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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
(Audio) One of the most un-Poirot Poirots there is. Poirot is almost a Bondesque catcher of villains, equipped with smart gadgets, clever disguises, and loyal sidekicks, ready to save the world. No wonder Christie wanted to forcibly retire him after this - if all other novels that followed had been in the same vein, the series would've indeed become insufferable.
As such, I'm very glad Christie tried her hand at this (it really is different!) but I'm even gladder she eventually accepted that Poirot is an armchair detective: his "order and method" are based on conversation, observation and information, which is exactly why we love him.
As such, I'm very glad Christie tried her hand at this (it really is different!) but I'm even gladder she eventually accepted that Poirot is an armchair detective: his "order and method" are based on conversation, observation and information, which is exactly why we love him.
Possibly started from the worst Christie book. Others have stated that this subject of world wide conspiracy theories is too big for her and I definitely understand why. Overall ridiculous and too fast paced. The worst : not at all believable.
The Big Four was so full of twists & turns, I was dizzy! Just when I thought the culprits were about to be caught, something would change, or Poirot's plans would change (or move on to stage two - he never really spelled out his plans to Hastings). Then I'd look at what percentage was left in my ebook & wonder what more havoc could be wrought. The red herrings were so great, too! I really enjoyed the adventure! Agatha Christie kept me guessing the whole time & I never saw what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the bit of world politics, & I usually don't enjoy politics. I loved the idea of a small group of people bent on world domination, & only Hercule Poirot & his "little grey cells" can stop them...with a little unwitting help from Hastings.
No one ever talks about the humor in Christie's novels. Her characters reference how detective novels & movies are innacurate, which I find very funny.
No one ever talks about the humor in Christie's novels. Her characters reference how detective novels & movies are innacurate, which I find very funny.
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve read several Poirot novels already, but decided this year to read through them in order. In this one, Christie branches out into the arena of espionage and conspiracy theories and I loved it! As always, the little quips Poirot makes to his good friend, Captain Hastings crack me up. Another great Christie novel, in my opinion!
This one was boring and hard to follow. Nothing really made sense, and Christie did not hold back on how much she hated Poirot… there are better ones, this one was just available at my library (for a reason ….)
I think this might be my favorite out of all the Hercule Poirot I’ve read!
4 stars for creativity! So unlike the other Poirot mysteries and in THAT way it really shines. The international organization attempting to control the world was much more James Bond than the usual stuff Poirot encounters, but it was a fun trail to follow. And Hastings! I love the Poirot + Hastings formula! Thank goodness Poirot does not retire as he considers at the end of this one :)
I loved it.
The Big Four isn't like other books I've read by Agatha Christie. It's more of a thriller than a mystery and it does include some rather fantastic ideas about science, evil villains, and organized crime. If you are the sort of person that dislikes that sort of thing I can see how you wouldn't enjoy this novel.
It isn't a whodunit and it isn't a quiet mystery that takes place in the countryside like so many of Christie's other works.
But I loved it. The dialogue was fantastic and it was good to see Captain Hastings again - the lovable fool he is.
Definitely a favorite of mine.
The Big Four isn't like other books I've read by Agatha Christie. It's more of a thriller than a mystery and it does include some rather fantastic ideas about science, evil villains, and organized crime. If you are the sort of person that dislikes that sort of thing I can see how you wouldn't enjoy this novel.
It isn't a whodunit and it isn't a quiet mystery that takes place in the countryside like so many of Christie's other works.
But I loved it. The dialogue was fantastic and it was good to see Captain Hastings again - the lovable fool he is.
Definitely a favorite of mine.
