mtunno's review
3.0
Miss Marple is a cooler protagonist than Poirot. P sure the villain in this one is lesbian-coded tho, idk idk
schokomuffin123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rachelray126's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
poojaganesh55's review against another edition
2.0
Gotta say, this was probably one of my least favorite Agatha Christie books. I've always been a huge fan of her books that fuelled my voracious reading appetite as a teen. I absolutely adored her books and would pour over them during vacations, cradling every page on my palm and taking in the rush I felt reading her prose. As a teen, it was everything I wanted - simple, to the point, few pages, readable in two-three sittings, and wrapped into a neat and detailed epilogue that acts as an exposition.
I don't usually pick her Marple mysteries and choose Poirot instead as I have a special indescribable affection for him and his little grey cells. I always felt Miss Marple was a character that was never cleverly fleshed out and remained a damp and forgotten character in Christie's otherwise charged and eccentric world. And so I read this book only because I borrowed it from a friend.
It is very clear to me why I didn't like this one. One of the usual highlights of Christie's murder mysteries is the game of it all. The murderer is crafty and usually hidden within a scope of people who all have very real reasons to be suspects. All players in the game are given equal space to flesh their characters with a high chance of being the final suspect. There are clever clues, dramatic events, unexpected rendezvous, murders on-the-go, and some really good twists or revelations. You never know which way it could go! Compared to that, this book was very mellow and the antithesis of everything I've grown to love in her books. It played out like a TV drama more than a murder mystery and Marple's lacklustre personality didn't help that. The fact that it was only a few pages was the only perk for me to finish it.
I really miss Poirot and mentally vow to never read a Marple mystery again. I adore his French, foreign accent, egg head, and pointy moustache. Gosh, I have to get back to watching David Suchet again.
P.S: I did notice the sexist remarks she seems to so casually make. I hope to give the benefit of doubt to how her character is an old lady born in a different time.
I don't usually pick her Marple mysteries and choose Poirot instead as I have a special indescribable affection for him and his little grey cells. I always felt Miss Marple was a character that was never cleverly fleshed out and remained a damp and forgotten character in Christie's otherwise charged and eccentric world. And so I read this book only because I borrowed it from a friend.
It is very clear to me why I didn't like this one. One of the usual highlights of Christie's murder mysteries is the game of it all. The murderer is crafty and usually hidden within a scope of people who all have very real reasons to be suspects. All players in the game are given equal space to flesh their characters with a high chance of being the final suspect. There are clever clues, dramatic events, unexpected rendezvous, murders on-the-go, and some really good twists or revelations. You never know which way it could go! Compared to that, this book was very mellow and the antithesis of everything I've grown to love in her books. It played out like a TV drama more than a murder mystery and Marple's lacklustre personality didn't help that. The fact that it was only a few pages was the only perk for me to finish it.
I really miss Poirot and mentally vow to never read a Marple mystery again. I adore his French, foreign accent, egg head, and pointy moustache. Gosh, I have to get back to watching David Suchet again.
P.S: I did notice the sexist remarks she seems to so casually make. I hope to give the benefit of doubt to how her character is an old lady born in a different time.
gabbiebrandt's review against another edition
4.0
I haven’t previously read the Miss Marples in order as it’s usually not necessary, but I think this one is better enjoyed and understood after reading A Caribbean Mystery.
zoeg97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
duggireads's review
4.0
I think maybe the best Marple? I loved that it stems from another book and an old fave character. And Miss M is really into her groove now. There’s the usual dose of language and attitudes that absolutely is not ok for which I dock stars. I know it’s of it’s time but I am of mine and it never sits well. Interesting reminder of how history is built of stories and of what was popular and acceptable at the time. A useful lens to interrogate with.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0