Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

4 reviews

prashiie's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

“The impossible, it pleases me always.”

Overall it was a satisfactory book. Some solutions that Poirot comes up with felt a little far-fetched. As this book is a collection of short stories, character depth was lacking, which is a pity. It's mainly focused on Poirot and his deductions, and the stories loosely resemble Sherlock Holmes and Watson.

Hastings is still getting teased a lot for his weakness for brown-haired girls. A never-ending story.
“Ah, mon ami, one can have romance without golden-haired girls of matchless beauty – no, I am wrong; it is auburn hair that so excites you always. You remember–”

The story I enjoyed most is the last one called ‘The Chocolate Box’ and it’s part of the US edition only. But no worries, in the UK this story is part of ‘Poirot’s Early Cases’. In this story Poirot tells Hastings about a case where his grey cells failed him. It does not remain a mystery though so no worries, we do get closure! But what I really liked is the ending:
“Forget it. Or no – remember it, and if you think at any time that I am growing conceited – it is not likely, but it might arise.”
“Eh bien, my friend, you shall say to me, ‘Chocolate box’. Is it agreed?”
“After all,” said Poirot reflectively, it was an experience! I, who have undoubtedly the finest brain in Europe at present, can afford to be magnanimous!”
“Chocolate box,” I murmured gently. 
“Pardon, mon ami?”

When you think Poirot is humbled, he quickly proves you wrong. Oh Poirot… so smart, yet so clueless.
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prettiestwhistles's review against another edition

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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

3.25

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thequeeraunt's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is a collection of short stories that amount to brief summaries of some of Hercule Poirot's cases. Most of them are recounted as being told by Poirot to Hastings (and by extension the reader). This is a case of narrative being told rather than shown. And, as with my comments regarding The Big Four, I must warn potential readers about some very casual racist slurs and xenophobia in some of the shorts.

One redeeming quality of this collection is that because the individual case stories are short, it's an easy book to pick up and put down without feeling like you have to finish just one more chapter. I found myself able to enjoy a more leisurely pace through Poirot Investigates, and even with that in mind, I finished it in under a day.

I do think that Christie, like many classic authors, is worth a passing study. Just be aware before you begin reading her works that they now exist in a context very different from the one in which they were originally written.
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manu_k's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

A very entertaining read. Agatha Christie continues to amaze me with her words and her mysteries.
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