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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Please note this book includes stories from other series and is not solely Poirot.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
I just don't like the Poirot shorts the way I like the Poirot novels.
The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest: 4 stars
This one was such an interesting idea that I couldn't help but like it even though the characters underwhelmed me.
How Does our Garden Grow?: 2.5 stars
Meh. This one just felt kind of boring and simple, if I'm being honest. Nothing wrong, but nothing great.
Yellow Iris: 4 stars
This one I really enjoyed. Admittedly I did figure it out pretty early into the actual mystery, but still.
The Dream: 3.5 stars
Another one in the book that felt extremely original and clever. It lost a half-star because the details that Poirot used to solve the crime felt quick and baseless, even though it made sense once he explained it. Honestly, there was just no way for him to know what he knew this time. Still, other clues were laid out, and while I thought I was on the right track, I didn't solve it.
Problem at Sea: 2.5 stars
This one felt so derivative of [b:Death on the Nile|131359|Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot #17)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486837149s/131359.jpg|3038762] that I couldn't get invested. Sure, some of the details were different, and the characters were actually very interesting, but the plot was new to me.
BONUS
In a Glass Darkly: 2 stars, if that
What was this??
The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest: 4 stars
This one was such an interesting idea that I couldn't help but like it even though the characters underwhelmed me.
How Does our Garden Grow?: 2.5 stars
Meh. This one just felt kind of boring and simple, if I'm being honest. Nothing wrong, but nothing great.
Yellow Iris: 4 stars
This one I really enjoyed.
Spoiler
A widower throwing a dinner party to honor the death date of his late wife? A mysterious telephone call about danger? A fake death to find the culprit?The Dream: 3.5 stars
Another one in the book that felt extremely original and clever. It lost a half-star because the details that Poirot used to solve the crime felt quick and baseless, even though it made sense once he explained it. Honestly, there was just no way for him to know what he knew this time. Still, other clues were laid out, and while I thought I was on the right track, I didn't solve it.
Problem at Sea: 2.5 stars
This one felt so derivative of [b:Death on the Nile|131359|Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot #17)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486837149s/131359.jpg|3038762] that I couldn't get invested. Sure, some of the details were different, and the characters were actually very interesting, but the plot was new to me.
BONUS
In a Glass Darkly: 2 stars, if that
What was this??
This is a weak four. I actually went and rated all the stories separately and made an average. 3.7
All very scientific.
I knew most of the stories, among the unknown ones the best surprise was the Marple story, a highlight. But Glass Darkly...WTF.
The final Poirot was a touch melodramatic and it rubbed me the wrong way he was totally fine with basically killing the murderer. Yes, I know at that time the punishment for murder was death but in this particular story Poirot was just too comfortable with letting someone who didn't even confess (yet) die of a heart attack/failure. Oh well.
But the short story collection was an enjoyable break for me, for sure.
All very scientific.
I knew most of the stories, among the unknown ones the best surprise was the Marple story, a highlight. But Glass Darkly...WTF.
The final Poirot was a touch melodramatic and it rubbed me the wrong way he was totally fine with basically killing the murderer. Yes, I know at that time the punishment for murder was death but in this particular story Poirot was just too comfortable with letting someone who didn't even confess (yet) die of a heart attack/failure. Oh well.
But the short story collection was an enjoyable break for me, for sure.
I knew every story in here already, whether from TV, other short story collections or a story expanded to a book; but I still found them enjoyable and worth the read.
i read this stories like years ago not sure what stories that are included in thi book. so let's put a fair rate here since I've never hate agatha christie's books or stories.
An okay pass the time read. This one is chalk full of Poirot, with a Marple, Parker Pyne, and standalone included as well. I'm on record that I think short stories are not Christie's strong point. Her talent, to me, really lies in longer books where she can flesh out the characters and the plot. The stories go by a bit quick and the characters and plot end up feeling much more flat than her normal novels. Obviously Poirot in particular is meant to be the ultimate detective, but the reveals just sort of happen in the short stories and don't feel earned. As a reader, we want to feel we have the opportunity to solve the crime even if we can't. With these there's very little evidence given so you lack the opportunity. As I've said before, I think the Sherlock short stories are far superior (with the novels being weaker). If you're interested in Poirot, I think there's better places to start, but if you're already 20 books in like me, of course you should read it.
Quick hits:
+ All of the main characters are good (Poirot, Marple, and Pyne). Pyne was better than I expected.
+ The stories are varied in crimes and non-criminal mysteries.
+ Fast paced.
- The standalone mystery is beyond pointless. It's like 7 pages and not even a real story.
- Reveals tend to just happen so the only real investment is if you're a fan of the main character.
Pretty quick overall even with it being okay. Just a forgettable entry. On to the next!
Quick hits:
+ All of the main characters are good (Poirot, Marple, and Pyne). Pyne was better than I expected.
+ The stories are varied in crimes and non-criminal mysteries.
+ Fast paced.
- The standalone mystery is beyond pointless. It's like 7 pages and not even a real story.
- Reveals tend to just happen so the only real investment is if you're a fan of the main character.
Pretty quick overall even with it being okay. Just a forgettable entry. On to the next!
Not my favorite of Agatha Christie’s books that I have read, but I did enjoy roughly half.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No