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chaptainblood's review
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
fbone's review
3.0
This is a typical 1930s lighthearted British murder mystery. The writing was competent and the characters interesting. The murderer was easy to determine but the side mysteries were harder to explain until the end and the most fun. The beginning was somewhat drawn out; murder occurred around page 150.
dreichler's review
5.0
I loved this book. It is the first book I have read by James Anderson and the third in a triology of books with the same detective. Unfortunately, the author has passed away so there won't be any more. I don't usually read the third book first, but this was the only one the library had.
Anyway, the story takes place in England during the 1920s (?) back when they kept the telephone in a separate closet and everyone smoked. Most of the action takes place in the country mansion of an Earl and centers around the death of a distant relative, the reading of the will and the eccentric family members who gather and murder one of their own. Despite the fact that there is a murder, the action is light and, at times, humorous and the people are interesting and quirky. I did actually guess the murderer before they were revealed, which is very unusual for me as I am normally extremely dense! Another interesting facet of this book, for me, was that there was really no romance in it at all. Usually I like even a touch of romance to add interest but in this case I never missed it. I found the characters so engaging and the action so interesting and fun that before I knew it the book was over. And of course, now that I read and enjoyed this third book of the triology, and given the fact that my library doesn't have the other two, of course I had to immediately go online and order the first two. What else could I do?
Anyway, the story takes place in England during the 1920s (?) back when they kept the telephone in a separate closet and everyone smoked. Most of the action takes place in the country mansion of an Earl and centers around the death of a distant relative, the reading of the will and the eccentric family members who gather and murder one of their own. Despite the fact that there is a murder, the action is light and, at times, humorous and the people are interesting and quirky. I did actually guess the murderer before they were revealed, which is very unusual for me as I am normally extremely dense! Another interesting facet of this book, for me, was that there was really no romance in it at all. Usually I like even a touch of romance to add interest but in this case I never missed it. I found the characters so engaging and the action so interesting and fun that before I knew it the book was over. And of course, now that I read and enjoyed this third book of the triology, and given the fact that my library doesn't have the other two, of course I had to immediately go online and order the first two. What else could I do?
jennyanydots's review
5.0
Yes, I did get these last 3 in an omnibus edition! The Earl of Burford reluctantly agrees to host another house party, after the last 2 ended in murder. But surely the reading of Great Aunt Flossie's will to a few distant relatives can't cause any problems... I wish the author had written a few more of these - you've got interesting, well drawn characters, and delightfully convoluted mysteries, in a setting reminiscent of Downton Abbey! I think they really need to be read in order, but would recommend them to anyone who enjoys Agatha Christie-style murder mystery.
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