Reviews - So Many Steps to Death

445 reviews for:

So Many Steps to Death

Agatha Christie

3.53 AVERAGE

jaimereads's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 22%

It was very slow.

ginaparrish's review against another edition

3.0

This one is less of a mystery and more of a spy novel. Like her other spy novels, it verges on the ridiculous. Though, that seems appropriate for a time when lots of spy novels and movies were a bit far-fetched. It is overall entertaining but not her true forte. I prefer her tommy and tuppence novels for the spy stuff.

mercedes's review against another edition

3.5

fast-paced

yasamanvf's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

pastryghost's review against another edition

2.5

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Despite a meandering beginning, this book grew on me. I really enjoyed our protagonist Hilary and her musings as she's convinced to become a citizen spy and assumes the identity of a dead woman, while along the way finding her desire to live again. Unlike other Christie protagonists I've read (mostly Poirot novels, though some standalones as well), she seems so perfectly ordinary in a really refreshing way. She is intelligent and compassionate, but she isn't a genius or a sleuth. And on this incredible journey, she is recognized for her best qualities, her bravery and her drive to seek understanding.

After a few chapters of setup, the story proceeds fairly without conflict along the events the characters have planned -- but the story really kicks off at 100 pages, throwing in a twist that leaves our characters adrift.

Not sure how the big wasp on the cover factors in the story, lol. It looked science-y, I guess. Regardless, I absolutely adore the bright green cover.

The last 50 pages were like Agatha Christie does Squid Games, it was wild and bizarre and not what I've grown to expect from her novels. But she does love an ancient, rich geezer, and suspicious people galore.
Definitely some dated writing in this book from 1954 -- we have some Berber peoples as minor background characters which seemed fine until mmm 12 pages to go, when our hero wears blackface as a tactical disguise.... Yikes. (And also, a twist that could've been avoided??? Yeesh.) There are the classic Christie Explanations in the Final Hour as well, which ultimately leaves the ending feeling rushed, especially with our lead Hilary absent from the final confrontation.

emmabeckman's review against another edition

4.0

I thought this was a really fun diversion from the typical Agatha Christie mystery. It was a bit sci-fi/dystopian, a bit James Bond. It was a good time to read and I thought the commentary on the Cold War and communism was interesting. There are a few "of the times" moments of sexism and racism that are a bit awkward, though, so... be warned.

humatariq's review against another edition

4.0

Last book I read was Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie. She is the Queen of Crime but this is more of a spy thriller rather than her typical detective mysteries.

The book starts with an intelligent scientist disappearing with no trace. His wife travels to Morocco and dies due to a plane crash.

Meanwhile, Hilary Cavern tries to commit suicide due to her divorce but is recruited by the police to take the place of the missing scientist's wife. The police suspects that the Communists are responsible for kidnapping/ buying all the best scientists in the world recently. So Hilary is sent in because the police suspects the missing scientist will send for his wife.

This stand-alone novel was a bit different from the usual Christie novels. I still liked reading it and gave it 4 stars out of 5.