Reviews

A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler

veronian's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

tombennett72's review against another edition

5.0

Lots of fun to read - a wonderfully unwilling (but lucky) main protagonist, a good plot, rich characters and an excellent prose style.

Loved it.

8797999's review against another edition

4.0

What a superb read, I didnt know what to expect when I started this but what a ride and journey alongside Latimer. Some wonderful characters and situations. Yes quite fantastical at times but very enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining, my first time reading a book by Eric Ambler but certainly not my last.

I had wanted to read this for about 3 years and am happy to have finally done so. Very enjoyable.

laticsexile's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

It conjures up a fantastic picture of pre-war Europe and it has the pace and style of the black and white film thrillers of the 40's and 50's. The writing is also good, but very much of its time. A good yarn that doesn't outstay its welcome, but it's not quite in the same class as Le Carre or Greene despite the fact that they always voiced their debt to Ambler as a great pioneer of the genre. Definitely good enough to warrant an exploration of his other books.

nigellicus's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense

5.0

There were two Peter Lorre films that made a big impression on me growing up, on was The Beast With Five Fingers, the other was The Mask Of Dimitrios. It was such a journey thrhugh the seamy underbelly of pre-war Europe, it was utterly enthralling. I'm pretty sure I read the book, but I can't remember so it must have been long ago. It is, obviously, classic Ambler, in a class all his own as an academic-turned-whodunit-author becomes obsessed with the life of a dead criminal he views, by chance, in a Turkish secret poilce morgue. 

warrenl's review

5.0

An exquisite noire thriller.

kickupthefire's review against another edition

2.0

Very much a book written by a man for a man. The only female characters were sex workers, and they were written in such a cliche way. Dull, dull dull. Not really sure why I bothered reading till the end other than to find out what happened, other than the quotes by loads of writers saying how great it is. I honestly don’t get what all the fuss is about.

atlanticus's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

colinsk's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

4.75

dansquire's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0