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twmagill's review against another edition
4.0
A classic Agatha Christie twist towards the end, but rather slow and uneventful in parts. Overall an enjoyable read
map_to_neverland's review against another edition
2.0
I have so many mixed feelings on this book. It was well written, the plot was interesting enough, and I read it quickly. But there were so many comments from many characters about “young girls” describing women in their 20s that was just annoyingly sexist. Also, there were times where they discussed sanity/mental health, which was an interesting part of the plot, but some of the language connected to this didn’t sit well with me (especially since I am in counseling).
I realize that this book was written a long time ago, but Ive read many older books that did not bother me as much. So, overall, it was a fine book but those comments just made it less enjoyable for my own personal taste.
I realize that this book was written a long time ago, but Ive read many older books that did not bother me as much. So, overall, it was a fine book but those comments just made it less enjoyable for my own personal taste.
nicrtay's review against another edition
3.0
"Where there is murder, anything can happen."
In the author's forward to Crooked House, Christie states that "of one's output, five books are work to one that is real pleasure." Agatha Christie's Third Girl, I'm sure to her, felt like work. I know reading it did.
There were a lot of things going for this book. Not often - if ever - in a Poirot novel do we also get cameos from Ariadne Oliver, Miss Lemon, and Georges all in the same story. This one would have been hard to miss. Especially considering Poirot and Oliver have such wonderful professional chemistry that is cause for some really memorable comedic moments.
Unfortunately for me personally, the book felt unplanned. Almost not outlined at all. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Christie wrote the first half of the novel with no ending planned out and just let the characters 'act for themselves'. There are some genres where this works. Murder mystery is not one of them.
There were some great moments in this book. It just hurts me to think that Christie, at this point in her career, may have been getting sick and tired of Poirot. These later works feel so much more lifeless than the earlier ones.
Early in the story, novelist Ariadne Oliver starts ranting about having to write further novels about a detective character of hers that her readers' love, but she absolutely detests. I wonder if Christie was using Oliver as an authorial mouth piece in this case.
For her own sake, I hope I'm wrong.
In the author's forward to Crooked House, Christie states that "of one's output, five books are work to one that is real pleasure." Agatha Christie's Third Girl, I'm sure to her, felt like work. I know reading it did.
There were a lot of things going for this book. Not often - if ever - in a Poirot novel do we also get cameos from Ariadne Oliver, Miss Lemon, and Georges all in the same story. This one would have been hard to miss. Especially considering Poirot and Oliver have such wonderful professional chemistry that is cause for some really memorable comedic moments.
Unfortunately for me personally, the book felt unplanned. Almost not outlined at all. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Christie wrote the first half of the novel with no ending planned out and just let the characters 'act for themselves'. There are some genres where this works. Murder mystery is not one of them.
There were some great moments in this book. It just hurts me to think that Christie, at this point in her career, may have been getting sick and tired of Poirot. These later works feel so much more lifeless than the earlier ones.
Early in the story, novelist Ariadne Oliver starts ranting about having to write further novels about a detective character of hers that her readers' love, but she absolutely detests. I wonder if Christie was using Oliver as an authorial mouth piece in this case.
For her own sake, I hope I'm wrong.
booksletusescape's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
belleofthewoods's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishreadsandme's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This is a Poirot that I really enjoyed! Poirot has a young woman turn up at his house confessing she’s a murderer and then hastily leaving when she sees Poirot and exclaims he is too old to help her! 😆 Of course, our quite arrogant and confident Poirot takes this to heart and then fixates on finding out where she went to.
What I liked about it was how it was Christie’s take on the changing world around her, as at the point web she wrote this she was an older woman and with it being the Swinging 60’s, it is a very different world to when she first started writing her books.
The mystery really intrigued me as it wasn’t like any other Christie book I had read, it was more like a missing person’s case and there are a lot of characters who all seem a bit shady! Also a bonus was Poirot pretty much features throughout the story instead of dipping in and out like he does in a lot of stories. I also liked that we had the brilliant Ariadne Oliver back too. She is such a fun character.
Overall, another fantastic Poirot mystery for me!
momoj8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
butterscotchsundae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thereadergram's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25