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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
3.5 Stars: While a very fun cast of characters, the ultimate reveal didn’t have enough build up to make for a satisfying ending.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hadn't read this one in a while, and it's a compelling read, particularly as it's one of those where the crime happens in the past, and Poirot shows up to pull the evidence together after the event. Forgot whodunnit and was subsequently taken by surprise (that time when a terrible memory is a good thing).
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
This was fun again!!
I was feeling like I was getting into a reading slump so I turned to Agatha to help me out. I am glad that I did because this was a really enjoyable read for me. Poirot is semi retired and finding himself rather bored. He has been spending his time enjoying the expensive cuisine when an old acquaintance reenters his life. Superintendent Spence meets with Poirot and tells him that he would like him to look into the James Bentley case where a guilty verdict was given for the murder of Mrs. McGinty. Even though Spence was the lead investigator and think James had a fair trial, he never thought he was actually guilty. He is hoping that Poirot can find something that he missed to free James or find solid evidence that shows the verdict is correct. Poirot agrees and travels to the small town of Bindhenny to investigate. I really enjoyed this one and thought that it was well done. I thought that the why was interesting. My two critiques was that there were too many characters that were introduced and it was very hard to keep track. I also missed Hastings. I definitely recommend this one if you are interested and the audio was well done.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Death of parent, Alcohol
Hercule Poirot has been called to solve the murder of an entirely ordinary woman, an aging cleaner, who was killed in her home presumably for the small amount of money taken from the home. It seems that only her lodger could have done it, and he's set to hang, but something isn't right.
Other than one last year, it's been a long time since I've read a Poirot or a Christie. I've picked up random ones or ones for the movies lately, and in the future I want to pay attention more than that and maybe start reading in order. I picked this one up specifically because I was lent my grandmother's copy!
Even to my amateur eye, this felt weird or different for a Poirot - turns out it is academically considered a weird Poirot. This is a "village mystery", which Christie usually reserved for Mrs. Marple. It feels much lower stakes and the people feel more ordinary, etc. I think the things that made this a village mystery made this less of a memorable one for me.
I thought that the parts with Poirot complaining about his lodgings were funny. I enjoyed seeing what turns out to be the first real introduction to Ariadne Oliver, Christie's caricature of herself. It was quite funny to see how frustrated she is with this person trying to adapt her work but changing everything, but also critiquing inaccuracies in her books. The mystery itself I was meh on. I did struggle to keep people straight because most of our characters are people of extremely similar descriptions (namely several women in their 30's). I feel like there were fewer clues floating around. And I was ultimately faked out by whodunnit; I think it was something that'd fool modern audiences even more than those at the time. It's not a well-known Poirot for a reason, I think.
Overall, this was a bit mundane for a Poirot and I'm not sure I will find it very memorable, but I was fooled by the twist.
Other than one last year, it's been a long time since I've read a Poirot or a Christie. I've picked up random ones or ones for the movies lately, and in the future I want to pay attention more than that and maybe start reading in order. I picked this one up specifically because I was lent my grandmother's copy!
Even to my amateur eye, this felt weird or different for a Poirot - turns out it is academically considered a weird Poirot. This is a "village mystery", which Christie usually reserved for Mrs. Marple. It feels much lower stakes and the people feel more ordinary, etc. I think the things that made this a village mystery made this less of a memorable one for me.
I thought that the parts with Poirot complaining about his lodgings were funny. I enjoyed seeing what turns out to be the first real introduction to Ariadne Oliver, Christie's caricature of herself. It was quite funny to see how frustrated she is with this person trying to adapt her work but changing everything, but also critiquing inaccuracies in her books. The mystery itself I was meh on. I did struggle to keep people straight because most of our characters are people of extremely similar descriptions (namely several women in their 30's). I feel like there were fewer clues floating around. And I was ultimately faked out by whodunnit; I think it was something that'd fool modern audiences even more than those at the time. It's not a well-known Poirot for a reason, I think.
Overall, this was a bit mundane for a Poirot and I'm not sure I will find it very memorable, but I was fooled by the twist.
3.5 stars
Solid Christie mystery, love how she always keeps me guessing! Just a lot of characters to keep track of, per usual.
Solid Christie mystery, love how she always keeps me guessing! Just a lot of characters to keep track of, per usual.