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dita_blog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
drireneadler'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
3.0
allycat23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thaurisil's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of short stories featuring Hercule Poirot. Unlike the earlier collections of Agatha Christie's short stories, there are only four in this book, each with multiple chapters, so they could also be considered novellas.
The stories are:
1) Murder in the Mews
A woman is found dead in her room, with a pistol in her hand. On first glance, it is suicide, but on closer inspection, it has to be murder, because how could she have shot herself in the left head with a pistol in her right hand?
2) The Incredible Theft
At a house party hosted by the minister Lord Mayfield, top secret papers are stolen. The suspect is Mrs Vanderlyn, a suspected spy whom Lord Mayfield invited to the party with the aim of catching her in action. But where is the proof of her theft?
3) Dead Man's Mirror
The pompous Sir Chevenix-Gore is found dead in his room, seemingly having shot himself in the head with a bullet that cracked a mirror. But Poirot is suspicious because his position is an awkward one to have committed murder in.
4) Triangle at Rhodes
While in holiday in Rhodes, Poirot encounters the famous Valentine Chantry and her new husband Commander Chantry. Another couple, Douglas and Marjorie Gold, are also on holiday, and Valentine Chantry lures Douglas Gold. Tensions rise as the surly Commander Chantry and the dowdy Marjorie Gold get increasingly jealous. Then Valentine Chantry dies, poisoned by a drink that was meant for Commander Chantry.
These stories all end in clever twists, and Agatha Christie is clearly experimenting with new ideas here. Three of them are locked room mysteries, and in the last, the death only occurs at the end, though foreseen by Poirot long before. As always, Poirot knows all, even when he pretends not to.
The stories are:
1) Murder in the Mews
A woman is found dead in her room, with a pistol in her hand. On first glance, it is suicide, but on closer inspection, it has to be murder, because how could she have shot herself in the left head with a pistol in her right hand?
Spoiler
The twist is that it actually was suicide because she was being blackmailed, and her friend moved the pistol from her left to her right hand to make it look like murder committed by her blackmailer.2) The Incredible Theft
At a house party hosted by the minister Lord Mayfield, top secret papers are stolen. The suspect is Mrs Vanderlyn, a suspected spy whom Lord Mayfield invited to the party with the aim of catching her in action. But where is the proof of her theft?
Spoiler
It turns out that Lord Mayfield hid the papers in his pocket then gave them to Mrs Vanderlyn in exchange for a secret letter from his past, the revelation of which would have destroyed his career.3) Dead Man's Mirror
The pompous Sir Chevenix-Gore is found dead in his room, seemingly having shot himself in the head with a bullet that cracked a mirror. But Poirot is suspicious because his position is an awkward one to have committed murder in.
Spoiler
It turns out that he was murdered, then placed in a position to look like suicide.4) Triangle at Rhodes
While in holiday in Rhodes, Poirot encounters the famous Valentine Chantry and her new husband Commander Chantry. Another couple, Douglas and Marjorie Gold, are also on holiday, and Valentine Chantry lures Douglas Gold. Tensions rise as the surly Commander Chantry and the dowdy Marjorie Gold get increasingly jealous. Then Valentine Chantry dies, poisoned by a drink that was meant for Commander Chantry.
Spoiler
It turns out that Commander Chantry and Marjorie Gold plotted to poison Valentine and to frame Douglas Gold.These stories all end in clever twists, and Agatha Christie is clearly experimenting with new ideas here. Three of them are locked room mysteries, and in the last, the death only occurs at the end, though foreseen by Poirot long before. As always, Poirot knows all, even when he pretends not to.
humatariq's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a part of "The Perfect Murders" omnibus I bought. Although I am pretty sure I must have read it in school too. I don't remember the plot now, but I think it was very good.
mborer23's review against another edition
3.0
Hercule Poirot solves four different cases in the short stories chronicled here. Interestingly, each of the cases deals with how appearances can be deceiving. Fans of Captain Hastings should take note that Hastings does not appear in any of these, although Inspector Japp does put in an appearance. Also recommended are the excellent television dramatizations of these stories, which take some minor liberties with plot details (not least involving Hastings and Japp.)