Source: Publisher
Description: Three young women share a London flat. The first is a coolly efficient secretary. The second is an artist. The third interrupts Hercule Poirot’s breakfast confessing that she is a murderer—and then promptly disappears. Slowly, Poirot learns of the rumors surrounding the mysterious third girl, her family, and her disappearance. Yet hard evidence is needed before the great detective can pronounce her guilty, innocent, or insane.
Genre: Mystery - Classic
Why I Picked This Book: This was the November pick for the Read Christie Challenge 2024.
My Impression: I'm so glad this was the November pick because I remember it as not being a favorite but really ended up enjoying it. Ariadne Oliver has a pretty big part, and I always enjoy her appearance in books. The mystery is pure late 60s Christie with girls with lots of eyeliner and stringy hair and boys with velvet and curls. Poirot is tolerant of the boys but not so fond of the ill-kempt girls.
The mystery is an interesting one as for quite some time there is no evidence that a murder was ever committed. It's just clear that something is going on that isn't on the up and up. Poirot and Oliver are busy with their investigation to figure out just what is going on and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
That said this is definitely not on of Christie's best. In her later books she tends to rely heavily on coincidence and her endings are quite as tied together as they are in her earlier books. This is definitely the case with this book as well. I enjoyed the read, but it is definitely not Christie at her best. That said, if you're looking for a Christie that's a bit different or have yet to meet Ariadne Oliver this is a fun read - just don't hold it to the standard of Christie's earlier books.
That said this is definitely not on of Christie's best. In her later books she tends to rely heavily on coincidence and her endings are quite as tied together as they are in her earlier books. This is definitely the case with this book as well. I enjoyed the read, but it is definitely not Christie at her best. That said, if you're looking for a Christie that's a bit different or have yet to meet Ariadne Oliver this is a fun read - just don't hold it to the standard of Christie's earlier books.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! I'm already looking forward to my December Christie read and I'm excited about the 2025 Read Christie Challenge
Would I Recommend this Book? Yes - though with the understanding that it isn't Christie's best.
Would I Recommend this Book? Yes - though with the understanding that it isn't Christie's best.
I've always felt like I wasn't very good at figuring out mysteries (and I am not) but I've started to like them more as I am getting older.
ReplyDeleteI've read this and have an old hardover book of this one.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Even when Christie is not at her best her books are still a lot of fun. :D
ReplyDeleteI'll have to add this one to my list. I really want to get back to reading or re-reading some Christie books.
ReplyDeleteYes... I'm aware the plotting in this one isn't the greatest - but Ariadne is always huge fun:)).
ReplyDeleteI thought I’d read them all. Obviously not.
ReplyDeleteGreat you still enjoyed it. I loved the idea she was either guilty, innocent or insane!
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