A review by travelsalongmybookshelf
Third Girl by Agatha Christie

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

In this book, Poirot meets swinging London! There’s a mystery girl, who thinks she may have murdered someone. There are arty people, rich business men and sixties London flat life and drugs.

‘ Where there is murder, anything can happen. I tell that to you. I, Poirot.’

It’s a puzzle for Poirot and the wonderful Ariadne Oliver and her mad hairpieces that keep falling off. I love these two together in a book, I feel like Ariadne keeps Poirot level, so he doesn’t get too big for his boots. She clearly exasperates him but he does love her really, he is nicer to her than he usually is to Hastings!

‘I really can’t think what more you want,’ said Mrs Oliver.

‘I want a murder,’ said Hercule Poirot.

This has been one of my favourite reads for readchristie2024 this year. It’s firmly rooted in the sixties, Poirot is in it all the way through and it’s a good mystery. People go on about Agatha not being on top of her game towards the end of her career but I think that’s rubbish. Third Girl, The Pale Horse, Endless Night all written in the sixties and just fantastic!

I’m actually quite sad that there is only one more book to read through the decades this year, I have enjoyed this way of reading Agatha so much! I will have to read christmaspudding in addition to my chosen read though as I always do at Christmas time.