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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is probably 3.5/5, but I think the short story format really helps for these stories, and honestly I'm coming off reading a few books in a row that I struggled to find enjoyable things in, so this is a relief.
That said, it's frontloaded with racism and misogyny, which I am unfortunately discovering seems to be typical of Christie's works.
I think these stories are deceptive, for my simple brain at least, because they seem to be clearly setting up the obvious solution, and even knowing where the false lead lies, I remain pleasantly surprised by the actual reveal. A couple of them to the extent that they're cheating at being a good mystery (a good mystery should always present all the relevant information before the reveal, so that it's possible for the reader to solve it themselves).
But the whole reason these stories are fun is not only Poirot, who I am continuing to be so fond of (he's so fastidious and so arrogant I love it). The Hastings & Poirot dynamic is fascinating, because it's not a Holmes & Watson situation; Hastings has some deep resentment at times, that goes far beyond momentary hurt at his partner's insults. Yet they live together! I'm so invested in this complicated relationship between them.
That said, it's frontloaded with racism and misogyny, which I am unfortunately discovering seems to be typical of Christie's works.
I think these stories are deceptive, for my simple brain at least, because they seem to be clearly setting up the obvious solution, and even knowing where the false lead lies, I remain pleasantly surprised by the actual reveal. A couple of them to the extent that they're cheating at being a good mystery (a good mystery should always present all the relevant information before the reveal, so that it's possible for the reader to solve it themselves).
But the whole reason these stories are fun is not only Poirot, who I am continuing to be so fond of (he's so fastidious and so arrogant I love it). The Hastings & Poirot dynamic is fascinating, because it's not a Holmes & Watson situation; Hastings has some deep resentment at times, that goes far beyond momentary hurt at his partner's insults. Yet they live together! I'm so invested in this complicated relationship between them.
I enjoyed this collection of short stories featuring Poirot. He’s such a fun character - so full of himself, but has every reason to be!
- The Adventure of "The Western Star"
- The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
- The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
- The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge
- The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
- The Kidnapped Prime Minister
- The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
- The Case of the Missing Will
- The Veiled Lady
- The Lost Mine
- The Chocolate Box
The last three stories are narrated by Hugh Fraser. The rest are performed by David Suchet.
- The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
- The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
- The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge
- The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
- The Kidnapped Prime Minister
- The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
- The Case of the Missing Will
- The Veiled Lady
- The Lost Mine
- The Chocolate Box
The last three stories are narrated by Hugh Fraser. The rest are performed by David Suchet.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
slow-paced
The first short story collecting starring the amazing grey cells of Hercule Poirot and his ever faithful sidekick Captain Arthur Hastings.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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