LemonSky reviewed Speak No Evil by Mignon Good Eberhart
Review of 'Speak No Evil' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I was really disappointed with this book. Mignon G. Eberhart (MGE)was a prolific and popular mystery writer. Her career from 1929 to 1988. I have read several of her books and liked them. However, this one is an exception.
After her father's death, Elizabeth married Robert Dakin, who was more than twice her age. He was more of a father figure than a husband. Elizabeth did not love Robert, and quickly learned his dark secret - he was a violent alcoholic. When he drank, he became abusive - and he drank more and more as time went on. Elizabeth had been infatuated with Robert's nephew and heir, Dyke Sanderson, who shows up suddenly. Soon Robert's secretary (and probable mistress) Ruth and his former wife, Charmian, also show up. In addition, Cyril Kirby, their British friend, is present. It is not long before there are arguments and recriminations - and Elizabeth …
I was really disappointed with this book. Mignon G. Eberhart (MGE)was a prolific and popular mystery writer. Her career from 1929 to 1988. I have read several of her books and liked them. However, this one is an exception.
After her father's death, Elizabeth married Robert Dakin, who was more than twice her age. He was more of a father figure than a husband. Elizabeth did not love Robert, and quickly learned his dark secret - he was a violent alcoholic. When he drank, he became abusive - and he drank more and more as time went on. Elizabeth had been infatuated with Robert's nephew and heir, Dyke Sanderson, who shows up suddenly. Soon Robert's secretary (and probable mistress) Ruth and his former wife, Charmian, also show up. In addition, Cyril Kirby, their British friend, is present. It is not long before there are arguments and recriminations - and Elizabeth finds Robert found dying of a gunshot. Obviously, the killer is one of the guests or a member of the household.
I give points to MGE for concealing the facts of the murder so well. I didn't figure out who did it or how. The problem is, by the end of the book, I didn't really CARE. Elizabeth is an extremely stupid, naive young woman who just wants a man to do all her thinking for her since she's in capable of it herself. With Robert gone, she really is clueless about everything. I couldn't understand why the inspector kept thinking she was a suspect. I kept hoping she would be the next victim. I'm not spoiling anything by saying she's not, though that should not be a surprise. I thought about giving this three stars, but I just could not qualify that.
If you want to read a book by MGE, I suggest "Five Passengers from Lisbon." It is much better written and very suspenseful.