Hi everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog but I’m back because it’s time for a new season of Blogaberry Dazzle (register here for the blogging contest that keeps you regular with your blogging / vlogging and gives you the chance to win awesome cash prizes). To kick off this season, I couldn’t think of a better subject than my ongoing Project Poirot series.
For those who aren’t aware of what this is, a couple of years ago, I decided to re-read all the Hercule Poirot novels written by Agatha Christie in the order they were published. I’ve made good headway so far and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the character progression, as well as the subtle social changes that took place with the passage of time, which Christie captures so well in her books.
You can read episodes 1, 2, 3, and 4, and today I have episode 5 for you where I will share my thoughts on ‘Three Act Tragedy’, ‘Death in the Clouds’, and ‘The ABC Murders’. So, without further ado, let’s begin:
Three Act Tragedy:
Goodreads Blurb:
Who wouldn’t be pleased to attend a small dinner party being held by Sir Charles Cartwright, once the leading star of the London stage? At his “Crow’s Nest” home in Loomouth, Cornwall.
Unfortunately, thirteen guests arrived at the actor’s house, most unlucky. One of them was a vicar. It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died. But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison — just as Hercule Poirot, also in attendance, had predicted. Even more troubling for the great detective, there was absolutely no motive!
My Review: 4/5
This is a very interesting read. It keeps the reader guessing till the last moment! I re-read this one after nine years as part of my Project Poirot re-readings. Though this time I could see clearly who the killer was and how the murder took place, but Christie keeps the motive hidden away till the very last minute, making them very tough to guess! A delightful read nevertheless.
Buy your copy here:
Death in the Clouds:
Goodreads Blurb:
A woman is killed by a poisoned dart in the enclosed confines of a commercial passenger plane. Flying from Paris to London.
From seat No.9, Hercule Poirot was ideally placed to observe his fellow air passengers. Over to his right sat a pretty young woman, clearly infatuated with the man opposite; ahead, in seat No.13, sat a Countess with a poorly-concealed cocaine habit; across the gangway in seat No.8, a detective writer was being troubled by an aggressive wasp. What Poirot did not yet realize was that behind him, in seat No.2, sat the slumped, lifeless body of a woman.
How could this happen with the world’s No. 1 private detective on board?
My Review: 4/5
An ingenious plot strewn around endearing characters, with detective Poirot in his finest form! This book is a great example of why I love Christie so much.
There’s a point where she outlines a possible solution which is completely absurd and sensational, yet it’s the kind of thing most detective novels present. Then she puts forth a perfectly believable, yet completely surprising final outcome and one is left thrilled and completely satisfied!
She really was a genius!
Buy your copy here:
The ABC Murders:
Goodreads Blurb:
When Alice Asher is murdered in Andover, Hercule Poirot is already looking into the clues. Alphabetically speaking, it’s one letter down, twenty-five to go.
There’s a serial killer on the loose. His macabre calling card is to leave the ABC Railway Guide beside each victim’s body. But if A is for Alice Asher, bludgeoned to death in Andover, and B is for Betty Bernard, strangled with her belt on the beach at Bexhill, who will then be Victim C? More importantly, why is this happening?
Often considered to be one of Agatha Christie’s best.
My Review: 5/5
I have to agree with the above assessment. This book certainly is one of Christie’s best works. It perfectly shows the amazing range of her skills as a writer and crime novelist. She creates credible characters and a fantastic plot by presenting just the right number of clues, while also holding back the most important information. It was unputdownable!
Buy your copy here:
In case you prefer to hear me discuss the books instead of reading the reviews, here’s my Insta Live of Episode 5 of Project Poirot:
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Growing with Nemit.
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