The Mystery Of Three Quarters: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery by Sophie Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another ingenious mystery for Hercule Poirot to solve in Sophie Hannah's third novel featuring Agatha Christie's famous detective.

Returning home after an enjoyable lunch, Poirot is accosted in the street by a woman who claims to have received a letter from him accusing her of murder. Poirot assures her he has written no such letter, but she does not listen. Puzzled and aggrieved, Poirot soon receives a second visitor who makes the same claim. It soon transpires that four such letters have been sent, all accusing the recipients of murder, all claiming to have been sent by Hercule Poirot.

So begins another complex puzzle for Poirot to solve, along with the assistance of his friend Inspector Catchpool of Scotland Yard. The man whom the letters claim was murdered is believed to have died as the result of an accident, but is this true, or has someone got away with murder? Who is the mysterious letter writer and for what purpose were the letters written?

Masterfully plotted, 'The Mystery of Three Quarters' moves at a lightning-speed, unspooling twists and turns, leading to a conclusion in Poirot's own inimitable style - the gathering of the players and the final revelation of the guilty party.

Hannah has again perfectly captured the character of Poirot and the style and pitch of the series, so beautifully crafted by Christie herself across the numerous novels, short stories and play in which Poirot appears.

The Poirot stories, both in print and the television series starring David Suchet, were my introduction to adult crime fiction almost two decades ago. I was delighted when, four years ago, I was able to experience a brand new Poirot novel in 'The Monogram Murders', followed by 'Closed Casket' two years later. This equally brilliant third novel is a fantastic addition to Hannah's series and to the Poirot canon as a whole. I very much hope there will be a fourth.



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The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An absolute joy, full of intriguing mystery, with Poirot as brilliant as ever!




Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another delightful new case for Hercule Poirot from Sophie Hannah.

I had been anticipating reading this for months after enjoying 'The Monogram Murders' two years ago, and this certainly did not disappoint. This is a classic mystery with the interactions of the characters and the chain of events taking the story on many twists and turns, skilfully tied together by Poirot in the final chapters.

A fantastic read.



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