This book is part of my 52 in 52 reading list. The prompt was to read a book that was published the year I was born. As I browsed through the books published in 1975, I felt a little downhearted because there weren’t a lot that appealed to me. When my eyes landed on this one, though, I made up my mind straight away. I’ve read quite a few Agatha Christies before (who hasn’t?), and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far.

This book is set in Styles St Mary, the scene of Poirot’s first case where he first meets Captain Hastings many years previous. Poirot is old and frail and confined to a wheelchair. He is staying at Styles, and writes to Hastings, asking for him to join him in his stay. The reason is that Poirot knows for a fact that a murder will occur very shortly. While he knows who the murderer is, he doesn’t know how or when it will occur. He also says he doesn't know who the victim will be. That is why he needs Hastings: to look through keyholes for him.

Straight away, Hastings has memories of the murder that occurred when the pair stayed there before. He feels that there is something evil and rotten about the guest house. He has a bad feeling about being there. He is surprised to learn that his youngest daughter, Judith, is also a guest, and that she is staying with her boss, a doctor and scientist named Franklin.

It becomes apparent to Hastings that Poirot does not have a lot of time left due to a heart problem. I really like the way Hastings constantly compares the frail, old friend he sees now to the full-of-life, clever one he knew in days of old. The affection he has for Poirot is lovely to read.

The clever thing about this plot is how it is all about Poirot, and yet, he is hardly in it at all. As usual, things are observed through Captain Hastings’s eyes. He is the reader’s eyes and ears and also Poirot’s eyes and ears. That’s cool.

I won’t give the plot away, but three people die, Poirot being the final one. Hence: it is his last case. I thought from the start he would have to die in this book. That’s the only way anyone could keep him from investigating further cases.

Hastings doesn’t have a clue about who to trust and the identity of the murderer(s). I guessed a fraction of it, but the final reveal was not what I was expecting. Four months after Poirot’s funeral, Hastings receives a private, sealed envelope from Poirot’s solicitors. They had been given instructions to deliver it exactly four months after his death. Inside the envelope is a letter from Poirot, giving the details of the events that transpired during their stay at Styles.

This is an enjoyable read. The plot, as always with Christie, is far cleverer than you realise at first. The characters are interesting, and all of them could conceivably be the murderer.

A very enjoyable read. Christie at her best.

It is a quick, easy read. Perfect for a rainy day or a day at the beach. It's a fab whodunnit, and it'll have you scratching your head, trying to figure it out before the end.

Hastings's love for Poirot. He is so fond of the old detective, and he wants to protect him. The memories and thoughts Hastings has about him are just lovely to read. Mostly, though, I love the plot. It is so clever. Agatha Christie really was the Queen of the Whodunnit.

Go back and read some earlier Poirot books because I've mostly read Miss Marple in the past.

Happy. Fulfilled. Slightly in awe of Christie's plotting ability.

She is a classic. Agatha Christie wrote a ton of fabulous mysteries.

It's good. It's clever. It's entertaining.

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Created Jul 12, 2021 at 7:11am • Submit your own review...