Reviews

The Long Shadow by Celia Fremlin

helen_t_reads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 
Following the death of her husband, Ivor, in a car crash, Imogen’s grief is compounded by anonymous telephone calls accusing her of his murder. As members of the family descend upon her for Christmas, Imogen craves independence and space, but then a series of mysterious happenings occur that have her reeling 
Written with an underlying and delicious sharpness, this character-driven mystery explores the complexities of relationships, and family dynamics, as well as bereavement and the different ways people react to it. 

mitchk's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rachelholt22's review against another edition

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

4.75

nherbs's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

3.0

melclayx's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Almost DNF’d but it’s such a shirt book i powered through, confusing writing sometimes but the last chapters kinda saved it. Not my cup of tea - expected more tbh

sophiemanhol's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Around 1/3 in, I was getting bored, but then it did pick up, and the final chapters saved it. I hadn't completely worked it out at the end, actually probably only a few bits. I would read another of her books.

shirleycallow's review against another edition

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

2.5

vbigv's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

emerion's review against another edition

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The book is very impressive. Well written, wonderful descriptions, unusual in the way it mixes the scary possible ghost story, possible murder, family dynamics, and  mystery. But I found it too stressful. It’s a personal problem that I have with some books. 

I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory  issues. Read them at your peril! 

Imogen, third wife of an eminent professor, has been widowed, and it’s not clear how grief stricken she is.There is certainly an ambivalence towards her far from faultless husband sometimes. Her acerbic thoughts, whilst saying all the right widowy things, are funny. Someone phones in the middle of the night to accuse her of murder. Then his family start to descend on her, and seem to be intent on staying put, for no clear reason. Odd things start happening, which make Imogen wonder if the house is haunted. 

thursday_nxt's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0