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Hamlet, Revenge! (Sir John Appleby, #2)

Michael Innes

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Feb 10, 2014 Leslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british, mysteries

Innes takes his time setting the stage, introducing us to (most of) the cast of characters in what is essentially an English country house murder mystery with a twist, as Scamnum Court is closer to a castle than a house and the Duke and Duchess of Horton have over 200 house guests (with associated servants). The pace picks up considerably once the murder occurs (during an amateur performance of Hamlet), and Inspector Appleby is sent to investigate by none other than the Prime Minister himself as ...more

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Jul 06, 2017 Jill rated it it was ok

Shelves: michael-innes

Seems I'm in the minority here, but this book just didn't appeal to me. I know the author has to set the scene at the beginning , but this went on for 25% before anything actually got underway. I thought the quoting of Shakespeare was put in for padding , where he could have said the play commenced. I admit I had no idea who was the murderer, but by that time I had given up caring. I have read the first book in the series and that introduced Appleby to me, who I quite liked , even though he did ...more

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Jan 24, 2013 John Frankham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-detective

One of the earliest and best (Sir) John Appleby detective novels (1937). A murder during an amateur Hamlet at a country house.

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Jul 08, 2017 Sandy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-classic, rread-2017

Very interesting writing style but wordy and flowery with a great deal of repetition. The interaction between the two main characters is great. The plot is convoluted and the solution is a bit unsatisfactory. The use of the play Hamlet is interesting. Enjoyable read but takes more time and thought than most 'golden age' mysteries. ...more

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