Title: Poirot’s Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries
Author: Agatha Christie
First published September 1, 1974
8 pages, Audio CD
ISBN: 9781572704725 (ISBN10: 1572704721)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
Step into the early days of Hercule Poirot’s career when he first began to establish his reputation as the greatest detective in fiction. This collection of 18 short stories, originally published in 1974, showcases Poirot’s brilliant mind as he unravels complex cases with ease.
In “The Plymouth Express,” a wealthy American industrialist’s daughter is found dead under a train seat. “Problem at Sea” finds a disliked rich woman murdered in a locked room aboard a ship.
And “The King of Clubs” involves a prince, his dancer fiancée, and a sinister blackmail plot. This audiobook features the voices of David Suchet and Hugh Fraser, who portrayed Poirot and his sidekick Captain Hastings in the definitive screen adaptations.
Don’t miss out on these unforgettable tales of mystery and intrigue.
About the Author
Agatha Christie, the renowned author, wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, as well as fourteen plays and six romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English and translation combined, making her the best-selling author of all time.
Christie has been translated into at least 103 languages, according to Index Translationum, and remains the most-translated individual author. She is famous for creating Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, two of the most enduring figures in crime literature.
Christie’s play, “The Mousetrap,” is the longest-running play in the history of modern theatre.
Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three siblings. Before starting a family in London, she served as a nurse in a Devon hospital during World War I, tending to troops returning from the trenches.
During this time, she also worked at a hospital pharmacy, which influenced her work since many of the murders in her books were carried out with poison. She later worked as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital, London, during World War II, which furthered her knowledge of poisons.
Her husband, Archie, revealed in 1926 that he was in love with another woman and wanted a divorce. On December 8th of the same year, Christie disappeared from her home, leaving a letter for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire.
Her disappearance caused an outcry from the public, many of whom were admirers of her novels. Despite a massive manhunt, she was not found for eleven days.
In 1930, Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan after joining him in an archaeological dig. Their marriage remained happy until Christie’s death in 1976.
Christie frequently used familiar settings for her stories, including the Middle East, where she traveled with Mallowan, and Torquay, where she was born. The Greenway Estate in Devon, which the couple acquired as a summer residence in 1938, is now in the care of the National Trust.
Christie often stayed at Abney Hall in Cheshire, which was owned by her brother-in-law, James Watts, and based at least two of her stories on the hall.
For her literary works, Christie was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1956 New Year Honours and became the President of the Detection Club the following year.
Editoral Review
Agatha Christie’s “Poirot’s Early Cases” is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre. Published for the first time in 1974, this collection of short stories features 18 Hercule Poirot mysteries that showcase Agatha Christie’s incomparable talent for crafting a suspenseful plot and captivating characters.
As one of the best-known writers in the mystery genre, Agatha Christie’s work continues to enthrall readers globally. “Poirot’s Early Cases” is exceptional in that it contains stories written at the start of her career, which makes it especially fascinating to see how her style and craft have evolved.
The stories are well-plotted, and each one stands out in its unique way. The book’s plot follows legendary detective Hercule Poirot as he solves some of his earliest cases.
Each mystery is introduced with masterful pacing and an element of suspense, making readers curious to know the outcome. The setting of each story is vividly drawn, whether it’s a country house or a small village, and Christie excels at creating fascinating characters with intriguing motives.
One significant strength of the book is Christie’s writing style. In every story, she masterfully builds suspense and tension, drawing the reader into the world of Hercule Poirot.
Her skillful development of the characters is equally impressive, creating a cast of individuals whose motives are complex and hard to decipher. One of the book’s potential limitations is the short story format.
Some of the cases are resolved quickly, which might not give readers enough time to become fully invested in the protagonists or the mystery itself. Despite this, “Poirot’s Early Cases” is a tour de force of the mystery genre, filled with intriguing, masterfully crafted stories filled with twists and surprises that never fail to suspense.
The book is especially recommended for fans of Agatha Christie’s work and anyone who appreciates excellent mystery fiction. Overall, “Poirot’s Early Cases” is a great read.
This collection of short stories is well written and full of intrigue, making it a perfect introduction to the work of one of the legends of the mystery genre. Still, it also provides a deep, satisfying dive into the complicated mind and world of Hercule Poirot, making it an essential read for lifelong Christie fans.
