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mariahmmm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
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? No
3.0
A collection of three new short stories and a reproduction of four older short stories investigated by Agatha Christie's two famous detectives- Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
These are some of their better mysteries, most with intriguing and complex plots, and surprising solutions.
1. NEW: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Poirot)- 4 stars
When the Prince's ruby goes missing, Poirot is shipped off to rural English countryside for Christmas with the suspects.
This was a fantastic mystery with good red herrings and a theatrical solution.
2. OLD: The Mystery of the Spanish Chest (Poirot)- 4 stars
A murdered husband in a wooden chest with only one clear suspect, but not according to Poirot.
The 1991 David Suchet TV episode had a slightly more fantastical and believable modus operandi, but nonetheless this was still very entertaining. Also published in "The Regatta Mystery and other stories" as "The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest".
3. NEW: The Under Dog (Poirot)- 3 stars
Intrigued by a woman's intuition and another's hesitancy for his involvement, Poirot agrees to investigate the brutal bludgeoning of Sir Reuben.
Poirot plays a drawn-out theatrical cat and mouse game to nab the murderer, even after it is quite clear who that is.
4. OLD: Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Poirot)- 3 stars
A sudden inexplicable change in a regular customer's diner order just before his unsuspicious death attracts Poirot's attention.
How odd that post mortems at the time didn't routinely investigate what was in the contents of the stomach. The timeline, and thus motive, was a little hard to follow. Also published in "Three Blind Mice and other stories" as "Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds".
5. OLD: The Dream (Poirot)- 3 stars
A man is found dead days after confiding in Poirot of a recurring suicide dream, but is it suicide or murder?
This is one of the more obvious mysteries as only one answer seemed possible, but still was an interesting read. The 1989 David Suchet TV episode extends this out and gives it a more mysterious feel. Also published in "The Regatta Mystery and other stories" under the same name.
6. NEW: Greenshaw's Folly (Miss Marple)- 4 stars
When tragedy strikes soon after Miss Marple's nephew, Raymond West, witnesses old Mrs Greenshaw sign her will, Miss Marple lends a listening ear to the case.
Typical with any Miss Marple, most of the story goes toward setting the atmosphere and detailing the personalities and lives of the characters. However, the mystery is one of her best and the murderer would surely have gotten away without Miss Marple's wisdom.
These are some of their better mysteries, most with intriguing and complex plots, and surprising solutions.
1. NEW: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Poirot)- 4 stars
When the Prince's ruby goes missing, Poirot is shipped off to rural English countryside for Christmas with the suspects.
This was a fantastic mystery with good red herrings and a theatrical solution.
2. OLD: The Mystery of the Spanish Chest (Poirot)- 4 stars
A murdered husband in a wooden chest with only one clear suspect, but not according to Poirot.
The 1991 David Suchet TV episode had a slightly more fantastical and believable modus operandi, but nonetheless this was still very entertaining. Also published in "The Regatta Mystery and other stories" as "The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest".
3. NEW: The Under Dog (Poirot)- 3 stars
Intrigued by a woman's intuition and another's hesitancy for his involvement, Poirot agrees to investigate the brutal bludgeoning of Sir Reuben.
Poirot plays a drawn-out theatrical cat and mouse game to nab the murderer, even after it is quite clear who that is.
4. OLD: Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Poirot)- 3 stars
A sudden inexplicable change in a regular customer's diner order just before his unsuspicious death attracts Poirot's attention.
How odd that post mortems at the time didn't routinely investigate what was in the contents of the stomach. The timeline, and thus motive, was a little hard to follow. Also published in "Three Blind Mice and other stories" as "Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds".
5. OLD: The Dream (Poirot)- 3 stars
A man is found dead days after confiding in Poirot of a recurring suicide dream, but is it suicide or murder?
This is one of the more obvious mysteries as only one answer seemed possible, but still was an interesting read. The 1989 David Suchet TV episode extends this out and gives it a more mysterious feel. Also published in "The Regatta Mystery and other stories" under the same name.
6. NEW: Greenshaw's Folly (Miss Marple)- 4 stars
When tragedy strikes soon after Miss Marple's nephew, Raymond West, witnesses old Mrs Greenshaw sign her will, Miss Marple lends a listening ear to the case.
Typical with any Miss Marple, most of the story goes toward setting the atmosphere and detailing the personalities and lives of the characters. However, the mystery is one of her best and the murderer would surely have gotten away without Miss Marple's wisdom.
freckleduck's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed how seasonal this book was and I enjoyed the mystery.
dimminglight's review against another edition
2.0
I really like blackberry, greenshaw's folly, and dream. It got the same premise, which is playing a role of the people that got killed. This book is not my favorite, but it was okay
rosieclaverton's review against another edition
5.0
Christie's short stories are excellent - just enough setup, mostly fixed POV, and satisfying puzzles.
_izzi_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kingarooski's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful collection of Agatha Christie's Poirot short stories:
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The Under Dog
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
The Dream
Poirot is his usual eclectic self and solves the mysteries in an entertaining fashion. The stories are of a perfect length and ideal for this time of year.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The Under Dog
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
The Dream
Poirot is his usual eclectic self and solves the mysteries in an entertaining fashion. The stories are of a perfect length and ideal for this time of year.
emerion's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
shazzalovesnovels's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
"Motive and opportunity are not enough" said Poirot. "There must also be the criminal temperament!"
Once again I find it difficult to rate Christie's short story collection higher than two stars. They just don't work in that format, there's not enough time to properly flesh out a mystery so it comes off as clairvoyance on the part of the detective/mystery solver and the reader just sits back and watches it unfold but never gets to take part.
I enjoyed the story The Dream the most, because it had such a fascinating premise, that I believe foreshadows a later Poirot book 👀.
Once again I find it difficult to rate Christie's short story collection higher than two stars. They just don't work in that format, there's not enough time to properly flesh out a mystery so it comes off as clairvoyance on the part of the detective/mystery solver and the reader just sits back and watches it unfold but never gets to take part.
I enjoyed the story The Dream the most, because it had such a fascinating premise, that I believe foreshadows a later Poirot book 👀.
sillybillybooklover's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A collection of short stories, ideal for a cosy afternoon read. Given the length, they lack depth but are nonetheless enjoyable, cleverly crafted mysteries.