I always learn something about the human nature after reading Christie’s books. A person will always betray the truth of their psychology— no matter how much they try and hide it. Also look for the patterns…always look for the patterns.
Someone has made three attempts at Miss Nick Buckley’s life. The fourth attempt is done, much to the person’s misfortune, in the presence of Hercule Poirot and his trusted companion Captain Hastings at the Salcombe Hotel. Who is trying to kill Miss Nick Buckley? Supposedly ‘retired’ Poirot can’t resist a mystery falling right into his pristinely groomed hands. Mwahahaha. The poor murdering fool.
At first I was intrigued by Agatha Christie’s unorthodox plot for a mystery: detecting a crime before it’s been committed. An interesting challenge for Hercule Poirot— who conveniently cannot resist a challenge. This indeed was a tough case for Poirot, which was slightly jarring as a familiar reader. Imagine watching Martha Stewart struggling to make Vanilla sponge cake…it’s a little weird. Poirot’s ego is often wounded by constant obstacles and confusion that the story presents. Poirot has always been a queer little old man to us, but never really associated with failings of old-age. Of course he redeems himself, but the moments of vulnerability (which were quite numerous in the novel) was an almost scary encounter. However it is comforting to know that even a mind as consistently brilliant as Poirot can have its faltering moments.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. Poirot’s relationship with Hastings is without a doubt the cutest little old-man-hang in town!
Have you read this books? If so, tell me what you think 😉
Check out how far I am in my Agatha Christie Completist link!
