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shenson_51's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
thaurisil's review
4.0
While I read through Agatha Christie's novels with the Agatha Christie Centenary Celebration group, I'm putting a templated synopsis of each novel in my review. It has spoilers!
Book: 1 of Christie's novels, 1 of Hercule Poirot novels
Setting: Village of Styles
Detective and Companions: Hercule Poirot, Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp
Crime: A wealthy elderly heiress, Emily Inglethorp, dies one night, poisoned by strychnine.
Suspects:
- Alfred Inglethorpe, her husband
- John Cavendish, her stepson
- Lawrence Cavendish, her stepson
- Mary Cavendish, John's wife
- Cynthia Murdoch, her protege
- Evelyn Howard, her companion
Twists and Turns:
- When Alfred Inglethorpe appears to be the killer, Poirot clears his name. But he does turn out to be the killer, and was trying to get himself arrested on the basis of the law that says you cannot be tried for a crime if you have been acquitted once of it.
- It seems Emily was killed by strychnine in either her coffee or her cocoa, but it's in neither. Instead it's in the bromide tonic she takes every night.
- On the day before her death, both Lawrence and someone pretending to be Alfred (it's Evelyn) buy or come into close contact with strychnine. But the strychnine that kills Emily was actually bought weeks before.
- Evelyn seems to hate Alfred, but they're actually accomplices. Alfred seems to be having an affair with the farmer's wife Mrs Raikes, but it's actually John who likes her.
This is the novel that launched Agatha Christie's career. And right from the start, she displays all the tricks that come to characterise her clever plots. There were some red herrings that I saw through, but I missed the biggest twist. The most obvious murderer is acquitted, then turns out to really be the murderer!
Christie wrote this around the time shortly after volunteering as a nurse in a hospital caring for Belgian soldiers in the First World War. The novel is littered with influences from this time. Captain Hastings is an invalid due to the war, Cynthia works in a dispensary, the choice of weapon is a poison which Christie would have been familiar with, and, most importantly, the first detective that Christie creates is a Belgian refugee. And I'm thankful that Christie had all those Belgian soldiers to minister to, because Hercule Poirot is such a delightful little man, with his smug yet affectionate ways!
The edition I read had both the published Chapter 12, in which Poirot does his explanation to the rest of the characters in a drawing room, and the original Chapter 12, in which Poirot makes the same explanation in a courtroom. Christie wrote the courtroom scene first, but then John Lane, her publisher, felt it was unrealistic and the scene was changed to a drawing room. It's a great intervention on John Lane's part, because I now come to expect Poirot to make his revelations in drawing rooms!
Also, was anyone else disappointed that Hastings seemed to prefer Mary Cavendish more than auburn-haired Cynthia Murdoch? Even his proposal to Cynthia seemed like a joke. I kept expecting him to fall in love with Cynthia, but alas, his passion for auburn-haired ladies hadn't reached its maturity yet.
Book: 1 of Christie's novels, 1 of Hercule Poirot novels
Setting: Village of Styles
Detective and Companions: Hercule Poirot, Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp
Crime: A wealthy elderly heiress, Emily Inglethorp, dies one night, poisoned by strychnine.
Suspects:
- Alfred Inglethorpe, her husband
- John Cavendish, her stepson
- Lawrence Cavendish, her stepson
- Mary Cavendish, John's wife
- Cynthia Murdoch, her protege
- Evelyn Howard, her companion
Twists and Turns:
- When Alfred Inglethorpe appears to be the killer, Poirot clears his name. But he does turn out to be the killer, and was trying to get himself arrested on the basis of the law that says you cannot be tried for a crime if you have been acquitted once of it.
- It seems Emily was killed by strychnine in either her coffee or her cocoa, but it's in neither. Instead it's in the bromide tonic she takes every night.
- On the day before her death, both Lawrence and someone pretending to be Alfred (it's Evelyn) buy or come into close contact with strychnine. But the strychnine that kills Emily was actually bought weeks before.
- Evelyn seems to hate Alfred, but they're actually accomplices. Alfred seems to be having an affair with the farmer's wife Mrs Raikes, but it's actually John who likes her.
This is the novel that launched Agatha Christie's career. And right from the start, she displays all the tricks that come to characterise her clever plots. There were some red herrings that I saw through, but I missed the biggest twist. The most obvious murderer is acquitted, then turns out to really be the murderer!
Christie wrote this around the time shortly after volunteering as a nurse in a hospital caring for Belgian soldiers in the First World War. The novel is littered with influences from this time. Captain Hastings is an invalid due to the war, Cynthia works in a dispensary, the choice of weapon is a poison which Christie would have been familiar with, and, most importantly, the first detective that Christie creates is a Belgian refugee. And I'm thankful that Christie had all those Belgian soldiers to minister to, because Hercule Poirot is such a delightful little man, with his smug yet affectionate ways!
The edition I read had both the published Chapter 12, in which Poirot does his explanation to the rest of the characters in a drawing room, and the original Chapter 12, in which Poirot makes the same explanation in a courtroom. Christie wrote the courtroom scene first, but then John Lane, her publisher, felt it was unrealistic and the scene was changed to a drawing room. It's a great intervention on John Lane's part, because I now come to expect Poirot to make his revelations in drawing rooms!
Also, was anyone else disappointed that Hastings seemed to prefer Mary Cavendish more than auburn-haired Cynthia Murdoch? Even his proposal to Cynthia seemed like a joke. I kept expecting him to fall in love with Cynthia, but alas, his passion for auburn-haired ladies hadn't reached its maturity yet.
stephriggs25's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lotzerachel's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
daisiep's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The original and best. Why read a modern crime thriller, when it would merely be copying Agatha Christie? An intricately woven mystery, with some great characters. Well written. Yet doesn't feel like it was written in 1920!
trudyjeanne7's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tomg97's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
After seeing some of the more recent Agatha Christie films, I decided I wanted to read one of her original books. I was azed to find that this one, her first, was written in 1920 - yet it doesn't feel outdated in the least! It is a truly timeless writing style.
I wouldn't recommend an audiobook as it removes the ability to go back and reread sections; I ended up getting s bit mixed up towards the end.
I wouldn't recommend an audiobook as it removes the ability to go back and reread sections; I ended up getting s bit mixed up towards the end.
sweetlemonwater's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dita_blog's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sararenee's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
3.5 rewritten wills/5
I was Poirot Junior trying to solve this but that f****r doesn’t give anything away so I was shocked by the end. I’m frustrated that it was both obvious and not at all what I thought. I’m also frustrated that there was one big clue that Poirot found that he never explains how he uncovered it. I don’t think it would have led me to guess the culprits any better but it would have provided more intrigue. I really enjoyed Poirot’s character this time around. There were many clues to make your guesses with but I’m not yet a “dandified Belgian” like Poirot. Not cool, Agatha.
I was Poirot Junior trying to solve this but that f****r doesn’t give anything away so I was shocked by the end. I’m frustrated that it was both obvious and not at all what I thought. I’m also frustrated that there was one big clue that Poirot found that he never explains how he uncovered it. I don’t think it would have led me to guess the culprits any better but it would have provided more intrigue. I really enjoyed Poirot’s character this time around. There were many clues to make your guesses with but I’m not yet a “dandified Belgian” like Poirot. Not cool, Agatha.