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mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
1.0
I've heard a few people rave about Peter Robinson so when I saw this book in my library I grabbed it on a whim. I realised that it wasn't his more popular Banks novels but the concept of the book really interested me and so I thought I'd give it a go. I managed to read about 1/2-3/4 of the book before I skipped the end and then put it down. Nothing happened! The main character was searching for information about a murderess Grace Fox but in half a book we barely found anything out at all, and hadn't even begun investigating her alleged crime.
I found that though the concept was great the plot wasn't faced paced enough and the main character spent more time milling about aimlesssly and describing bits of furniture than progressing the plot which got lost.
I found that though the concept was great the plot wasn't faced paced enough and the main character spent more time milling about aimlesssly and describing bits of furniture than progressing the plot which got lost.
jamie_marie's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one that I won through a giveaway on this site. Upon receiving the book I realized that this was not the type of book I usually like. Being judgmental, I placed the book on a shelf in the basement and left it to gather dust. Recently, I finished the book and I must say that I am extremely surprised at the ending.
The beginning of the book dragged a little, I must say, but honestly, this book is one of the best I've read in a while. 10/10 would read again. The sad story of Grace and the mystery of Chris' investigations creates an esoteric atmosphere that is hard to resist. I am proud to say that I would love to read another one of Robinson's books because of this extraordinary read. I never thought I would like this kind of writing, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The beginning of the book dragged a little, I must say, but honestly, this book is one of the best I've read in a while. 10/10 would read again. The sad story of Grace and the mystery of Chris' investigations creates an esoteric atmosphere that is hard to resist. I am proud to say that I would love to read another one of Robinson's books because of this extraordinary read. I never thought I would like this kind of writing, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This had me sucked in until the ending, it was a bit of a let down even if the ride was worth it.
escapeebee's review against another edition
4.0
I've only read Peter Robinson's DCI Banks novels before, so this was the first standalone book of his I'd read. The story sees Chris return to Yorkshire from LA after the death of his wife, only to find the house he has bought in remote North Yorkshire has a few mysteries just waiting to be discovered. I really enjoyed it! It had the same gentle style as his other books, reflecting the countryside setting which made it good comfort reading, but the drama built up steadily keeping your attention. The story draws on a lot of influences from film, literature and music and provides a lot of clearly well researched historical backstory which all adds to it. It slightly lacks something I've grown used to in the author's detective writing but I still thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in this story.
sshabein's review against another edition
3.0
This is not one of those mysteries that one reads to feel a sense of satisfaction at sussing out the puzzle before the narrator does. For the most part, I was just as back-and-forth about Grace Fox's guilt as Chris is, but without the side of grief.
Though I enjoyed Before The Poison quite a lot, I wouldn't say that it made me super-excited to immediately seek out Peter Robinson's other work. I know he has a long-running mysteries series called Inspector Banks, and maybe at some point I will look into it. However, this was a good jaunt into the mystery genre territory, and those looking to do the same will also likely find this book to be a good read.
(My full review appears on Glorified Love Letters.)
Though I enjoyed Before The Poison quite a lot, I wouldn't say that it made me super-excited to immediately seek out Peter Robinson's other work. I know he has a long-running mysteries series called Inspector Banks, and maybe at some point I will look into it. However, this was a good jaunt into the mystery genre territory, and those looking to do the same will also likely find this book to be a good read.
(My full review appears on Glorified Love Letters.)
noitsbecky's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
alyssa's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great read - I looked forward to snuggling up with it! I noticed there was a lot of superfluous description of mundane activities in the main character's life (e.g. specific details about what he ate, the wine he drank, how he slept, the movies he watched...), which made the pace of the book slower than I expected. But overall, good story with both modern-day and historical interest.
sarahhamatera's review against another edition
2.0
Not very good; quite a slog to get it finished. I would have given up with it had my Mum not recommended it! Grace's story was the heart of the book - the miserable composer from LA was totally superfluous and a very very boring character. Decent satisfying ending though.
upokyin's review against another edition
2.0
A list of the good and bad points of this book:
+ Interesting plot
+ Gradual progressive development
- Writing style - long-winded - Mr. Robinson is no Graham Greene
- Too long - the book could easily have been 100 pages shorter without any loss to the plot
+ Interesting plot
+ Gradual progressive development
- Writing style - long-winded - Mr. Robinson is no Graham Greene
- Too long - the book could easily have been 100 pages shorter without any loss to the plot
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful novel with a very interesting mystery. Chris Lowndes left England decades ago and has a successful American career writing music for films. Following his wife's recent death, he has decided to return to his home country and has bought a large house in rural Yorkshire. As he settles in, he learns that a previous owner of the house, Grace Fox, was tried and hanged for murdering her husband. The story intrigues him and he wants to know more. As he locates and reads a write-up of the trial, and follows leads to local people and those who have moved elsewhere, he is drawn to Grace as a person and believes she could not have committed such a crime. Along the way he is also making himself a new home in Yorkshire, finding new friends, meeting his neighbours and coming to terms with moving on in his own life. The story will take him back to his own childhood and beyond to World War II. It will take him beyond his new home in Yorkshire to France and South Africa. It will take him beyond his grief to a new way of living.
The references to music, movies, and books are classic Peter Robinson and fit neatly into the story here. The emotional and nostalgic feelings of his characters are well drawn and make sense both in the story and with the characters. This is a story of past and present, motives and morals, that gripped me strongly.
The references to music, movies, and books are classic Peter Robinson and fit neatly into the story here. The emotional and nostalgic feelings of his characters are well drawn and make sense both in the story and with the characters. This is a story of past and present, motives and morals, that gripped me strongly.