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alisonpashley's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
reginamea's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bthegood's review
Only available to me in audiobook and had a hard time concentrating on this particular story in that format. Felt like Christies "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" and Duncan's "Murder for Christmas" - I've read both, so seemed somewhat repetitive as a story line.
larkken's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
A good, solid, English-Country-House-at-Christmas mystery, with some very amusing bits.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
4.0
I was immediately taken with this book because it promised to be an isolated closed circle mystery. The golden era of the country manor house was beginning to end, being replaced by the modern age. Live in domestic staff went off in search of better job opportunities, freedom of movement, and the ability to move between classes. Warbeck House's butler was left with little help and a crumbling estate about to be taxed into extinction.
I enjoyed the commentary on the political beliefs that drove WWII and did not disappear in the minds of many after the war. The author played on these prejudices without making the reader feel that they were his own.
I was pleasantly surprised to that this story did not revolve around an unlikeable patriarch that one of the family members killed and which all were a suspect. Instead, many of the guests at the Warbeck house were unlikeable in some way.
Although this story included Rogers, a Special Branch Detective, who was Sir Julius's bodyguard, subsequently investigating the crimes until the proper authorities could arrive, it was Dr. Bottwink, a history professor and researcher staying at the house who ultimately solved the mystery. Bottwink reminded me of Hercule Poirot, although he was less self important and quirky and more irritating to the guests. His personality lent a subtle interesting air of levity and humor to a book that might be considered a standard potboiler of the time.
I enjoyed this classic murder mystery reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie and would recommend reading more books written by Cyril Hare.
I enjoyed the commentary on the political beliefs that drove WWII and did not disappear in the minds of many after the war. The author played on these prejudices without making the reader feel that they were his own.
I was pleasantly surprised to that this story did not revolve around an unlikeable patriarch that one of the family members killed and which all were a suspect. Instead, many of the guests at the Warbeck house were unlikeable in some way.
Although this story included Rogers, a Special Branch Detective, who was Sir Julius's bodyguard, subsequently investigating the crimes until the proper authorities could arrive, it was Dr. Bottwink, a history professor and researcher staying at the house who ultimately solved the mystery. Bottwink reminded me of Hercule Poirot, although he was less self important and quirky and more irritating to the guests. His personality lent a subtle interesting air of levity and humor to a book that might be considered a standard potboiler of the time.
I enjoyed this classic murder mystery reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie and would recommend reading more books written by Cyril Hare.
nik_reads02's review against another edition
4.0
First of the Christmas Mysteries for this December. I very much enjoyed it! It’s quite short, and there is a definite similarity -deliberately so it would appear- to Hercule Poirot in one of the characters, but a good mystery.
gray_stasch's review
lighthearted
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? No
4.0