librovert's review against another edition
2.0
I was mildly interested in the TV series Whodunnit, so when I saw this for free on Audible I grabbed it. I wasn't really expecting much out of it, so I can't exactly say that I was disappointed, but it could have been better.
This novel is meant as a prequel to the TV series and introduces us to the show's host butler, Giles. It does not correlate directly with the first season of the show.
I enjoyed the beginning part where we learn why Giles comes to the manor, but once the guests started to arrive I started to lose interest. It reads, quite literally, like a novelization of a reality TV show. I'm sure this was intentional, but I can't say the format translates well to paper.
This novel is meant as a prequel to the TV series and introduces us to the show's host butler, Giles. It does not correlate directly with the first season of the show.
I enjoyed the beginning part where we learn why Giles comes to the manor, but once the guests started to arrive I started to lose interest. It reads, quite literally, like a novelization of a reality TV show. I'm sure this was intentional, but I can't say the format translates well to paper.
kristenbooks's review
2.0
7.28.20 update: rating changed to 2/5. my opinion on this basically nonexistent.
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It's a pretty basic whodunnit. We don't get a ton of character development, and it's a pretty repetitive plot. Also, I don't think that the tv show format translates well into book form. The spared/scared cards make sense on the show... but if a killer was actually on the loose, it doesn't make any sense for them to hand out cards telling the people whether they're spared or scared. It's dumb. That being said, it's fun to try to solve the murders and figure out who it might be. Overall, it's a pretty average book.
5.5/10. (2.5/5)
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It's a pretty basic whodunnit. We don't get a ton of character development, and it's a pretty repetitive plot. Also, I don't think that the tv show format translates well into book form. The spared/scared cards make sense on the show... but if a killer was actually on the loose, it doesn't make any sense for them to hand out cards telling the people whether they're spared or scared. It's dumb. That being said, it's fun to try to solve the murders and figure out who it might be. Overall, it's a pretty average book.
5.5/10. (2.5/5)
daisiel'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? Yes
3.5
alienor_kerjan's review
4.0
Fascinating! I held my breath until the very end. The story is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”.
mochagirlalysia's review
5.0
Did you ever play the board game "Clue"? Remember, Ms. Plum did it in the library with a candlestick. LOL! I know that was decades ago but just image having a group of ten people in a huge mansion and one of them is killing them off one by one. Of course it is a game to the killer. The killer wants the guest to figure out not just whodunnit but how. This book is like "Clue" but an extremely gruesome version. The guest die in some of the most complicated and intricate ways. This is not a simple gun shot or knifing, this story has physics and chemicals deeply involved in all the guest deaths.
As one guest died off, I thought I knew who the killer was. I was 100% sure until...the end. I was sooo 100% wrong. LOL! I had no idea and I didn't see it coming. Which I loved.
I feel strange talking so positively about a book that has a step to step guide on how to kill someone but this was well written. The story had me hooked from the beginning. I was close to taking notes like the guest were doing so I could play along. It was strange but I was deeply involved. I just hated hearing the details of the deaths. Yuck!
Gildart Jackson the narrator was born to read this book. No one else on the planet could have read the butler and all ten guest giving them each a distinct voice. Male and female. Not to mention the other side characters like the maids and cops. This was a standing ovation in narration! BRAVO! I had to look again to make sure it was just one person reading the book and not a cast. He does not completely change his voice to a woman's but it's a good job and not that fake woman voice that men do. That is like finger nails on a chalkboard to my ears.
Excellent work!
Try it first time audiobookers. (Only if you have a strong stomach.)
As one guest died off, I thought I knew who the killer was. I was 100% sure until...the end. I was sooo 100% wrong. LOL! I had no idea and I didn't see it coming. Which I loved.
I feel strange talking so positively about a book that has a step to step guide on how to kill someone but this was well written. The story had me hooked from the beginning. I was close to taking notes like the guest were doing so I could play along. It was strange but I was deeply involved. I just hated hearing the details of the deaths. Yuck!
Gildart Jackson the narrator was born to read this book. No one else on the planet could have read the butler and all ten guest giving them each a distinct voice. Male and female. Not to mention the other side characters like the maids and cops. This was a standing ovation in narration! BRAVO! I had to look again to make sure it was just one person reading the book and not a cast. He does not completely change his voice to a woman's but it's a good job and not that fake woman voice that men do. That is like finger nails on a chalkboard to my ears.
Excellent work!
Try it first time audiobookers. (Only if you have a strong stomach.)
barbyoung's review
3.0
It kept my attention by the very ludicrousness of the premise. There is no explanation of the killer's motivations at the end. I'd give it 2 stars, but I loved Giles the butler.
shell_bell's review
3.0
The only really interesting thing about this was the insight into Giles, which I desperately wish had been shown on the show. The cliffhanger was certainly surprising - so I suppose I'll end up reading the second book just for closure.