terentieva_95's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
libraryfairyjess's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This was my first foray into both Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot, and I must say, it did not disappoint. The story aged much better than I anticipated; I kind of went in assuming the book would be terribly racist based on the publication year and setting, but it wasn't. Instead, it was a fantastic romp through one of my favorite worlds, that of Rich People Being Messy. The obscenely wealthy Linnet Ridgeway marries the former fiancé of her best friend, Jacqueline de Bellefort, and the two of them plus the man in question wind up all together on a boat on the Nile, alongside a motley crew of other travelers. Linnet Ridgeway, of course, ends up dead, but evidence shows that Jacqueline could not have done it. So who did?
I will admit, I was surprised how long it took for Linnet to die. It's something like halfway through the book that she's finally killed, which felt very different from contemporary mysteries I've read where there's a death practically if not literally on the first page. This made the first half of the book a little less interesting, as it was all setup and no crime solving, although I enjoyed the gossip-y feel of reading about all the Drama(TM) between the characters. The second half of the book really had me in its clutches; the stakes continue to get higher as Poirot works, and it definitely kept me flipping the pages. The ending genuinely surprised me, although to be fair, I am pretty terrible at solving mysteries. I also think Poirot himself is hilarious and very fun, and I am definitely interested in reading more about him and more Christie in general. I hear And Then There Were None is pretty excellent; perhaps I'll read that one next.
I will admit, I was surprised how long it took for Linnet to die. It's something like halfway through the book that she's finally killed, which felt very different from contemporary mysteries I've read where there's a death practically if not literally on the first page. This made the first half of the book a little less interesting, as it was all setup and no crime solving, although I enjoyed the gossip-y feel of reading about all the Drama(TM) between the characters. The second half of the book really had me in its clutches; the stakes continue to get higher as Poirot works, and it definitely kept me flipping the pages. The ending genuinely surprised me, although to be fair, I am pretty terrible at solving mysteries. I also think Poirot himself is hilarious and very fun, and I am definitely interested in reading more about him and more Christie in general. I hear And Then There Were None is pretty excellent; perhaps I'll read that one next.
lilybear's review against another edition
4.0
A dramatic love story with murder and intrigue. I was rather surprised with how much romance was ebbed in this book and the ending caught me by surprise. So top marks for mystery.
Linnet Ridgeway is a beautiful 20 year old with all of god's money and no limits. When her best friend, Jacqueline, brings her fiance Mr. Doyle over to discuss a potential job Linnet decides the one thing in the world she doesn't have is a subservient man who adores her the way Doyle does Jacqueline. So she takes him. In the span of 2 months she is Mrs. Doyle and is rather annoyed that Jacqueline can't be a good sport about it and just disappear from her life. She and her new husband board a ship on the Nile to honeymoon in Egypt, which was Jacqueline's dream honeymoon spot. So at this point I'm absolutely frothing in the mouth waiting for this entitled, uppity b***h to get her comeuppance. Such rich character building cause I legit was ready to cut Linnet.
It is while on the Nile that the murder happens. I won't give away spoilers on who! But I really had to think long and hard over who did it and then more people kept getting murdered. The guy I suspected was cleared and by the end I only half guessed who the true culprit was. And even then book ended with a bang I never saw coming. And while all this dramatic murder drama was happening the passengers kept falling in love with each other and I was rather taken aback by the romance of it all. This book is definitely one of great passions. Kind of regret not saving it for Valentines. Lol.
Linnet Ridgeway is a beautiful 20 year old with all of god's money and no limits. When her best friend, Jacqueline, brings her fiance Mr. Doyle over to discuss a potential job Linnet decides the one thing in the world she doesn't have is a subservient man who adores her the way Doyle does Jacqueline. So she takes him. In the span of 2 months she is Mrs. Doyle and is rather annoyed that Jacqueline can't be a good sport about it and just disappear from her life. She and her new husband board a ship on the Nile to honeymoon in Egypt, which was Jacqueline's dream honeymoon spot. So at this point I'm absolutely frothing in the mouth waiting for this entitled, uppity b***h to get her comeuppance. Such rich character building cause I legit was ready to cut Linnet.
It is while on the Nile that the murder happens. I won't give away spoilers on who! But I really had to think long and hard over who did it and then more people kept getting murdered. The guy I suspected was cleared and by the end I only half guessed who the true culprit was. And even then book ended with a bang I never saw coming. And while all this dramatic murder drama was happening the passengers kept falling in love with each other and I was rather taken aback by the romance of it all. This book is definitely one of great passions. Kind of regret not saving it for Valentines. Lol.
hanna's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Had some slow parts but the ending was so good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Injury/injury detail
kyleofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5 (rounded down)
I had a feeling that if I’d read this again after so many years, my rating wouldn’t stand.
But I was a different person then than now.
I had a feeling that if I’d read this again after so many years, my rating wouldn’t stand.
But I was a different person then than now.
korolevakotykiv's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luciapoloni's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
sfalk16's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0