Book Club

Poirot Stories

Poirot is Agatha Christie's most famous and popular detective.  No doubt he would agree that he deserves that accolade!

Here is the place to discuss all of his stories in detail with other fans.  The most insightful comments will be added to the Stories pages.  But remember to beware spoilers!

If you can't find your favourite Poirot story here, don't worry - we'll be adding them all soon.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

Curtain: Poirot's Last Case

Moderator1 10 Nov 09 at 8:18 a.m. GMT

Hastings is summoned back to Styles Court by Hercule Poirot.  It was the scene of their first investigation and Poirot knows there is a murderer on the loose here again.  He's too old and frail to do much himself so it seems only fitting that his faithful friend should be the one to be there at the end.

The big question has to be: should Christie have killed off Poirot?  Would it not have been better to leave him, perhaps very elderly, still able to solve crimes?  Should he be brought back from the dead and more stories written about him?

Login or register to add posts and reply

34 replies

Reverse order

japzy1234 17 Nov 09 at 9:05 a.m. GMT

I rate this novel 9/10! This is like the best novel by Dame Agatha Christie! Everything is awesome! I love the characters, settings and atmosphere. Almost all of the characters are unhappy, and the setting is a sad and lonely place where a killer is lurking.

I love all the scenes, some scenes were surprising and thrilling. The ending is so awesome! I did not guess who the killer is. When Mr. and Mrs. Luttrell were introduced I thought they were the killer but I was wrong.

It would be better if Poirot lived and went somewhere else.

OMG Agatha Christie is really the best! OMG!!! :)

Read more about this story: Curtain: Poirot's Last Case

go_leafs_nation 15 Dec 09 at 1:17 p.m. GMT

Curtain is one of Poirot's finest cases, as characters and their relationships with each other are emphasized. As an added bonus, the characterizations ring true. And, of course, it's a smashing story in the first place. Who can forget the moment when Hastings looks through the field glasses? Or when Poirot reveals the solution to Hastings... This is quite simply a delight from beginning to end, and is a worthy conclusion for Poirot- a far better note to end on than the previously published Elephants Can Remember.

16178 03 Feb 10 at 3:45 a.m. GMT

I love this novel! From beginning to ending it was a complete surprise!! Poirot is an incredible character, I can´t deny that the end really shock me, but may be that´s what make it special. 

No, i don´t really like the idea of leaving him!!! He fight with murder until the end! That was his goal!! 

Lone_Wolf 24 Feb 10 at 3:59 p.m. GMT

I've read it just now. The whole thing feels false - Poirot can't die, plain and simple, regardless of what Christie writes! I was spoiled in regards to Poirot's death (though not in regards to anything else), so, while I felt some excitement when reading it, I was unable to take the whole thing seriously.

Maybe the fact that I was reading it on my notebook, not in the paper form, increased the detachment.

The characterization was satisfactory, but not one of AC's best. I liked Poirot's moral dilemma which is revealed in the end, though.

HeiseiHolmes 24 Feb 10 at 4:03 p.m. GMT

I couldn't eat after finishing this...If this had happened to my favourite Miss Marple I'd probably take to wearing nothing but black. She's far too lovable.

Lone_Wolf 24 Feb 10 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

"I couldn't eat after finishing this...If this had happened to my favourite Miss Marple I'd probably take to wearing nothing but black. She's far too lovable."

I just found the whole thing a bit false. I don't really like Poirot that much, I just believe in his (and Marple's, too) immortality.

HeiseiHolmes 24 Feb 10 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

If you think about it, Poirot lived to be about 130... And as for Miss Marple... well, I failed Maths, so I'm not even going to try that.

Lone_Wolf 24 Feb 10 at 5:03 p.m. GMT

You know what, while I disagree with Robert Barnard about Christie not having the ability to write characters so that "Curtain" would work, I agree with him that in "Curtain" the level of characterization wasn't good enough to sustain the idea. The story felt... lifeless. And Hastings was much more annoying then usual for me for some reason.

And a question to everyone: do you think that Poirot's actions are in character here?

yamifannetje 28 Apr 10 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

"Curtain" has touched me more than all other Poirots I already read! It's a shame that Christie murdered her brilliant detective like that! But in fact, she might have hated him, his death just proves why we all love him so much: the warmth and kindness which filled his hearth.

It would be fantastic to see him revived in a film or even new books by the fans ourselves since we realy loves Poirot!

evanthetwain 09 Jun 10 at 11:14 p.m. GMT

I first read this book from my local Public Library, and was simply blown away by the ending, submitted to Arthur Hastings in manuscript format by a secret firm of lawyers hired by Poirot before his imminent death.  How ironic that the righteous little Belgian would be forced to undertake the very methodology he so despised in order to defeat the infamous X. 

It showed just how humane he really was, when even he admitted that he did not believe his actions to be altogether justified, and thus condemned himself to punishment by self-execution.  A fitting finale to end his journey at the place where it began, where he disappears just as quickly and mysteriously as he came from Styles St. Mary.

MissQuin 10 Jun 10 at 3:17 p.m. GMT

I found the final Poirot intensely moving, but I'm pleased that Agatha  Chrisite had a final shock in store for us.

We might think we know Poirot- plump, glossy black hair, hates murderers. She took all those traits and changed them.

doctorlaura17 12 Jun 10 at 4:55 p.m. GMT

I haven't read the book but listened to Hugh Fraser reading it.

The story was ok but I couldn,t get my head around all the evidence that Poiot had against the "villian " (name escapes me)  the murders were comitted through out Britain but Poirot found a link and had photos etc showing the connection.So far fetched and can you get someone to commit murder by a few cunning words?

I also found Hastings annoying(normally love him)all that awe around his very offhand daughter.

MissQuin 12 Jun 10 at 7:56 p.m. GMT

I love Hastings and was rather startled by some of the things he planned.

No I really disliked his daughter, she was nothing like either of her parents. Maybe whilst Hastings was away in England, tagging along with Poirot, Bella was lonely on the ranch and strayed!!

 I'm joking.

Cicely 03 Oct 10 at 9:40 p.m. GMT

I really enjoyed reading this mystery recently.  I was dismayed at Judith's socialist worldview and I don't believe Hastings would have taught her that ideology.  She didn't seem like a very happy or thankful person.  I felt sorry for her.  She was intelligent, but just didn't have any love or forgiveness about her.  She was very selfish.  As I always like Hastings, I enjoyed having him take a larger role in this story.  He isn't very "deep", but he is compassionate, a real gentleman and a very loyal friend to Poirot.   I didn't really care for the way AC portrayed Poirot in this his last story.  I am also sorry to understand that she didn't care for Poirot, herself!  Why wouldn't she like him?  She created him and wrote so many stories around him.  I love him!  I would have preferred that AC just leave Poirot alive and not end his life.  No, he should not be brought back to life and new stories be written featuring him.  AC created Poirot and she is the proper person to have decided whether to end his life or not.  No one else could write an authentic Poirot mystery, only AC herself!

rosebud5566 10 Oct 10 at 9:16 p.m. GMT

I've not been so moved by a book in a long time.  I felt as if I myself lost a friend after reading about Poirot's death.  I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the incredibly toucihing moments of the deep bond between Poirot and Hastings.  I agree with other posters who have said that Hasting's daughter was not in line with the type of character you would expect him to have raised, but perhaps this was AC's way of showing the changing times and the free-spirited children of that era.  This one will stick with me for quite some time.  It was, I think, a very fitting end to a most lovable character.

Skizo 31 Mar 11 at 12:31 a.m. GMT

I cried while reading the last chapter. That night I didn't eat talk sleep. I was completly devastated. In my opinion only 'And Then There Were None' beats this book. I didn't feel bored while reading it unlike other stories. Everything is well planned. 

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Mar 11 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

Oh Dear! I'm going to re-read it when I finish my Martha Grimes Book.

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Apr 11 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

I have read Curtain now and I loved it, but I have felt quite sads since finishing it this morning, even though I have read it before, I felt funny after eath On The Nile but in a different way.

tabolo 19 Apr 11 at 5:49 p.m. GMT

I like the novel very much, but I was so sad when it finished...

shanerobert 18 Jun 11 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. I have been searching for some information about it.

Find more information on <a href="http://hackettandkane2010.org/">Hockey Game</a> and <a href="http://allbasicinsurance.com/">Home Insurance</a>