Helpful Score: 1
I think this is worth reading if you're a Poirot/Agatha Christie fan. However, I found it disappointing, even allowing for the difficulty any writer must have taking over the Poirot series. The plot is confusing - not in a Christie 'red herring' way, but just confusing. And it's missing the clever surprise that makes Christie novels so special.
I found the book a little too modern - the Scotland Yard detective is a bundle of doubts - much more Alan Alda than Inspector Japp and (for me) not at all what a 1920s/30s detective should be. Instead of working alongside Poirot, or pursuing his own leads (which may be totally wrong but at least move the case, and book, forward) like Japp and the other Christie police characters do, this Inspector is almost incapable of viewing the victims which seems incredible and he would apparently do nothing if Poirot didn't tell him exactly how to proceed.
Poirot gives the floor to several other characters and lets them drone on for pages, which isn't as interesting as when Poirot dominates the narrative and again this feels a bit out of place - as if the author wanted to be more democratic or politically correct, but fans of Poirot want Poirot - at least this fan does. In the original Poirot novels, he questions and has lengthy conversations with "suspects" to get information, but he doesn't just let them talk and talk without interrupting. His questions are part of the fun of the books, determining which ones are crucial and why he asks them - which is missing here.
Another thing I found out of place is one of the main characters who is a servant but is on a first name basis with her employers and their social circle - again, a but unrealistic for the time period. When period details are correct, you don't notice them and can focus on the plot which is much more enjoyable.
Overall, I'm glad I read this, but it will not be a Poirot to re-read.
I found the book a little too modern - the Scotland Yard detective is a bundle of doubts - much more Alan Alda than Inspector Japp and (for me) not at all what a 1920s/30s detective should be. Instead of working alongside Poirot, or pursuing his own leads (which may be totally wrong but at least move the case, and book, forward) like Japp and the other Christie police characters do, this Inspector is almost incapable of viewing the victims which seems incredible and he would apparently do nothing if Poirot didn't tell him exactly how to proceed.
Poirot gives the floor to several other characters and lets them drone on for pages, which isn't as interesting as when Poirot dominates the narrative and again this feels a bit out of place - as if the author wanted to be more democratic or politically correct, but fans of Poirot want Poirot - at least this fan does. In the original Poirot novels, he questions and has lengthy conversations with "suspects" to get information, but he doesn't just let them talk and talk without interrupting. His questions are part of the fun of the books, determining which ones are crucial and why he asks them - which is missing here.
Another thing I found out of place is one of the main characters who is a servant but is on a first name basis with her employers and their social circle - again, a but unrealistic for the time period. When period details are correct, you don't notice them and can focus on the plot which is much more enjoyable.
Overall, I'm glad I read this, but it will not be a Poirot to re-read.
