CLOSED March 2014 - Towards Zero

[Renee]

Just finished this one last night and though I really enjoyed it I have to agree with everyone else that the romance of Audrey and Angus seemed forced. They don't know each other at all and only met that day. The other couple (Mary and Tom) you can see growing closer throughout the book, but this one came out of left field. I wasn't sure about Tom's real feelings though and thought he still was in love with Audrey.

The ending was bizarre in the way that Battle never really solved the crime, and Angus MacWhirter lied about what he saw to get the murderer to confess to his crime.

I never thought about Nevile being the killer until a couple things came out at the end about Audrey actually leaving him and not the other way around and I then remembered that he was alone that night after he left the house and nobody actually saw him and Latimer together until after eleven o'clock. Overall, I enjoyed it and I loved all the characters.

[Renee]

Mitali wrote: "Hey folks! How exactly do these Book of the Month threads work? Do we start reading the books at the beginning of the month (i.e. on 1st March for this one) or finish it before then, and start disc..."

I'm reading and commenting as I catch up on earlier books. At times, (like now) I'll fall behind a bit on the book of the month and just catch up and comment when I can. That's what I like about these book clubs here on Goodreads. If you fall behind it's no big deal because you can always come back to it and comment when you're finished.

[Vatsala]

just read the book.Must say one of the best Christie I have ever read :) :) :) from the title of the book to the end of the plot where Battle makes the connection to his own daughters confession, i simply loved it.

The character of Audrey was not so likeable but Lady Tressilian, Ms. Mary and Mr.Treves were good.

[Louise]

Brad wrote: "Sharla wrote: "Brad wrote: "Mitali wrote: "Brad wrote: "I agree so much with your very insightful commentary, and if I can figure out again how to do that spoiler thing, I'll talk more in detail! T..."

there are positive jewish characters in Christie's books, like in peril at End house for instance. And three Act Tragedy. And in The Seven Dials mystery, the sinister foreigners turn out to be the good guys. And in Cat Among the Pigeons there is a sympathetic Muslim character. i think actually Christie was quite accepting of other cultures.

[Carolyn F.]

I listened to this because it's the first book in a set and I needed to listen to Oredal by Innocence. I enjoyed it. I did the usual, "I think I read/watched this." So, constantly during the audiobook I would think oh, that's the killer. No wait, that's the killer, I'm sure now. Hang on, I just remembered the killer. Until he was finally revealed. Ugh!

[Louise]

Carol wrote: "Denise wrote: "Brad wrote: "Denise, I agree that the romantic pairing off at the end is the weakest thing about Towards Zero! I almost expect young love to triumph in a Poirot mystery: he boasts ab..."

Think Angus is a good character, i like his common sense and the way he takes charge at the end. i think he and Audrey will be very happy together.

[Carolyn F.]

Me too. It was instant but it seemed sincere to me.

[Mitali]

Louise wrote: "Think Angus is a good character, i like his common sense and the way he takes charge at the end. i think he and Audrey will be very happy together."

He's not a bad character, but I really wish he had been introduced to the story a little earlier (not counting his suicide attempt itself). It feels like he just turns up in the last act and hijacks the investigation - not to mention, the entire narrative - from under Superintendent Batttle's nose.