Scan barcode
krista_hensh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
valeria_anedda's review against another edition
4.0
“Sfida a Poirot” è una delle avventure minori, nonchè una delle ultime indagini del famoso investigatore belga nato dalla penna di Agatha Christie.
In questa storia il protagonista è il biologo marino Colin Lamb che, insieme all'ispettore Hardcastle, svolgerà le indagini sulla morte del cadavere trovato al numero 9 di Wilbraham Crescents.
Poirot appare un po' tardi, dalla seconda metà del libro, e viene presentato come un abile ex investigatore, amico del padre di Colin. Si vedrà poco ma (ovviamente) sarà lui a fare lo spiegone sul mistero, verso la fine del libro.
Non sto leggendo i libri in ordine e probabilmente, se lo avessi fatto, avrei sofferto meno nel trovare un Poirot ormai anziano, annoiato e quasi completamente assente all'interno della storia.
In ogni caso, il mistero è interessante e Colin Lamb è un ottimo compagno di viaggio!
In questa storia il protagonista è il biologo marino Colin Lamb che, insieme all'ispettore Hardcastle, svolgerà le indagini sulla morte del cadavere trovato al numero 9 di Wilbraham Crescents.
Poirot appare un po' tardi, dalla seconda metà del libro, e viene presentato come un abile ex investigatore, amico del padre di Colin. Si vedrà poco ma (ovviamente) sarà lui a fare lo spiegone sul mistero, verso la fine del libro.
Non sto leggendo i libri in ordine e probabilmente, se lo avessi fatto, avrei sofferto meno nel trovare un Poirot ormai anziano, annoiato e quasi completamente assente all'interno della storia.
In ogni caso, il mistero è interessante e Colin Lamb è un ottimo compagno di viaggio!
sunshine15's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot! The audio for it was great while reading along. The whole plot was so smart and I loved it. This time I did have a few theories which turned out to be right or close in one way or another and I am very pleased with that. It is official that Agatha Christie is one on my favourite mystery writers and I want to read most of her books for sure!!
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Hercule Poirot takes a somewhat minor role here, while Inspector Hardcastle and Colin Lamb take the lead.
A young woman stenographer/typist is specifically requested at No. 19. She’s instructed to come in if no one answers the door and to wait in the sitting room. She arrives just a couple of minutes early, and waits as instructed. When the cuckoo clock strikes three she goes over to it to inspect it more closely, which is when she discovers the body of a man who has been stabbed. She runs screaming from the house just as the owner, a blind woman, arrives from her shopping, and she runs right into Colin Lamb who just happened to be walking past looking for another address. Who is the dead man? Who murdered him? Why? How is the girl involved? Why didn’t the neighbors see anything?
As usual there are red herrings everywhere and a double plot involving an international spy ring. Lamb goes to his good friend Hercule Poirot, who is suffering boredom in retirement, with the challenges of the case. Poirot has claimed he can solve the case just sitting in his chair (as long as someone else has done the leg work and brings him the clues). Of course, Poirot is as good as his word.
The book was written in 1963 so there is the specter of Communism and the cold war here, which makes it quite dated, but Christie is a master and I really enjoy going along for the ride.
I listened to the audio book, expertly narrated by Robin Bailey.
Hercule Poirot takes a somewhat minor role here, while Inspector Hardcastle and Colin Lamb take the lead.
A young woman stenographer/typist is specifically requested at No. 19. She’s instructed to come in if no one answers the door and to wait in the sitting room. She arrives just a couple of minutes early, and waits as instructed. When the cuckoo clock strikes three she goes over to it to inspect it more closely, which is when she discovers the body of a man who has been stabbed. She runs screaming from the house just as the owner, a blind woman, arrives from her shopping, and she runs right into Colin Lamb who just happened to be walking past looking for another address. Who is the dead man? Who murdered him? Why? How is the girl involved? Why didn’t the neighbors see anything?
As usual there are red herrings everywhere and a double plot involving an international spy ring. Lamb goes to his good friend Hercule Poirot, who is suffering boredom in retirement, with the challenges of the case. Poirot has claimed he can solve the case just sitting in his chair (as long as someone else has done the leg work and brings him the clues). Of course, Poirot is as good as his word.
The book was written in 1963 so there is the specter of Communism and the cold war here, which makes it quite dated, but Christie is a master and I really enjoy going along for the ride.
I listened to the audio book, expertly narrated by Robin Bailey.
lis98's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was a quick entertaining read. I’m always a fan of Agatha Christie‘s books. It’s a quick little mystery paired with a nonchalant look at the society and people of the 1960s. Well at least if you manage to ignore all the bigotry of the respective time that finds its way into the book.
Poirot really isn’t a very likable person in this one isn’t he?
Poirot really isn’t a very likable person in this one isn’t he?
evareads123's review against another edition
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
pbraue13's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nerida_c's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
michhxox's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0