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shelfofunread's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
assassinsreader's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There was only one or two stories in this that bored me and couldn't hold my interest, the others were okay.
1mpossiblealice's review
2.5
As often with short story collections, a mixed bag. Publisher-wise, I much prefer the BLCC short story collections as before each story there's a short introduction with some context about the story/writer. These collections have nothing like that, not even an introduction to the book as a whole.
My favourites in this were the Sherlock Holmes (which I've read many times), The Chopham Affair, and Haunted House, but my absolute favourite was The Mystery of Felwyn Tunnel, which is very like The Signalman by Charles Dickens, a story that I love. This was like a retelling almost, but with a different ending.
Some of the stories were enjoyable, but just OK. The Chesterton was a bit boring and since most of the action was set in South America, seemed a weird inclusion. Mr Ponting's Alibi was OK, but absolutely reads like Holmes-lite, so nowhere near as good.
Probably 2.5 stars due to the mix of stories, but I'd love to read more LT Meade.
My favourites in this were the Sherlock Holmes (which I've read many times), The Chopham Affair, and Haunted House, but my absolute favourite was The Mystery of Felwyn Tunnel, which is very like The Signalman by Charles Dickens, a story that I love. This was like a retelling almost, but with a different ending.
Some of the stories were enjoyable, but just OK. The Chesterton was a bit boring and since most of the action was set in South America, seemed a weird inclusion. Mr Ponting's Alibi was OK, but absolutely reads like Holmes-lite, so nowhere near as good.
Probably 2.5 stars due to the mix of stories, but I'd love to read more LT Meade.
dragonfly142's review
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
suzid's review
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
sharron_joy_reads's review
4.0
A really fun easy to read short story collection of classic whodunnits. All of them set in the cold of winter.
These are mainly set in the last century but I love the old fashioned settings, the way people spoke, the simplicity of life and the hardship of it before the health service, before the welfare state.
They are stories of domestic life at its most barbaric but quietly so with very few gory details.
A cosy read for me, very short stories to pick up and read as and when. 4 stars ⭐️
These are mainly set in the last century but I love the old fashioned settings, the way people spoke, the simplicity of life and the hardship of it before the health service, before the welfare state.
They are stories of domestic life at its most barbaric but quietly so with very few gory details.
A cosy read for me, very short stories to pick up and read as and when. 4 stars ⭐️
with_book_and_stilettos's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0