Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

by Bill Phillips, Chris Stewart, Kristin Marsicano, and Brian Gardner
Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Technical
  • ID: 5131
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
refhub.ir · Unknown · 2025-10-24
entertaining 3.50

The reviewer enjoyed 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' by Agatha Christie, finding it a quick and entertaining Yuletide murder mystery. They appreciated the gruesome murder scene and the clever revelation of the murderer, though they noted the characters were typecast caricatures.

The reviewer found 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' to be a seasonal melodrama with a gruesome murder scene that added a thrilling element to the story. The characters were typecast caricatures, but the revelation of the murderer was clever and satisfying. The setting was not as festive as expected, but the story's over-the-top nature was enjoyable, especially during the Christmas season when readers are more indulgent. The reviewer appreciated the clever use of red herrings and the audacious effort by the murderer, making the story a fun and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    This could be called catastrophe at Christmas time.

    Of course it's almost farcical that Lydia would have been cool and collected enough to drop such a corny line at such a shocking moment, rather than just a one-word oath or a scream.

    I was pleased with the revelation of the murderer. I'd truly been wondering how Christie could pull off her Wow! factor with such standard suspects, any of whom would elicit a 'Meh,' from me.

oreilly.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
disappointing 2.50

The reviewer found 'Hercule Poirot’s Christmas' by Agatha Christie underwhelming, noting that the mystery's predictability and repetitive nature detracted from their enjoyment. They appreciated the unique setting and characters but felt the plot was too familiar and lacked originality.

The reviewer approached 'Hercule Poirot’s Christmas' with cautious optimism, as it was part of a list of recommended Christmas books. However, they found the book to be somewhat disappointing. The mystery's predictability and the repetitive nature of the genre made it less engaging. They appreciated the unique setting in the English countryside and the dysfunctional family dynamics, but felt that the plot was too familiar and lacked the freshness needed to keep them fully invested. The reviewer also noted that some clues were obscured by the writing style and cultural differences, which added to their frustration. Despite this, they acknowledged that the book has historical significance and that Agatha Christie's work has influenced many modern mysteries.

Quick quotes

    I was not super impressed with _Hercule Poirot’s Christmas_ by Agatha Christie.

    Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many murder mystery movies, by which I mean not really that many but enough of the really popular/good ones to understand the genre and therefore know what’s up.

    I knew some of the _how_ before I got to the end, but I did not know the _who_.

thectoclub.com · Unknown · 2024-12-23
mixed 3.50

The reviewer has mixed feelings about this Poirot book, finding the plot and characters fantastic but Poirot himself lacking personality and flair. Despite this, they recommend it for fans of Christie or golden age detective novels.

The reviewer enjoyed the plot and characters in this Poirot novel, finding them well-written and engaging. However, they felt that Poirot lacked personality and that his methods were too formulaic, making the story predictable. The other characters were praised for their strong personalities and the way they interacted with each other. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer would still recommend the book to fans of Christie or golden age detective novels, as it is a clever and well-written mystery.

Quick quotes

    I have mixed feelings about this particular Poirot book. On one hand, I feel like it’s a little formulaic and Poirot seems to lack personality but, on the other hand, I feel like the concept of the plot and the rest of the characters are fantastic.

    The other characters are, compared to Poirot, over exaggerated but their strong personalities are a bright spot in the novel.

    While this may not be my favourite Poirot novel, it is still a very solid mystery and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a Christie novel or a golden age detective novel.

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