Title: The Monogram Murders
Author: Sophie Hannah
First published September 9, 2014
320 pages, ebook
Rating: 3.4
Overview
In Sophie Hannah’s thrilling mystery novel, The Monogram Murders, Hercule Poirot finds himself in the midst of a perplexing case. A young woman confides in him that she is about to be murdered, but insists that he must not seek out her killer once she is gone.
Soon after, Poirot discovers that three guests have been murdered in a London hotel, with a cufflink placed in each of their mouths. As he pieces together the clues, he begins to wonder if there is a connection between the murders and the terrified woman.
With a fourth victim on the horizon, Poirot races against time to catch the killer and bring justice to the victims.
About the Author
Sophie Hannah is a highly acclaimed author of psychological crime fiction, whose books have been published in 27 countries. Her latest novel, The Carrier, won the prestigious Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards in 2013.
Two of her crime novels, The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives, were adapted for television and aired on ITV1 under the series title Case Sensitive in 2011 and 2012. Sophie’s suspense story, The Octopus Nest, won first prize in the Daphne Du Maurier Festival Short Story Competition in 2004 and is now included in her first collection of short stories, The Fantastic Book of Everybody’s Secrets.
In addition to her crime fiction, Sophie has published five collections of poetry, including Pessimism for Beginners, which was shortlisted for the T S Eliot Award in 2007. Her poetry is widely studied at various academic levels throughout the UK.
Sophie has also held prestigious fellowships at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Wolfson College, Oxford. She is currently a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College in Cambridge, where she lives with her husband and children.
Sophie’s latest project involves writing a new mystery for Agatha Christie’s beloved detective, Hercule Poirot.
Editoral Review
Book Review: The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah
Sophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling author known for her psychological suspense novels. In The Monogram Murders, she takes on the task of writing a new Hercule Poirot mystery, authorized by the estate of Agatha Christie.
First published on September 9th, 2014, The Monogram Murders is both a tribute to Christie and a standalone mystery in its own right.
The Monogram Murders is a classic whodunit set in 1920s London. The story follows Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, as he investigates a triple murder at the Bloxham Hotel.
His suspects include a group of guests staying at the hotel, each with their own secrets and motives. The main suspect is a beautiful and mysterious woman named Jennie, who Poirot believes to be linked to the murders in some way.
Hannah’s writing style is reminiscent of Christie’s, with clever plot twists and misdirection that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The characters are well-drawn, with distinct personalities and motives that make them all potential suspects.
Poirot is as eccentric and brilliant as ever, using his “little grey cells” to solve the case.
One of the strengths of The Monogram Murders is its historical context. Hannah captures the atmosphere of post-World War I London, with its class divisions, social norms, and cultural changes.
The Bloxham Hotel, with its luxurious interiors and secretive staff, is a microcosm of English society at the time. The book also touches on issues such as feminism, sexuality, and mental illness, which were relevant to the period.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the plot convoluted or contrived, with too many red herrings and coincidences.
Others may criticize the lack of depth in the characters, who are more like archetypes than fully realized individuals. Additionally, the decision to revive Poirot may be seen as a gimmick or a disrespect to Christie’s legacy.
Despite these criticisms, The Monogram Murders is a well-crafted mystery that will satisfy fans of Christie and newcomers alike. Hannah’s writing is engaging and entertaining, and her love for the genre is evident in every page.
The book is a worthy addition to the Poirot canon and a tribute to the enduring appeal of the detective novel.
For fans of classic whodunits and historical fiction, The Monogram Murders is a must-read. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era and a masterful mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
For those who are skeptical of the revival of Poirot, the book may not change your mind, but it is still a well-written and enjoyable read. Overall, The Monogram Murders earns a solid rating of 7 out of 10.
