UK Book Club discussion

So for December, we will be reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas. Please post your comments and observations below and remember to highlight 'SPOILERS' at the top of your post if you're heading into that territory... Enjoy!

Began reading today …

Have fun. I've only just finished the previous group read and I'm currently reading Girl, Woman, Other for my in person book club, but I'll be there soon...

Liz wrote: "Have fun. I've only just finished the previous group read and I'm currently reading 'Girl, Woman, Other' for my in person book club, but I'll be there soon..."

See you then ;)

This was my first Poirot and I really enjoyed it

This was also my first time reading a Poirot. Found it a bit slow at start and took time getting to know all the characters. By half way I was hooked and enjoyed all the twists and turns at the end.

I whizzed through that one! I enjoyed Hercule Poirot's Christmas, but I don't think it's one of her best.

My favourite Poirot is Death on the Nile, which was the first I read, after seeing the film with Peter Ustinov, David Niven et al on TV, back in the day... The best Agatha Christie imho is And Then There Were None which I reread a couple of years ago - it still holds up as a exciting page-turner.

There maybe SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS ahead, although I will try to dance around them:

I enjoyed the set-up - classic feuding family in grand manor house. No surprises when the loathsome patriarch is finished off in a suitably bloody manner. In fact most of the characters were 'pretty unpleasant' so it was fun seeing them squirm and of course they all have motive and opportunity. I loved spotting the clues and the red herrings (but which are which?)

But there was one thing that prevented this one being a 4 star read and kept it at 3 stars. Not the identity of the culprit, (although (view spoiler)[a second bastard brother (hide spoiler)] is definitely pushing it, Mrs Christie!) but their completely ridiculous MO!

Looks like spoiler hiding works on the web version, but not the app... Sorry!

This was my first Poirot novel too. A very bizarre family dynamic and I was surprised when the murderer was revealed I’d have never have guessed!!

Enjoyed the extended interval re-read so it was like a new story / new reveal..
Thanks for hosting ;))

Finish this yesterday, yeah agree with most of the sentiments and it was a nice excuse for an intro to Agatha Christie. Found the style a little weird to begin with…

Taking of his hat, he said:
“Blah blah blah”
Looking out the window, she said:
“Blah blah blah”

Made it feel like a book written a while ago, but once I got used to it enjoyed the pace and whodunit reveal analysis, almost educational! Will no doubt now read more of her catalogue every time I need to visit the good old days 🙂

Death on the Nile and And Then There Were None check check, any other recommendations much appreciated.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a must read Agatha Christie.

I really enjoyed this re read of an old favourite . I had been a Poirot fan for years ever since I was a teen .
I then became invested in collecting old Penguin editions of some of Agatha Christie books that featured him ( whilst studying for midterms at university ; a good diversion. )
I still prefer Dorothy Sayers but this was good fun .