About The Mystery of Three Quarters
• Hardcover: 368 pages• Publisher: William Morrow (August 28, 2018)
The world’s most beloved detective, Hercule Poirot—the legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and most recently The Monogram Murders and Closed Casket—returns in a stylish, diabolically clever mystery set in the London of 1930. “We Agatha Christie fans read her stories--and particularly her Poirot novels--because the mysteries are invariably equal parts charming and ingenious, dark and quirky and utterly engaging. Sophie Hannah had a massive challenge in reviving the beloved Poirot, and she met it with heart and no small amount of little grey cells. I was thrilled to see the Belgian detective in such very, very good hands. Reading The Monogram Murders was like returning to a favorite room of a long-lost home.” — Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl
Hercule Poirot returns home after an agreeable luncheon to find an angry woman waiting to berate him outside his front door. Her name is Sylvia Rule, and she demands to know why Poirot has accused her of the murder of Barnabas Pandy, a man she has neither heard of nor ever met. She is furious to be so accused, and deeply shocked. Poirot is equally shocked, because he too has never heard of any Barnabas Pandy, and he certainly did not send the letter in question. He cannot convince Sylvia Rule of his innocence, however, and she marches away in a rage. Shaken, Poirot goes inside, only to find that he has a visitor waiting for him — a man called John McCrodden who also claims also to have received a letter from Poirot that morning, accusing him of the murder of Barnabas Pandy... Poirot wonders how many more letters of this sort have been sent in his name. Who sent them, and why? More importantly, who is Barnabas Pandy, is he dead, and, if so, was he murdered? And can Poirot find out the answers without putting more lives in danger?
My Thoughts: To be honest I was really torn on reading this series. I’ve been a huge Agatha Christie fan for years and years and I’ve read everything she’s ever written multiple times so how can someone else voice Hercule Poirot??? But then I saw that not only had the Agatha Christie estate given permission for Sophie Hannah to continue the series but had also given her access to Christie’s notebooks and other sources. So I decided to take a deep breath and give it a try. I wasn’t crazy about the first one but I really enjoyed the 2nd book and this third mystery really continued that trend. I think the author was very smart in giving us a new narrator so the fact that the voice is different isn’t quite as jarring as it would be if the narrator was supposed to be Captain Hastings. It also helps that I really like the new narrator, Scotland Yard Inspector Catchpool. He has a very practical straightforward nature that works well with Poirot’s more meticulous manner. The mystery itself is intriguing and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed getting new pieces of the puzzle and being able to watch Poirot use his “little grey cells” again. While I wouldn’t confuse this with Christie, Hannah’s version of Hercule Poirot feels like Poirot. If you’re a Christie fan I think you’ll enjoy it and if you’re not a devoted Christie reader but enjoy a good mystery than I think you’ll really enjoy this one too! I’m so glad I took the chance on this series and am hoping that Sophie Hannah continues it. Rating: Very Good
It must be so weird to read a book about a favorite character but written by someone other than the original author. I am so glad that this one really worked for you. It sounds like Hannah made some good choices to make this an easier transition for Poirot fans.
ReplyDeleteThe only Christie books I've read were a few of the Miss Marple Mysteries, which I did like.
It's never good to find an angry woman waiting at your door! Glad you liked this one as I know you are a big fan of Agatha's books. Must have been weird having another author tackle this one but happy it was so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very daunting for an author to continue on with Agatha Christie's work. Good that it is finally working for you and you liked this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it ended up being a winner for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your experience with this book and I remember your review of the previous one. I have been so reluctant to try it. However, having just read another book by Sophie Hannah and also knowing she's doing this with Christie's heirs blessing, I might try one before long. I'm very intrigued by Hannah's writing. That other book I read was so strange, but I still want to explore more of her backlist.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any Agatha Christie but that's not much of a surprise when I'm not a big fan of crime novels in general. It's always risky getting a new author to continue a series like this but it sounds like it has worked for you which is good!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed this one. I have the first book in her series, but haven't read it yet. I remember you hadn't loved it. It's hard to carry the torch of a great author and such iconic characters.
ReplyDeleteI always have mixed feelings about a different author taking over a series. I am glad this worked out for you but I still need to go back and read Christie :)
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I can't imagine how amazing it would be to have access to the notebooks of someone like Agatha Christie. What big shoes to fill, but what to fun to try! It seems like Hannah has gotten into a good groove with these mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour!