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221bpinkst's review
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Murder
sunny_not's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The topic was quite interesting and the reveal was really intriguing I thought that Ginevra would be the killer but it was the random lady. That was a bit meh since it felt like Agatha Christie had to choose a killer and didn't want to sacrifice the characters that she liked. Still I'm happy that Nadine and Lennox ended up happily and I'm also happy for Sarah and Raymond As always this book was also quite racist and also the way they treated older people who were fatter was so disgusting. So keep that in mind. It was still fun and I read it in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Medical content, Emotional abuse, and Racism
literatehedgehog's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A clever, twisted mystery (as to be expected) with an uneven pacing. A lot of set up, then the middle, then a lot of Poirot pontificating on all the things that could have happened but aha no, it was something else, aha no...etc. Also why does Christie oddly match people up in couples after the murder is solved? The happy ending is justice not romance!
Note. From the 1930s (late ish?). Content warnings -
Some quite dated, racist portrayals of Arabic people.
Mental and emotional abuse by a family member.
Note. From the 1930s (late ish?). Content warnings -
Some quite dated, racist portrayals of Arabic people.
Mental and emotional abuse by a family member.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Racism
pencils's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Murder and Gaslighting
thequeeraunt's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a perfectly fine Poirot mystery. I'd set it neatly in the middle of the range - nothing quite as unexpected as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and nothing quite as dull or problematic as The Big Four. What else can I say that isn't a spoiler?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
lauramcc7's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Murder
calliopereads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Emotional abuse
Minor: Antisemitism and Racism
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is split into two distinct parts; the events leading up to the murder and then the investigation. That first part read somewhat like a prologue, but in reality that first part was over 40% of the book's length. However, because it read like a prologue the considerable size of that first section made the book flow rather odd to me. In other circumstances, this odd flow would be a small matter. But given the painful emotions of the book's first section, the length and breadth were nearly unbearable.
The murder victim of this book is a large and sickly old woman with several children and step-children. Throughout the first section, it becomes clear that she is a type of sadist and has been systematically breaking down, abusing, and controlling these children for their entire lives. There are graphic examples of mental abuse and even more graphic examples of the effects that abuse has had on the now adult children. It is explicit and painful. Had I not been determined to read this entire series I would have DNF'd the book. Upon reflection, I still should have DNF'd it, and taken the loss.
This may just be a matter of trigger warnings, so I'm trying not to affect my rating too harshly. The book is well-written, the crime is artful, and the mystery reveal is satisfying. I would though, advise caution when you consider reading this because the book hit my emotions far more than I was expecting.
There is also a lot of very casual racism toward the Arab characters in the book. I am sure this was standard speech for the time frame, but it is uncomfortable with modern sensibilities.
The murder victim of this book is a large and sickly old woman with several children and step-children. Throughout the first section, it becomes clear that she is a type of sadist and has been systematically breaking down, abusing, and controlling these children for their entire lives. There are graphic examples of mental abuse and even more graphic examples of the effects that abuse has had on the now adult children. It is explicit and painful. Had I not been determined to read this entire series I would have DNF'd the book. Upon reflection, I still should have DNF'd it, and taken the loss.
This may just be a matter of trigger warnings, so I'm trying not to affect my rating too harshly. The book is well-written, the crime is artful, and the mystery reveal is satisfying. I would though, advise caution when you consider reading this because the book hit my emotions far more than I was expecting.
There is also a lot of very casual racism toward the Arab characters in the book. I am sure this was standard speech for the time frame, but it is uncomfortable with modern sensibilities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child abuse
heini's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Dr. Gerard is a creep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Minor: Antisemitism, Fatphobia, Racism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
shelfofunread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Antisemitism, Racial slurs, and Racism