Towards Zero

View other editions of Towards Zero.
View books by Agatha Christie.

An overlooked classic - Rated
I have been a Christie fan for 35 years, and I agree with the previous reviewer. To my mind this is one of the best books she ever wrote. Perhaps because it does not feature Poirot or Marple it never really seems to get the attention it deserves. Christie is often criticised for being Plot Plot Plot and precious little atmosphere. It is suggested that creating a convincing atmosphere is beyond her. Well this is the book which disproves that theory. You could cut the atmosphere in this one with a knife. From the word go a strange, menacing, almost dreamlike aura hangs over this book. It is, apart from a (very) tangenital similarity to 'Murder Is Easy' in terms of motivation, quite unlike anything else she wrote. It seems to be one of those Christies that readers come to half-heartedly once they have exhausted the Poirots and Marples but I would place it pretty high on her list of classic titles, in fact I am not sure that I wouldn't place it at number one!

One of Christie's vey best. - Rated
Towards Zero is one of Agatha Christie's very best books. The characterisation is excellent with lots of well drawn rounded characters. The setting of the cornish coast in September is also very atmospeheric.

However this book is so good as Christie places the main murder late on in the book viewing, as is the case,murder being the end of a series of events rather than the start.

The solution is totally unexpected but if you look back through the book and the characters it is the only possible solution that would work.

A true classic

Towards Zero - Rated
Disappointing. Christie sets up an interesting plot but fails to do anything with it. The book feels as if it's all beginning but no middle. When the murders come they feel tacked on.

A real letdown. A good idea wasted due to lack of development.

More twists and turns than a maze! - Rated
This is story features one of Agatha Christie's lesser known detectives, Superintendent Battle who is in five of Agatha Christie's novels.

Althought this story starts off slowly it builds up pace after the first dead body turns up.

Christie manages to build up the suspense and distrust. After the first death is put down to a bad heart you know that there is more to it than is being said.

As you make your way to the end the story is filled with red herrings and twists so that when I finally got to the reason behind the murder I was totally surprised. The Motive behind the murder has to be one of Agatha Christie's most evil and most impressive. And even though it's not one of the best Agatha Christie it is one to be read again!