Exploring Agatha Christie’s "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe": A Hercule Poirot Mystery Review

Agatha Christie is a name that echoes through the world of mystery and detective stories, earning her the title of the best-selling novelist of all time. With an impressive collection of 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, she has left a lasting mark on literature. Her two most famous characters, the clever Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and the sharp-minded village spinster Miss Marple, have won the hearts of readers for generations. These characters have not only lived on through books but have also been brought to life on television shows and in movies, captivating audiences worldwide. Among her many famous works, titles like Murder on the Orient Express stand out for their brilliant plots and unexpected twists. If you love a good mystery where the criminal isn’t obvious, Christie’s stories, including One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, are a perfect pick.

Christie’s life wasn’t without its own mysteries. In 1926, she faced a personal scandal that made headlines. Her husband, Archie Christie, told her he was in love with another woman and wanted a divorce. Soon after, Agatha disappeared for 10 days, leaving everyone worried and confused. She was eventually found staying at a hotel, registered under the name of her husband’s lover. This strange event caused a stir—some people thought it might have been a publicity stunt, while others believed she was trying to frame her husband in a conspiracy. When she was found, there was relief, but the 10 days of her disappearance remain unexplained to this day. This real-life mystery only adds to the intrigue surrounding Christie, making her stories even more fascinating to explore.

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One, Two, Buckle My Shoe is a classic Hercule Poirot mystery that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Like many of Christie’s works, the story is filled with clever twists and turns, making it nearly impossible to spot the criminal right away. If you’re new to Poirot’s world, you’ll be amazed by his brilliance as he unravels the case with confidence. If you’re already a fan, you’ll find yourself eagerly waiting for his final explanation of how he solved the mystery. The book doesn’t involve too many characters, which makes it easier to follow, but the plot is still complex enough to keep you hooked. This review will give you a glimpse into the story, but I’ll be careful not to spoil the big reveals. Whether you choose to read the book or watch the TV adaptation, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe is a delightful journey into the mind of a master detective.

Why Agatha Christie’s Mysteries Stand Out

Agatha Christie’s books are loved for a reason—they’re smart, engaging, and full of surprises. Her ability to craft plots with unexpected twists has made her a favorite among mystery lovers. In One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, you’ll see this talent in action. The story pulls you in with a seemingly simple crime, but as the layers unfold, you realize nothing is as it seems. Christie’s characters, like Hercule Poirot, are a big part of what makes her books so special. Poirot, with his egg-shaped head and big ego, might seem quirky at first, but his sharp mind and attention to detail make him a genius at solving crimes. Miss Marple, on the other hand, uses her knowledge of human nature to crack cases in her quiet village. Both characters have their own charm, and their stories have been adapted into countless TV shows and films, keeping their legacy alive.

Christie’s writing style is another reason her books are so popular. She uses simple language that’s easy to follow, but her plots are anything but simple. She has a way of planting clues that seem unimportant at first, only to reveal their significance later in a way that leaves you stunned. This is especially true in One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, where the mystery unfolds gradually, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, Christie’s mysteries offer a perfect mix of suspense, cleverness, and satisfaction when the truth finally comes to light.

The Setting and Background of the Book

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe was first published in 1940, during a time when the world was dealing with the early years of World War II. The book reflects some of the tensions of that era, with themes of espionage and patriotism woven into the plot. It was also released under two other titles, The Patriotic Murders and An Overdose of Death, which hint at the story’s connection to larger political themes. Despite the historical context, the mystery itself is timeless, focusing on human motives like greed, fear, and deception. The setting—a dentist’s office in London—might seem ordinary, but Christie turns it into the perfect stage for a complex crime.

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries, this book offers a glimpse into life in the 1940s, from the way people dressed to the social attitudes of the time. Yet, the story’s focus on universal human emotions makes it relatable even today. The TV adaptation, part of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series starring David Suchet, brings the story to life with period costumes and settings, making it a great option for those who prefer watching over reading.

Spoilers Below: Proceed Only If You Don’t Mind Knowing About the Story

Here’s where the story of One, Two, Buckle My Shoe begins to unfold. If you’d rather discover the plot for yourself, you might want to stop here and pick up the book or watch the TV version. But if you’re curious about the mystery and don’t mind a few details, let’s dive in.

The story starts with Hercule Poirot visiting his dentist, Henry Morley, for a routine check-up. On his way out, he meets a former actress named Mabelle Sainsbury Seale, who drops a buckle from her shoe. Poirot, ever the gentleman, helps her with it, and they part ways. Later that day, Poirot gets a shocking call from his friend, Inspector Japp, who tells him that the dentist, Henry Morley, has been found dead—shot in his office. Poirot isn’t a suspect, as there were other patients after him, but the case quickly grabs his attention.

As the investigation begins, we learn about the other people who were at the dentist’s office that day. There’s Alistair Blunt, a well-known banker with a lot of influence, and a man named Amberiotis, a Greek spy who later turns up dead from an overdose of anesthetic. At first, it seems like the dentist might have made a medical mistake, accidentally killing Amberiotis with too much anesthetic, and then shot himself out of guilt. But Poirot isn’t convinced—it’s too neat, and he suspects there’s more to the story.

The plot thickens when the dentist’s secretary reveals she was called away from the office by a telegram, which turns out to be fake. Then, Mabelle Sainsbury Seale goes missing, only to be found dead in the apartment of a woman named Mrs. Albert Chapman—who is also nowhere to be found. With each new clue, the mystery grows more tangled. Who killed the dentist? Why did Amberiotis die? And what happened to Mabelle? Poirot sets out to uncover the truth, using his sharp mind and keen observation skills to piece together the puzzle.

The story introduces a few suspects, including a man who seems like the obvious culprit. But with Poirot on the case, you know things won’t be that simple. As he digs deeper, he uncovers secrets about the characters—some involving espionage, others tied to personal grudges. The book keeps you guessing, with twists that make you question what you thought you knew. By the end, Poirot reveals the guilty party in his classic style, explaining how he figured it out in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. The final reveal is one of those moments where you might say, “I didn’t see that coming!”—a hallmark of Christie’s best mysteries.

Why You Should Read "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe"

This book is a great choice for anyone who loves a good detective story. If you’re new to Hercule Poirot, it’s a perfect introduction to his character and methods. You’ll be amazed at how he notices tiny details—like the buckle of a shoe—that turn out to be key to solving the case. If you’re already a fan, you’ll enjoy seeing Poirot in action once again, unraveling a mystery that’s as clever as it is entertaining. The story isn’t overly complicated with too many characters, making it easy to follow, but it still has enough depth to keep you engaged.

The TV adaptation is also worth watching. David Suchet’s portrayal of Poirot is widely praised, and the episode stays true to the book while adding visual charm. Whether you read the book or watch the show, you’re in for a treat with this mystery. It’s a reminder of why Agatha Christie remains a legend in the world of detective fiction—her stories are timeless, her characters are unforgettable, and her plots are always a delightful challenge.

Pairing This Book with Other Christie Classics

If you enjoy One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, you might want to check out other Hercule Poirot mysteries like The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or Death on the Nile, both of which are full of Christie’s signature twists. For a taste of Miss Marple, try The Body in the Library or A Murder Is Announced. Each book offers a new puzzle to solve, with settings ranging from quiet English villages to exotic locations like the Nile River. Christie’s vast collection means there’s always another mystery waiting for you to explore.

A Personal Connection to the Story

I’ve always loved Agatha Christie’s books, and One, Two, Buckle My Shoe is one of my favorites. Reading about Poirot’s clever detective work feels like a fun challenge—I’m always trying to guess the culprit before he reveals it, but Christie always manages to surprise me. The idea of a mystery starting in something as ordinary as a dentist’s office is so clever, and it reminds me how Christie can turn any setting into a stage for suspense. This book made me appreciate Poirot’s brilliance even more, and I can’t wait to read more of his adventures.

Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie: A Hercule Poirot Mystery Review from 1940

Agatha Christie, often called the great dame of detective fiction, is a name that resonates with mystery lovers around the world. She’s famous for writing gripping murder mysteries with plots that keep you guessing until the very last page. Over her long career, which spanned several decades, Christie wrote a large number of detective novels that became incredibly popular. In fact, she’s the third best-selling author of all time, only behind The Bible and the works of William Shakespeare—an amazing achievement for any writer. Her stories have been turned into plays, audio readings, multiple TV series, and even movies, bringing her clever mysteries to life in new ways. If you’re a fan of detective stories or just looking for a thrilling read, Christie’s books, including Sad Cypress, are a fantastic choice.

Christie’s own life had its share of mystery, adding an extra layer of intrigue to her legacy. In 1926, her first husband, Archie Christie, told her he had fallen in love with another woman and wanted to marry his lover. During this emotional turmoil, Agatha suddenly vanished, sparking a nationwide frenzy in England. For 10 days, no one could find her, and the search made headlines everywhere. She was finally discovered at a hotel, where she had checked in under the name of her husband’s lover. When she was found, there was relief among her family and fans, but some people criticized her, saying she might have been trying to set up her husband or pulling a marketing stunt to boost her fame. Christie never fully explained those 10 days, leaving it as a mystery that still fascinates people today.

Sad Cypress, published in 1940, is one of Christie’s classic Hercule Poirot mysteries, featuring her beloved Belgian detective known for his sharp mind and quirky personality. This book stands out for its spectacular twist at the end, with almost no clues given throughout the story to hint at the final reveal. It’s the kind of twist that leaves you stunned, and revealing anything about it would spoil the fun, so I’ll avoid that here. Instead, I’ll share a bit about the plot and what makes this book so special, especially for Agatha Christie fans or anyone new to her work. Whether you’ve read Christie before or this is your first time, Sad Cypress is a gripping read that showcases her talent for crafting clever mysteries.

Why Agatha Christie’s Mysteries Are So Loved

Agatha Christie’s books have a timeless appeal because of her ability to create complex plots that keep readers on their toes. Her stories often revolve around a murder, and the journey to find the killer is filled with twists and turns that aren’t easy to predict. She had a knack for hiding clues in plain sight, making you feel like you should have figured it out, but leaving you surprised when the truth comes out. This is especially true in Sad Cypress, where the ending catches you off guard in the best way.

Christie’s characters also play a big role in her popularity. Hercule Poirot, the star of Sad Cypress, is a small, meticulous detective with an egg-shaped head and a big ego. He’s known for his “little gray cells”—his way of saying he uses his brain to solve crimes by noticing tiny details others miss. Another famous character of hers, Miss Marple, is an elderly woman who solves mysteries in her quiet village by understanding human nature. Both Poirot and Miss Marple have their own fan bases, and their stories have been adapted into TV shows and movies, keeping Christie’s legacy alive for new generations.

Her books aren’t just about solving crimes—they often reflect the time they were written in. Sad Cypress, for example, came out in 1940, during the early years of World War II. While the story doesn’t focus on the war, you can feel the tension of the era in the background, with characters dealing with uncertainty and change. This historical touch adds depth to the mystery, making it more than just a puzzle to solve. Plus, Christie’s writing is simple and easy to follow, even though her plots are anything but straightforward, making her books accessible to readers of all ages.

What Makes Sad Cypress Unique

Sad Cypress is a standout in Christie’s collection because it blends her usual mystery style with a courtroom drama, something she didn’t often include in her Poirot books. While some of her stories show coroner investigations, this one takes you into the courtroom, where the tension of a trial adds an extra layer of suspense. The book also explores themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal, making the characters’ emotions as gripping as the mystery itself. For Agatha Christie fans, this book is a must-read because it shows Poirot at his best, unraveling a case that seems impossible to solve. If you’ve never read Christie before, Sad Cypress is a great place to start—it’s not too long, the characters are easy to follow, and the twist at the end will leave you eager to read more of her work.

The TV adaptation of Sad Cypress, part of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series starring David Suchet, is also worth watching. Suchet’s portrayal of Poirot is widely loved, and the episode captures the book’s mood perfectly, with beautiful 1940s costumes and settings. Whether you choose to read the book or watch the show, you’re in for a treat with this mystery. It’s a perfect example of why Christie remains a legend in detective fiction—her stories are clever, her characters are memorable, and her plots are always a delightful challenge.

Spoilers Below: Proceed Only If You Don’t Mind Knowing About the Story

Here’s where the story of Sad Cypress starts to unfold. If you’d rather discover the plot for yourself, you might want to stop here and pick up the book or watch the TV version. But if you’re okay with learning a bit about the story, let’s dive in.

The book begins with a classic setup: a couple in love, Elinor Carlisle and Roddy Welman, who are engaged to be married. They’re not very rich, but they have the support of Elinor’s wealthy aunt, Laura Welman, who looks on lovingly at the couple and is happy with their decision to wed. Aunt Laura is like a kind guardian, and everyone expects Elinor to inherit her fortune someday. But things take a turn when Roddy meets another girl, Mary Gerrard, an orphan who lives with Aunt Laura. Mary is young and beautiful, and soon Roddy falls for her, breaking off his engagement with Elinor. To make matters worse, the couple is warned that Mary might be trying to win over Aunt Laura’s affections—and her money.

As tensions rise, Aunt Laura’s health starts to decline. Before she passes away, she asks that some money be settled on Mary to ensure her future. But when Aunt Laura dies, her fortune goes entirely to Elinor, leaving Roddy with nothing. The story takes a darker turn when Elinor, while clearing out her aunt’s house after the funeral, becomes entangled in a tragedy. Mary Gerrard suddenly dies of morphine poisoning, and Elinor, who had the means and a possible motive—jealousy over Roddy and the inheritance—becomes the most obvious suspect. She’s arrested and put on trial for Mary’s murder, facing a grim future if convicted.

This is where Hercule Poirot steps in. He’s hired to investigate the case and find out what really happened. The rest of the book follows Poirot’s sleuthing as he digs into the lives of everyone involved, looking for clues to uncover the truth. Was Elinor driven by jealousy to commit murder, or is there more to the story? Poirot interviews witnesses, examines the evidence, and pieces together the puzzle in his classic style. The courtroom scenes add a layer of drama, as Elinor’s fate hangs in the balance while Poirot works to find the real killer. Most of Poirot’s books don’t show court proceedings, but in Sad Cypress, the trial takes center stage, making the stakes feel even higher.

As Poirot investigates, he uncovers secrets about the characters—hidden motives, past promises, and unexpected connections that shed new light on the case. The book keeps you guessing, with twists that make you question what you thought you knew. By the end, Poirot reveals the truth in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying, proving once again why he’s one of the best detectives in fiction. The final twist is so cleverly hidden that you’ll likely be amazed at how Christie pulled it off without giving you any hints along the way.

Themes and Emotions in Sad Cypress

Beyond the mystery, Sad Cypress explores deeper themes that make the story even more compelling. The book delves into the pain of lost love, as Elinor struggles with Roddy’s betrayal and her own heartbreak. There’s also the theme of jealousy—not just romantic, but financial, as the inheritance creates tension between the characters. Christie uses these emotions to make the characters feel real, so you care about what happens to them, even as you try to figure out who the killer is. The title, Sad Cypress, comes from a line in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, hinting at themes of mourning and loss, which echo throughout the story as the characters deal with death and grief.

The setting also adds to the mood. The story takes place in an English country house, a common backdrop for Christie’s mysteries, but one that feels cozy yet eerie as the plot unfolds. The historical context of 1940, with the shadow of war looming, gives the story a sense of uncertainty, mirroring the uncertainty of the characters’ lives. It’s these little touches that make Sad Cypress more than just a whodunit—it’s a story about people, their choices, and the consequences that follow.

Why You Should Read Sad Cypress

For Agatha Christie fans, Sad Cypress is a book you won’t want to miss. It’s a perfect showcase of Poirot’s detective skills, with a twist that’ll leave you in awe of Christie’s storytelling. If you’ve never read Christie before, this is a great book to start with—it’s not too long or complicated, but it still has all the elements that make her mysteries so addictive. The courtroom drama adds a fresh twist to the usual Poirot formula, and the emotional depth of the characters makes the story even more engaging.

If you prefer watching mysteries, the TV adaptation starring David Suchet is a wonderful way to experience the story. Suchet brings Poirot to life with charm and precision, and the episode captures the book’s atmosphere beautifully. Whether you read the book or watch the show, Sad Cypress is a reminder of why Agatha Christie remains a legend in detective fiction—her ability to surprise, entertain, and touch your heart is unmatched.

Pairing This Book with Other Christie Classics

If you enjoy Sad Cypress, you might want to explore other Hercule Poirot mysteries like Death on the Nile or The ABC Murders, both of which are packed with Christie’s signature twists. For a taste of Miss Marple, try The Murder at the Vicarage or A Pocket Full of Rye. Each book offers a new puzzle to solve, with settings ranging from exotic boats to quiet villages. Christie’s vast collection means there’s always another mystery waiting for you to dive into.

A Personal Connection to the Story

I’ve always been a fan of Agatha Christie, and Sad Cypress quickly became one of my favorites. The mix of mystery and emotion drew me in, and I loved seeing Poirot work his magic in the courtroom. The twist at the end left me stunned—I didn’t see it coming at all! Reading this book made me appreciate Christie’s genius even more, and I can’t wait to explore more of her stories.

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Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938) - Starring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is known as one of the most prolific writers of detective novels, and certainly the top selling author. She write during the early years of the 20th century and wrote for several decades, creating 2 of the most famous detectives (the more famous egoist Hercule Poirot and the village elderly spinster Miss Marple). These 2 detectives, in their individual stories delved into human nature unerringly, pointing out the evil being done by people, and finally pinpointed the people behind the murders (in most of these cases, these were murders although there might be several other crimes mixed in with them).
Agatha Christie had somewhat of a colorful life herself, atleast in parts. Her first marriage fell apart when her husband fell in love with another lady and told Agatha that he wanted a divorce; this in turn caused the mysterious lost days of her life when she disappeared for 10 days until she was finally found in a hotel room, under the assumed name of her husband's lover. Her second marriage was far more successful, involving some travel as well, lasting through her life.
Hercule Poirot is probably the more well known of the 2 detectives (she created some minor other characters as well, but they did not become so famous as these two). For comical effect, she also would add sequences when he would get affronted if somebody did not recognize him, or in the later novels, where the person thought that he would be so old that he would have died by now.




Hercule's Poirot Christmas was later published in the US under the name of 'Murder for Christmas', and a much later edition was sold as 'A holiday for murder'. Without getting into spoilers, the book is an interesting one where the enter detecting work is done in a house, with the murder having taken place in a closed room with the impossibility of anybody getting into the room.
Simeon Lee is very old, and very rich, and also very autocratic. He surprises his family by hosting a grand family get-together at Christmas where he even invites his long separated son, Harry, whom the others in the family really don't like - but hey, if the old man wants it done, then it will be done and he does not brook any opposition. He also invites his grand-daughter, she of Spanish descent, who has lost her parents and who knows that her grandfather is a very rich man. And yet another guest, Stephen Farr, the son of Simeon's former partner in the mines. And then the family hears him talking to his lawyer on the phone about how he wants to update his will.
And on Chrismas Eve at night, after dinner, there is an almighty commotion from the old man's room, with the upturning of furniture as well as a horrible scream. The door is locked from the inside, and when they break open the door, they find the room to be in a mess, as well as the murdered body of Simeon with large amounts of spilled blood. The police Superintendent was also there, having come earlier in the evening to meet Simeon and he takes charge of the house and the proceedings, him having apparently been called by Simeon because of some diamonds missing from the locker.
Any further details will take away from the mystery, just one line, not everybody is whom they claim to be, and Poirot has to unmask people as well as prevent further murders. A detective novel worth reading.

Death on the Nile (1937) - Starring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is known as probably the most famous detective novelist, atleast in terms of the overall number of books she has sold. Her books are outsold only by the Bible and by the works of William Shakespeare, which is saying a lot. Although it is also true that she has written a large number of detective novels spanning a time of multiple decades. Some are truly exceptional, with just a few that may be considered below her standard.
She is most famous for creating 2 famous detectives - the egg headed Hercule Poirot, who is also seen as egoistical and very much in awe of his own abilities, and the quiet elderly spinster Miss Marple who seems to have an incredible grasp of human nature and the evil that resides in many people (and an stubborn ability not to take anyone's words at face value).
Agatha Christie also had a real life mystery in her own life, at the time when her first husband wanted a divorce from her for marrying his mistress. She disappeared for a period of 10 days despite an extensive hunt, with outrage from a public that by now was an avid reader of her books. She was found in a hotel under the name of her husband's mistress and seemingly suffering from amnesia. After she was found, the public opinion turned negative, with the belief that either she was looking to frame her husband, or this was sort of publicity stunt.
However, she had a lot of writing left in her and went onto write some of her most famous works, including the novel 'And then there were none' as well as 'Murder on the Orient Express'.


Death on the Nile was a novel featuring the detective Hercule Poirot, in one her typical trademark fashions. I will try and not reveal too much of the story so that if you have not read it, there is some suspense involved. There are some twists and turns, else why would you like the book once you have finished reading it; what I can promise is that most of you would not have anticipated the twist in the novel. A couple of the characters in the book, besides Hercule Poirot have made their appearance in other books.
The people depicted in the book depict mostly typical upper class British citizens, as well as some Americans. As was there in that time, the locals (the Egyptians in this case) really don't have any power or authority, and are overseen by the visiting Englishmen. However, do keep in mind that this was a book written from that time period, and the power and authority equations from that time have been depicted in the book.
The book is a story all about a vengeful women and how she tries to get her revenge. Jacqueline de Bellefort was poor but had a delightful and loving fiancee Simon Doyle, for whom she was trying to get a job. She has a very rich friend Linnet Doyle, who agrees to help her by giving a job to Simon. Fast forward some time, and there is a massive betrayal by both, since Simon breaks his engagement and gets married to Linnet.
What does a vengeful women do ? Well, try and make their life hell. So when they try and escape from her on a steamer river cruise in Egypt, they find that their plans were of no use since Jacqueline was also on the ship and proceeded to mock and taunt her, giving them no respite. Linnet asks for help from Poirot, but he declines, although he does try and caution Jacqueline about the path she is taking. There is an usual an odd assorted set of characters on the steamer, some of whom have their own small stories in the book.
Linnet suffers an attempt on her life during a shore excursion, and then on the steamer, she finally meets her end, being found in the morning, having been shot to death. Poirot now takes up the matter, trying to figure out what really happened and who killed her. The novel does make an interesting reading.

Dumb Witness (1937) - featuring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is most famous for the 2 detectives that she created, the egg shaped egoistical Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and the elderly spinster Miss Marple, with Hercule Poirot being the more famous of the 2. One famous way of writing the books was with the constant companion of Poirot, Captain Hastings being the narrator. However, with the book 'Dumb Witness', this concept of Hastings being the narrator was coming to a close, with this being the second last book of Poirot with Hastings as the narrator (the last one being the 1975 book 'Curtain: Poirot's Last Case'. Like many of her other books, The Dumb Witness was also the name of the book release in Britain, with the US release having a different name 'Poirot Loses a Client'.
The Dumb Witness had a not so enthusiastic reception by critics when it was released, with many of the reviewers proclaiming the story as not having the complexity and twists, and not being gripping enough; however, the book did contain many of the usual plots that are present in books by Christie, with a rural setting, a small English village, an old lady, relatives who have a motive for the murder, follow on deaths, use of poison, and also some elements of the occult.



The novel centers around the character of an old wealthy lady, Emily Arundell, who lives in an old English village, and who has written to Poirot for investigation of a suspected murder attempt on her. However, by the time Poirot receives this letter, it is too late. Emily dies, with her doctor declaring that she died of a long standing liver problem that she was suffering from (the doctor was also old, and had a problem that he had mostly lost his sense of smell, something that is very relevant for the story).
Poirot gets involved with the story, since he considers the dead lady still his client, and pretends to be interested in the property to investigate the death in more detail. Like many other stories, there is money, motive; and there is some amount of the occult, a small cute dog, a brooch, and many other points that make this an interesting story.

Cards on the Table (1936) - featuring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Cards on the Table was a very interesting piece of fiction, taking a unique mix of 4 people who could have committed murders in the past, and combining this with a mix of 4 detectives from Christie's earlier books. The main characters in this book are:
The Four Apparent murderers:
- Dr Roberts, a physician and a hearty man
- Mrs Lorrimer, a well-to-do gentlewoman of middle age and an expert bridge player
- Major Despard, a dashing explorer suspected of killing a rival earlier
- Anne Meredith, a pretty, impecunious and poor young woman
All of them have been brought together by a strange man called Mr. Shaitana, who meets Poirot at a cultural event, and then declares that for a detective such as Poirot, the collection of murderers that Shaitana has (who were never caught) would be much more interesting. In the bridge game, he brings in 4 detectives:
- Superintendent Battle, an officer from Scotland Yard
- Colonel Race, a MI6 agent who had worked with Poirot before
- Ariadne Oliver, writer of popular detective fiction
- Hercule Poirot, the private detective



In the Bridge game the 4 detectives play Bridge separately in a different room, and the other 4 play Bridge in a different room, with Mr. Shaitana in the same room. However, several hours later, at the end of the session, when people go to thank Mr. Shaitana, they realize that he is dead, having been stabbed by a jeweled stiletto; and since none has arrived in the room, it has to be one of the 4 who is the murderer.
Then these 4 detectives start detailing the past history of these characters, trying to figure out who was guilty of which crime in the past. Poirot also tried to figure out from each of the players as to who played bridge in which style, to try to determine from each of the players what they thought of the other's level of playing, as also about what was happening in the room.
And then at one point, one of them confesses to Poirot to the crime, but he does not really believe this and when she is killed the next day, it is even more clear that they need to find the killer soon; and Poirot does eventually deliver.

Murder in Mesopotamia (1936) - starring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

The Murder in Mesopotamia was a book published in 1936 by Agatha Christie, and was based on an archaeological excavation set in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq), something pretty close to Agatha Christie, since her second husband Sir Max Mallowan was an archaeologist who went for digs in the Middle East, and Christie had also accompanied her husband on some of those digs. At the time at which the novel was set, the state of Iraq was a British protectorate. One interesting point in this novel is that it was released after 'The Murder on the Orient Express', but was set before the actual Orient Express event, since he was returning from Mesopotamia when he came back on the Orient Express. Like many of other novels, this one was also turned into a television movie in 2001, starring David Suchet.
The novel was set on a dig, but did not really have much reference to any findings from the dig, or any treasure hunt, or so on. It was mostly based on a person taking on a different identity, and then finally his original identity being unmasked.



Poirot is in Iraq when a murder happens, and Poirot's friend, Dr. Reilly, who is with the archaeological dig asks him to help by investigating. There is a story behind the murder. The lady who is murdered is called Mrs. Leidner, married to Dr. Leidner, a Swedish-American archaeologist working on the same dig. Mrs. Leidner has a past, since she was married to a person named Frederick Bosner, who was a spy for the Germans while working for the US State Department during the First World war. His betrayal was discovered and he was sentenced to death. He managed to escape, only to finally die during a train crash where his badly mutilated body was found. From time to time, when Mrs. Leidner started getting close to a relationship, she would get threatening letters (supposedly from her dead husband). Given this history, Dr. Leidner had hired a nurse Amy Leatheran to look after his wife on the dig. However, one day they found the wife dead in her room, killed by a blow to the head.
And then soon after, a female associate of Dr. Leidner called Miss Johnson is killed by making her drink acid instead of water, but she manages to say a cryptic 'the window' before she dies; this helps Poirot in the case even though the clue seems very cryptic.

The ABC murders (1936) - featuring Hercule Poirot and written by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie did a lot of experimentation with her books, sometimes confusing her readers by laying red herrings in some of her books that would mislead the users, in another she finally made almost all the characters in the novels as the guilty parties, and so on. In 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd', she experimented with changing the narrator, and tried having the murderer be the narrator, and so on. In The ABC Murders, Christie experimented with having a mix of first person and third person narration (with Hastings trying to also reconstruct the third-person narrative).
Why is this book called The ABC Murders ? Well, because a series of murders is committed with the first person being killed having his name starting with 'A', the second with 'B', and so on. And each time, a letter (a challenge) is being sent to Hercule Poirot and the police before each murder, detailing where the murder will happen, but they are unable to prevent the murders from happening.



However, after 3 murders, there may be a break. The apparent 4th murder ('D') goes wrong, and then a man named Alexander Bonaparte Cust (ABC), who is a stocking salesman, walks in and confesses to the murders (he suffers from epilepsy, has blackouts, and has been near the scene of each of the murders and finds blood on his short cuffs), and the letter have been typed on his typewriter. And the clues that the police have found till now lead them to believe that the man committing the murder is a stocking salesman. But, there is a problem. He has not heard of Hercule Poirot (the wound to the pride of Poirot), and also does not have any idea about the letters. Poirot can soon prove that he has an alibi at the time of the murders and could not be involved.
And then it turns out that the murders are a blind, that innocent people lost their lives because one of the murders was desired for a specific financial purpose, and that the others were just done to set a different pattern. And this was the master planner, who had hired Cust to be near the scene of each crime as a part of each job, had used his typewriter to do the letters, and also put the blood on the cuffs.

Death in the Clouds (1935) - starring the detective Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Death in the clouds was a novel written by Agatha Christie, and released in 1935. Agatha Christie had based most of her stories on the ground, and this was probably her first story that was written about a murder on an aircraft. The book again stars her favorite detective, the proud Belgian detective with a head shaped like an egg, Hercule Poirot, with the book also featuring the constant police companion, Chief Inspector Japp.
Hercule Poirot is on a flight from Paris to Croydon Airport (an airport that used to service South London before it was replaced by the more modern airports of Heathrow and Gatwick). On this flight, one of the passengers, a moneylender by the name of Madame Giselle. There is initial speculation that she was killed by the bite of a wasp, but the sharp Poirot noticed that she was killed by a poison-tipped dart (the kind that are fired from a blowpipe). Which means that the death was not an accident, but was actually a murder, and hence Poirot is the chief person to do the murder investigation.



However, using a blowpipe on such a closed and intimate environment such as an aircraft would not be an easy task with the probability of being seen by somebody very high. More likely that the murder would be done through the use of another instrument such as a flute or some other pipe. And the murder victim, Madame Giselle, is not a very friendly person, since she was not above using blackmail to get her money back, so there would be a number of people who could have a possible motive if the pressure of the blackmail proved to be too heavy.
Suspicion can fall on many persons in the flight, turn by turn. For example, it turns out that some of the people are not who they were, or were linked to the victim in some way; and was there the question of passing of money also involved ? Was this a murder for financial gain ?

Three Act Tragedy (1934) - a book starring Hercule Poirot - written by Agatha Christie

Another book in the line-up of Hercule Poirot books written by Agatha Christie. This book is also another of those books that had a different name in Great Britain ("Three Act Tragedy"), and a different name in the United States (Murder in Three Acts). In addition to Hercule Poirot, this was the Poirot novel featuring Mr. Satterthwaite (who featured in other books starring Mr. Harvey Quinn). The movie has one of those mysteries of Christie where there is some amount of misdirection to confuse the readers; the story is that of a dinner party with 13 people at dinner. And one of them dies - he is the vicar Reverend Stephen Babbington, dead after choking on his cocktail; yet an analyis of the drink does not reveal any poison, so maybe the death was accidental after all. And he was mild-mannered, with no ostensible enemies, and so no motive for anybody to murder him. Yet, this happens again, and again. So, there are murders happening.



One problem with this particular book is that this does not entirely seem to be Poirot's book; he does not seem to present in some parts of the books. The investigation is carried out in large stretches by a trio - an ageing actor, a young admirer of his, and the third man. They try to speak to witnesses, do the discussion and try to resolve the murders. In the end, when everything starts to come together, Hercule Poirot does the final bit of putting together of the various pieces of evidence along with the evidence arising from a third murder.
However, this is also a novel where you find Hercule Poirot doing something that he normally does not do, which is give an explanation about why he speaks in a way that people consider him very proud of himself, and his English is also a bit formal (his reason is that this makes people consider him more of a buffoon, not somebody very skilled, and there is a greater chance of under-estimating him and thus being less on their guard).

Murder on the Orient Express (1934) - A murder mystery starring Hercule Poirot - a complex mystery

By the time that this book was published (in 1934), Hercule Poirot had a big fan base and people would wait for a new novel to be released by Agatha Christie. The book is extremely famous, and has also been converted into a movie. The base plot of the book is seemingly based on the Lindberg baby kidnapping where the baby son of the famous aviator Charles Lindberg was kidnapped. Tragically, the child was murdered, and this was a very famous case (since Lindberg was extremely famous after doing a solo flight across the Atlantic). And the book has a similar case, where the person who was murdered was revealed to be behind a similar crime, something that gets revealed during the course of the investigation of the murder. The ending is a bit surprising for those who have read many of the other Hercule Poirot novels (and just for that, in this review, I will not reveal the ending - so if you have not read the book, try and get it).
Hercule Poriot is returning from Syria in the Orient Express in Istanbul, and has had to take help from a friend who is a director on the train company Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits; he gets a berth when another traveler fails to show up.



And like many other mysteries, Poirot just happens to be on the scene when a murder happens (something which scares the perpetrators of the crime, since in the normal course of things, this would not have been a crime that would have been easily solved). In the course of a night near Belgrade, Poirot seems to hear a sound outside his door more than once, and does not encounter anybody. Further, a lady Mrs. Hubbard seems to believe that somebody was in her apartment. However, nobody is to be found.
The next morning, they find one of the passengers, Mr. Ratchett, to have died, rather been murdered. He was killed by many stab wounds, some from left handers, some from right handers, and some much deeper than the others. The train is stuck in a snow-storm, so it would seem that the murdered is still on the train. Poirot is the only one who can investigate, and he starts his investigation. He finds a number of clues, but many of them point in different directions. And then he discovers the past of Mr. Ratchett, who was actually a fugitive from the US called Cassetti. And he was behind the kidnap and murder of a young heiress, Daisy Armstrong, and had then fled from the country. Her parents died from the shock (her mother died from the shock, and her father killed himself).
And as he investigates, he realizes that other passengers on the train all had connections to the Armstrong family in the past, and thus any of them could have a motive, so who was the actual killer ?

Lord Edgware Dies (1933) - A work starring the detective Hercule Poirot, and written by Agatha Christie

By the time that Agatha Christie wrote this book, Hercule Poirot was a character who had made his mark in many of her previous books and had a huge set of fans. This book also had an alternate name, 'Thirteen at Dinner', based on the belief that if there are thirteen guests at the table, bad luck would follow the first guest who arises from the table (and there is a scene in the book where there is a dinner with 13 guests). The book's central theme is of the confusion where the accused has a solid alibi for the time of the murder, and how can a person be in 2 places at the same time, something for Poirot to solve and resolve. The book also features the other 2 companions, Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp.
Like many of her other books, the dedication of Christie's books reveals something about her personal life. The book was dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Campbell Thompson, with Dr. Reginald Campbell Thompson being the archaeologist who was employing her husband, Max Mallowan, to work at the digs in Ur, and let Christie also accompany Max (where she could continue working on her book).



Poirot gets a letter from a lady who wants him to convince her husband to agree to a divorce. This kind of work is not something that Poirot enjoys doing, but he does, but to his surprise, the husband says that he has already agreed to the divorce and sent her the letter, which she claims not to have received. This lady is Jane Wilkinson (an actress) who is married to the peer, the fourth Baron Edgware. And then the Baron is found dead, and she is accused of murdering the Baron so that she can get married to her lover, Duke of Merton. She had arrived at the house, the butler had let her in, and the next morning, the Baron was found dead. But there is a problem, since she was also seen in a dinner party on the previous night (the night of the murder), and how can a person be at 2 different places at the same time.
Then Poirot gets to know of the death of an actress called Carlotta Adams is found dead, dead due to an overdose of Veronal, which she had apparently been using for some time (since there was a small box of it with her). Then an actor called Donald Ross is stabbed just when was going to tell Poirot about something interesting he witnessed at a dinner party. It is now upto Poirot to figure out what is happening, and whether Jane is really the murderer.

Peril at End House (1932) - A book by Agatha Christie - murder for money

By this time, Hercule Poirot was a pretty common character in the novels by Agatha Christie, and in this novel by Agatha Christie, he made his 7th presence (along with Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp). The novel was published in 1932, and was received well with good reviews by newspapers and magazines. The novel was sufficiently complicated with twists and turns that the general public would not be able to figure out who the villain was, and this was what makes a successful book; and so it was with this book. The adventure takes Poirot and Hastings to the Cornish resort of St. Loo, with them having taken up residence at the Majestic Hotel. The main character in the novel, the damsel in distress, stays at place called the 'End House', which is why the name of the novel is as it is.
In this book, Christie also makes reference to some of her earlier novels that featured Poirot, with some of them being The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The Mystery of the Blue Train, and a couple of others.



Hastings and Poirot are at relaxing at a resort, when they read the story of a lost adventurer called Captain Seton (lost when trying to do a round the world flight); then they run into a young girl called 'Nick' (Magdala) Buckley who loves in End House. Then she mentions something that would totally interest Poirot, since she mentions that she evaded death three times in the past 3 days. Then, when she has gone, Poirot examines her straw hat and finds a bullet hole in it, and is convinced that she is in danger, and decides to save her life.
He talks to her later, and finds out the circumstances where she claimed her life was in danger; she is not taking it seriously, but then he mentions the bullet hole in her hat which was made from a Mauser. She owns a Mauser, but is now unable to find it, and this convinces her that her life is in danger. He finds out from her about her life, and what all she owns, including her strained financial circumstances. He finds out more about her friends and relatives, including who would stand to gain from her death.
He gets more involved in a case, and is horrified when one of her cousins, Maggie Buckley, is shot dead (wearing a shawl that Nick was supposed to be wearing); then he finds out that Nick was supposedly engaged to Michael Seton, and could get his estate if he died (which he did), and if Nick died, then all this property would also go to whoever was in her will. And this leads to further investigations by Poirot, and of course, eventually he finds out the truth.

The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - by Agatha Christie - starring Hercule Poirot

The Mystery of the Blue Train was a book by Agatha Christie (published in 1928); this was written at a time of great stress for Agatha Christie, since it was only recently that her husband had declared his intention of leaving her for another woman and had sought a divorce, her mother had died recently; she was also in need of money at this point of time. Writing this novel was not easy for her, since she did a word count regularly of what all she had written. At this time, she had also seen a number of her friends deserting her, and had come up with 2 lists:
Order of Rats - Friends who had not stood by her when required
Order of Faithful Dogs (O.F.D) - Charlotte Fisher, and her terrier Peter who provided her with a lot of affection.
This book was dedicated to the second group, those who supported her. The book was based on a short story by Agatha Christie herself, a short story of 1923 called The Plymouth Express (featuring Poirot).



The Blue Train is a murder mystery set on a train. Poirot is on the 'Le Train Bleu' train, bound for the French Riveria. On board are an assortment of people, such as Katherine Grey, who has inherited a huge sum and is enjoying herself with her first trip out of England. She meets an American heiress on board, Ruth Kettering, who is escaping from her marriage (although her estranged husband Derek Kettering with the dancer Mirelle); and then Ruth is found dead, having been strangulated to death. A famous diamond is also found missing, and the dead girl's father commissions Poirot to investigate the crime.
At first glance, the husband would be the obvious suspect, but there could be more factors, since a famous diamond thief is also on board; is there more that meets the eye, and can Poirot be successful once again ?