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Hercule Poirot #0.13
The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
Previously published in the print anthology Poirot Investigates.
A series of deaths around a pharaoh’s tomb is blamed on an ancient curse, but Poirot knows better.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 1923
234 people are currently reading
2423 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,912 books76.6k followersAgatha 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)
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)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
May 30, 2025
*3.5 stars*
I love anything involving Ancient Egypt, so I took no persuading to read this short story from the Hercule Poirot catalog.
Three of the men who opened King Men-her-Ra’s tomb have died suddenly in the weeks after the opening, and its up to Poirot to use his powers of deduction to determine whether the deaths are due to an ancient curse!
Enjoyable short read with one of my favourite characters.
I love anything involving Ancient Egypt, so I took no persuading to read this short story from the Hercule Poirot catalog.
Three of the men who opened King Men-her-Ra’s tomb have died suddenly in the weeks after the opening, and its up to Poirot to use his powers of deduction to determine whether the deaths are due to an ancient curse!
Enjoyable short read with one of my favourite characters.
July 1, 2022
Agatha Christie tells us the story related to the opening of an Egyptian tomb. The people who opened the tomb of King Men-He-Rah are dying one by one. People are scared as they think the curse of the dead King is causing all these deaths.
Poirot and Hastings travel to Egypt to discover the mystery behind these deaths.
Will Poirot be able to solve a supernatural case? The author discusses it through this story.
Poirot and Hastings travel to Egypt to discover the mystery behind these deaths.
“A murderer has always a strong desire to repeat his successful crime. The performance of it grows upon him. ”
Will Poirot be able to solve a supernatural case? The author discusses it through this story.
September 27, 2024
One by one the men who discovered and opened the tomb of King Men-He-Rah are beginning to die. Superstition spreads that they have been cursed by the dead king. Poirot is asked to investigate the supernatural deaths by a concerned mother. Hastings is left bewildered when Poirot asserts his belief in the supernatural…
This was a really enjoyable short story. I like books that have to do with Egypt and archaeology. Poirot does a fine job solving the case. A fast and easy read.
This was a really enjoyable short story. I like books that have to do with Egypt and archaeology. Poirot does a fine job solving the case. A fast and easy read.
February 22, 2022
This is a Hercule Poirot short story by Agatha Christie which I listened to on audio, just over 30 minutes long and narrated by David Suchet. Hastings relates the adventurous and colourful details of their investigation into the strange series of deaths which followed upon the discovery and opening of the tomb of King Men-her-Ra in Egypt. The duo travel to the archaeological dig in Egypt, a place that tests Poirot's fastidiousness with sand getting everywhere, and having to ride a donkey, to look into the rumours and superstitions of a curse surrounding the deaths. Naturally, Poirot's little grey cells have no problem as they hone in on the truth.
April 12, 2023
I love this one and always have. The tv episode is one of my favorites as well, so this was a win-win for me.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and a will written on a napkin into the story!
This version was read by Charles Armstrong, who did a decent job. I still prefer Hugh Fraser or David Suchet to read my Poirot books, though.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and a will written on a napkin into the story!
This version was read by Charles Armstrong, who did a decent job. I still prefer Hugh Fraser or David Suchet to read my Poirot books, though.
September 19, 2022
When an ancient Egyptian tomb is opened three deaths occur in quick sucession. Is there really a curse, or will Hercule Poirot discover a more human reason behind the deaths ?
A short, sweet story where Poirot uses his little grey cells while trying not to let the dust & dirt of Egypt distract him.
A short, sweet story where Poirot uses his little grey cells while trying not to let the dust & dirt of Egypt distract him.
February 9, 2021
Rating: 3.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Previously published in the print anthology Poirot Investigates.
A series of deaths around a pharaoh’s tomb is blamed on an ancient curse, but Poirot knows better.
My Review: A 99¢ Kindle Single and fifth season episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
The story is set entirely in Egypt. The episode is more wide-ranging, interweaving the Egyptian archaeological dig with New York and London. The deaths that Poirot investigates are all connected to the archaeological dig; there is a suspicion that an ancient curse is in action, an idea spread by the superstitious widow of the first victim. She calls in Poirot and Hastings to determine what has occurred.
The resolution of the deaths is the same in both iterations of the tale. But let me tell you somethin' the episode makes hay of the imagery reported in the story! Anubis-headed nightmares for me tonight.
The horror of human greed is eternal, isn't it. Appalling what people will do for enough money.
The Publisher Says: Previously published in the print anthology Poirot Investigates.
A series of deaths around a pharaoh’s tomb is blamed on an ancient curse, but Poirot knows better.
My Review: A 99¢ Kindle Single and fifth season episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
The story is set entirely in Egypt. The episode is more wide-ranging, interweaving the Egyptian archaeological dig with New York and London. The deaths that Poirot investigates are all connected to the archaeological dig; there is a suspicion that an ancient curse is in action, an idea spread by the superstitious widow of the first victim. She calls in Poirot and Hastings to determine what has occurred.
The resolution of the deaths is the same in both iterations of the tale. But let me tell you somethin' the episode makes hay of the imagery reported in the story! Anubis-headed nightmares for me tonight.
The horror of human greed is eternal, isn't it. Appalling what people will do for enough money.
January 27, 2020
This Hercule Poirot short story was first published in the UK in The Sketch magazine on September 26, 1923 and was published in the US in The Blue Book magazine.
At the time Christie wrote this story Egypt and ancient tombs were all the rage in England and across Europe. The discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter and several deaths that followed afterwards ignited rumors of an ancient curse on the tomb. Those rumors still circulate today, but most experts say the story was started by Howard Carter and his excavation team to give the media something extraordinary and exciting to report, while keeping reporters and curious people at a distance from the tomb.
In this story a famous archaeologist dies following the discovery of the Egyptian tomb of King Men-Her-Ra. Two more deaths follow. Rumors of a supernatural curse begin to circulate. The widow of the archaeologist hires Poirot to investigate because her son wants to take over the dig, and she doesn't want him to die if the curse is real.
This is one of my favorite Poirot short stories so far. It had that awesome mummy-ancient curse vibe to it, and also showed the Belgian detective's intelligence and understanding of human nature. Multiple times Poirot states that he believes in the power of the supernatural....not in curses, but in the power of belief itself. I feel this story might have also been somewhat of an aside commentary from Agatha Christie about her thoughts on the rumors surrounding King Tut's tomb.
This story was adapted into an episode by the television show Agatha Christie's Poirot (Season 5, episode 1). The episode stays relatively true to the original story with embellishments to stretch it to a 45 minute episode.
I'm reading through all of Christie's works in publication order. Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9-years old and bought my first Poirot novels. I've always wanted to read her works in the order she wrote them, and I'm having a great time! Because Poirot stories have quite a bit of French in them at times (and I do not speak any French except a few words.....polite/necessary phrases and those relating to ordering food), I am listening to the audio book version of these stories while also reading the text. For me, hearing Poirot's dialogue read in the correct accent just adds so much to the reading experience....and the french is correct. Much better than me making a mangled attempt at it or skipping over those bits while reading to myself. Because I am using 2-3 versions of these stories to compare editions, and to listen/read at the same time, I am reviewing each story separately. I will also review the story collections and specific audio/text versions I read when I have completed all the stories in the collections.
Charles Armstrong narrates the audio books I am reading. I love David Suchet's portrayal of Poirot on television and in audio performances....but Armstrong is also very good. He has a nice voice, and portrays the character very well.
On to the next story: The Veiled Lady!
At the time Christie wrote this story Egypt and ancient tombs were all the rage in England and across Europe. The discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter and several deaths that followed afterwards ignited rumors of an ancient curse on the tomb. Those rumors still circulate today, but most experts say the story was started by Howard Carter and his excavation team to give the media something extraordinary and exciting to report, while keeping reporters and curious people at a distance from the tomb.
In this story a famous archaeologist dies following the discovery of the Egyptian tomb of King Men-Her-Ra. Two more deaths follow. Rumors of a supernatural curse begin to circulate. The widow of the archaeologist hires Poirot to investigate because her son wants to take over the dig, and she doesn't want him to die if the curse is real.
This is one of my favorite Poirot short stories so far. It had that awesome mummy-ancient curse vibe to it, and also showed the Belgian detective's intelligence and understanding of human nature. Multiple times Poirot states that he believes in the power of the supernatural....not in curses, but in the power of belief itself. I feel this story might have also been somewhat of an aside commentary from Agatha Christie about her thoughts on the rumors surrounding King Tut's tomb.
This story was adapted into an episode by the television show Agatha Christie's Poirot (Season 5, episode 1). The episode stays relatively true to the original story with embellishments to stretch it to a 45 minute episode.
I'm reading through all of Christie's works in publication order. Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9-years old and bought my first Poirot novels. I've always wanted to read her works in the order she wrote them, and I'm having a great time! Because Poirot stories have quite a bit of French in them at times (and I do not speak any French except a few words.....polite/necessary phrases and those relating to ordering food), I am listening to the audio book version of these stories while also reading the text. For me, hearing Poirot's dialogue read in the correct accent just adds so much to the reading experience....and the french is correct. Much better than me making a mangled attempt at it or skipping over those bits while reading to myself. Because I am using 2-3 versions of these stories to compare editions, and to listen/read at the same time, I am reviewing each story separately. I will also review the story collections and specific audio/text versions I read when I have completed all the stories in the collections.
Charles Armstrong narrates the audio books I am reading. I love David Suchet's portrayal of Poirot on television and in audio performances....but Armstrong is also very good. He has a nice voice, and portrays the character very well.
On to the next story: The Veiled Lady!
March 21, 2024
So and so.
Poirot's guess is a very good one, but there is no extra quality in this story.
Poirot's guess is a very good one, but there is no extra quality in this story.
June 9, 2022
I'm a sucker for Egyptian archaeology mystery stories and Christie's short stories pack a lot in a little space.
March 2, 2023
The premise made me read this but it's very, very short and one major aspect all too forcefully driven home, so... meh.
March 1, 2026
4 Stars. Considering Agatha Christie's association with the Middle East, it is surprising she didn't write more short stories with that setting. Novels yes, but short stories? This one is from a 1924 collection of eleven published under the name, Poirot Investigates. Its 18 pages first appeared in Sketch in September 1923. Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb was opened by Howard Carter in November 1922 with funding assistance from Lord Carnarvon. Those facts are true. This story revolves around the fictional opening of King Men-her-Ra's tomb shortly thereafter; Lord Carnarvon is again mentioned but he was deceased by the time the story came out! Poirot receives a note from Lady Willard who is worried about the curse surrounding these discoveries. Her husband, Sir John Willard and another donor, Mr. Bleibner of New York, had died in strange circumstances, and her son Guy is in Cairo to follow in his father's footsteps. "What are your views on the supernatural?" she asks Poirot. Hastings and Poirot travel to Egypt. Do you think Agatha Christie answered that question through her fictional detective? I do. (Aug2020/Ja2026)
February 17, 2023
I love this one and always have. The tv episode is one of my favorites as well, so this was a win-win for me.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and a will written on a napkin into the story!
This version was read by Charles Armstrong, who did a decent job. I still prefer Hugh Fraser or David Suchet to read my Poirot books, though.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and a will written on a napkin into the story!
This version was read by Charles Armstrong, who did a decent job. I still prefer Hugh Fraser or David Suchet to read my Poirot books, though.
August 11, 2025
Just imagine the great Belgium detective who suffers chronic seasickness traveling by ship from France to Egypt! Oh, dear!
Just imagine the meticulous detective trying to keep his suit dustfree in the desert! Oh, my!
However, nothing affects his little gray cells!
Just imagine the meticulous detective trying to keep his suit dustfree in the desert! Oh, my!
However, nothing affects his little gray cells!
September 20, 2019
Very short, quick read.
March 24, 2023
I just love Poirot, and his hatred of all things untidy (which is basically the WHOLE of Eqypt!) made this short story a very loveable read.
June 9, 2025
⭐⭐ ونصف
-مازلت أعتبر شخصية "بوارو" شخصية كثيرة التذمر رغم مهارته في حل القضايا الغامضة.
-تم اكتشاف مقبرة جديدة في مصر وبعدها بدأت تتوالى الميتتات الغريبة لمكتشفي المقبرة وذاع صيت لعنة الفراعنة التي تطارد من تجرأ على إزعاج مقبرة الملك..
رحلة قصيرة لاكتشاف الحقيقة.. أهي لعنة فراعنة أم دهاء من الإنسان ؟
-قصيرة.. لذيذة.. بها قليل من الغموض.. فاصل ممتاز بين القراءات.
-مازلت أعتبر شخصية "بوارو" شخصية كثيرة التذمر رغم مهارته في حل القضايا الغامضة.
-تم اكتشاف مقبرة جديدة في مصر وبعدها بدأت تتوالى الميتتات الغريبة لمكتشفي المقبرة وذاع صيت لعنة الفراعنة التي تطارد من تجرأ على إزعاج مقبرة الملك..
رحلة قصيرة لاكتشاف الحقيقة.. أهي لعنة فراعنة أم دهاء من الإنسان ؟
-قصيرة.. لذيذة.. بها قليل من الغموض.. فاصل ممتاز بين القراءات.
May 10, 2025
3🌟
This may honestly be a 2 star but gets a bump due to my bias towards the author.
When will I learn to stop reading these short stories? They are just not for me. They are usually solved so quickly with very little twist or excitement that comes from her novels. I thought I would give it one more shot with a theme I adore in the hopes that would help but yet another had sadly fallen flat for me.
This may honestly be a 2 star but gets a bump due to my bias towards the author.
When will I learn to stop reading these short stories? They are just not for me. They are usually solved so quickly with very little twist or excitement that comes from her novels. I thought I would give it one more shot with a theme I adore in the hopes that would help but yet another had sadly fallen flat for me.
June 24, 2023
#knjiškoleto23 @kockica.reads
Letnja noć uz sveću i knjigu
Prvo da se zahvalim još jednom @knjigomdo na tome što mi je dopunila kolekciju 😊❤️
A ujedno ovo je i recenzija i objašnjenje zašto je
MISTERIJA EGIPATSKE GROBNICE Agate Kristi savršena knjiga za letnje noći uz sveće
🌌Letnje noći su najlepši deo leta i najlepši deo godine. Treba ih iskoristiti šetnjom,posećivanjem muzičkih i pozorišnih predstava na otvorenom ili jednostavno na terasi,uživajući u spektaklu svitaca i zvezda.
🌌Zbirka od 18 pripovedaka na 250 strana je u proseku 15 stranica po priči. Taman za kratko opuštanje pred spavanje. 😊
🌌Narator je Hejstings,koji izuzetno duhovito opisuje svog prijatelja i saradnika Herkula Poaroa. Tu su mnoge misterije i poneko ubistvo,ali na kraju priče slučaj je rešen pa možete mirno da spavate
🌌Agata je uvek siguran pogodak,nju čitam kad mi treba nešto što znam da volim a ova knjiga je na neki način "the best of" slučajeva Herkula Poaroa.
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #readingaddict #literature #knjige #agathachristie
Letnja noć uz sveću i knjigu
Prvo da se zahvalim još jednom @knjigomdo na tome što mi je dopunila kolekciju 😊❤️
A ujedno ovo je i recenzija i objašnjenje zašto je
MISTERIJA EGIPATSKE GROBNICE Agate Kristi savršena knjiga za letnje noći uz sveće
🌌Letnje noći su najlepši deo leta i najlepši deo godine. Treba ih iskoristiti šetnjom,posećivanjem muzičkih i pozorišnih predstava na otvorenom ili jednostavno na terasi,uživajući u spektaklu svitaca i zvezda.
🌌Zbirka od 18 pripovedaka na 250 strana je u proseku 15 stranica po priči. Taman za kratko opuštanje pred spavanje. 😊
🌌Narator je Hejstings,koji izuzetno duhovito opisuje svog prijatelja i saradnika Herkula Poaroa. Tu su mnoge misterije i poneko ubistvo,ali na kraju priče slučaj je rešen pa možete mirno da spavate
🌌Agata je uvek siguran pogodak,nju čitam kad mi treba nešto što znam da volim a ova knjiga je na neki način "the best of" slučajeva Herkula Poaroa.
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #readingaddict #literature #knjige #agathachristie
June 5, 2025
Dull
It's so illogical that the killer has been living normally for years and suddenly decided to go ahead and make a massacre and kill some people for absolutely no reason.
It's so illogical that the killer has been living normally for years and suddenly decided to go ahead and make a massacre and kill some people for absolutely no reason.
February 15, 2018
Audiobook - part of Poirot Investigates
Lots of murders as disguised as a curse. Good story. 4 stars.
Lots of murders as disguised as a curse. Good story. 4 stars.
April 24, 2023
Okay! Not that bad now! I wish it could have been a little bigger with more detailed.
November 7, 2025
a bit too complex idea for a short story
September 16, 2022
Beautifully narrated by David Suchet. The story was okay, just over 30 minutes long.
October 27, 2021
Flip-flopping between 2 or 3 stars. Is much better than the previous Agatha Christie short I audiobooked on the way to work that morning, Wasps' Nest - a Hercule Poirot Short Story, but not by much.
I feel kind so rounding up to three. I did like this short so much more than Wasp's Nest, mainly because Hastings was telling the tale and this felt like it played more fair with the reader compared to Wasp's Nest. It was strange to see Poirot act the way he did, but we (as reader) understand him well enough to know that there is a reason for it, even if he doesn't tell us.
I think I have to accept the fact that Agatha Christie's short stories just don't work for me and I should stick with her novels.
I feel kind so rounding up to three. I did like this short so much more than Wasp's Nest, mainly because Hastings was telling the tale and this felt like it played more fair with the reader compared to Wasp's Nest. It was strange to see Poirot act the way he did, but we (as reader) understand him well enough to know that there is a reason for it, even if he doesn't tell us.
I think I have to accept the fact that Agatha Christie's short stories just don't work for me and I should stick with her novels.
April 10, 2020
Aesthetically, Hercule Poirot, Ancient Egyptian tombs, and a possible mummy curse is just such a winning combination. The mystery here is a little short and light, but still satisfying. Christie's later in life interest in archaeology is very much present here, and all the historical stuff checks out. There are a few stray lines in reference to the "natives" working at the site and the "devoted servant" of one of the characters that might make a modern reader blink, but nothing that will surprise longtime Christie readers (the woman was brilliant, but very much a product of her time). Short fun mystery romp.
May 31, 2022
“You misunderstood me, Hastings. What I meant was that I believe in the terrific force of superstition.” Christie once again tears my heart out by toying with supernatural stories and then taking them away right at the end through Poirot’s reason. I find these stories to have the power to be the spookiest and I hope throughout them every time even though I should know what’s coming.
August 24, 2020
Delightful short
And yes, it's very short, but still it's perfectly plotted.. very much of its time with the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb and very fitting for the wife of an archaeologist working in Mesopotamia.
And yes, it's very short, but still it's perfectly plotted.. very much of its time with the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb and very fitting for the wife of an archaeologist working in Mesopotamia.
October 10, 2023
Poirot riding a camel was something else but otherwise a forgettable short story.
I like that Scribd has all these short stories as individual audiobooks. It makes it look like I read like a maniac when in reality they're like 20 minutes max each, haha.
I like that Scribd has all these short stories as individual audiobooks. It makes it look like I read like a maniac when in reality they're like 20 minutes max each, haha.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews