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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Giving it four stars just because I accurately guessed who the murderer was before the book ended. Not one of the better Poirot books. Amazing psychological profiling though.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
The first time I read this, I rated it three stars because I thought it moved slowly and was boring. I reluctantly picked it up again a year or two later, and was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually was. Then, this past week I reread it for the third time and was stunned at just how good it was. This book gets better and better - I don't know if that's because I wait a few years before returning to it and see things I missed the last time around, or if it's because the older I've gotten the more I've understood and enjoyed, or if it's because my tastes have changed, but whatever it is, this book is so well-written and compelling.
Part of what I like about the book is that it takes place in one spot (they don't travel much after the first few chapters), and it's set in a place outside of England (Petra, Jordan). It's also a relatively quick read, and has a very distinct vibe to it. In some places, it's got a very eerie, foreboding, gloomy, overshadowing, stifling feeling to it, because it centers around a controlling, gas-lighting, mentally abusive, sadistic mother and the seven "children" who live under her control. As it's the first time they've been allowed to travel, it's both a breath of fresh air and adventure, as well as a wake-up call to the reality of the prison she's kept them in - one of the most interesting aspects of this book is how it dwells on each of them and how they react to this realization, and what comes out of this painful awareness to their unusual circumstances. Wanting to get out and break free, desperate for a life outside of the house/prison they'll go back to, and convinced that this is the only chance they have of leaving, you see each individual person make an effort or plan to break free, mentally and/or physically. No matter what they try or how hard their effort is to get help from the outside, they are continually stopped and imprisoned by the mother's mental control over them. Subduing them and giving them no hope makes them even more desperate and determined in a fatalistic, defeatist way. Willing to do anything, risk anything, in order to escape, the children start forming plans, and the story begins.
You do have to slog through the interrogations some, but they're actually better than the majority of interrogations in Christie's books. It's a much quicker, easier read than I remembered. The murder was intricate and complicated, and the more Poirot points out the flaws, or the things that don't match up, the more you realize how scattered and confusing the whole thing is - how many loose threads are not tying up, how many of them have no alibi and multiple ways to do it, and each one is cast in a dubious light. Like most Agatha Christies, you have to pay careful attention to the wordplay going on between the murderer and Hercule Poirot, and the little hints Christie drops, to accurately guess the murderer.
After finishing it for the third time, I have now become a huge fan of this book and can't wait to revisit it in a couple of years. The way Poirot goes over each and every character's opportunities and motives is fascinating, and mind-boggling. There are so many motives and so much opportunity, yet so many things (as usual) that don't make sense if person x had been the one to do it. Poirot is constantly bringing up holes in every theory he puts out for every person, such as, "if she had done it, then why did she do xyz? If he really was guilty, there was no reason for him to do blahblahblah", and I love how much doubt and confusion Poirot brings to the table when he breaks it down. The end of the story walks us through his reasoning, and helps us think through each person's "process", but it still leaves us with more questions and more confusion as to who could have possibly carried it out.
The ending wraps everything up nicely, as usual, and we're left with a sense of satisfaction - justice has been, more or less, served. The murder was intricate, and in many ways could have gone undetected if the almighty Hercule Poirot had not been there. The story finishes with a "where are they now?" segment, and closes that chapter in their lives, leaving us with closure and optimism, and, in the end, a great appreciation for Christie's impeccable writing.
Part of what I like about the book is that it takes place in one spot (they don't travel much after the first few chapters), and it's set in a place outside of England (Petra, Jordan). It's also a relatively quick read, and has a very distinct vibe to it. In some places, it's got a very eerie, foreboding, gloomy, overshadowing, stifling feeling to it, because it centers around a controlling, gas-lighting, mentally abusive, sadistic mother and the seven "children" who live under her control. As it's the first time they've been allowed to travel, it's both a breath of fresh air and adventure, as well as a wake-up call to the reality of the prison she's kept them in - one of the most interesting aspects of this book is how it dwells on each of them and how they react to this realization, and what comes out of this painful awareness to their unusual circumstances. Wanting to get out and break free, desperate for a life outside of the house/prison they'll go back to, and convinced that this is the only chance they have of leaving, you see each individual person make an effort or plan to break free, mentally and/or physically. No matter what they try or how hard their effort is to get help from the outside, they are continually stopped and imprisoned by the mother's mental control over them. Subduing them and giving them no hope makes them even more desperate and determined in a fatalistic, defeatist way. Willing to do anything, risk anything, in order to escape, the children start forming plans, and the story begins.
You do have to slog through the interrogations some, but they're actually better than the majority of interrogations in Christie's books. It's a much quicker, easier read than I remembered. The murder was intricate and complicated, and the more Poirot points out the flaws, or the things that don't match up, the more you realize how scattered and confusing the whole thing is - how many loose threads are not tying up, how many of them have no alibi and multiple ways to do it, and each one is cast in a dubious light. Like most Agatha Christies, you have to pay careful attention to the wordplay going on between the murderer and Hercule Poirot, and the little hints Christie drops, to accurately guess the murderer.
After finishing it for the third time, I have now become a huge fan of this book and can't wait to revisit it in a couple of years. The way Poirot goes over each and every character's opportunities and motives is fascinating, and mind-boggling. There are so many motives and so much opportunity, yet so many things (as usual) that don't make sense if person x had been the one to do it. Poirot is constantly bringing up holes in every theory he puts out for every person, such as, "if she had done it, then why did she do xyz? If he really was guilty, there was no reason for him to do blahblahblah", and I love how much doubt and confusion Poirot brings to the table when he breaks it down. The end of the story walks us through his reasoning, and helps us think through each person's "process", but it still leaves us with more questions and more confusion as to who could have possibly carried it out.
The ending wraps everything up nicely, as usual, and we're left with a sense of satisfaction - justice has been, more or less, served. The murder was intricate, and in many ways could have gone undetected if the almighty Hercule Poirot had not been there. The story finishes with a "where are they now?" segment, and closes that chapter in their lives, leaving us with closure and optimism, and, in the end, a great appreciation for Christie's impeccable writing.
“You see, don’t you, that she’s got to be killed? ”utters Raymond Boyton and so begins 'Appointment with Death', the 19th novel in the Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie. This infamous line heralds the start of one of my favourite stories. With a sultry atmosphere and fear of the unknown, the buildup of the intensity commences from the opening pages.
Just what is happening with the Boyton family? How does Mrs. Boyton have such a bizarre hold over her children/in-law and why? Can the views of our doctors and American be trusted? There are so many questions to be answered, just as well that the great Hercule Poirot is on the trip!
Well, by the time that our intrepid travellers have arrived in Petra, there are several plans in place for the demise of the unpleasant Mrs. Boynton and the majority of characters seem to feel that she wouldn’t be much of a loss – just the opposite in fact!
Showing his rather fussy side, Poirot remains dressed rather for lunch in London than for the local climate and appears, in his white suit and shiny brogues – lamenting on numerous occasions about the state of his shoes due to the sand. It is typical of Poirot to be concerned with his appearance and I loved this humorous moments, which served to break the build up of tension for the reader.
Elaborate confrontation and cross-examination is of the strengths of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot is given the opportunity to execute one of his more elaborate cross-examinations and confirming to all that he is undeniably, "the greatest mind in Europe." Meanwhile, as the reader, all I could do was rapidly try to second guess Poirot and once again fail miserably. Perhaps one day, I will manage to successfully reach the solution ahead of him, but not today.
'Appointment with Death' is a wonderfully twisty tale with lots of red herrings and layers to keep you guessing. Read it and fall in love with the world of Poirot again.
As for me, I’ve remembered that as a child, I was fascinated with Jordan and am off to google the possibilities of visiting whenever the pandemic ends.
Just what is happening with the Boyton family? How does Mrs. Boyton have such a bizarre hold over her children/in-law and why? Can the views of our doctors and American be trusted? There are so many questions to be answered, just as well that the great Hercule Poirot is on the trip!
Well, by the time that our intrepid travellers have arrived in Petra, there are several plans in place for the demise of the unpleasant Mrs. Boynton and the majority of characters seem to feel that she wouldn’t be much of a loss – just the opposite in fact!
Showing his rather fussy side, Poirot remains dressed rather for lunch in London than for the local climate and appears, in his white suit and shiny brogues – lamenting on numerous occasions about the state of his shoes due to the sand. It is typical of Poirot to be concerned with his appearance and I loved this humorous moments, which served to break the build up of tension for the reader.
Elaborate confrontation and cross-examination is of the strengths of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot is given the opportunity to execute one of his more elaborate cross-examinations and confirming to all that he is undeniably, "the greatest mind in Europe." Meanwhile, as the reader, all I could do was rapidly try to second guess Poirot and once again fail miserably. Perhaps one day, I will manage to successfully reach the solution ahead of him, but not today.
'Appointment with Death' is a wonderfully twisty tale with lots of red herrings and layers to keep you guessing. Read it and fall in love with the world of Poirot again.
As for me, I’ve remembered that as a child, I was fascinated with Jordan and am off to google the possibilities of visiting whenever the pandemic ends.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One of my favorite of Christie's novels. The set-up for the murder is just SO GOOD. The victim is pure evil and so many people have motive, means, and opportunity. Some classic Poirot, a quick wrap-up, and a happy ending. Love it.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated