A review by mariahmmm
Black Coffee by Agatha Christie

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

2.0

Adapted from a play, this mystery fails to live up to the "Agatha Christie" name. It's missing that typical spark of brilliance Poirot always has. The story is long and dry, with Poirot seemingly dragged along as things happen rather than him forming the investigation and leading the flow of events. The plot largely revolves around all the characters moving into and out of one room where the murder happened, which works well for a play but not so much in this book. There are several maddening red herring events and behaviours that would have been much more feasible as motives and suspects, rather than the dull ending we're left with.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings