Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Hercule Poirot's Christmas (Hercule Poirot, Bk 19)( aka: A Holiday for Murder / Murder for Christmas)

Hercule Poirot's Christmas (Hercule Poirot, Bk 19)( aka: A Holiday for Murder / Murder for Christmas)
reviewed on + 813 more book reviews


Poor Poirot! He thinks he is to spend a quiet Christmas with his friend, a chief constable. Not so! On Christmas Eve they are called to the scene of the dastardly murder of a local curmudgeon and family despot. This elderly churl has gathered his family under the pretext of a reunion to once again torment and humiliate them, which he does successfully before he gets his just deserts. His violent demise leaves everyone with motive and opportunity. But, never fear Hercule is one the scene to outwit the culprit which, after a rather convoluted denouement, he does. I voted for a rather extraordinary suicide, although an Orient Express outcome would also have been an option. Boy, was I fooled! You may be too if you are not an absolute virtuoso on Poirots analytical processes.