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backpackfullofbooks's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
maryrobinson's review against another edition
2.0
Mystery from the “golden age” of detective fiction (Agatha Christie era) that is well engineered and very precisely plotted. On the other hand, it’s just boring. The detective Joseph French is smart, methodical and so admirable – but where are the tortured characteristics and sarcasm and quirkiness I’m used to from so many modern detectives? You know…the qualities that are so much fun. It was hard to feel upset for the victims because I knew them so little.
diannel_04's review against another edition
Not much luck with books lately. This was another one that bored me to tears.
lachesisreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
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
3.75
vsbedford's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of The Hog's Back Mystery from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
The Hog's Back Mystery firmly asserts itself as a "puzzle" mystery, but plays very fair with the reader (even providing a round up of the case with page references to check our detective's logic). One must definitely enjoy the Golden Age style - the characters are not much more than pieces on Mr. Crofts chessboard - but I, for one, am not particularly interested in the inner turmoil of scruffy inspectors and found this book a delight. This is a mystery that asks the reader to engage in the intellectual task of solving the case and assumes that he or she is up to that task. Highly recommended.
The Hog's Back Mystery firmly asserts itself as a "puzzle" mystery, but plays very fair with the reader (even providing a round up of the case with page references to check our detective's logic). One must definitely enjoy the Golden Age style - the characters are not much more than pieces on Mr. Crofts chessboard - but I, for one, am not particularly interested in the inner turmoil of scruffy inspectors and found this book a delight. This is a mystery that asks the reader to engage in the intellectual task of solving the case and assumes that he or she is up to that task. Highly recommended.
maxineha's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this and I'm delighted that I've finished this book club book 6 days before our meeting.
The plot twists and turns. I had figured out a few of the details myself, but hadn't quite put it all together. I liked the way that all the threads were pulled together, for those of us who had missed a few of the clues.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy murder mystery stories, and appreciate that this did not have a ton of blood and gore like a lot of modern books.
The plot twists and turns. I had figured out a few of the details myself, but hadn't quite put it all together. I liked the way that all the threads were pulled together, for those of us who had missed a few of the clues.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy murder mystery stories, and appreciate that this did not have a ton of blood and gore like a lot of modern books.
meredith_q's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
estellabelle92's review against another edition
4.0
Received as an ARC, I was excited to read this mystery as I had enjoyed the last ARC I had received in this series of re-published mysteries from the Golden Age of Mysteries in the 1930's.
Did not disappoint.
Did not disappoint.
kitschbitsch's review against another edition
4.0
Good solid murder mystery with a proper 'Poirot' style exposition at the end about how Inspector French nabbed the perpetrator.
booktwitcher23's review against another edition
3.0
Well written.mystery, spoilt for me with a rather elaborate explanation at the end.