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bmip666's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
alexauthorshay's review against another edition
2.0
Firstly, this is book 8 in the series and this is the first time Freeman has used a female protagonist. Based on his portrayal of women in his previous books, I was a bit worried about him taking this route. But I rather liked Helen; her character was both artistic and logical, and she was not prone at all to unrealistic hysterical fits. In fact, she seemed even smarter than Thorndyke's assistant Jervis.
That, however, was one thing I found to be a problem. This book is rather like the previous short story collection I read, "The Great Portrait Mystery". It is a Thorndyke book, but where on Earth is Thorndyke?? He isn't introduced until chapter 9 and you only hear from him twice or three times before he comes in at the very end to save the day. Now, he always saves the day in the last 3 pages so that didn't irk me as much this time(though I still find it rather a "deus ex machina" ending). What bothered me is that the reader isn't kept at all up to date with Thorndyke's progress as we are with his previous books. The disadvantage to this is that I didn't like the ending. When we are informed about his suspicions, we are more inclined to accept them. In this book, not only does he just show up at the end with entirely new information (though I did suspect the villain from the beginning), he shows up with hardly seconds to spare before the jury decides the verdict! And of course his information revamps the whole thing the coroner had going and makes everyone realize the villain wasn't who they thought it was.
Lastly, this book was split into three smaller sections, titled perfectly as "tragedy", "romance", and "crime". Without giving any of the plot away I can sum up this book:
Part 1: tragedy strikes. Part 2: Helen falls in love and there is hardly any plot advancement for 45% of the book. Part 3: another tragedy happens, obviously a crime, and Helen lives happily ever after because of the amazing Dr. Thorndyke.
I'm sorry but this is possibly the worst Thorndyke novel yet. It was slow and it's event structure was crap.
That, however, was one thing I found to be a problem. This book is rather like the previous short story collection I read, "The Great Portrait Mystery". It is a Thorndyke book, but where on Earth is Thorndyke?? He isn't introduced until chapter 9 and you only hear from him twice or three times before he comes in at the very end to save the day. Now, he always saves the day in the last 3 pages so that didn't irk me as much this time(though I still find it rather a "deus ex machina" ending). What bothered me is that the reader isn't kept at all up to date with Thorndyke's progress as we are with his previous books. The disadvantage to this is that I didn't like the ending. When we are informed about his suspicions, we are more inclined to accept them. In this book, not only does he just show up at the end with entirely new information (though I did suspect the villain from the beginning), he shows up with hardly seconds to spare before the jury decides the verdict! And of course his information revamps the whole thing the coroner had going and makes everyone realize the villain wasn't who they thought it was.
Lastly, this book was split into three smaller sections, titled perfectly as "tragedy", "romance", and "crime". Without giving any of the plot away I can sum up this book:
Part 1: tragedy strikes. Part 2: Helen falls in love and there is hardly any plot advancement for 45% of the book. Part 3: another tragedy happens, obviously a crime, and Helen lives happily ever after because of the amazing Dr. Thorndyke.
I'm sorry but this is possibly the worst Thorndyke novel yet. It was slow and it's event structure was crap.
vesper1931's review against another edition
3.0
The to a conversation overheard Helen Carson agrees to marry Lewis Ottway to save her father from possible prosecution for financial fraud. But events result in death.
The story is divided three parts, and I found Part 2 particularly boring, though the other two parts were an enjoyable read
The story is divided three parts, and I found Part 2 particularly boring, though the other two parts were an enjoyable read
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