Another Christie classic! ( )

I haven't read any other books by Agatha Christie, so I don't know how this compares to them. It was a quick and enjoyable read, and I didn't really see the ending coming. I decided to read this book since I'd seen the Poirot tv series and liked it. This story is written from Hastings' point of view, and Inspector Japp makes a short appearance. ( )

Introducing Hercule Poirot, the fastidious Belgian private detective destined to become world renowned as one of Agatha Christie's two famous detectives. This one is set in an old house in England where Perot happens to be visiting. We also meet Hastings, the recovering war veteran who goes on to become Poirot's sidekick. Hastings has a lot to learn, and Christie does a wonderful job off starting off the pair in this episode.

THe story concerns a wealthy woman murdered in her locked bedroom. There are numerous suspects, and many red herrings, and ends with the famous scene where Poirot gathers all together and reveals the answers. Delightful. ( )

A classic Agatha Christie murder mystery, but didn't make me turn the pages in haste. She gives out clues easily overlooked, the details are all there until the reader is overwhelmed. ( )

So, I'm a forensic scientist (in DNA but still, the whole Solving Crime thing applies). This book had me thinking in the right direction, then changing my mind, then eventually figuring out what I thought was right and then was not.

Confused? I was too. But in a fantastic way.

This was my first Agatha Christie book, since I figured I'd start at Poirot's first and work my way down, and I must say that I want to go out and buy another tonight. The clues she gives may be hidden, but as Poirot says, "Nothing is insignificant." (paraphrased).

Though I was lost in the beginning, not knowing who the POV character was, I quickly caught on. Sometimes the action moved a bit quick, but I didn't overly mind it. The plot, and the clues, seemed to be so over-the-top complicated that it made me wonder if any of these types of crimes would happen in real life. But that's why I'm reading a fiction book - an escape from real life.

I enjoyed following the crazy little Belgian's thinking, eventually coming to conclusions she wanted me to, agreeing with Hastings (who I knew would just have to be wrong) and disagreeing with Hastings and finding myself pausing to go, "Okay, what does that really have to do with anything?"

There's a reason Agatha Christie is the "#1 Best Selling Author of Mystery." Her cozy mysteries are fun, entertaining, and take a bit of detective work to figure out. And since I've heard that this isn't considered one of the "best" novels, I only have more to look forward to. ( )