As I've mentioned before, Agatha Christie is my favorite author and Poirot is my favorite detective of hers. I was hesitant to read Hannah's newest Poirot adventure and was convinced I wouldn't like it. I did enjoy the story (I read the entire thing in one day), but not as a Hercule mystery. While there were elements common to Christie's novels, I felt they were underdeveloped and/or completely random.
Lady Athelinda Playford is a famous novelist of the Shrimp Seddon mysteries for children. (This was reminiscent of Ariadne Oliver). Lady Playford invites Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard and Hercule Poirot to stay at her country estate, Lillieoak, County Cork Ireland. Prior to their arrival, Lady Playford meets with Micheal Gathercole, her solicitor, and asks him to rewrite her will. Lady Playford's new will leaves everything to her secretary, Mr. Joseph Scotcher who is terminally ill with Bright's disease. Left out of her will are her two children, Viscount Harry and his wife Viscountess Dorothy, and her daughter Claudia and her fiancee Dr. Randall Kimpton.
Lady Playford announces her revised will during dinner. As expected, the information isn't received well. Her children are shocked, as is Joseph Scotcher. That night someone is murdered. The incompetent Irish Inspector begrudgingly agrees to let Poirot and Catchpool assist with the investigation. Poirot uses his little grey cells, takes a trip to England to gather information, and finally gathers everyone together to unmask the murderer.
One of the things I love about Poirot is his sense of self-importance and his lack of modesty. In Closed Casket, I found Poirot rather subdued. I honestly think Poirot could have been replaced with a differently named private investigator and the story would have been fine.
No comments:
Post a Comment