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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
mysterious
medium-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
All Agatha Christie is good Agatha Christie. However, not all Agatha Christie is created equal. Cards on the Table isn't my favourite Poirot but it's not my least favourite either. I do often wonder if I'd enjoy this story more if I understood bridge. That's not to say that it isn't a good book but it's not Christie's best. There is a lot of bridge chat that I just can't appreciate and it pushes me out of the story. Yes, you can still appreciate the murder mystery without an understanding of the game but it would certainly help a bit.
Although, there are still things that make this story stand out. For one, this is the book that introduces Ariadne Oliver to the Poirot world. It wasn't the author's first appearance in an Agatha Christie story but it showcases her first meeting with the famous Belgian detective. It's no surprise that I'm a massive Ariadne fan and, though it's not her finest house, really enjoy her appearance. She brings another level to the mystery and a counterpoint to the male detectives.
There are 3 of them after all. Cards on the Table is a very neat novel. The set-up is pretty simple and we end up with 4 suspects and 4 people who take a keen interest in solving crime. The two groups of invited to a party hosted by the exuberant Mr Shaitana who collects items relating to crimes. He also claims to collect criminals who have evaded justice. 4 of whom are attending the same dinner party that Poirot is attending. When the host winds up dead, all four of the detectives take turns investigating the crime.
terms of structure, this is very well-plotted and the set-up is irresistible. It's one of those Christie novels that I wish I liked more. After all, the final twist to this novel is pretty good. If it wasn't a bit of a journey to get there, I'd say it would be one of the most memorable. There are better Poirot novels out there but there are worse. And, as I said, this benefits from plenty of Ariadne. As always, she gets some of the best lines and I'm here for it.
Although, there are still things that make this story stand out. For one, this is the book that introduces Ariadne Oliver to the Poirot world. It wasn't the author's first appearance in an Agatha Christie story but it showcases her first meeting with the famous Belgian detective. It's no surprise that I'm a massive Ariadne fan and, though it's not her finest house, really enjoy her appearance. She brings another level to the mystery and a counterpoint to the male detectives.
There are 3 of them after all. Cards on the Table is a very neat novel. The set-up is pretty simple and we end up with 4 suspects and 4 people who take a keen interest in solving crime. The two groups of invited to a party hosted by the exuberant Mr Shaitana who collects items relating to crimes. He also claims to collect criminals who have evaded justice. 4 of whom are attending the same dinner party that Poirot is attending. When the host winds up dead, all four of the detectives take turns investigating the crime.
terms of structure, this is very well-plotted and the set-up is irresistible. It's one of those Christie novels that I wish I liked more. After all, the final twist to this novel is pretty good. If it wasn't a bit of a journey to get there, I'd say it would be one of the most memorable. There are better Poirot novels out there but there are worse. And, as I said, this benefits from plenty of Ariadne. As always, she gets some of the best lines and I'm here for it.
mysterious
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Yet another fascinating mystery by the Queen of Crime!
A fancy art collector, Mr Shaitana invites 8 people to a party; 4 sleuths including our loved Hercule Poirot and 4 people who he knows have gotten away with murders and could be very well able to commit another.
After several rounds of Bridge, the host is found murdered using an unusual object and the only possible suspects are the 4 people present in the room.
We know from the beginning that it’s one of those 4 people who could’ve managed to kill him but how Poirot and Inspector Battle unfold the case and the suspects’ past was so gripping! Not to forget the psychological aspect of the case the Bridge game involved was so interesting to read.
Like all Christie mysteries, I’m a fan of the characters she create and their involvement in and out of the case.
The only miss for me was the rushed ending which I felt made it a little too confusing.
I give this one 3.5/5 and recommend it for mystery lovers who enjoy a psychological play.
A fancy art collector, Mr Shaitana invites 8 people to a party; 4 sleuths including our loved Hercule Poirot and 4 people who he knows have gotten away with murders and could be very well able to commit another.
After several rounds of Bridge, the host is found murdered using an unusual object and the only possible suspects are the 4 people present in the room.
We know from the beginning that it’s one of those 4 people who could’ve managed to kill him but how Poirot and Inspector Battle unfold the case and the suspects’ past was so gripping! Not to forget the psychological aspect of the case the Bridge game involved was so interesting to read.
Like all Christie mysteries, I’m a fan of the characters she create and their involvement in and out of the case.
The only miss for me was the rushed ending which I felt made it a little too confusing.
I give this one 3.5/5 and recommend it for mystery lovers who enjoy a psychological play.
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This is one of the best Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot books I have read.
Unlike other Agatha Christie novels in this book Agatha Christie lays her cards on table and tells you that 'these are the four suspects and one of the them is the murderer'. And if you think that this fact makes the book less mysterious and interesting then you can't be more wrong.
I admit when I started this book I though that I could figure out the murderer as its just 4 suspects and I had a 25% chance to be right. But as the book progressed and Agatha Christie revealed more about each character and their psychology you realize that any one could be the murderer. No red herrings, no least likely suspects, no suspect with best opportunity or motive. Each suspect has the same opportunity and same motive. The book is pure logic and pure psychology... the kinds I like the best.
The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is the Bridge. The game of bridge plays a big role in the novel and as I have no idea about the game, it was all Greek and Latin to me. In depth description of the game of bridge did get tedious.
But still one of my favorite Christie novel.
Unlike other Agatha Christie novels in this book Agatha Christie lays her cards on table and tells you that 'these are the four suspects and one of the them is the murderer'. And if you think that this fact makes the book less mysterious and interesting then you can't be more wrong.
I admit when I started this book I though that I could figure out the murderer as its just 4 suspects and I had a 25% chance to be right. But as the book progressed and Agatha Christie revealed more about each character and their psychology you realize that any one could be the murderer. No red herrings, no least likely suspects, no suspect with best opportunity or motive. Each suspect has the same opportunity and same motive. The book is pure logic and pure psychology... the kinds I like the best.
The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is the Bridge. The game of bridge plays a big role in the novel and as I have no idea about the game, it was all Greek and Latin to me. In depth description of the game of bridge did get tedious.
But still one of my favorite Christie novel.