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A review by ajackson
Nemesis by Agatha Christie
2.0
I almost feel bad giving this book a 2 star review. I mean, we're talking about the queen of crime here! But honestly, it just drug. The entire book kept me thinking to myself..."Aha! I remember why I only read Poirot mysteries! I HATE Miss Marple!"
The worst part of the book was probably the part that seemed played up the most in the synopsis - the fact that Miss Marple doesn't know what mystery she is supposed to solve. It sounded intriguing and mysterious, but really it was just boring. Yes, dear reader, you spend exactly 50% of the book with no crime, no hint of a crime, and really no plot. Just Miss Marple plodding along thinking "I wonder if this is the crime? Or maybe this? I'll just sit here and wait for it to come to me." If I wasn't reading this for book club, I would have DNF'd at 49%. Because there was still. no. crime. (Or plot...but we've already touched on that.)
I guess the biggest reason I hated this book, was that I could think of SO MANY ways that Miss Marple could have gotten a few more hints... I mean, in order to get the money, I'd assume that the lawyers would have to know what the desired outcome would be to successfully complete the task for the reward. Could you not ask them that? And if they didn't know, then by golly, just go out and solve some random mystery and tell them you did it! Can they realistically deny you if they have no more knowledge than that? also, what was in that mysterious envelope they talked about amongst themselves that they weren't allowed to open until "certain events" transpired? Did we ever find out? What were those events? So many loose ends! I also find it really hard to believe that Mr. Rafiel contrived to arrange all those events for Miss Marple on his deathbed and really be as mysterious as he was. Oh, and for once, I actually figured out the murderer before hand. This is the first Christie mystery where it was logical to your average reader (aka me).
Was it an interesting premise? I suppose. Was it convoluted and contrived? Yes. Was it as poorly written as this review? Also yes. Would I recommend it to others? No.
The worst part of the book was probably the part that seemed played up the most in the synopsis - the fact that Miss Marple doesn't know what mystery she is supposed to solve. It sounded intriguing and mysterious, but really it was just boring. Yes, dear reader, you spend exactly 50% of the book with no crime, no hint of a crime, and really no plot. Just Miss Marple plodding along thinking "I wonder if this is the crime? Or maybe this? I'll just sit here and wait for it to come to me." If I wasn't reading this for book club, I would have DNF'd at 49%. Because there was still. no. crime. (Or plot...but we've already touched on that.)
I guess the biggest reason I hated this book, was that I could think of SO MANY ways that Miss Marple could have gotten a few more hints... I mean, in order to get the money, I'd assume that the lawyers would have to know what the desired outcome would be to successfully complete the task for the reward. Could you not ask them that? And if they didn't know, then by golly, just go out and solve some random mystery and tell them you did it! Can they realistically deny you if they have no more knowledge than that?
Was it an interesting premise? I suppose. Was it convoluted and contrived? Yes. Was it as poorly written as this review? Also yes. Would I recommend it to others? No.