brandonlang's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
A fun light read that has a neat twisting plot!
tsss's review against another edition
4.0
2-я книга Джона Диксона Карра. Готический герметичный детектив. Довольно интересно и неожиданно, но, как и первая книга "Под покровом ночи", несколько перегружена описаниями, отчего читать ее трудновато, - описания местности столько же, сколько и событийности. В этом смысле Агата Кристи сильно отличается от Карра - там все по делу, описания короткие, меткие и ценные, отчего ее произведения всегда держат в напряжении... Карра читать продолжу, - интересно, как будет развиваться его стиль дальше на протяжении библиографии.
mouthoflethe's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bmip666's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abbienk's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
dan78's review against another edition
4.0
For some bizarre reason I bought this copy at a local book store as it was popped on the shelves in error! Lucky me.
Anyway a gripping, dark, mysterious read that takes the classic country house crime story and adds a more exotic twist.
A great atmospheric read, I'd highly recommend it! (and honestly if I'd not just been spoiled by Little Women I'd have marked this as a 5 star)
Anyway a gripping, dark, mysterious read that takes the classic country house crime story and adds a more exotic twist.
A great atmospheric read, I'd highly recommend it! (and honestly if I'd not just been spoiled by Little Women I'd have marked this as a 5 star)
jrenee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thecommonswings's review against another edition
4.0
More correctly it’s three and a half stars, but I’ll give it a four because it’s still a wonderful read even if it doesn’t quite do justice to the premise. This is definitely second tier Carr, and Bencolin is already creaking as a hero. He’s not as focused as he was in The Lost Gallows and is emotionally a bit all over the show - I would suggest that the obvious relish Carr has in writing Agatha Alison suggested to him elements of both Fell AND Merrivale, although this would almost certainly be a Fell novel a few years later. It’s got the same gothic flourishes that Fell’s novels revel in, albeit with a solution that’s actually a lot more straightforward that much of what was to come. There’s a far greater focus on misdirection - one character is almost gleefully hinted at being the villain, and Carr is spending more time seeding red herrings than an actually complex solution. Which is a nice change, but somehow means the book feels a bit of a let down by the end. It’s not a great crime novel but demonstrates the incredible work to come and is hugely enjoyable
jonjeffryes's review against another edition
3.0
This mystery is high on atmosphere and setting. Carr creates some amazing scenes and an intriguing puzzle of a mystery as his sleuth Bencolin tries to solve the death of an actor in his skull-shaped castle. But the book needed stronger early characterizations of the cast as even towards the end the reader struggles to differentiate the list of suspects.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
Everything in this book is over the top and exaggerated and this made this story a lot of fun to read.
This mix of gothic and Golden Age mystery already features some of the tropes of the more mature John Dickinson Carr I used to read but I enjoyed every moment of it.
The cast of characters is interesting and well thought, the setting is amazing and reminded me of gothic novels, the mystery is full of twists and turns and the solution came as a surprise.
It was an entertaining and engrossing read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
This mix of gothic and Golden Age mystery already features some of the tropes of the more mature John Dickinson Carr I used to read but I enjoyed every moment of it.
The cast of characters is interesting and well thought, the setting is amazing and reminded me of gothic novels, the mystery is full of twists and turns and the solution came as a surprise.
It was an entertaining and engrossing read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.