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ginaparrish's review against another edition
3.0
I am making my way chronologically through Christie’s mystery novels and I am unsure how I feel about this one. It was not the most exciting, nor the most surprising. On the other hand, it wasn’t the most obvious either. But overall, I enjoyed reading it. All of her books are worth reading.
I know they like to categorize the books by detective, but this hardly counts as a Colonel Race novel. That is, he does play a significant part in uncovering the mystery but doesn’t, in the end, solve it.
I know they like to categorize the books by detective, but this hardly counts as a Colonel Race novel. That is, he does play a significant part in uncovering the mystery but doesn’t, in the end, solve it.
nesquik05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
scrollingbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Agatha Christie is such a legend it feels disrespectful to critique her work...but here goes.
I wanted a pallet cleanser of a read. So I thought let's dip into an author whose latest novel graced the Christmas stockings of her contemporary readers. But times change and tastes differ; and the best thing about this book is the title.
If this book were written in the modern day IMHO (personal view) it would be ripped to shreds...if anyone bothered to read it.
The very idea that someone would commit suicide by drinking cyanide in a public restaurant in front of all their friends was implausible at best...and no one seemed to question it. (OK, not strictly true as her husband had doubts about six months later when someone sent a note saying "Your wife was murdered." Then he got suspicious....)
Not the greatest setup when the whole idea is ridiculous.
The language of the day now also seems dated, and not in a good way. There are casual references to race that are now totally unacceptable. That's a whole debate of itself...should original texts be edited to meet modern values? But here is not the place for that debate.
On the plus side, I genuinely didn't guess the villian, and all the suspects had motive and opportunity... Therein lies the author's skill. Also, I did keep reading to find out what happened, so another plus. Couldn't rate this a 2.5, so upgraded to 3 in honour of the author's reputation.
Just not one of her best / can't please all the people all the time!
I wanted a pallet cleanser of a read. So I thought let's dip into an author whose latest novel graced the Christmas stockings of her contemporary readers. But times change and tastes differ; and the best thing about this book is the title.
If this book were written in the modern day IMHO (personal view) it would be ripped to shreds...if anyone bothered to read it.
The very idea that someone would commit suicide by drinking cyanide in a public restaurant in front of all their friends was implausible at best...and no one seemed to question it. (OK, not strictly true as her husband had doubts about six months later when someone sent a note saying "Your wife was murdered." Then he got suspicious....)
Not the greatest setup when the whole idea is ridiculous.
The language of the day now also seems dated, and not in a good way. There are casual references to race that are now totally unacceptable. That's a whole debate of itself...should original texts be edited to meet modern values? But here is not the place for that debate.
On the plus side, I genuinely didn't guess the villian, and all the suspects had motive and opportunity... Therein lies the author's skill. Also, I did keep reading to find out what happened, so another plus. Couldn't rate this a 2.5, so upgraded to 3 in honour of the author's reputation.
Just not one of her best / can't please all the people all the time!
uponthedowns's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thaurisil's review against another edition
4.0
While I read through Agatha Christie's novels with the Appointments with Agatha group, I'm putting a templated synopsis of each novel in my review. It has spoilers!
Book: 36 of Christie's novels, 4 of Colonel Race novels
Setting:London
Detective and Companions: Colonel Race, Inspector Kemp
Crime: Rosemary Barton dies at a dinner party at the Luxembourg restaurant. One year later, her husband George sets a trap in the same restaurant to catch the murderer, but dies himself.
Suspects:
- Iris Marle, Rosemary's younger sister
- Anthony Browne, Iris' lover and a former convict who turns out to be a MI5 agent
- Stephen Farraday, a rising MP
- Sandra Farraday, Stephen's wife and the daughter in a prestigious political family
- Ruth Lessing, George's capable secretary
- Lucilla Drake, Iris' voluble aunt
- Victor Drake, Lucilla's scoundrel son
Twists and Turns:
- The key problem lies in the fact that George took a drink of champagne, went to dance, and multiple accounts from various people state that nobody went near his glass, yet the next time he drank champagne from the glass, it was full of cyanide. It is finally revealed that the cyanide was in Iris' glass, not George's. She had not drunk champagne initially as a toast was being made to her. Because a waiter returned a bag that she dropped to the wrong chair, she sat at the wrong place, and everyone else around the table did so as well. Thus George drank from Iris' glass and died.
- There does not appear to be anybody who had a motive to kill both Rosemary and George. This is because George was never the intended victim.
- After Rosemary's death which is ruled a suicide, mysterious letters are written to George. Who wrote these letters? Surely not the murderer who would not want to draw notice to the fact that he/she killed Rosemary. It turns out that Ruth wrote the letters, with the plan of influencing George to create the trap that he did.
- The minor characters in the story turn out to have a major role to play – Victor Drake is the mastermind, the person who sits at the table next to the party is also Victor Drake in disguise, and the abused waiter who picks up Iris' bag is innocent but played a large role in mistakenly returning her bag to the wrong chair.
This is the last time we see Colonel Race and his character is more well-developed here than in the previous two books where he appeared together with Hercule Poirot. He's intelligent and likeable, and I wish we have more books featuring him. The story itself is entertaining. There's nothing fancy about it, it's just a good cozy mystery, and enjoyable to read.
Book: 36 of Christie's novels, 4 of Colonel Race novels
Setting:London
Detective and Companions: Colonel Race, Inspector Kemp
Crime: Rosemary Barton dies at a dinner party at the Luxembourg restaurant. One year later, her husband George sets a trap in the same restaurant to catch the murderer, but dies himself.
Suspects:
- Iris Marle, Rosemary's younger sister
- Anthony Browne, Iris' lover and a former convict who turns out to be a MI5 agent
- Stephen Farraday, a rising MP
- Sandra Farraday, Stephen's wife and the daughter in a prestigious political family
- Ruth Lessing, George's capable secretary
- Lucilla Drake, Iris' voluble aunt
- Victor Drake, Lucilla's scoundrel son
Twists and Turns:
- The key problem lies in the fact that George took a drink of champagne, went to dance, and multiple accounts from various people state that nobody went near his glass, yet the next time he drank champagne from the glass, it was full of cyanide. It is finally revealed that the cyanide was in Iris' glass, not George's. She had not drunk champagne initially as a toast was being made to her. Because a waiter returned a bag that she dropped to the wrong chair, she sat at the wrong place, and everyone else around the table did so as well. Thus George drank from Iris' glass and died.
- There does not appear to be anybody who had a motive to kill both Rosemary and George. This is because George was never the intended victim.
- After Rosemary's death which is ruled a suicide, mysterious letters are written to George. Who wrote these letters? Surely not the murderer who would not want to draw notice to the fact that he/she killed Rosemary. It turns out that Ruth wrote the letters, with the plan of influencing George to create the trap that he did.
- The minor characters in the story turn out to have a major role to play – Victor Drake is the mastermind, the person who sits at the table next to the party is also Victor Drake in disguise, and the abused waiter who picks up Iris' bag is innocent but played a large role in mistakenly returning her bag to the wrong chair.
This is the last time we see Colonel Race and his character is more well-developed here than in the previous two books where he appeared together with Hercule Poirot. He's intelligent and likeable, and I wish we have more books featuring him. The story itself is entertaining. There's nothing fancy about it, it's just a good cozy mystery, and enjoyable to read.
astridardis's review against another edition
4.0
Suuuuper out of date, but also a joy to read Agatha Christie’s writing. Reminds me of a Poirot or Miss Marple episode <3
emmabeckman's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the set up of this novel, but I guessed the killer pretty early on.
baconbre's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I kinda guessed early who did it, but so much happens that it will definitely be having you second guess yourself. I love how with only necessary amount of words she quickly paints a scene and shows you a person’s character. She makes it feel as if you have a real understanding of these characters. I have never read any of this series with the colonel, but he doesn’t make any real impact on the plot other than helping it come to end. No spoilers as far as I could tell to others in this series. The story focus on the suspects, and the supposed victim. Fun read!
noodles01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0