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funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“The impossible, it pleases me always.”
Overall it was a satisfactory book. Some solutions that Poirot comes up with felt a little far-fetched. As this book is a collection of short stories, character depth was lacking, which is a pity. It's mainly focused on Poirot and his deductions, and the stories loosely resemble Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
Hastings is still getting teased a lot for his weakness for brown-haired girls. A never-ending story.
“Ah, mon ami, one can have romance without golden-haired girls of matchless beauty – no, I am wrong; it is auburn hair that so excites you always. You remember–”
The story I enjoyed most is the last one called ‘The Chocolate Box’ and it’s part of the US edition only. But no worries, in the UK this story is part of ‘Poirot’s Early Cases’. In this story Poirot tells Hastings about a case where his grey cells failed him. It does not remain a mystery though so no worries, we do get closure! But what I really liked is the ending:
“Forget it. Or no – remember it, and if you think at any time that I am growing conceited – it is not likely, but it might arise.”
“Eh bien, my friend, you shall say to me, ‘Chocolate box’. Is it agreed?”
“After all,” said Poirot reflectively, it was an experience! I, who have undoubtedly the finest brain in Europe at present, can afford to be magnanimous!”
“Chocolate box,” I murmured gently.
“Pardon, mon ami?”
When you think Poirot is humbled, he quickly proves you wrong. Oh Poirot… so smart, yet so clueless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Suicide, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Fun, entertaining reads, but nowhere near as satisfying as the longer novels (of the two I've read). Poirot is humorous, if a bit irritating in such concentrated bursts, as is his banter with Hastings, and the mysteries are intriguing to tinker over and great for reading on a lunch break. But, with so few pages, the explanations occasionally feel unearned and as if they were cheaply reaching for what the reader is most unlikely to guess. A few didn't fully make sense.
If you'd like to read the mysteries and need to avoid encountering the 1920s racism, skip stories The Western Star and The Cheap Flat in particular, as both include racial slurs and the first includes a racist and orientalist view of a theoretical Chinese character. The story regarding the Egyptian expedition is similar. The final story, The Missing Will, also includes disdain for "modern women", the whole thing seeming to be a setup for a distasteful punchline. Other occasional 1920s-isms throughout.
Standout stories to me were The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat, The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, and The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim. Apparently I read the edition lacking 3 extra stories; I think I'll have to track them down.
If you'd like to read the mysteries and need to avoid encountering the 1920s racism, skip stories The Western Star and The Cheap Flat in particular, as both include racial slurs and the first includes a racist and orientalist view of a theoretical Chinese character. The story regarding the Egyptian expedition is similar. The final story, The Missing Will, also includes disdain for "modern women", the whole thing seeming to be a setup for a distasteful punchline. Other occasional 1920s-isms throughout.
Standout stories to me were The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat, The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, and The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim. Apparently I read the edition lacking 3 extra stories; I think I'll have to track them down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail
early 20th century era racism and misogyny throughout
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very entertaining read. Agatha Christie continues to amaze me with her words and her mysteries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use