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fruitkate's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.75
hope2026's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
helena_chris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Overall a very mixed with this book...
The introduction by John Rhode was amazing. First part by Helen Simpson was slow. Second part by Gladys Mitchell was great. Third part by Anthony Berkeley was great. Fourth part by Dorothy Sayers was something I guess? And the concluding part by Milward Kennedy is not worth the paper it's printed on.
The introduction by John Rhode was amazing. First part by Helen Simpson was slow. Second part by Gladys Mitchell was great. Third part by Anthony Berkeley was great. Fourth part by Dorothy Sayers was something I guess? And the concluding part by Milward Kennedy is not worth the paper it's printed on.
rainwombat's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
tahlia__nerds_out's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
majolo57's review
4.0
This is a pleasant little train wreck—a murder mystery written by committee (but a committee of fine Golden Age mystery authors). One author sets the stage, putting forth a classic murder scene in a country house with a tight timetable and an impeccable array of suspects. Then 5 more authors offer sections having sleuths investigate and "solve" the mystery (with the added twist that they swap sleuths with each other). As each adds to the evidence, the level of implausibility builds, which adds to the entertainment (for me, anyway).
I wish I had been familiar with more of the authors and detectives involved. I know Dorothy Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey very well, but of the rest involved I only know Gladys Mitchell and her Mrs. Bradley by reputation (but I really want to track her books down).
I wish I had been familiar with more of the authors and detectives involved. I know Dorothy Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey very well, but of the rest involved I only know Gladys Mitchell and her Mrs. Bradley by reputation (but I really want to track her books down).
julesgou's review
3.0
I'm confused.
The set-up was beautiful. I enjoyed the different approach that Sir Philip took to get this murder solved. I quite enjoyed the way that John Rhode set it up.
I also liked that each of the detectives had a different way about figuring out who dunnit it. Sir Peter was by far my favourite solver. However, it was very interesting to see that four people could interpret the same facts in four different ways. Each one came up with a different murder and it was really cool to see all the ways that this murder could have happened.
However, Milward Kennedy's ending really screwed me up. I am really confused because they almost had two different solutions at the end of the novel. Come to think of it, the ending reminded me of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express". I feel like there was no clear definitely answer for the reader at the end of "Ask A Policeman" which is why I was so confused. There are two solutions; obviously one is right and one is wrong but I not really sure which. I mean, I have an idea, but who knows.
I would have given this book 4 stars had I not been confused at the end of this novel. I did enjoy this one a little bit more then "The Floating Admiral"; but that being said, the set up is very different so they are both good reads!
The set-up was beautiful. I enjoyed the different approach that Sir Philip took to get this murder solved. I quite enjoyed the way that John Rhode set it up.
I also liked that each of the detectives had a different way about figuring out who dunnit it. Sir Peter was by far my favourite solver. However, it was very interesting to see that four people could interpret the same facts in four different ways. Each one came up with a different murder and it was really cool to see all the ways that this murder could have happened.
However, Milward Kennedy's ending really screwed me up. I am really confused because they almost had two different solutions at the end of the novel. Come to think of it, the ending reminded me of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express". I feel like there was no clear definitely answer for the reader at the end of "Ask A Policeman" which is why I was so confused. There are two solutions; obviously one is right and one is wrong but I not really sure which. I mean, I have an idea, but who knows.
I would have given this book 4 stars had I not been confused at the end of this novel. I did enjoy this one a little bit more then "The Floating Admiral"; but that being said, the set up is very different so they are both good reads!
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