Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Moving Finger

"Jane Marple. Look at her well. I tell you, that woman knows more about the different kinds of human wickedness than anyone I’ve ever known."

This is a book I have very mixed feelings about. I found the mystery to be incredibly strong, with most of what ended up being revealed being a complete shock to me; it's just so, so clever and well-plotted. It's definitely, for me, the best book Marple book so far mystery-wise. I also really enjoyed the general atmosphere and the small-town vibe, and some of the characters are fantastic.

However, there was a lot about this book that rubbed me up the wrong way. I absolutely couldn't stand our protagonist, Jerry, who is disgustingly misogynistic and borderline paedophilic, and who makes disgusting comments about the victims at the end, and yet who we're somehow supposed to root for. I also really struggled to find the police officers credible; there are multiple points at which they do or say things which are clearly only there to serve the plot and just do not make logical sense. And, additionally, Miss Marple only appears super late in the story and even then gets minimal page time. I do hope that's not a trend that continues, as I still plan to continue with the series; hopefully the more enjoyable characters of the first two books and the brilliant mystery of this one will combine to make great books going forwards, but we'll see.

Content Warnings

cozylifewithabby's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

Someday I'll pin the real culprit from the beginning. Fooled again, but enjoyed the audiobook.

Content Warnings

jhbandcats's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I first read this when I was about ten, and I didn’t know what a poison pen letter was. Naturally I had to read this to find out - was there actual poison in the pen or the letter? Well, no, just vitriolic accusations that could poison any relationship.

The narrator is a flyer recovering from a crash who is staying in the peaceful, bucolic countryside with his sister to tend to him. When they receive a vicious letter (“that woman you’re living with isn’t REALLY your sister”), they discover everyone in the village has gotten them. Then there’s a distressing suicide following the arrival of one of the poison pen letters, and later a murder - THIS isn’t a peaceful, bucolic area after all!

Miss Marple, clearly the heroine in any Agatha Christie book in which she appears, doesn’t show up till 2/3 into the book, and then she plays what seems to be a minor role. Behind the scenes, though, she’s had everything figured out for quite some time. Miss Marple is such a dear, and the juxtaposition of her sweet face with the knowledge of evil coming out of her mouth is always entertaining.

Very, very enjoyable. I haven’t read Agatha Christie in 30-35 years and I’m really glad I decided to delve into her work again.

Content Warnings

hkburke2's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The audiobook narrator here gives the book a lot of atmosphere. Definitely bummed about the lack of Marple, and in this one it's difficult to tell what of the racism, misogyny, and homophobia is commentary on the times and what is just... Of the times. Not my favorite, but still has a lot of the Christie vibe.

Content Warnings

wordswithjustine's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-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

4.5

This was a very enjoyable Agatha Christie book. I wish Miss Marple had been in it more, but the main characters were likeable, the mystery was interesting, and the resolution was satisfying. I almost always enjoy Agatha Christie, but usually rate her books between 3-4 stars. This one definitely is one of my favorites! I really enjoyed the cozy village atmosphere and smart compassionate main character.

For the first time ever, I guessed the culprit. It was a well-designed mystery however, and I was second guessing myself to the end. The only reason I got it right was that I've read several books by Agatha Christie so started out by eliminating all of the usual suspects and figured it out from who was left. I never would have guessed otherwise.

Content Warnings

sidbookreviews's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Another great Christie! I quite enjoyed this one! My only complaint would be that Miss Marple only arrived 50 pages before the end of the book, and I would have liked to see a bit more of her detective work. Otherwise, I quite liked the characters and the setting. I love Christie's small-town mysteries like this one, they make for the best cozy reads. I do think that the romance at the end felt a little out of place, but I didn't mind it much, other than it feeling a little rushed. Overall, The Moving Finger was a good read and a very clever and interesting mystery!

Content Warnings

More...