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bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm back with my favorite neurodivergent detective. π
This story finds Poirot and his associate Arthur Hastings in the French village of Merlinville-sur-Mer. They've been summoned by potential client Paul Renauld, but when they get to his estate they learn that he was found in a freshly-dug grave adjacent to a local golf course, with a letter opener in his back that very morning.
Like Christie's other mysteries, there is a list of suspects. It includes Renauld's wife Eloise, his son Jack, Renauld's immediate neighbor Madame Daubreuil, a mysterious young woman Hastings becomes acquainted with on the train to Merlinville-sur-Mer, and an unknown person who visits the estate the day before the murder.
Red herrings abound π
OMG! So many twists, the most important being that the victim has a secret. His past is a mystery in and of itself. All people know is that he had dealings in South America before showing up at Merlinville-sur-Mer. He seemed to be running from something and/or someone when he was killed.
But something about this case is familiar to Poirot. Is there a connection between this murder and one that took place in Paris 22 years earlier?
Hastings narrates, and his inner monologues about Poirot are hilarious, as is their banter. Poirot is always imploring Hastings to use his gray matter. The only thing that annoyed me about Hatings in this book is his thoughts on women. When he meets the young woman on the train, he's instantly attracted to her but is put off because she's not ladylike. If Hastings was a real man in 2024, he would probably be ranting on podcasts about women not being demure. π€£
As usual, Richard Armitage is a delight as all of the characters, and I thought it was so cute when he apologized in the introduction about his French accents not being specific to the provinces.
I was like, you're forgiven, boo βΊοΈ
This story finds Poirot and his associate Arthur Hastings in the French village of Merlinville-sur-Mer. They've been summoned by potential client Paul Renauld, but when they get to his estate they learn that he was found in a freshly-dug grave adjacent to a local golf course, with a letter opener in his back that very morning.
Like Christie's other mysteries, there is a list of suspects. It includes Renauld's wife Eloise, his son Jack, Renauld's immediate neighbor Madame Daubreuil, a mysterious young woman Hastings becomes acquainted with on the train to Merlinville-sur-Mer, and an unknown person who visits the estate the day before the murder.
Red herrings abound π
OMG! So many twists, the most important being that the victim has a secret. His past is a mystery in and of itself. All people know is that he had dealings in South America before showing up at Merlinville-sur-Mer. He seemed to be running from something and/or someone when he was killed.
But something about this case is familiar to Poirot. Is there a connection between this murder and one that took place in Paris 22 years earlier?
Hastings narrates, and his inner monologues about Poirot are hilarious, as is their banter. Poirot is always imploring Hastings to use his gray matter. The only thing that annoyed me about Hatings in this book is his thoughts on women. When he meets the young woman on the train, he's instantly attracted to her but is put off because she's not ladylike. If Hastings was a real man in 2024, he would probably be ranting on podcasts about women not being demure. π€£
As usual, Richard Armitage is a delight as all of the characters, and I thought it was so cute when he apologized in the introduction about his French accents not being specific to the provinces.
I was like, you're forgiven, boo βΊοΈ
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
evilestkiwi's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
sappypatheticm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
ladythana's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
the_bookwormhole_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
babudarabu's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Death of parent
pam_simpson06's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
typedtruths's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
#1) The Mysterious Affair at Styles β
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look, the period typical sexism gets me every time i read christie but her mysteries are god tier. they deliver time. i think i know how it will go down and it never, ever works that way. hands down, the only author i can't predict and i love it
(except for the weird romance subplot but eh)
Blog β’ Trigger Warning Database β’ StoryGraph
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
βΈ Trigger warnings for period-typical sexism, infidelity, minor blood and injury depiction (fainting episodes, dead bodies), death of a father and husband, death from an epileptic fit mentioned (off-page), murder by stabbing with a knife, faked being tied up and held captive by armed burglars, false incarceration, and blackmail mentionedmaistfu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm usually baffled by the end of the story as to who did the crime but this time a few of my guesses were correct ! but as usual i loved the story. and to know that the Hastings ive read about in later parts of Poirot's life was with him from the beginning is really cool. they're both funny dudes in their own ways.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
erinvasut's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder