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nuthatch's review against another edition
5.0
This book was sitting on a shelf for years. It was one of those books I picked up at a used book store. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is an excellent mystery with complex characters and several unlovable suspects.
nikki_in_niagara's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I've read by Minette Walters and I enjoyed it. I'm so used to today's fast-paced thrillers, though, that I had to change my expectations for this slower-paced mystery. The richest woman in a small English town is found dead in an obscure way in her estate home. Ruled a suicide, one detective is sure it is murder and investigates.
The characters are likable and eccentric making for a fun read. The mystery is slow-paced but well-plotted and red herrings abound. I had an idea as to the killer but changed my mind multiple times, falling for the author's ploys. The ending was satisfying with a final shocking twist. I'd like to read more of the author's work.
The characters are likable and eccentric making for a fun read. The mystery is slow-paced but well-plotted and red herrings abound. I had an idea as to the killer but changed my mind multiple times, falling for the author's ploys. The ending was satisfying with a final shocking twist. I'd like to read more of the author's work.
msjaquiss's review
4.0
This was a retry good mystery. The characters lived in my imagination even when I set the book aside for a few minutes. There were a few places where the plot made some crazy detours and it may have wrapped up a little too quickly but, all in all, I enjoyed the writing.
un4tunatalie's review
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
veriditas's review
2.0
Minette Walters would like you to know she is aware that the following items exist and are Very Serious:
abuse
alcoholism
gang rape
abuse
juvenile delinquency
abuse
prostitution
incest
sodomy
abuse
classism
abuse
abuse
The comparisons to PD James are apt; this is not a compliment.
abuse
alcoholism
gang rape
abuse
juvenile delinquency
abuse
prostitution
incest
sodomy
abuse
classism
abuse
abuse
The comparisons to PD James are apt; this is not a compliment.
cinnamon82's review
3.0
Mean, despised old lady is found dead with her head in a scold's bridle. Her doctor is under suspicion because it turns out all the wealth was left to her. Investigation reveals secrets, lies, depravity, and the fact that everyone has been blackmailing someone.
A suspenseful novel with plot-twists upon plot-twists, plenty of suspects, and enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing, (at least up until the last third of the book).
I liked that the characters were allowed to grow and develop; first impressions were not set in stone, and I did have a time guessing who exactly was what. The dialogue, however, was rather meh, and some events felt like they had been 'manufactured' and thrown in just to provide a Clutch Your Pearls! moment. Also, So. Much. Blackmail. Nearly everyone in this little village has (at least) one skeleton in their closet. These fairly intelligent characters did take quite a while to reach the correct conclusion, which itself was also a bit of a disappointment.
The novel has good pacing, and it attempts to take on more than the usual Murder Mystery in Quaint Little English Village.
Three stars,but not upto Minette Walters' usual standards at all.
A suspenseful novel with plot-twists upon plot-twists, plenty of suspects, and enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing, (at least up until the last third of the book).
I liked that the characters were allowed to grow and develop; first impressions were not set in stone, and I did have a time guessing who exactly was what. The dialogue, however, was rather meh, and some events felt like they had been 'manufactured' and thrown in just to provide a Clutch Your Pearls! moment. Also, So. Much. Blackmail. Nearly everyone in this little village has (at least) one skeleton in their closet. These fairly intelligent characters did take quite a while to reach the correct conclusion, which itself was also a bit of a disappointment.
The novel has good pacing, and it attempts to take on more than the usual Murder Mystery in Quaint Little English Village.
Three stars,but not upto Minette Walters' usual standards at all.
breez's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ein angenehmer durchschnittlicher Krimi. Die persönlichen Beziehungen zwischen alldem stehen im Vordergrund deshalb beziehen sich die Ermittlungen auf einen minimalen Täterkreis und so viel Bewegung kommt da nicht rein. Allerdings könnten mich manche Handlungsstränge und die letztendliche Auflösung dann doch überraschen.
Was mich stört ist jedoch das Bild des Ehemanns der Ärztin, weil dann doch in den letzten paar Seiten rauskommt, wie seine Frau alles falsch gesehen hat und das ganze Bild dieses Künstlers, eines vermeintlichen egoistischen aber durchaus interessanten und talentierten Charakter, wird zunichte gemacht. Für mich nicht passend.
Durchaus interessant fand ich die Beschreibung der Kunst und was sie bedeutet. Ab und an sind jedoch die Gespräche, vor allem zwischen Ärztin Ehemann und Polizist dermaßen übertrieben intellektuell und hochtrabend, dass ich nicht mithalten könnte und mich eher unnötigerweise ausgeschlossen gefühlt habe, diese Gespräche zu verstehen.
Was mich stört ist jedoch das Bild des Ehemanns der Ärztin, weil dann doch in den letzten paar Seiten rauskommt, wie seine Frau alles falsch gesehen hat und das ganze Bild dieses Künstlers, eines vermeintlichen egoistischen aber durchaus interessanten und talentierten Charakter, wird zunichte gemacht. Für mich nicht passend.
Durchaus interessant fand ich die Beschreibung der Kunst und was sie bedeutet. Ab und an sind jedoch die Gespräche, vor allem zwischen Ärztin Ehemann und Polizist dermaßen übertrieben intellektuell und hochtrabend, dass ich nicht mithalten könnte und mich eher unnötigerweise ausgeschlossen gefühlt habe, diese Gespräche zu verstehen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Rape
rainnbooks's review
3.0
Minette Walters is really becoming a fav author of mine. I love the way she brings forth convoluted psychology in all her characters. Its so hard to sympathize with any single character in her stories. Mathlida is so twisted that one wonders if shes sane herself.
Most authors in this genre go for a central protagonist with a series of novels which i find difficult to read mainly coz some may carry references from previous incidents which you might miss out if not read in the order it is released. Minette Walters scores in this that her protagonists are not always from law enforcement even thou there's help from a cop. I hope she continues in this vein.
Absorbing read!
Most authors in this genre go for a central protagonist with a series of novels which i find difficult to read mainly coz some may carry references from previous incidents which you might miss out if not read in the order it is released. Minette Walters scores in this that her protagonists are not always from law enforcement even thou there's help from a cop. I hope she continues in this vein.
Absorbing read!