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Dr Constantine #1
Crimen en la posada «Arca de Noé»
Un grupo de personas que se dirigían a un lujoso lugar de vacaciones se ven forzadas a tomar alojamiento en la posada «Arca de Noé» debido a una intensa nevada. En la hospedería en la que se ven aislados compartirán estancia con el doctor Constantine, un astuto maestro de ajedrez y brillante detective aficionado. Entre los demás huéspedes encontramos al exitoso novelista Angus Stuart, la aristocrática familia Romsey, un par de viejas solteronas, un viajante de comercio, un joven y apuesto bailarín y un incontrolable comandante cuya afición a la bebida le lleva a intentar sobrepasarse con alguna de sus bellas compañeras de «encierro».
Así las cosas, uno de los huéspedes aparece muerto en su cama, y el doctor Constantine, ayudado por dos de los hospedados, se verá forzado a investigar este brillante misterio antes de que el asesino logre huir o alguien más aparezca asesinado.
Crimen en la posada «Arca de Noé» (1931) sigue la estela de la reina de la novela policíaca, Agatha Christie, y más concretamente de su novela «Asesinato en el Orient Express» donde el aislamiento por una avalancha de nieve es un factor determinante en el caso.
Así las cosas, uno de los huéspedes aparece muerto en su cama, y el doctor Constantine, ayudado por dos de los hospedados, se verá forzado a investigar este brillante misterio antes de que el asesino logre huir o alguien más aparezca asesinado.
Crimen en la posada «Arca de Noé» (1931) sigue la estela de la reina de la novela policíaca, Agatha Christie, y más concretamente de su novela «Asesinato en el Orient Express» donde el aislamiento por una avalancha de nieve es un factor determinante en el caso.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1931
119 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Molly Thynne
15 books15 followersMary ‘Molly’ Thynne was born in 1881, a member of the aristocracy, and related, on her mother’s side, to the painter James McNeil Whistler. She grew up in Kensington and at a young age met literary figures like Rudyard Kipling and Henry James.
Her first novel, An Uncertain Glory, was published in 1914, but she did not turn to crime fiction until The Draycott Murder Mystery, the first of six golden age mysteries she wrote and published in as many years, between 1928 and 1933. The last three of these featured Dr. Constantine, chess master and amateur sleuth par excellence.
Molly Thynne never married. She enjoyed travelling abroad, but spent most of her life in the village of Bovey Tracey, Devon, where she was finally laid to rest in 1950.
Her first novel, An Uncertain Glory, was published in 1914, but she did not turn to crime fiction until The Draycott Murder Mystery, the first of six golden age mysteries she wrote and published in as many years, between 1928 and 1933. The last three of these featured Dr. Constantine, chess master and amateur sleuth par excellence.
Molly Thynne never married. She enjoyed travelling abroad, but spent most of her life in the village of Bovey Tracey, Devon, where she was finally laid to rest in 1950.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 29, 2023
La novela está bien conseguida. Unos personajes se quedan aislados por la nieve en una posada inglesa. La autora lleva a cabo una excelente profundización psicológica de los personajes. Llegamos a conocer sus inquietudes, sus miedos, sus bondades. Al estar encerrados, se generan unas relaciones buenas y otras, no tan buenas.
Hay un robo y un asesinato y las personalidades se ponen en tensión.
Lo que no me ha gustado tanto es la trama y su resolución. El final me ha dejado muy frío, igual que la nieve de la novela.
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The novel is well done. Some characters are cut off by the snow in an English inn. The author does an excellent psychological deepening of the characters. We get to know their worries, their fears, their goodness. Being locked up, some good and some not so good relationships are generated.
There is a robbery and a murder and personalities are put under strain.
What I didn't like so much is the plot and its resolution. The ending left me very cold, just like the snow in the novel.
Hay un robo y un asesinato y las personalidades se ponen en tensión.
Lo que no me ha gustado tanto es la trama y su resolución. El final me ha dejado muy frío, igual que la nieve de la novela.
------------------------------
The novel is well done. Some characters are cut off by the snow in an English inn. The author does an excellent psychological deepening of the characters. We get to know their worries, their fears, their goodness. Being locked up, some good and some not so good relationships are generated.
There is a robbery and a murder and personalities are put under strain.
What I didn't like so much is the plot and its resolution. The ending left me very cold, just like the snow in the novel.
December 9, 2017
4.5★
Although it was set at Christmastime, there is nothing very Christmassy about this Golden Age murder mystery!
A varied group of individuals are forced to seek shelter at a remote inn. Crimes are committed & Doctor Constantine, an elderly chess enthusiast turns out to be a gifted sleuth! There is no mention of "little grey cells", but Dr Constantine does indeed employ them.
I enjoyed this tale very much & am very happy to have found a new-to-me Golden Age writer! The Dean St Press edition has a very helpful introduction, which says after writing one novel when younger, Miss Thynne (pronounced "Thin") in middle age wrote 6 detective novels - then never wrote again. Perhaps she wanted to move on to a different challenge.
Miss Thynne tells a good tale & even though the cast is a little large, Thynne's gifts with characterisation & dialogue kept me really entertained. I thought I had guessed who the murderer was, but I was completely off base. My only criticism is that the denouement (look at me writing French) went on a little too long.
Based on this novel I definitely want to read Molly Thynne's other detective novels - & thanks to Dean Street Press's generosity with free offers, I already have most of them downloaded on my Kindle.
The Dean Street Press edition also contains a very informative introduction.
Although it was set at Christmastime, there is nothing very Christmassy about this Golden Age murder mystery!
A varied group of individuals are forced to seek shelter at a remote inn. Crimes are committed & Doctor Constantine, an elderly chess enthusiast turns out to be a gifted sleuth! There is no mention of "little grey cells", but Dr Constantine does indeed employ them.
I enjoyed this tale very much & am very happy to have found a new-to-me Golden Age writer! The Dean St Press edition has a very helpful introduction, which says after writing one novel when younger, Miss Thynne (pronounced "Thin") in middle age wrote 6 detective novels - then never wrote again. Perhaps she wanted to move on to a different challenge.
Miss Thynne tells a good tale & even though the cast is a little large, Thynne's gifts with characterisation & dialogue kept me really entertained. I thought I had guessed who the murderer was, but I was completely off base. My only criticism is that the denouement (look at me writing French) went on a little too long.
Based on this novel I definitely want to read Molly Thynne's other detective novels - & thanks to Dean Street Press's generosity with free offers, I already have most of them downloaded on my Kindle.
The Dean Street Press edition also contains a very informative introduction.
November 4, 2017
Published in 1931, this re-published Golden Age crime mystery, was one of six written by Molly Thynne and the first featuring her chess playing amateur sleuth, Dr Luke Constantine. The story begins with a group of people, who are all heading for the exclusive resort at Redsands (though why someone would really want to go to the British seaside at Christmas is beyond me!). Of course, the weather, already bad, turns worse and our central character, author Angus Stuart, finds himself stranded in the snow. Rescuing two, elderly sisters, he is directed to a local inn, the Noah’s Ark, and welcomed by the landlord, Mr Girley.
Stuart is a likeable character; he has recently become a success and is still a little unsure of himself. Before long he has been introduced to Dr Luke Constantine, the drunken Major Carew, commercial traveller, Soames, Lord Romsey, his son and two daughters, the attractive Mrs Orkney Cloude, the brash Mrs van Dolen, an American widow who is known for her famous emeralds, Mrs van Dolen’s secretary, Miss Hamilton, the gigolo Felix Melnotte and the shy young chartered accountant, Trevor.
What we essentially have here is a typically closed house mystery. Our characters are stranded by the snow, there are some expensive emeralds, just crying out to be stolen, lots of secrets and, of course, murder. There is also a great deal of chasing around in the night, with masked men being seen, and Stuart, who joins up with Constantine and Soames, to investigate the goings-on at the hotel, spending almost all of their time climbing in and out of windows, chasing up and down staircases, banging on doors and keeping watch. Overall, this is a fun mystery, with a good setting, interesting characters, but a slightly weak plot. I would try more by her and I do applaud publishers for bringing so many ‘lost’ Golden Age authors back into print.
Stuart is a likeable character; he has recently become a success and is still a little unsure of himself. Before long he has been introduced to Dr Luke Constantine, the drunken Major Carew, commercial traveller, Soames, Lord Romsey, his son and two daughters, the attractive Mrs Orkney Cloude, the brash Mrs van Dolen, an American widow who is known for her famous emeralds, Mrs van Dolen’s secretary, Miss Hamilton, the gigolo Felix Melnotte and the shy young chartered accountant, Trevor.
What we essentially have here is a typically closed house mystery. Our characters are stranded by the snow, there are some expensive emeralds, just crying out to be stolen, lots of secrets and, of course, murder. There is also a great deal of chasing around in the night, with masked men being seen, and Stuart, who joins up with Constantine and Soames, to investigate the goings-on at the hotel, spending almost all of their time climbing in and out of windows, chasing up and down staircases, banging on doors and keeping watch. Overall, this is a fun mystery, with a good setting, interesting characters, but a slightly weak plot. I would try more by her and I do applaud publishers for bringing so many ‘lost’ Golden Age authors back into print.
August 20, 2018
Un "murder mistery" de lo más clásico e inocente (aunque haya un asesinato) que se hace muy disfrutable, aunque es cierto que el hecho de haber descubierto al culpable antes de que se revelara en la novela le restó algún punto.
Hacia el final del libro es bastante obvio (o me lo pareció) y probablemente en tiempos más modernos se hubiera añadido un segundo giro para sorprender. Pero aún así el misterio está bien construido y es obvio qué vio en la historia Agatha Christie para escribir su "Asesinato en el Orient Express" (la referencia es obvia: un grupo de personas atrapadas en un lugar cerrado por una nevada y uno de los prsonajes se llama Doctor Constantin). De hecho, hay cierto punto en el libro de Thynne que estoy segura fue lo que le dio la idea a Christie para ese misterio de Poirot en concreto.
"Crimen en la posada Arca de Noé"sigue los cánones del género, con mucho diálogo y muchas pistas falsas. Ayuda que los personajes sean ingeniosos y que el tono sea mayoritariamente ligero. El Doctor Constantin es un buen detective, con suficiente carisma, y la novela tiene mucho ritmo, porque la mayor parte de la misma consiste en los protagonistas vigilando la posada donde se encuentran y persiguiendo sombras y encontrando nuevos indicios.
Es, en esencia, una historia de detectives para pasar el rato. Ni más ni menos (lo cual no es poco). Carece del dramatismo o la complejidad de otras obras, pero no creo que en este caso le perjudique mucho. Tiene muchísimo encanto y me lo pasé muy bien leyéndolo. Me pareció perfecto para la época en la que me lo leí.
Hacia el final del libro es bastante obvio (o me lo pareció) y probablemente en tiempos más modernos se hubiera añadido un segundo giro para sorprender. Pero aún así el misterio está bien construido y es obvio qué vio en la historia Agatha Christie para escribir su "Asesinato en el Orient Express" (la referencia es obvia: un grupo de personas atrapadas en un lugar cerrado por una nevada y uno de los prsonajes se llama Doctor Constantin). De hecho, hay cierto punto en el libro de Thynne que estoy segura fue lo que le dio la idea a Christie para ese misterio de Poirot en concreto.
"Crimen en la posada Arca de Noé"sigue los cánones del género, con mucho diálogo y muchas pistas falsas. Ayuda que los personajes sean ingeniosos y que el tono sea mayoritariamente ligero. El Doctor Constantin es un buen detective, con suficiente carisma, y la novela tiene mucho ritmo, porque la mayor parte de la misma consiste en los protagonistas vigilando la posada donde se encuentran y persiguiendo sombras y encontrando nuevos indicios.
Es, en esencia, una historia de detectives para pasar el rato. Ni más ni menos (lo cual no es poco). Carece del dramatismo o la complejidad de otras obras, pero no creo que en este caso le perjudique mucho. Tiene muchísimo encanto y me lo pasé muy bien leyéndolo. Me pareció perfecto para la época en la que me lo leí.
September 5, 2020
Esta es una novela de la Golden Age de la novela policíaca, y os traigo a una autora casi desconocida, Molly Thynne, que nos recuerda a nuestra querida Agahta Christie, pero con estilo propio. Crimen en la posada Arca de Noé, es una novela llena de misterio con mucha intriga, que llevan al lector hacia un final coherente y revelador. Totalmente recomendable.
August 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this one! If you're looking for a seasonal read, choose The Crime at Noah's Ark!
Basic plot involves a group of people all unknown to one another who are snowed in at a country wayside inn. Emeralds are stolen, drunk asshats are murdered, and there is lots of lurking about and sneaking through darkened corridors. The main character is a likeable author. I guessed a couple of the twists, and pretty much figured out whodunnit, but it was still tons of fun.
This is a very inexpensive treat - it's $2.99 on kindle, and worth every penny. Kudos to the Dean Street Press for finding and bringing these lesser known golden age authors back into "print," even if that print is pixels not paper. This is one of the best things about the ebook revolution!
Basic plot involves a group of people all unknown to one another who are snowed in at a country wayside inn. Emeralds are stolen, drunk asshats are murdered, and there is lots of lurking about and sneaking through darkened corridors. The main character is a likeable author. I guessed a couple of the twists, and pretty much figured out whodunnit, but it was still tons of fun.
This is a very inexpensive treat - it's $2.99 on kindle, and worth every penny. Kudos to the Dean Street Press for finding and bringing these lesser known golden age authors back into "print," even if that print is pixels not paper. This is one of the best things about the ebook revolution!
May 29, 2018
-De hecho, cualquiera de nosotros podría ser el asesino -comentó Soames sombríamente-. Es un agradable pensamiento.
Novela clásica policiaca en la que los personajes son el punto fuerte. Muy de novelas detectivescas, Crimen en la posada 'Arca de Noé' cuenta con una buena dosis de misterio mientras la acción (y alguno de los diálogos) posee alguna que otra pincelada cómica. Todo ello tiene como resultado un buen final. De todas formas, no me ha entusiasmado como lo han hecho anteriormente otras novelas de la famosa Golden Age. Eso sí. Muy acertada la comparación Molly Tynne-Agatha Christie. Y una verdadera lástima que Tynne terminase cayendo en el olvido a pesar de que sus obras cosecharon un notable éxito.
Para terminar, y siendo como es Crimen en la posada 'Arca de Noé' una publicación de la editorial dÉpoca, he de comentar el maravilloso trabajo que han llevado a cabo con esta edición. Excelente introducción (analizando brevemente la época en la que se desarrolla la historia, contándonos con igual brevedad parte de la "vida" de Molly Tynne y, por último, pasando muy de puntillas por las carreras literarias de otras escritoras de la ya mencionada Golden Age) y fabulosas ilustraciones de los personajes y de alguna que otra escena de la novela.
¿Recomiendo su lectura? Solamente a los amantes de la novela policiaca clásica o si directamente ya has leído (y te han gustado, claro) Diez Negritos y Asesinato en el Orient Express, de Agatha Christie. En lo que a mí respecta, ¿seguiré leyendo más aventuras del doctor Constantine? Probablemente, sí.
December 13, 2024
Ya tenía yo ganas de un misterio de la Golden Age bien construido y entretenido. Y eso es justo lo que me ha proporcionado „Crimen en la posada Arca de Noé“. Esta novela publicada en 1931, se inspira claramente en las obras de la maravillosa Agatha Christie y consigue ser interesante, distendida y amena. Debido al mal estado de las carreteras después de una nevada copiosa, un grupo de personas de lo más variopinta tiene que alojarse a la fuerza en la posada „Arca de Noé“. Como su nombre indica, esta posada de carretera acogerá durante las Navidades a gente de diferentes clases sociales y económicas que se verán forzados a pasar las Fiestas juntos. Cuando una noche se descubre un cadáver en una habitación y se comete un robo, los huéspedes no tendrán más remedio que patrullar los pasillos y montar una guardia nocturna para evitar que se cometan más crímenes y atrapar al culpable.
Un crimen a puerta cerrada de lo más agradable y entretenido, donde los personajes duermen poco y se pasan el rato de habitación en habitación sospechando unos de otros. Con un escritor de un best seller, una viuda joven y guapa, un comerciante de seguros, una familia de la aristocrática, un gigoló y dos hermanas ya entradas en años (una de ellas sorda como una tapia), encontraremos al doctor Constantin. Este detective es el personaje recurrente de la autora que hace su debut en esta novela y que aparecerá en otras cinco.
Sinceramente me lo he pasado bien con la novela, haciendo mis cábalas de quién podría ser el culpable y disfrutando de las idas y venidas de todos los personajes.
AVISO: La novela transcurre durante la Navidad pero no es navideña.
3,75 ⭐️
Un crimen a puerta cerrada de lo más agradable y entretenido, donde los personajes duermen poco y se pasan el rato de habitación en habitación sospechando unos de otros. Con un escritor de un best seller, una viuda joven y guapa, un comerciante de seguros, una familia de la aristocrática, un gigoló y dos hermanas ya entradas en años (una de ellas sorda como una tapia), encontraremos al doctor Constantin. Este detective es el personaje recurrente de la autora que hace su debut en esta novela y que aparecerá en otras cinco.
Sinceramente me lo he pasado bien con la novela, haciendo mis cábalas de quién podría ser el culpable y disfrutando de las idas y venidas de todos los personajes.
AVISO: La novela transcurre durante la Navidad pero no es navideña.
3,75 ⭐️
January 14, 2019
3’5 ★★★
Reseña en español | Review in English (below)
Crimen en la posada «Arca de Noé» es la primera novela protagonizada por el doctor Luke Constantine, un detective aficionado y personaje con gran carisma, creado por Molly Thynne. La novela, escrita en 1931 y perteneciente a la denominada como Golden Age of Detective Fiction, nos narra la historia de un grupo de viajeros que, tras una gran nevada a pocos días de Navidad, se quedan confinados en la posada Arca de Noé, donde se cometen dos crímenes: un asesinato y el robo de varias joyas. Como en Asesinato en el Orient Express, todos los personajes se convierten en sospechosos y todos sospecharán de todos.
A través de una narración en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de Angus Stuart, un joven escritor escocés autor de un reciente best seller, la autora va caracterizando a una serie de personajes divertidísimos, carismáticos y que representan, con gran ironía, la sociedad inglesa de la época. Aunque la trama es sencilla y hacia la mitad del libro tenía sospechas importantes de quién era el/la asesin@, ha sido una lectura entretenida y con la que he descubierto a una autora de novelas policiacas que no conocía y que tengo intención de seguir leyendo.
Sin duda, lo mejor de este libro es la edición y el hecho de que la obra de Molly Thynne permanecía inédita en castellano. Pero es que dÉpoca Editorial nunca defrauda y cuida muchísimo sus ediciones, y este libro no es excepción: además de encontrarnos con una introducción a cargo de Juan Mari Barasorda interesantísima, de las de que coger papel y lápiz y apuntar todos los libros y autoras mencionadas de la Edad de Oro de la novela policíaca; cuenta con ilustraciones originales y notas al pie que hacen que su lectura sea una delicia.
En resumen, un libro que apetece tener en la estantería por la edición pero que, además, te hará pasar un buen rato. Lo recomiendo si sois lectores habituales de whodunits y queréis conocer una autora diferente a Agatha Christie pero con muchas influencias en común.
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The Crime at the Noah's Ark is the first novel starring Dr. Luke Constantine, an amateur detective and charismatic character, created by Molly Thynne. The novel, written in 1931 and belonging to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, tells the story of a group of travellers who, after a great snowfall a few days before Christmas, are confined to Noah's Ark Inn, where two crimes are committed: a murder and the theft of several jewels. As in Murder on the Orient Express, all the characters become suspects of the crimes and everyone will suspect of each other.
Through a third-person narration from the point of view of Angus Stuart, a young Scottish writer author of a recent bestseller, Molly Thynne characterises a series of hilarious and charismatic characters who represent with great irony the English society of that time. Although the plot is simple and towards the middle of the book I had important suspicions of who the killer was, it has been an entertaining reading and with which I have discovered an author of detective novels that I didn’t know and that I intend to continue reading.
In this case, the best thing about this book is the edition and the fact that the work of Molly Thynne have remained unpublished in Spanish until this year.
In short, a book that will make you have a good time. I recommend it if you are a regular reader of whodunits and you want to meet an author different from Agatha Christie but with many points in common.
P. S. I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please
«Pues bien, todo lo que puedo decir es que si su tonto policía de pueblo tiene un caso de asesinato entre las manos, ¡adiós a mis esmeraldas!»
Reseña en español | Review in English (below)
Crimen en la posada «Arca de Noé» es la primera novela protagonizada por el doctor Luke Constantine, un detective aficionado y personaje con gran carisma, creado por Molly Thynne. La novela, escrita en 1931 y perteneciente a la denominada como Golden Age of Detective Fiction, nos narra la historia de un grupo de viajeros que, tras una gran nevada a pocos días de Navidad, se quedan confinados en la posada Arca de Noé, donde se cometen dos crímenes: un asesinato y el robo de varias joyas. Como en Asesinato en el Orient Express, todos los personajes se convierten en sospechosos y todos sospecharán de todos.
A través de una narración en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de Angus Stuart, un joven escritor escocés autor de un reciente best seller, la autora va caracterizando a una serie de personajes divertidísimos, carismáticos y que representan, con gran ironía, la sociedad inglesa de la época. Aunque la trama es sencilla y hacia la mitad del libro tenía sospechas importantes de quién era el/la asesin@, ha sido una lectura entretenida y con la que he descubierto a una autora de novelas policiacas que no conocía y que tengo intención de seguir leyendo.
Sin duda, lo mejor de este libro es la edición y el hecho de que la obra de Molly Thynne permanecía inédita en castellano. Pero es que dÉpoca Editorial nunca defrauda y cuida muchísimo sus ediciones, y este libro no es excepción: además de encontrarnos con una introducción a cargo de Juan Mari Barasorda interesantísima, de las de que coger papel y lápiz y apuntar todos los libros y autoras mencionadas de la Edad de Oro de la novela policíaca; cuenta con ilustraciones originales y notas al pie que hacen que su lectura sea una delicia.
En resumen, un libro que apetece tener en la estantería por la edición pero que, además, te hará pasar un buen rato. Lo recomiendo si sois lectores habituales de whodunits y queréis conocer una autora diferente a Agatha Christie pero con muchas influencias en común.
––
The Crime at the Noah's Ark is the first novel starring Dr. Luke Constantine, an amateur detective and charismatic character, created by Molly Thynne. The novel, written in 1931 and belonging to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, tells the story of a group of travellers who, after a great snowfall a few days before Christmas, are confined to Noah's Ark Inn, where two crimes are committed: a murder and the theft of several jewels. As in Murder on the Orient Express, all the characters become suspects of the crimes and everyone will suspect of each other.
Through a third-person narration from the point of view of Angus Stuart, a young Scottish writer author of a recent bestseller, Molly Thynne characterises a series of hilarious and charismatic characters who represent with great irony the English society of that time. Although the plot is simple and towards the middle of the book I had important suspicions of who the killer was, it has been an entertaining reading and with which I have discovered an author of detective novels that I didn’t know and that I intend to continue reading.
In this case, the best thing about this book is the edition and the fact that the work of Molly Thynne have remained unpublished in Spanish until this year.
In short, a book that will make you have a good time. I recommend it if you are a regular reader of whodunits and you want to meet an author different from Agatha Christie but with many points in common.
P. S. I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please
June 18, 2018
Me ha gustado bastante. Qué buena idea el haber traducido este libro. Un hilo conductor que se va enredando, en ocasiones en exceso, todo hay que decirlo, para dar lugar a la resolución de un asesinato lleno de misterios.
Próximamente reseña en https://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com
Próximamente reseña en https://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com
December 5, 2024
This was a mostly fun seasonal GA mystery, with a disparate group of travelers snowed in at the Noah’s Ark Inn over Christmas. There’s a jewel theft and a murder, and despite the enjoyable characters and snowy atmosphere, it goes on too long - as with a previous mystery I read by this author. I became impatient as the plot seemed to slow to a halt, and jumped ahead to find out whodunnit; I still had to read/skim through three chapters to get the facts!
It starts out with a fun, jaunty journey by a young man who has struggled to establish himself, against his family’s wishes, as a novelist, and has hit the big-time, with a book sold to Hollywood. Despite the ominously snow conditions, he sets out in his new car to spend Christmas at a luxury resort. He realizes it’s been hours and he hasn’t gotten far; indeed, he comes to a steep hill with other motorists stranded at the bottom! He makes it up the hill, and offers to take two elderly sisters stranded in the snow. They make it to the Inn of the title, and are joined there by others stranded, including a traveling salesman, Soames, and chess champion Dr. Constantine.
Our young author Stuart, Soames, and Constantine strike up a friendship; the last two play chess while Stuart observes the odd assortment of guests and sleeps. Some precious emeralds are stolen from an obnoxious American woman, and a drunken major is killed in his room.
It was fun and gripping up to a point, with the trapped guests in the snow, but it went on too long. The village constable made it once there was a murder, but he was single-handed and no match for masked men, burglars, and eventually a killer stalking the endless hallways and rooms of the old place. Stuart, Soames and Constantine try and patrol the halls to assist, but it got repetitive, with one of them waking the others to wander about, achieving nothing.
Eventually the snow stops, the plows come out, but it seemed a while before Scotland Yard arrived. That’s when I jumped ahead! Turns out
Anyway, good humor, great atmosphere, some entertaining characters, but needed some editing. A solid GA mystery.
It starts out with a fun, jaunty journey by a young man who has struggled to establish himself, against his family’s wishes, as a novelist, and has hit the big-time, with a book sold to Hollywood. Despite the ominously snow conditions, he sets out in his new car to spend Christmas at a luxury resort. He realizes it’s been hours and he hasn’t gotten far; indeed, he comes to a steep hill with other motorists stranded at the bottom! He makes it up the hill, and offers to take two elderly sisters stranded in the snow. They make it to the Inn of the title, and are joined there by others stranded, including a traveling salesman, Soames, and chess champion Dr. Constantine.
Our young author Stuart, Soames, and Constantine strike up a friendship; the last two play chess while Stuart observes the odd assortment of guests and sleeps. Some precious emeralds are stolen from an obnoxious American woman, and a drunken major is killed in his room.
It was fun and gripping up to a point, with the trapped guests in the snow, but it went on too long. The village constable made it once there was a murder, but he was single-handed and no match for masked men, burglars, and eventually a killer stalking the endless hallways and rooms of the old place. Stuart, Soames and Constantine try and patrol the halls to assist, but it got repetitive, with one of them waking the others to wander about, achieving nothing.
Eventually the snow stops, the plows come out, but it seemed a while before Scotland Yard arrived. That’s when I jumped ahead! Turns out
Anyway, good humor, great atmosphere, some entertaining characters, but needed some editing. A solid GA mystery.
December 3, 2017
A group of people meet in a hotel, the Noah’s Ark, by chance and necessity. The roads are closed by a severe snowstorm and they cannot pursue theirs originals plans. Gather in this place, they had no choice instead of spend time together. Different persons with different backgrounds in the early 20th century England lived with one another and had to copy with an unexpected theft and a murder. This Golden Age Mystery by Molly Thynne is readable and interesting. The author developed some of the characters and the facts are presented in an enjoyable narrative. This was the first work of Molly Thynne that I read. It gave me the desire of reading the other ones.
August 23, 2021
Novela al más puro estilo detectivesco y con una narrativa bastante más que decente de una autoras olvidadas del género. Me ha gustado mucho el sentido del humor en la historia, las descripciones de personajes, que sin ser excesivas eran bastante ricas y cómo se ha desarrollado la trama.
Muy entretenido y ha envejecida bien... ojalá traduzcan más
Muy entretenido y ha envejecida bien... ojalá traduzcan más
March 30, 2019
Una novela de detectives al más puro estilo Agatha Christie.
Un grupo variopinto de personas (aristócratas, nuevos ricos, comerciantes, …) se ven atrapados por una tormenta de nieve y son obligados a pasar varios días en una posada en una parada imprevista en sus respectivos viajes. Si ya la situación es peliaguda mezclando tan distintos caracteres en un lugar pequeño, un robo y un asesinato complican aún más la estancia de los huéspedes.
Sin ser una obra de arte ni el mejor libro de este estilo, sí cumple su función que es entretener, con un estilo ligero, ameno, sin profundizar en descripciones ni personajes.
Un grupo variopinto de personas (aristócratas, nuevos ricos, comerciantes, …) se ven atrapados por una tormenta de nieve y son obligados a pasar varios días en una posada en una parada imprevista en sus respectivos viajes. Si ya la situación es peliaguda mezclando tan distintos caracteres en un lugar pequeño, un robo y un asesinato complican aún más la estancia de los huéspedes.
Sin ser una obra de arte ni el mejor libro de este estilo, sí cumple su función que es entretener, con un estilo ligero, ameno, sin profundizar en descripciones ni personajes.
December 8, 2025
Das Setting ist top: Weihnachten in einem eingeschneiten Gasthof, eine unfreiwillig Gemeinschaft an sehr verschiedenen Personen und dann geschieht ein Mord. Klassisch und immer wieder gut. Gerade die Schneestimmung und die spezielle Dynamik in dieser Schicksalsgemeinschaft hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Auch, dass die spannenden Momente meist Nachts spielen, hatte eine schöne Atmosphäre. Nur wiederholt sich genau das: jede Nacht Verfolgungsjagden auf den Fluren, treppauf treppab - nach der zweiten Nacht wurde das langsam etwas ermüdend. Alles fühlte sich wie eine Wiederholung an, weshalb sich das Buch etwas zog. Trotzdem gab es immer wieder spannende Abschnitte und die Auflösung hat mir gut gefallen.
December 11, 2017
A twist on the country manor mystery -- in this case, a group of people, mostly unknown to each other, are caught in a December snowstorm in an inn called Noah's Ark. While stuck there in the days leading up to Christmas, there is a jewel robbery & a murder. I liked the fact that while there were some romantic subplots, they remained very much in the background. It was also pleasant to see that the village constable wasn't portrayed as a boobie, even though he required help to catch the culprit(s?)...
May 29, 2018
Un libro precioso tanto en contenido como en forma. Para todo aquel que sea amante del misterio. Muy recomendable.
April 2, 2018
Una buena novela de la Golden Age de habitación cerrada. Bien escrita y planteada.
Mi reseña: http://elmundodeaylavella.blogspot.co...
Mi reseña: http://elmundodeaylavella.blogspot.co...
December 17, 2024
Mñé. No está mal, pero es muy irregular. Tiene partes entretenidas y graciosas, y otras (muchas) liosas y pesadas. El final te lo ves venir.
No sé, está bien para meterse en el “mood” invernal, pero es bastante basiquilla.
No sé, está bien para meterse en el “mood” invernal, pero es bastante basiquilla.
December 11, 2016
3.5 Stars
Most of the books by Molly Thynne get four stars from me, but I took half a star off this one because I thought it was more unwieldy than her other books. Having said that, I did enjoy this book which has a very complex plot that had me highlighting passages so I could go back and check whenever I felt lost. There are two crimes in this story; a murder and a theft - are they connected or not? There is a limited cast and I felt that only half of them were three-dimensional, but those were extremely well-described and easy to visualise and understand why they acted as they did, and that always makes a book easier to read. There is one glaring anomaly in the story but I think if I put it in my review, it will be a spoiler, so I'll leave it out and let other readers find it as I did. The story is told in the third person, but seemed more from the perspective of Stuart, one of the characters in the book, and this literary device served to make the story come alive for me and I felt as if I was part of the cast (but only as an onlooker). I thought Dr Constantine was working more in the background than the editorial suggests and the principal characters seemed to be Stuart, an author and Soames, a commercial traveller and a delightful character; although it is Dr Constantine who unravels the mystery of the stolen emeralds. Towards the end it got a bit convoluted but everything was eventually sorted out neatly and justice seen to be done. All-in-all, a good story, well-written as is usual with this author, and a few digitisation problems if I want to be picky. Recommend this book as I do all of Miss Thynne's.
Most of the books by Molly Thynne get four stars from me, but I took half a star off this one because I thought it was more unwieldy than her other books. Having said that, I did enjoy this book which has a very complex plot that had me highlighting passages so I could go back and check whenever I felt lost. There are two crimes in this story; a murder and a theft - are they connected or not? There is a limited cast and I felt that only half of them were three-dimensional, but those were extremely well-described and easy to visualise and understand why they acted as they did, and that always makes a book easier to read. There is one glaring anomaly in the story but I think if I put it in my review, it will be a spoiler, so I'll leave it out and let other readers find it as I did. The story is told in the third person, but seemed more from the perspective of Stuart, one of the characters in the book, and this literary device served to make the story come alive for me and I felt as if I was part of the cast (but only as an onlooker). I thought Dr Constantine was working more in the background than the editorial suggests and the principal characters seemed to be Stuart, an author and Soames, a commercial traveller and a delightful character; although it is Dr Constantine who unravels the mystery of the stolen emeralds. Towards the end it got a bit convoluted but everything was eventually sorted out neatly and justice seen to be done. All-in-all, a good story, well-written as is usual with this author, and a few digitisation problems if I want to be picky. Recommend this book as I do all of Miss Thynne's.
Read
July 18, 2018An enjoyable traditional mystery. Over a stormy, snowbound Christmas, a rural inn known as the Noah's Ark hosts a group of stranded strangers. Some of these strangers are not quite strangers, however, and before a couple days pass, a murder is committed, prize jewels are stolen, and nobody at the inn gets much sleep as they try to disentangle the facts and deceptions and heists.
I found this book a pleasant surprise, full of interesting and dynamic characters, and it includes some pretty delightful moments of humor. Thynne has a knack for group dynamics and for sticky character descriptions, and I especially enjoyed watching these characters try to figure out what happened. And that's actually the bulk of the story; most of the time is spent with the characters discussing what they know and how they know it, and then carefully working their suspicions from there. It's methodical and thoughtful, and I wouldn't recommend it for readers wanting something fast-paced, but I really enjoyed it.
I found this book a pleasant surprise, full of interesting and dynamic characters, and it includes some pretty delightful moments of humor. Thynne has a knack for group dynamics and for sticky character descriptions, and I especially enjoyed watching these characters try to figure out what happened. And that's actually the bulk of the story; most of the time is spent with the characters discussing what they know and how they know it, and then carefully working their suspicions from there. It's methodical and thoughtful, and I wouldn't recommend it for readers wanting something fast-paced, but I really enjoyed it.
June 24, 2018
Again, not quite so enjoyable the second time around reading this tale of jewel-theft and brutal murder.
The writing is good, but the plot suffers from two fairly common faults of the second rank 1930's British detective novel, a sag in the middle (a lot of repetitive and fruitless hunting around the hotel at night) and the overlong wind-up after we know the culprits.
Some interesting and well-fleshed-out characters as well as a few stereotypes and a not-overdone love interest.
3.5 stars
The writing is good, but the plot suffers from two fairly common faults of the second rank 1930's British detective novel, a sag in the middle (a lot of repetitive and fruitless hunting around the hotel at night) and the overlong wind-up after we know the culprits.
Some interesting and well-fleshed-out characters as well as a few stereotypes and a not-overdone love interest.
3.5 stars
November 9, 2018
Aburridísima novela policíaca que cuenta con una trama una tanto simple pero con la que el autor no termina de hacerse. Es un constante ir de un lado a otro (más bien pasillo adelante y atrás) en el devenir de la historia, sin llegar a ninguna parte.
Personajes planos y una historia sin intensidad alguna.
Personajes planos y una historia sin intensidad alguna.
April 11, 2018
Estamos ante una novela policiaca del Golden Age, esa época en la que reinó Agatha Christie y proliferaron muchas otras historias del mismo estilo. Molly Thynne fue, en su momento, una autora que cosechó bastante éxito con sus novelas, aunque con el tiempo cayó en el olvido.
Como siempre, esta editorial nos da la oportunidad de conocer la obra de autores que, aunque fueron muy reconocidos en vida, con los años han perdido presencia y Molly Thynn me era totalmente desconocida.
En esta ocasión me he encontrado con una historia que está bien contada, pero que no ha terminado de engancharme. Yo no soy muy fan de la novela policiaca, así que tampoco creo que la vaya a disfrutar tanto como los verdaderos apasionados del género.
Lo que más me ha gustado de la historia ha sido la caracterización de los personajes y el mayor problema, su número. Hay tantos personajes que me he perdido y varias veces he tenido que consultar el dramatis personae porque no recordaba bien quien era quien. Hacia el final de la historia sí que los tenía ya ubicados, pero aunque el Dr. Constantine es el más avezado, realmente hay tres huéspedes de la casa cumpliendo con el papel de detectives amateurs.
Se juntan con los sospechosos y el lío de títulos que a nosotros, lectores actuales, nos toca de lejos. Porque una cosa es el título y otra el apellido, y a veces me confundía porque no comprendía que fulanito era hijo de lord Romsey porque se apellidaba de otra manera… Debido a eso tardé un poco en ubicarlos a todos.
Pero hablando de la caracterización, diré que está bastante bien y que Molly Thynne les da carácter a sus personajes, creo que todos tienen un pequeño momento para lucirse, no son mero relleno y eso se agradece.
Estoy orgullosa de decir que algo intuía con relación a la resolución final, pero solo una parte porque en realidad la respuesta es más compleja de lo que podíamos esperar. Nos encontramos con varias sorpresas y algunos secretos por el camino se van descubriendo y es al estar todos atrapados en un solo edificio cualquiera puede ser el sospechoso.
La edición cuenta con ilustraciones y un prólogo que nos pone en situación y nos explica un poco como fue la carrera literaria de la autora que un día decidió, por alguna razón, dejar de publicar, aunque había tenido años muy intensos a nivel creativo.
A mí, personalmente, me encantan este tipo de introducciones porque ayudan a la contextualización y porque siempre me interesa saber un poco más de los autores o autoras, creo que es de lo que más aprecio de esta editorial, que todas sus obras cuentan con este tipo de texto previo a la propia novela.
Diría que esta es una buena historia para los amantes del género, sobre todo si os gustan los libros de Agatha Christie porque tienen cosas en común y sucede en un espacio cerrado en el que cualquiera de los presentes puede ser el culpable. Me encantará conocer vuestras opiniones si lo habéis leído o si, por otra parte, tenéis ganas de hacerlo.
Como siempre, esta editorial nos da la oportunidad de conocer la obra de autores que, aunque fueron muy reconocidos en vida, con los años han perdido presencia y Molly Thynn me era totalmente desconocida.
En esta ocasión me he encontrado con una historia que está bien contada, pero que no ha terminado de engancharme. Yo no soy muy fan de la novela policiaca, así que tampoco creo que la vaya a disfrutar tanto como los verdaderos apasionados del género.
Lo que más me ha gustado de la historia ha sido la caracterización de los personajes y el mayor problema, su número. Hay tantos personajes que me he perdido y varias veces he tenido que consultar el dramatis personae porque no recordaba bien quien era quien. Hacia el final de la historia sí que los tenía ya ubicados, pero aunque el Dr. Constantine es el más avezado, realmente hay tres huéspedes de la casa cumpliendo con el papel de detectives amateurs.
Se juntan con los sospechosos y el lío de títulos que a nosotros, lectores actuales, nos toca de lejos. Porque una cosa es el título y otra el apellido, y a veces me confundía porque no comprendía que fulanito era hijo de lord Romsey porque se apellidaba de otra manera… Debido a eso tardé un poco en ubicarlos a todos.
Pero hablando de la caracterización, diré que está bastante bien y que Molly Thynne les da carácter a sus personajes, creo que todos tienen un pequeño momento para lucirse, no son mero relleno y eso se agradece.
Estoy orgullosa de decir que algo intuía con relación a la resolución final, pero solo una parte porque en realidad la respuesta es más compleja de lo que podíamos esperar. Nos encontramos con varias sorpresas y algunos secretos por el camino se van descubriendo y es al estar todos atrapados en un solo edificio cualquiera puede ser el sospechoso.
La edición cuenta con ilustraciones y un prólogo que nos pone en situación y nos explica un poco como fue la carrera literaria de la autora que un día decidió, por alguna razón, dejar de publicar, aunque había tenido años muy intensos a nivel creativo.
A mí, personalmente, me encantan este tipo de introducciones porque ayudan a la contextualización y porque siempre me interesa saber un poco más de los autores o autoras, creo que es de lo que más aprecio de esta editorial, que todas sus obras cuentan con este tipo de texto previo a la propia novela.
Diría que esta es una buena historia para los amantes del género, sobre todo si os gustan los libros de Agatha Christie porque tienen cosas en común y sucede en un espacio cerrado en el que cualquiera de los presentes puede ser el culpable. Me encantará conocer vuestras opiniones si lo habéis leído o si, por otra parte, tenéis ganas de hacerlo.
February 8, 2018
Enjoyable Golden Age mystery of people stranded in a snowstorm. Everyone is on their way to the resort of Redsands. However, the storm put an end to their plans. I've been in my fair share of whiteouts and have found myself stopping several hours earlier than originally planned. So I could really feel for these people. So all these people drag themselves in to an inn called Noah's Ark, it being the only place available.
There is a wide variety of people - running the range of wealthy, professor, writer, etc. There is some humor to this book.
I didn't completely understand all of the goings on - especially the rope out the window and no prints in the snow (although I think this got cleared up during the conclusion). With multiple staircases it reminded me much more of a farce.
But I think she is an enjoyable writer. And the good news is that most of her books (because of their age) are free on Kindle.
When I read Christie I always words or phrases that I have no familiarity with and Thynne didn't let me down. No idea what a "shindy" or "frowst" is. I thought shindy sounded kind of like "shindig" so assumed it was something noisome. Not sure where I came upon frowst or if I ever determined what it might mean. I know - England and America - two countries divided by a single language!
There is a wide variety of people - running the range of wealthy, professor, writer, etc. There is some humor to this book.
I didn't completely understand all of the goings on - especially the rope out the window and no prints in the snow (although I think this got cleared up during the conclusion). With multiple staircases it reminded me much more of a farce.
But I think she is an enjoyable writer. And the good news is that most of her books (because of their age) are free on Kindle.
When I read Christie I always words or phrases that I have no familiarity with and Thynne didn't let me down. No idea what a "shindy" or "frowst" is. I thought shindy sounded kind of like "shindig" so assumed it was something noisome. Not sure where I came upon frowst or if I ever determined what it might mean. I know - England and America - two countries divided by a single language!
December 13, 2021
Really enjoyed this snowed in mystery that brings a slew of people together before they are buried outside into an Inn called Noah's Ark. The story is told via Angus Stuart's point of view. And he is a good storyteller and is also - a writer who was hoping to splurge on a nice vacation.
The telling of the story is really sharp, and lively, and you really get the feel for the place and the people. Probably some of the best dialogue I've come across. There is so much going on in terms of Crime that the people practically forget Christmas has arrived. And when it does, there is a small moment of peace. This is one of those stories that in spite of all the characters- I could keep track of them all. I also liked that there was three of the patrons (Stuart is one) who are really trying to figure out what is going on - one being Dr. Constantine who really is the one who figures out most of it.
First time reading this author and will be reading the rest!
Simple synopsis- A group of people all heading to a luxury hotel get stranded in a country inn together. It's a group of rich, ritz, regular, spinsters, the help and then the staff. As they begin to mix, things start to get mixed up and then there are several crimes that happen within one night. It's obvious that no one from outside could have committed the crimes and then the story percolates! Three men start to try and keep watch to protect themselves and others; though there are others as well trying to figure out, how to escape before they are caught.
The telling of the story is really sharp, and lively, and you really get the feel for the place and the people. Probably some of the best dialogue I've come across. There is so much going on in terms of Crime that the people practically forget Christmas has arrived. And when it does, there is a small moment of peace. This is one of those stories that in spite of all the characters- I could keep track of them all. I also liked that there was three of the patrons (Stuart is one) who are really trying to figure out what is going on - one being Dr. Constantine who really is the one who figures out most of it.
First time reading this author and will be reading the rest!
Simple synopsis- A group of people all heading to a luxury hotel get stranded in a country inn together. It's a group of rich, ritz, regular, spinsters, the help and then the staff. As they begin to mix, things start to get mixed up and then there are several crimes that happen within one night. It's obvious that no one from outside could have committed the crimes and then the story percolates! Three men start to try and keep watch to protect themselves and others; though there are others as well trying to figure out, how to escape before they are caught.
November 22, 2017
Although at times , this reminded me of a farce, where characters were running about this old inn and missing the whereabouts of others , I did enjoy it. Definitely had me guessing for quite some time, even though I did have some suspects in mind. I liked the three sleuths and the others were a good assortment . I felt sorry for the village copper having to put up with some of the characters , but all gets sorted in the end
December 17, 2017
Très sympa ! Un bon polar golen age comme je les aime, et en plus j'avais raison sur mon suspect et ça ça fait plaisir ;p (impossible d'en trouver un avant au moins 70% d'ailleurs et ça j'aime bien). L'intrigue est vraiment sympa, et je lirai d'autres livres de cette auteure, même si le niveau d'anglais était parfois un petit peu au dessus du mien.
December 21, 2021
I liked it. And I absolutely loved the Noah's Ark--I would like very much to have one (minus the murder, of course). I did correctly guess who done it, but not why it was done. Entertaining characters, good descriptions, and easily followed dialogue combined with enough surprises and levity to make this quite an enjoyable read.
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