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jhbandcats's review against another edition
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.
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
Graphic: Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, and Suicide
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