexism/body shaming. Whilst perhaps expected in books of this time period, I did find it jarring as a modern reader.
.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to discussing it with my book club next week. I'd certainly recommend to classic mystery/cosy crime fans!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Antisemitism, and Sexism
fa1th_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was a little bit disappointed about this one, especially freshly coming after the exquisitely-crafted mystery in And Then There Were None.
I was not able to guess the suspect, the mystery still had enough twist-and-turns for me to enjoy; it was a good plot overall, but it went on a little too long, and getting on a bit confusing. After the Second Act I got tired, it just seemed like the story started to drag and I wish they would pick up the pace. Poirot had a minor role in this, as the story requested a star role in another main character, and I was sadden by that, since he was the only one I came here for.
The new characters were the most unappealing part of the novel. I just could not get into them, especially Egg Lytton Gore in the first half. I totally understand that this book was a product of its time, that Agatha Christie was just writing about whatever was suitable for her during that era but STILL. Miss Egg was kind of annoying ngl. Her instant hatred of other women when she thought there was someone in the way of 'getting her man' (so to speak) was, A LOT, to say the least. I was writing in my reading journals that 'why are we obsessing over this one particular mid-aged white man in the country idk,' because girl you won't miss him you won't miss another. (good thing I did see her in a new light in the latter half)
Also, an observation that I was now three books in and starting to realize, that if I am to continue this journey of the many great Agatha Christie novels, i must suffer from her (very unnecessary but frequent) racist remarks towards well any people of colours but especially black folks. Her talent on writing murder mysteries was well-praised but her skill of whipping out the n word here and there in the most random places just UNPROVOKED?? Astounding. They were out of nowhere and shocked me every time. You could just say someone was admiring a statue, nobody would bat an eyelash, but NOOO, mrs. Christie must let the reader know with an unnecessary n word. WHY???
All in all, this novel was alright, but not her best work.
I was not able to guess the suspect, the mystery still had enough twist-and-turns for me to enjoy; it was a good plot overall, but it went on a little too long, and getting on a bit confusing. After the Second Act I got tired, it just seemed like the story started to drag and I wish they would pick up the pace. Poirot had a minor role in this, as the story requested a star role in another main character, and I was sadden by that, since he was the only one I came here for.
The new characters were the most unappealing part of the novel. I just could not get into them, especially Egg Lytton Gore in the first half. I totally understand that this book was a product of its time, that Agatha Christie was just writing about whatever was suitable for her during that era but STILL. Miss Egg was kind of annoying ngl. Her instant hatred of other women when she thought there was someone in the way of 'getting her man' (so to speak) was, A LOT, to say the least. I was writing in my reading journals that 'why are we obsessing over this one particular mid-aged white man in the country idk,' because girl you won't miss him you won't miss another. (good thing I did see her in a new light in the latter half)
Also, an observation that I was now three books in and starting to realize, that if I am to continue this journey of the many great Agatha Christie novels, i must suffer from her (very unnecessary but frequent) racist remarks towards well any people of colours but especially black folks. Her talent on writing murder mysteries was well-praised but her skill of whipping out the n word here and there in the most random places just UNPROVOKED?? Astounding. They were out of nowhere and shocked me every time. You could just say someone was admiring a statue, nobody would bat an eyelash, but NOOO, mrs. Christie must let the reader know with an unnecessary n word. WHY???
All in all, this novel was alright, but not her best work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Misogyny and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
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