Reviews

The Lodger: A Tale of the London Fog by Marie Belloc Lowndes

pigments_and_pages's review against another edition

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1.0

I found this very dull. There were zero plot twists and I had it figured out almost by the very first page.

stevegoble's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an excellent read, an old-fashioned book that would be great on a rainy, foggy night by a good fire and a glass of stout or a double whiskey. It is loosely based on the Jack the Ripper case, and at times feels like something Willie Collins might have written, with its colorful characters and London-by-gaslight setting. 

darcina's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

thingtwo's review against another edition

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3.0

This old story about Jack the Ripper has been made into numerous movies, so it was fun to go back and read how Belloc Lowndes originally imagined her story. Since Jack the Ripper was never arrested, hers is more of a "what-if" type of story.

starfish422's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.5

I would have rates higher but found the ending abrupt and therefore pretty unsatisfying. But the tension that built throughout the book was very well done. 
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rlaurie's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-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? Yes

3.0

jazzylemon's review against another edition

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5.0

Surprisingly different from the brilliant 1927 silent film starring Ivor Novello.

verbava's review against another edition

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2.0

книжка про джека різника, екранізована гічкоком і рекомендована хемом (а йому її порадила стайн). але якась не така, як би хотілося. прісна, чи що.

natreadsthings's review against another edition

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4.0

This was fantastic

sleepydahlias's review against another edition

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3.0

This was such an interesting look into class designations and marriage in the 1880s. I think it’s really cool that it was based off of Jack the Ripper and I wonder if it’s one of the first thrillers based off of a real serial killer, especially because it was decently recent after the attacks (30 yrs or so). 

I thought it was interesting that Mrs. Bunting was the one investigating her tenant Mr. Sleuth and she was juxtaposed against the incompetent Scotland Yard as the smart detective, which seems a bit feminist for the time it was written (1911). 

I also found the fact that it was a psychological thriller interesting, especially because most books would’ve focused on the killer, yet we’re seeing the effects of the killers on Mrs. Bunting and her community instead. I also like the analysis of class relationships because Mr. Sleuth was Mrs. Buntings tenant so there was a sort of master/servant relationship there, and he was the one whose funds were keeping Mr. And Mrs. Bunting afloat, yet Mrs. Bunting ignored all relevant social structures to investigate him. This was an extremely progressive novel for it’s time.