Reviews

This was very surprising it was just the first 50% was very slow. I get now that they were laying a foundation for the characters and probably dropping hints as to the plot twists.

meganreads5's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

historic_chronicles's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

"In the end is my beginning...That's a quotation I've often heard people say. It sounds all right - but what does it really mean?"

It is the penultimate month for #readchristie2023 and the theme this time was "Greed".

Michael Rogers long for an idealised version of life. Born from a humble background, he dreams of a luxurious lifestyle, with money, fast cars, large houses and the girl of his dreams. When he stumbles across the plot of Gipsy Acre, a remote piece of land in a sleepy village up for sale at an auction, Michael dreams of one day building a house and settling down. It is here that he meets Ellie Goodman. She is everything that Michael is not. An American heiress about to come of age, the two quickly fall in love and hatch a plan to get married and Michael's plan to live at Gipsy Acre is realised. However, things are not as they seem as threatening messages begin to plague the couple, warning of a curse on the land. Will Michael and Ellie's love prevail?

Endless Night is very unlike any of Agatha Christie's other novels. Often noted as one of the author's own personal favourite works that she had written, it is easy to see why this genre-bending tale became so enthralling.

Written purely from the perspective of one character, Christie dives into a style of characterisation that is unlike her other novels. It is intense and complex, the characters of Michael and Ellie are some of the most rounded characters she has written.

The plot is a slow burn, a journey of Michael's love story, but as this is Agatha Christie, there is no happily ever after. As this was a re-read for me, I was able to fully appreciate the layers and intricacies that Christie wove into this plot with gothic undertones and folklore elements.

Michael's inner monologue is the triumph here. A strong base, it also works well to build up the psychological tension of the tale as the plot moves into its sinister and unsettling conclusion.

A perfect choice to read on a dark November evening.