bmip666's review
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ashleylm's review against another edition
2.0
It's the sort of book that I might have read ten years ago, not liked very much, and then forgotten ... or possibly the sort of book that I might have read ten years ago, not liked very much at first, but then about a third of the way in it really took off—but I doubt it. I've read 20% of it, and it's boring. All the characters are old white men in exactly the same profession (I'm so tired of mysteries where each suspect is near-identical save for their name) and it'll be a struggle to keep them apart. The mystery element seems to be blah-blah-blah keys and blah-blah-blah locked gate, as if (at a University!) no one's managed to figure out how to climb over a building and drop daintily down into a courtyard, for Pete's sake.
And compared to the other books I have going right now, it suffers. Still, I gave it a go, and it wasn't really for me.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
And compared to the other books I have going right now, it suffers. Still, I gave it a go, and it wasn't really for me.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
bibliobethreads's review
2.0
Couldn't decide between a two or a three star rating for this book. The mystery is complex which is enjoyable but the story didn't really hit the spot with me. However, I enjoyed the way it came together at the end.
majkia's review against another edition
3.0
Good start to the Inspector Appleby series. Great setting, interesting detective, confusing mystery. My only beef was I thought the denouement was a bit too contrived. I'll read the rest of the series though.
sadiqua_fatima's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
From the back of the book: At St. Anthony's College, Inspector John Appley must contend with academic intrigues, scholarly scandals, and one very clever killer.
Murder in the sanctity of an english university was bad enough; but such a vulgar, ungentlemanly murder--bones scattered about the room, a grotesque drawing of grinning death's-heads scrawled on the wall, and poor President Umpleby's head wrapped in an academic robe--was a serious blot on the college's reputation. In this complex and brilliantly resolved mystery Inspector John Appleby matches withs with some of the smartest--and most devious--suspects he has ever encountered.
My take: My favorite Appleby...with an academic setting! Four and a half stars.
Murder in the sanctity of an english university was bad enough; but such a vulgar, ungentlemanly murder--bones scattered about the room, a grotesque drawing of grinning death's-heads scrawled on the wall, and poor President Umpleby's head wrapped in an academic robe--was a serious blot on the college's reputation. In this complex and brilliantly resolved mystery Inspector John Appleby matches withs with some of the smartest--and most devious--suspects he has ever encountered.
My take: My favorite Appleby...with an academic setting! Four and a half stars.
exurbanis's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first in Innes’ Inspector Appleby series and was published in 1936.
I expected perhaps something akin to Agatha Christie but Innes is very different. Or perhaps I only think so because this particular mystery was set in an Oxford/Cambridge-based university and I have no understanding whatever of dons/underdons/proctors and so on and found it difficult to wade through all of those issues (which are pertinent to the crime).
The mystery was solid but although I may read more Innes, given the number of untried mystery series out there, I doubt that it will be soon.
Read this if: you like a really ‘academic’ mystery, British, straight-up; or, like I did, you need an “I” author for an A-Z Reading Challenge. 3 stars
I expected perhaps something akin to Agatha Christie but Innes is very different. Or perhaps I only think so because this particular mystery was set in an Oxford/Cambridge-based university and I have no understanding whatever of dons/underdons/proctors and so on and found it difficult to wade through all of those issues (which are pertinent to the crime).
The mystery was solid but although I may read more Innes, given the number of untried mystery series out there, I doubt that it will be soon.
Read this if: you like a really ‘academic’ mystery, British, straight-up; or, like I did, you need an “I” author for an A-Z Reading Challenge. 3 stars
blacklake's review against another edition
3.0
A little too dry for me, but I would read another in the series if I found it. I rather liked Gott, and hope he shows up again.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
I heard about this on theClassic Mysteries Podcast. And he pretty much nailed it. The unliked president of a university is found surrounded by bones. The university is described as a submarine, tightly sealed making it hard for anyone to get in or out without someone noticing.
I get that this is probably a very good book, which is why it got three stars. It was not a book that I particularly enjoyed with it's many, many twists and turns and so many people. So many.
I have another Appleby book lined up so I will try this classic author again but we'll see how it goes.
I get that this is probably a very good book, which is why it got three stars. It was not a book that I particularly enjoyed with it's many, many twists and turns and so many people. So many.
I have another Appleby book lined up so I will try this classic author again but we'll see how it goes.
abarrile's review against another edition
3.0
My first foray into the world of pretty much prehistoric (1930s) mysteries has been a resounding success! Can't wait to get more Appleby :)