Evil Under the Sun (1941)

This is the Agatha Christie I remember reading from my junior high years! The melodrama is toned down from the Mystery on the Links and Crooked House, and the crime detection is at the forefront. The writing is subtler with multiple pov which helps to build the suspense and give clues. The murderer motive is still a little murky, but the classic denouement of Poirot's "parlor scene" is there. ( )

Great Poirot mystery... the island just off the coast of cornwall I think ... linked by a causeway. The irresistible blond actress that is followed by all the male's and finally killed by.... ( )

Not my favourite Christie, but still a very enjoyable mystery with a solid twist at the end. It’s pretty standard fare: a distinct and well-described setting (in this case a seaside hotel in the West Country), a varied cast of characters and a brutal murder. Poirot is as much fun as ever, but his sidekick Hastings is missing, which is a shame. There’s not much to say beyond that, which may seem like a criticism, but really means it was as consistently enjoyable as you’d expect a Christie mystery to be. ( )

4/8/22

Emily Brewster shivered. Her imagination pictured a lurking murderer behind one of the boulders. Then she heard her voice saying "Whoever did it wouldn't be hanging about. We must get the police. Perhaps" - she hesitated - "one of us ought to stay with -with the body." Patrick Redfern said, "I'll stay."