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aserra's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.0
A very solid, quick Agatha Christie read! Christie's classic "people are not who they seem" premise and reveal.
For anyone hesitant to read because it's the fourth book in a series: you absolutely do not need to read the previous installments to comprehend what's happening. This novel completely stands on its own.
Bonus: this book features a lesbian couple (not outright confirmed in the book, but all but so, given the heavy historical queer-coding).Unfortunately, the "bury your gays" trope does occur. It's murder mystery, though, so...some grace, I suppose?
Did I guess the killer? (I like to keep track of this for Christie novels) No :( Not mad about it, though--I think the setup was quite clever!
For anyone hesitant to read because it's the fourth book in a series: you absolutely do not need to read the previous installments to comprehend what's happening. This novel completely stands on its own.
Bonus: this book features a lesbian couple (not outright confirmed in the book, but all but so, given the heavy historical queer-coding).
Did I guess the killer? (I like to keep track of this for Christie novels) No :( Not mad about it, though--I think the setup was quite clever!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
The book takes place in the 20th century U.K.--don't expect anything groundbreaking from the characters and overall diversity.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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol
embey's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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: Death and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcohol