lhirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vstewart76's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
A book about the craft of writing mysteries.. within a mystery. The premise is so cool. It makes math accessible and tries to relate it to literature albiet in a very simplistic terms. Vinn diagrams may be one of the easiest things to explain ever.
The first two or three chapters were seriously bad. The stories gradually became better to the point I didn't want them to end. They were clever and entertaining. The actual story tried its hand at being mysterious but it felt so inconsequential compared to the written mysteries.
I did not see the ending(s) coming. The final chapter was so good even though the actual mystery wasn't all that important in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, though, this book is worth the time. It's pretty cool and it offers lots of surprises.
A book about the craft of writing mysteries.. within a mystery. The premise is so cool. It makes math accessible and tries to relate it to literature albiet in a very simplistic terms. Vinn diagrams may be one of the easiest things to explain ever.
The first two or three chapters were seriously bad. The stories gradually became better to the point I didn't want them to end. They were clever and entertaining. The actual story tried its hand at being mysterious but it felt so inconsequential compared to the written mysteries.
I did not see the ending(s) coming. The final chapter was so good even though the actual mystery wasn't all that important in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, though, this book is worth the time. It's pretty cool and it offers lots of surprises.
ijm'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
5.0
jessica1994's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
shannonc8299's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
susannahmiller's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed that it had a story every second chapter and then the discussion in the between chapters it was like a wee book club
travelsinfiction's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up
I enjoyed how unique this was, and I did enjoy each individual story, although i found it difficult to fully sink into the book with the switching between the main narrative and a different short story each chapter.
I think it did some unique things and really played around with the mystery crime genre and I enjoyed that, but some of the plot twists felt a bit much.
Overall, a fun read but not as gripping and page turning as I hoped.
Spoiler: I really don’t enjoy when authors use being queer as a plot twist. I find zero enjoyment out of that as it really feels like it says “ooooooh he’s gay! Bet you didn’t think of that”
I enjoyed how unique this was, and I did enjoy each individual story, although i found it difficult to fully sink into the book with the switching between the main narrative and a different short story each chapter.
I think it did some unique things and really played around with the mystery crime genre and I enjoyed that, but some of the plot twists felt a bit much.
Overall, a fun read but not as gripping and page turning as I hoped.
Spoiler: I really don’t enjoy when authors use being queer as a plot twist. I find zero enjoyment out of that as it really feels like it says “ooooooh he’s gay! Bet you didn’t think of that”
eleanormarierose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Eight Detectives was a different read for me in that I rarely read murder mysteries. With that said, this book promised the protagonist had them all figured out.
A publishing editor visits him to query his seven pieces of work, while he explains the mathematical theory behind each murder mystery. Therefore, the book has seven short stories within it. The eighth detective is therefore the publishing editor, looking into the author's theories.
It was definitely cleverly written, and an awful lot of thought had gone into each part of the book, with a suspenseful ending.
That said, I did find it a little slow to read, as it was difficult to keep track of so many characters, and each plot. The second half/ending was definitely better as a result.
A publishing editor visits him to query his seven pieces of work, while he explains the mathematical theory behind each murder mystery. Therefore, the book has seven short stories within it. The eighth detective is therefore the publishing editor, looking into the author's theories.
It was definitely cleverly written, and an awful lot of thought had gone into each part of the book, with a suspenseful ending.
That said, I did find it a little slow to read, as it was difficult to keep track of so many characters, and each plot. The second half/ending was definitely better as a result.
swimmingavenueeagle's review against another edition
5.0
Úplná bomba! ⭐
Užívala som si túto detektívku opradenú tajomstvom plnými dúškami. Odporúčala by som túto knihu každému, kto má rad detektívky, tajomstvá a nečakané odhalenia.
Užívala som si túto detektívku opradenú tajomstvom plnými dúškami. Odporúčala by som túto knihu každému, kto má rad detektívky, tajomstvá a nečakané odhalenia.