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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
This was by far my least favorite Christie book to date and I would avoid reading this as your first Agatha Christie book. The plot was messy in its structure compared to her early books and there was a good deal of ranting and rambling. It is missing the Order and Method that Poirot is known for.
After five separate characters ranted about the closure of mental institutions and the end of the death penalty, and how it was better to keep all those people locked up, I had to put the book down for a while. Poirot of old would have commented on the obvious trend - this Poirot ignored every mention.
After five separate characters ranted about the closure of mental institutions and the end of the death penalty, and how it was better to keep all those people locked up, I had to put the book down for a while. Poirot of old would have commented on the obvious trend - this Poirot ignored every mention.
I believe you can't go wrong with an Agatha Christie book, so I decided to try this Halloween-themed one! The story features a suspenseful mystery, an old-fashioned feel, and includes a classic whodunit. Overall, I found it to be a decent read. While the book felt a bit bland, it still captured my attention enough to keep me engaged until the end.
Did each death really have to be a murder?
A reread for book club. I’m not sure I love the style of Poirot’s detective work, but I enjoyed the twists and connections between characters past and present. 3.5 stars.
It was a little slow at times and I have absolutely no clue how A Haunting in Venice was inspired by this book other than a murder taking place at a Halloween party but it was fun to read. I could literally hear Tina Fey and Kenneth Branagh in my head as I read their dialogue which is always fun.
I found the story very drawn out and old timey. 1969 wasn't that long ago, but every character in this book harped on in crude terms about how the murderer was probably some insane criminal escaped from an overcrowded asylum and how the 13-year-old victim was stupid. People didn't mince words back then!
However, my main takeaway was that Snapdragon used to be a popular holiday game. How did it ever seem like a good idea to light a big bowl of raisins and brandy on fire and then let children reach in to grab flaming fruit?
However, my main takeaway was that Snapdragon used to be a popular holiday game. How did it ever seem like a good idea to light a big bowl of raisins and brandy on fire and then let children reach in to grab flaming fruit?
3.5 stars? This is a hard one to rate. While I was reading it I was very invested in learning the ending because I had some ideas about it. Some of which did not come to pass, and I would say left some (what felt to me like) loose ends, and some of which kind of did. But after reading it I am kind of questioning why so many of those ends were left loose. I guess because Spoilernot every death in a book need be a murder, but it just felt odd to me that those weren't really addressed (or, not in the way I wanted them to be, I guess).
Original review immediately post-listening: A very enjoyable Poirot! I did not see the ending coming (well, I had a hunch about one person but my hunch was slightly off-base) and there were lots of twists and turns. Not quite as Halloween-y as the name would imply, but a good October listen in any case!
Re: loose endings and my initial ideas, some potential spoilers for [b:Still Life|338691|Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)|Louise Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324373974l/338691._SY75_.jpg|898083] below:
SpoilerBecause of how [b:Still Life|338691|Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)|Louise Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324373974l/338691._SY75_.jpg|898083] went (which I very recently finished), I basically expected some more nefarious items in this book as well. Namely that someone (theoretically Rowena Drake) would have offed her husband intentionally (dressing up as someone else to throw them off her scent) and then killed Mrs. Llewellyn-Smythe as well. It was all the talk of Mrs. Llewellyn-Smythe's death being "expected but not really" and involving large sums of money that pointed me to a similar ending for her to that of Timmer Hadley. I am honestly shocked that it sounds like her death was truly "natural" and that Mr. Drake's was also a complete accident. It seemed like a perfect "accidental death(s) for money" plot.
Original review immediately post-listening: A very enjoyable Poirot! I did not see the ending coming (well, I had a hunch about one person but my hunch was slightly off-base) and there were lots of twists and turns. Not quite as Halloween-y as the name would imply, but a good October listen in any case!
Re: loose endings and my initial ideas, some potential spoilers for [b:Still Life|338691|Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)|Louise Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324373974l/338691._SY75_.jpg|898083] below:
SpoilerBecause of how [b:Still Life|338691|Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)|Louise Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324373974l/338691._SY75_.jpg|898083] went (which I very recently finished), I basically expected some more nefarious items in this book as well. Namely that someone (theoretically Rowena Drake) would have offed her husband intentionally (dressing up as someone else to throw them off her scent) and then killed Mrs. Llewellyn-Smythe as well. It was all the talk of Mrs. Llewellyn-Smythe's death being "expected but not really" and involving large sums of money that pointed me to a similar ending for her to that of Timmer Hadley. I am honestly shocked that it sounds like her death was truly "natural" and that Mr. Drake's was also a complete accident. It seemed like a perfect "accidental death(s) for money" plot.
The 4th star was really for Hugh Fraser’s narration of this audiobook. It seemed an appropriate one to listen to in October. There was a few moments where I thought it was going off in a direction that was a bit confusing/convoluted( don’t let your mind wander while listening to a Christie Audiobook). Of course, she always brings it back to Poirot (with Ariadne Oliver’s assistance ) solving the case . Is it one of her best? no but it’s certainly intriguing and enjoyable. This book is one of Poirots final cases. I’m quite a fan of Hercule Poirot , and I appreciate the addition of Ariadne Oliver in drawing Poirot into this case.
dark
mysterious
fast-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
I liked the tv series adaptation better than the original novel, although both have a fanciful ending. I also think the tv series does a better job with the character of Mrs. Oliver.
This novel is a bit more preachy when it comes to capital punishment and those with mental illness, but in a way where they're espousing the idea that literal children should be executed for committing murder even though they're like seven. There's also a hint of eugenics with how the criminally insane are discussed. There's some ableism and just outdated ideas woven throughout. Not one of her best works.
This novel is a bit more preachy when it comes to capital punishment and those with mental illness, but in a way where they're espousing the idea that literal children should be executed for committing murder even though they're like seven. There's also a hint of eugenics with how the criminally insane are discussed. There's some ableism and just outdated ideas woven throughout. Not one of her best works.
I like these books (Agatha/Poirot) on audio better than reading them...the characters come alive better that way.
Also....I knew who did it (partially anyway).
Also....I knew who did it (partially anyway).