Source: Publisher
Description: One of Agatha Christie’s own ten favorite novels, Towards Zero puts Superintendent Battle and Inspector Leach on the case as they investigate the murder of an elderly widow.
What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?
To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan—for murder.
Genre: Mystery - Classic
Why I Picked This Book: This was the October pick for the Read Christie 2025 Challenge.
My Impression: I really enjoy this mystery. The 1940s was one of Christie's best writing decades and this is definitely a fun one. The main setup involves Neville Strange staying at his godmother's house with his current wife and his ex-wife as well as an assortment of servants and family friends. Things are a more than a bit tense with current and past underlying tensions.
The book opens with a few vignettes that at the time seem unrelated. The first is a man attempting suicide and the second is Superintendent Battle's daughter getting in trouble at school. There is also a group of solicitors talking shop about previous court cases.
The mystery is an intriguing one and one the less you know going in the better. Superintendent Battle is one of Christie's underrated characters and he really shines here - especially in the scene with is daughter. His mention of Poirot also made me very happy and it's a story I would hope he would tell Poirot as I think Poirot himself would have been pleased.
This is Christie at her most twisty and most British-ness. I didn't love the last minute romance though I am fully rooting for an unexpected one that showed up. I can see why it was one of Christie's favorites.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! I'm already looking forward to the November read.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would! This is an underrated Christie and it feels so very Christie-ish it's a great introduction and just a solid read.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would! This is an underrated Christie and it feels so very Christie-ish it's a great introduction and just a solid read.
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