Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Le Secret de Chimneys by Agatha Christie

32 reviews

kamrynlee's review against another edition

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1.75

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katy_bee's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

A decent enough murder mystery, with some political intrigue mixed in. I guessed bits of the mystery but there were some twists and turns along the way as well.

Battle isn't as character as Poirot or Marple but the bones of the plot hold up well enough. 

A lot of colonial era racism which made for an uncomfortable read.
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mwalkerelders's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.0

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ulrikedg's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The Secret of Chimneys is the first Superintendent Battle book, and Battle is barely in it. This isn't really a criticism as the main character, Anthony Cade, is quite fun. I enjoyed the mysteries and the little twists.

Audiobook narrator Hugh Fraser is excellent.

Note: I read the dual edition The Secret of Chimneys & A Murder is Announced, but I wanted to track & review the two books separately. 
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bloomingpear's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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heathland's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I would love to give this book 4 stars, it was very enjoyable but so complicated at times! Lots of names and it was hard to keep track of who was who.
The ending was brilliant, however, and I was partly right! Which I'm pleased about haha
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scribdecahedron's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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caitlancole's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was certainly entertaining and kept me turning the pages, but it relied a bit too much on coincidence.
I had trouble suspending my disbelief that James McGrath just so happened to come into possession of both the manuscript and the letters, and then just casually handed them both off to Anthony Cade, who we later find out is next in line for the throne of Herzoslovakia. I also think the whole group at Chimneys was unrealistically welcoming and trusting of Cade right away.
The plot felt overly complicated and confusing, so that the final reveal wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been. I’m glad to have read it though. 
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ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-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

2.5

Requires a heavy suspension of disbelief but liked the main characters. Lots of casual rascism typical of the time period it was written in.
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bonnie9595's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense 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

2.0

For my money, not Christie's best work. The suspension of disbelief required is a bit much, and the racial slurs are near constant. I felt like a lot of the loose ends were left dangling.
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