The novel feels purposefully crafted to keep readers guessing, but this intriguing concept becomes more of a headache, as the characters are unlikable and the writing style makes it difficult to gain investment in the building reveal ... A fun premise does not save the disjointed, convoluted mystery.
A mystery that feels inspired by Agatha Christie but leaves both the characters and the reader feeling somewhat off-kilter, never quite sure where fiction ends and reality begins.
This book is a workout, but for many readers it will be worth it ... The novel will likely divide readers: While the story requires much mental exertion, the ending doesn’t quite live up to the setup’s Christie-esque promise, and yet Pavesi is a fiendishly good, deliberate, and entertaining writer who augments his whimsical-macabre narrative with wordplay, amusingly barbed exchanges, and menacing figurative language.
