Reviews

The Listerdale Mystery by Agatha Christie

thaurisil's review against another edition

3.0

Although these short stories were originally published in different magazines over several years, they have a common theme in that most involve a young person unhappy over either financial or relationship issues, who does something reckless, gets into an unexpected adventure, and finds himself or herself embroiled in a crime or mystery. Except for a few, the stories generally end up on an upbeat note.

The storylines are at times rather silly, and the characters are not the most mature or morally upright people. The stories are sometimes predictable. But there is a lighthearted, humorous and fun vibe in the stories which makes them entertaining quick reads, even if they are not particularly memorable.

euro_trashed's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

quantum_singularity's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

minnavsd's review against another edition

5.0

Really good! All 12 stories were very interesting, but my favorite ones were certainly Philomel Cottage, Accident (such an awesome twist) and the Swan Song (which actually reduced me to tears in the end). I shall certainly reread it and I advice it to anyone who likes short and, in some cases, silly stories. Quite romantic as well, in some cases! A must read.

heyyhanna's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

dancingbibliophile's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lesserjoke's review against another edition

3.0

A fine collection of short stories, although perhaps a bit too similar to one another overall. Despite the title, these are not mysteries in author Agatha Christie's usual sense; there are no investigations or clues that a clever reader can race to put together before one of her detective figures. Instead, most of the entries here are more like action thrillers, with excitingly unpredictable twists and a heavy reliance on mistaken identity. Characters pick up the wrong car, or trousers, or telephone call, and swiftly find themselves swept into someone else's adventure. Others are specifically asked to swap places with a doppelgänger to draw off pursuit. It's a fun departure from the writer's typical style, but all those variations on the common theme do begin to feel a bit rote by the volume's end.

[Content warning for racism, antisemitism, and use of words that have since become slurs.]

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panycanela's review against another edition

2.0

solo le pongo 2 estrellas por una a dos de las historias

bungadinding's review against another edition

3.0

Beberapa cerpen yang aku suka: Misteri Listerdale, endingnya manis... Nyanyian Terakhir, endingnya satisfying menurutku haha. Yang lain-lainnya hmm, selalu ada plot twist yang ngagetin di tiap cerita. Tapi tampaknya saya bukan penggemar terbesarnya Agatha Christie ketika beliau menulis romance (dan saya juga bukan penggemar romance sih lol). Dalam kumcer ini, semuanya bergenre mistery-romance.

kimananda'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

4.0