La Maison du péril

Hercule Poirot #8

by Agatha Christie

La jeune Nick Buckley a invite quelques amis dans sa belle maison des Cornouailles. Mais ces vacances manquent de tourner au drame lorsque, par trois fois, Nick echappe de justesse a la mort. Pour Hercule Poirot, sejournant par hasard dans un hotel voisin, il ne peut s agir d accidents. Le fameux detective met donc sans tarder ses talents au service de la jeune femme afin de decouvrir qui cherche a l eliminer."Traduction de Robert Nobret entierement revisee""

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Fiction, Crime, Classics, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

220 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 1932

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

[She-who-must-not-be-named · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if I'm stupid or if Agatha Christie is a genius, either way I couldn't predict anything and I love that about her.

Genius indeed.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is End House really that perilous?
Well, this book aims to find out.



Poirot has retired, and much to Hastings' disappointment, just turned down a case for some political bigwig. Because nothing can tempt the great Poirot!
NOTHING!



Except.
Enter the attractive and spirited owner of the mortgaged-to-the-hilt End House, Nick Buckley.
Nick is a girl, btw, whose real name is Magdala. Her grandfather was a devil of an old man that everyone called Old Nick, and since she followed him around she became little Nick.
Does this have anything to do with the story or am I just rambling again?



Anyway.
She pops up at the hotel they're vacationing at to eat lunch with some friends, and laughingly tells them of several strange near misses on her life.
Then literally dodges a bullet in front of their eyes!



What? Does the criminal who shot at her not realize who he is dealing with!?
Game on, Christie fans because it's Papa Poirot to the rescue!



This one has it all.
Crazy ex-husbands, drugs, secret panels, touristy Australians, poisoned chocolates, lost wills, missing airmen, sketchy maids, and one Belgian detective with some badass motherfucking grey cells.



The End.

[Flo Camus · Rating 5 out of 5]

[4.5⭐] 𝙋𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚 es una novela detectivesca de Agatha Christie publicada en 1932. La historia se centra en Nick Buckley, una joven heredera quien se encuentra en una situación de peligro. Aparentemente, es víctima de varios intentos de asesinato. Para su suerte, Hércules Poirot se da cuenta de los intentos de homicidio que esta muchacha vive, así que decide entrar en escena para desentrañar el misterio.


Como siempre, quiero destacar la intrigante mezcla de suspenso, misterio y la hábil construcción de personajes de parte de la autora. Christie nunca decepciona ya que tiene una de las mentes más brillantes de todos los tiempos. 
Aquí, la autora teje una trama llena de giros inesperados y pistas sutiles, manteniendo al lector cautivado hasta el desenlace. He quedado realmente estupefacta con el final y considero que es uno de los mejores; de verdad que no veía venir ese giro y era casi imposible dar con el culpable. El final es sorprendente y satisfactorio, característico del estilo de la autora, donde cada pieza del rompecabezas encaja a la perfección y todas las incógnitas son resueltas.

El ritmo de la novela es bastante ágil y, sin duda, Christie logra equilibrar el desarrollo de los personajes con el avance del misterio.
La caracterización de Poirot es, como siempre, impecable e intrigante. Siempre logra demostrar su aguda inteligencia y su capacidad para desentrañar incluso los enigmas más complejos. Es imposible no tenerle cariño a este personaje, es por ello que estoy leyendo todos los libros en los que él aparezca (puede que después me anime a leer los de Miss Marple).
Además, la ambientación (una casa señorial inglesa antigua) añade un aire de misterio a la obra.


Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙋𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚 es una novela increíble y muy típica de Christie: hay un misterio bien diseñado, un detective memorable y una trama que mantiene al lector enganchado hasta la última página. De todas formas, no le pongo la máxima calificación únicamente porque considero que hay mejores obras de Christie. 

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lunchtime Listen May/June 2024

Well I think my younger self below summed up the book quite nicely. Really very good, and made even better by the reading of Hugh Fraser (Hastings).
I would just add that I had 99% forgotten the denouement but had remembered a few pertinent facts that helped in my “guessing”

Group Series Read 2018

A comprehensive 4 (+) star book with Poirot at his enigmatic best.

More to follow in the morning

Well ok, its the afternoon here in the UK. So, yes 4.5 stars for certain, Poirot at his superior best and Hastings playing the foil to a "T". Following the denouement, I did remember it (Bloody obvious that really) but I still hadn't got it with about 15 pages to go, and that is what reading a good "murder mystery" is all about. As one of my author friends says "keep 'em guessing till the end" and she did.

This is a well crafted book, the location is, although fictitious, set in one of my favourite counties in the UK and truly beautiful, the characters are well described, human and flawed, and Poirot is just his mysterious and superior best. Hastings thankfully after "Black Coffee" has his part to play and is more than just an on/off (the set) character, albeit showing his usual deluded romantic character with his completely incorrect guesses, fantastic.

I am now up to October in this challenge (albeit behind in 2 others ) so will take a break from the genius that is Poirot, but I shall miss him until the next time we meet. I cannot believe that he is already in retirement yet we have so many books left to read. YAY !!!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peril at End House might just be my new favorite Hercule Poirot story, coming out just ever so slightly ahead of Sad Cypress and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I absolutely loved the ending and never saw the twist coming, although that's pretty par for the course for me when it comes to Agatha Christie's novels.

Captain Hastings is the narrator for this one, which will probably appeal to some readers and dismay others. He actually isn't too inept this time around, although Poirot does make his usual digs about Hastings' intelligence. I personally adore his character as I'm a huge fan of bumbling Englishmen (call me, Hugh Grant!), although I'll admit that it did take a book or two for him to grow on me.

There are a few sexist remarks and a couple of questionable comments regarding Jews … which, honestly, probably isn't all that surprising to anyone who's read any of Christie's other early novels. It's not constant, but it is something to be aware of if you're particularly sensitive to such language.

As far as the mystery itself goes, however, this is definitely one of my favorites. It's twisty and clever, and Hercule Poirot is as brilliant as ever (hey, that rhymed!). If you've enjoyed previous Poirot novels, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.

[Bionic Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We must act quickly Hastings. The peril is very close at hand.”

So say the closing words to the first chapter of Peril at End House, and already a frisson of excitement runs through us. We have a threat of danger, and know that we are in for a classic read, featuring one of our favourite detective duos: Hercule Poirot and Captain Arthur Hastings.

The exciting thrills begin, when we learn that the young pretty Nick Buckley has been the victim of three “near accidents”. The first happened on a treacherous Cornish hillside, when the brakes on her car failed. Later, on a coastal path, a falling boulder missed her by mere inches. Then an oil painting over her bed in her house fell, and could easily have crushed her to death.

Hercule Poirot finds all this very interesting. When Nick carelessly tells him of a wasp shooting past her head, to her surprise, he points out a bullet-hole in her sun hat. Despite the fact that he is retired, and on holiday, Hercule Poirot decides that the young woman needs his protection, and determines to use his “little grey cells” to solve the mystery, and reveal just who seems to be trying to kill Nick, and why.

The story which follows is certainly ingenious. A standard group of suspects surround the prospective victim: a close group of Nick’s friends and relations, all of whom seem perfectly amiable and straightforward. However, every single one of these has a secret, which gradually becomes evident to us, and which could give each of them a motive for murder.

There is a cousin, who is a crusty old lawyer. Would he have anything to gain by Nick’s death? What about the elderly tight-lipped housekeeper? There is Nick’s closest friend: an abused wife, and her companion who is an art dealer. What about either of these? Or perhaps the engaging young ex-army officer, who views himself as Nick’s protector, and is clearly in love with her. Perhaps they are the “bright young things” of this era, always searching for a quick thrill, and a way to more excitement by whichever uppers are available. There are strangers—in this case Australians—living in the Lodge of “End House”, on the edge of the cliff, who may not be all they seem. There is another distant cousin, a mousy good-natured girl, who, invited by Nick, arrives on the scene later than the others. And there is a famous daring young adventurer, who never actually appears in the novel. He is clearly someone’s sweetheart, but whose? And who will really mourn his death?

We have a secondary murder, to add spice, and intrigue, even though the first is still merely a perceived threat. We have instances of forgery, tricksters, shady business practises, and drug-dealing, all within this close group of Nick’s inner circle. We have pretence loaded upon pretence. And the setting, at “End House”, is suitably gothic. Here is the servant’s doom-laden description:

“‘In an old house,’ he said, ‘there is sometimes an atmosphere of evil.’

‘That’s it, sir,’ said Ellen, eagerly. ‘Evil. Bad thoughts and bad deeds too. It’s like dry rot in a house, sir, you can’t get it out. It’s a sort of feeling in the air. I always knew something bad would happen in this house, someday.’”

It is designed to make any reader shudder, and has just enough of the melodramatic about it, to make the narrative feel delightfully camp.

“End House” is a ramshackle building in a bad state of repair, and it is clear that Nick Buckley, who inherited it from her uncle, is not a rich young woman. This makes her position as an intended victim even more puzzling. Who could want to kill her, and for what possible reason?

This country house is situated up a steep hill, just along the road from another imposing structure: the “Majestic Hotel” where Poirot and Hastings are staying for a short holiday. This hotel is not entirely fictitious. It is actually based on the “Imperial Hotel” in Torquay—which is in Devon, not Cornwall. Another instance in this novel where Agatha Christie alludes to a real place, but gives it a slight twist is “St. Loo” itself. This may make English readers smile, as it is an amalgamation of two real life pretty little fishing villages: “Looe”, at the foot of the Cornish coast, and “St. Agnes”, a little further in to the East. Neither will the reader find the Cornish riviera in a map of Cornwall, although you may find the term “Cornish Riviera” in a travel agent’s brochure. However, this is not an invention of the author, but is an informal name for the coastal part of Cornwall which gets the most sun, and so is fancifully thought to be similar to the French riviera.

Peril at End House is the eighth work by Agatha Christie to feature her detective Hercule Poirot. These include a play, a reworked novel and some short stories about him. It was published in 1932. The original book cover dramatically proclaimed “Poirot returns!” In actual fact, following the back story in this series is not always straightforward. Although there are just over 30 more works about him still to come, in this one, just as in the third novel, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”, Poirot is said to have retired from detective work, to grow vegetable marrows:

“‘Years since I’ve seen you, Moosior Poirot. Thought you were growing vegetable marrows in the country.’
‘I tried, Japp, I tried. But even when you grow vegetable marrows you cannot get away from murder.’
He sighed. I knew of what he was thinking—that strange affair at Fernley Park. How I regretted that I had been far away at that time.”

Inspector Japp also features in the novel, although he also is not officially on duty:

“‘I’m on a holiday Mrs. Rice. Just obliging an old friend—that’s all I’m doing. The St Loo police are in charge of the case.’

It seems an odd coincidence that all three detectives involved in solving this case should be on holiday, but this novel abounds with coincidences.

There are several references dotted through this novel to other cases solved by Poirot—and hence other novels by Agatha Christie. The reference to “Fernley Park” for instance, harks back to the first Poirot novel, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”. On the very first page, we are reminded that a murder had been committed on the Blue Train: “The Mystery of the Blue Train”, and later on Poirot regretfully refers to the one failure of his career (or at least, the only one he chose to remember):

“‘I had a bad failure in Belgium in 1893. You recollect, Hastings? I recounted it to you. The affair of the box of chocolates?’
‘I remember,’ I said.
And I smiled, for I remembered that at the time that Poirot had told me that tale, he had instructed me to say ‘chocolate box’ to him if ever I should fancy he was growing conceited! He was then bitterly offended when I used the magical words only a minute and a quarter later.”

Interestingly Agatha Christie does rehash the exact episode in this novel, even to the great detective being fooled by an aspect of it. Perhaps she felt that if she was upfront about it by mentioning it in the text, this would be permissible.

The friction between Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings is very evident in this novel. Although the quotation above is an amusing instance, and could even be thought of as affectionate, most of them fall flat, and the relationship between the two is quite unexpectedly acrimonious. Take this exchange:

“‘Poirot,’ I said. ‘I have been thinking.’
‘An admirable exercise my friend. Continue it.’

Perhaps it is amusing and droll, but it is barbed and rather unkind. It invites us to share a snide remark at the rather stolid Hastings’s expense. The following instance is not even amusing:

“‘You have a tendency, Hastings, to prefer the least likely. That, no doubt, is from reading too many detective stories.’”

It is egotistic and completely uncaring. As an observation it would have been best kept as an inner thought! After Hastings has expressed his admiration for one character, calling him a “pukka sahib”, Poirot gives the following response. Unsurprisingly it is taken as an insult by Hastings:

“‘You have an extraordinary effect on me, Hastings. You have so strongly the flair in the wrong direction that I am almost tempted to go by it! You are that wholly admirable type of man, honest, credulous, honourable, who is invariably taken in by any scoundrel. You are the type of man who invests in doubtful oil fields, and non-existent gold mines. From hundreds like you, the swindler makes his daily bread. Ah, well—I shall study this Commander Challenger. You have awakened my doubts.’”

Poirot’s conceit in this novel does not seems amusing; neither does his friend seem to have much affection for him. It is all rather embarrassing, as if we are eavesdropping on a bickering couple:

“‘Well?’ I said maliciously, as he sorted his letters. ‘Has the post done what you expected of it?’
… I thought he looked rather cast-down and not his usual cock-a-hoop self.”

Hastings matches Poirot’s animosity. Although he narrates the story, he often reports that he speaks “maliciously” to Poirot, whom he believes to be unbearably conceited. We see that he is quite correct in this assertion. When Poirot says, “I am a mere humble adviser”, it is in the full knowledge that he will not be believed for an instant. When Hasting attempts to reassure him, he is firmly quashed:

“‘Nobody could have prevented it.’
‘You speak without reflection, Hastings. No ordinary person could have prevented it—but of what good is it to be Hercule Poirot with grey cells of a finer quality than other people’s, if you do not manage to do what ordinary people cannot?’
‘Well of course,’ I said. ‘If you are going to put it like that— ’
‘Yes indeed. I am abased, downhearted—completely abased.’
I reflected that Poirot’s abasement was strangely like other people’s conceit, but I prudently forbore from making any remark.”

The snide digs go on:

“Poirot looked round with a gratified smile and the air of mock humility I knew so well.”

And on:

“Poirot laughed. ‘I told you so, mon ami. Your instincts are always wrong. C’est epatant!’”

And it all becomes rather tedious.

Hastings’s wife Bella is presumably back at home, on the ranch in the Argentine, as once again she is nowhere to be seen. It seems odd in retrospect, that Hastings should have chosen to go on holiday with a friend whom he seems to actively dislike, in preference to being the wife he professes to adore. She is mentioned occasionally, as when Hastings protests at Poirot’s attitude to him:

“‘Do you suppose I’d have made a success of my ranch out in the Argentine if I were the kind of credulous fool you make out?’
‘Do not enrage yourself, mon ami. You have made a great success of it—you and your wife.’
‘Bella,’ I said, ‘always goes by my judgement.’
‘She is as wise as she is charming,’ said Poirot. ‘Let us not quarrel my friend.’”

The dialogue is very noticeable in this novel. Most of the action takes place through conversation, and there is little sense of place. We are told the locations, which are mostly restricted to the Majestic hotel or End House. We have a brief thumbnail description of each of the characters, but there is little insight by them, or author’s hints as to what might be going on.

There is, however, quite a lot of misdirection, in the choice of words for what the characters actually say. On its publication in 1932, “The Times Literary Supplement” gave it a favourable review and commented that “the actual solution is quite unusually ingenious, and well up to the standard of Mrs. Christie’s best stories.” The reviewer also also thought that, “This is certainly one of those detective stories which is pure puzzle, without any ornament or irrelevant interest in character,” and this is how it feels to read. The puzzle is a fiendishly clever one, but many other aspects of an enjoyable novel are sacrificed.

The dedication of the book goes some way to explaining Agatha Christie’s slight detour from her earlier style, and the inclusion of quite so much conversation. It reads:
“To Eden Phillpotts. To whom I shall always be grateful for his friendship and the encouragement he gave me many years ago.”

In 1908, recovering from influenza and bored, Agatha Christie began to write a story at the suggestion of her mother, Clara Miller. Most of her early efforts at this stage were short stories, but a little later in the year she attempted her first novel, and sent it to various publishers. All of them rejected the work, but her mother suggested that she asked Eden Phillpotts, a neighbour in Torquay, and friend of the family to read it.

Eden Phillpotts critiqued both the book and other examples of Agatha Christie’s writing, with helpful advice to the young author:

“some of your work is capital. You have a great feeling for dialogue.”

Phillpotts further suggested:

“leave your characters alone, so that they can speak for themselves, instead of always rushing in to tell them what they ought to say, or to explain to the reader what they mean by what they are saying”.

Agatha Christie put this advice into action, allowing us to judge her characters’ feelings and motivations for ourselves, and in so doing, deceiving ourselves as to the identity of the culprit. She was to adhere to this technique for much of her later writing. Eden Phillpotts gave Agatha Christie further advice and suggestions, to help improve her work, and continued to do so later. In her autobiography, Agatha Christie wrote:

“I can hardly express the gratitude I feel to him. He could so easily have uttered a few careless words of well-justified criticism and possibly discouraged me for life. As it was, he set out to help.”

Agatha Christie’s dedications are always significant, and worth looking into.

So bearing all these aspects in mind, how does the novel stand up against others she wrote? I feel I have to give it my default rating, notwithstanding the clever plot. The trouble is, that in essence that is all it is. It is overloaded with conversation, much of it the tiresome sniping between the two detectives. Nick Buckley may have been a delightful young thing in the eyes of the two, and a darling to all her friends, but she appears to us as an irritating and brainless show-off, not worthy of dominating quite so many scenes. There was precious little sense of place, back story, or character development.

No, I did not guess the ending. I could see how clever the idea was, but Poirot explaining every step in the midst of his sniping at Hastings, was very tiresome. And why bother to have Japp there at all; such a huge coincidence, with no point at all?

I feel this was Agatha Christie trying out a new writing technique. She gives us an ingenious plot in the process, but this novel is not one of her best.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Evil never goes unpunished, Monsieur. But the punishment is sometimes secret”--Poirot

#8 of 39 completed! [And I add, after completion of the whole series, it's one of the best!]

While on holiday in Cornwall, Hercule Poirot, the elderly Belgian detective who just can’t seem to retire, meets flapper Nick Buckley, who has recently survived three near-fatal mishaps, including just narrowly being missed by a falling boulder, having her brakes fail, and having a heavy painting fall on her bed, and when they are discussing these occurrences, a bullet piercs her hat! Coincidence? Non, Poirot suspects, non non non! This Poirot mystery involves a missing pilot, two Magdalas and a gang of Nick's "friend" suspects. And fireworks on one fateful night, just in case we need noise to cover up . . . ahem!

And the idiot Hastings, who is comically clueless all the way through as Poirot castigates him for his failings and vapidity.

Hastings: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”
Poirot: “No! Not another proverb! I can’t bear it!”

And another example, a zinger:

“Poirot," I [Hastings] said. "I have been thinking."
"An admirable exercise my friend. Continue it.”

And yet another:

“You have a tendency, Hastings, to prefer the least likely. That, no doubt, is from reading too many detective stories.”

That is a nice touch, because this is what we have a tendency to do through reading Christie's mysteries, to suspect the least likely suspect! So Christie through Poirot turns us around and around, manipulating us throughout.

In Peril at End House we get, from time to time, actual lists of suspects for us to consider, thanks to Poirot, complete with motives, just so we can keep score and keep track of shifts in the evidence. Poirot’s process in solving mysteries is 1) to apply logic and order to all we think we know; 2) to apply psychology—to see if we can understand all the characters and their possible motives, and 3) something different from either of these two things, “thinking,” which usually involves an all-night sit-alone in a chair. We revive one earlier image here, too, of Poirot making a “house of cards,” in typical meticulous fashion, as he “thinks.”

Reading through each Christie mystery novel one by one, you see her development, she’s trying out new things. In this one Christie is back on her game, after having gotten through her deepest grief from the loss of her mother and the deception and desertion of her first husband, a period which produced a couple relatively bad books. In End House, Christie tries this new idea out: Instead of (at least initially) solving a murder, Poirot goes through half the book trying to keep (the attractive) Nick (he likes his attractive women, our Belgian, and possibly puts in a little greater effort for them?) from being murdered (which involves a different, more pro-active skill set, of course). And Poirot, typically confident and sauve and meticulous, is in this one sometimes nervous, less than confident, beating himself up for his failures, all of which is Christie trying to tweak Poirot’s limited emotional palette.

There is a murder, at one point, of course, and we try to outsmart Christie, knowing what Poirot knows, but until nearly the very end we have no idea whodunnit. I defy you to say you predicted it! One nice touch is that the new playwright Christie, fascinated with plays, has Nick suggest that End House would be a great place for a play, then has Poirot enact a play and a play within a play for the finale! This is one of the very best of Christie’s mysteries that I have read thus far, and I was happily surprised because I had never even heard of it before.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peril at End House, the eighth book in the Hercule Poirot cozy mystery series, was selected as the next book to read in the April 2018 Agatha Christie Readathon that I'm hosting on my blog at This Is My Truth Now. Four weeks of books from all her different series and lots of fun with her canon. I'm really glad this book won the poll as I hadn't read it before. And who wouldn't love a book with a title containing the words 'peril' and 'end' ?

Poirot has never been more sarcastic and witty than in this book. It's charming but at the same time, if he said the things to me that he says to his sidekick, I'm not sure I'd turn the other cheek so quickly. But it makes his complex personality all the more interesting and readable! It's always amusing to see how he falls into the capers he investigates... in this one, he stumbles upon a woman who thinks she's just been hit with a tiny piece of falling debris, but it's a bullet. Then he learns someone is trying to kill her -- unsuccessfully three times prior to this experience. Who has that kind of luck? Both the victim for surviving all the attempts and the villain for not succeeding.

The cast is a great size in this mystery. There are a number of servants, guests and friends in the house where main character, Nick, a woman with little remaining family, is trying to find her way. In typical Christie fashion, the suspicion is cast on everyone from Nick's suitors to her cousin, her best friend to her lawyer. Or is there a team of killers? It gets more complex as we learn she was set to inherit more money than even she'd known about; now there's a motivation to kill, Poirot thinks. What if it's not about the money you currently have, but the money you're set to get... so let's kill off a few people in a row and make that chain happen more quickly. I'm not giving away any spoilers here, this is discussed fairly early on in the novel. But knowing that makes the details even more delicious. So does the different types of romance happening in the book, as well as the visit from the Australian couple who seem to know something more than they are letting on! So many wonderful little nuggets in this 100-year-old detective wonder. It's a bit sad, too, when you see what happens at the end. People are complicated and really need guidance in life, and it was interesting to see how Poirot can fill that role sometimes.

My only slight concern with this one and why I give it a ~4 is that the ending was a little confusing at the same time as open to a bit of interpretation. I can't say more than that without giving thigns away--and it's still a strong mystery--but I like my Poirot answers to be more concrete. He always leaves a few dangling threads but I was afraid if I pulled too hard on this one, I'd be left with a rather stringy garment, and who wants that? All in all, I'm really happy with this one. Descriptions are spot on and witty. I felt like I was at the house. The fireworks made it more spooky. The mysterious cousin who was really never intended to be there makes things even more interesting, especially when you learn some interesting facts about this family and their history.

My favorite part was the list of suspects draw out in the book like a chart... really pulls it together, but also helps readers decide for themselves whodunit?!?! I may have to re-read them all this summer when I have a bit more time! Thanks to everyone participating on the blog with this Readathon!

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable easy read. Probably the 5th time I've read it.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a nice Agatha Christie book. She can be relied upon to be entertaining and a bit tricky.

Peril at End House is normal Hercule Poirot fare. The characters are mostly English upper class, the setting is an English country house and Poirot gently mocks nearly everyone. Interestingly even he seems to be initially confused by the situation as a murder actually takes place on his watch. Of course eventually he comes to grip with the proceedings and displays the murderer to great effect in front of a gathering of all the concerned parties.

The end was a complete surprise to me and it was a very clever one. Nicely done Ms. Christie.

[Sanjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up at random, and was wondering if I would get to read a decent mystery novel; I wasn't left disappointed. Agatha Christie can weave a mystery out of anything, I guess. She creates an atmosphere of certain mystery and unease that pulls all your attention and creates a craving to know more, thereby getting you hooked without letting you know .

This one got me hooked from the first chapter. Until I finished. The solution is ingenious, and unprecedented.

Recommended.

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

Abridged and adapted version for people like me who are learning English as a second language. It was wonderful to read it along with the audio.

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercule Poirot and captain Hastings are on vacation in Cornwall. Poirot receives a letter, asking him to come out of retirement for a really important case. But Poirot refuses. Even should a bullet strike the wall by his head, he would not investigate the matter. He is retired and wants to stay retired. Then they meet a young girl called Magdala 'Nick' Buckley, who says she’s had quite a few accidental brushes with death in the last couple of days as she swats away a wasp. Poirot quickly realizes she’s telling the truth. But that they might not have been accidental. Because the wasp was not a wasp at all, but a bullet. And it went right through her hat, barely missing her skull. Right in front of Poirot himself! Poirot might be retired, but he’s not about to let a girl die when he has the chance to save her.


The mystery plot itself is without a shred of a doubt the highlight of this book. It’s simply put a mystery plot with a really strong beginning and a very satisfying ending that doesn’t dip in quality in the middle. It’s gripping, fast-paced and has more than a few cool twists. The setting is pretty cool too, with Nick’s old house being a very prominent location in the story.


The characters, apart from Poirot and Hastings, serve their purpose. But they’re not very memorable. The dynamic between Poirot and Hastings is mostly on point. And I quite like that their friendship works so well together with murder mystery plot, though maybe it could have been a bit more refined. For example, there’s one scene where Poirot wants to seclude himself to think and solve the mystery. But Hastings wants to help out too. So they sit down together and Hastings immediately falls asleep. When Hastings wakes up, Poirot has pretty much solved half the case. Now Hastings doesn’t have to feel inferior, because he was included in the sleuthing process, despite not attributing all that much to the case. And both Hastings and us readers don’t know how all the puzzle pieces fit together, which makes us all even more curious and has us hanging on Poirot’s every word until the story comes to a finish.


Another thing to really appreciate is Poirot’s vanity. When he introduces himself to Nick, she doesn’t recognize his name. He immediately turns to his friend Hastings, because he doesn’t want to toot his own horn. He wants to appear modest, even though he is anything but. Hastings explains that Poirot used to be a great detective. Poirot is not amused, saying that he is not “just" a great detective. He is the greatest detective that ever lived! Basically throwing modesty out of the window at the beginning of the book. It’s a silly little detail, but it makes his character really stand out.


Overall, a solid Poirot book with a really strong mystery.

[Kavita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was very enjoyable. Poirot is on holiday (poor chap - never took a holiday that didn't turn into work for him!) and he comes across a vivacious young girl who has several attempts made on her life. Poirot steps into the scene but someone gets murdered by mistake. Eventually, the truth comes to light but not before a number of red herrings. The investigation gets more confused because there is a forgery as well.

The plot was great and so were the characters. But what I really enjoyed was the interplay between Poirot and Hastings. This is one of the finest books in that respect. The two of them keep mocking each other, but in a playful manner. The contrast between them also stands out starkly. It's such a beautiful relationship. And I absolutely adored Hastings in this book. He can be so hilarious when he is moaning about Poirot's eccentricities!

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro ha resultado un poco diferente al resto que he leído del detective Hércules Poirot. Empezando por el hecho de que no se ha realizado ningún crimen y deben impedir, contra todo pronóstico (Poirot y el ex-intenso de Hastings) que este hecho suceda.

Partiendo del punto de que no hay crimen y se busca al culpable, ya existiría la segunda diferencia: tampoco habrían muchas pistas por seguir y encontrar. Otra divergencia, (para mí la más notable) es la actitud de Hastings tan poco despierta a comparación con el resto de libros, que suele ser más vehemente al querer resolver el misterio. Y también tenemos a un Poirot más inseguro con sus cualidades. A mí esto me ha gustado porque muestra otras facetas en ellos, pero es cierto que extrañé en cierto modo sus rasgos anteriores.

Es un libro que como siempre termina sorprendiendo en la resolución del crimen y los implicados. Nuevamente me toca arrodillarme ante la reina del crimen, pues lo ha hecho otra vez. Nunca le doy al clavo al 100% pues entre todo el meollo del asunto hay uno que otro detalle que se me escapa siempre de las manos y este caso no ha sido la excepción.

[Ali Salehi · Rating 4 out of 5]

قرار شد که راجع به ششمین قسمت از آثار سریالی کارآگاه همیشه محبوب همه دوران ها «هرکول پوآرو» ، «خطر در خانه آخر» اثر بانوی جنایت «آگاتا کریستی» صحبتی داشته باشیم.
طرح داستانی تا حدود اواسط داستان خیلی خوبه. پر از تعلیق و کشش قوی. در نیمه دوم (بعد از جنایت) تعلیق داستان کمی افت میکنه اما این افت آزار دهنده نیست. پایان هم مثل همیشه شوک به مخاطب.
شخصیت ها در حد یه داستان جنایی-معمایی-پلیسی سرگرم کننده هستن و در حد همین اثر خوبن و کار میکنن.
خب... پس نتیجه میگیریم که این کار غیر از طرح داستان با پنج اثر قبلی که از «آگاتا کریستی» از مجموعه رمان های هرکول پوآرو خوندیم ، تفاوت چندانی نداره.جواب من اینه که قرار هم نیست تفاوتی داشته باشه.
تمام آثار «آگاتا» (منهای یکی دوتا) تقریبا در همین رده هستن و این خیلی خوبه که یک نویسنده سبک و حد خودش رونگهداره و از چشم مخاطبش نیوفته مخصوصا وقتی مسیری که انتخاب کرده درسته.
آثار «آگاتا» به نوعی میشه گفت موج جدیدی در عرصه رمان هستن ، چرا که به دنبال مسائل پیچیده فلسفی ، مسائل شناختی و وجودی بشری نیستن. هدف سرگرمیه و حدود صد ساله که سرگرم کرده و هنوز قابل اعتناست. این بنظر من حرمتش ، ارزشش خیلییی بیشتر از نویسنده‌ایه که تلاش میکنه حرف جدید بزنه و در نهایت حرفی نزده ، یا حرف تکراری زده.
من برای «آگاتا کریستی» به لحاظ فرم آثارش ، تعلیق های موجود در داستان هاش ، شخصیت های «هرکول پوآرو» و «کاپیتان هستینگز» دوست داشتنی با روابط دوستانه و انسانی‌شون ، بی نهایت احترام قائلم و معتقدم در سرگرمی با ادبیات ، شماره یک من ، بانوی انگلیسی جنایی نویس ، «آگاتا کریستی» هست.

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My summer of Agatha Christie mysteries continues. I have long read mysteries in between denser reads or after a weekend letdown as palette cleansers so that I do not fall into the proverbial reading slump. I have realized that I also read mysteries because I enjoy fitting clues together like a puzzle in my attempt to solve the case before the detective. I do have my preferred series and favorite detectives that I return to again and again, and Hercule Poirot is one of them. I have come to appreciate the Belgian sleuth as one would a doting older relative albeit one who happens to be the most famous detective in the world. On the heels of solving the mystery of the blue train, Poirot heads for a seaside vacation at St. Loo. As usual, murder seems to find him.

Absent from the Blue Train mystery, Captain Hastings is back as Poirot’s sidekick, and many would say foil. He narrates this case and functions as Poirot’s sounding board and an extra set of eyes and ears, although his brain is not always adept at solving mysteries. Poirot confides to Hastings that he wishes he had been there for the previous case because, whereas Georges, his valet, provided quality companionship, he was not adept at solving crimes. Hastings has returned from his sojourn in Argentina in time to join Poirot on his holiday. They book rooms at the aptly named Majestic Hotel and float ideas off of each other just like in old times when Poirot solved cases with regularity. This time, the pair lunches with an enchanting young lady named Nick Buckley. While eating, a bullet grazes Buckley’s hat, but the would be assassin made the mistake of doing so in the presence of Hercule Poirot. Poirot gets Nick to confide to him that this was the fourth “accident” that has befallen her in recent days. Living in her family’s spooky End House, adjacent to the hotel, Nick has survived three other accidents, and Poirot, although on vacation, although “retired”, has it on his conscience to investigate the peril at this End House.

Readers are introduced to Buckley’s unlikeable set. It is during the post first war years, and the modern, young generation appear to live without regard to themselves or others. Poirot is taken in with Nick and her companion Frederica Rice, both charming women in their own ways. At End House, he finds out that Nick almost had a painting crash on her head, her car had been tampered with, and a boulder nearly ran her over while bathing. Then the bullet. Who would want her dead? The End House is mortgaged and the servants think it’s spooky. Even Hastings got a bad vibe from the property; however, it is the Buckley family home, passed to Nick from her eccentric grandfather Nicholas Buckley. Her given name is Magdala, a Buckley family name, but Nick got her name from her grandfather, who she adored. Poirot convinces Nick that a female companion other than Madame Rice should stay with her in her room just in case. Nick thinks of her cousin Maggie Buckley, who see convinces to arrive the next day in time for a party. Then the would be murderer strikes again, right under Poirot’s nose, only Maggie is killed by a bullet intended for Nick. Poirot is determined not to fail again or he would not be Hercule Poirot.

Poirot’s methodology involves writing out a list of suspects A to J along with their motives. Christie employs this detecting many times in her books, most notably in Murder on the Orient Express. The events at End House came first, and it is obvious to all that Poirot will leave no stone unturned. Safely tucking Nick in a nursing home, Poirot and Hastings head to London to investigate and to meet up with Scotland Yard Inspector Japp, a recurring character throughout the series. The three reminisce over supper, and readers find out that Poirot had been solving cases as early as the 1890s, his heyday. Christie had always intended for his character to be that of a retired detective albeit the world’s best, and then she wrote over forty books starring Poirot, each time having him come out of retirement to use his grey cells to solve a case that baffles local police. Japp taps into Scotland Yard to find information, but Hastings never seems to use his grey cells in the right way, Poirot chastises. He always seems to be right about the wrong person and vice versa. Poirot’s grey cells are superior to others’ and in his thinking unravels the case. As usual, clues are omitted, and readers have to wait until the end to know whodunit.

With Poirot, even if I begin to suspect a person or think someone has an alias, I know I will be wrong in the end. That is what keeps me reading these cases to see what information Christie withholds from her readers. Poirot has a superior mind to others and always knows what others do not, and these are the clues that do not appear until the end, when Poirot explains the case to the book’s cast of characters. This time around, I did wonder about the name Magdala as it is uncommon and in this case a Buckley family name. I had a hunch, but, as usual, Poirot was three steps ahead of me and everyone one else involved. At this point, Poirot is no longer a palette cleanser for me; there are other detectives I enjoy for that. If I keep reading all of Christie’s cases through to the end perhaps one day my grey cells will put me on Poirot’s level. With over forty cases and twenty five or so left to read, I ought to get there eventually, or not. This is what sets the Queen of Crime apart from other mystery writers and makes Hercule Poirot the best detective in the world. He just knows, and I should not be disappointed that I do not. He is Hercule Poirot after all.

4 enjoyable🕵️‍♂️ 🇧🇪 stars

[ʚ Aileen ɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

And once again, I suspected the wrong person to be the murderer. I am a horrible detective.

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books don't stand up to rereading. This is one of them.

The characters are mostly a bit ridiculous (including Poirot's faithful sidekick, Hastings) & too many of them are very shady.

There are too many coincidences.

The crimes are too unlikely.

Lastly not one but two criminals are effectively let off the hook?

Poor show Christie - dashed poor show!

[Zala · Rating 4 out of 5]

She got me again.

Also some hilarious interactions between Poirot and Hastings in this one. “From hundreds like you, the swindler makes his daily bread.”

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hercule Poirot meets a young girl,whose life is in danger.Multiple attempts have been made to kill her,with the latest one leaving a bullet hole in her hat.

Poirot's protective instincts are aroused.But,someone does get murdered.An interesting enough mystery,but the identity of the killer,didn't really surprise me.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ 4 Me ha dejado boquiabierta.

-Y usted, querido Hastings, propone que quiere sospechar del menos indicado. Eso se debe a que lee usted demasiadas novelas policíacas; pero en la vida real, de cada diez pasos, en nueve el verdadero autor de un delito es también el más justamente sospechoso.

La verdad es que Agatha Christie siempre ha sido un acierto para mí. Cuando estoy un poco cansada de leer fantasía o necesito leer algo ligero acudo a ella. Su prosa no se caracteriza por ser muy pesada, por lo que los libros te los lees en menos de lo que canta un gallo.

En esta octava entrega nos encontramos con nuestro Poirot junto al querido Hastings de vacaciones. Allí conocen a una señorita llamada Miss Esa que les cuenta que últimamente ha tenido una racha de mala suerte. Poirot al contrario no lo considera así por lo que intenta averiguar que hay tras esta supuesta mala suerte. Tras esto, se conocen a los supuestos personajes o enemigos de Miss Eva y sus más oscuros secretos.

Si tengo que ser sincera, este libro se coloca por el momento junto al asesinato de Rogelio Ackroyd como uno de mis favoritos. La autora me dejó boquiabierta no me lo esperaba, en un momento hizo “zas” y me tiro por la borda todas mis supuestas teorías. Si es que entiendo hasta el pobrecito Hastings, incluso me da pena porque luego llega Hércules y pareces el tonto del pueblo en comparación. Incluso se burla de él a su modo.

-Hércules- dije a mi amigo mientras comíamos en una mesita junto al huevo de una ventana-, he reflexionado….
-Magnifico ejercicio…

Yo estoy contigo Hastings, en mi corazón hay un hueco para ti. Siempre lo habrá.

[Piyangie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is getting better and better. Agatha Christie's brilliancy in creating intriguing murder mystery plots is yet again displayed here. The final plot twist left me stunned. I didn't expect it at all!

Interestingly, here the great Hercule Poirot is a little baffled with the circumstances surrounding the mystery. For the first time, Christie shows that after all Poirot is human too, though a very clever one. Nevertheless, with so many tangled facts at hands, and after going a little astray, Poirot solves the puzzle at the end securing his unsurpassed reputation.

This is again a well-written story which keeps the reader engaged till the very end. I enjoyed it.

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly good read. I always enjoy Agatha Christie.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working through the Hercule Poirot series, I am constantly amazed at the work Dame Agatha Christie has put into the stories. Each seems able to stand on its own, though there is something exciting about reading a series in order, as the reader picks up small breadcrumbs left by the author throughout the experience. Poirot is in fine form, accompanied by his friend, Captain Arthur Hastings, as they explore a unique mystery while on vacation in the English countryside. Christie dazzles once again and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

While on vacation along the coast, Hercule Poirot and Captain Arthur Hastings encounter a young and quite beautiful woman. Nick Buckley is able to converse with the retired Belgian detective easily and reveals that she his the mistress of End House, a massive piece of real estate set up along the cliffs of St. Loo. Poirot is enthralled, both with the description of End House and by Nick herself, which has Hastings wondering if the mighty detective could be falling in love.

Poirot is keen to learn that Nick has been full of luck lately, having dodged numerous accidents that came close to killing her. After another occurs while they are seated together, a shot rings out in her direction that passes through Nick’s hat. Poirot is all but sure that these are anything but accidental happenings. Rather, they are likely clues that Nick Buckley is the target of some crazed killer.

Poirot takes it upon himself to investigate End House a little more and to learn precisely what’s going on, as well as how Nick Buckley could play into it all. He learns of the property’s darker side, including many who live there. As Poirot investigates, more goings-on occur that lead him to believe that Nick, and others, could be in grave danger, should he not reveal the killer swiftly. As always, Hastings is sure that if anyone can find the culprit, it will be Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie does a fabulous job at spinning yet another story for all to enjoy!

I have become addicted to the many stories Agatha Christie offers up in this easy flowing series. A well-developed plot finds itself within a strong narrative. Poirot’s encounter with many characters keeps the reader entertained, while forcing them to wonder what awaits them around the next corner. Even though there is a great deal left in the series, I am eager to forge onwards to see how things progress with the stories, the characters, and what clues I might gather as I piece together the larger Hercule Poirot character.

Poirot keeps his ego in check, letting it out only every other page. His relaxed nature is always on offer and there is no shortage of wit flowing from him as the stories progress. With little backstory, the reader is forced to love in the moment with him, as he pushes through to drop small hints about his personality and ideals. This is one Belgian whose keen commentary about the world around him is worth noting every time he speaks.

Christie delivers again with a strong story that does nort take much time to develop. Readers of the series are treated to a strong mystery without too much fluff as things take shape. A strong narrative provides the pathway for a sensational mystery, full of twists and turns that few could have seen coming. A set of worthy characters provides just what the reader needs to remain entertained, while Poirot pieces everything together. I am eager to see how things will progress, as it is only a matter of time before Christie is sure to run out of ideas. Then again, the Dame of Mystery appears to have a great deal to share, so one can surmise that Poirot is far from being a boring old Belgian just yet!

Kudos, Dame Christie, for another strong mystery. I’m reaching for the next to see if it dazzles just as much.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

The sparkle of Dame Agatha's writing and the verve of her plotting in her absolute peak years, the 1930s, is a sheer joy to read. Poirot and Hastings, on their way to Cornwall's fleshpots, meet Miss Nick Buckley. She is a lovely local landowner, a bit short of the ready (to borrow Sir Plum's locution for Bertie Wooster) but possessed of a glorious ramshackle seaside house. She inveigles Poirot and Hastings into her world to help her deal with mysterious attempts on her life. Since she has no money, no prospects of getting any, and a mortgaged house, who's trying to kill her and why?

The plot hinges on a shared family name, a unique coincidence that could not be foreseen, and a cold and calculating soul looking out for Number One. Nothing is quite as simple as the surface suggests; the threads of the subplots do gum up the works a bit; but in the end, there is a happy resolution and ma'at is maintained. No one profits from their crimes. No one suffers injustice. There is a single example of the Old Boy's Network in action, and that wasn't quite so nice. But it's the chain of coincidence that bugs me the most. It's clearly intentional, and I suppose you could argue that the coincidences are seized upon by the ruthless killer as a further example of astute quick thinking in service of one's own survival. Maybe a bit like The Usual Suspects with Our Kind of People.

Still. Not quite the top drawer, Dame Agatha.

Agatha Christie's Poirot: Peril at End House

Rating: 3* of five

Pretty faithful to the novel; it was the first full-novel adaptation, so permaybehaps they didn't feel they had earned the right to divagate too far from home base. A couple characters are tidied away in service of television pacing. It is an improvement, and in one case...Miss Buckley's childhood pal Freddie Rice's character...takes her from an object of pity to a tacky broad with the fate of one. There are no huge holes left by the pruning *except* the one that, having read the library's Kindle book just before rewatching the show, I noticed for the first time. It's really not huge, but it absolutely drove me as mad as the armhole of my sweater losing its serging and rubbing my armpit. No way to get fully comfy after that. Nick Buckley sits with Poirot and Hastings on their hotel's terrace; she bats away a wasp from her face, complaining of how brazen the beasts are; Poirot finds, after she's left, that her forgotten hat has a hole in the brim whereupon he finds a bullet that was shot at her.

BY WHOM?!?

Never addressed again. In the book, it's Freddie's awful husbeast who does the shooting at Miss Buckley but he's been handwaved away! Boo hiss careless writers!

Still, it took me reading then watching back-to-back to catch it, so maybe it wasn't that bad.

Yes it was. The half-star stays gone.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

M. Hercule Poirot and his sidekick, Hastings were on a week’s holiday in a little village in Cornwall when the lovely Magdala Buckley (called Nick by all) came to Poirot’s attention. The little accidents that had befallen Nick concerned Poirot but it was the bullet that caused him to look into the attempts on her life. Nick lived in the old family mansion on top of the nearby hill called End House. It was in disrepair but was a family home and Nick had no intentions of getting rid of it.

As Poirot and Hastings waded through the mess that was Nick’s life, Poirot created one of his lists. But he couldn’t make head nor tail of it. Who was the person determined to end the young woman’s life? But most importantly, why? Poirot was determined to find the solution…

Peril at End House is the 8th in the Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie and another enjoyable mystery. I have one point which didn’t seem to have a solution – but can’t ask about it as it would be a spoiler! Although published long ago – originally 1932 – it’s still a mystery which hits the spot. Agatha Christie was a woman ahead of her time with her works still being read and loved many years after they were written. Recommended.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth time reading this, and just as good as the first time!

[Alex.andthebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tym razem niestety Agata mnie zmęczyła

[Hamad · Rating 5 out of 5]

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“Evil never goes unpunished, Monsieur. But the punishment is sometimes secret.”

Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Agatha does it again. I did not expect to enjoy this one as much as I did but it ended up getting 5 stars from me and adding it to my favorite Christie books.

Poirot is absolutely one of my favorite characters in literature. I just love this eccentric man and his brain cells. The story finds him investigating some accidents surrounding a young lady and these accidents seem fishy to him so he decides to protect the lady before the killer strikes again.

The story is a typical Poirot one with an introduction then getting to know the character then organizing the facts that we have and what is missing and finally ending neatly with the identity of the murderer being revealed. What I really liked about this one is that I had the exact same thoughts the characters did and I tried to focus and keep track of everything and it ended up being a very rewarding experience.