A review by shanaqui
The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

The Murder on the Links is the second Poirot book, and mercifully gets rid of Hastings by marrying him off. He's just unbearable -- one can believe there's someone so self-absorbed and unable to learn from mistakes, but one would rather not have to. Not that I love Poirot as a character, either, but Hastings' deficiencies are much more aggravating.

The plot here is a bit over-convoluted, to my mind, and of course relies on characters appearing and disappearing like jack-in-the-boxes. "Cinderella" and Hastings' relationship is based on less than nothing, and Poirot's posturing toward Giraud does him no credit in my eyes.

There's a satisfaction in seeing the plot work out, but it wasn't enough for me. I wonder if I'll get along better with Poirot without Hastings -- I know I liked The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, back when I read that.