hgly's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ale_irigoyen'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? No
4.0
Hercule Poirot finds himself fighting against four unknown adversaries. All four of them a master in their own right: money, brains, science and deceit.
This is one was different for Poirot in the sense that it felt more like a spy movie rather than a detective book. Here, it felt like the stakes were higher and that any faux-pas could mean the death of both Poirot and Hastings.
This is one was different for Poirot in the sense that it felt more like a spy movie rather than a detective book. Here, it felt like the stakes were higher and that any faux-pas could mean the death of both Poirot and Hastings.
natashuhh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
njean927's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
2.0
This is a different sort of Agatha Christie novel as it's not a murder mystery. It's told from the point of view of Hastings who has just returned from Argentina to surprise Poirot, who so happens to be about to depart for Argentina on a job for a rich American. Then the penny drops and Poirot realises that someone is trying to get him out of the way. The Big Four.
After reading a large part of this I reflected that it felt like I was reading a collection of short stories around the same theme. It turns out that this is the case. Many of the chapters were published as short stories before they where wrapped up together into this novel.
Overall I found this disappointing as it is so unlike what one would expect and at times felt more like a James Bond novel, with one against a mysterious group of people seeking world domination. This clearly shows that Poirot is a egotist so full of his own abilities and that Hastings is an idiot. It's the sort of book that could put you off Agatha Christie.
After reading a large part of this I reflected that it felt like I was reading a collection of short stories around the same theme. It turns out that this is the case. Many of the chapters were published as short stories before they where wrapped up together into this novel.
Overall I found this disappointing as it is so unlike what one would expect and at times felt more like a James Bond novel, with one against a mysterious group of people seeking world domination. This clearly shows that Poirot is a egotist so full of his own abilities and that Hastings is an idiot. It's the sort of book that could put you off Agatha Christie.
heyxemililah's review against another edition
3.0
This book is the embodiment of that tweet that's like: "every Agatha Christie novel is a beautifully constructed little cuckoo clock of remarkable precision and workmanship, which occasionally pops out a little bird that yells a racial slur"
sajithn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
This is a weird book. The mystery aspect leaves much to be desired. This book is more like a cheesy Poirot fanfiction. On top of that there are few plot holes and few loose ends remaining at the end of this novel.
Apparently the author was going through a terrible time while writing this(failing marriage and ailing mother). She actually wrote a few short stories and joined them into a novel with the help of a friend. This is evident from how disjointed parts of this novel are.
PS: This novel and murder on the links proves how much better Dr Watson was compared to Hastings.
Apparently the author was going through a terrible time while writing this(failing marriage and ailing mother). She actually wrote a few short stories and joined them into a novel with the help of a friend. This is evident from how disjointed parts of this novel are.
PS: This novel and murder on the links proves how much better Dr Watson was compared to Hastings.
mirpanda277's review
4.0
I had no idea where the story was going to go for the first half of the book, but I think I liked it more for that reason. I loved that there were mini mysteries within the bigger mystery of the Big Four.
Oh Hastings, never change. <3
Oh Hastings, never change. <3