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beckeal's review against another edition
3.0
Am I just spoiled?? I freely admit … I think I expected too much. I. Love. Agatha. Christie. And here, one of her most iconic stories that somehow I hadn’t read yet. I was all set for something truly miraculous and delicious and sinister and impeccably laden with clues that I could be watching for and feeling genius about as I piece them together. I mean, I usually fail, because she’s just too good, but it’s fun to try.
Aaaand, it just wasn’t that??
One thing I’ve loved about her other books is that when all is revealed, you can look back at the series of events and see where you were expertly misled, or wonder at how you missed THAT, or marvel at the intricacies of the twists and turns. Not giving anything away here, I don’t feel like you could have known this one. Not because no one’s genius enough but because it could’ve been anybody. All the way through. ON PURPOSE. In the effort to make sure the characters couldn’t narrow it down, neither too could the reader. Which meant the whole story was lacking her usual depth. And when all was finally revealed, it wasn’t “Whoa! But how —? WOOOW!”, it was “Oh. Really? Hunh.”
What WAS as impressive as always was the character development, the mood, the sense of space and time, the quirky Agatha-isms so representative of the era of her writing. And as always, very page-turny.
But I can’t in good conscience go higher than 3-stars. The lack of a trail to follow and the lack of a gratifying ending are too much to overcome.
Aaaand, it just wasn’t that??
One thing I’ve loved about her other books is that when all is revealed, you can look back at the series of events and see where you were expertly misled, or wonder at how you missed THAT, or marvel at the intricacies of the twists and turns. Not giving anything away here, I don’t feel like you could have known this one. Not because no one’s genius enough but because it could’ve been anybody. All the way through. ON PURPOSE. In the effort to make sure the characters couldn’t narrow it down, neither too could the reader. Which meant the whole story was lacking her usual depth. And when all was finally revealed, it wasn’t “Whoa! But how —? WOOOW!”, it was “Oh. Really? Hunh.”
What WAS as impressive as always was the character development, the mood, the sense of space and time, the quirky Agatha-isms so representative of the era of her writing. And as always, very page-turny.
But I can’t in good conscience go higher than 3-stars. The lack of a trail to follow and the lack of a gratifying ending are too much to overcome.
ellaminnowpea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kitkat962's review against another edition
5.0
I never thought I would have enjoyed Agatha Christie that much! The secret adversary was so-so for me, but this book is such a nice surprise. It was suspenseful to keep you turning the pages and short enough for you to read in one sitting. I'm looking forward to read more, especially the Hercule Poirot series.
lianmudd's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, how I wish I could have been alive when this was first released.
I don’t read many old books so the writing took a second for me to adjust to, but I ended up loving how straightforward and easy to digest it is. There’s no fluff, it gets right to the point.
I had a hard time at first keeping up with all the characters but I quickly got the hang of it and became very invested in them! I loved watching everything unfold and it had me guessing until the very end. And of course, I always love a good thorough explanation at the very end to tie up all the loose ends & this did it perfectly.
This story is timeless. And I lovedddd it. First Agatha Christie novel and I can’t wait to read so many more.
5 stars.
I don’t read many old books so the writing took a second for me to adjust to, but I ended up loving how straightforward and easy to digest it is. There’s no fluff, it gets right to the point.
I had a hard time at first keeping up with all the characters but I quickly got the hang of it and became very invested in them! I loved watching everything unfold and it had me guessing until the very end. And of course, I always love a good thorough explanation at the very end to tie up all the loose ends & this did it perfectly.
This story is timeless. And I lovedddd it. First Agatha Christie novel and I can’t wait to read so many more.
5 stars.
queenoftoomanyfandoms's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ziggymusic's review against another edition
1.0
This is my first classic mystery read- so I've discovered that this type of mystery just isn't my genre. I thought this book was just too straight-forward. No atmosphere, no suspense.
I prefer more psychological, literary, eerie stories. This felt too simple & formulaic... and yes, I realize that Christie was an originator of the formula.
Just not my thing.
I prefer more psychological, literary, eerie stories. This felt too simple & formulaic... and yes, I realize that Christie was an originator of the formula.
Just not my thing.
arytaco's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who hasn’t read much Agatha Christie, I was pleasantly surprised to feel so greatly about this novel, even if it’s her most famous publication to date. Packed with interesting characters, thrilling moments and a masterfully crafted plot, this murder mystery is top of the line.
10/10
10/10