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Can you recommend me a HP book

detectivepauljohn 28 Sep 08 at 3:35 a.m. GMT

Can you recommend me a good Poirot book? I already own Evil Under the Sun, Death On the Nile and Cards On the Table. Please recommend me another Poirot book.

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jolley74 09 Apr 09 at 6:13 p.m. GMT

death on the nile in my opinion is a great book,mrs mcgintys dead is another one of my favourites

sapphire_arisa 09 Apr 09 at 2:14 a.m. GMT

ArlenaSMarshall

Five Little Pigs is a MUST!!!!!

Yeah, I totally agree

ArlenaSMarshall 09 Apr 09 at 12:14 a.m. GMT

Five Little Pigs is a MUST!!!!!

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Mar 09 at 1:19 p.m. GMT

If it is possible find out what books are being done on  Television and if you own a book that you haven't read that is comong up read that or read the blurb of the books you own and the blurb you like least is the book you should read and get it oover and done with, that are the things which help me decide what order to read books, | 'The Blurb' is recognised terminology meaning the stuff on the back or the synopsis. 

ariadnepoirotmarple 02 Mar 09 at 12:46 p.m. GMT

dada222

Murder of Roger Ackroyd. In my opinion, the best Poirot book.

Other good ones include 'Dead man's folly', 'the ABC murders' and 'One, two , buckle my shoe'.

 Murder of Roger Ackroyd, just read it and indeed, it's superb!! The end is so surprising and shocking! I highly recommend it. Great mystery.

sapphire_arisa 26 Feb 09 at 3:38 a.m. GMT

Definitely "Murder of Roger Ackroyd" (sorry if i spelt this wrong)!

I think that this is the best I've read so far. I also liked "Murder on the Orient Express".

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Feb 09 at 4:02 p.m. GMT

'ABC MURDERS and 'Cards On The Table' are the only books I have read more than twice so far although there are others I am definitely going to re-read, I loved the plots of both and both use Characcters that appear in other books, in 'ABC it is Japp and Hastings and in 'Cards On The Table it is Ariadne, Battle and Race (Although thankfully Battle he appears in Books without Poirot - Ariadne does aswell but I haven't read Pale Hourse and so does Race but I don't like him). ABC and CURTAIN would definitely be 2 I would take if I was going to stay on an Island and was afraid I would be stranded.

susandiane 24 Feb 09 at 12:22 p.m. GMT

"The ABC Murders" and "Cards on the Table" are both so brilliant, words fail to describe them. Especially "ABC" Agatha reused the plot in "Murder in Three Acts" in my opinion. That doesn't take away from "3 Acts" though. Both introduce female characters that were sadly under used, but that's not what i mean about re-used plots. When you re-read the books you get a sense of copying. Ariadne Oliver admitted to the fact to Poirot once. I have always loved "ABC" what a murder plot, how GENIUS! ONLY AC could pull that one off too!

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Feb 09 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

When I read 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyed I was dissapointed as it is thought to be her Masterpiece, I would have thought other books desrve that title, 'Cards On The Table' perhaps as it is a locked room type of Murder and it has Poirot and 3 other recurring Characters or ABC Murders which has the faithful Haistings and a Brilliant concept or maybe evem 'And Then There Were None' Which has been made into 9 Films.

Mr_Satterthwaite 23 Feb 09 at 11:37 a.m. GMT

For me the 'Murder of Roger Ackroyd' was partially ruined by the praise heaped upon it. I knew something was different and kind of realised what was coming about half way through. Since then I make sure to read what certain characters say (in the first person) or should I say NOT say.

susandiane 23 Feb 09 at 9:54 a.m. GMT

I think I am one of the very few who DIDN'T care for "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" (kicking end though, to paraphrase Dorothy Sayers, it truly diddled EVERYONE) "Murder in Mesopotamia" and "The Big Four" are others I didn't like. I DID like "Appointment With Death" (not so much the play version though)... Oh dear, it seems it's going to be up to you, detectivepauljohn, go ahead and read them ALL and make up your own mind *LOL* sad but true! Try used book stores or amazon.com to stock up. I know MY area libraries are pitiful at stocking mysteries! :(

mirror 22 Feb 09 at 11:27 p.m. GMT

I think most of you will be satisfied reading "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd".It has such an amazing ending and I am sure that it really inspires you to read another Poirot's books.

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Feb 09 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

It would be easier to ask which ones not to recommend, I can only think of a handful of those; The big four Lord edgware Dies The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Halloween Party Elephants Can Remember The Mystery of The Blue Train They are my least Favourite Poirots but that is my opinion, everyone has a different view and I haven't read all of them.

Mr_Satterthwaite 22 Feb 09 at 4:36 p.m. GMT

So many but I would say 'ABC Murders' for a good English 1930's Poirot. I do like the books set abroad, especially 'Appointment with Death' and 'Murder in Mesopotamia'. Also for a good Hastings episode, try 'Murder on the Links'. As mentioned by other people, I prefer the lighter atmosphere of the 1920/1930's Poirots. Though, the grimmer, sadder, 'modern' feel of the latter books lend their own different take on Poirot. A more 'determined' streak maybe.

detectivepauljohn 15 Feb 09 at 2:54 a.m. GMT

sadly someone told me a big spoiler in the novel ABC Murders but will still read it. please continue recommending.

susandiane 14 Feb 09 at 10:25 p.m. GMT

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the FIRST Poirot, that might be a good one for you to start with. Then go to Murder on the Links, The Labours of Hercule, The ABC Murders, Toward Zero (Poirot's mentioned). But hands down Murder on the Orient Express! The end is a KICKER (and it STANDS up, NO cheats!) Evil Under the Sun is good too. Oh my, Poirot, my hobbyhorse, I LOVE him:) BTW, the 60's novels? Third Girl is good!

devilgal19 02 Feb 09 at 9:52 p.m. GMT

detectivepauljohn

devilgal19

I am a bit dissapointed in some books like Hercule Poirot's Christmas because Poirot(in the book only) was introduced in a very late chapter. But I stil love and like her books.

I'm the same way.  I love British mysteries and I love the quaint little towns like St. Mary Mead or London where Poirot lives and that it's not really complicated but still keeps you thinking as to who killed or who committed the crime.  It takes me into time in a way. And Christie does that.

detectivepauljohn 31 Jan 09 at 1:46 a.m. GMT

devilgal19

I am a bit dissapointed in some books like Hercule Poirot's Christmas because Poirot(in the book only) was introduced in a very late chapter. But I stil love and like her books.

devilgal19 31 Jan 09 at 1:07 a.m. GMT

Oh God, where to begin...lol

Well my favourite is ABC Murders and I love how Christie uses the alphabet in this story and the ending is fabulous.  I love Christie's first book Myseterious Affair at Styles...always go with Murder on Oriental Express, Hickory, Dickory Dock, Murder on the Nile, Third Girl and any of the short stories are great, I've never been disappointed with any of Poirot or Marple or anything by Christie, to be honest with you.

Inspector_Kelly 22 Jan 09 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

Halloween party, although not vey well known is a fantastic ending! They are all good but Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the orient express, three act tragerdy, the ABC murders, cards on the table, death on the nile, Mrs Mcginty's Dead, and appoitment with death. These are some of the ones I've most enjoyed!

VRossa 22 Jan 09 at 9:18 a.m. GMT

Hi Squatty - I have just read your comments in this thread and totally agree with you. I thought maybe I was the only one who thought her novels went 'off' in the sixties and seventies so I am glad to find someone else that has the same view. It is exactly as you say - the plots are loose and don't stand up to scrutiny and the dialogue - is so repetitive. However having said that it just makes me appreciate the ealier Agatha even more - and most of her work was written before the sixties - even Curtain - if someone told me someone else had written them I would find it plausible - I cannot believe the Agatha Christie I know and love would write like that.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jan 09 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

ABC Murders or perhaps one of the books with Ariadne Oliver, Mrs McGinty's Dead perhaps.

Paris 16 Oct 08 at 6:19 p.m. GMT

Sorry Detective...that's my french being mixed up with my english. Will be more careful nxt time.

detectivepauljohn 15 Oct 08 at 9:44 a.m. GMT

Paris

must read not must readers

Paris 06 Oct 08 at 6:57 p.m. GMT

I would reccommend; Dumb Witness, Hercule Poirot's Christmas, The Hollow and then Lord Edgeware dies. These 4 are fabulous, must readers in my opinion.

squatty 04 Oct 08 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

I would suggest: The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd; Three Act Tragedy and After The Funeral as your next set of reads. Personally, I would stay clear of any of the novels AC wrote from the mid-sixties until her death. I find them all very loosly plotted and she can get bogged down in endless dialogue. For example, in Elephants Can Remember, the actual murder doesnt stand up to examination at all and there are several repeated jokes between Poirot and Mrs Oliver about elephants having good memories.

ariadnepoirotmarple 04 Oct 08 at 2:40 p.m. GMT

"Lord Edgware dies", "Death on the nile", "The Hollow" and "Cards on the table" are very good indeed. Lord Edgware Dies is really worth reading, the plot is so well planned and all the book is well-written, there's a lot of likeable characters. "Death on the nile" is romantic and exotic, it's such a wonderful novel, the plot amazes me so much and all the characters have a special magic. "The Hollow" is not a about a murder, in my opinion, not at all, if you're looking for a good mystery, Hollow is not what you're looking for, it's more a novel about different personalities and relationship but well, I jolly well liked it! "Cards on the table" is so obscure and mysterious, there's a lot of different characters and variety, the plot is so original and peculiar, what can I say? It's a really great book. "Dumb Witness" is also a good one. I've never read any 'bad' Poirot novel, for me, they are all masterpieces.

Holly 02 Oct 08 at 2:13 p.m. GMT

Have you ever read The Mysterious Affair at Styles? As the first Poirot, I think it is certainly to be recommended. Murder On The Links is also good, but should not be read before Styles.

robreid 01 Oct 08 at 5:03 p.m. GMT

Murder on the Orient Express and The Big Four are both excellent

dada222 01 Oct 08 at 3:33 p.m. GMT

anne_bedingfield

"Murder on the Orient Express" & "The Man in the Brown Suit" are superb! And the last one that i read was "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" turned out to be great! I'd recommend it too.

'The man in the brown suit' isn't a HP book, but it is a trully great book anyway.

AnneBeddingfield 01 Oct 08 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

"Murder on the Orient Express" & "The Man in the Brown Suit" are superb! And the last one that i read was "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" turned out to be great! I'd recommend it too.

felix_moore 30 Sep 08 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

The Poirot mysteries are all excellent. I don't remember having read one that I disliked. Importantly, don't start with Curtain because it is much more enjoyable if you know where it is coming from. I would advise reading it after you are more familiar with Poirot.

go_leafs_nation 28 Sep 08 at 1:14 p.m. GMT

I also recommend "Mrs. McGinty's Dead".

curious 28 Sep 08 at 11:20 a.m. GMT

"Lord Edgware Dies" is also quite good. :)

dada222 28 Sep 08 at 9:08 a.m. GMT

Murder of Roger Ackroyd. In my opinion, the best Poirot book.

Other good ones include 'Dead man's folly', 'the ABC murders' and 'One, two , buckle my shoe'.