Reviews

I never know how to rate story compendiums. Some of these were highly enjoyable, some were okay, and one or two were inane. Overall, there were way more stories that were interesting than ones that are not. I’m now interested in reading more of Agatha Christies works that contain some of the detective characters featured in this book.

larry_yonce's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

enjoyable themed compilation
Includes tales of stalking obsession, love triangles, jealousy, a lover's inheritance, age gaps, and more. One has no crime but is a test of character for a married couple. One has a detective do a little matchmaking (!), while another has a detective prevent a frame-up & a suicide. Speaking of detectives, Poirot & Hastings, Mr. Quin, Parker Pyne, Miss Marple, and Tuppence & Tommy all have short stories in this collection. I only found one story that was a stretch to be a part of the overall theme of this anthology. As a bonus there is a brief (and humorous) account of Agatha Christie's early courtships, taken from her autobiography. Delightful.

rynflynn12's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

4.0

wafflefonfabre's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

King of clubs: This is an OK mystery. I didn't love it. It kinda made me want to read the Sherlock Holmes short stories. The reveal was well it was fine but I don't hmm. I feel like the logic was less follow able then id like. Ive only encountered two Poirot stories so far both have him let the murderer get away. 3/5
The Face of Helen:A mystery that obvious and far too sympathetic to a horrible possessive man who

Spoiler

LITERALLY TRIED TO MURDER A WOMEN FOR TELLING HIM NO! HE TRIED TO MURDER HER WITH GAS. He made a rube goldburge murder machine and perfectly engineered her death which is also. Dumb how can a radio version of a song which breaks glass break glass over the radio. I don't think thats how any of that works. Its vibrations from your throat that breaks glass doesn't it? Idk Then he commits suicide im supposed to feel like this was tragedy. NO! THAT MAN DESERVED PRISON

2/5. Didn't like it the narrator was a weird rich man who was just so interested in these people cause his friend said it would be drama? Though it did have a quote I like "The cab driver thought him rather mentally afflicted but rich so did his best to arrive quickly." I just thought that was funny.
Death on the Nile (Not that one I don't think): Much like the first one the logic wasn't very clear to the reader. I felt there was no way for me to follow the clues but the story was fine. Felt a bit rushed but im getting the feeling Agatha wasn't very good at shorter stories and needed a whole book to spin a tale well. 3/5
Death by Drowning: This is a Miss Marple mystery and my favorite of the book so far. The mystery was well built and the twist felt nice. 4/5
The Double Clue:A good mystery the twist felt nice and well explained. The logic it was based on was good. 4/5
Finessing The King: This is the first Tommy and Tuppence story i've read and I really like them. The story was well constructed both detectives were fun and the final solution made sense. The clues all added up it felt like. 4/5
A Fruitful Sunday. A fun little tale with a twist. 4/5
Wasp's Nest: Poirot story. A very interesting short story. There could have been more clues but I liked it especially the ending twist. 5/5
Case of the Caretaker: A nice little mystery. 4/5 Thought Ms. Marple was the detective it didn't feature her much. The build up was good the conclusion seemed a bit obvious.
The Man In The Mist:Short but interesting. 5/5
Magnolia Blossom: A story of marriage falling apart, by two cheaters kinda a fun mess.
The Love Detectives: 3/5 it was ok.
Affairs of the Heart: Agatha's failed loves. I don't know why its here.

readingrubia's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious fast-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

4.0

More...