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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Bundle is such a fun main character! This was entertaining, but ven if the twist is something that's hard to see coming. But I am proud of myself that I found out the murderer at least!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Violence, Murder
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story:
Young Gerry Wade is a pleasant house guest, although somewhat given to sleeping in and coming down late to breakfast… But a practical joke to wake him with a host of alarm clocks hidden in his room comes to a tragic end when Gerry is discovered dead. Is the cause really an accidental overdose, or is there something more sinister at play? And why were seven alarm clocks found lined up on his mantlepiece? The discovery of a mysterious letter mentioning Seven Dials can’t be a coincidence… But who would want to kill Gerry Wade?
My thoughts:
I last read this book a long time ago, and reading it again for the April #ReadChristie2025 prompt of ‘Butlers’, I enjoyed it more than I remembered! It’s a very early Christie novel, first published in 1929, and continues the story of some of the characters first introduced in 1925’s “The Secret of Chimneys”, including Superintendent Battle.
The butler of the tale is Tredwell – long-serving servant of Lord Caterham at Chimneys. Tredwell has stayed on, with other members of the household staff, while the house is rented to Sir Oswald Coote and his wife. Sir Oswald has made his fortune in steel, and it is at a weekend house party hosted by him at Chimneys that the first death of the story occurs.
With the death having been put down as an accident, the Cootes’ time at Chimneys comes to an end, and Lord Caterham returns, along with his daughter Lady Eileen Brent, popularly known to all as Bundle. It is her discovery of an unfinished letter from Wade making mysterious mention of ‘Seven Dials’ that propels her to investigate. And of course, this being Christie, this definitely wasn’t an accidental death! Bundle joins forces with Jimmy Thesiger (another guest at the house party) and Loraine, Gerry Wade’s step-sister, to uncover what has really happened.
This is a fun story, and has a lot in common with the Tommy and Tuppence novels. I enjoyed the quick-paced plot, and of course there’s a classic Christie twist at the end!
In May we read the third Christie novel to feature Superintendent Battle, this time with Poirot alongside, and I look forward to reading more with him soon!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well, that took a surprising turn. I found it tough to engage with the story to begin with, but at the end, it found its way.
I do love a good Christie mystery and while I will admit this wasn't her best, there were a number of intriguing characters, some clever red herrings and a satisfying outcome.
This was definitely a story driven by plot rather than characters.
I do love a good Christie mystery and while I will admit this wasn't her best, there were a number of intriguing characters, some clever red herrings and a satisfying outcome.
This was definitely a story driven by plot rather than characters.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Upredictable. My first book of A.C
I chose to read The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie for the “7” prompt in the 12 in 12: Read the Clock Challenge. Published in 1929, this was Ms. Christie's tenth book. This was a decent mystery, but I prefer those that feature Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, two of Christie's most famous and beloved characters.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
