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heather_boo's review against another edition
5.0
This short collection of mysteries is as clever as Miss Marple herself. A great premise in The Thirteen Problems is gathering a group of friends together to share solved or unsolved mysteries to the rest of the group for discussion and solution. I was expecting a degree of repetition in the cases; instead, there is complete individuality. I was part of this company simply to watch Jane work her magic, and that she did.
evamaria's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
marthamh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
theorooney's review against another edition
3.5
It’s perfectly entertaining, but the short stories do get a bit samey and lose a bit of intrigue when Miss Marple guesses the mystery perfectly every time. I think I’d enjoy a full novel more than a short story compilation.
gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
4.0
This seems like a series of short stories (which reading the comments, it seems that it originally was). I was sort of lukewarm on it for most of the book, but the ending drew it all together.
thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
Agatha Christie is mistress of her genre... nobody can do a succinct, play-by-the-rules mystery like she can.
In this volume are thirteen short stories, mostly related by guests at a party. Miss Marple, of course, always holds the key because she's such a keen observer of human nature. Her maxim is that people are much the same, whether in her tiny village or out in the wider world.
Her injections of, "oh, this reminds me of so-and-so" are sometimes met with pity by her listeners, as she often sounds like she's wandering from the point in the tradition of the elderly. But then, wham, she solves the mystery.
Engaging stories without a lot of filler, that's why I like Agatha Christie, and these short stories are good for reading a few minutes at a time.
In this volume are thirteen short stories, mostly related by guests at a party. Miss Marple, of course, always holds the key because she's such a keen observer of human nature. Her maxim is that people are much the same, whether in her tiny village or out in the wider world.
Her injections of, "oh, this reminds me of so-and-so" are sometimes met with pity by her listeners, as she often sounds like she's wandering from the point in the tradition of the elderly. But then, wham, she solves the mystery.
Engaging stories without a lot of filler, that's why I like Agatha Christie, and these short stories are good for reading a few minutes at a time.
dnandrews797's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good old fashioned mystery story and the way all the problems are posed in this book makes for delicious reading. Miss Marple herself is an excellent detective. Her gentle, humble, unassuming manner hide a massive intellect and a keen set of eyes. She’s quite lovely.
illmachine's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0