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lasbrumas's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Did enjoy this collection, especially as a mix of supernatural and genuinely logical mysteries within the short stories. It was fun to guess which story was going to be which. Would it be explained or easily deduced, or would I have to just shrug it off?
skytannathegreat's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
Overall, the stories that were included in this book were a little too short or not fleshed out enough for my tastes. None of the stories really had the shock factor, or made my hair stand on end. I know that these stories are a product of their times, which means that these short, very fast paced plots with the inevitable "died from shock" ending were, probably very popular and what was expected. I, however, did not enjoy the deaths that came literally with every story, or the way that I was rushed through the plots and characters towards the story's abrupt ending.
That being said, the only story that really got me worked up for some reason--even though it included my not-so-favorite "Shock death" was "Philomel Cottage. Maybe it was because of the "death is coming" that was introduced a little ways before the ending, or maybe the sleuth work that was done was a little better than some of the other stories. I'm not sure why, but this story, of them all, got my heart racing and the pages turning.
I would recommend this book for those mystery/spooky lovers who are not looking for the commitment of a whole 300 page book. These are perfect, bite sized stories for that and, hey, I'm just one reader, maybe you'll like more of the stories than I did.
Overall, the stories that were included in this book were a little too short or not fleshed out enough for my tastes. None of the stories really had the shock factor, or made my hair stand on end. I know that these stories are a product of their times, which means that these short, very fast paced plots with the inevitable "died from shock" ending were, probably very popular and what was expected. I, however, did not enjoy the deaths that came literally with every story, or the way that I was rushed through the plots and characters towards the story's abrupt ending.
That being said, the only story that really got me worked up for some reason--even though it included my not-so-favorite "Shock death" was "Philomel Cottage. Maybe it was because of the "death is coming" that was introduced a little ways before the ending, or maybe the sleuth work that was done was a little better than some of the other stories. I'm not sure why, but this story, of them all, got my heart racing and the pages turning.
I would recommend this book for those mystery/spooky lovers who are not looking for the commitment of a whole 300 page book. These are perfect, bite sized stories for that and, hey, I'm just one reader, maybe you'll like more of the stories than I did.
gabalodon's review
4.0
Agatha Christie is the most widely published novelist for a reason but her stories are definitely dated and it painfully shows (fun sprinklings of anti-Semitism, racism, stereotypes, etc). Stories ranged from 2 to 5 stars depending on how painful they were in that respect, how weird some of the details were, and how much religious overtones played a role. A fun mix of spooky stories, some with actual supernatural elements and some detective-type mysteries that had clever but mundane explanations.
pbraue13's review
3.0
While I enjoyed the title story and some of the more spooky tales, this collection just doesn’t go hard enough into the horror or ghostly aspect it promises.
3/5 stars
3/5 stars
mirasunshine's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
luciearan's review against another edition
5.0
Knihy Agathy Christie mám moc ráda, a tak jsem už ani nedoufala, že se mi podaří najít nějakou, kterou jsem ještě nečetla. A vida, tahle sbírka, mi nějakým záhadným způsobem, utekla.
Poslední seance je knihou, která tvorbu autorky ukazuje zase v trochu jiném světle, než jak jsme u autorky zvyklí. I když se tu v některých povídkách setkáváme také se starými známými, jako jsou Hercule Poirot, či slečna Marplová, z této sbírky dýchá úžasná atmosféra tajemna a nadpřirozena. Skvěle se tak hodí k dlouhým podzimním večerům, třeba s hrnkem horkého čaje.
Z mého pohledu, jsou v této sbírce všechny povídky, až překvapivě vyrovnané, už dlouho se mi nestalo, aby povídková kniha byla takto vyvážená, a netrpěla na slabší kousky. Tato však jen potvrzuje to, že královnou detektivky, není Agatha Christie jen tak, pro nic za nic.
Poslední seance je knihou, která tvorbu autorky ukazuje zase v trochu jiném světle, než jak jsme u autorky zvyklí. I když se tu v některých povídkách setkáváme také se starými známými, jako jsou Hercule Poirot, či slečna Marplová, z této sbírky dýchá úžasná atmosféra tajemna a nadpřirozena. Skvěle se tak hodí k dlouhým podzimním večerům, třeba s hrnkem horkého čaje.
Z mého pohledu, jsou v této sbírce všechny povídky, až překvapivě vyrovnané, už dlouho se mi nestalo, aby povídková kniha byla takto vyvážená, a netrpěla na slabší kousky. Tato však jen potvrzuje to, že královnou detektivky, není Agatha Christie jen tak, pro nic za nic.
monicadee88's review against another edition
5.0
I love love love short scary stories and Agatha Christie is one of, if not THE best writer of the mystery/crime genre. This collection is perfect for spooky season!
nelinkakalinka's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
justasking27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
A mix of traditional ghost stories and mysteries, most of which I'd not read before.