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vsbedford's review against another edition
3.0
A little too much ironic distance and wry winks to the reader for me to fully engage with this one. It was a bit like watching Murder by Death, a thoroughly irritating experience in that I just want the mystery dammit, and not the "aren't we all so much more clever for not really enjoying this" tone. Maybe Innes isn't for me? Anyway, give it a shot if you like a little snobbiness in your mystery.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
Another one with quirky characters. I absolutely did not see the ending coming. Very good! Three and a half stars.
krikketgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I had to really fight to finish this one. I find Appleby relatable and interesting, but this book seemed to just float in the doldrums. It felt as though all the elements were present to create a great mystery, but that they weren't used to their full measure.
annarella's review against another edition
3.0
A good interesting mystery. It was entertaining even if the language is a bit aged.
Many thanks to Ipso Books and Netgalley
Many thanks to Ipso Books and Netgalley
pgchuis's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Inspector Appleby is sent to investigate the death of a professor at Nesfield University. Professor Pluckrose was apparently killed by a meteorite, although one that had some months previously fallen to earth.
Although this had its moments of humour, and Appleby and his fellow police officer Hobhouse were likeable characters, I did not really enjoy this novel, There were countless whimsical and academic asides, which were uninteresting and often hard to grasp for those of us without a background in the Classics. The suspects were all men (women being mostly relegated to the roles of landlady and girlfriend) and hard to keep distinct in one's mind. The solution was explained in the most convoluted fashion of any detective novel I have read and not terribly satisfactory, although various earlier themes and clues were duly tied in.
I would not have persisted with this novel had I not been reviewing it, and will not be seeking out any further books by this author.
On a technical note, the plan of the courtyard was too small to make out and could not be enlarged on my Kindle.
Inspector Appleby is sent to investigate the death of a professor at Nesfield University. Professor Pluckrose was apparently killed by a meteorite, although one that had some months previously fallen to earth.
Although this had its moments of humour, and Appleby and his fellow police officer Hobhouse were likeable characters, I did not really enjoy this novel, There were countless whimsical and academic asides, which were uninteresting and often hard to grasp for those of us without a background in the Classics. The suspects were all men (women being mostly relegated to the roles of landlady and girlfriend) and hard to keep distinct in one's mind. The solution was explained in the most convoluted fashion of any detective novel I have read and not terribly satisfactory, although various earlier themes and clues were duly tied in.
I would not have persisted with this novel had I not been reviewing it, and will not be seeking out any further books by this author.
On a technical note, the plan of the courtyard was too small to make out and could not be enlarged on my Kindle.
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