Source: Purchased
Description: A teenage murder witness is drowned in a tub of apples... At a Hallowe'en party, Joyce—a hostile thirteen-year-old—boasts that she once witnessed a murder. When no-one believes her, she storms off home. But within hours her body is found, still in the house, drowned in an apple-bobbing tub. That night, Hercule Poirot is called in to find the 'evil presence'. But first he must establish whether he is looking for a murderer or a double-murderer...
Genre: Mystery - Classic
Why I Picked This Book: I'm rereading all the Poirot books and this one was next!
My Impression: This book was published in the very last decade of Agatha Christie's 50 + year writing career. It's an entertaining premise but I feel like these last few books just aren't quite as tightly plotted as her earlier books. I like the premise on this one though it does feel like a retread of an earlier (and in my opinion better) mystery that also stars Mrs. Oliver.
I do love Poirot out of his element and Poirot out of his element WITH Mrs. Oliver in tow is even better. I loved the details of the Halloween party and seeing the setup of the village. Unfortunately, I didn't love the execution of this one as much as I normally do. The last quarter felt a little rushed and frankly jumbled. And even worse the first three quarters of the book felt a little lackluster and never really engaged me.
I love Agatha Christie and for the most part she's incredibly consistent but I just don't love her last few books and this is a clear case of that.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Obviously! Agatha Christie will always be my favorite even though this book isn't.
Would I Recommend this Book? Probably not. If you like the premise I think you'd prefer Dead Man's Folly or if you're just interested in trying Christie I'd recommend one of her earlier books.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Obviously! Agatha Christie will always be my favorite even though this book isn't.
Would I Recommend this Book? Probably not. If you like the premise I think you'd prefer Dead Man's Folly or if you're just interested in trying Christie I'd recommend one of her earlier books.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I haven't read Hallowe'en party yet. I have an old copy with the creepiest cover. Just never drew my attention. Might however read it out of pure curiosity.
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Haven't far enough for this one as I am reading them in order but it looks cool...lol.
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