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organchordsandlightning's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A really nice example of classic detective fiction. While the novel is set up in an interesting way, and there are lot of clever turns of phrase, a lot of the characters suffer from same-personality syndrome.
evie12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/day-1013-mystery-in-white/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/day-1013-mystery-in-white/
annareadsmysteries's review against another edition
5.0
Let's get something straight - J.Jefferson Farjeon is not so popular these days and the answer to that is simple. While he was quite renowned in the '30 (and rightly so I will add) unfortunately, nowadays crime consumers seldom touch old classic mystery writers, unless it's the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie.
And here, I must admit I'm also as guilty as the rest. I would probably not have taken this book up hadn't it been for the fact that it's a nice-sounding winter mystery with a cozy looking snowy cover. So I gave it a chance.
And may I just say, Mr J.Jefferson Farjeon - you won yourself a new admirer. (just a quick note here, yes, I know his dead)
I will fall in line with Dorothy L. Sayers (who allegedly publicly talked about finding Jefferson F.'s work inspiring) and truly admire your wickedly clever brain. Sir, I have been left wanting more.
But now, a bit about the actual book.
This story has so many good things going for it:
1. It's a Christmas mystery and it takes place on the 24-25th of December
2. A train breaks down and a few of the guests head out to find shelter
3. They come across an abandoned house and voila - we have a nice closed-circle mystery on our hands
4. Plus there is a hint of ghosts and hunting peppered in there - very appropriate to the Victorian era and the spiritualism that accompanied Christmas in those times
Honestly, I could not have been more impressed - I fell in love with the writing style, the characters are unique and the story itself takes a few twists and turns. It's one of those 5-star ratings where you read the first chapter and it's so engaging, that you won't care where the story takes you, you are just happy to be there for the ride.
If you can - please, read this in December. It will satisfy that snowed-in winter-mystery itch you might have.
And here, I must admit I'm also as guilty as the rest. I would probably not have taken this book up hadn't it been for the fact that it's a nice-sounding winter mystery with a cozy looking snowy cover. So I gave it a chance.
And may I just say, Mr J.Jefferson Farjeon - you won yourself a new admirer. (just a quick note here, yes, I know his dead)
I will fall in line with Dorothy L. Sayers (who allegedly publicly talked about finding Jefferson F.'s work inspiring) and truly admire your wickedly clever brain. Sir, I have been left wanting more.
But now, a bit about the actual book.
This story has so many good things going for it:
1. It's a Christmas mystery and it takes place on the 24-25th of December
2. A train breaks down and a few of the guests head out to find shelter
3. They come across an abandoned house and voila - we have a nice closed-circle mystery on our hands
4. Plus there is a hint of ghosts and hunting peppered in there - very appropriate to the Victorian era and the spiritualism that accompanied Christmas in those times
Honestly, I could not have been more impressed - I fell in love with the writing style, the characters are unique and the story itself takes a few twists and turns. It's one of those 5-star ratings where you read the first chapter and it's so engaging, that you won't care where the story takes you, you are just happy to be there for the ride.
If you can - please, read this in December. It will satisfy that snowed-in winter-mystery itch you might have.
jemma_parry's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I thought a Christmas themed murder mystery would be perfect for the holidays but to be honest I found the plot weak and the characters so annoying. Definitely not my favourite
knynas1's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, a mystery within a mystery surrounded by a cozy, yet ominous, setting. I only wish there had been a bit more character development as, at times, it could be difficult to keep all of the characters straight without any distinguishable backstories. Overall, an entertaining cozy mystery.
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, a mystery within a mystery surrounded by a cozy, yet ominous, setting. I only wish there had been a bit more character development as, at times, it could be difficult to keep all of the characters straight without any distinguishable backstories. Overall, an entertaining cozy mystery.
carolpk's review against another edition
The Hook - Last December I participated in an Elfster Holiday Swap with some book loving friends. Imagine my delight when I received two British Classic Christmas Crime Mysteries from across the seas from a Tracey in the UK. I saved both for this Christmas season and just finished the first.
The Line - ”Miss Noyes”, replied Lydia, “suppose this house belonged to you, and you returned to it after the world’s worst snowstorm, would you rather find your larder empty or seven skeletons?
The Sinker - The introduction to this classic calls Murder in White and enticing set-up, if superficially familiar. What’s enticing is the of The British Library to publish new editions of the series for contemporary enjoyment.
”A strange assortment of passengers traveling by train during a blizzard find themselves caught in an acute dilemma when the track becomes impassable.”
When the porter has no idea when the tracks might be cleared, a group of passengers afraid their Christmas plans will be ruined, set out in hopes of making a connection at the Hemmersby Station, not too far distant. All too soon they realize the blinding storm has obliterated any possibility of finding the station. They wonder if they’ve made a rash decision, one that may lead to their demise miraculously when they come upon a house, ring the bell and when receiving no answer find the door unlocked, no one home but a fire is burning. How lucky for them, or was it?
As explained in the intro, this is not a whodunit set on a train, nor is it a take-off on Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as this was written three years prior. J. Jefferson Farjeon does provide a subtly humorous, well-plotted, if not strictly cozy, puzzle for us to solve. It’s almost a locked room mystery of which I’m a great fan. An intriguing read for the holiday season.
Now on to Silent Nights.
The Line - ”Miss Noyes”, replied Lydia, “suppose this house belonged to you, and you returned to it after the world’s worst snowstorm, would you rather find your larder empty or seven skeletons?
The Sinker - The introduction to this classic calls Murder in White and enticing set-up, if superficially familiar. What’s enticing is the of The British Library to publish new editions of the series for contemporary enjoyment.
”A strange assortment of passengers traveling by train during a blizzard find themselves caught in an acute dilemma when the track becomes impassable.”
When the porter has no idea when the tracks might be cleared, a group of passengers afraid their Christmas plans will be ruined, set out in hopes of making a connection at the Hemmersby Station, not too far distant. All too soon they realize the blinding storm has obliterated any possibility of finding the station. They wonder if they’ve made a rash decision, one that may lead to their demise miraculously when they come upon a house, ring the bell and when receiving no answer find the door unlocked, no one home but a fire is burning. How lucky for them, or was it?
As explained in the intro, this is not a whodunit set on a train, nor is it a take-off on Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as this was written three years prior. J. Jefferson Farjeon does provide a subtly humorous, well-plotted, if not strictly cozy, puzzle for us to solve. It’s almost a locked room mystery of which I’m a great fan. An intriguing read for the holiday season.
Now on to Silent Nights.
maggiekms's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kategci's review
3.0
This a classic Christmas mystery I was going to read for Christmas 2018, but I could not get into it. Similar in style to Agatha Christie's Poirot and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, I felt this book skimmed their greatness, but never completely achieved it. Murders from 20 years prior were solved along with a contemporary murder, but while there was a man in charge, Mr. Maltby who seemed to deduce things, he did not always back up his theories with solid evidence. A train gets stuck outside of London on Christmas Eve and 6 strangers are forced to seek shelter in a freshly abandoned house. Creepy things happen which did hold my interest and kept me turning the pages. A recommended holiday read.