A review by natcat
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

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

4.0

An Agatha Christie classic for a reason, this is definitely one of her best! The various characters are very well drawn, the mystery is great, and there is some real emotional heft to it, with Poirot and the reader seeing the tragedy long before it happens, and just being drawn along for the ride. 

I particularly love how there are three sets of characters that all somewhat mirror each other:
Jacqueline, Linnet, and Simon (intelligent woman, woman who has everything, and dim and terrible man whom the intelligent woman is in love with; tragedy for all concerned); Tim and Rosalie (slightly dim minor criminal man, intelligent woman; happiness for both of them as they admit they love each other); and Cornelia, Ferguson, and Bessner (poor woman actually having a great time on this trip helping her elderly grumpy relative, firebrand communist who isn't as clever as he thinks he is, dedicated and intelligent doctor; happiness for Cornelia and Bessner when Cornelia realizes marrying him.will make them both happy, and reader satisfaction when Poirot calls Ferguson an idiot).
It's very well done. 
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