‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1974) adds comedy
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie review): Albert Finney looks the part of Poirot, but I find his performance too bombastic at times.
Agatha Christie
Tommy and Tuppence debut in ‘Secret Adversary’ (1922)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie’s second novel introduces the delightful would-be couple, along with an overly complex plot.
‘Secret of Chimneys’ (1925) has colorful array of suspects
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie’s Superintendent Battle is a man of few words. But when he does speak, you know he’s worth listening to.
Marple makes novel debut in ‘Murder at the Vicarage’ (1930)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): For the first time in novel form, readers get a taste of Christie’s second indisputable icon: Miss Jane Marple.
‘Mystery of the Blue Train’ (1928) stays on rails
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): OK, it’s not even Christie’s best work about a train. But count me as an apologist for this Poirot entry.
Christie’s ‘The Big Four’ (1927) is a big misfire
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Cobbled together from short stories, this would-be international crime thriller ranks among Christie’s weakest novels.
‘Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ (1926) an early Christie gem
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): It’s armed with one of the most famous endings in mystery history, and Poirot is in vintage form.
‘Poirot Investigates’ (1924), in fewer words this time
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Compared to Christie’s novels, I’m not as big of a fan of the shorts. But it’s a collection of Poirots, so I won’t complain.
‘Murder at Hazelmoor’ a loaded wintry chiller (1931)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie crams perhaps too many characters into this novel also known as “The Sittaford Mystery.”
‘Hercule Poirot’s Christmas’ (1938) a solid stocking stuffer
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This is another solid mystery set in a house full of suspects. But it could’ve benefited from more holiday flavor.