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paulnotfremen's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
Die Dialoge und das murder Mystery sind wie gewohnt hervorragend, nur der erzählte Teil ist nicht ganz Christie, aber was will man schon erwarten.
jessicasshelfies's review against another edition
3.0
This book is adapted from a play, and though I think he did a good job in capturing Agatha Christie’s style, it shines through that it’s a play. Not that it matters, really, but it’s different from other Christie books in the way that the reader ”sees” everything that goes on in the room, rather than hearing witnesses or people themselves describing it. Like the audience at a play.
roffer's review against another edition
medium-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
1.5
Childish writing. Didn’t realize it was an adaptation of a play.
christellereadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Black Coffee initially premiered as a play in December 1930 and was the first piece Agatha Christie wrote for the stage. 22 years after Agatha Christie's death, the play was novelised by Charles Osborne with the endorsement of Agatha Christie's estate.
As with many of the author's books, this one should come as a warning to those who are not familiar with Agatha Christie's style. There's a colonialist approach to the world, casual racism towards foreigners (especially towards Italians in this one) and we are reminded of Agatha Christie's negative views of young people.
Overall, this Hercule Poirot novel is an enjoyable read, though not one of Agatha Christie's best. I can see however that it would work far better as a play than as a novel. The characters are not very likeable, each one of them could have been the murderer. Captain Hastings doesn't bring much to the story. Hercule Poirot is as arrogant as ever. There are a lot of red herrings as in most of the author's work, though, for once, I had guessed who had committed the murder.
As with many of the author's books, this one should come as a warning to those who are not familiar with Agatha Christie's style. There's a colonialist approach to the world, casual racism towards foreigners (especially towards Italians in this one) and we are reminded of Agatha Christie's negative views of young people.
Overall, this Hercule Poirot novel is an enjoyable read, though not one of Agatha Christie's best. I can see however that it would work far better as a play than as a novel. The characters are not very likeable, each one of them could have been the murderer. Captain Hastings doesn't bring much to the story. Hercule Poirot is as arrogant as ever. There are a lot of red herrings as in most of the author's work, though, for once, I had guessed who had committed the murder.
ryanward5500's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
3.0
13palmeja's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
3.75
kmwiest78's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cagebox's review against another edition
3.0
Black Coffee is the first murder mystery play I’ve read. The play would surely entertain on stage but when reading it’s just an average mystery. The mystery is formulaic and without much shock value, yet manages to entertain.
muntaaha30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jjammymay's review against another edition
5.0
This book has everything. Mystery, romance, murder, comedy. I liked this even more than The Big Four.
My favourite characters in this are by far; Lucia (what a baby, a sweetheart) and Barbara (gotta love the family pot-stirring delinquent feminist).
My favourite characters in this are by far; Lucia (what a baby, a sweetheart) and Barbara (gotta love the family pot-stirring delinquent feminist).