Scan barcode
mgiegerl's review against another edition
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
thaurisil's review against another edition
3.0
Taking place about 20 years after The Big Four, this book features Hercule Poirot as an elderly man. On a whim, he decides that the final twelve cases of his career would each correspond to one of Hercules' twelve labours. It is a clever way for Agatha Christie to bring us Poirot tackling cases that are atypical for him on the pretext that these cases involve an element that corresponds, sometimes in a remote way, to one of the twelve labours. These are cases that don't involve murders, that involve thefts, deceptions and missing persons, and cases which don't involve crime at all, but benefit from Poirot's creative, intelligent way of thinking out of the box.
Agatha Christie tends impress when she writes stories with hidden subplots and occasionally complex plotlines. As such, the whodunnits in this book are not satisfying. The criminals are easily guessed – they are the least likely person – but there aren't enough clues for the reader to figure out who the criminal is logically. However, I did like the variety of cases, criminal or otherwise, and the twists that every story ended in.
Agatha Christie tends impress when she writes stories with hidden subplots and occasionally complex plotlines. As such, the whodunnits in this book are not satisfying. The criminals are easily guessed – they are the least likely person – but there aren't enough clues for the reader to figure out who the criminal is logically. However, I did like the variety of cases, criminal or otherwise, and the twists that every story ended in.
angrydance's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
2.75
dancingbibliophile's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ohhek's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
samkc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
seanfischer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
casual_henk's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Agatha Christie book.
I loved the way the book was written. Everything feels right: the characters, the atmosphere, and especially Poirot himself. Maybe this was not the best place to start reading Poitor. My main issue is that I was hoping for one long case instead of the short story format we got in this one, but I guess I could have known by the title. Overall, it was a fun read so that I will pick up more cases by Poirot.
I loved the way the book was written. Everything feels right: the characters, the atmosphere, and especially Poirot himself. Maybe this was not the best place to start reading Poitor. My main issue is that I was hoping for one long case instead of the short story format we got in this one, but I guess I could have known by the title. Overall, it was a fun read so that I will pick up more cases by Poirot.
mborer23's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly entertaining collection of short stories about an odd assortment of cases Hercule Poirot agrees to take before retiring. Based very loosely on the 12 Labors of Hercules, they range from dognapping to embezzlement to drug-running. Lots of fun, and a quick read.