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!

The Mystery of the Blue Train

Jemma 05 Sep 09 at 11:24 a.m. GMT

This was Christie's least favourite novel, perhaps because it was written during a particularly unhappy time for her, just after her mother's death and during the breakdown of her marriage.

Accusations have been levelled at the stereotypical characters - but is this fair? The character of Gobi is arguably a gem. Christie chose not to include Hastings in this novel - is it the poorer for it?

Was this an example of Christie dabbling in the Thriller genre? And can it be used as evidence that this wasn't her forte?

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notguilty 27 Oct 11 at 7:48 p.m. GMT

Putting my two cents in, I found the book quite enjoyable and interesting to read. I was rather surprised that Dame Agatha did not like it. Now I feel rather obtuse. I wonder what was so wrong with this book.

AlexMystery 16 Sep 11 at 10:31 p.m. GMT

Although I can understand why Agatha may not have liked this one as much as others, I've just read it and I enjoyed it. I suppose, to put it simply, I enjoyed it as much as I would any other Christie novel. But personally, I don't think I love some above others. For me, every book is a lovely reading experience.

This book had a great cast of characters, and a nicely surprising solution.

Skizo 31 Mar 11 at 9 p.m. GMT

I actually enjoyed the book. Despite the circumstances I found it way much better than many other books. And Miss Grey I have fallen in love with her. Such a lovely character!!

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 5:37 p.m. GMT

Well you said you'd have the mask glued on!

I'll contune this on the other thread (discussions continued)

HarleyBarley 05 Aug 10 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

It's Erik, by the way. And I'm not Erik, remember, I'm Harley. But the idea...me, as the Opera Ghost...fantastic.

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 4:41 p.m. GMT

If we ran out of places to visit, we could always start a mystery trail! I'd like to go on the one in Torquay but havent manged to.  I swear I will one day!

if you somehow managed to smuggle a giant Church organ on the coach, I'd know you were the Opera Ghost Eric!!

HarleyBarley 05 Aug 10 at 12:35 p.m. GMT

In the book, it occured near a cave at Pixy's Cove. In the game, however, it seems to have occured inside the cave (before the body was then moved outside the cave, so to speak), and it occured on Pirates' Cove or something similarly un-Christie-ish.

Phantom of the Opera? Worry not, Miss Quin, the only scar on my face is a minute, nigh-invisible line underneath my chin. I tore the skin when playing as a child. You also know about the "sympathy for GP riders" injuries, but they are all gone by now (the rider whose injury I last corresponded with also visited Indonesia recently, but I missed him).

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 10:35 a.m. GMT

It's turning slightly Phantom Of The Opera ish here...

In the Evil Under The Sun Book, the murderer happened near a cave, but not in it. Was it called Pixies cove?

I'd love to go the Orient Express. I entered a competition once, to go on it, but I didn't win. I will dream on.. I don't fancy a cruise though.

HarleyBarley 05 Aug 10 at 9:20 a.m. GMT

Ah, Miss Quin, there is such a thing as glue. Or I can strap it to some tangle in my hair and let it be.

In a certain sense, the murder in the game version of Evil Under the Sun was a cave murder...

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 9:13 a.m. GMT

I have mentioned how accident prone I am. So all these nurses aboard are a good idea. Also if Harley does care to climb the trees at Greenway (you did say you might;) then we could stand by with the bandages.

The worse thing is, your mask might come off Harley! 

Creepy caves? I do get a closed in feel about them. It's a good job there wasn't any cave murders in Christe. Drugs stashed in them yes, but no murders.

HarleyBarley 05 Aug 10 at 8:34 a.m. GMT

Maybe I should come meet you at Stamboul (Istanbul) then. There we can take the Orient Express to France, cross the chunnel, and then we leave for Greenway. Just make sure no snow comes a-toppling in the railways.

Puffinjill: Your comment about climbing up and down staris made me chuckle. I'll try not to be overconfident about my agility there.

Puffinjill 05 Aug 10 at 6:53 a.m. GMT

Oh, that's not fair!!!! You've pipped me to the post for the nurses outfit!!! And you already had a perfectly respectable character to come as if you came as your username. I REALLY don't want to come dressed as a bird! I can do a great disapproving manner but lack the endless supply of carbolic.....

And both my hands are in the air if we are voting on going on The Orient Express!!!!! A life long dream would be fulfilled for me if I was ever lucky enough to go on this train.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 04 Aug 10 at 9:49 a.m. GMT

I'm doing a first aid course on the 26th Sept!  I could then come along as Nurse Letheran, perhaps?  A little cap and startched apron, disapproving manner and an endless supply of carbolic..."Really, M. Poirot!".

We could take in The Orient Express too.... sigh!

Puffinjill 04 Aug 10 at 8:11 a.m. GMT

Good job I recently went on a 'Health and Safety' Officer course as I might be needed on this trip! Can you all hang on a couple of months as work want me to do a 'First Aid' course, too, and then I can bring a box of plasters and administer to you accident-prone folk out there. I think we'll have to go careful on the stairs in Greenway House and make sure you all climb UP and DOWN without falling........or being pushed.....

By the way, checked out that link, MissQuin. What a sinister and creepy place!!! Not keen on caves so I think I might give this place a miss!

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

I never break rules. But I do bend them over my knee and make sure they'll never be straight again.

Such watchful Nation Trust people! They deserve a medal for protecting the books as if it were golden apples.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

Rules are meant to be broken of course.  I usually look for ways around rules. Call me rebellious. But no murders. That's the golden rule.

If you touch anything in National Trust places. THEY KNOW!! I was visiting an old house, when an uncouth (love that word;) person ran their hands over a row of books. Then I saw them insolently touch the sign that say's "Don''t touch the books".

A NT attendant appeared out of nowhere (Mr Quin style) and told them off. It was a good telling off too. I made sure to give the miscrient a disaproving look as well.  Just to make them feel guilty. They went red.  Points to the National Trust house folk, they don't get paid, they have to guard the books like Cerberus over the Underworld. Well, perhaps I'm being a tad fanciful with that. But you get the idea.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4 p.m. GMT

Lovely rules, Miss Quin! And yes, no-one pinches my mask unless I decide to take it off myself, and still no-one takes it afterwards, please (since we're not thieves, though, that rule might be unnecessary).

And what about 6. No touching anything in Greenway save for the floor.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

Count Miss Quin in! All around the UK. Let's hope there's no falling out over the long time we spent cooped up with each other... We'll have to make some rules: *Pompous voice over*

1. No one must have fights over whose The Best Marple Ever.
2. No one must mention the cover of Labours Of Hercules that was banned. If it's mentioned, it could cause health and safety issues- people choking with laughter, whilst drinking tea for instance.
3. No one must pinch Harley's mask.
4. No real murders.
5. The issue of if the early Suchet episodes VS the Newer "darker" Poirot .It's a sticky subject, so no fistcufts or dueling!  

Puffinjill 03 Aug 10 at 3:28 p.m. GMT

Months away, Miss Eylesbarrow?!? YES PLEASE!!! Not sure work (or home) will agree but count me in! I've never been lucky enough to get north to see The Swan but would love to go anywhere AC related! Can we include places where her books were set? I could do with a long, leisurely cruise down the Nile....sans murder, of course.....

No time now, MissQuin, but I will check out that link later! Thank you for it!!

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 10:16 a.m. GMT

I love your !A HANDBAG?!!" quote Jill. ;)

 http://directoryofyork.net/blog/2009/09/08/knaresborough-cave-for-sale-yorkshire/

There's some strange natural occurance in the gave, that turns things salty and preserved. AC put her handbag in there and it's still there! Along with John Wayne’s hat!

Ah if only we were all going...