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kloughlin's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This just missed the mark on a Hercule Poirot mystery. Sophie Hannah did a good job writing the beloved character but I found myself jarred out of the story by an uncharacteristic remark from Poirot here and there. The book was longer and the pace was slower (there were still two hours left in the audiobook when Poirot began his reveal) than Agatha Christie novels usually are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Blood
Minor: Animal death
jennifersmind's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-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? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death
kayteeem's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Well written mystery, but I felt the plot was a little too complex/convoluted for this sort of story, which meant that the wrapping up also seemed to go on forever, to make sure all the details were tied off. I also didn't care for the narrator -- he's there to be a foil to Poirot, but as written also seemed unsuited for his job.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
readerette's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't think I can recommend this over Agatha Christie's direct works. It's not bad, and it has all the elements of a Poirot story the dame wrote herself, but it seemed to me that the drama of this one came not enough from Poirot's discoveries and keeping the reader in the dark, and too much from the other characters, particularly during the reveal.
Christie has a flair for the dramatic but I think is story went just a tad overboard.
She also often has a standout or surprising character involved in the crime and none of these characters really surprised me. The character development was typical of a Christie mystery but lacked a bit of punch.
Christie has a flair for the dramatic but I think is story went just a tad overboard.
She also often has a standout or surprising character involved in the crime and none of these characters really surprised me. The character development was typical of a Christie mystery but lacked a bit of punch.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
iffygeneia's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
This is a pretty decent detective story, and I would have given it a slightly higher rating were it not for the inevitable comparison to Agatha Christie's own Poirot novels.
Hannah's novel, and her version of Poirot, lacks all of the subtlety Christie had. Christie's novels generally have very clear and straightforward motives, making for a big 'aha'-moment as everything clicks into place during the big reveal.This book, however, has very muddy and seemingly fluctuating motives for the murders. And it's all very convoluted and far-fetched on a level Christie rarely stooped to.
Hannah's Poirot has all of his peculiarities enhanced up to 11, making him unlikeable at times. He lacks the magnanimous gallantry of Christie's version.
Detective Catchpool, the main character, is a likeable if somewhat generic detective. None of the other characters really became clear to me, partly because of the convoluted plot.
All that said, I did like it. It had the feel of a good Midsomer Murders episode, which I liked. It just didn't quite work as a Poirot novel.
Hannah's novel, and her version of Poirot, lacks all of the subtlety Christie had. Christie's novels generally have very clear and straightforward motives, making for a big 'aha'-moment as everything clicks into place during the big reveal.
Hannah's Poirot has all of his peculiarities enhanced up to 11, making him unlikeable at times. He lacks the magnanimous gallantry of Christie's version.
Detective Catchpool, the main character, is a likeable if somewhat generic detective. None of the other characters really became clear to me, partly because of the convoluted plot.
All that said, I did like it. It had the feel of a good Midsomer Murders episode, which I liked. It just didn't quite work as a Poirot novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol