eve81's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness, Murder, Gun violence, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, War, and Xenophobia
megelizabeth's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
I absolutely loved the plot of this book and the fact that Miss Marple has a much more prominent role than in the previous book in the series. This one is so, so clever and tense and meticulously thought-out, with a brilliant set of characters, and some of the events really hit me in the feels as well. I also really appreciated the overarching post-war social commentary and thought that it provided a super interesting angle which I hadn't really considered before.
The one thing I didn't like about this book was how much casual xenophobia there is. Part of the ending sort of redeems some of this, but not in a way that goes far enough or that truly criticises the xenophobia that is prevalent throughout much of the rest of the book. I of course appreciate the time in which this was written, but it still makes for uncomfortable reading and of course is still worth viewing critically. I did really enjoy the book overall, but it would've just been so much better if these attitudes had been more thoroughly addressed.
The one thing I didn't like about this book was how much casual xenophobia there is. Part of the ending sort of redeems some of this, but not in a way that goes far enough or that truly criticises the xenophobia that is prevalent throughout much of the rest of the book. I of course appreciate the time in which this was written, but it still makes for uncomfortable reading and of course is still worth viewing critically. I did really enjoy the book overall, but it would've just been so much better if these attitudes had been more thoroughly addressed.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Death, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Blood
Minor: War
bonsai_delores's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
A well written murder, best understood after a second reading. Holds up amongst her other titles, I was pleasantly shocked. The use of the “silly old lady” trope helps heighten tension in some places and highlights one of the key turning points of the mystery. It helps that Agatha Christie was good at distinguishing the different types of silly old ladies, and making each of them endearing in their own way. The reveal was shocking enough to be a surprise, but believable enough to make sense during the detective’s synopsis. The only thing that was a little too rushed was the triple reveal at the end.
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Xenophobia, Grief, Gaslighting, War, and Terminal illness
Minor: Stalking, Blood, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Alcohol
janvpals's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: War
readwithjuly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Murder, Gun violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: War
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