Reviews

The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley

kalliopekat's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

3.0

Good plot, but an off-hand anti-semitical remark that had nothing to do with the plot or character development made me unsure I want to read any more of Berkeley's books. 

hellolaurenrva's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This is exactly the sort of mystery that I love! So why did I give it 3 stars? Well you might ask.

I knew who the murderer was about 1/3 of the way through the book so the end wasn’t a surprise at all.

Also, the casual racism inserted regarding Sheringham detesting prunes and tapioca almost as much as Jews was disgusting and completely unnecessary. I had been liking this author until that remark.

vvijayanti's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

vesper1931's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Wealthy Victor Stanworth has leased Layton Court for a house party. But he is discovered shot in the locked library. Inspectors Mansfield investigates but guest Roger Sheringham is interested in the case. Was it suicide. Does Sheringham after many premutations find the gulity party.
Quite obvious who the guilty party was but overall an enjoyable mystery.
(Originally published 1926)

mawar12's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-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

3.0

The book moved a bit slow in the beginning but I kinda like it because it kinda reminds me of cozy mystery..up until the later chapters. When Roger deduces Jefferson was in love it got more interesting.I kinda like how Roger does make mistakes and actually describe his thoughts. It does make sense telling people about what's in your mind sometimes does help you process information. I am shocked with the ending and the plot twist though, it doesn't seem to make sense as I was wondering how did Alec came in, it still does seem a bit random.The background was explained at the very end. I like the plot twist. I definitely do think there are times when the story got a bit to a standstill when Roger finds out some of his conclusions were wrong. Overall a good book.

aoifestone's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

shomarq's review against another edition

Go to review page

Solvable within the first ten chapters, and Roger is absolutely a bore and a nuisance -- I liked him at first, but then he just became rather frustrating leaping to wild conclusions about who was working with who based on zero evidence while being excessively arrogant.

clarisa's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Summer read, perfect for a train ride.

claire_barker's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

😏