megelizabeth's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
I loved this one because Miss Marple features in it so heavily right from the start, however I didn't find it to be quite as intriguing or tense as some of the others, I think largely because it was shorter and less developed. I did still enjoy (and didn't figure out) the mystery though, and found the set-up interesting and unique, and as always there's a fascinating and varied set of characters. Looking forward to the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
meekumoh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
A lot of characters with half cooked drama tossed in. I liked the premise very much, but guessed the culprit halfway through. I'd say that most of the cast this time round was...unlikeable. Very good drama, but at the end of it you rather wish half of them were dead. And of course, happy to see Ms Marple in action more often than not!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
julied's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
CW: racial slur (an old phrase which contains the N-word is used; it is not directed at anyone, but still is unpleasant to read), a lot of classicism. In this one, Miss Marple goes to visit an old school friend who lives with her family and husband at a "college" for young men who are criminals to be reformed. Another relation comes to visit, has some foreboding things to say, and then is promptly murdered. It is up to Marple and the police to solve the case. This was a re-read for me, and I still enjoyed it. The solution caught me off-guard the first time around. I would definitely be fooled by illusionists, doing tricks with mirrors. However, this book feels oddly Marple-lite. She is there and interacts with the people around her, but it feels like she doesn't do much, either with the cast of characters or the police. Things mostly happen around her and she just happens to be there. Not one of Christie's best, but far from the worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Classism
uglyreading's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
sariion's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
mental illness stigmathewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Ableism, Classism, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
novi's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
This was a quick entertainment. The beginning was a bit slow and confusing because it started by (mostly) monologue of a character that we haven't met before, and then there are so many characters, and then they added more characters lol. But Agatha Christie was so good in adjusting them that slowly, the readers are not confused of who's who anymore. The plot has highs and lows, but when it's high, it was fun. The twist was unpredictable for me, but not too unpredictable or farfetched. It was something you can figure out, the clues (and red herrings) are laid out well.
This is another Miss Marple, where she would, I assure you she would, always said something like "So difficult, isn;t it? To be clear about anything, I mean. Because .... [cryptid sentences on and on and on]" and "You two reminded me of [proceeds to tell a tale of god-knows-who that I absolutely don't care about]". I've learned to just skip those, idc, so this time it's not as annoying for me. Someone did stopped her from telling those tales in the epilogue though lmaoooo
Oh also, the casual racism and xenophobia in this book is quiiiite stronger than her other books. There is an n-word with a hard r, and continuous verbal assault to foreigners.
This is another Miss Marple, where she would, I assure you she would, always said something like "So difficult, isn;t it? To be clear about anything, I mean. Because .... [cryptid sentences on and on and on]" and "You two reminded me of [proceeds to tell a tale of god-knows-who that I absolutely don't care about]". I've learned to just skip those, idc, so this time it's not as annoying for me. Someone did stopped her from telling those tales in the epilogue though lmaoooo
Oh also, the casual racism and xenophobia in this book is quiiiite stronger than her other books. There is an n-word with a hard r, and continuous verbal assault to foreigners.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism
latisha's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Ableism