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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
First let me say that I love "golden age" mysteries and I am so excited that the British Library has created this new series of mystery reprints. My favorite mysteries are those where the most sophisticated detection device is finger printing and these are those!
This mystery is along the lines of a country house story - the extended family is gathered at Christmas and the [not so] beloved patriarch is murdered. Then the police keep everyone in the house while they solve the crime.
As per usual I did not guess who did it. But I never try hard. However, this was a mystery where I think if I had tried the clues were there and when it was explained at the end it was fairly straightforward and not one of those twisted ingenious plots.
There were a lot of characters but there was a list at the beginning if you got confused. Several of the chapters were written by different characters at the beginning. They each had clearly separate voices and I enjoyed that.
My only quibble was that it plodded a little in the middle.
I bought all three of the mysteries that the British Library has reprinted by Ms. Hay, the only three she wrote. Am looking forward to reading the other two.
This mystery is along the lines of a country house story - the extended family is gathered at Christmas and the [not so] beloved patriarch is murdered. Then the police keep everyone in the house while they solve the crime.
As per usual I did not guess who did it. But I never try hard. However, this was a mystery where I think if I had tried the clues were there and when it was explained at the end it was fairly straightforward and not one of those twisted ingenious plots.
There were a lot of characters but there was a list at the beginning if you got confused. Several of the chapters were written by different characters at the beginning. They each had clearly separate voices and I enjoyed that.
My only quibble was that it plodded a little in the middle.
I bought all three of the mysteries that the British Library has reprinted by Ms. Hay, the only three she wrote. Am looking forward to reading the other two.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It is a fine cosy mystery. I read it in July which was nice because I could imagine a break to the heat wave, haha. I love British cozies but wanted a break from Christie, Christie, Christie. This was an excellent choice, but of course Ms. Christie is the queen for a reason. Do not go in expecting something as good as Roger Ackroyd and you will not be disappointed. There is a Santa Klaus. Someone gets murdered. I didn't figure it out, so it satisfied me.
I was so excited to find this reprint of a British midcentury whodunnit but though harmless, I found very dull. There was so little character development. It was pages and pages of endless evidence sorting. I better stick with the authors I love best.
a riveting and entrancing mystery full of great characters. a must have Christmas read...though am hoping this doesn't happen in reality.
An entertaining enough easy-read for the Christmas holidays.