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jackiemclean20's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mborer23's review against another edition
4.0
Hercule Poirot, now much affected by the ravages of old age, summons Hastings to Styles Court, the setting of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, their first adventure. Poirot tells Hastings that he is on the trail of a person involved in five previous murders who is staying in the house with them, and that he wants Hastings to join him for one last hunt. Hastings is alarmed at the prospect of a murderer in the house, especially since his own daughter is among the guests. Can the two old friends find the guilty party before another murder happens?
How difficult it is to say goodbye to Poirot, whom I've come to regard as a friend over the years I've been reading his adventures. I find it very interesting that this was written so early (about 1940) but not published until 1975; the gap in time precludes any mention of the cases Poirot solved in the years after 1940.
Although this is a worthy exit for Poirot and Hastings, I can't help feeling this would have been a much richer novel if it had been written later. Poirot's character changed gradually in the 30 years since Curtain was written, and this Poirot seems quite different from the mellowed character last seen in Elephants Can Remember.
Besides The Mysterious Affair at Styles, references are made to Death on the Nile and "Triangle at Rhodes," as well as to The Murder on the Links, the adventure where Hastings met his wife Dulcie "Cinderella" Duveen.
How difficult it is to say goodbye to Poirot, whom I've come to regard as a friend over the years I've been reading his adventures. I find it very interesting that this was written so early (about 1940) but not published until 1975; the gap in time precludes any mention of the cases Poirot solved in the years after 1940.
Although this is a worthy exit for Poirot and Hastings, I can't help feeling this would have been a much richer novel if it had been written later. Poirot's character changed gradually in the 30 years since Curtain was written, and this Poirot seems quite different from the mellowed character last seen in Elephants Can Remember.
Besides The Mysterious Affair at Styles, references are made to Death on the Nile and "Triangle at Rhodes," as well as to The Murder on the Links, the adventure where Hastings met his wife Dulcie "Cinderella" Duveen.
thesistersread1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
alli_always_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
klarrja's review against another edition
4.0
A fun Poirot, and a really interesting take on murder and intrigue. More twisty than usual, but super compelling
jayarna's review against another edition
5.0
Not me literally tearing up at this.
Agatha Christie is my queen. You know that question about who you'd invite to dinner, dead or alive? It's Christie. I want to pick her brain. How does she do it?
Agatha Christie is my queen. You know that question about who you'd invite to dinner, dead or alive? It's Christie. I want to pick her brain. How does she do it?
rebplane's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0