lau_ra_line's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Very interesting, but quite a straightforward chronological retelling that will bore people who are not intensely invested in Agatha Christie's work as it is more of a collection of facts and small analysis of the vast material on Poirot than a narrative itself.
ashleylm's review against another edition
5.0
Really awfully good, although I suppose I'm unlikely to read it a second time, I voraciously devoured it this first time. Mark Aldridge has done a terrific job of balancing well-researched but accessible prose with interesting artwork, in a lengthy book that never seems to drag, and all I can say is I hope he follows up with a similar volume on Marple & Others.
At any rate, he's inspired me to want to re-read her at once (especially the ones where I cannot remember who actually did it, or how), and see the better television series or films. Thanks, Dr. Aldridge! (Also, and it totally doesn't matter to your enjoyment of the book, but he's either a bit dishy or photographs very well. I pictured someone a great deal older and more respectable—but I suppose I'm getting on myself, and ordinary-aged writers are seeming younger and younger to me.)
Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.
At any rate, he's inspired me to want to re-read her at once (especially the ones where I cannot remember who actually did it, or how), and see the better television series or films. Thanks, Dr. Aldridge! (Also, and it totally doesn't matter to your enjoyment of the book, but he's either a bit dishy or photographs very well. I pictured someone a great deal older and more respectable—but I suppose I'm getting on myself, and ordinary-aged writers are seeming younger and younger to me.)
Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.
catherine_t's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Aldridge's book is a deep dive into the creation and development of Agatha Christie's most famous creation, Hercule Poirot. The author takes the novels, short stories, and appearances in other media decade by decade, from the 1920s and Poirot's debut in The Mysterious Affair at Styles to Kenneth Branagh's most recent outing on film as the detective in 2022's Death on the Nile.
I've long been a Christie fan, and have read most (though not all) of the novels under discussion in Aldridge's book. I learned a few things I hadn't known before, such as the fact that a good number of the Poirot novels and short stories appeared in periodicals in the US market before readers in the UK got their hands on them. I'd always assumed that the books were published in the UK first.
Not only is this book informative, it is quite entertaining. Aldridge has an easy style that makes this book a joy to read. If you're interested in Hercule Poirot, you should pick this one up.
avrilhj's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable bit of fun for fans. Which makes me wonder, why the insistence on not giving away whodunnit? Surely anyone reading this book would have read all the mysteries already and would know who all the murderers were.
brontebabeblog's review against another edition
3.0
Ambitious but not a particularly entertaining or rewarding read. The structure is a little odd, it's a tad repetitive, and I spotted a couple of errors. I really don't think I know Poirot any better after reading this.
m3l89's review against another edition
1.0
I am a huge Poirot fan but this was a struggle. It took me the best part of a month to read (which is unusual for me) and it was just so dry.
aliceandthegiantbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
toml72's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing and largely done to promote the more recent spat of Poirot films. Interesting to a point, but it would've been a far better book if more time were spent on the older, rare adaptions of AC's works.
Most of this has been covered in previous works, including [b:The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot|57318177|The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot|Anne Hart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614958500l/57318177._SX50_.jpg|1073104] and [b:Agatha Christie on Screen|32868509|Agatha Christie on Screen|Mark Aldridge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478229006l/32868509._SY75_.jpg|53475608].
Most of this has been covered in previous works, including [b:The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot|57318177|The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot|Anne Hart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614958500l/57318177._SX50_.jpg|1073104] and [b:Agatha Christie on Screen|32868509|Agatha Christie on Screen|Mark Aldridge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478229006l/32868509._SY75_.jpg|53475608].