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old_crockern's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
crystenaq's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent read. It had a cozy feel to it. Seriously - the book starts with a vicar sitting by a fire with a good friend, waiting for books to be delivered. He is an avid reader of mystery novels and fancies himself a sleuth. Someone get me a cup of tea and a blanket...
The mystery was good - a man is shot in the head. The shots came through a window and there are no unexplained tracks leading to the house, and the other side of the house is facing a cliff - so how was he shot? Who had a motive?
I liked the head-scratching when it came to the mystery. I did think it spent a little too much time on the red herrings, and it felt a little long thus why I only gave it three stars. But I didn't guess the murderer, so I was engaged most of the time trying to figure things out.
I enjoyed the ending, especially the vicar's response to the case and how he felt about solving murders. It was more pensive and thoughtful as opposed to today's on-to-the-next-murder trope in cozy mysteries.
Recommend!
Oh, the British Library Crime Classics have beautiful covers!
The mystery was good - a man is shot in the head. The shots came through a window and there are no unexplained tracks leading to the house, and the other side of the house is facing a cliff - so how was he shot? Who had a motive?
I liked the head-scratching when it came to the mystery. I did think it spent a little too much time on the red herrings, and it felt a little long thus why I only gave it three stars. But I didn't guess the murderer, so I was engaged most of the time trying to figure things out.
I enjoyed the ending, especially the vicar's response to the case and how he felt about solving murders. It was more pensive and thoughtful as opposed to today's on-to-the-next-murder trope in cozy mysteries.
Recommend!
Oh, the British Library Crime Classics have beautiful covers!
welkinvault's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
1930s cosy crime novel.
tombomp's review
4.0
I've read another book by this author ([b:The Sussex Downs Murder|24958623|The Sussex Downs Murder (Superintendent Meredith, #2)|John Bude|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424202030s/24958623.jpg|43203581]) and found it really unimpressive so I was really surprised to find I actually liked this one quite a lot. The mystery isn't totally solvable before the end (it's solved with some stuff impossible to know, although none of it is a leap and it all fits) but there are a lot of spots you can get ahead of the main characters if you're good at this. I can't explain quite why I liked it a lot - as with the other book the characters are hardly deep and don't talk about much other than the mystery, but the dialogue still feels a lot more natural and clear. The mystery is also reasonably complex with a lot of red herrings but that are wrapped up in a way that makes you think "fair enough, that makes total sense" (although 1 or 2 are huge coincidences but that can be excused) and you end up feeling like you've been shown a part of a much wider world rather than one purely made for the mystery. I also liked the setting a lot which might have biased me a bit (I love Cornwall).
Not gonna say it's a must read or anything but if you like solid golden age style mysteries you'll probably like this. I did anyway
Not gonna say it's a must read or anything but if you like solid golden age style mysteries you'll probably like this. I did anyway
ben_morriss's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
backpackfullofbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cooeeaus's review against another edition
4.0
The classic murder mysteries are the best, I feel, even if people seem to call these 'cozy' novels! Books like this one are well written, and very entertaining. As this is.
A murder outside a village town on the Cornish Coast in the night, during a wild stormy night on the coast, within a large home. The storm, a wild sea, thunder and lightening, these all provide a wonderful setting for a crime to take place.
I'm not going to give any plot information away by saying anymore. You can imagine the scene yourselves.
What comes after are theories, innuendos, assumptions and clues, can the authorities find their killer or will the local church vicar and doctor provide the answers? It is fun to read all the comings and goings and the MC's are fun, too. Certainly a recommended read, to everyone who enjoy some heart-warming mysteries, a cozy evening fire place sheltered from the storm outside.
A murder outside a village town on the Cornish Coast in the night, during a wild stormy night on the coast, within a large home. The storm, a wild sea, thunder and lightening, these all provide a wonderful setting for a crime to take place.
I'm not going to give any plot information away by saying anymore. You can imagine the scene yourselves.
What comes after are theories, innuendos, assumptions and clues, can the authorities find their killer or will the local church vicar and doctor provide the answers? It is fun to read all the comings and goings and the MC's are fun, too. Certainly a recommended read, to everyone who enjoy some heart-warming mysteries, a cozy evening fire place sheltered from the storm outside.
majkia's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting mystery, beautiful setting, characters well drawn