A review by thebakerbookworm
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.5
This book is Gone Girl—except without the mystery, without any thrills, without complex, developed characters, and without a coherent plot.
And I did not like Gone Girl...
I do like Agatha Christie and the books of hers that I've read (though beware, this book will spoil a few of her books...), so I was interested in this story. And I watched the movie Agatha and the Truth of Murder on Netflix a few months ago, which also gives a fictional explanation for her eleven-day disappearance, and enjoyed it.
But this book was so boring. There is barely a plot, and the mystery is obvious from the beginning. I didn't like any of the characters, and they don't get any development or any real deep-dive into their actions. The ending gives us an info-dump to explain everything that happened previously—a lot of telling and not showing. And then it just ended and I was left thinking, "What was the point of this book?"
It's only saving grace was that it was short.
And I did not like Gone Girl...
I do like Agatha Christie and the books of hers that I've read (though beware, this book will spoil a few of her books...), so I was interested in this story. And I watched the movie Agatha and the Truth of Murder on Netflix a few months ago, which also gives a fictional explanation for her eleven-day disappearance, and enjoyed it.
But this book was so boring. There is barely a plot, and the mystery is obvious from the beginning. I didn't like any of the characters, and they don't get any development or any real deep-dive into their actions. The ending gives us an info-dump to explain everything that happened previously—a lot of telling and not showing. And then it just ended and I was left thinking, "What was the point of this book?"
It's only saving grace was that it was short.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Grief