Lori H. (TigerGirl) reviewed The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, Bk 1) / Curtain (Hercule Poirot, Bk 39) on + 30 more book reviews
After 55 years on the best seller lists, Agatha Christie remains without peer as creator of edge-of-the-seat entertainment. And just as Dame Agatha occupies a special niche in the literary annals of our century, so too does her fictional sleuth, Hercule Poirot, whose remarkable "grey cells" place him alongside Sherlock Holmes as one of the immortals of detective fiction.
Poirot made his debut in 1920 in The Mysterious Affair at Styles. More than a generation later, he meets his final challenge in Curtain, in which he confronts the most fiendishly clever murderer of his long career.
The little English village of Styles St. Mary provides the setting for both adventures. In his first case, Poirot investigates the baffling death of the mistress of Styles Court, the great manor house. He returns there for his last adventure, to find that in the years since the Great War, Styles Court has degenerated into a "guest house." Poirot believes that among its residents is a psychopathic killer who has already claimed five victims - the "perfect criminal" whose technique is so ingenious that in each case, not only did he himself remain untouched by suspicion, but an innocent person stood trial for the murder.
Poirot knows that "X" plans to strike again. But who will be the victim? And who has been marked for the role of "murderer"?
Curtain is vintage Christie - suspenseful, tantalizing, filled with breathtaking twists of plot, and reaching a climax as surprising as it is logical. Coupled with The Mysterious Affair at Styles in this special 2-in-1 volume, it provides unrivaled entertainment.
(jacket copy)
Poirot made his debut in 1920 in The Mysterious Affair at Styles. More than a generation later, he meets his final challenge in Curtain, in which he confronts the most fiendishly clever murderer of his long career.
The little English village of Styles St. Mary provides the setting for both adventures. In his first case, Poirot investigates the baffling death of the mistress of Styles Court, the great manor house. He returns there for his last adventure, to find that in the years since the Great War, Styles Court has degenerated into a "guest house." Poirot believes that among its residents is a psychopathic killer who has already claimed five victims - the "perfect criminal" whose technique is so ingenious that in each case, not only did he himself remain untouched by suspicion, but an innocent person stood trial for the murder.
Poirot knows that "X" plans to strike again. But who will be the victim? And who has been marked for the role of "murderer"?
Curtain is vintage Christie - suspenseful, tantalizing, filled with breathtaking twists of plot, and reaching a climax as surprising as it is logical. Coupled with The Mysterious Affair at Styles in this special 2-in-1 volume, it provides unrivaled entertainment.
(jacket copy)
Sylvie D. reviewed The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, Bk 1) / Curtain (Hercule Poirot, Bk 39) on + 3 more book reviews
Editorial reviews on "Curtain":
Newsweek
One of Christie's most ingenious stories. A tour de force.
Times Literary Supplement
Outrageously satisfying...in this one [Christie] has brought off the bluff to end them all.
Newsweek
One of Christie's most ingenious stories. A tour de force.
Times Literary Supplement
Outrageously satisfying...in this one [Christie] has brought off the bluff to end them all.
