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melissarosereads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
bioniclib's review against another edition
3.0
I got this from a list of great mystery novels but surprisingly wasn't too impressed. Looking back at my GoodReads Read shelf, I see that I've read it before. That may be why the twist wasn't as curved as a thought it would be. Before I get to my lightning round of notables, I want to mention something I read about the book. Apparently, Christie hated the fact that she put Poirot in the book. What's more, she didn't particularly care for the little Belgian. That makes two of my favorite detectives that have a begrudging relationship with their creator; Poirot and Holmes.
Now, onto the lighting:
Christie is so kean with dialog. She uses it to characterize marvelously.
Ridgeway disease appear to not be a real thing
“...so efficiently lovely that it made you gasp.” (66)
“‘Henriette!’ the dying man had said. He had said it in a very curious way. A way that reminded Poirot of something - of some incident...now what was it? No matter, it would come to him.” (87)
An example of the clue that isn’t a clue that the reader can use. And if I remember correctly, Christie never actually tells the reader what Poirot is thinking about her.
I like how the police don’t get their man (or in this case woman) but justice is still served, by Poirot letting Gerda drink the poisoned tea she’d intended for Henrietta. Poirot does this a number of times during his series.
Now, onto the lighting:
Christie is so kean with dialog. She uses it to characterize marvelously.
Ridgeway disease appear to not be a real thing
“...so efficiently lovely that it made you gasp.” (66)
“‘Henriette!’ the dying man had said. He had said it in a very curious way. A way that reminded Poirot of something - of some incident...now what was it? No matter, it would come to him.” (87)
An example of the clue that isn’t a clue that the reader can use. And if I remember correctly, Christie never actually tells the reader what Poirot is thinking about her.
Spoiler
I like how the police don’t get their man (or in this case woman) but justice is still served, by Poirot letting Gerda drink the poisoned tea she’d intended for Henrietta. Poirot does this a number of times during his series.
emblem's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
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? N/A
3.25
kaitlinthern's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
will_meringue's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read for a rainy sick day. Lots of colourful characters, although I wish Poirot was in it more. Would love to see the BBC adapt this one
nancy_pocono50's review against another edition
4.0
Typical Christie. Fun read. I thought I guessed who'd done it, then a twist.
katpavlikova's review against another edition
3.0
Poslouchala jsem v české audio dramatizaci. A jak mi to zpracování samotné včetně hereckých výkonů přišlo fajn, tak zápletka jako taková mě zase tolik neoslovila.
ashwatever98's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
The story was interesting to say the least. If anything, it reminds me to never underestimate someone.karlynrose's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
sophieiellison's review against another edition
3.0
Lady Angkatell invited some relatives and friends to her house, “The Hollow” for the weekend which is anticipated by some guests but dreaded by others. Only by the time the last guest, Hercule Poirot, is arriving, a man lies dead beside the swimming pool - the red blood dripping into the blue water. Throughout the novel there are some twists that are expected within Agatha Christie novels but by the end the feeling that I had was that it was largely a guessable ending. I also felt that the ending and discovering “whodunnit” was quite rushed (considering it took around 140 pages for the characters to be introduced before anyone was killed and only about 50 pages to explain what had happened to the victim, John Christow). I also left the book feeling that the characters were quite forgettable or even unlikeable. John Christow (who is murdered) is seen to be cruel to his wife and doesn’t listen to his clients as a doctor yet his wife and mistress as well as his partner from 15 years before the story takes place adores him and follows his every order. This to me seems confusing as no reason is given as to why they should be so approving of him. Overall, the story was obviously very well written and kept a persistent flow of information to keep the reader engaged but the characters were not like other Agatha Christie novels. I would recommend this book only to those who are collectors and are reading all Poirot or Agatha Christie novels, otherwise there are better Poirot/Agatha Christie novels I would recommend before this one.