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jstilts's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Long ago I had managed to read every single Agatha Christie novel and collection of short stories - with the exception of this one. So it's fair to say I was unfairly hyped to finally ready this, but nevertheless it's definitely not Christie at her finest.
This collection of short stories are - as the title suggests - all of a supernatural bent, and while the supernatural has occasionally added great flavour to Christie's books, it's not her greatest skill as a writer - and that shows in the stories that are wholly concerned with the supernatural (including the titular tale which is unfortunately the worst of the lot). They're all a bit twee and obvious, with twists you'll see a mile off.
However, thankfully Christie just cannot resist a good murder - or attempted murder - and her usual cleverness and wit shines through in quite a few of the stories.
For a completest this is worth your time, but if you are someone looking to first experience Agatha Christie's works then this isn't the book you are looking for!
This collection of short stories are - as the title suggests - all of a supernatural bent, and while the supernatural has occasionally added great flavour to Christie's books, it's not her greatest skill as a writer - and that shows in the stories that are wholly concerned with the supernatural (including the titular tale which is unfortunately the worst of the lot). They're all a bit twee and obvious, with twists you'll see a mile off.
However, thankfully Christie just cannot resist a good murder - or attempted murder - and her usual cleverness and wit shines through in quite a few of the stories.
For a completest this is worth your time, but if you are someone looking to first experience Agatha Christie's works then this isn't the book you are looking for!
Moderate: Child death, Murder, and Classism
booksbyantheia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Mientras más leo los cuentos de Agatha, más me convenzo de que su fuerte era la novela corta. Sin embargo, cada historia se siente plenamente suya.
Su incursión al "terror" fantasía es prueba de su talento como escritora. Las historias serán cosa de niños para aquellos acostumbrados a relatos más oscuros, pero aún así, es innegable la capacidad de Christie para tomar cualquier objeto o situación y convertirlo en diferente.
El cuento de Miss Maples fue mi favorito, sin lugar a dudas, junto al de Nido de Avispas.
No es un libro muy memorable, pero definitivamente es una asignatura pendiente a todo aquel que se nombre fan de la reina del misterio.
Su incursión al "terror" fantasía es prueba de su talento como escritora. Las historias serán cosa de niños para aquellos acostumbrados a relatos más oscuros, pero aún así, es innegable la capacidad de Christie para tomar cualquier objeto o situación y convertirlo en diferente.
El cuento de Miss Maples fue mi favorito, sin lugar a dudas, junto al de Nido de Avispas.
No es un libro muy memorable, pero definitivamente es una asignatura pendiente a todo aquel que se nombre fan de la reina del misterio.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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