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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
First two were alright, third was dull, last one was good but very short. Think I prefer the long-form books more than these short stories.
mysterious
relaxing
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
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Her short stories aren’t my favourite, but these were pretty good. Dead man’s mirror was the best.
mysterious
fast-paced
I actually read these in the Complete Collected Poirot Short Stories book (though it's not actually complete). Thoughts...
"Murder in The Mews"
A brief and intriguing set up with some classic Poirot and Japp back and forth. He's portrayed as elderly here with large moustaches yet the story feels spectral, separate from any specific era. Poirot throws in a few Holmes and Watson references which made me laugh. Not bad and somewhat more developed than some of the short stories."
"The Incredible Theft"
Political intrigue, a notorious women and some stolen plans. The set up is fun but it all felt a little inconsequential to me.
"Dead Man's Mirror"
I enjoyed this a lot more. The set up is classic stately home locked room murder mystery with Poirot arriving slightly too late to avert disaster. The misdirection is clearly signposted here though I still didn't figure it out, even having read the original shorter version, 'The Second Gong". In fact, I re-read that one after and it comes across rough and sparse, a clear early draft that was fleshed out nicely (with a much more satisfying ending). Probably my favourite of the batch.
"Triangle at Rhodes"
The weakest of them here despite the sunny settling and a precognitive turn from Poirot. I recall this one from the TV version and I found the story far too brief and unconvincing in Poirot's ability to determine what was about to happen. It felt like a cheat - the ending describes a misdirection but really, the book only ever portrays it one way so why would you think the opposite?
Overall, not the greatest Poirot collection but there is still fun to be had.
"Murder in The Mews"
A brief and intriguing set up with some classic Poirot and Japp back and forth. He's portrayed as elderly here with large moustaches yet the story feels spectral, separate from any specific era. Poirot throws in a few Holmes and Watson references which made me laugh. Not bad and somewhat more developed than some of the short stories."
"The Incredible Theft"
Political intrigue, a notorious women and some stolen plans. The set up is fun but it all felt a little inconsequential to me.
"Dead Man's Mirror"
I enjoyed this a lot more. The set up is classic stately home locked room murder mystery with Poirot arriving slightly too late to avert disaster. The misdirection is clearly signposted here though I still didn't figure it out, even having read the original shorter version, 'The Second Gong". In fact, I re-read that one after and it comes across rough and sparse, a clear early draft that was fleshed out nicely (with a much more satisfying ending). Probably my favourite of the batch.
"Triangle at Rhodes"
The weakest of them here despite the sunny settling and a precognitive turn from Poirot. I recall this one from the TV version and I found the story far too brief and unconvincing in Poirot's ability to determine what was about to happen. It felt like a cheat - the ending describes a misdirection but really, the book only ever portrays it one way so why would you think the opposite?
Overall, not the greatest Poirot collection but there is still fun to be had.
mysterious
medium-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
If you would read this book today, you would say that you could see the crime and the criminal from a mile off.
But you could only see the murderer in books like this from a mile off because you had read books like this when you were 15.
I am not a big fan of Poirot, but I will readily agree that Poirot was fundamental. The Great Dame bloody well knew how to write a crime story.
Here's to her.
But you could only see the murderer in books like this from a mile off because you had read books like this when you were 15.
I am not a big fan of Poirot, but I will readily agree that Poirot was fundamental. The Great Dame bloody well knew how to write a crime story.
Here's to her.
funny
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