Scan barcode
kailen_halvorson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ksreads93's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
leilaajg2's review against another edition
3.0
The Gaskills wake to find the body of an unknown woman in their library one morning. With the help of Mrs. Gaskills friend Jane Marple the women along with the local police figure out who actually killed her.
My main qualm with this book is the lack of Miss Marple. She’s only in 25% of the plot.
My main qualm with this book is the lack of Miss Marple. She’s only in 25% of the plot.
cgallenorr's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable mystery
This is the second Agatha Christie novel I have read, and the first Miss Marple. I love mysteries, and this one was pretty good. I was surprised by the ending, and that’s always a good thing when it comes to mysteries. However, it was difficult to get into the story at first. There were too many characters that were not developed enough for me to have a clear picture of who they were. Obviously, a lot of characters are needed, but it’s hard to develop them all in such a short book. Finally, the evidence Miss Marple used to solve the mystery seemed a little incredible. However, I did enjoy the story.
This is the second Agatha Christie novel I have read, and the first Miss Marple. I love mysteries, and this one was pretty good. I was surprised by the ending, and that’s always a good thing when it comes to mysteries. However, it was difficult to get into the story at first. There were too many characters that were not developed enough for me to have a clear picture of who they were. Obviously, a lot of characters are needed, but it’s hard to develop them all in such a short book. Finally, the evidence Miss Marple used to solve the mystery seemed a little incredible. However, I did enjoy the story.
alfredgd's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Christie firing on all cylinders, cliché, self-referential and littered with bizarre moments, including the opening lesbian dream sequence. Can’t help but feel Marple gets lumped with all the more run-of-the-mill cases, lacks the pizazz of a Poirot.
h_b_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Got to love a bit of Miss Marple. Good old cosy mystery at its best.
cassie_w's review against another edition
5.0
I've no idea why it's taken me so long to read any of the Miss Marple books.
I have no excuse and shall do my best to continue to rectify this immediately.
The maid at Gossington Hall has discovered the body of a young lady in the library. She is in evening dress and heavily made up - but who is she and why is she in the library of the Bantry's?
The police are notified, of course, but they appear to be just as confused as Colonel and Dolly Bantry
It's a good job that her best friend is Miss Jane Marple. She soon arrives and takes charge.
There is a fantastic array of characters, all of whom have their own motives and when another young woman is discovered murdered, Miss Marple has everything that she needs but needs to clarify a few things - when of course, there is a third murder.
For a shorter book, there is so much going on in this book and it's bloody fantastic.
I have no excuse and shall do my best to continue to rectify this immediately.
The maid at Gossington Hall has discovered the body of a young lady in the library. She is in evening dress and heavily made up - but who is she and why is she in the library of the Bantry's?
The police are notified, of course, but they appear to be just as confused as Colonel and Dolly Bantry
It's a good job that her best friend is Miss Jane Marple. She soon arrives and takes charge.
There is a fantastic array of characters, all of whom have their own motives and when another young woman is discovered murdered, Miss Marple has everything that she needs but needs to clarify a few things - when of course, there is a third murder.
For a shorter book, there is so much going on in this book and it's bloody fantastic.
booksreaderandcoffee's review against another edition
5.0
A classic mystery full of twists and Ms Marple at her best!
katekor's review against another edition
3.0
Your standard Agatha Christie, really. Makes me wish I was a wealthy British person in the 40s.
booktrovert_id's review against another edition
4.0
Seperti judulnya, novel ini bercerita tentang penemuan mayat seorang wanita muda di perpustakaan milik pasangan suami istri Bantry. Keluarga Bantry yang kaget dengan mayat tersebut segera memanggil pihak kepolisian dan juga Miss Marple.
***
Ceritanya disajikan dengan cukup padat. Penyajian kasusnya juga rapi dan detail sehingga pembaca dapat menemukan benang merahnya.
Sebagian besar penyelidikan dilakukan oleh pihak kepolisian—Kolonel Melchett dan Inspektur Harper. Sedangkan Miss Marple sang tokoh utama hanya muncul diawal dan diakhir cerita saja.
***
Tokoh yang ditampilkan cukup banyak, karena berhubungan dengan penyeledikan. Tapi aku merasa ada beberapa tokoh yang sebenarnya nggak penting-penting banget tapi tetap disorot. Dan juga ada beberapa dialog antartokoh yang menurutku kosong, karena buntu meskipun ada petunjuk. Pada akhirnya, Miss Marple lah yang menyelesaikan petunjuk itu.
***
Ceritanya disajikan dengan cukup padat. Penyajian kasusnya juga rapi dan detail sehingga pembaca dapat menemukan benang merahnya.
Sebagian besar penyelidikan dilakukan oleh pihak kepolisian—Kolonel Melchett dan Inspektur Harper. Sedangkan Miss Marple sang tokoh utama hanya muncul diawal dan diakhir cerita saja.
***
Tokoh yang ditampilkan cukup banyak, karena berhubungan dengan penyeledikan. Tapi aku merasa ada beberapa tokoh yang sebenarnya nggak penting-penting banget tapi tetap disorot. Dan juga ada beberapa dialog antartokoh yang menurutku kosong, karena buntu meskipun ada petunjuk. Pada akhirnya, Miss Marple lah yang menyelesaikan petunjuk itu.