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lisamck's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
michelleful's review against another edition
5.0
One of my WWII pet topics is the Blitz, so I very much enjoyed this mystery set in the midst of that time, complete with close shaves in air raids. While the method of murder was sussed out pretty early, it was nevertheless ingenious. The ending was fairly surprising, though I think one aspect of it was ever so slightly unfair, but that didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
Murder by Matchlight features Scotland Yard’s imperturbable Chief Inspector Robert MacDonald, who is tasked with finding the killer of the man on the bridge. His only evidence: a set of bicycle tracks that come to an abrupt end. His suspects: a colorful cast that includes the shy, soft-spoken witness, a respected London physician, a screenwriter, an unemployed laborer, and a vaudevillian specializing in illusions.
This is the first of Lorac’s MacDonald mysteries I’ve read. MacDonald is a good character, smart, kind, a gentleman. He’s got several cops who work for him who have their own characteristics. But they are all honest and good at their jobs.
The job is not easy. The dead man lived in a boarding house along with several “theater” people. The suspects are definitely more interesting than the detective.
What makes Murder by Matchlight stand out is the war time London setting. The blackout restrictions and Nazi bombings are integral to the plot. It’s neat to see how normal life goes on during wartime. The theater stays open, the cops keep investigating, the restaurants continue serving, but you try to save your silk stocking when your building catches on fire because it’s nigh impossible to get new ones. Most mysteries I read from the era don’t show us quite as detailed a picture of how normal, everyday people were affected.
This is the first of Lorac’s MacDonald mysteries I’ve read. MacDonald is a good character, smart, kind, a gentleman. He’s got several cops who work for him who have their own characteristics. But they are all honest and good at their jobs.
The job is not easy. The dead man lived in a boarding house along with several “theater” people. The suspects are definitely more interesting than the detective.
What makes Murder by Matchlight stand out is the war time London setting. The blackout restrictions and Nazi bombings are integral to the plot. It’s neat to see how normal life goes on during wartime. The theater stays open, the cops keep investigating, the restaurants continue serving, but you try to save your silk stocking when your building catches on fire because it’s nigh impossible to get new ones. Most mysteries I read from the era don’t show us quite as detailed a picture of how normal, everyday people were affected.
th18's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love Ms Lorac books and I think this the best I read so far.
It's full of twists, turns, red herrings and keeps you guessing till the end.
I was happy to meet again Chief Inspector MacDonald and follow him while he solves the mystery.
It's a very intriguing and enthralling plot, I read it in two setting and couldn't let it down.
The historical setting is very interesting as it pictures London during the Blitz and gives a lively and realistic picture of what should have been living under the bombs.
I hope to read other books by this author soon.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC
It's full of twists, turns, red herrings and keeps you guessing till the end.
I was happy to meet again Chief Inspector MacDonald and follow him while he solves the mystery.
It's a very intriguing and enthralling plot, I read it in two setting and couldn't let it down.
The historical setting is very interesting as it pictures London during the Blitz and gives a lively and realistic picture of what should have been living under the bombs.
I hope to read other books by this author soon.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
On a dark night during wartime London a man is sitting on a bench in Regent's Park. When he notices another man approach the nearby bridge and climb below it. Minutes later another man approaches and stands on the bridge. But within a few minutes the second man is dead. It is up to Chief Inspector MacDonald to unravel the clues and find the murderer and the motive.
Originally written in 1945.
Quite a few interesting characters in this story, an easy well-written read and with a satisfying mystery.
A NetGalley Book
Originally written in 1945.
Quite a few interesting characters in this story, an easy well-written read and with a satisfying mystery.
A NetGalley Book
dynamo170's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read with some words and phrases that have simply passed out of the English language my favourite being, "...but for the love of Mike...". Chief Inspector Macdonald is a gentleman policeman who went to Oxford and is a true servant of the people. A bygone age that may never have truly existed but the writing feels like a snapshot of how people lived and spoke in 1940s London.
One noticeable and unpleasant element, which is not uncommon of its time, is the whiff of eugenics. Much is made of physical characteristics and circumstances of birth. It's a bit unsettling now but I guess at the time its foulness had not yet been realised.
One noticeable and unpleasant element, which is not uncommon of its time, is the whiff of eugenics. Much is made of physical characteristics and circumstances of birth. It's a bit unsettling now but I guess at the time its foulness had not yet been realised.
depizan's review against another edition
3.0
This is a bit of a hard one to rate, as the mystery was quite good right up to the explanation of who dun it - part of that hinged on something I just don't believe, and that kind of made the whole thing fall apart. That is, that you can definitely tell someone's age - with the two ages being 45 and 60. I've had a number of customer service jobs, and I can tell you flat out that there are 45 year olds who look far older than 60 and 60 year olds who could be mistaken for 30somethings. So the whole conceit of the 45 year old with lined skin and white hair not having the "trappings of age," whatever that's supposed to mean, just doesn't fly. That he convincingly passed for 60, yes. That the detective and a bunch of other people were suspicious, no.
There were also a hecking lot of coincidences, but that's kind of par for the course with mysteries. It was also a bit "of its time," if you know what I mean. Though, not as badly as some I've read.
There were also a hecking lot of coincidences, but that's kind of par for the course with mysteries. It was also a bit "of its time," if you know what I mean. Though, not as badly as some I've read.