maplessence's review against another edition
3.0
"It's like one of those affairs in books," said Bailey disgustedly."Someone trying to think up a new way to do a murder. Silly, I call it."
"What do you say, Roper?" said Alleyn.
"To my way of thinking, sir," said Sergeant Roper, "these thrillers are ruining our criminal classes."
The humour in this novel (Miss Marsh's 8th Alleyn title) is its saving grace. That and some excellent dialogue. This book has a slow (and quite dull) start, Nigel Bathgate (the world's most annoying Watson) and
Spoiler
Marsh is determined to shoehorn Troy into the plot - even when she doesn't appear. And all that repressed sexual tension - oh my!This is a Marsh I haven't read before and I'm quite sure I won't read again.
shlee64's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
the_maggieg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
caroparr's review
3.0
Alleyn is always a treat, though this features one of those hysterical spinsters that occasionally inhabit her books. She always did have a taste for the grotesque (remember how the man was killed in A Surfeit of Lampreys, one of my favorites??).
nichola's review
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.5
I missed Alleyn! I didn't even realise how much until now!
I love Fox. This was so much fun. I do think that I wanted someone else to be the murderer, but it all made sense in the whole text.
I loved the Sherlock references, I am wondering why this book had so many. I did love that this one didn't take itself to seriously. It was nice to have a lighter Alleyn book.
I love Fox. This was so much fun. I do think that I wanted someone else to be the murderer, but it all made sense in the whole text.
I loved the Sherlock references, I am wondering why this book had so many. I did love that this one didn't take itself to seriously. It was nice to have a lighter Alleyn book.
sadiqua_fatima's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
indywonder05's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on but I could not figure how the deed was done. It kept me wondering, guessing and playing along even though I knew (or was pretty sure I knew).
dlmoldovan's review
4.0
One of my favourite things about Marsh's book is that she spends quite a bit of time on the set up for the mystery-if you like action from the very beginning this book is not for you. I love the fact that we see so much scene development and character development in a mystery. For me, the scene and the atmosphere are as important as the mystery itself. DO NOT read the chapter titles, unless you like spoilers. If I had to pick my two favourite detectives ever, I would pick Poirot and Alleyn. Alleyn is as enjoyable for me to read as Poirot. Another classic 1930's mystery, and really, what's not to love about a booby-trapped piano as the murder weapon?