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shelleebee_books's review against another edition
5.0
First Poirot I’ve read. I used Audible to read along with the book. The voice actor who does the Uk version is the actor who played Hastings in a long running TV series adaptation with David Suchet playing Poirot so it was quite fun to listen to.
I want to complete the Poirot series and read more from Agatha Christie and this has been a good start.
Lots of mystery, a few twists and revelations. Good introduction to Poirot.
I want to complete the Poirot series and read more from Agatha Christie and this has been a good start.
Lots of mystery, a few twists and revelations. Good introduction to Poirot.
luckies_universe's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
karlbarx's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
becs5678's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Classic who dunnit enjoyable and surprising
christellereadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
This is Agatha Christie's début novel set during WWI where we are introduced to the eccentric yet charming and witty Hercule Poirot.
As it was published in 1920 (though she started writing it in 1916), the writing is of its time. It is therefore important to remember this when reading Agatha Christie's books as they often contain racial slur (and this one is no exception). But, the language used would have been common and unsurprising at the time the book was written and published.
Christie provides us in this book, and this became her style, a lot of possible suspects, red herrings, likeable and not-so-likeable characters, great (sub)plots and of course Poirot's final gathering of the suspects to reveal the murderer and how they committed their crime, which became his signature in subsequent mysteries.
Although I watched the TV version last year and remembered who had committed the crime, there was a lot I had forgotten, especially how they had committed it or their motive. I really enjoyed this read.
As it was published in 1920 (though she started writing it in 1916), the writing is of its time. It is therefore important to remember this when reading Agatha Christie's books as they often contain racial slur (and this one is no exception). But, the language used would have been common and unsurprising at the time the book was written and published.
Christie provides us in this book, and this became her style, a lot of possible suspects, red herrings, likeable and not-so-likeable characters, great (sub)plots and of course Poirot's final gathering of the suspects to reveal the murderer and how they committed their crime, which became his signature in subsequent mysteries.
Although I watched the TV version last year and remembered who had committed the crime, there was a lot I had forgotten, especially how they had committed it or their motive. I really enjoyed this read.
falinost's review against another edition
4.0
The bare bones descriptions makes it hard to keep track of the numerous characters without significant effort from the reader and I was a bit disappointed that the included map of the house was underutilized. I likely would have enjoyed it more if I had the energy to read it more closely. For the majority of my casual readthrough it was a 3, but the resolution kicked this traditional mystery up a star. 4 'Does everyone use strychnine in this house?' out of 5.
sophira's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
verair's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book but it is Agatha Christie so I didn’t expect it to be any less than what I have found it to be. The mystery and characters are compelling and it is overall a great read!