The Affair at the Victory Ball

Hercule Poirot #0.04

by Agatha Christie

Young Lord Cronshaw is murdered at a masked ball, and his fiancée dies of a cocaine overdose later the same evening. Who was wearing which costume? Can Poirot find out who the killer is?

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

26 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

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book where it all began. This was Christie's first published short story.

Hercule Poirot is facing the dilemma of solving the mystery behind two deaths here. The first person to die was Young Lord Cronshaw. He was murdered at a masked ball. His fiancée dies later in the evening due to a cocaine overdose.

No matter how often we read his stories, Poirot never disappoints us. This book is also not different, and you will love it if you like to read books by Agatha Christie.

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot short story to be published, I listened to it on audio, about 30 minutes long, narrated by David Suchet. Hastings draws Poirot's attention to a newspaper story about a death at the Victory Ball, this is followed by a visit by Inspector Japp in which he involves Poirot in the case. The young Lord Cronshaw is found stabbed at the costume Ball, whilst earlier Coco Courtney left the ball early for home, accompanied by an actor, Chris Davidson, only for her to be discovered dead from an overdose the following day. Poirot can be relied on to hone in on the killer with the help of his little grey cells, seeing what others fail to see.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An influential man is murdered at the Victory Ball. Simultaneously, his girlfriend overdosed on crack (<--not crack) the same night after leaving the ball early due to a fight with the now-dead man.
Whodunnit and whytheydunnit?
Enter Poirot! <--and Hastings



It's a fun story that I'd read/listened to somewhere before, but it was still a good quality little mystery. Maybe 30 mins or so to listen to it, and Charles Armstrong did a good job with the narration.
This was an audio shorty that is part of Hoopla's COVID-19 free borrows. Not sure I would have been able to part with a monthly borrow for just this one, otherwise. Those of you with libraries that use Hoopla, take advantage of this while you can!

[EveStar91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

To “see” things with your eyes, as they say, is not always to see the truth. One must see with the eyes of the mind; one must employ the little cells of grey!

Hercule Poirot unmasks the murderer from the attendees of a very popular masked ball after the deaths of a famous couple - a famous actress dead due to a drug overdose and her partner murdered at the ball - became known as The Affair at the Victory Ball.

Agatha Christie started publishing short stories with Hercule Poirot with this first one, and the mystery is solved true to Poirot's observational prowess and attention to detail. Though the secondary characters are just light sketches in this short length, the setting, ambience and the plot make up for it - on the whole, an interesting read!

🌟🌟🌟3/4🌟
[3/4 star for the premise; One star for the plot; 3/4 star for the writing; 3/4 star for the world-building; Half star for the characters - 3 3/4 stars in total.]

[Jay Schutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, short (30 min.) audio read done in the usual Christie style with multiple suspects. Easily figured out.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Affair at the Victory Ball was Agatha Christie's first published short story. It ran in The Sketch magazine in March 1923, following publication of the first Hercule Poirot novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 1920/1921 (UK and US versions were published at different times).

In this first story, Poirot is approached by Inspector Japp to assist in a case involving a murder and a suspicious overdose death following a fancy dress ball. Poirot puts his little grey cells to work, while mumbling about others having "no method'' to their investigation skills.

Great story! It is a relatively short read, but very enjoyable! Classic Poirot attitude and investigation. Loved it!

In its 3rd series, the television show Poirot had an episode based on this story (Season 3, episode 10). There are a few changes made to the story, but it follows the basics, according to online sources. I don't remember this episode in particular, but it's available online. Now that I've read the short story, I'm going to watch the television version and see what I think. David Suchet is always outstanding, in my opinion, so I'm sure I will love his performance.

Agatha Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9. I found a box set of five Hercule Poirot novels at a garage sale and spent an entire summer engrossed in the sleuthing of the little dapper Belgian man with the supremely awesome moustache. :) I have always wanted to read all of her works in publication order....and this year, I am starting on that quest!

66 novels. 14 short story collections, featuring 165 short stories, plus several other assorted writings....I have a lot of reading to do! Loving it so far! 3 books read....many to go!

I am reading these novels and stories from physical books while simultaneously listening to audio. There is method to my madness. Really. I promise. I have reasons. One -- I have come across several editions of Christie's books that give a disclaimer about "editorial edits" being made. I'm curious what these edits are...so I'm listening to newer unabridged audio books while reading my older paperback copies just to see what is different. And second, when it comes to Hercule Poirot especially, there are many foreign words in Christie novels. I skip over them while reading because (being honest here), I don't know how to properly pronounce them. I don't speak French except for elementary polite phrases or those related to ordering food and wine, which is a shame really. Plus, it's more fun to read a Poirot mystery with his dialogue being read in his awesome accent. While not every narrator is as wonderful as David Suchet, listening to the stories really does bring some extra happiness to my reading experience. This quest to read all of her works has been 41 years in the making. I wouldn't read and listen or compare editions for many other authors. Christie has a special place in my heart...so I'm going full out.

Because I am reading each novel and story from different sources to compare content....and skipping around within collections at times to read in order, I'm going to review each story separately. And then give my thoughts about certain story collections and editions (especially ones I come across that have been edited) when I've read all the stories contained in them.

On to the next story!

[Jack Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars. Everybody enjoyed his company. Then why did young Lord Cronshaw end up stabbed to death at the costume party, and his lovely actress girlfriend, Coco Courtenay, die of a drug overdose at her home later the same night? There's not much to this story, a mere 13 pages of Poirot fluff which first appeared in "Sketch" in March 1923. I caught it in 1999's "Hercule Poirot the Complete Short Stories." "Victory .." is the first of 51 shorts in chronological order. Interesting, the book does not include the 11 or so which were later merged into Christie's novel, "The Big Four." Six people occupy one of the tables at a Victory Ball in honour of the those who served in the Great War. The stars were the wealthy twenty-five year old Lord and his actress friend from the Albany Theatre. The Viscount's uncle, and next in line for the title, Eustace Beltane was there too. They all dressed as characters from the Italian "Commedia dell' Arte." You know Harlequin, Punchinello and Pulcinella plus the others! Inspector Japp comes to Poirot and Hastings to ask if, "You'd care to have a finger in the pie?" We know the answer. I also know that some in the remaining 50 will reach higher! (October 2020)

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This shorter piece by the famous author features one of her iconic characters, Hercule Poirot. The Belgian Poirot, now in private investigative practice in London, uses his “little grey cells” to solve mysteries that baffle Scotland Yard and Inspector Japp in particular.

Here as the editor notes: “Chief Inspector Japp asks Poirot to assist Scotland Yard in the strange events which took place at a recent costumed Victory Ball. A group of six people, headed by the young Viscount Cronshaw, attended dressed in the costume of the Commedia dell'arte. One of them must be the murderer, but which one?”

None of the characters is particularly interesting or likeable. The deception is easily pierced by Poirot. So, if you are looking to be entertained, this story will struggle to do so. However, if you are interested in some of the background to Poirot, himself, this piece contains some gems that rarely appear again.
3*

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special, excepting the fact that this is the first story involving old dear Hercule Poirot.
A woman leaves a fancy dress ball early and is later found to have died from a drugs overdose.
So, sorry to say, but it looks like a superficial business, with nothing worthy to be remembered.

[itsdanixx · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first case Hastings recorded- not really sure why it wasn’t the first story in the collection.

Probably my favourite story from Poirot’s Early Cases.

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook on the app via BookBeat UK!

This was a fast-paced short story by the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie. I'm still really surprised that this being her first-ever published short work is still in print today in 2019. Narrated beautifully by the actor David Suchet (who actually played Poirot in the TV series!), this real-life inspired mystery is set in London and involves two partygoers ending up dead on the same evening. One is a stabbing, the other a drug overdose. I definitely recommend the audio version, since I felt a lot more tension and excitement than with reading the story in a physical format!

[Aishu Rehman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stodgy.I'm looking for a good mystery, but this style isn't it. Nothing seems to make sense or add up all the way till the very end, when a solution comes out of nowhere.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Agatha Christie’s first published short story and appeared in The Sketch in 1923. Events were based on the death of young actress Billie Carleton after the notorious Victory Ball (an event I read about recently in the Kindle Single, “The Rise and Fall of ‘Brilliant’ Chang: London’s Jazz Age Drug Lord”). Apparently, the notorious case led not only to this short story, but also to a play by Noel Coward and it was certainly a scandalous news story at the time; involving the death of a beautiful young actress due to drug use.

Poirot, of course, had already appeared in the novels, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” (1920) and “Murder on the Links,” (1923), but this is his first appearance in a short story and, as such, is well worth reading for that reason alone. Indeed, the 1920’s saw Agatha Christie write many more Poirot stories than novels. This story was included in the short story collection, “Poirot’s Early Cases,” published in 1974.

Our story begins in London, where Poirot and Hastings are residing. Hastings is drawn to the news story about the events at the Victory Ball, when Japps appears to ask for Poirot’s advice, while making it seem as though he is involving him out of the kindness of his heart. A party of six people attended the ball – including Lord Cronshaw, the young actress Coco Courtenay, Cronshaw’s uncle, the Hon. Eustace Beltane, a widow names Mrs Mallaby, the actor Chris Davidson and his wife. During the evening, Lord Cronshaw seemed moody, while Coco was tearful and begged to be taken home. Later, Lord Cronshaw was found stabbed in the private room where the group had taken supper, while Coco Courtenay was dead the next morning due to an overdose of cocaine.

Of course, Poirot orders the facts and discovers the murderer, just as Japp hopes he will. It is really interesting to read this, very first, story featuring my very favourite fictional detective. I enjoyed the way the Kindle Single about ‘Brilliant’ Chang led me on to discover this story and would highly recommend both this short story and the Kindle Single to anyone interested in 1920’s London.

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercule Poirot's attention is brought to a recent murder in the paper by Hastings. Its the murder of Lord Cronshaw during the Victory Ball, a known high society costume event. Odder still is the death of one of the other attendees, Coco Courtenay the following day due to a cocaine overdose. There were only six guests at the event and yet the police can not figure out who is the culprit. Enter Poirot and his little grey cells.

Two deaths following a famed event and the police have no leads. Inspector Japp invites Poirot into the investigation. Poirot gets to know the remaining guests to the ball and soon discovers who the culprit is and how they did it. This narrative has Agatha Christie's trademark wit. While most are stumped by the case, Poirot needs only some clues to crack it. With a limited amount of suspects and no apparent motive, deciphering the culprit was still difficult. The Affair at the Victory Ball is the first short story to feature Hercule Poirot (though his first appearance was in The Mysterious Affair at Styles). Given the rising popularity of the mustachioed detective, The Sketch magazine asked Christie to write 12 short stories featuring him. This one was the first one, originally published in March 1923.

[Dhara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Clever Poirot and his affinity with method!!!

Very aptly written, all the necessary details were covered despite it being a short story.

[Rushali Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intelligent crime, but as they say, "Not more than Hercule Poirot!"... needless to say, I enjoyed this mind twisting short mystery.

[Agla]

I liked this one better than the previous one I read but it was still meh. Intriguing but too short to drop clues I could follow to guess. The comedia dell arte angle was amusing

[Bethany Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio version. I struggle with audio so I still feel a little lost about the storyline but I think I’ll catch up when I watch the TV episode 😂

My main struggle was keeping up with the characters.

[BeccaJBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little short story from the Queen of Crime.

This time centering around a murder at The Victory Ball, of Lord Cronshaw, and the death of his sometimes girlfriend Coco.

Of course Poirot solves this one in no time at all and puts away a murderer that captain Japp hadn't yet found. Hastings is there to narrate to us the story, but isn't much use in the actual investigation.

If you want a very very quick read for your coffee break, this one will do nicely.

Www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com

[Taylor Givens · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Not my fav. but a fun little short story. I prefer Christie’s intricately woven plots.

[F.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn from the headlines! Written from fact! Agatha Christie takes one of the great tabloid stories of immediate post First World War London – the death by drug overdose of Billie Cartleton – and somehow manages to make it both more exciting and more stultifyingly middle class. In this version there’s a drug overdose and a murder in the same evening, so you get double the death for your money, but the dénouement is one that can easily be sorted out in a drawing room rather than in the more real and dingy streets of the East End. Still, the actual reveal does find Poirot at his most pleasingly melodramatic.

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this countless times. I'll read it countless times more. I love Agatha Christie. I love Hastings, Japp and Poirot. Oh, you little egg shaped headed Belgian and those grey cells of yours. <3 :)

[Dee Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Lord Cronshaw and five of his guests attend a private dinner, followed by the Great Victory Ball--a masked affair in which they were costumed as members of the Harlequin cast. Later, Lord Cronshaw is found dead with his dinner knife in his heart, and his love interest Miss Coco, an actress, is found dead of cocane overdose.

This mystery sent me to Wikipedia to refresh my memory on the costumes of the HARLEQUIN and Columbine. Even with that information, my little gray cells could not determine who murdered Cronshaw and Coco. I don't feel too badly for both Inspector Jap and Captain Hastings were also surprised!

I discovered later that this was the first short story starring the Belgium detective. Poiroit always makes a puzzle seem simple when he explains it!

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out, this one threw a twist at me in the end that was very surprising.

[Sunidhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect little story. The quickest read till date!

[bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Affair at the Victory Ball was first published in "Poirot's Early Cases" in 1923. The Victory Ball was to be a stunning ball that was to be talked about all season. Unfortunately it is talked about for all the wrong reasons when two people attending the ball end up dead - one from a cocaine overdose and the other stabbed. Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate and solve this one for Inspector Japp.

I'm not really a short story kind of person. I like to really immerse myself in a mystery of at least 200 pages, but I'm getting highly attached to Agatha Christie's short stories. She doesn't waste any words and packs quite a punch with her short stories.

This one with Hercule Poirot was quite interesting. The six people that attended the ball were dressed as characters from a "Italian Comedy" figurine set and it was from this set that the murderer was found.

Unlike me, Hercule Poirot had this one solved early, but being Hercule Poirot he has to do the flair of his "denouement" which I've come to admire.

The Affair at the Victory Ball was a fun short story and I'm looking forward to picking up another Agatha Christie short story soon.

[writer...]

Poirot astutely on the ball as he catches what the rest of the investigation misses. Interesting details drawn from a real life London incident. Written in 1923 as a first of Christie's short stories.

[Alida Arabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

All ive to say is its awesome and sooo creepy that it gave me nightmares..

[Crime Addict Sifat · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lady leaves a favor dress ball early and is later found to have kicked the bucket from a medications overdose. Hercule Poirot researches in this, the main story expounded on him.

[R. R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is one of those annoying Christie's books where nothing seems to make sense or add up all the way till the very end, when a solution comes out of nowhere.
Thank god it was so short