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I really enjoyed this short story collection, I always enjoy reading short murder mystery stories. I was a bit disappointed that only the first one seemed to be Christmassy when I was expecting them all to be festive stories. I did really enjoy all the stories and it made me want to read more Agatha Christie as I love her writing style. Some of the mysteries felt very similar to Sherlock Holmes with things that seem impossible and then when it is all figured out and laid in front of you makes a lot of sense. Overall a good collection of stories mostly Hercule Poirot but one Miss Marple.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A cozy holiday mystery with classic Poirot charm
Love a quick little mystery story! This one wasn’t as clever as some of her other Poirot stories but still a good one for the season.
Okay, so The Adventure of Christmas Pudding is a bit like a box of assorted chocolates—you’ve got a mix of six short stories, five starring the ever-dashing Hercule Poirot and one (yes, one!) starring Miss Marple! Honestly, I feel like I might just have to go on a Miss Marple marathon now. But I digress—back to the book.
For a collection of short stories, this one was surprisingly fun. The first three stories, in particular, were the highlights for me, with plenty of classic Hercule Poirot moments to savour. And then, of course, Miss Marple’s cameo in the last one was like the cherry on top of a Christmas pudding (pun intended, because this book is festive).
However, and here’s the catch—each story left me wanting more. It’s like getting a taste of something amazing, but then being told, “That’s it, all done!” I could see these little mysteries blossoming into full-blown novels with more suspense, twists, and character development. But within the short-story format, it’s like they were cut off before they could get rolling.
Verdict? Even with its limitations, this collection is still a fun read. It’s perfect for when you want something quick and satisfying but don’t mind a bit of what could have been. Highly recommend giving it a shot if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s signature wit and charm—just don’t expect it to keep you on the edge of your seat for too long.
For a collection of short stories, this one was surprisingly fun. The first three stories, in particular, were the highlights for me, with plenty of classic Hercule Poirot moments to savour. And then, of course, Miss Marple’s cameo in the last one was like the cherry on top of a Christmas pudding (pun intended, because this book is festive).
However, and here’s the catch—each story left me wanting more. It’s like getting a taste of something amazing, but then being told, “That’s it, all done!” I could see these little mysteries blossoming into full-blown novels with more suspense, twists, and character development. But within the short-story format, it’s like they were cut off before they could get rolling.
Verdict? Even with its limitations, this collection is still a fun read. It’s perfect for when you want something quick and satisfying but don’t mind a bit of what could have been. Highly recommend giving it a shot if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s signature wit and charm—just don’t expect it to keep you on the edge of your seat for too long.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-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
mysterious
fast-paced
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So Christmassy and cozy. The perfect read this time of year <3
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest -⭐⭐⭐⭐
I LOVED the premise and the resolution of this one. I thought it was quite clever!
The Underdog - ⭐⭐⭐
Meh. Its saving grace was George, who I wish teamed up with Poirot as a permanent duo.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds - ⭐⭐
I thought the premise was really interesting, and liked the buildup of suspense. I found the reveal to be a bit silly and not realistic enough to believe!
The Dream - ⭐⭐⭐
Just okay. I liked the set-up a lot.
Greenshaw's Folly - ⭐⭐
Interesting characters and murder! Again, the ending was too silly and unrealistic to me.
So Christmassy and cozy. The perfect read this time of year <3
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest -⭐⭐⭐⭐
I LOVED the premise and the resolution of this one. I thought it was quite clever!
The Underdog - ⭐⭐⭐
Meh. Its saving grace was George, who I wish teamed up with Poirot as a permanent duo.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds - ⭐⭐
I thought the premise was really interesting, and liked the buildup of suspense. I found the reveal to be a bit silly and not realistic enough to believe!
The Dream - ⭐⭐⭐
Just okay. I liked the set-up a lot.
Greenshaw's Folly - ⭐⭐
Interesting characters and murder! Again, the ending was too silly and unrealistic to me.