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The Murder Mystery Book Club #1
Ils étaient sept
Quel meilleur endroit, pour commettre un crime, qu'un club d'amateurs de romans policiers ? Il en faut peu à Alicia Finlay pour être heureuse : un bon petit plat de sa sœur, un verre de vin rouge et un roman policier bien ficelé. Il ne lui manque qu'une seule chose pour que son bonheur soit parfait : pouvoir partager sa passion pour les grands du polar. Aussi décide-t-elle de créer un groupe de lecture qui leur serait dédié. Très vite, les premières candidatures arrivent et bientôt sept membres forment le tout nouveau Club des amateurs de romans policiers.
Chez Alicia, tout est prêt pour leur première réunion : le thé infuse, les toasts sont au chaud. Mais, tandis que les discussions portent sur Les Vacances d'Hercule Poirot , l'un des invités a l'esprit ailleurs. Il n'est pas là par hasard, il a un plan diabolique. Bientôt, un des membres du club est victime d'une tentative d'homicide. Puis un autre disparaît. L'équipe décide de mener l'enquête...
Authentique déclaration d'amour à l'œuvre d'Agatha Christie, Ils étaient sept va enchanter les amateurs de cosy crime qui retrouveront bientôt leur club favori dans Le Crime du SS-Orient .
Chez Alicia, tout est prêt pour leur première réunion : le thé infuse, les toasts sont au chaud. Mais, tandis que les discussions portent sur Les Vacances d'Hercule Poirot , l'un des invités a l'esprit ailleurs. Il n'est pas là par hasard, il a un plan diabolique. Bientôt, un des membres du club est victime d'une tentative d'homicide. Puis un autre disparaît. L'équipe décide de mener l'enquête...
Authentique déclaration d'amour à l'œuvre d'Agatha Christie, Ils étaient sept va enchanter les amateurs de cosy crime qui retrouveront bientôt leur club favori dans Le Crime du SS-Orient .
416 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2023
863 people are currently reading
4915 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Larmer
25 books244 followersAuthor Christina (C.A.) Larmer was born in remote Papua New Guinea where close encounters with witchdoctors and cannibal progeny (no, really), gave her a morbid taste for mystery that has culminated in more than a dozen crime novels, including four in the Amazon-bestselling Agatha Christie Book Club series, two Posthumous Mysteries, seven Ghostwriter Mysteries, a thriller/suspense, and a stand-alone novel called An Island Lost, which is set in deepest Papua—where else?
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
October 12, 2017
3+ out of 5 stars to The Agatha Christie Book Club, the first in a mystery series published in 2017 and written by C.A. Larmer. In this series debut novel, you'll find some of the charm in the traditional English cozy mystery novel mixed with modern day tools and techniques; a fine balance of the two with the potential to grow into a stronger series.
Why This Book
That's an easy question: I love cozy mysteries. I adore Agatha Christie. I won it on a Goodreads Giveaway. As I packed for vacation last month, this book arrived in the mail the day before the flight. I took it as a sign to read it on the trip, but devoured it before the plane even landed.
Plot, Characters & Setting
Alicia, bored with her book club, assembles an interesting cast of characters to fit the theme of a new book club in her small Australian hometown. She follows familiar Christie methods to locate the members and holds a traditional English tea party to kick it off. By the second meeting, one of the members fails to show. Alicia decides to investigate more about the missing member, quickly learning nothing is at it appears to be. Add in her attractive and single chef sister and six other quirky book club members, you've got various caricatures of Christie characters, all who seem to have a few hidden secrets. The missing woman's family doesn't seem concerned at her disappearance, but there are many conflicting stories about whether the woman truly was a kind housewife or a mean-spirited diva. One by one, Alicia eliminates her suspects until she determines who was behind it all from the very beginning, of course, in traditional Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple manner...
Approach & Style
I read the paperback version, a 270 page edition, in 3 hours at an airport and on a plane trip from NYC to North Carolina. There are about 30 chapters with each one relatively short at around 8 to 9 pages. It is written in third person point of view in modern times, focused almost entirely on the perspective of the main character, Alicia Finlay. There are a few small sections from the culprit's perspective, but only to help stir up some drama and remind us of a Christie story.
Strengths
The cast of characters is diverse, clear and consistent. I kept changing which one I thought was behind the disappearance, ultimately settling on the proper solution. The author has built in lots of Christie authenticity and connections, which helps you become immersed in the story. I like the setting, and it seems like a good starting point for a book series. Writing was simple and easy to follow -- no issues with voice, dialogue, description or narratives.
Concerns
The plot was a tad too simple for my tastes, but I know it was meant to incorporate a lot of Christie's characters and books as themes and reminders. It could have used a bit more substance and/or individuality to help it stand apart from other cozy mystery books and Christie-formula novels. I also felt it lacked enough typical setting descriptions to help readers feel as if we were there in Australia.
Author & Final Thoughts
This is the first book I've read from this author, but she has at least one another series about Ghostwriting mysteries. I will take a look at the descriptions to see if it is of interest. I'd read more from her as it was a good book to curl up with by a fire or on a plane for a few hours. Not a thriller or suspense mystery. More a cozy read covering interesting facts and plots about characters, authors and books that readers love to digest in quick sessions.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
Why This Book
That's an easy question: I love cozy mysteries. I adore Agatha Christie. I won it on a Goodreads Giveaway. As I packed for vacation last month, this book arrived in the mail the day before the flight. I took it as a sign to read it on the trip, but devoured it before the plane even landed.
Plot, Characters & Setting
Alicia, bored with her book club, assembles an interesting cast of characters to fit the theme of a new book club in her small Australian hometown. She follows familiar Christie methods to locate the members and holds a traditional English tea party to kick it off. By the second meeting, one of the members fails to show. Alicia decides to investigate more about the missing member, quickly learning nothing is at it appears to be. Add in her attractive and single chef sister and six other quirky book club members, you've got various caricatures of Christie characters, all who seem to have a few hidden secrets. The missing woman's family doesn't seem concerned at her disappearance, but there are many conflicting stories about whether the woman truly was a kind housewife or a mean-spirited diva. One by one, Alicia eliminates her suspects until she determines who was behind it all from the very beginning, of course, in traditional Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple manner...
Approach & Style
I read the paperback version, a 270 page edition, in 3 hours at an airport and on a plane trip from NYC to North Carolina. There are about 30 chapters with each one relatively short at around 8 to 9 pages. It is written in third person point of view in modern times, focused almost entirely on the perspective of the main character, Alicia Finlay. There are a few small sections from the culprit's perspective, but only to help stir up some drama and remind us of a Christie story.
Strengths
The cast of characters is diverse, clear and consistent. I kept changing which one I thought was behind the disappearance, ultimately settling on the proper solution. The author has built in lots of Christie authenticity and connections, which helps you become immersed in the story. I like the setting, and it seems like a good starting point for a book series. Writing was simple and easy to follow -- no issues with voice, dialogue, description or narratives.
Concerns
The plot was a tad too simple for my tastes, but I know it was meant to incorporate a lot of Christie's characters and books as themes and reminders. It could have used a bit more substance and/or individuality to help it stand apart from other cozy mystery books and Christie-formula novels. I also felt it lacked enough typical setting descriptions to help readers feel as if we were there in Australia.
Author & Final Thoughts
This is the first book I've read from this author, but she has at least one another series about Ghostwriting mysteries. I will take a look at the descriptions to see if it is of interest. I'd read more from her as it was a good book to curl up with by a fire or on a plane for a few hours. Not a thriller or suspense mystery. More a cozy read covering interesting facts and plots about characters, authors and books that readers love to digest in quick sessions.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
April 12, 2019
I have recently read and enjoyed this author's Posthumous Mystery series, but since there are only two books in that one so far I thought I would try another of her series. As an Agatha Christie fan the title of this book sounded intriguing.
The story describes the experiences of the members of the Agatha Christie Book Club when crimes start to happen to them in real life and not just on the pages of the books they read. There is a disappearance, a hit and run, and finally an actual murder. Of course they feel obliged to help the police solve the crimes.
There are lots of references to Christie's many books throughout the text as well as links to her real life. The characters are fun and of course, as in all the best cosies, there is a romance and lots of food is prepared and eaten.
A fun book and I will certainly be looking out for book two very soon.
The story describes the experiences of the members of the Agatha Christie Book Club when crimes start to happen to them in real life and not just on the pages of the books they read. There is a disappearance, a hit and run, and finally an actual murder. Of course they feel obliged to help the police solve the crimes.
There are lots of references to Christie's many books throughout the text as well as links to her real life. The characters are fun and of course, as in all the best cosies, there is a romance and lots of food is prepared and eaten.
A fun book and I will certainly be looking out for book two very soon.
April 2, 2017
Alicia Finlay was over the staid, rules orientated book club she belonged to; her decision to walk out left her feeling quite accomplished. Her next decision with the help of her sister Lynette was to create her own book club – The Agatha Christie Book Club – and she was quite excited about it. After all, bringing a group of like-minded crime buffs together could only be good.
Once her vetting of letters was done, Alicia had eight members (including herself and her sister) and was looking forward to the introductory get together where each person could meet one another and decide on the choice of AC mystery to read. But after only two meets, one of the members failed to arrive. So began a period of wondering where Barbara was, worrying that she had been kidnapped and worse. Alicia and her team started searching for clues; meeting with Barbara’s family and friends and generally channelling the famous Hercule Poirot…
When Barbara’s husband Arthur, who had proved to be a nasty piece of work, was found murdered, the plot thickened. What was happening? Where was Barbara? Had the worst happened to her as well? And who murdered Arthur? Would Alicia and her team of ACBC members solve the mysteries?
The Agatha Christie Book Club is a delightful cosy mystery by Aussie author C.A. Larmer and the first in her new series. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the book club members finding help in the works of the great crime writer, and turning into Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot themselves. A great, fun cosy which I have no hesitation in recommending. Book #2 here I come!
Once her vetting of letters was done, Alicia had eight members (including herself and her sister) and was looking forward to the introductory get together where each person could meet one another and decide on the choice of AC mystery to read. But after only two meets, one of the members failed to arrive. So began a period of wondering where Barbara was, worrying that she had been kidnapped and worse. Alicia and her team started searching for clues; meeting with Barbara’s family and friends and generally channelling the famous Hercule Poirot…
When Barbara’s husband Arthur, who had proved to be a nasty piece of work, was found murdered, the plot thickened. What was happening? Where was Barbara? Had the worst happened to her as well? And who murdered Arthur? Would Alicia and her team of ACBC members solve the mysteries?
The Agatha Christie Book Club is a delightful cosy mystery by Aussie author C.A. Larmer and the first in her new series. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the book club members finding help in the works of the great crime writer, and turning into Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot themselves. A great, fun cosy which I have no hesitation in recommending. Book #2 here I come!
May 9, 2020
From the moment Alicia Finlay walked out of her old boring book club and decided to start her own one concentrating on books she enjoys, it was clear this novel was going to be a lot of fun. Enlisting her sister, budding chef Lynette she soon finds six other interesting members who answer her ad to join the Agatha Christie Book Club. When one of the members disappears after their first book discussion, they suddenly find themselves asking what would Poirot do to find a missing person?
This was a very enjoyable cosy crime with lots of references to Christie's books and life with quite a few red herrings and clues to solve along the way. Apart from the sisters, Alicia and Lynette, the other characters felt a bit underdeveloped, but hopefully they will will start to fill out more as they appear in subsequent installments of this series. 3.5★
This was a very enjoyable cosy crime with lots of references to Christie's books and life with quite a few red herrings and clues to solve along the way. Apart from the sisters, Alicia and Lynette, the other characters felt a bit underdeveloped, but hopefully they will will start to fill out more as they appear in subsequent installments of this series. 3.5★
dnf-because-no
May 20, 2023DNF at 15% and I'll give you three reasons for it:
Reason number 1 (The mild):
Reason number 2 (The serious):
Reason number 3 (The dealbreaker):
Reason number 1 (The mild):
"You have a pooch? I love pooches!"No one talks like that.
"Yep, that's Max, the hungry beast."
"Max? Really? After Mr Mallowan?"
"You really are an Agatha expert. Yes, we did name him after Agatha Christie's second husband, Max Mallowan."
Reason number 2 (The serious):
"Perhaps that's why she never noticed the sudden roar of an engine behind her or the yelp of a passerby to 'Watch out!" as a car made its own beeline straight towards her. Within seconds Missy was lying, twisted and lifeless in an open doorway.Last time I checked, "lifeless" meant "dead" and I don't appreciate being lied to, especially by the omniscient narrator who wants to trick me into believing that the protagonist dies in the beginning of the book.
The passer-by, an elderly gentleman with thick white hair and stunned wide eyes, would later tell police that the car accelerated, deliberately steered off the road and up onto the footpath towards the unsuspecting librarian.
Missy, who came to soon after with a raging headache and aching arm, would beg to differ. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time she told the cops."
Reason number 3 (The dealbreaker):
"Missy was shaken but not stirred. '"It was all just a stupid accident,"' she told the police who had arrived soon after, followed by an ambulance.No.
'No, no, no!' cried the Korean shopkeeper. "Dwiver was out to get you!"'
[...]
"No, no, no P-plate!" said the Korean. "This person mad killer. Twy to kill this woman! Gangster maybe? Mafia? Black car always Mafia!" "
April 15, 2022
Yet another book that I have had for a long time and finally got to reading it. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had read mixed reviews, but I did enjoy it.
The storyline and characters seemed a little clunky, and I was annoyed by the outcome, but I think that was the intention all along (cannot say more without spoilers).
Alicia forms her own book club after a dismal taste of a 'literature' book club which she despises. Thrilled that she finds others who share her interest in Agatha Christie, they form an eclectic but enthusiastic ensemble. However, when after a second meeting one of the members mysteriously disappears, the group set out to solve the mystery.
I would give this 3.5 stars, and am interested enough to seek out the second book.
Also now published as The Murder Mystery Book Club
The storyline and characters seemed a little clunky, and I was annoyed by the outcome, but I think that was the intention all along (cannot say more without spoilers).
Alicia forms her own book club after a dismal taste of a 'literature' book club which she despises. Thrilled that she finds others who share her interest in Agatha Christie, they form an eclectic but enthusiastic ensemble. However, when after a second meeting one of the members mysteriously disappears, the group set out to solve the mystery.
I would give this 3.5 stars, and am interested enough to seek out the second book.
Also now published as The Murder Mystery Book Club
September 12, 2025
Es una atractiva historia al más puro estilo cozy crime, ideal para relajarse, que te atrapa desde el principio. Terminas con ganas de volver a leerte todas las novelas de Agatha Christie
April 3, 2018
I really expected to like this book. It sounded like a perfect fit for my reading taste. I love cozy mysteries and I love Agatha Christie. A book combining the two seemed like a no-brainer. Sadly, I really didn't love this.
First off, these people are across the board not very likable characters. If I were part of this book club, with the way these people behaved, I wouldn't be in the club for very long. Honestly, their behaviour to one another felt a lot like going back to high school - sniping at each other, competing with each other, going behind each other's backs - considering they'd all barely met, who would put up with that? Not me, that's for sure.
And then there was the sleuthing. I am more than willing to cut cozy characters some slack for being buttinskies and sticking their noses where they don't belong, but the stuff Alicia pulled simply beggared belief! The number of times she managed to get people to talk to her and let her in to their homes after she accuses them of murder or other crimes just wasn't believable to me. I feel like people would have slammed their doors in her face at best, and punched her in her face at worst. I just couldn't buy that she would be able to convince people to continue to talk to her after a certain amount of accusing. Maybe it's me and that is normal behaviour that people will actually put up with over and over, but I couldn't buy it.
I give the author points for a clever connection between her story and Christie, which is all I will say to avoid spoilers. However, as annoying as Poirot could be at times, there was still a charm and quirkiness in his behaviour and approach that I always found endearing. That just didn't come across in this book's characters, most especially for me in Alicia. I found her strident, pushy and thoughtless and I just couldn't like or connect with her.
I won't be continuing with this series. Not for me.
First off, these people are across the board not very likable characters. If I were part of this book club, with the way these people behaved, I wouldn't be in the club for very long. Honestly, their behaviour to one another felt a lot like going back to high school - sniping at each other, competing with each other, going behind each other's backs - considering they'd all barely met, who would put up with that? Not me, that's for sure.
And then there was the sleuthing. I am more than willing to cut cozy characters some slack for being buttinskies and sticking their noses where they don't belong, but the stuff Alicia pulled simply beggared belief! The number of times she managed to get people to talk to her and let her in to their homes after she accuses them of murder or other crimes just wasn't believable to me. I feel like people would have slammed their doors in her face at best, and punched her in her face at worst. I just couldn't buy that she would be able to convince people to continue to talk to her after a certain amount of accusing. Maybe it's me and that is normal behaviour that people will actually put up with over and over, but I couldn't buy it.
I give the author points for a clever connection between her story and Christie, which is all I will say to avoid spoilers. However, as annoying as Poirot could be at times, there was still a charm and quirkiness in his behaviour and approach that I always found endearing. That just didn't come across in this book's characters, most especially for me in Alicia. I found her strident, pushy and thoughtless and I just couldn't like or connect with her.
I won't be continuing with this series. Not for me.
October 25, 2014
A fun, light, predictable book. Probably not for people who are not AC fans - do they exist? Lots of references to Christie books and some slightly strange characters. The food references made me salivate, but, alas, no recipes.
January 13, 2025
Uno de mis propósitos lectores para este 2025 es el de leer un cozy mistery/crime al mes y la verdad es que empezar con El club del crimen fue una muy buena elección. Un libro que se lee solo, fresco, divertido, con personajes increíbles, guiños constantes a la gran Agatha Christie, un misterio (o varios) a resolver y un puñado de pistas que los miembros del club deben seguir para resolver el enigma que se esconde detrás de la desaparición de una mujer. Lectura más que recomendada si eres fanático de Agatha o de Conan Doyle.
October 16, 2022
Not really bad, but not very good either. The plot is quite implausible, but, as a cosy, I could have forgiven it for that.
But the characters are quite plain, the dialogues predictable and Claire's romantic interest in Anders is... frankly, quite vapid and superficial. And has as much spark as a lump of coal.
Not sure I'll be reading more by this author, tbh.
But the characters are quite plain, the dialogues predictable and Claire's romantic interest in Anders is... frankly, quite vapid and superficial. And has as much spark as a lump of coal.
Not sure I'll be reading more by this author, tbh.
September 2, 2019
Needed a little bit of editing here and there (a sudden change of POV was a bit startling, for example), but otherwise a quick and easy read. Loved all the tidbits about Agatha Christie, both her life and her books. Also loved how her life and writing was used in the plot.
April 15, 2024
¿Una historia sobre un club de lectura dedicado a la reina del crimen, Agatha Christie? ¿A qué aficionado al género de misterio no le gustaría pertenecer a un club así? (¡a mí desde luego que sí!). Partiendo de una premisa que lleva mi nombre escrito, “El club del crimen” ofrece un misterio que mezcla el encanto de los cozy mysteries británicos con el toque más fresco y menos tradicional que le da su ambientación en Australia.
Alicia Finlay está harta de su aburrido club de lectura, por lo que decide crear uno nuevo dedicado en exclusiva a su género favorito: las novelas de misterio y, en particular, las de su adorada Agatha Christie. Tras seleccionar cuidadosamente a los miembros del club, éstos deberán enfrentarse a un misterio muy real cuando uno de ellos sea víctima de un intento de asesinato y otro desaparezca en misteriosas circunstancias. Alicia y compañía deberán poner en práctica todo lo aprendido con Poirot y Miss Marple para desentrañar el misterio.
La principal virtud de “El club del crimen” es que es muy consciente del tipo de historia que es y lo abraza sin mayores pretensiones. Quizás la trama no sea la más original del mundo pero consigue el objetivo principal de entretener al lector. Un estilo sencillo, con una narración ligera, capítulos cortos y bastantes toques de humor hacen que la lectura resulte muy agradable, perfecta para pasar unas horas de desconexión.
El elenco de personajes es bastante diverso y, aunque un poco estereotipados, en conjunto conforman un grupo simpático. Quizás el hecho de tener que presentar tantos personajes al tiempo que se tiene que desarrollar el misterio, hizo que algunos de ellos resultasen un poco planos, pero estoy convencido que en las siguientes entregas (en inglés ya hay seis libros publicados) podremos ir conociendo más acerca de las vidas y pasados de cada uno de los miembros del club.
El hecho de querer homenajear tan profundamente a Agatha Christie hizo que la trama me resultase simple en exceso. No solo incorpora múltiples referencias a sus obras y personajes más conocidos, sino que también bebe en gran parte de la vida personal de la autora, por lo que tuve bastante claro desde el principio por dónde iba a ir los tiros. Cualquiera que esté un poco familiarizado con su vida y los episodios más famosos de ésta, podrá seguir con facilidad todas las pistas que van apareciendo, haciendo que el desenlace resulte un poco previsible. El intuir el desenlace prácticamente desde el momento en que se produce el crimen hizo que la historia fuese perdiendo tensión a medida que mis sospechas se iban confirmando.
A pesar de que quizás no cumplió del todo con las expectativas que tenia puestas en él, “El club del crimen” es un comienzo más que correcto para la serie y deja ver el potencial que tiene para futuras entregas. El segundo volumen de la serie (“Crimen a bordo del SS Orient”) acaba de ser publicado en español y, qué mejor momento que ahora que se acerca el verano para irse de crucero con Alicia y sus compañeros de El Club del Crimen.
Alicia Finlay está harta de su aburrido club de lectura, por lo que decide crear uno nuevo dedicado en exclusiva a su género favorito: las novelas de misterio y, en particular, las de su adorada Agatha Christie. Tras seleccionar cuidadosamente a los miembros del club, éstos deberán enfrentarse a un misterio muy real cuando uno de ellos sea víctima de un intento de asesinato y otro desaparezca en misteriosas circunstancias. Alicia y compañía deberán poner en práctica todo lo aprendido con Poirot y Miss Marple para desentrañar el misterio.
La principal virtud de “El club del crimen” es que es muy consciente del tipo de historia que es y lo abraza sin mayores pretensiones. Quizás la trama no sea la más original del mundo pero consigue el objetivo principal de entretener al lector. Un estilo sencillo, con una narración ligera, capítulos cortos y bastantes toques de humor hacen que la lectura resulte muy agradable, perfecta para pasar unas horas de desconexión.
El elenco de personajes es bastante diverso y, aunque un poco estereotipados, en conjunto conforman un grupo simpático. Quizás el hecho de tener que presentar tantos personajes al tiempo que se tiene que desarrollar el misterio, hizo que algunos de ellos resultasen un poco planos, pero estoy convencido que en las siguientes entregas (en inglés ya hay seis libros publicados) podremos ir conociendo más acerca de las vidas y pasados de cada uno de los miembros del club.
El hecho de querer homenajear tan profundamente a Agatha Christie hizo que la trama me resultase simple en exceso. No solo incorpora múltiples referencias a sus obras y personajes más conocidos, sino que también bebe en gran parte de la vida personal de la autora, por lo que tuve bastante claro desde el principio por dónde iba a ir los tiros. Cualquiera que esté un poco familiarizado con su vida y los episodios más famosos de ésta, podrá seguir con facilidad todas las pistas que van apareciendo, haciendo que el desenlace resulte un poco previsible. El intuir el desenlace prácticamente desde el momento en que se produce el crimen hizo que la historia fuese perdiendo tensión a medida que mis sospechas se iban confirmando.
A pesar de que quizás no cumplió del todo con las expectativas que tenia puestas en él, “El club del crimen” es un comienzo más que correcto para la serie y deja ver el potencial que tiene para futuras entregas. El segundo volumen de la serie (“Crimen a bordo del SS Orient”) acaba de ser publicado en español y, qué mejor momento que ahora que se acerca el verano para irse de crucero con Alicia y sus compañeros de El Club del Crimen.
August 8, 2014
I quite enjoyed this book but I found it a bit predictable, so for that reason only gave it two stars. Being an Agatha Christie fan the title of this book attracted me, so I downloaded it to my Kindle.
I felt a little disappointed at the anti-climax of Alicia's meeting with the missing lady she had been looking for. I could see what was happening long before the amateur detectives of the Agatha Christie Book Club. For someone who is an avowed Agatha fan, and who should have known something of the background of the author, I am surprised that Alicia Finlay didn't cotton on before she did about Barbara's disappearance. It didn't need a Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot or even a Tuppence Beresford to work out where she had gone and why. The clues were staring her, and us, in the face. It was obvious that the hydro referred to in the story was a spa and not a hydro-electric station. I hope by this review I haven't given the plot away too much but frankly, there isn't much to give away.
Real-life Agatha fans will nod knowingly early on in the plot and question the competence of Alicia's little grey cells. The subplots could have done with being beefed up, too. These criticisms aside, I really did enjoy the book but if there is a sequel, the author should make the clues harder, the characters more rounded and less like cardboard cutouts, and add some atmosphere. Just because it is set in modern day Australia rather than the England of the 1920s and 30s, it doesn't mean that it can't be atmospheric. The real Agatha Christie novels had all these ingredients in abundance, whether setting them in a country estate, a seaside boarding house, a nursing home, an archaeological dig or a London hotel.
I felt a little disappointed at the anti-climax of Alicia's meeting with the missing lady she had been looking for. I could see what was happening long before the amateur detectives of the Agatha Christie Book Club. For someone who is an avowed Agatha fan, and who should have known something of the background of the author, I am surprised that Alicia Finlay didn't cotton on before she did about Barbara's disappearance. It didn't need a Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot or even a Tuppence Beresford to work out where she had gone and why. The clues were staring her, and us, in the face. It was obvious that the hydro referred to in the story was a spa and not a hydro-electric station. I hope by this review I haven't given the plot away too much but frankly, there isn't much to give away.
Real-life Agatha fans will nod knowingly early on in the plot and question the competence of Alicia's little grey cells. The subplots could have done with being beefed up, too. These criticisms aside, I really did enjoy the book but if there is a sequel, the author should make the clues harder, the characters more rounded and less like cardboard cutouts, and add some atmosphere. Just because it is set in modern day Australia rather than the England of the 1920s and 30s, it doesn't mean that it can't be atmospheric. The real Agatha Christie novels had all these ingredients in abundance, whether setting them in a country estate, a seaside boarding house, a nursing home, an archaeological dig or a London hotel.
July 10, 2015
I'm rather partial to the cozy whodunnit and I've been a lifelong Agatha Christie fan. This tale, while not written by the great Dame herself, lends itself to her methodology of crime-solving and thus makes for a very interesting read with twists and turns that led to the truth in a roundabout way. It is also most unusual that it is set in Australia which I found quite novel.
Alicia forms the Agatha Christie Book Club with the intention of getting like-minded folk together to discuss Christie's works. Of course it's not that simple. One of the new members sudddenly goes missing amid indications that her 'cruel' husband may have done away with her, and the other club members decide to go above and beyond their call of duty to try and find her. It all looks pretty cut and dried, that is, until someone else is found murdered, then all bets are off. And of course some of the club members aren't who they say they are, and a couple even harbour secrets that might prove harmful if the truth were discovered.
I won't reveal more of this excellent story suffice to say that you will be pleased to get your teeth into this intriguing yarn and have fun trying to guess who the real culprit is as many come under scutiny as evidence - some real and some false -gets stacked against them. I think you will be pleased that C A Larmer successfully captures the spirit of an Agatha Christie whodunnit with aplomb. I will certainly be checking out more from this astounding author.
Alicia forms the Agatha Christie Book Club with the intention of getting like-minded folk together to discuss Christie's works. Of course it's not that simple. One of the new members sudddenly goes missing amid indications that her 'cruel' husband may have done away with her, and the other club members decide to go above and beyond their call of duty to try and find her. It all looks pretty cut and dried, that is, until someone else is found murdered, then all bets are off. And of course some of the club members aren't who they say they are, and a couple even harbour secrets that might prove harmful if the truth were discovered.
I won't reveal more of this excellent story suffice to say that you will be pleased to get your teeth into this intriguing yarn and have fun trying to guess who the real culprit is as many come under scutiny as evidence - some real and some false -gets stacked against them. I think you will be pleased that C A Larmer successfully captures the spirit of an Agatha Christie whodunnit with aplomb. I will certainly be checking out more from this astounding author.
April 3, 2024
Si eres fan de Agatha Christie y del cozy crime, “El club del crimen” es un libro hecho a tu medida. Y, en mi caso, me ha ayudado a reconciliarme con el género cozy.
🔍 Una amante del misterio (podría ser yo perfectamente), crea un club de lectura de su género favorito (podría ser yo perfectamente) y cuando el misterio rodea al club, sus miembros se lanzan a hacer teorías e intentar resolverlo (podríamos ser cualquiera de nosotros).
Y llegados a este punto, no os sorprenderá saber que me ha encantado. La receta “Agatha” + lectores + misterio es simplemente perfecta.
No esperéis una investigación llena de giros, pero el misterio que teje la autora sobre todas las pistas repartidas por el libro es una auténtica delicia y un tributo muy detallado a Agatha Christie, algo que sus fans disfrutamos por partida doble en esta historia.
⚠️Todas las valoraciones vertidas en este espacio son personales. Cada lector es un mundo con gustos propios, y se agradece respeto y tolerancia por las opiniones diferentes. Gracias.
🔍 Una amante del misterio (podría ser yo perfectamente), crea un club de lectura de su género favorito (podría ser yo perfectamente) y cuando el misterio rodea al club, sus miembros se lanzan a hacer teorías e intentar resolverlo (podríamos ser cualquiera de nosotros).
Y llegados a este punto, no os sorprenderá saber que me ha encantado. La receta “Agatha” + lectores + misterio es simplemente perfecta.
No esperéis una investigación llena de giros, pero el misterio que teje la autora sobre todas las pistas repartidas por el libro es una auténtica delicia y un tributo muy detallado a Agatha Christie, algo que sus fans disfrutamos por partida doble en esta historia.
⚠️Todas las valoraciones vertidas en este espacio son personales. Cada lector es un mundo con gustos propios, y se agradece respeto y tolerancia por las opiniones diferentes. Gracias.
July 10, 2024
No sé si yo soy la enfadosa o realmente he estado leyendo libros malos...
Hay que aplaudirle y reconocerle a Larmer que hace personajes completos y muy característicos, de ahí en fuera, una plasta de lo mismo.
Ni siquiera fue algo original, hermana. Copiaste los hechos ocurridos con Agatha y los recreaste en tu libro y juras que es innovador. Suuuper lento y tedioso de agarrarle el hilo
A mitad del libro ya sabía todo pero aún así seguí esperando el plot twist... nunca llegó, en fin, decepcionada quedé
Hay que aplaudirle y reconocerle a Larmer que hace personajes completos y muy característicos, de ahí en fuera, una plasta de lo mismo.
Ni siquiera fue algo original, hermana. Copiaste los hechos ocurridos con Agatha y los recreaste en tu libro y juras que es innovador. Suuuper lento y tedioso de agarrarle el hilo
A mitad del libro ya sabía todo pero aún así seguí esperando el plot twist... nunca llegó, en fin, decepcionada quedé
July 25, 2017
I am an Agatha Christie fan, which is why this book intrigued me when I bought it months ago. I recently got around to reading it because I was in the mood for a good mystery and it seemed it would fit the bill.
The premise of this book was promising and it did start off that way as well. However, early on, it became very jumbled. Part of this was due to the multiple ‘mysteries’ introduced. Another factor was the constant changes in the points of views. This was not a seamless change, sometimes occurring in the very same paragraph. So in some spots it was hard to keep up. The writing style also seemed to change in the middle of the book, to the point of almost being corny or juvenile. These were all adults but after about 25%, it read like it was for a younger reading age.
There were also red herrings galore, which is to be expected in a mystery. But even Christie didn’t have as many as this novel did in any of her novels. While I know this was done to make the mysteries more intriguing it came across as annoying after a while. The characters were all stereotypical archetypes. This made it hard to get to know or really like them. What few pieces of insight into their character that were shown seemed out of place when they were revealed and came across as trying to be filler. I am not inclined to read the rest of the series to see if these get further developed.
I’ve read far worse mysteries, but consequently I’ve read better. This was also a bit of a "meh" book for me. The big reveal at the end wasn’t that surprising all things considered especially with all the indicators throughout the novel. This is a book that I likely will not read again.
The premise of this book was promising and it did start off that way as well. However, early on, it became very jumbled. Part of this was due to the multiple ‘mysteries’ introduced. Another factor was the constant changes in the points of views. This was not a seamless change, sometimes occurring in the very same paragraph. So in some spots it was hard to keep up. The writing style also seemed to change in the middle of the book, to the point of almost being corny or juvenile. These were all adults but after about 25%, it read like it was for a younger reading age.
There were also red herrings galore, which is to be expected in a mystery. But even Christie didn’t have as many as this novel did in any of her novels. While I know this was done to make the mysteries more intriguing it came across as annoying after a while. The characters were all stereotypical archetypes. This made it hard to get to know or really like them. What few pieces of insight into their character that were shown seemed out of place when they were revealed and came across as trying to be filler. I am not inclined to read the rest of the series to see if these get further developed.
I’ve read far worse mysteries, but consequently I’ve read better. This was also a bit of a "meh" book for me. The big reveal at the end wasn’t that surprising all things considered especially with all the indicators throughout the novel. This is a book that I likely will not read again.
August 12, 2016
Very slow read. I didn't enjoy it, I thought with my love for Agatha Christie it was a natural choice, but it was pretty awful. The characters were poorly done. The plot was boring, I wanted to skip chunks of the book just to get it over with.
December 22, 2023
¡Genial si buscas un libro entretenido! Rápido, ameno y divertido. Recuerda a los clásicos libros de Agatha Christie, no deja indiferente.
November 20, 2024
En lecture commune avec Julia & Amandine, une petite pépite !!
December 29, 2024
"Murder mistery" decente. De hecho, es más bien "cozy crime", porque aunque no ocurra en un pueblo de la campiña inglesa, sino en una ciudad australiana, comparte las características del subgénero de centrarse en el puzle, no contener violencia explícita y tener un tono tirando a amable.
Intenta emular a Agatha Christie (de hecho, hay un homenaje continuo a su obra), pero la Christie son palabras mayores. Queda en entretenido y ya. Lo cual ya es mucho. Los personajes no son una maravilla pero tienen potencial y la trama, aunque predecible a partir de un momento dado (sobre todo si lees este género) no está mal.
Es una lectura entretenida para pasar el rato, perfecta después de una lectura muy densa.
Intenta emular a Agatha Christie (de hecho, hay un homenaje continuo a su obra), pero la Christie son palabras mayores. Queda en entretenido y ya. Lo cual ya es mucho. Los personajes no son una maravilla pero tienen potencial y la trama, aunque predecible a partir de un momento dado (sobre todo si lees este género) no está mal.
Es una lectura entretenida para pasar el rato, perfecta después de una lectura muy densa.
March 19, 2025
Un variopinto grupo de amantes de la novela de misterio se reúne periódicamente para debatir sobre Agatha Christie. Pero cuando uno de los miembros desaparece de forma inquietante tras una reunión, el club decide resolver el caso por sí mismo.
✔ El homenaje constante a Agatha Christie y sus novelas más icónicas.
✔ Los personajes son carismáticos y cada uno aporta un punto de vista distinto.
✔ La narración es ligera y envolvente, perfecta para devorar en pocos días.
✔ El homenaje constante a Agatha Christie y sus novelas más icónicas.
✔ Los personajes son carismáticos y cada uno aporta un punto de vista distinto.
✔ La narración es ligera y envolvente, perfecta para devorar en pocos días.
March 15, 2024
No suelo puntuar los libros que abandono, pero esta vez dado que el abandono ha sido porque la autora está reiteradamente equiparando locura con peligrosidad y utilizando loco como equivalente de asesino, pues he decidido que cincuenta páginas me bastan para descartar seguir leyendo y que dejar una nota al respecto tenía sentido. No tengo yo los mejores días para aguantar agresiones continuas en el lenguaje, que no dejan de ser ladrillos que perpetúan la narrativa del loco peligroso y violento, mito que legitima social y médicamente las violencias que sufrimos a manos de, entre otros, el propio sistema de atención.
December 30, 2025
C'est charmant, sans prétention, on sait tout de suite ce qu'il va se passer mais c'est pas grave, on se laisse emporter.
C'était charmant dans l'ensemble.
C'était charmant dans l'ensemble.
October 7, 2024
3'5. Sencillo y simpático
September 12, 2025
Un petit cosy mystery sans prétention qui pourra plaire aux amateurs d'Agatha Christie. Un club de lecture de romans policiers qui décide d'enquêter sur la disparition de l'un de leurs membres. Un peu déjà vu, des personnages assez caricaturaux, une finale que j'avais tout de suite prédite... Pas désagréable mais sans grand intérêt pour moi.
Une chance, il y avait Agatha!
Une chance, il y avait Agatha!
October 27, 2022
Alicia is bored with her 'literary fiction' book club and it's rules such as no drinking or food until after the book discussion. So she quits dramatically and, at the urging of her sister Lynette, Alicia forms a book club dedicated to her passion: mystery and crime fiction, specifically Agatha Christie. A motley collection of Christie fans responds to her ad, and the first book up is Evil Under the Sun, to be discussed at member Barbara's McMansion in a wealthy Sidney neighborhood. Odd events happen while the group is meeting there, but nothing as odd as what happens at the next book club meeting: Barbara doesn't show up and no one knows where she is or seems to care. Except the Agatha Christie Book Club.
Of course the members start investigating, applying the guidance gleaned from Hercule Poirot in various Christie mysteries to finally solve the mystery of Barbara's disappearance and a few other events. Many Christie works and facts from her biography are interwoven into the plot, to great effect, at least to this Agatha Christie fan. I also thoroughly enjoyed that this is set in Sidney in neighborhoods like Balmoral Beach and Woolloomooloo, and written by an Australian author, thus littered with Aussie slang like 'goss' and 'arvo'. It's a really nice change of pace from the usual British treatment.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more in the series.
Of course the members start investigating, applying the guidance gleaned from Hercule Poirot in various Christie mysteries to finally solve the mystery of Barbara's disappearance and a few other events. Many Christie works and facts from her biography are interwoven into the plot, to great effect, at least to this Agatha Christie fan. I also thoroughly enjoyed that this is set in Sidney in neighborhoods like Balmoral Beach and Woolloomooloo, and written by an Australian author, thus littered with Aussie slang like 'goss' and 'arvo'. It's a really nice change of pace from the usual British treatment.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more in the series.
August 15, 2024
Decepción. Prosa insípida y misterio previsible, escrito todo ello desde un marco extremadamente conservador. Una cosa es que tus personajes amen los libros en papel y otra que pierdan el tiempo de aquí para allá cuando podrían hacer una simple búsqueda en Internet.
Normalmente trato de diferenciar cuándo un autor hace que su personaje se exprese de formas coherentes con su personalidad y cuándo habla desde su propia perspectiva. Tras terminar esta lectura, y viendo la ausencia de capacidad para dotar de vida a unos personajes planos como ellos solos, no me cabe duda de dónde vienen la colección de tópicos racistas, clasistas, homófobos y de otras clases que rechinan en el texto. La traducción tampoco es para tirar cohetes, pero el material de partida probablemente no tenía mucho arreglo.
Se lee rápido porque apenas tiene sustancia. Hay opciones mejores.
Normalmente trato de diferenciar cuándo un autor hace que su personaje se exprese de formas coherentes con su personalidad y cuándo habla desde su propia perspectiva. Tras terminar esta lectura, y viendo la ausencia de capacidad para dotar de vida a unos personajes planos como ellos solos, no me cabe duda de dónde vienen la colección de tópicos racistas, clasistas, homófobos y de otras clases que rechinan en el texto. La traducción tampoco es para tirar cohetes, pero el material de partida probablemente no tenía mucho arreglo.
Se lee rápido porque apenas tiene sustancia. Hay opciones mejores.
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