Reviews with content warning for Murder - Death in the Clouds

Book twenty-two of my personal read through of Agatha Christie in (American) publication order.

This is one of the few I was sure I HADN'T read as a teen, because of the unique setting. The mystery was very good here, I just wish I hadn't tried to read this one on audio because it made all the characters and detailed lists of possible clues hard to track.

Not a favorite for me, just because of the character arc side of things, but recommended to read once if you enjoy mysteries.

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akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I feel like it would maybe be better adapted onscreen, but I enjoyed this book! The murderer really got me, I didn’t see it coming but it was immensely satisfying.

I would have preferred it if the murderer was an actual giant wasp à la Doctor Who but eh, c’est la vie.

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hollystopreading's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

A bit more racist then some of her other books one line straight up says

“They disliked loud voices, noisy restaurants and Negro*s.”

for NO REASON. However there are moments where hercule Poirot faces prejudice… so. Anyway as a mystery I would pass but it’s not horrible.

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michela_ognibeni's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Agatha Christie never disappoints

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saliwali's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This is a great Agatha Christie book, but I was a bit disappointed after watching the David Suchet Poirot episode which was (in my opinion) much more riveting. The book seemed to drag in a lot of ways. Nevertheless, even after watching the show about 6 months ago, I still guessed the wrong villain!

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leaflibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Okay, I get that this isn't a GREAT Christie mystery. The sleuthing detours felt haphazard and the ending became very convoluted. Still, I had a fun time consuming it! I've been in a reading rut lately, and this revitalized my interest in audiobooks, and Christie in particular.

What stood out to be about this story: low stakes, excellent cartoonish characters* (much more fun than the usual brooding suspects!), mediocre pacing, a bizarre act three murder and a conclusion so nonsensical that I accepted it because I couldn't keep track of all the convoluted clues and unlikely solutions!

*deadpan flute-obsessed doctor having some kind of affair; zany mystery writer obsessed with the murder weapon; indistinguashable father/son acheology nerd duo turned arranged employer/love interest?; cartoonishly villainous dentist with bipolar behavior who provides internal monologues (!) on multiple occasions; coke obsessed chorus girl turned duchess, and the random horse girl who wants her husband; TWO lost daughters who kind of matter but mostly don’t, plus the bored hairdresser main character you assume is one of those two but is actually a nobody, lol… and a little Belgian detective investigating the case with the police despite his CLEAR conflict of interest as a possible (even likely) suspect! A ridiculous, if occasionally tedious, DELIGHT, I tell you!

Serious side note, though: the version I listened to seemed to censor at least one very extreme instance of racism (and fatphobia!) that occurs as a bonding moment between two main characters. I learned about it later while reading a Goodreads review and was genuinely SHOCKED at its casual, intentional, and blatant awfulness. That lowers the score quite a bit for me and leaves a bad taste in my mouth about the fun and frivolous aspects of the story that I enjoyed.

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misosoupp31's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I did it! I beat Agatha at her own game and I saw the clues and I guessed the murderer correctly! Unfortunately that’s not what I came to the book for haha, my need for a good twist was not satisfied

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