The Big Bow Mystery

I get the historical significance (especially as relates to Agatha Christie) but this is less a mystery than a social comedy, with more devoted to commentary on the public, the politicians and the characters's behaviour than to the mystery elements. It also reads like a penny dreadful, with high (melo)drama every time there is anything of significance to relate. Yes it is nearly 130 years old, but it feels every day of those 130 years. Interesting historical artifact, but not a great mystery, nor a very accomplished novel.