The King of Clubs

Hercule Poirot #0.16

by Agatha Christie

Prince Paul of Maurania hires Hercule Poirot to prove that his fiancée, the famous dancer Valerie Saintclair, was not involved in the murder of Henry Reedburn. She was the last to see the unpleasant businessman alive, and after an argument with him, she ran off to the Oglander family home. Poirot and Hasting will investigate the case until they discover a very old secret.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Classics

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.

This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.

Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King of Clubs is one of those fun Poirot shorties where he discovers what really happened, but the police never do.



A family is playing Bridge together when a famous dancer, Valerie Saintclair, dramatically bursts through the door and collapses after saying, Murder!
Apparently, she was supposed to meet with a (rather nasty) theater producer at his home, and instead, stumbled in on a hobo killing him.
Her fiancé, a young prince, implores Poirot to make sure there's no scandal so their names aren't dragged through the mud.
THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM. <-of course



I've read this one several times over the years, and it holds up.
A good way to kill 30 minutes.

Can also be found in the short story collection A Deadly Affair.

[EveStar91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Truth,’ I observed, laying aside the Daily Newsmonger, ‘is stranger than fiction!’

Hastings tries to be pithy and takes a leaf out of Watson's book in recounting a recent popular case to Poirot, only to find Poirot is already contacted by one of the people involved, and more importantly, that Poirot reads gossip magazines.

An interesting mystery involving an upcoming dancer / actress when she witnesses a horrible murder and flees, the plot and conclusion are satisfying. The characters and their goals are given good weight, and the story is quite engaging.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise; One star for the plot; Half a star for the world-building; One star for the characters; Half a star for the writing - Four stars in total.]

[itsdanixx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting cast of characters, but for some reason it failed to hold my attention quite as much as her other stories.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King of Clubs is the third Hercule Poirot short story. It was first published in the UK on March 21, 1923 as "The Adventure of the King of Clubs'' in the magazine The Sketch. It made its way across the pond to America in November 1923 where it was printed in The Blue Magazine.

Hercule Poirot reads about a murder in the local paper one morning. A rather seedy wealthy impressario was found dead in his house. Henry Reedburn's skull was bashed in. A famous dancer found the body and ran to the house next door, crashing their bridge party with a dramatic cry of "murder!'' Poirot is soon on the case to discover the facts.

I like this story....it's a bit different. There's a lot going on in the background. I read and listened to it twice to be sure I caught all the nuances. Simple...and a bit complex at the same time. This sort of tale is why I love Agatha Christie.

The long-running television show, Agatha Christie's Poirot, starring David Suchet presented an episode based on this short story in Series 1 (episode 9) back in 1989. The television version keeps the barebones of the story, but makes several changes to flesh it out into a regular length episode. The woman is an actress instead of a dancer....the setting involves a film company, main characters become actors, etc. Some plot points are removed....and other things added. But, all in all, a very good adaptation of this story! I don't recommend using the television episodes as a replacement for reading the actual stories....as they can be quite different!! But, I love the show! I watched the episode on BritBox, but the episode is also available on YouTube.

I am having the best time reading, listening, and watching these stories by Christie! On to the next story: The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim!

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published for the first time in 1923, the story is average, as usual. The King of Clubs is a thin clue, the plot isn't the most exciting one, there is only one bright idea: that involving the slippers.

PS: Interesting what small country could be hidden under the name of Maurania...

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scribd.com English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate.

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that is a murder mystery. In this one, a dancer stumbles into a room where she cries "Murder". She has discovered that a famous producer has been murdered and Hercule Poirot is on the case to discover who the actual murderer is.

I just started reading books from this series and this is my first short story with the main character. I liked it but I believe these murder mysteries work better as a novel. With the novel you are along for the ride and see if you can beat the famous detective to the conclusion. With this short story there wasn't the ride and I did miss this aspect. The observation by Poirot that leads to his conclusion is brilliant and did save this story. I just wish it was drawn out a little more so I can play along.

I liked this story but it didn't totally engage me. I find that happens with most short stories as there isn't enough time to delve into the characters or the story. Granted, I don't need to delve in the character as I already know him. But with a murder mystery I do want to delve into the mystery aspect and I really didn't get a chance to do that with this story.

[Jack Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars. On more than one occasion the ending of a Christie mystery is a little up in the air, so to speak. And on occasion, Hercule Poirot acts as if he was not only a detective but a judge in criminal court. Here we have an example. The 13-page story first came out in 1923 in 'The Sketch' magazine. It is contained in 'Hercule Poirot The Complete Short Stories' published in 1999. The previous evening, a young woman had staggered into the living room of a family of four in Streatham, gasped "Murder," and fainted. They had been playing bridge at the time. Her name is Valerie Saintclair, the famous dancer. A glance at the scandal sheets revealed that she could be the fiancé of Prince Paul of Maurania. Indeed Paul soon appears at the offices of Poirot and Hastings and confirms the matter. We learn that the dead man was Henry Reedburn who lived at the large estate next door to the Oglander family. The Prince retains Poirot and receives assurance from him, "Do not distress yourself. Leave it in my hands." Do you believe in clairvoyants? The meaning of various cards, like the king of clubs? I don't but the Prince did and so did Poirot. (No2020/Au2024)

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I hadn't read it before and I did not figure out the culprit. So I was happy cruising along with Poirot and Hastings with this one; and let's just take a moment to appreciate Dame Christie's use of cards throughout her stories? <3

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

A celebrity is murdered in a wealthy family’s manor. Hercule and Hastings investigate, and the king of clubs playing card is the key

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 stars
It's Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot. What more do I need to say?

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King of Clubs is one of those fun Poirot shorties where he discovers what really happened but the police never do.



A family is playing Bridge together when a famous dancer, Valerie Saintclair, dramatically bursts through the door and collapses after saying, Murder!
Apparently, she was supposed to meet with a (rather nasty) theater producer at his home, and instead, stumbled in on a hobo killing him.
Her fiancee, a young prince, implores Poirot to make sure there's no scandal so their names aren't dragged through the mud.
THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM. <-of course



I've read this one several times over the years and it holds up.
A good way to kill 30 minutes.

Can also be found in the short story collection A Deadly Affair.

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok liked Jane Searching for a Job better. I would love to see all these short stories in a mini series :)
⭐⭐⭐

[Jesus Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuento supercorto de Poirot, donde hay un muerto, y una aparente asesina, y Poirot es contratado para probar su inocencia. Por lo corto no hay tanto de donde sacar pistas, y una es visual asi que hasta que Poirot no lo menciona no podemos saber que existe.

2.5

Reto Sugar 2021, Un libro con corazones, diamantes, picas o tréboles en la portada.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this short story Poirot is more insufferable than ever. If we add to it a totally and unnecessary convoluted plot for such a brief read; we have the ingredients for a disappointing experience.

[Agla]

Not Poirot's best IMHO or maybe I'm just too tired. I didn't fully follow what happened. I still enjoy those shorts 😀

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirot is hired by a Prince to investigate who killed a man - his fiancee, Valerie, is under suspicion. Valerie left the murder scene and went to a nearby house where she burst into a room while bridge was being played. She said "Murder " and fainted. She is recuperating and very stressed. She claims a vagabond was in the room where she was talking with the deceased and killed him.

Poirot makes inquiries around the scene of the crime as well as of the family where Valerie took refuge. He discovers some discrepancies between the stories being told. He also tells the Prince that Valerie could not have killed the man and that the vagabond will probably never be found.

Who done it? Valerie's brother. The family she took refuge with was her own, though she had changed her name and insinuated she came from other parts. Valerie took her brother with her to talk with the blackmailer, the brother smashed something on the blackmailer's head, Valerie fainted and her brother carried her home. The story about bridge assumed that the four people of the house were playing and Poirot not only got discrepancies, but the King of Clubs was left in the card box.

[Crime Addict Sifat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Henry Reedburn is the leader of a theatre company who make movies. He is very obscene behavior and was troubled with the way shooting is going on. He particularly have issues with the lead on-screen character Valerie Saintclair! Troubled with her execution(!) he reprimands her before the team. She chose to meet Henry by and by and resolve every one of the issues, as she was extremely resolved to make her vocation. She needed to do anything or go to any stretch out to assume the lead part in the film, she wouldn't like to leave this brilliant open door she got.

[Dee Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are playing a number of hands of bridge, be certain all the cards in the deck are on the table!

Hercule Poiroit solves the murder, saves the reputation of a young actress, and relieves the burdened heart of her mother.

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, Poirot.
New mystery to me which is always a treat.
As is Inspector Japp's humourous discrediting digs at Poirot's valuing of his "little grey cells" vs his own winning "doggedness".

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2020

[catherine ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting one that I didn’t see coming — I have a soft spot for mysteries involving games (like a deck of cards).

[Diana Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the short stories in the anthology Murder in Paradise by the author.
Truly enjoyable they all were and for those who follow Agatha Christie a must read.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirot says to Hastings, “I have cramped your style.” So priceless. Was this written last week or 100 years ago? Crazy how these stories hold up. I have to say that this one wasn’t quite as clever as the others I have read but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I found the clues somewhat lacking in terms of how he figured out that the lady’s tale was false. Once he explained that she was the daughter it all made sense, of course, but I thought that his coming to that conclusion was a bit of a leap.

2026 re-read:
Poirot and Hastings investigate the death of a man in his library after a secret meeting with a mysterious woman. This woman, a famous dancer, ran to the house next door screaming about a murder. The family there were all sitting around the table playing bridge. They called the police and the doctor. The woman says that the man was blackmailing her and demanded a meeting but when she went to meet him in the library the man was killed by a tramp who was lying in wait. Poirot figured out that the whole story was a lie and that there was no tramp and that the family was not playing bridge because they inadvertently left the king of clubs in the case when hastily setting up the card table to make it look like they had been playing all night. The woman was really an estranged member of the family and she enlisted her brother to accompany her to the meeting with the blackmailer. Things got heated and the brother pushed the man who fell onto a marble statue which crushed his skull and killed him. The brother and sister made up the story about the tramp. For some reason, Poirot decides to keep the truth a secret from the police and protect the woman's identity and the brother's deeds.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have enjoyed listening to the other short stories as read by Hugh Fraser and Christopher Lee, this one beats them all. Hearing Poirot do Poirot, as it were, was just marvelous. David Suchet did a wonderful job with all the voices (except Valerie. That left me giggling.) and he moved so smoothly between the different characters. And hearing him slip into his Poirot accent made me giddy. Great story, if a bit frustrating, made so much better by a great narrative performance.

[Kayt O'Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts off with Poirot snarking at Hastings for lack of Tidy Newspaper Handling and Hastings deciding he’s magnanimous enough to rise above some other jabs, and THIS, this is what Hastings is good for. They’re a perfect pair of sitcom roommates.

The mystery itself is fine. Poirot’s stories are not the type that the reader can solve alone, but there are a few clues you can try to pick up on and figure out at the end if your own guesses were in the right track.

[Taylor's♡Shelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

"How often must I tell you that clues come from within? In the little grey cells of the brain lies the solution of every mystery."

This one may have gone by even faster than the armchair detective stories. Really, not much interesting to see here. Unless you just enjoy watching Poirot school Hastings about everything he didn't see. In that case, it could be worth your time.

[Joe Gruberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As old-timey mystery stories go, I place Agatha Christie in the middle of the pack. She writes well, but there's not enough room in a short story to develop her characters or the plot line much. (Expect this identical review in each Agatha Christie short story I've read to far -- unless I find a real stand-out.) Poirot, however, is quite an interesting, though repetitive, character.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun and interesting Agatha Christie Story revolving a murder, a family event, bridge and a Prince.

Having read quite a bit of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, Reading such a story, I find it amazing the similarity in plot and story lines of both authors.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and fast moving Piorot.