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antoniac's review
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
The mystery element was excellent, I didn't guess the murderer at all. Agree with previous comments about not being enough Marple to warrant being called a Maprle mystery, though.
It would have been a 3 star or above were it not for the very weird language the narrator uses to describe women, especially the one he is interested in romantically. Calling women dogs just doesn't really endear me to a narrator.
It would have been a 3 star or above were it not for the very weird language the narrator uses to describe women, especially the one he is interested in romantically. Calling women dogs just doesn't really endear me to a narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
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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