Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I haven't read anything by Christie for a long time and I really enjoyed this book. For a book about murder, it is surprisingly entertaining and funny and I had a great time listening to it. Hercule Poirot is certainly a prolific character. I also enjoyed the side characters and the resolution was a bit of a surprise as well. I did'nt like the Swedish narrator, but I still liked the book.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Xenophobia
3.5 Stars. I read this book as a recommendation from someone as they said it was their favourite Poirot mystery, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I haven't read Christie before, though I know the plots to several Poirot's (which usually have very twisty endings), and I was expected something a little more grand when the murderer was revealed. Not to spoil anything, but the whole idea of the person "least likely" to murder being the person who most likely murdered the dead person (for lack of better word), and really it being the person most likely (or at least I thought so) who ended up being the murderer wasn't much of a twist for me? Maybe I am wrong, but I personally didn't find the twist that exciting, and the reason I disregarded that suspect was because they seemed MOST likely to be a murderer, and surely that wouldn't be the route taken? Look, I'm not upset because I didn't solve the case - I couldn't care less - I think I was just hoping for something a little more exciting (especially as the person who recommended it hyped it up a lot). Considering it is my first Christie Mystery (ha, that rhymes!) I've decided not to let this one book prevent me from the others, so I will be sure to try some others.
This one kept me guessing right up to the end! Fantastic writing! Hercule Poirot is one of my favorite detectives, and this mystery does not disappoint. I also liked the symmetry of the premise, that 4 detectives and 4 murderers are invited to dinner, paired off to do psychological battle as it were. Really great characters and plenty of action!
This was a fun book, though I think I have to say that I am with Captain Hastings, who is said to have found it a bit boring when Poirot told him of the story later on. While I enjoyed the story and the psychology of it all, I have to say that by and large the story as a whole is really quite dull. We only see a very little actually occur, and the work of Poirot is rather all mental. I did rather enjoy the character of Mrs. Oliver, I wonder if it was Christie attempting to satirize herself? If so, it worked out quite well, I rather enjoyed it. It felt tongue-in-cheek.
Reread: July 2021
I have questions.... more than expected but this is definitely one of my favourite Poirot's.
Original review
I do love these books! I think this is one of the best in terms of complexity and set up. The reveal is takes you by just enough surprise!
I have questions.... more than expected but this is definitely one of my favourite Poirot's.
Original review
I do love these books! I think this is one of the best in terms of complexity and set up. The reveal is takes you by just enough surprise!
I saw the movie ages ago before I even knew about the phenomenon that is one M. Hercule Poirot. Mr. Shaitana in that adaptation with David Suchet was spot on perfect casting. So I knew the original would be a masterpiece in my mind.
It has all of Christie's red herrings and delicious deductions, little ideas, tragic human condition and casting the net far back into the past to uncover the peer truths. I simply live Dame Christie's work.
It has all of Christie's red herrings and delicious deductions, little ideas, tragic human condition and casting the net far back into the past to uncover the peer truths. I simply live Dame Christie's work.
It is not a proper review. I admit that I forgot the story.
So far, this is the only Agatha Christie's story that I could guessed the villain correctly, based on the Bridge plays. (It's hardly a spoiler clue, Poirot always asking the Bridge plays that happened at the murder scene in the story. A little experience in playing Bridge would help).
Too bad I borrowed this book from my college friend, and until now I have no chance to re-read it again. I forget who done it. it should be fun re-discovering the villain again if I could re-read it (assuming my current Bridge skill is as sharp as at my college period. LOL)
UPDATE: I saw the adaptation and the story was good in drama and plot twists, then found out that the 4 bridge players on detective tables were 4 recurring characters from Agatha Christie's universe.
So far, this is the only Agatha Christie's story that I could guessed the villain correctly, based on the Bridge plays. (It's hardly a spoiler clue, Poirot always asking the Bridge plays that happened at the murder scene in the story. A little experience in playing Bridge would help).
Too bad I borrowed this book from my college friend, and until now I have no chance to re-read it again. I forget who done it. it should be fun re-discovering the villain again if I could re-read it (assuming my current Bridge skill is as sharp as at my college period. LOL)
UPDATE: I saw the adaptation and the story was good in drama and plot twists, then found out that the 4 bridge players on detective tables were 4 recurring characters from Agatha Christie's universe.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death