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Superintendent Battle #5
Towards Zero
What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?
To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan — for murder.
To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan — for murder.
233 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1944
About the author
Agatha Christie
4,599 books68.5k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,019 reviews
January 20, 2024
"quando lemos a notícia de um assassinato, ou uma história de ficção sobre um assassinato, normalmente tudo começa com o próprio crime. isso é errado. o assassinato começa muito antes, é o ponto culminante de várias circunstâncias diferentes, todas convergindo para um dado ponto, em um dado momento. o assassinato propriamente dito é o final da história. é a hora zero."
imagina escrever isso em 1944
imagina escrever isso em 1944
September 12, 2023
Superintendent Battle's daughter is a liar.
But the reason she lied will also prove to be the key to helping him solve a murder.
Nevile Strange (no relation to Doctor) is a handsome tennis star who is married to a young hottie. But when he meets his ex-wife in the park, it's decided that they should all just try to get along and be friends again. Which translates into staying at his aunt's estate at the same time over the holidays.
Seriously?
Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
Well, it certainly doesn't sound like a good idea to his new wife.
This is one of those Christie mysteries that leaves out a pretty HUGE chunk of pertinent information till the very last few chapters. You will probably be (just like I was) suspecting everyone except the killer right up till she throws down that last clue.
Superintendent Battle feels more fleshed out in this (his last) book. He's more of a participant in this story than he is in the others and that made me happy.
He's just that solid sort of dude who kind of steps in and stops the crazy. I really liked him and I'm glad Christie gave us a chance to get to know this character a little better.
I really enjoyed this one.
Recommended!
But the reason she lied will also prove to be the key to helping him solve a murder.
Nevile Strange (no relation to Doctor) is a handsome tennis star who is married to a young hottie. But when he meets his ex-wife in the park, it's decided that they should all just try to get along and be friends again. Which translates into staying at his aunt's estate at the same time over the holidays.
Seriously?
Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
Well, it certainly doesn't sound like a good idea to his new wife.
This is one of those Christie mysteries that leaves out a pretty HUGE chunk of pertinent information till the very last few chapters. You will probably be (just like I was) suspecting everyone except the killer right up till she throws down that last clue.
Superintendent Battle feels more fleshed out in this (his last) book. He's more of a participant in this story than he is in the others and that made me happy.
He's just that solid sort of dude who kind of steps in and stops the crazy. I really liked him and I'm glad Christie gave us a chance to get to know this character a little better.
I really enjoyed this one.
Recommended!
February 6, 2023
I had so much fun with this one, almost all of the characters were so suspicious and entertaining. Per usual, my 900 theories were wrong but that’s okay 😂
September 29, 2019
It's been some time since a murder mystery has imposed on my mind so heavily. Even when this mystery had all its clothes on, you could guess the promise it contained. I kept thinking, and the question and the curiosity, the suspense and the wonder, they kept occupying my mind. As the pages flew by, the time to say goodbye to Inspector Battle came too soon. At least Miss Marple starred in 13 of her books. Poor Battle was shunted aside in the public's stampede for Poirot.
I guessed wrongly regarding the culprit. I fell for one of the many false trails painted by Mrs Christie. I react strongly to the narration of life and how it's being wasted, in more ways than one, by this great author. The main characters here are Nevile, Audrey, Kay, Ted, and Mary. The most mysterious of them was Audrey, whose secret feeling was not anger, love, or sadness, but fear. I never thought that she was the culprit, and I could have guessed rightly who was, but then I got waylaid.
I was amused by the inimitable Mr Treves. When an author like Christie has a limited number of brushstrokes at her disposal for painting a character, then one like Treves often walks a fine line between brilliance and parody. I was very entertained by this situation, and Mr Treves played like a retarded and oblivious person who thinks he's being very observative. Finally after being slightly disappointed by the real solution, I was cheered by the downright creepy lovey dovey ending. Agatha Christie must generate a happy ending, no matter what. But then she probably knew her audience too well. Nevertheless this book has secured its perfect score, and time has come for me to escape, even if some people in the book don't want to!
I guessed wrongly regarding the culprit. I fell for one of the many false trails painted by Mrs Christie. I react strongly to the narration of life and how it's being wasted, in more ways than one, by this great author. The main characters here are Nevile, Audrey, Kay, Ted, and Mary. The most mysterious of them was Audrey, whose secret feeling was not anger, love, or sadness, but fear. I never thought that she was the culprit, and I could have guessed rightly who was, but then I got waylaid.
I was amused by the inimitable Mr Treves. When an author like Christie has a limited number of brushstrokes at her disposal for painting a character, then one like Treves often walks a fine line between brilliance and parody. I was very entertained by this situation, and Mr Treves played like a retarded and oblivious person who thinks he's being very observative. Finally after being slightly disappointed by the real solution, I was cheered by the downright creepy lovey dovey ending. Agatha Christie must generate a happy ending, no matter what. But then she probably knew her audience too well. Nevertheless this book has secured its perfect score, and time has come for me to escape, even if some people in the book don't want to!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2019
I’ve now reached the final book to feature Superintendent Battle in the Christie cannon, what a great mystery for his last appearance!
Bed bound Lady Tressilian still intends to invite guests to her seaside home at Gull's Point during the summer, one of the guests included tennis star Nevile Strange.
Though the idea of him bring both his current and ex-wives seems like an ill advised idea...
Whilst at an uncomfortable dinner party Mr Treves regales all the guests a tale of one child killing another with an arrow, ruled as an accident and the child given a new identity the old solicitor suggests is murder ever predetermined - a Towards Zero point.
When Mr Treves is found dead in his room the following morning from what appears to be a heart attack, the lift had an ‘Out of Order’ sign attached even though it was still fully functional.
Could one of the guests be that child?
Christie is a master of weaving cleverly constructed mysteries, I loved the various red herrings throughout as my suspicions kept changing between the different guests.
Even though this is a stand-alone tale, the reader benefits from reading her previous novels.
Battles mentions of Poirot was a delight, the fact that he’d previously worked with the Belgium detective helped aid him solve this case was a perfectly fitting conclusion.
Bed bound Lady Tressilian still intends to invite guests to her seaside home at Gull's Point during the summer, one of the guests included tennis star Nevile Strange.
Though the idea of him bring both his current and ex-wives seems like an ill advised idea...
Whilst at an uncomfortable dinner party Mr Treves regales all the guests a tale of one child killing another with an arrow, ruled as an accident and the child given a new identity the old solicitor suggests is murder ever predetermined - a Towards Zero point.
When Mr Treves is found dead in his room the following morning from what appears to be a heart attack, the lift had an ‘Out of Order’ sign attached even though it was still fully functional.
Could one of the guests be that child?
Christie is a master of weaving cleverly constructed mysteries, I loved the various red herrings throughout as my suspicions kept changing between the different guests.
Even though this is a stand-alone tale, the reader benefits from reading her previous novels.
Battles mentions of Poirot was a delight, the fact that he’d previously worked with the Belgium detective helped aid him solve this case was a perfectly fitting conclusion.
July 24, 2016
‘I like a good detective story,’ he said. ‘But, you know, they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that– years before sometimes– with all the causes and events that bring certain people to a certain place at a certain time on a certain day.
What makes a good detective story? Suspense? Atmosphere? An outrageous plot? Memorable characters? Twists?
As with many others of Christie's stories, Towards Zero relies on a set of characters, the type of which is already familiar to Christie's readers. The setting (a version of country house) and plot (errm....murder), is also in line with the expectation of the "typical" Christie novel. What I had not expected was for Christie to actually question the whole setup of her "typical" story by proclaiming that the story cannot stop with the detection of the murderer but that it needs to reveal the background in order for the story of the murder to be understood.
It's almost like Christie used this story to prove that the police investigation needs to include an understanding of the psychology of the characters involved in order to successfully solve the crime.
But did she need to do this? Surely, the fact that her Marple and Poirot act as the psychologists to aid the inspectors in her other books is proof enough that there is a partnership between the two?
Towards Zero does not feature Marple or Poirot but instead has Inspector Battle, who takes on the role of the "enlightened" policeman. We learn early on that he has little time for amateur psychology, and later we learn that he is also capable of trickery - although, Christie stays away from implying that there is a member of the police who would use trickery to get a murderer to confess. No, she added a different character to do this.
Which brings me to one of the few complaints I have about the story - the multitude of characters. There are so many of them that it is hard to keep track of. Some are mentioned, but then disappear in almost the next scene - with no relevance to the story.
Were they included to merely bulk out the pages?
I mean, I really enjoyed the main plot and characters, but I wish she had spent more time fleshing them out, rather than just throwing new characters in the mix. Maybe getting to learn more about the characters would have also helped the ending, which reminded me of the somewhat creepy relationship in Du Maurier's Rebecca:
What makes a good detective story? Suspense? Atmosphere? An outrageous plot? Memorable characters? Twists?
As with many others of Christie's stories, Towards Zero relies on a set of characters, the type of which is already familiar to Christie's readers. The setting (a version of country house) and plot (errm....murder), is also in line with the expectation of the "typical" Christie novel. What I had not expected was for Christie to actually question the whole setup of her "typical" story by proclaiming that the story cannot stop with the detection of the murderer but that it needs to reveal the background in order for the story of the murder to be understood.
It's almost like Christie used this story to prove that the police investigation needs to include an understanding of the psychology of the characters involved in order to successfully solve the crime.
But did she need to do this? Surely, the fact that her Marple and Poirot act as the psychologists to aid the inspectors in her other books is proof enough that there is a partnership between the two?
Towards Zero does not feature Marple or Poirot but instead has Inspector Battle, who takes on the role of the "enlightened" policeman. We learn early on that he has little time for amateur psychology, and later we learn that he is also capable of trickery - although, Christie stays away from implying that there is a member of the police who would use trickery to get a murderer to confess. No, she added a different character to do this.
Which brings me to one of the few complaints I have about the story - the multitude of characters. There are so many of them that it is hard to keep track of. Some are mentioned, but then disappear in almost the next scene - with no relevance to the story.
Were they included to merely bulk out the pages?
I mean, I really enjoyed the main plot and characters, but I wish she had spent more time fleshing them out, rather than just throwing new characters in the mix. Maybe getting to learn more about the characters would have also helped the ending, which reminded me of the somewhat creepy relationship in Du Maurier's Rebecca:
January 25, 2023
I decided to participate in the Read Christie challenge this year and I selected Towards Zero as it fits with this month's theme. I consider it a standalone novel l although I believe one of the characters, Superintendent Battle, appears in a few other mysteries. Hercule Poirot also gets name dropped a few times in this book but the Belgian detective does not make any type of appearance.
You don't need to know much about the plot ahead of time. Basically a group of people are staying at a seaside home. A tennis player, his current wife, as well as his ex-wife are among the guests, and well, that makes things a bit awkward.
Agatha really sets the stage in that she takes her time before getting to the actual mystery portion of the story. It works well though because you are getting bits and pieces of relevant information about the characters along the way. I'll admit I was super confident I had this one all figured out, but nope, she fooled me again! An enjoyable read and it's worth mentioning out of the 10 or so mysteries I've read by this author, I've yet to read a bad one.
You don't need to know much about the plot ahead of time. Basically a group of people are staying at a seaside home. A tennis player, his current wife, as well as his ex-wife are among the guests, and well, that makes things a bit awkward.
Agatha really sets the stage in that she takes her time before getting to the actual mystery portion of the story. It works well though because you are getting bits and pieces of relevant information about the characters along the way. I'll admit I was super confident I had this one all figured out, but nope, she fooled me again! An enjoyable read and it's worth mentioning out of the 10 or so mysteries I've read by this author, I've yet to read a bad one.
March 2, 2020
What a devilish book this is!
It is no secret that Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and in this novel, she truly excels. Slowly, inexorably, all the pieces of the chess, or mystery, are put in place awaiting the final scene - the murder - but things are of course not what they appear. The tension grows while all these characters meet, cross and finally come together. No Poirot present, although mentioned, but a very competent Superintendent Battle.
This is definitely one of her best. The less you know, the better the experience :0)
It is no secret that Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and in this novel, she truly excels. Slowly, inexorably, all the pieces of the chess, or mystery, are put in place awaiting the final scene - the murder - but things are of course not what they appear. The tension grows while all these characters meet, cross and finally come together. No Poirot present, although mentioned, but a very competent Superintendent Battle.
This is definitely one of her best. The less you know, the better the experience :0)
June 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this mystery and its many twists and turns. Great atmosphere set in the house and all of the suspects a possible murderer. Battle is the detective who uses psychology to solve the murders. The addition of information about one of the suspects towards the end indicates the murderer. A great little read.
I recently watched a tv adaptation of this story with Miss Marple included as the sleuth and Battle as her sidekick. Still a good story with a weekend away turning into murder. The ex wife a victim with Audrey and her husband suspects. Lots of red herrings as always and insanity playing a role! Enjoyed the book more.
I recently watched a tv adaptation of this story with Miss Marple included as the sleuth and Battle as her sidekick. Still a good story with a weekend away turning into murder. The ex wife a victim with Audrey and her husband suspects. Lots of red herrings as always and insanity playing a role! Enjoyed the book more.
January 28, 2019
This is a very good murder plot with many victems and just as many suspects. The author cleverly took each suspect out one by one until we are left with the killer.
Enjoy and Be Blessed
Steven
Enjoy and Be Blessed
Steven
August 5, 2019
Another blockbuster from Christie, featuring Superintendent Battle. An interesting aspect of the novel is that Battle solves the case thinking of Poirot’s obsession with symmetry. The beginning is great and sets the tone for a great mystery. As a reader you keep reading anxiously for the crime to be committed and when it finally happens, you sit back and relax for Battle to resolve it. A very different technique but interesting. Great read.
November 11, 2015
I'm breaking all the rules here. I had been reading my way through the Agatha Christie canon book-by-book in chronological order. Generally I was managing to get through a couple, or more, books per year. Suddenly – and very generously – my parents bought me a copy of Towards Zero for Christmas. As the fifth of the Superintendent Battle books – and the thirty-fourth published Christie novel – it was going to take me a while to get to. In fact, based on my current reading pace somewhere between 10 and 15 years. When I pointed this out my parents suggested that they couldn't really guarantee to be around to hear what I thought of it by then; so, seeing as most Christie novels aren't really interlinked as a series, it seemed fairer to bend the rules slightly and read this one out of order...
The story itself jumps straight into classic Christie fare: a large number of people (read: suspects) are gathered together for an unimportant (to us) reason. Some of them obviously have pre-existing histories with each other; some of them (we believe) are meeting for the first time; and, of course, not everybody is necessarily who they claim to be. The zero of the title, it is explained, is the time of the murder we are moving towards. The murder itself is the time zero, the events and reasons that lead up to this point are as important as the murder itself.
However, this is a book that could have been so much better. It has all the teasers and all the fantastic suspects we love; all the twists and turns; all the suspects briefly in the spotlight of suspicion before the story moves on. But, ultimately, Battle is a non-detective in this. He barely influences the resolution at all. The crime is actually wrapped up by some random passer by who happens to be in the area for a totally unconnected reason. With this being Christie's last outing for Battle maybe she just wasn't feeling the love any more. Up until the unsatisfactory ending though, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The story itself jumps straight into classic Christie fare: a large number of people (read: suspects) are gathered together for an unimportant (to us) reason. Some of them obviously have pre-existing histories with each other; some of them (we believe) are meeting for the first time; and, of course, not everybody is necessarily who they claim to be. The zero of the title, it is explained, is the time of the murder we are moving towards. The murder itself is the time zero, the events and reasons that lead up to this point are as important as the murder itself.
However, this is a book that could have been so much better. It has all the teasers and all the fantastic suspects we love; all the twists and turns; all the suspects briefly in the spotlight of suspicion before the story moves on. But, ultimately, Battle is a non-detective in this. He barely influences the resolution at all. The crime is actually wrapped up by some random passer by who happens to be in the area for a totally unconnected reason. With this being Christie's last outing for Battle maybe she just wasn't feeling the love any more. Up until the unsatisfactory ending though, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
August 4, 2021
The only thing that I remembered from my first read of this one was "whodunnit," but I was pleased to find that my original impression of this being a strong Christie was validated. This is a great example of what Christie does best: evocative setting, interesting double blinds and clue twists, and the delightful authorial voice that make her work stand the test of time. I didn't love one aspect of how the mystery eventually is resolved, but apart from that, this is a delight
August 14, 2024
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Guau. Si alguien me dice que adivinó el final, no le creo😂. Realmente, en este libro Agatha mete un plottwist que es la pura definición de «giro inesperado en la trama». Juega con sus lectores como le da la gana.
Aunque debo decir que, en parte, me ha enfadado un pelín la forma en la que revela la verdad en este libro. Para mí, existen básicamente dos tipos de historias de misterio: las que te van dejando pistas aquí y allí (que luego tú puedes detectarlas o no, pero estar, están ahí, aunque solo las veas a posteriori; y las que no te dejan apenas ninguna pista y de repente al final te dan una explicación con la que dan la vuelta a todo lo que ha pasado en el libro y la forma en que se te han presentado los personajes y acontecimientos. Y en esta ocasión nos encontramos con esta segunda situación, en la que el giro es tan bestia que te cuenta todo lo que sabías hasta ahora con un enfoque superdistinto. Y a mí esto a veces me parece un poco trampa, porque digamos que no le da una oportunidad real al lector de averiguar la verdad por su cuenta. No obstante, reconozco que el golpe de efecto es potentísimo.
Por otro lado, en esta historia vuelvo a confirmar que no coincido con la idea de Agatha del amor😬. No entraré en detalles, porque no quiero destriparle la historia a nadie pero... Su visión y la mía son muy distintas. Sé que la relación con su primer marido no acabó bien, pero guau, a veces hasta me sorprende su enfoque de las relaciones supuestamente románticas.
A pesar de ello, es un libro de los cortos y adictivos que sin duda engancha. Al principio, se toma su tiempo para presentarnos a los personajes y disponer todos los elementos en el tablero, pero lo hace de esa forma tan suya que siempre te tiene pendiente de lo que va a pasar a continuación. Y lo cierto es que, como siempre, consigue hacer pasar un buen rato a los fans del misterio.
Guau. Si alguien me dice que adivinó el final, no le creo😂. Realmente, en este libro Agatha mete un plottwist que es la pura definición de «giro inesperado en la trama». Juega con sus lectores como le da la gana.
Aunque debo decir que, en parte, me ha enfadado un pelín la forma en la que revela la verdad en este libro. Para mí, existen básicamente dos tipos de historias de misterio: las que te van dejando pistas aquí y allí (que luego tú puedes detectarlas o no, pero estar, están ahí, aunque solo las veas a posteriori; y las que no te dejan apenas ninguna pista y de repente al final te dan una explicación con la que dan la vuelta a todo lo que ha pasado en el libro y la forma en que se te han presentado los personajes y acontecimientos. Y en esta ocasión nos encontramos con esta segunda situación, en la que el giro es tan bestia que te cuenta todo lo que sabías hasta ahora con un enfoque superdistinto. Y a mí esto a veces me parece un poco trampa, porque digamos que no le da una oportunidad real al lector de averiguar la verdad por su cuenta. No obstante, reconozco que el golpe de efecto es potentísimo.
Por otro lado, en esta historia vuelvo a confirmar que no coincido con la idea de Agatha del amor😬. No entraré en detalles, porque no quiero destriparle la historia a nadie pero... Su visión y la mía son muy distintas. Sé que la relación con su primer marido no acabó bien, pero guau, a veces hasta me sorprende su enfoque de las relaciones supuestamente románticas.
A pesar de ello, es un libro de los cortos y adictivos que sin duda engancha. Al principio, se toma su tiempo para presentarnos a los personajes y disponer todos los elementos en el tablero, pero lo hace de esa forma tan suya que siempre te tiene pendiente de lo que va a pasar a continuación. Y lo cierto es que, como siempre, consigue hacer pasar un buen rato a los fans del misterio.
September 29, 2019
《ساعة الصفر》
هذه الرواية ليست اول تجربة لي مع أجاثا كريستي ؛كعادتها رواية بوليسية كٌتبت ببراعة .
لم اكن انوي قراءة الرواية لكن وقع الكتاب في يدي ولم استطع ان امنع نفسي من اكمال الرواية في جلسة واحدة، رغم انقطاع الكهرباء في العراق (: والاجواء الحارة التي لا مثيل لها ^_^
استمتعت في قراءة الرواية رغم مداخلات العائلة..
_ لفت انتباهي في الرواية قضية غيرة المرأة من المرأة التي كانت الحب الاول لزوجها ،انا كفتاة وبرأيي البسيط اننا كنساء لا نستطيع منع انفسنا من شعور الغيرة من الحبيبة او الزوجة الاولى مهما كانت ثقتنا بأنفسنا وقوتنا على تحمل هكذا الم صحيح الغيرة مرض لكن بعض الاحيان لا نستطيع تحمل ،وضعت نفسي في نفس الموقف التي وضعت فيه كاي ،موقف صعب تتواجه الزوجة الاولى والثانية والاصعب من ذلك ان كل من الزوجتين يجب عليهن تقبل الاخرى !!!
موقف صعب بجد .
_سرعة الاختيار ،التسرع في القرارات امور تغير حياتنا واغلب القرارات المتسرعة عديمة الفائدة لانها تكون غير مدروسة او لم نفكر ما سيحل بنا عند اتخاذ قرار معين بسرعة .
_الانتقام ؛كلمة مخيفة بالنسبة لي ان بعض من الناس تنتقم ليس فقط في جريمة لا تنتقم عن طريق مداخلة كلامية بصيغة المزاح لكن يرجع لك ما انت فعلت به قد يقول احد منا جملة واحدة كفيلة بأن تكون رصاصة في قلبك او رأسك ،قد يكون الانتقام في التجاهل او بعمل شيء واتهامك به.
*لا اريد حرق احداث الرواية عليكم ،رواية ممتعة
2019/9/29
هذه الرواية ليست اول تجربة لي مع أجاثا كريستي ؛كعادتها رواية بوليسية كٌتبت ببراعة .
لم اكن انوي قراءة الرواية لكن وقع الكتاب في يدي ولم استطع ان امنع نفسي من اكمال الرواية في جلسة واحدة، رغم انقطاع الكهرباء في العراق (: والاجواء الحارة التي لا مثيل لها ^_^
استمتعت في قراءة الرواية رغم مداخلات العائلة..
_ لفت انتباهي في الرواية قضية غيرة المرأة من المرأة التي كانت الحب الاول لزوجها ،انا كفتاة وبرأيي البسيط اننا كنساء لا نستطيع منع انفسنا من شعور الغيرة من الحبيبة او الزوجة الاولى مهما كانت ثقتنا بأنفسنا وقوتنا على تحمل هكذا الم صحيح الغيرة مرض لكن بعض الاحيان لا نستطيع تحمل ،وضعت نفسي في نفس الموقف التي وضعت فيه كاي ،موقف صعب تتواجه الزوجة الاولى والثانية والاصعب من ذلك ان كل من الزوجتين يجب عليهن تقبل الاخرى !!!
موقف صعب بجد .
_سرعة الاختيار ،التسرع في القرارات امور تغير حياتنا واغلب القرارات المتسرعة عديمة الفائدة لانها تكون غير مدروسة او لم نفكر ما سيحل بنا عند اتخاذ قرار معين بسرعة .
_الانتقام ؛كلمة مخيفة بالنسبة لي ان بعض من الناس تنتقم ليس فقط في جريمة لا تنتقم عن طريق مداخلة كلامية بصيغة المزاح لكن يرجع لك ما انت فعلت به قد يقول احد منا جملة واحدة كفيلة بأن تكون رصاصة في قلبك او رأسك ،قد يكون الانتقام في التجاهل او بعمل شيء واتهامك به.
*لا اريد حرق احداث الرواية عليكم ،رواية ممتعة
2019/9/29
April 5, 2017
Even though most mysteries start with a murder, actually it is the end - culmination of a lot of events at a common point. Or so says one of the characters in this novel.
This is the theme of this book - events moving towards a murder: towards zero.
That it starts with a murder is of no matter. By the time one finishes the book, one will understand the appropriateness of the title.
This book features my favourite Christie policeman, Superintendent Battle.
This is the theme of this book - events moving towards a murder: towards zero.
That it starts with a murder is of no matter. By the time one finishes the book, one will understand the appropriateness of the title.
This book features my favourite Christie policeman, Superintendent Battle.
July 16, 2023
***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***
Reading Prompt: Mystery with a seaside setting
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3
My regular monthly installment of Agatha Christie and this was one of the better ones. Christie didn't get much mileage out of Superintendent Battle, which is kind of a shame. Fewer Hercule Poirot books and more Superintendent Battle would have suited me down to the ground. I had to laugh when Battle referenced Poirot during this investigation, saying that the psychological aspect would have been right up his alley.
As per usual, Christie bamboozled me. My nose was pointed in exactly the wrong direction by some (now that I think more about it) rather obvious red herrings. I should know better by now than to be led astray, but 9 times out of 10 I am wrong!
I thought the inspiration to go back in time well before the murder and see how all the people were related to Gull's Point and how they came to assemble there was genius. The emphasis on the careful planning was designed both to conceal and reveal. Brilliant! It did the trick, too, distracting from the perpetrator nicely. And I know that courts of law aren't necessarily interested in motives, but I am. I think one of the appeals of the true crime genre is the sussing out of the reasoning behind the event.
Battle turns out to be a wily investigator, urging that they appear to concentrate on one suspect and carefully watch how the others react. Despite seeing his process putting clues together, he made some connections that I couldn't. I can see myself rereading this novel at some future point and admiring how the cake is mixed, baked, and decorated.
Reading Prompt: Mystery with a seaside setting
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3
My regular monthly installment of Agatha Christie and this was one of the better ones. Christie didn't get much mileage out of Superintendent Battle, which is kind of a shame. Fewer Hercule Poirot books and more Superintendent Battle would have suited me down to the ground. I had to laugh when Battle referenced Poirot during this investigation, saying that the psychological aspect would have been right up his alley.
As per usual, Christie bamboozled me. My nose was pointed in exactly the wrong direction by some (now that I think more about it) rather obvious red herrings. I should know better by now than to be led astray, but 9 times out of 10 I am wrong!
I thought the inspiration to go back in time well before the murder and see how all the people were related to Gull's Point and how they came to assemble there was genius. The emphasis on the careful planning was designed both to conceal and reveal. Brilliant! It did the trick, too, distracting from the perpetrator nicely. And I know that courts of law aren't necessarily interested in motives, but I am. I think one of the appeals of the true crime genre is the sussing out of the reasoning behind the event.
Battle turns out to be a wily investigator, urging that they appear to concentrate on one suspect and carefully watch how the others react. Despite seeing his process putting clues together, he made some connections that I couldn't. I can see myself rereading this novel at some future point and admiring how the cake is mixed, baked, and decorated.
March 6, 2023
Me ha gustado bastante se ha ido cocinando a fuego lento pero una gran resolución. La verdad es que estos 2 ultimos de Battle me han gustdo los que más.
Valoración: 7.5/10
Sinopsis: «Me gustan las buenas historias de detectives, ¡pero estas siempre comienzan en el lugar equivocado! Comienzan con el asesinato. Pero el asesinato es el final. La historia empieza mucho antes de eso». Así hablaba el eminente criminólogo Treves.
Y tales palabras nunca han sido más justas, cuando se trata del psicópata asesino que acecha en el tranquilo poblado a orillas del río Tern. ¿A quién pretende matar? ¿Cuáles son sus motivos? Y por último ¿cómo y cuándo llegará al punto del asesinato, el punto cero?
En esta ingeniosa obra de Agatha Christie, el misterio se centra en la patológica mente que planea el crimen, mientras un grupo de amigos pasan un agradable fin de semana juntos, sin ser conscientes de que se trata del último de sus vidas…
Muy buena resolución aunque con algo de fortuna.
Valoración: 7.5/10
Sinopsis: «Me gustan las buenas historias de detectives, ¡pero estas siempre comienzan en el lugar equivocado! Comienzan con el asesinato. Pero el asesinato es el final. La historia empieza mucho antes de eso». Así hablaba el eminente criminólogo Treves.
Y tales palabras nunca han sido más justas, cuando se trata del psicópata asesino que acecha en el tranquilo poblado a orillas del río Tern. ¿A quién pretende matar? ¿Cuáles son sus motivos? Y por último ¿cómo y cuándo llegará al punto del asesinato, el punto cero?
En esta ingeniosa obra de Agatha Christie, el misterio se centra en la patológica mente que planea el crimen, mientras un grupo de amigos pasan un agradable fin de semana juntos, sin ser conscientes de que se trata del último de sus vidas…
Muy buena resolución aunque con algo de fortuna.
August 24, 2021
A professional tennis player, his new wife, his former wife, and a few other friends and relations decide to spend the last weeks of summer together to bond and let bygones be bygones. Then the hostess is brutally murdered, and the complicated relationships between the houseguests provide everyone with a motive.When I was a teenager reading Agatha Christie, I didn’t notice how tortured some of her plot devices are. Am I really supposed to believe that someone can plan out a murder, and a major red herring, and actually get the whole thing to (nearly) come off exactly as planned?
And yet, this impossibility also made this book compelling. I didn’t believe it one bit, but I was eager to see how it would all be carried off. One thing I’ll say for Agatha Christie is, her books are wonderfully short and to the point, and zooming through a book in a day or two is pretty rewarding. Since I’d completely forgotten who the murderer was, I could barely stand putting this down as I tried to put the clues together and figure out which of all these folks had the strongest motive to kill anyone. And that’s the attraction and addictiveness of Agatha Christie, right?
Despite the throwaway nature of all these characters, I did remember other bits of this book vividly: the scene with Sergeant Battle and his daughter, and Kay’s bright red hair and brown eyes. It’s funny what sticks after a read, isn’t it? Also, rueful aside: When I read this book as a teen, I thought Kay was a grownup. Rereading it now, I understand why everyone in the book keeps saying how young she is. How perspectives change! :-)
And my takeaway from this reread is : What the hell is with the last sentence in this book? Did it pass as romantic back in the day? It gave me chills in a very bad way.
August 19, 2021
"There are so many kind friends about in the world-always anxious to arrange other people's lives for them-to suggest courses of action that are not in harmony-" He broke off as Nevile Strange strolled back through the French windows." (PG. 109)
I'm curious as to why this Christie novel isn't on the top 10 of her works! It was a good mystery and such a great twist at the end. This was like some true crime you hear about. Someone sane looking holding a long grudge.....
I even like the meaning of the title. This is one I highly recommend. It is up there with THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.....
I'm curious as to why this Christie novel isn't on the top 10 of her works! It was a good mystery and such a great twist at the end. This was like some true crime you hear about. Someone sane looking holding a long grudge.....
I even like the meaning of the title. This is one I highly recommend. It is up there with THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.....
March 10, 2015
Brilliant. Elegant and spare like The Body in the Library. No Poirot or Marple, and I did slightly miss them - Superintendent Battle doesn't work as well for me - but is still one of Agatha's best, most well-plotted stories.
July 20, 2023
I think that Inspector Battle might actually be my favorite Christie character.
Full review forthcoming!
Full review forthcoming!
April 16, 2020
I've never been a big fan of Agatha Christie but I generally like to read her book from time to time. However, I have read a few of them more than usual lately and I think I have had enough of them. The more I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book.
This is probably one of the less known books of Christie, which is a shame, because it is a really good book. Which in my opinion would also make a fantastic film. The general structure of this story, of course, does not differ from Christie's typical pattern. A murder in a closed house that could only be committed by one of the small group of people who were there at the time. Each of these people had a motive, sometimes more than one. And basically everyone had the opportunity. Suspicion falls on everyone one after the other. And just as recently I was completely tired of this scheme in After the Funeral, here I truly enjoyed this classic scheme.
It seems to me that this is at least partly due to well-constructed characters. All the characters in this group of suspects are very interesting and multidimensional. Again, compared to After the Funeral, they are really unique characters. I usually like it when the dead body appears on the first pages of the novel. Here, however, the murder is not committed until the second half of the book. The entire first half is devoted to the exact presentation of the characters and the relations between them. And it's worth adding that these are fascinating and entangled relationships. Already then you wonder if everyone is who they claim to be. That is why I do not mind that the murder mystery itself is postponed until the second half of the book.
And this is a very good mystery. Very Christie style, but her best style. And while some things can be expected, the answer to the question of who the killer is is not so simple. Still, there was one person who I really wanted to be a murderer. That's why I'm so happy that it just happened. I admit that for a moment I was afraid that the murderer was someone else. Definitely a good intrigue.
If I see any weaknesses in this book, this is without a doubt the last scene. It is completely sentimental and unrealistic and in my opinion spoils the entire effect of this book. This story would be great without this silly scene. Fortunately, that's basically the only thing that annoyed me.
I definitely recommend this story as one of Agatha Christie's better books. I also very much hope that due to the growing popularity of film adaptation of her books lately, this book will also be made into film. It is definitely worth it.
This is probably one of the less known books of Christie, which is a shame, because it is a really good book. Which in my opinion would also make a fantastic film. The general structure of this story, of course, does not differ from Christie's typical pattern. A murder in a closed house that could only be committed by one of the small group of people who were there at the time. Each of these people had a motive, sometimes more than one. And basically everyone had the opportunity. Suspicion falls on everyone one after the other. And just as recently I was completely tired of this scheme in After the Funeral, here I truly enjoyed this classic scheme.
It seems to me that this is at least partly due to well-constructed characters. All the characters in this group of suspects are very interesting and multidimensional. Again, compared to After the Funeral, they are really unique characters. I usually like it when the dead body appears on the first pages of the novel. Here, however, the murder is not committed until the second half of the book. The entire first half is devoted to the exact presentation of the characters and the relations between them. And it's worth adding that these are fascinating and entangled relationships. Already then you wonder if everyone is who they claim to be. That is why I do not mind that the murder mystery itself is postponed until the second half of the book.
And this is a very good mystery. Very Christie style, but her best style. And while some things can be expected, the answer to the question of who the killer is is not so simple. Still, there was one person who I really wanted to be a murderer. That's why I'm so happy that it just happened. I admit that for a moment I was afraid that the murderer was someone else. Definitely a good intrigue.
If I see any weaknesses in this book, this is without a doubt the last scene. It is completely sentimental and unrealistic and in my opinion spoils the entire effect of this book. This story would be great without this silly scene. Fortunately, that's basically the only thing that annoyed me.
I definitely recommend this story as one of Agatha Christie's better books. I also very much hope that due to the growing popularity of film adaptation of her books lately, this book will also be made into film. It is definitely worth it.
August 28, 2021
Gelesen für die #readchristie2021 Challenge im August 2021
Die alte und recht konserative Lady Tressilian findet sich in einer unangenehmen Situation wieder: ihr Ziehsohn Nevile Strange möchte im September mit seiner neuen jungen Frau Kay auf Besuch nach Gull’s Point kommen. Und das, obwohl im September eigentlich immer Audrey Strange, Neviles Exfrau und Lady Tressilians geliebte Ex-Schwiegertochter zu Besuch kommt. Nevile selbst sieht darin gar kein Problem, immerhin ist es doch modern, dass man sich nichts nachträgt und in einer solchen Beziehung alle miteinander befreundet sind – und so sollen sich Kay und Audrey nun nach Neviles Willen auch miteinander anfreunden. Die Hausherrin hält nichts von solchen neumodischen Dreiecksbeziehungen, willigt aber dann doch ein. Und wenn das Haus eh schon voll ist, dann kann man doch gleich noch einen alten Bekannten aus Malaysia dazu einladen. Doch unter der gewollt harmonischen Oberfläche brodelt es in Gull’s Point – und eines Morgens sind nicht mehr alle Hausbewohner am Leben.
______________________________________
So, nachdem ich mal wieder willkürlich eins der vorgeschlagenen Monatsbücher für die Challenge ausgewählt habe, musste ich leider feststellen, dass das Buch hier der letzte Band in Christies „Inspector Battle“-Reihe ist, von der ich bisher kein einziges Buch gelesen hatte. Das hat dann aber doch weniger ausgemacht als erwartet und ich habe ganz gut in die Geschichte reingefunden. Das Setting ist nicht so mega außergewöhnlich, der Krimi lebt viel mehr von der interessanten Figurenkonstellation. Fast 2/3 des Buches spielen vor dem Mord, der nur den krönenden Abschluss von menschlichen Turbulenzen im gemeinschaftlichen Miteinander bildet.
Insgesamt fand ich den Kriminalfall wieder spannend, habe fleißig mitgerätselt und diesmal wieder auf das falsche Pferd gesetzt. Vielleicht nicht Christies hervorstechendstes Buch, aber ein solider und spannender Krimi, der Spaß macht. Letztlich das Ende bzw. die letzten 3 Seiten fand ich etwas zu weit hergeholt und unrealistisch, aber gut, auch die liebe Agatha darf sich mal etwas Kitsch gönnen.
3.5 🌟
Die alte und recht konserative Lady Tressilian findet sich in einer unangenehmen Situation wieder: ihr Ziehsohn Nevile Strange möchte im September mit seiner neuen jungen Frau Kay auf Besuch nach Gull’s Point kommen. Und das, obwohl im September eigentlich immer Audrey Strange, Neviles Exfrau und Lady Tressilians geliebte Ex-Schwiegertochter zu Besuch kommt. Nevile selbst sieht darin gar kein Problem, immerhin ist es doch modern, dass man sich nichts nachträgt und in einer solchen Beziehung alle miteinander befreundet sind – und so sollen sich Kay und Audrey nun nach Neviles Willen auch miteinander anfreunden. Die Hausherrin hält nichts von solchen neumodischen Dreiecksbeziehungen, willigt aber dann doch ein. Und wenn das Haus eh schon voll ist, dann kann man doch gleich noch einen alten Bekannten aus Malaysia dazu einladen. Doch unter der gewollt harmonischen Oberfläche brodelt es in Gull’s Point – und eines Morgens sind nicht mehr alle Hausbewohner am Leben.
______________________________________
So, nachdem ich mal wieder willkürlich eins der vorgeschlagenen Monatsbücher für die Challenge ausgewählt habe, musste ich leider feststellen, dass das Buch hier der letzte Band in Christies „Inspector Battle“-Reihe ist, von der ich bisher kein einziges Buch gelesen hatte. Das hat dann aber doch weniger ausgemacht als erwartet und ich habe ganz gut in die Geschichte reingefunden. Das Setting ist nicht so mega außergewöhnlich, der Krimi lebt viel mehr von der interessanten Figurenkonstellation. Fast 2/3 des Buches spielen vor dem Mord, der nur den krönenden Abschluss von menschlichen Turbulenzen im gemeinschaftlichen Miteinander bildet.
Insgesamt fand ich den Kriminalfall wieder spannend, habe fleißig mitgerätselt und diesmal wieder auf das falsche Pferd gesetzt. Vielleicht nicht Christies hervorstechendstes Buch, aber ein solider und spannender Krimi, der Spaß macht. Letztlich das Ende bzw. die letzten 3 Seiten fand ich etwas zu weit hergeholt und unrealistisch, aber gut, auch die liebe Agatha darf sich mal etwas Kitsch gönnen.
3.5 🌟
March 15, 2018
As far as Christie mysteries go somewhat forgettable. Heck, I don't even remember when I started this. It was only due to an unexpected road trip and many hours in a car that resulted in this book getting completed. It has all the hallmarks of a classic Christie mystery: colorful characters, mysterious murders, secret pasts, and so on and so forth. But no aspect of it really stood out, especially compared to all of Christie's other, better mysteries. It may be because Superintendent Brattle just isn't as interesting as Poirot or Marple and no one character really stole the story. It was a perfectly serviceable story but not one of Christie's highlights.
Oh, and if you can get a version of this story (or really any Christie mystery) voiced by Hugh Fraser do it. The man does a fantastic job with all the different British accents and voices, makes even a middling book enjoyable to listen to.
Oh, and if you can get a version of this story (or really any Christie mystery) voiced by Hugh Fraser do it. The man does a fantastic job with all the different British accents and voices, makes even a middling book enjoyable to listen to.
July 8, 2023
05/2010
A good mystery as usual from Christie, a satisfying puzzle. I read this when I was eleven- I didn't remember at first, then it started to come back to me. I didn't recall the killer's identity, just details, little moments. Memory can be so funny.
A good mystery as usual from Christie, a satisfying puzzle. I read this when I was eleven- I didn't remember at first, then it started to come back to me. I didn't recall the killer's identity, just details, little moments. Memory can be so funny.
December 19, 2020
আগাথা ক্রিষ্টিকে রহস্যের রাণি বলে, ভুল বলে। বলা উচিত রহস্যের মহারানী। উনার একটা একটা বই পড়ি আর ভাবি এই বার ঠিকমতই আন্দাজ করতে পেরেছি। তারপরই উনি দেখান কাঁচকলা, ঘটনা এমনসব দিকে যায় যে মাথা ঘুরতে থাকে।
স���ধারণসব মার্ডার মিষ্ট্রীর দিক হয় খুন থেকে খুনি বের করার দিকে। আগাথার অনেক বইতেও তাই। প্রথমে কিছু চরিত্রের পরিচয়, এরপর একটা খুন। এরপর ডিটেকটিভ এসে খুনিকে বের করার ফন্দি ফিকির করেন। অনেক বই এরকম হলেও এটা না। এটা পুরাই অন্য ধরনের।
বইটাতে আসলে একটা খুন না, কয়েকটা খুন আছে। সবচেয়ে মজার ব্যাপার হল শেষ খুনটা খুন না, কি? বলব না। মজা নষ্ট হবে।
লেখিকা মনে হয় দেখাতে চাইছিলেন, চোখের সামনে ব্যাখ্যা দিয়ে মারব, কিন্তু কি দিয়া মারব তাও বুঝবা না। আমার ক্ষেত্রে অন্তত পক্ষে তিনি সফল।
আসলেই এমন অনেক খুন ঘটে যেগুলো প্রিমেডিটেটেড। যেগুলার পিছনে অনেক পরিকল্পনা, অনেক চিন্তা কাজ করে। হয়ত খুনের কারণ অপমান, হয়ত টাকা, হয়ত নারী। সব দিকে একসাথে এনে এমন সুন্দর এক উপস্থাপনা বোধহয় আগাথা ক্রিস্টীর পক্ষেই সম্ভব। বই টার নামও অন্যরকম, লেখাও। জিরো আওয়ার এখানে খুনের মুহুর্ত। বইটাও সেভাবে লেখা। খুন প্রধান নয়, খুনের দিকে আগানোই প্রধান।
মাঝে মাঝেই ইংরেজী বই এ একটা কমেন্ট থাকে No Wasted Movement. আগাথার বই পড়ে মনে হয় No Wasted information. সব তথ্যই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। একেবারে ছোট থেকে ছোট একটা কথোপকথন ও খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ন। যে জায়গা পড়ে আপনার মনে হবে, এগুলা শুধু পাতা বাড়ানোর জন্য, ঠিক সেই জায়গাই দেখবেন লেখিকা একটা ক্লু ছেঁড়ে দিয়ে গেছেন।
তবে আপনি যদি আগাথার বই এর পুরান পাঠক না হন, তবে এই বইটা শুরুর দিকে আপনাকে টানবে কম। আধা আধি যাবার পর থেকে মজা পাওয়া শুরুর হবে। এরপর আর থামতে হবে না।
তবে বই টার শেষ আমার পছন্দ হয় নি। একটু অতৃপ্তি রয়ে গেছে, শেষের দিকে একটা চ্যাপ্টার অহেতুক। কালপ্রিট ধরা পড়ার পরই বইটা শেষ করে দিলে বেশি ভালো হত।
স���ধারণসব মার্ডার মিষ্ট্রীর দিক হয় খুন থেকে খুনি বের করার দিকে। আগাথার অনেক বইতেও তাই। প্রথমে কিছু চরিত্রের পরিচয়, এরপর একটা খুন। এরপর ডিটেকটিভ এসে খুনিকে বের করার ফন্দি ফিকির করেন। অনেক বই এরকম হলেও এটা না। এটা পুরাই অন্য ধরনের।
বইটাতে আসলে একটা খুন না, কয়েকটা খুন আছে। সবচেয়ে মজার ব্যাপার হল শেষ খুনটা খুন না, কি? বলব না। মজা নষ্ট হবে।
লেখিকা মনে হয় দেখাতে চাইছিলেন, চোখের সামনে ব্যাখ্যা দিয়ে মারব, কিন্তু কি দিয়া মারব তাও বুঝবা না। আমার ক্ষেত্রে অন্তত পক্ষে তিনি সফল।
আসলেই এমন অনেক খুন ঘটে যেগুলো প্রিমেডিটেটেড। যেগুলার পিছনে অনেক পরিকল্পনা, অনেক চিন্তা কাজ করে। হয়ত খুনের কারণ অপমান, হয়ত টাকা, হয়ত নারী। সব দিকে একসাথে এনে এমন সুন্দর এক উপস্থাপনা বোধহয় আগাথা ক্রিস্টীর পক্ষেই সম্ভব। বই টার নামও অন্যরকম, লেখাও। জিরো আওয়ার এখানে খুনের মুহুর্ত। বইটাও সেভাবে লেখা। খুন প্রধান নয়, খুনের দিকে আগানোই প্রধান।
মাঝে মাঝেই ইংরেজী বই এ একটা কমেন্ট থাকে No Wasted Movement. আগাথার বই পড়ে মনে হয় No Wasted information. সব তথ্যই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। একেবারে ছোট থেকে ছোট একটা কথোপকথন ও খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ন। যে জায়গা পড়ে আপনার মনে হবে, এগুলা শুধু পাতা বাড়ানোর জন্য, ঠিক সেই জায়গাই দেখবেন লেখিকা একটা ক্লু ছেঁড়ে দিয়ে গেছেন।
তবে আপনি যদি আগাথার বই এর পুরান পাঠক না হন, তবে এই বইটা শুরুর দিকে আপনাকে টানবে কম। আধা আধি যাবার পর থেকে মজা পাওয়া শুরুর হবে। এরপর আর থামতে হবে না।
তবে বই টার শেষ আমার পছন্দ হয় নি। একটু অতৃপ্তি রয়ে গেছে, শেষের দিকে একটা চ্যাপ্টার অহেতুক। কালপ্রিট ধরা পড়ার পরই বইটা শেষ করে দিলে বেশি ভালো হত।
April 6, 2023
Unlike other detective stories that begin with a murder, Towards Zero is where the murder comes at the end of the story. This book features Superintendent Battle as he discovers a carefully planned murder and how some of the characters are connected to it. I have only read a few Christie books, and so far, she has never let me down when it comes to well-plotted classic murder mysteries. However, the detective work of Battle was a bit unexciting for me. He was able to resolve it quickly because of a convenient coincidence, and it felt rushed. Also, the ending? I don't think the last three pages were necessary. I still enjoyed it and am glad I've read it. It's an interesting and unique read that definitely had its moments.
After reading this, I watched the adaptation of this novel, which is part of the Miss Marple series. The show was pretty much faithful to the plot but not to its characters. Lol. I'm surprised they did not include an essential character from the book in the show. It has a different approach, and they made it work, and I enjoyed it more.
After reading this, I watched the adaptation of this novel, which is part of the Miss Marple series. The show was pretty much faithful to the plot but not to its characters. Lol. I'm surprised they did not include an essential character from the book in the show. It has a different approach, and they made it work, and I enjoyed it more.
March 7, 2020
A nicely complicated case, with Dame Christie giving us a number of clues pointing one way then another, and confusing the readers’ views on the characters’ motives. And Superintendent Battle, while on vacation, is pulled into the case. The amusing thing is, though Poirot’s not at all present, Battle has been paying attention to the fussy detective’s methods and foibles, a little of which help Battle figure his way through the case. An enjoyable mystery.
November 26, 2018
I read this book four times over the holidays. It was so good! Why didn't we get more Superintendent Battle books?! I don't know what else to say, but prepare for a glowing review.
So "Towards Zero" starts off with a retired lawyer Mr. Treves notes something odd when he reads something and is off somewhere unknown. An unknown figure hatches a plan and laughs. A man is hospitalized after a suicide attempt. And then we have Superintendent Battle going to his daughter's school to deal with an accusation of stealing. This plays into the later part of the book, but I loved Battle calling the teacher out for filth before departing with his daughter.
Then the book moves to follow Nevile Strange. Nevile is newly married to a second wife (Kay) and they are making plans to visit his former guardian's widow, Lady Tressilian. Lady Tressilian loved Nevile's first wife Audrey, and Kay is arguing against visiting her. When it comes out that Audrey suggested that they both visit Lady Tressilian in September (during her normal visit) Nevile is happy that they can maybe finally be friends. Kay is angry about the visit and exclaims that Audrey still wants Nevile.
The book countdowns to September. We don't know what is going to happen, but we have a lot of people afraid about Nevile coming together again. Christie introduces other characters into this, Mary Aldin who is Lady Tressilian's maid. And Thomas Royde, who is a childhood friend of Audrey's.
When all parties come together at the house, we get scenes of jealousy, anger, and the feeling that someone is plotting something. Of course we get a sudden death and another death that is definitely murder. Battle is on the scene due to vacationing, and he helps out his nephew Inspector Leach on the case.
I loved all of the characters, even the ones that you are supposed to despise because of the way that Battle paints them. Nevile seems foolish and is hung up on Audrey. Kay is jealous and shouldn't have married him at all. Mary Aldin I thought had a keen eye for human behavior and I liked her and Thomas Royde's interactions together. I am perplexed by the character of Mr. Treves though. If you think someone is a murderer, how are you going to just announce it to said person (in a room of people, but still) and think that is going to go well for you?
When the murder occurs, all signs points to one person, but Battle quickly unearths that it can't be this person and starts to slowly peel away who the guilty party is. I loved how Battle references Hercule Poirot too which cracked me up.
The writing was good and the flow worked. I did have to go back and re-read a few lines here and there because I got a bit confused when we read about what the murderer did. That said, the book was really good.
The setting of the book is primarily Gull's Point near Saltcreek. I wish that Christie had included a drawing of the home and rooms, because until the reveal, I was still perplexed how the murder took place. It was definitely a case of tricking the mind in this one that could have worked out, if only.
The ending was a bit much though. I know I gave this 5 stars, but the ending made me roll my eyes a bit. I just felt like saying, really to one of the characters and hoping for the best for them.
So "Towards Zero" starts off with a retired lawyer Mr. Treves notes something odd when he reads something and is off somewhere unknown. An unknown figure hatches a plan and laughs. A man is hospitalized after a suicide attempt. And then we have Superintendent Battle going to his daughter's school to deal with an accusation of stealing. This plays into the later part of the book, but I loved Battle calling the teacher out for filth before departing with his daughter.
Then the book moves to follow Nevile Strange. Nevile is newly married to a second wife (Kay) and they are making plans to visit his former guardian's widow, Lady Tressilian. Lady Tressilian loved Nevile's first wife Audrey, and Kay is arguing against visiting her. When it comes out that Audrey suggested that they both visit Lady Tressilian in September (during her normal visit) Nevile is happy that they can maybe finally be friends. Kay is angry about the visit and exclaims that Audrey still wants Nevile.
The book countdowns to September. We don't know what is going to happen, but we have a lot of people afraid about Nevile coming together again. Christie introduces other characters into this, Mary Aldin who is Lady Tressilian's maid. And Thomas Royde, who is a childhood friend of Audrey's.
When all parties come together at the house, we get scenes of jealousy, anger, and the feeling that someone is plotting something. Of course we get a sudden death and another death that is definitely murder. Battle is on the scene due to vacationing, and he helps out his nephew Inspector Leach on the case.
I loved all of the characters, even the ones that you are supposed to despise because of the way that Battle paints them. Nevile seems foolish and is hung up on Audrey. Kay is jealous and shouldn't have married him at all. Mary Aldin I thought had a keen eye for human behavior and I liked her and Thomas Royde's interactions together. I am perplexed by the character of Mr. Treves though. If you think someone is a murderer, how are you going to just announce it to said person (in a room of people, but still) and think that is going to go well for you?
When the murder occurs, all signs points to one person, but Battle quickly unearths that it can't be this person and starts to slowly peel away who the guilty party is. I loved how Battle references Hercule Poirot too which cracked me up.
The writing was good and the flow worked. I did have to go back and re-read a few lines here and there because I got a bit confused when we read about what the murderer did. That said, the book was really good.
The setting of the book is primarily Gull's Point near Saltcreek. I wish that Christie had included a drawing of the home and rooms, because until the reveal, I was still perplexed how the murder took place. It was definitely a case of tricking the mind in this one that could have worked out, if only.
The ending was a bit much though. I know I gave this 5 stars, but the ending made me roll my eyes a bit. I just felt like saying, really to one of the characters and hoping for the best for them.
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