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zabeishumanish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The murder victim of this book is a large and sickly old woman with several children and step-children. Throughout the first section, it becomes clear that she is a type of sadist and has been systematically breaking down, abusing, and controlling these children for their entire lives. There are graphic examples of mental abuse and even more graphic examples of the effects that abuse has had on the now adult children. It is explicit and painful. Had I not been determined to read this entire series I would have DNF'd the book. Upon reflection, I still should have DNF'd it, and taken the loss.
This may just be a matter of trigger warnings, so I'm trying not to affect my rating too harshly. The book is well-written, the crime is artful, and the mystery reveal is satisfying. I would though, advise caution when you consider reading this because the book hit my emotions far more than I was expecting.
There is also a lot of very casual racism toward the Arab characters in the book. I am sure this was standard speech for the time frame, but it is uncomfortable with modern sensibilities.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child abuse
heini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, Antisemitism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
shelfofunread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Antisemitism
dazed_and_distracted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
kers_tin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Murder
sam_fielder_137's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
zimmerlemon's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
lizzieb29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Racism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
chalkletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Against such a dramatic backdrop, Hercule Poirot doesn’t stand out as much as he usually does. In his sections, the verbatim repetition of his list of clues and his timetable for events surrounding the murder felt like padding; it was difficult not to skim read material that had already been presented word-for-word. That said, the Summation Gathering was effective — particularly the way Agatha Christie twisted the usual practice of trying out how each suspect could be guilty. The solution to the mystery works, and all the clues have been fairly presented without being rushed or told rather than shown, which is more than I can say for some of Agatha Christie’s works.
Finally, the ending works back around to centring the Boynton family members, which pays off all that they suffered in the set-up. It’s not a long scene, and it wraps up a lot of storylines very quickly and neatly, but it feels justified because these characters deserve it!
Appointment with Death doesn’t quite reach the heights of Five Little Pigs, but it’s pretty darn close!
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Antisemitism
poirot's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Medical content, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Gun violence and Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia and Death of parent