Double Sin

Hercule Poirot #0.25

by Agatha Christie

While trying to relax on holiday, Hercule Poirot is confronted with not one but two cases! The first is the reason for the short vacation; it's a small problem his friend Joseph Aarons wants to meet him about. It provides an opportunity for Poirot and Hastings to take a day or two off from the grind of being England's most famous private detective agency! Aarons lives in Charlock Bay in North Devon. While on the bus excursion to that beautiful location, they meet a young woman, Mary Durrant. It is not long before the priceless miniatures she is transporting to a client disappear.

Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, Double Sin. Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."

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

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 1928

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

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of misdirection in this short tale...a Kindle single for 99¢ if you need something quick to read on your phone...is large and head-spinning. The gents are in Devon to sort out an issue for a theatrical producer. Hastings, old fool that he is, inadvertently causes the second sin of the title by convincing Poirot to ride a bus to their small coastal resort destination. (He's spotted this gorgeous girl, you see.)

Sexism, silly costumes, multiple layers of duplicity, anti-American nonsense...good gracious, there's enough goins-on for one of her novels. The issues are simple...greed...the solutions direct, once the convolutions are straightened out by the simple and blindingly obvious but improbable application of Occam's Razor. A good fair-play mystery tale.

And then along comes Agatha Christie's Poirot. We get "the North" instead of Devon, the sexism stays but is slightly more subversified (men are such goofballs about a pretty face) by being made super-explicit, and the entire greed plot is telegraphed by some seriously strange directorial choices. Most of all, the shoehorning of Chief Inspector Japp into the plot by means of his being in "the North" on a lecture tour is just weird. He delivers one of the most revolting little nosegays of fluffering to the lurking-backstage Poirot. It's nauseous, and the humor that would've helped the episode land its punches isn't set up very well. Not my favorite of the hour-long older scripts.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novice antique dealer catches Hastings' attention while on holiday with Poirot.
The lovely young Mary Durrant works for her aunt, who has a very successful antique shop in Ebermouth. On this trip, she is acting as a courier, delivering an expensive set of miniatures to a wealthy client.
What could possibly go wrong?



Within the next few days, the suitcase carrying the valuables is found to have been forced open, and the client says he has already received and paid for the miniatures. Of course, Mary goes to her new friends and begs them to help her find out who took them.
Was it the shady young man seen touching her suitcase earlier?
Was it the mustached old woman who sold the client stolen goods?
Was it the unlikable client trying to get something for free?
Or is there someone else responsible?
Only the magnificent Hercule Poirot can suss out this mystery!



This is some of Christie's early writing, and I don't think it's her personal best. But for fans of the Belgian detective, it is a must-read.
Recommended!

Originally published in The Sunday Despatch in 1928, and in the US Detective Story Magazine in 1929.
Read as part of the short story collection Double Sin and Other Stories.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, speaking about Poirot, and that's the same story with Sherlock Holmes, they attract unforeseen events like a magnet, even in the most unusual scenarios.
This case is very interesting for Poirot's ego! He thinks that he's clever, but he's almost outsmarted by a young lady...

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta hand it to Dame Christie: she tricked me into reading this story twice and I STILL didn't get it all. As another reviewer says, there is so much going on this could have been a novel. No matter what, Christie is the "Queen of Deception" and her trick here is...well, you decide.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening. 🎶🎵😆

This kindle e-book novella is from Amazon for $0.99

Hercule and friend are traveling on the train. They talk with a young woman and become friends. Her goods are stolen then sold to the collector. Hercule comes to the solution.

I would recommend this novella to readers of British mystery novels and fans of Agatha Christie. 2024

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadn't actually read this one before but I happily guessed the culprit. Really enjoyed the mini mystery :)

[Sudip Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Hercule Poirot.... This story was so thrilling ..... I just love the book

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Double sin, double trouble. Have you heard that one before? Here we encounter Hastings urging Poirot to combine business with pleasure. A client wants to see Hercule Poirot in North Devon, and Hastings suggests they add a few days by the sea to relax. Unfortunately for the proverbial best laid plans, something comes up to tear precious time away from their short vacation. The two meet an interesting young woman on the bus to Charlock Bay where their original client, Joseph Aarons, is staying. She is assisting her aunt in the antique business by delivering valuable miniatures to a client, a Mr. Baker Wood. The story first came out in 1928 in the "Sunday Dispatch," and appears in the collection, "Double Sin and Other Stories" of 1961 which contains both Poirot and Miss Marple short stories. I enjoyed Poirot's unsolicited advice to Mary Durrant, the young woman on the bus. Don't be too trusting in business; "Everywhere in the world there are rogues and vagabonds." He then adds, even on their coach. Nary more true words were spoken as the miniatures were soon stolen. Count the sins. Can you find more than two? I did. (March 2021)

[F.R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing is that at the beginning of this short story, Hercule Poirot is on the way to help a friend of his, a theatrical agent, with a particular problem, when he gets waylaid by the mystery actually detailed in ‘Double Sin’. I can’t help thinking though that ‘The Mystery of the Theatrical Agent’ would have been more fun. As what we have here is a distinctly simple case, with only two characters beyond Poirot and Hastings, and one of those couldn’t be anymore obviously a misdirection if he was a walking, talking herring or scarlet hue.

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories, some good some ok. Well narrated.

[Jovana Vesper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monsieur Poirot likes mustaches. Yeah, we all know that but he loves them so much that he respect and sympathize with men that are just starting to grow their precious facial hair. Therefore they will always have his attention even when they don't want it - especially then!
An interesting case that was probably better done as an episode of a marvelous tv show than as a story, nevertheless it was a good read. Poirot really thinks of everything!

On a personal note - prajslesss! :D

[Anirudh Kukreja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like an Agatha Christie short story to get me out of a reading slump! This one was terse, succinct and extremely interesting.
Also, like most great novels by Ms. Christie, I was not expecting the reveal.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it had many funny bits and remarks and all the classic twists and turns, I didn't understand the motive very well. Specifically how could they "...have made a thousand pounds instead of five hundred" Wouldn't the money be returned?

[helen m. dutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLARIFICATION

This charming book is not Double Sin and Other stories. It is "Double Sin". The description was rewritten in 2015 & provides snipers of many books.
I enjoyed this book and have owned it for some time. I'm a big Christie fan. This short story is fun.

[Mina Krsmanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reading

short and very interesting. enjoyed it. I just adore poiroit, and, as always, he did not disappoint. I recommend it highly.

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, and very short and sweet!

[marie johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I do enjoy Agatha Christie's books. I started reading her books when I was a teenager and now I am in my 70's, nothing has changed, I still love her books. This one kind of had a double edge to it. The problem with me I can never figure out who the bad guys are in Agatha Christie's books. In her books there usually is a murderer but not in this one. Do read it, I think you will find it very interesting. Discover who the bad dudes are in this one. It is worth reading

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poirot and Hastings take a slight vacation. They are requested to help with a case, but on the journey, a young woman loses an expensive commission.

She throws suspicion on another traveler, but Poirot sniffs out the truth.

The young lady and her aunt. The aunt's business is not doing well. They try to sell the items twice: once after being "stolen" and the aunt sells them in disguise, then again after they were "recovered". Poirot explains that they, as sympathetic larger men, were supposed to keep suspicion on the other young man.

[Ann Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the stories in this book were especially memorable, such as the living doll constantly relocating herself around the house as she sought someone to love her and the woman medium, who sacrificed herself so that another woman's daughter could return to life again. Here, too, are wonderful short stories featuring Hercule Poirot and Mrs. Marple. Told with wit and intrigue as only Ms. Christie can, these stories will continue to tempt the reader to solve each mystery on his own.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Never do I deceive you, Hastings. I only permit you to deceive yourself."

I feel like Christie used this line as a way to justify to us the readers her misdirection, and also to cover for plot holes and/or faulty story mechanics...

I don't know, I guess I was just a "sympathetic mug" for that young lady with auburn hair... #Facepalm

"Auburn hair - always the auburn hair!" :)

3/5

[Lisa Tollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can not get enough of Hercule Poirot!

Another case solved by the infamous Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie spins such a good mystery never giving any hints to the culprit until the very end

[Lori satterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still as good as the first time I read it.

Really interesting and keeps you entertained from beginning to end. I had forgotten the end of the book. Was a great story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite mystery authors.

[Izybella Granado Finley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good even though it was really short 😊

[esa basic booktuber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe it’s the first time I actually guessed many things, it makes me so happy

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of suspects in this one which made it not quite as good but still okay for a short read

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2020

[Andrea (andreareadsalot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending the year with a 5 star short story read. Twisty and fun and thoroughly Poirot.

Plot: The dream team of Poirot and Hastings reunite in this excellent standalone short story following their travels with an unexpected occurrence. I enjoyed the banter.

Overall Rating: 4.75/5

[Samuel Devos · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Use your little grey cells mon ami!"

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars