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3.07 AVERAGE
3.07 AVERAGE
What could have been at least an average murder mystery is completely ruined by having the detective be an odious snob with no redeeming qualities, joined by a chronicler who might as well not be there. Don't bother with it.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first novel I've read by this author, although I might have read some short stories by him. The main character, Philo Vance, is a bit like Peter Wimsey. The mystery wasn't all that great, but I enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one by this author.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Philo Vance is Peter Wimsey turned up to 11, if Lord Peter was raised in New York and had no friends.
Weak crime story. Vance is annoying, and in this first book seems a bad copycat of Christie's Poirot, but much more arrogant. The first half is really slow, and most of the time filled by pointless conversations. The second part is more engaging, but the crime is not really original, compared to other novels of the same time period.
A fine standard classic mystery. My first read of the author. For mystery game, the author played by the rule fairly.
For personal taste, I am tired with the many philosophical quotes in the main protagonist's voice in talking. Maybe for fulfilled number of words quota of the novel?
For personal taste, I am tired with the many philosophical quotes in the main protagonist's voice in talking. Maybe for fulfilled number of words quota of the novel?
Philo Vance was one the first fictional detective I met and I loved him.
I was happy to reread this story and I found as fascinating as usual.
I think it's an interesting depiction of an era.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I was happy to reread this story and I found as fascinating as usual.
I think it's an interesting depiction of an era.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I found it a bit predictable
New York early twentieth century is the setting for this mediocre murder mystery. The book is a let down at multiple levels. First, the detective.
Vance is just an American caricature of multiple British detectives of an earlier period. He combines the seductive skills of Sherlock Holmes and the upper class refinement of Lord Wimsey. But he emerges neither as intriguing and engaging a personality as Holmes nor as charming and amusing as Wimsey. He is just a most irritating, stuck-up snob who has this annoying habit of knowing everything there’s to know. There is no humanity about the man.
The plot is thin. The murder of an unlikeable playboy holds little appeal. But I ploddedin the hope that the author may spring an ingenious surprise. But alas. No such luck. The author pretty much lays a case against every suspect- and as though picking a lottery winner, chooses the final murderer. There is no logical elimination of the suspects. It’s all only because Vance says so.
It was a quick read which is the reason it manages a 2 star.
Vance is just an American caricature of multiple British detectives of an earlier period. He combines the seductive skills of Sherlock Holmes and the upper class refinement of Lord Wimsey. But he emerges neither as intriguing and engaging a personality as Holmes nor as charming and amusing as Wimsey. He is just a most irritating, stuck-up snob who has this annoying habit of knowing everything there’s to know. There is no humanity about the man.
The plot is thin. The murder of an unlikeable playboy holds little appeal. But I ploddedin the hope that the author may spring an ingenious surprise. But alas. No such luck. The author pretty much lays a case against every suspect- and as though picking a lottery winner, chooses the final murderer. There is no logical elimination of the suspects. It’s all only because Vance says so.
It was a quick read which is the reason it manages a 2 star.