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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The book follows Hastings and Poirot through a series of smaller mysteries connected to 'The Big Four'. The majority of the book follows the same formula of them finding a case, then realizing it's connected to one of the main antagonists. The big four consist of #1 Chinaman Li Chang Yen 'The Brain',#2 American Abe Ryland '$', #3 Frenchwoman Scientist Madame Olivier, and #4 'The Destroyer' Claud Darrell.
The overall plot of the book is simple, Poirot is obsessed with this 'Big Four' and every case he takes somehow leads back to this world superpower. Thankfully, the book is told from the perspective of Hastings, who is very likable imo, so it was a nice balance to the simple plot. I thankfully checked out a few reviews before reading, so I was prepared for the short story style of story. It's BEST to think of this book like a crime TV show where every episode has it's own plot, until 70% of the way through the season, the REAL plot begins. While not groundbreaking by any means, it was still interesting throughout because Hastings THANKFULLY skipped any boring bits. Towards the end I did find that I was just waiting for the story to end because Poirot's solutions for certain situations were just SO ridiculous and unbelieveable that it annoyed me. I did like that Countess Vera Rossakoff made a reappearance at the end BUT I did not like Poirot's final trump card of.... finding her long lost son and BUYING him and keeping him in a safe house months in advance just in case i guess......?? Keep in mind I didn't even think that him faking his own death was all that unbelievable, but this ending just grated on my last nerve. Seriously just a crap ending to a story that was barely hanging on anyways.
Because of the ending, and overall over-exaggerations of cleverness in Poirot's 'solutions' this would've sat at 2 stars for me. Thankfully I really like Hastings as a narrator and character, so he alone brings this up to 2.5 stars.
As far as Christie's go I think this one is skippable. As far as 'un-Christie' Christe's go, I wouldn't waste my time with this one if I were you, pick up 'Endless Night' instead if you want to read a great 'un-Christie' Christie.
The overall plot of the book is simple, Poirot is obsessed with this 'Big Four' and every case he takes somehow leads back to this world superpower. Thankfully, the book is told from the perspective of Hastings, who is very likable imo, so it was a nice balance to the simple plot. I thankfully checked out a few reviews before reading, so I was prepared for the short story style of story. It's BEST to think of this book like a crime TV show where every episode has it's own plot, until 70% of the way through the season, the REAL plot begins. While not groundbreaking by any means, it was still interesting throughout because Hastings THANKFULLY skipped any boring bits. Towards the end I did find that I was just waiting for the story to end because Poirot's solutions for certain situations were just SO ridiculous and unbelieveable that it annoyed me.
Because of the ending, and overall over-exaggerations of cleverness in Poirot's 'solutions' this would've sat at 2 stars for me. Thankfully I really like Hastings as a narrator and character, so he alone brings this up to 2.5 stars.
As far as Christie's go I think this one is skippable. As far as 'un-Christie' Christe's go, I wouldn't waste my time with this one if I were you, pick up 'Endless Night' instead if you want to read a great 'un-Christie' Christie.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️ 3
This book is literally the James Bond of Hercule Poirot mysteries
I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it
If I took a shot everytime Hastings was knocked out in this book, I’d be blackout by now
This book is literally the James Bond of Hercule Poirot mysteries
I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it
If I took a shot everytime Hastings was knocked out in this book, I’d be blackout by now
Very fun, minus all the weird oriental stuff in the middle
Haha, I didn’t realize this one was so early, since Poirot kept talking about retiring. But it kinda feels like a series of vignettes showcasing his many genius ways and quirks. Not my favorite, but it was still fun.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No