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racha__'s review against another edition
2.0
Read this for school, and had my final exam today. Hated it he whole time, and I couldn't concentrate while reading it 'cause I bored. I mean... I guess the fact I read it for school has a huge impact on the way I feel about it, but still.
The ending was kinda pretty good though.
The ending was kinda pretty good though.
audrey_odry's review against another edition
4.0
"Lu" en version audio.
Après un début un peu "capillotracté", j'ai réussi à bien rentrer dans cette intrigue originale et, finalement, bien menée. J'aime toujours autant les portraits des personnages de Fred Vargas, leur complexité les rend authentique et attachants.
Après un début un peu "capillotracté", j'ai réussi à bien rentrer dans cette intrigue originale et, finalement, bien menée. J'aime toujours autant les portraits des personnages de Fred Vargas, leur complexité les rend authentique et attachants.
redporchinverter's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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
The problem with reading a mystery over multiple weeks is that you tend to forget crucial details. While I had to go back through it to realize that all the solution was, in fact, set up throughout the book, I still enjoyed the twisty and twisted tale about violence, revenge, and a supremely messed up family that Fred Vargas spins in Have Mercy on Us All. I think what'll stick with me most, though, are the characters, whose quirks are accompanied by often troubled histories that make them feel real, rather than cartoonish.
lola_lab's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
amywoolsey_93's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The plot of Have Mercy on Us All moves along at a propulsive clip, but after the story ends, it's the details that linger: the eccentric yet grounded characters, the witty dialogue with its slightly noir-ish edge, the intricate web Vargas weaves connecting the past and present. Like the best crime writers, she is less interested in violence than the people who commit and investigate it, proving herself to be a keen observer of the mysteries of human nature. (Spoiler alert: the real plague, it turns out, is fear. )
jmeston's review against another edition
4.0
Very stylish murdery mystery (roman policier). Lots of Parisian atmo and it was even a bit courtly. The police inspector protagonist, Adamsberg, reminds me of Columbo. (The europeans were crazy for him as I recall.) But he has more depth than that and I really enjoyed this book.
naila00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
badmc's review against another edition
3.0
A case for newly appointed chief commissaire Adamsberg! And what a start, with the plague back and all... and even [book:The Three Evangelists|128893] appear! What a day, what a lovely day...
The good: I am a sucker for character-driven books so Vargas's books are right up my alley. If you are looking for a mystery, this may not be for you, but if you are willing to get lost among quirky, interesting characters, then dive right in.
The bad: Well, that being said, there was a bit too many characters. While it was hilarious to read about Adamsberg's efforts to remember his new subordinates, it did put a bit of a strain on my patience.
I adore The Three Evangelists, but for people who haven't read that book, their cameos just add to the general confusion.
The ugly: Well, the end was a bit convoluted, the explanations rushed and unconvincing. I wasn't as invested in this book as I was in the previous ones. I wanted to read more about the Bretons!
The good: I am a sucker for character-driven books so Vargas's books are right up my alley. If you are looking for a mystery, this may not be for you, but if you are willing to get lost among quirky, interesting characters, then dive right in.
The bad: Well, that being said, there was a bit too many characters. While it was hilarious to read about Adamsberg's efforts to remember his new subordinates, it did put a bit of a strain on my patience.
I adore The Three Evangelists, but for people who haven't read that book, their cameos just add to the general confusion.
The ugly: Well, the end was a bit convoluted, the explanations rushed and unconvincing. I wasn't as invested in this book as I was in the previous ones. I wanted to read more about the Bretons!
sezendemeestere's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0