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yasamanvf's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
maisieb14's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-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
5.0
msonion's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to my religious Detective Conan routine, I'm proud to say I guessed the real bad guy in this book by 50%!! Although it's a 50/50 chance of 1 in 2 choice question, Agatha Christie still managed to toy with my doubts until the last 3 chapters remaining. I'm so proud of myself.
This is more of a spy story rather than a detective story, and it reminds me of [b:The 39 Steps|153492|The 39 Steps (Richard Hannay, #1)|John Buchan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391320797l/153492._SY75_.jpg|2422487] by John Buchan. Two young and bright fellas, Tommy and Tupence, got themselves tangled in an international conspiracy by coincidence. They poked around the crime syndicate and learned about the Professor Moriaty-esque ringleader simply known as "Mr. Brown". With help from a Mr. Carter from the British government and financial support from an American millionaire they were able to get down to the bottom of the whole ordeal.
It was an enjoyable read but logic-wise it was a bit flawed. You can see how Agatha Christie tried to tie up all the loose ends and put closure on as many as possible questions that the readers may have, it was still not a satisfactory attempt in my books. Everything is too...ideal, to be true, but I have to admit the loving ending is more heartwarming than a murder that ends in a group of people that could never go back to the way they were before.
This is more of a spy story rather than a detective story, and it reminds me of [b:The 39 Steps|153492|The 39 Steps (Richard Hannay, #1)|John Buchan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391320797l/153492._SY75_.jpg|2422487] by John Buchan. Two young and bright fellas, Tommy and Tupence, got themselves tangled in an international conspiracy by coincidence. They poked around the crime syndicate and learned about the Professor Moriaty-esque ringleader simply known as "Mr. Brown". With help from a Mr. Carter from the British government and financial support from an American millionaire they were able to get down to the bottom of the whole ordeal.
It was an enjoyable read but logic-wise it was a bit flawed. You can see how Agatha Christie tried to tie up all the loose ends and put closure on as many as possible questions that the readers may have, it was still not a satisfactory attempt in my books. Everything is too...ideal, to be true, but I have to admit the loving ending is more heartwarming than a murder that ends in a group of people that could never go back to the way they were before.
thebearnest's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chaz_dickens's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
natashuhh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.25
lucija428's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
jacobmillerchapin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
A classic mystery story, seeing naive detectives grow into professionals as they face off against a well intrigued but moderately generic and underdeveloped secret communist society. The plot is well written, the twists are suspenseful, and the heroes and relationships between them feel real. This isn't a story that adds anything to any understanding of criminal behaviour, or explains why communism must be stopped, or says anything terribly profound about human nature—but hey! It's a good time :)