Scan barcode
outoftheofficeagain's review against another edition
3.0
Major spring vibes on this English country garden and historical home tour. Jane is recruited by her recently deceased “friend” to solve a mystery… maybe… but has no context and no clues.
There is commentary galore on justice, for better or worse, and it’s a bit of a slut-shaming read full of hot takes from older characters about how rape isn’t murder and we wouldn’t want to ruin boys potential. I found it to be eerily and frustratingly accurate, but I appreciate some of the attempt at nuance even if it was weak at best. Themes of accountability and objectivity that almost hit. It’s cozy, for sure despite some gruesome crimes, and I did enjoy the “three sisters” and the gimmick of Jane not actually knowing the crime going into the trip.
There is commentary galore on justice, for better or worse, and it’s a bit of a slut-shaming read full of hot takes from older characters about how rape isn’t murder and we wouldn’t want to ruin boys potential. I found it to be eerily and frustratingly accurate, but I appreciate some of the attempt at nuance even if it was weak at best. Themes of accountability and objectivity that almost hit. It’s cozy, for sure despite some gruesome crimes, and I did enjoy the “three sisters” and the gimmick of Jane not actually knowing the crime going into the trip.
sprinkledwithwords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
pinks_paperbacks's review against another edition
4.0
It was slow in the beginning but caught pace quite quickly. There usually isn't much action in Miss Marple's series owing to her age and personality but this book had an interesting way to keep you captivated. The clues were obvious but even then I was still not able to pinpoint the culprit until it was made obvious. Conclusively, there were few times when I needed to take breaks but not once did I want to stop reading completely.
As I am reading more of Agatha Christie's books the more I am realising (or maybe I am reading too much into it) that she was an open-minded and tolerant woman. I say so because in this book itself there were characters and characteristic features that could, in this day and age, be categorised under LGBTQ+ communities. For example there was one instance where Archdeacon Brabazon is discussing with Miss Marple the possible psyche behind Verity's decison to marry Michael and in a part of his discussion he mentions how she had lost her parents and come to live with Clotilde around the age when one starts developing 'crush on someone.' He adds that the schoolgirls can have these crushes on "......an attractive mistress. Anything from the games mistress to the mathematics mistress, or a prefect or an older girl. A state that does not last for very long, is merely a natural part of life." I know she puts it as a 'phase' in life but I will still give her props for mentioning it as a 'natural' part of life.
The reason I want to mention the above point is because I feel it is important to realise that if Agatha, in her time, could mention homosexuality albeit quite subtly, without prejudice then why is it still such a trouble for us to be, at the very least, tolerant about it? It's sad that even now we have so many people who view anything other than heterosexuality as unnatural and abnormal and with disgust and hatred. Quoting Agatha - “To care passionately for another human creature brings always more sorrow than joy; but at the same time, Elinor, one would not be without experience. Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived..." After all we humans are cut from the same cloth.
As I am reading more of Agatha Christie's books the more I am realising (or maybe I am reading too much into it) that she was an open-minded and tolerant woman. I say so because in this book itself there were characters and characteristic features that could, in this day and age, be categorised under LGBTQ+ communities. For example there was one instance where Archdeacon Brabazon is discussing with Miss Marple the possible psyche behind Verity's decison to marry Michael and in a part of his discussion he mentions how she had lost her parents and come to live with Clotilde around the age when one starts developing 'crush on someone.' He adds that the schoolgirls can have these crushes on "......an attractive mistress. Anything from the games mistress to the mathematics mistress, or a prefect or an older girl. A state that does not last for very long, is merely a natural part of life." I know she puts it as a 'phase' in life but I will still give her props for mentioning it as a 'natural' part of life.
The reason I want to mention the above point is because I feel it is important to realise that if Agatha, in her time, could mention homosexuality albeit quite subtly, without prejudice then why is it still such a trouble for us to be, at the very least, tolerant about it? It's sad that even now we have so many people who view anything other than heterosexuality as unnatural and abnormal and with disgust and hatred. Quoting Agatha - “To care passionately for another human creature brings always more sorrow than joy; but at the same time, Elinor, one would not be without experience. Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived..." After all we humans are cut from the same cloth.
adriannelikestoread's review against another edition
Too much misogyny by the male characters
starthelostgirl's review
2.0
Though Miss Marple books are always rather slow-paced, this one took an excessively long time to get to the mystery. It’s the first Marple that I’ve seen that really should be read in order (after A Caribbean Mystery). Marple’s thoughts tend to be very repetitive in this book, which made it feel slower. I was distracted by some horrifying (though period accurate) views on how “promiscuous” girls can’t be raped.
Without spoiling the ending, I feel like it could have been amazing (similar to A Murder is Announced) but instead just felt kind of obvious and not very exciting. I was disappointed by this one.
Without spoiling the ending, I feel like it could have been amazing (similar to A Murder is Announced) but instead just felt kind of obvious and not very exciting. I was disappointed by this one.
itzmays's review
5.0
Agatha Christie never fails to shock me at the end of every book of hers! I had so much fun reading this one. It made me love Miss Marple more, for what she did to discover the truth.
mariahmmm's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Upon his death, Mr Rafiel (from the Caribbean Mystery) leaves Miss Marple two tasks: enjoy the bus tour of gardens and houses he's booked for her, and serve justice. But with no clues as to the crime or who's involved, Miss Marple must tread carefully as anyone could be the villain, or the victim...
What a fantastic mystery! Miss Marple was at the helm the whole way through, using her understanding of human nature and elderly feebleness to wiggle her way into every home and secret around her.
While the crime and perpetrator were obvious from the halfway mark, the rest was still entertaining as Miss Marple pieced together all the information.
What a fantastic mystery! Miss Marple was at the helm the whole way through, using her understanding of human nature and elderly feebleness to wiggle her way into every home and secret around her.
While the crime and perpetrator were obvious from the halfway mark, the rest was still entertaining as Miss Marple pieced together all the information.
jayraams's review
4.0
I quite like the picture this book paints of Miss Marple, she is underestimated by everyone except Mr Raphael but she is still outsmarting everyone