A review by adperfectamconsilium
Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
A different setting and time period for an Agatha Christie mystery but the same family relationships and problems. Times change but not human nature.
I've always enjoyed stories set in Ancient Egypt and this one is no exception.
A young widow and her daughter returns to the wealthy family home run by the lovable but overbearing Imhotep, a ka-priest.
Young Renisenb is at first glad to be back, thinking life will be as it was eight years previously, but it gradually becomes obvious that things do change especially when family rivalries, squabbles and problems have time to fester.
Into a tension already simmering like the desert heat Imhotep returns from a journey accompanied by a beautiful, young concubine called Nofret.
Nofret wastes no time in antagonising everyone and plotting to remove the inheritance of Imhotep's sons so it is no surprise when she is found dead from a cliff fall.
Of course she didn't fall. She was pushed. And the murderer will use local superstitions and the threat of Nofret's ghostly spirit to kill again. And again. And again.
The body count really mounts up in this one! I was rapidly running out of suspects. I had a suspicion but still didn't know for sure. There were too many possibilities and again the plot cleverly kept me guessing.
It's a quick read with some dialogue heavy pages absolutely flying by. The place and time is used to good effect. Possibly it's a bit too far-fetched but it's still an enjoyable whodunnit and a nice change from Christie's other mysteries.
I've always enjoyed stories set in Ancient Egypt and this one is no exception.
A young widow and her daughter returns to the wealthy family home run by the lovable but overbearing Imhotep, a ka-priest.
Young Renisenb is at first glad to be back, thinking life will be as it was eight years previously, but it gradually becomes obvious that things do change especially when family rivalries, squabbles and problems have time to fester.
Into a tension already simmering like the desert heat Imhotep returns from a journey accompanied by a beautiful, young concubine called Nofret.
Nofret wastes no time in antagonising everyone and plotting to remove the inheritance of Imhotep's sons so it is no surprise when she is found dead from a cliff fall.
Of course she didn't fall. She was pushed. And the murderer will use local superstitions and the threat of Nofret's ghostly spirit to kill again. And again. And again.
The body count really mounts up in this one! I was rapidly running out of suspects. I had a suspicion but still didn't know for sure. There were too many possibilities and again the plot cleverly kept me guessing.
It's a quick read with some dialogue heavy pages absolutely flying by. The place and time is used to good effect. Possibly it's a bit too far-fetched but it's still an enjoyable whodunnit and a nice change from Christie's other mysteries.