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Hercule Poirot #24
Evil Under the Sun
The beautiful bronzed body of Arlena Stuart lay facedown on the beach. But strangely, there was no sun and she was not sunbathing... she had been strangled.
Ever since Arlena's arrival the air had been thick with sexual tension. Each of the guests had a motive to kill her. But Hercule Poirot suspects that this apparent 'crime of passion' conceals something much more evil.
Ever since Arlena's arrival the air had been thick with sexual tension. Each of the guests had a motive to kill her. But Hercule Poirot suspects that this apparent 'crime of passion' conceals something much more evil.
Audio CD
First published June 1, 1941
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About the author
Agatha Christie
5,255?books71.6k?followersAgatha 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 Кр?ст? (Ukrainian)
Αγκ?θα Κρ?στι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉丝蒂 (Chinese)
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 Кр?ст? (Ukrainian)
Αγκ?θα Κρ?στι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉丝蒂 (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,675 reviews
February 21, 2024
This one is really good. <-- quite juicy!
My only complaint is that it reminds me a bit of Death on the Nile.
Did she just switch a few things up and..?
Agatha, you crafty old gal.
Oddly enough, there's even a mention of that thing that happened with Linnet Ridgeway in this book.
Another funny thing that stuck out to me was when one of the characters mentioned Princess Elizabeth. I always think it's so cool when you get a flashback of some real-life person in books like this.
The gist?
You have the slutty (yeah, I said slutty) Arlena Stuart flaunting her affair with a married man in front of his wife and her husband and everyone else who has eyeballs on this little beachfront vacation spot.
And then you have her lover. The lovestruck idiot who can't help himself and is willing to make a fool of his wife in front of strangers.
Boom. Too bad Arlena gets her ass strangled.
So whodunnit?
The emotional teenage daughter of the husband, who secretly hates her?
The silly lover who followed her to the beach?
His justifiably angry wife?
Arlena's husband who is sick and tired of her philandering ways?
The childhood friend of said husband who would (perhaps) kill to be the next wife?
Or some random pirate who runs a drug ring?
Poirot will, of course, find out that not everyone is who they say they are and not everything is what it seems. <--ta-da!
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha and Poirot.
My only complaint is that it reminds me a bit of Death on the Nile.
Did she just switch a few things up and..?
Agatha, you crafty old gal.
Oddly enough, there's even a mention of that thing that happened with Linnet Ridgeway in this book.
Another funny thing that stuck out to me was when one of the characters mentioned Princess Elizabeth. I always think it's so cool when you get a flashback of some real-life person in books like this.
The gist?
You have the slutty (yeah, I said slutty) Arlena Stuart flaunting her affair with a married man in front of his wife and her husband and everyone else who has eyeballs on this little beachfront vacation spot.
And then you have her lover. The lovestruck idiot who can't help himself and is willing to make a fool of his wife in front of strangers.
Boom. Too bad Arlena gets her ass strangled.
So whodunnit?
The emotional teenage daughter of the husband, who secretly hates her?
The silly lover who followed her to the beach?
His justifiably angry wife?
Arlena's husband who is sick and tired of her philandering ways?
The childhood friend of said husband who would (perhaps) kill to be the next wife?
Or some random pirate who runs a drug ring?
Poirot will, of course, find out that not everyone is who they say they are and not everything is what it seems. <--ta-da!
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha and Poirot.
March 11, 2018
Hercule Poirot is just fun! Agatha Christie is clever and intriguing. I've been fascinated by her stories since I was a teenager. Evil Under the Sun is a great story - not quite her best, but certainly in the top 10. After reading the book, I watched the movie adaption given some of the actors playing the roles. You should read and then watch, too... who doesn't love to compare!
This story is good - lots of little twists and turns. The plot is a bit macabre. There are several angles you think it will take. In the end, I was close to figuring it out, but only because I've read hundreds of mysteries at this point. A good start for a new Poirot reader!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on 欧宝娱乐, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
This story is good - lots of little twists and turns. The plot is a bit macabre. There are several angles you think it will take. In the end, I was close to figuring it out, but only because I've read hundreds of mysteries at this point. A good start for a new Poirot reader!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on 欧宝娱乐, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
May 26, 2023
Hercule Poirot, book #24 is a clever tale by Christie innocuously tied to the case title 'Evil Under The Sun'. A group of people in a luxury hotel consumed with the sexual tension generated by the man-magnet and actress Mrs Arlena Marshall… become suspects to a murder where the police seem to find cast iron alibis for everyone... of course Poirot sees it all another way. Good case. 7 out of 12, firm Three Star read.
2013 read
2013 read
May 17, 2022
Evil Under the Sun (Hercule Poirot #24), Agatha Christie
Evil Under the Sun is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in June 1941. Hercule Poirot takes a quiet holiday at a secluded hotel in Devon.
He finds that the other hotel guests include: Arlena Marshall, her husband Kenneth, and her step-daughter Linda; Horace Blatt; Major Barry, a retired officer; Rosamund Darnley, a former sweetheart of Kenneth; Patrick Redfern, and his wife Christine, a former teacher; Carrie Gardener, and her husband Odell; Reverend Stephen Lane; and Miss Emily Brewster, an athletic spinster. During the initial part of his stay, Poirot notes that Arlena is a flirtatious woman, who flirts with Patrick much to the fury of his wife, and that her step-daughter hates her. One morning, Arlena heads out for a secret rendezvous at Pixy Cove.
By midday, she is found dead by Patrick and Brewster while they are rowing. An examination by the local police surgeon reveals she had been strangled by a man. Both Poirot and the investigating officer, Inspector Colgate, interview the possible suspects about their movements during the morning - Kenneth had been typing letters; the Gardeners had been with Poirot all morning; Rosamund had been reading above Pixy Cove; Blatt had gone sailing; Linda and Christine went to Gull Cove and didn't return until before midday; both Lane and Major Barry were absent from the island.
At noon, Christine, Rosamund, Kenneth and Odell all met to play tennis. Poirot learns that Brewster was nearly hit by a bottle during the morning, from one of the guest rooms, while the hotel chambermaid recalls hearing someone running a bath at noon. At a cave within Pixy Cove, Poirot notes smelling perfume that Arlena used within a cave, while police arrest Blatt for smuggling heroin upon finding the drug hidden inside. Poirot later invites everyone to a picnic, which he uses to secretly observe their behaviour and test their vertigo. Following the picnic, Linda attempts suicide with Christine's sleeping pills. Poirot later discovers she felt guilt-ridden, after assuming she killed her step-mother through voodoo. ...
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?????: ????? ??? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ???1373? ??336?? ????? ????????? ???????? ?? ????????? ???????? - ???20???
?????: ?????? ??? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ?????????? ???1390? ??253?? ????9789643635749? ??? ??? ???1393?
????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????: ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????? ? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ? ???? ???? ? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ???????? ????????? ? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ??????
????? ?????? ????? 20/08/1399???? ???????? 26/02/1401???? ???????? ?. ???????
Evil Under the Sun is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in June 1941. Hercule Poirot takes a quiet holiday at a secluded hotel in Devon.
He finds that the other hotel guests include: Arlena Marshall, her husband Kenneth, and her step-daughter Linda; Horace Blatt; Major Barry, a retired officer; Rosamund Darnley, a former sweetheart of Kenneth; Patrick Redfern, and his wife Christine, a former teacher; Carrie Gardener, and her husband Odell; Reverend Stephen Lane; and Miss Emily Brewster, an athletic spinster. During the initial part of his stay, Poirot notes that Arlena is a flirtatious woman, who flirts with Patrick much to the fury of his wife, and that her step-daughter hates her. One morning, Arlena heads out for a secret rendezvous at Pixy Cove.
By midday, she is found dead by Patrick and Brewster while they are rowing. An examination by the local police surgeon reveals she had been strangled by a man. Both Poirot and the investigating officer, Inspector Colgate, interview the possible suspects about their movements during the morning - Kenneth had been typing letters; the Gardeners had been with Poirot all morning; Rosamund had been reading above Pixy Cove; Blatt had gone sailing; Linda and Christine went to Gull Cove and didn't return until before midday; both Lane and Major Barry were absent from the island.
At noon, Christine, Rosamund, Kenneth and Odell all met to play tennis. Poirot learns that Brewster was nearly hit by a bottle during the morning, from one of the guest rooms, while the hotel chambermaid recalls hearing someone running a bath at noon. At a cave within Pixy Cove, Poirot notes smelling perfume that Arlena used within a cave, while police arrest Blatt for smuggling heroin upon finding the drug hidden inside. Poirot later invites everyone to a picnic, which he uses to secretly observe their behaviour and test their vertigo. Following the picnic, Linda attempts suicide with Christine's sleeping pills. Poirot later discovers she felt guilt-ridden, after assuming she killed her step-mother through voodoo. ...
???????? ??? ??? ?? ?????: ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????: ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????: ??? ????? ??? ????? ???2011??????
?????: ????? ??? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ???1373? ??336?? ????? ????????? ???????? ?? ????????? ???????? - ???20???
?????: ?????? ??? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ?????????? ???1390? ??253?? ????9789643635749? ??? ??? ???1393?
????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????: ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????? ? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ? ???? ???? ? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ???????? ????????? ? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ??????
????? ?????? ????? 20/08/1399???? ???????? 26/02/1401???? ???????? ?. ???????
April 8, 2025
Evil Under the Sun is another entertaining and twisty murder mystery by Dame Agatha, and, as usual, I had no idea who the killer was until Poirot did his big reveal. I tremendously enjoyed the diverse cast of characters (and by “diverse” I mean personality-wise, as this is a Christie novel so everyone is rich and white) and Mrs. Gardener in particular was a lot of fun. BUT ...
I dunno, this one just feels so sexist to me? I mean, yeah, it's Agatha Christie so you kind of expect the casual sexism and racism, but I was definitely left with an icky feeling after finishing this book. Everyone hates Arlena Marshall because she's popular with men and she bears the brunt of the scorn when it comes to her involvement with Patrick Redfern even though he's married, too. Then there's Poirot's whole speech about how women's bodies are all basically interchangeable, and Reverend Lane's obsession with “scarlet women." And then at the end a certain male character makes a speech about how a woman is “no good to him” unless she'll give up her independence, and just … ugh. No spoilers, but the last several sentences of this book irritated me more than all of the rest of it combined.
Also, I know that the narrator for this audiobook (David Suchet) played Poirot on the television series and all, but I vastly prefer Hugh Fraser (Captain Hastings on the same show) who narrates many of the the other Poirot novels. Hilariously enough, I think Fraser does a way better Poirot accent.
But, still, this is a twisty and entertaining murder mystery and if you can ignore the blatant sexism (which I'm assuming you can if you're 24 books deep into an Agatha Christie series), it's a pretty fun read. 3.45 stars, rounded down.
I dunno, this one just feels so sexist to me? I mean, yeah, it's Agatha Christie so you kind of expect the casual sexism and racism, but I was definitely left with an icky feeling after finishing this book. Everyone hates Arlena Marshall because she's popular with men and she bears the brunt of the scorn when it comes to her involvement with Patrick Redfern even though he's married, too. Then there's Poirot's whole speech about how women's bodies are all basically interchangeable, and Reverend Lane's obsession with “scarlet women." And then at the end a certain male character makes a speech about how a woman is “no good to him” unless she'll give up her independence, and just … ugh. No spoilers, but the last several sentences of this book irritated me more than all of the rest of it combined.
Also, I know that the narrator for this audiobook (David Suchet) played Poirot on the television series and all, but I vastly prefer Hugh Fraser (Captain Hastings on the same show) who narrates many of the the other Poirot novels. Hilariously enough, I think Fraser does a way better Poirot accent.
But, still, this is a twisty and entertaining murder mystery and if you can ignore the blatant sexism (which I'm assuming you can if you're 24 books deep into an Agatha Christie series), it's a pretty fun read. 3.45 stars, rounded down.
March 19, 2025
[3.4?] ?????? ???? ?? ??? es una novela de misterio escrita por Agatha Christie y publicada en 1941. La historia transcurre en un exclusivo hotel ubicado en una isla apartada, donde Poirot intenta disfrutar de unas vacaciones tranquilas. Sin embargo, su descanso se ve interrumpido cuando una atractiva mujer aparece asesinada en la playa, desatando una investigación en la que todos los huéspedes parecen tener algo que ocultar.
Este libro tiene cosas que me gustaron bastante, pero también algunos detalles que hicieron que mi experiencia de lectura no fuera del todo satisfactoria.?
Para empezar, me gustó la ambientación. Siempre disfruto cuando las novelas de Christie incluyen un mapa al inicio porque ayudan a visualizar mejor el espacio y, en este caso, el hotel en la isla apartada es un escenario ideal para un crimen. También me pareció un buen recurso el listado de huéspedes en medio de la narración (además de tener el listado de todos los personajes al inicio, como siempre) ya que hace que el seguimiento de los personajes sea más dinámico y que uno como lector se sienta más involucrado con la investigación.
Por otro lado, lo que menos disfruté fue la sensación de déjà vu. Desde el inicio noté que la historia estaba basada en un cuento que ya había leído de la autora y el planteamiento resultó demasiado similar: Poirot, de vacaciones en una playa apartada, presencia cómo una mujer casada y atractiva coquetea descaradamente con el marido de otra, hasta que termina asesinada. Además, las personalidades e interacciones de estos personajes se parecían mucho a las del cuento.?
Yo soy de esas personas que detesta releer libros porque me aburre el ya saber de antemano lo que sucederá después, es por eso que esta novela se me hizo muy lenta al inicio y solo quería abandonarla. Por suerte, Christie decidió cambiar el lugar del asesinato, el arma homicida y al culpable. En esta novela su identidad es mucho más interesante y compleja; de hecho, es prácticamente imposible de adivinar, mientras que en el cuento original resultaba evidente desde el primer momento.
Hubo peque?os detalles que me sacaron una sonrisa, como la breve (pero apreciada) mención de Hastings y el hecho de que el inspector se llamara Colgate, lo cual encontré hilarante (sí, me río con esa clase de bobadas, solo podía pensar en la marca).
Ahora, lo que definitivamente me desagradó fue la última página. Me molesta mucho cuando un hombre le exige a una mujer que lo abandone todo (su trabajo, sus logros, sus sue?os y su vida) solo para estar con él, lo encuentro horroroso. Sé que estábamos en una época muy sexista y compleja, pero es algo que no puedo soportar.
Finalmente, puedo decir que ?????? ???? ?? ??? es una novela con altibajos. Tiene una ambientación atrapante, un crimen bien construido y un asesino imposible de adivinar, pero la sensación de repetición y un inicio lento afectaron mi disfrute. Aunque agradezco los cambios respecto al cuento original, no fue suficiente para evitar que me sintiera frustrada en algunos momentos. A pesar de ello, hubo peque?os detalles que me sacaron una sonrisa y el misterio en sí es sólido, lo que la convierte en una lectura entretenida, aunque no particularmente memorable.
Este libro tiene cosas que me gustaron bastante, pero también algunos detalles que hicieron que mi experiencia de lectura no fuera del todo satisfactoria.?
Para empezar, me gustó la ambientación. Siempre disfruto cuando las novelas de Christie incluyen un mapa al inicio porque ayudan a visualizar mejor el espacio y, en este caso, el hotel en la isla apartada es un escenario ideal para un crimen. También me pareció un buen recurso el listado de huéspedes en medio de la narración (además de tener el listado de todos los personajes al inicio, como siempre) ya que hace que el seguimiento de los personajes sea más dinámico y que uno como lector se sienta más involucrado con la investigación.
Por otro lado, lo que menos disfruté fue la sensación de déjà vu. Desde el inicio noté que la historia estaba basada en un cuento que ya había leído de la autora y el planteamiento resultó demasiado similar: Poirot, de vacaciones en una playa apartada, presencia cómo una mujer casada y atractiva coquetea descaradamente con el marido de otra, hasta que termina asesinada. Además, las personalidades e interacciones de estos personajes se parecían mucho a las del cuento.?
Yo soy de esas personas que detesta releer libros porque me aburre el ya saber de antemano lo que sucederá después, es por eso que esta novela se me hizo muy lenta al inicio y solo quería abandonarla. Por suerte, Christie decidió cambiar el lugar del asesinato, el arma homicida y al culpable. En esta novela su identidad es mucho más interesante y compleja; de hecho, es prácticamente imposible de adivinar, mientras que en el cuento original resultaba evidente desde el primer momento.
Hubo peque?os detalles que me sacaron una sonrisa, como la breve (pero apreciada) mención de Hastings y el hecho de que el inspector se llamara Colgate, lo cual encontré hilarante (sí, me río con esa clase de bobadas, solo podía pensar en la marca).
Ahora, lo que definitivamente me desagradó fue la última página. Me molesta mucho cuando un hombre le exige a una mujer que lo abandone todo (su trabajo, sus logros, sus sue?os y su vida) solo para estar con él, lo encuentro horroroso. Sé que estábamos en una época muy sexista y compleja, pero es algo que no puedo soportar.
Finalmente, puedo decir que ?????? ???? ?? ??? es una novela con altibajos. Tiene una ambientación atrapante, un crimen bien construido y un asesino imposible de adivinar, pero la sensación de repetición y un inicio lento afectaron mi disfrute. Aunque agradezco los cambios respecto al cuento original, no fue suficiente para evitar que me sintiera frustrada en algunos momentos. A pesar de ello, hubo peque?os detalles que me sacaron una sonrisa y el misterio en sí es sólido, lo que la convierte en una lectura entretenida, aunque no particularmente memorable.
December 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and it was so close to 5 stars, but in the end I settled on a very solid 4 stars ?? ??????
Maybe more in the morning or Boxing Day.
Well here we are on New Year's Eve and I now have two reviews to write, before donning my DJ and heading off this evening with my friends.
Oh yes, the book, now a number of people have commented that this bears a remarkable similarity to a Christie short story (hmm my memory must be going ?) and/or that other people have copied the basic premise that this story is based upon (again, a complete blank here ), well regardless of those comments I really enjoyed it.
In my mind's eye I can see Poirot (Suchet) dressed "up to the nines" laying in the sun on the beach whilst other people uncover almost 50% of their bodies to the sun (how outrageous). That said this book has more than just amusing anecdotes or asides, it has a gripping involved/convoluted story that leaves you wondering who and how it could've been done.
Being set on an island joined only by a causeway at low tide, means there are really only a finite number of suspects and each seems to have at least a modicum of an alibi. Needless to say Poirot exercises his little grey cells to the max and unravels the complex mystery in front of our eyes.
I do remember the David Suchet episode (vaguely), and think that the TV adaptation quite closely follows this wonderful enjoyable book.
I am now nearing the 2/3rds mark in the 3 year Poirot challenge (and I'm only one behind) and I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it, and know already that I shall be bereft when we finish this challenge - what am I going to do ??
Maybe more in the morning or Boxing Day.
Well here we are on New Year's Eve and I now have two reviews to write, before donning my DJ and heading off this evening with my friends.
Oh yes, the book, now a number of people have commented that this bears a remarkable similarity to a Christie short story (hmm my memory must be going ?) and/or that other people have copied the basic premise that this story is based upon (again, a complete blank here ), well regardless of those comments I really enjoyed it.
In my mind's eye I can see Poirot (Suchet) dressed "up to the nines" laying in the sun on the beach whilst other people uncover almost 50% of their bodies to the sun (how outrageous). That said this book has more than just amusing anecdotes or asides, it has a gripping involved/convoluted story that leaves you wondering who and how it could've been done.
Being set on an island joined only by a causeway at low tide, means there are really only a finite number of suspects and each seems to have at least a modicum of an alibi. Needless to say Poirot exercises his little grey cells to the max and unravels the complex mystery in front of our eyes.
I do remember the David Suchet episode (vaguely), and think that the TV adaptation quite closely follows this wonderful enjoyable book.
I am now nearing the 2/3rds mark in the 3 year Poirot challenge (and I'm only one behind) and I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it, and know already that I shall be bereft when we finish this challenge - what am I going to do ??
August 5, 2019
Even on a holiday Poirot finds himself in middle of a murder mystery. It appears that it is destined that this Belgian cannot have a peaceful holiday! The plot is brilliant for the way in which the woman is murdered and alibi for the culprit. Unlike other Poirot novels, there are three strong suspects and when at the end with a flourish Poirot unravels the plot and rising to the challenge of the murderer makes him confess, you are left satisfied at the justice delivered. Interesting read
December 14, 2022
January 11, 2020 Update: Honestly I had to give this an additional star on my re-read. I initially gave it 3 stars because the ending irked me. But it was honestly very good. The main reason why I don't have this as a favorite though is that I can see similarities in Triangle at Rhodes (which I loved) but which makes this one a little unoriginal I think.
I will say that "Evil Under the Sun" has some great quotes throughout, and the atmospheric setting is well done by Christie (she loves her island murder mysteries), but the why behind the murder of a character equaled me feeling baffled and I hate what Christie did to a strong female character. I actually kept trying to push forward on my Kindle hoping that was not the way that Christie ended the book, sadly it was.
"Evil Under the Sun" is the 24th Hercule Poirot book. We find our egg-shaped detective on vacation at the Jolly Roger in Devon. He and other vacationers are watching a tragic story play out between two couples (the Marshalls and the Redferns). Arlena Marshall is the type of woman that men just can't help being drawn to. When Patrick Redfern runs into her at the Jolly Roger, many people are just waiting for when the twosome finally get caught inflagrante delicto somewhere. The long suffering spouses (Kenneth and Christine) are just sitting around putting up with and in turns lashing out at others who are all wondering "so you just going to sit and watch? Or?"
When Arlena Marshall is found strangled to death on a secluded cove, many wonder if her passive husband finally snapped.
The characters in this one are very memorable. We have Rosamund Darnley, a successful business woman, Kenneth's young daughter, Linda, a couple that cracked me up due to the husband going yes darling through most of the book (the Gardeners), a reverend that creeped me out, a retired officer, another man named Horace Blatt, a spinster (eyeroll) named Emily Brewster, and of course the police who come on to the scene that Poirot investigates with.
I really enjoyed Rosamund until Christie ruined her in the end. I was so annoyed the way this character ended up and why she was so devoted to Kenneth made no sense to me. She hadn't seen the man in decades it seemed and she seemed to be focused solely on her dislike for his wife.
The Gardeners were welcome comic relief. I thought they were funny and I loved that the husband was devoted to her and didn't seem to mind her carrying on about things.
Linda I felt sorry for through this whole book. Her father was pretty awful and when Rosamund frightens her at one point to be quiet and stop thinking about Arlena being murdered I was worried for her. And then at one point when Linda is in danger her dad is all well that's fine then. Seriously.
I did love the writing in this one. Christie sets the stage so to speak with the beginning of the location and the tragedies that befell those who lived there. The remote island and murder made me think about "And Then There Were None."
I always love reading these books to see how it was that back in the day many people just seemed to constantly be on vacations at resorts.
The flow was really good in this one. The story moves along at a quick pace and I didn't find myself getting bored at all. I loved it in the end how Poirot put things together. That said, the why behind the murder didn't work for me at all. It sounded flimsy as anything.
The ending set me off the most though. Guilty party(ies) are called out and the romance between two characters seems set.
Spoiler discussion about that ending:
I will say that "Evil Under the Sun" has some great quotes throughout, and the atmospheric setting is well done by Christie (she loves her island murder mysteries), but the why behind the murder of a character equaled me feeling baffled and I hate what Christie did to a strong female character. I actually kept trying to push forward on my Kindle hoping that was not the way that Christie ended the book, sadly it was.
"Evil Under the Sun" is the 24th Hercule Poirot book. We find our egg-shaped detective on vacation at the Jolly Roger in Devon. He and other vacationers are watching a tragic story play out between two couples (the Marshalls and the Redferns). Arlena Marshall is the type of woman that men just can't help being drawn to. When Patrick Redfern runs into her at the Jolly Roger, many people are just waiting for when the twosome finally get caught inflagrante delicto somewhere. The long suffering spouses (Kenneth and Christine) are just sitting around putting up with and in turns lashing out at others who are all wondering "so you just going to sit and watch? Or?"
When Arlena Marshall is found strangled to death on a secluded cove, many wonder if her passive husband finally snapped.
The characters in this one are very memorable. We have Rosamund Darnley, a successful business woman, Kenneth's young daughter, Linda, a couple that cracked me up due to the husband going yes darling through most of the book (the Gardeners), a reverend that creeped me out, a retired officer, another man named Horace Blatt, a spinster (eyeroll) named Emily Brewster, and of course the police who come on to the scene that Poirot investigates with.
I really enjoyed Rosamund until Christie ruined her in the end. I was so annoyed the way this character ended up and why she was so devoted to Kenneth made no sense to me. She hadn't seen the man in decades it seemed and she seemed to be focused solely on her dislike for his wife.
The Gardeners were welcome comic relief. I thought they were funny and I loved that the husband was devoted to her and didn't seem to mind her carrying on about things.
Linda I felt sorry for through this whole book. Her father was pretty awful and when Rosamund frightens her at one point to be quiet and stop thinking about Arlena being murdered I was worried for her. And then at one point when Linda is in danger her dad is all well that's fine then. Seriously.
I did love the writing in this one. Christie sets the stage so to speak with the beginning of the location and the tragedies that befell those who lived there. The remote island and murder made me think about "And Then There Were None."
I always love reading these books to see how it was that back in the day many people just seemed to constantly be on vacations at resorts.
The flow was really good in this one. The story moves along at a quick pace and I didn't find myself getting bored at all. I loved it in the end how Poirot put things together. That said, the why behind the murder didn't work for me at all. It sounded flimsy as anything.
The ending set me off the most though. Guilty party(ies) are called out and the romance between two characters seems set.
Spoiler discussion about that ending:
July 8, 2020
Lazy summer days are here. One of my favorite parts of summer is lounging with a thriller or mystery and spending an entire day reading to see whodunit. As I wait rather impatiently for my library to process new books by my favorite contemporary mystery and detective writers, I went to my old fall back- Dame Agatha Christie. Even as I read more and more of her mysteries and am beginning to sense a formula, there is no mystery writer who holds my attention more than the Queen of Crime. Imagining David Suchet as Poirot on television, I return once again to a case featuring the Belgian, mustachioed detective.
Even Hercule Poirot needs a vacation. It is the height of summer and he finds himself at the Jolly Roger Hotel on Smuggler’s Island. The hotel is a cross between a resort with amenities and a bed and breakfast, and the guests soon fall into a relaxed routine of bathing, boating, tennis, and all the other activities one would find on at a luxurious hotel. The Jolly Roger has developed quite the reputation as guests from various stations of life find themselves there on a holiday. Poirot is the most recognizable, and initially other guests ask him if he is there to work but alas he like the others is just there on a vacation. He cautions, however, that there is always evil under the sun, and one should look no further than the myriads of beach bathers- one body could easily be swapped for another; it is row upon row of happy sun tanners and swimmers. With his premonition of evil, Poirot foreshadows that something will happen, it is just a matter of when.
Just as Poirot forecasted, Arlena Stuart is found murdered. A harlot, Stuart is a magnet for men and has had the reputation of breaking up marriages. In the heat of summer, Poirot sensed that Stuart was about to work her evil ways again. Although married to Kenneth Marshall, Stuart had her eyes on Patrick Redfern, a newly married man who was enjoying a holiday with his wife Christine. Both Mrs Redfern and Captain Marshall grew aggravated and frustrated with Arlena’s actions, but Arlena, while dim witted and not pleasant for women to be around, moved quickly from one man to another. Patrick Redfern was her catch of the moment, creating a tension on the island resort that was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. When Stuart is found strangled on the beach, all motives point to a frustrated Kenneth Marshall or perhaps to Christine Redfern or perhaps another of Stuart’s disappointed male conquests. It is up to Poirot to get to the root of the evil afoot.
In many other of Christie’s cases, Poirot is asked to assist local authorities in solving the case. Here, he just so happened to be vacationing at the scene of the crime and knew the hotel guests, so the police on the case were all too happy to let Poirot take the lead. As has been the case in all the other Poirot cases I have read, his ability to use his little grey cells has him a step ahead of other detectives. Here, his heavy sleuthing is not necessary. The case is straight forward- Poirot questions the hotel guests about their alibis and surmises that only one person could possibly be guilty, until that person has an ironclad alibi. Poirot as times is found lost in thought and does get creative in his methodology, fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the case. He wins the approval of American guests Mr and Mrs Gardener, who I found charming, saving the day once again, allowing guests to enjoy the rest of their holiday.
I am sure I will read more mysteries before the summer is through. They are quick whodunnits and a fun escape from the rigors of the grind of life. Even though Poirot is my favorite detective character, I am starting to catch on to Christie’s formula, and might need a break from the Belgian sleuth next time around. Thankfully, Christie has also given the world Miss Marple, and there are still plenty of cases of both detectives that I have not read yet. Until next time, case solved.
3.5 stars
Even Hercule Poirot needs a vacation. It is the height of summer and he finds himself at the Jolly Roger Hotel on Smuggler’s Island. The hotel is a cross between a resort with amenities and a bed and breakfast, and the guests soon fall into a relaxed routine of bathing, boating, tennis, and all the other activities one would find on at a luxurious hotel. The Jolly Roger has developed quite the reputation as guests from various stations of life find themselves there on a holiday. Poirot is the most recognizable, and initially other guests ask him if he is there to work but alas he like the others is just there on a vacation. He cautions, however, that there is always evil under the sun, and one should look no further than the myriads of beach bathers- one body could easily be swapped for another; it is row upon row of happy sun tanners and swimmers. With his premonition of evil, Poirot foreshadows that something will happen, it is just a matter of when.
Just as Poirot forecasted, Arlena Stuart is found murdered. A harlot, Stuart is a magnet for men and has had the reputation of breaking up marriages. In the heat of summer, Poirot sensed that Stuart was about to work her evil ways again. Although married to Kenneth Marshall, Stuart had her eyes on Patrick Redfern, a newly married man who was enjoying a holiday with his wife Christine. Both Mrs Redfern and Captain Marshall grew aggravated and frustrated with Arlena’s actions, but Arlena, while dim witted and not pleasant for women to be around, moved quickly from one man to another. Patrick Redfern was her catch of the moment, creating a tension on the island resort that was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. When Stuart is found strangled on the beach, all motives point to a frustrated Kenneth Marshall or perhaps to Christine Redfern or perhaps another of Stuart’s disappointed male conquests. It is up to Poirot to get to the root of the evil afoot.
In many other of Christie’s cases, Poirot is asked to assist local authorities in solving the case. Here, he just so happened to be vacationing at the scene of the crime and knew the hotel guests, so the police on the case were all too happy to let Poirot take the lead. As has been the case in all the other Poirot cases I have read, his ability to use his little grey cells has him a step ahead of other detectives. Here, his heavy sleuthing is not necessary. The case is straight forward- Poirot questions the hotel guests about their alibis and surmises that only one person could possibly be guilty, until that person has an ironclad alibi. Poirot as times is found lost in thought and does get creative in his methodology, fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the case. He wins the approval of American guests Mr and Mrs Gardener, who I found charming, saving the day once again, allowing guests to enjoy the rest of their holiday.
I am sure I will read more mysteries before the summer is through. They are quick whodunnits and a fun escape from the rigors of the grind of life. Even though Poirot is my favorite detective character, I am starting to catch on to Christie’s formula, and might need a break from the Belgian sleuth next time around. Thankfully, Christie has also given the world Miss Marple, and there are still plenty of cases of both detectives that I have not read yet. Until next time, case solved.
3.5 stars
October 24, 2018
The title says it all ..... one of my favourite by AC ....
January 7, 2019
What better way to spend a holiday afternoon than reading an novel. Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot - it does not matter.
is Poirot and the little man is on holiday too. His holidays are always more like work though as he always seems to discover murdered bodies wherever he goes. This one is a beautiful woman on a beach and there are plentiful suspects among the hotel guests.
Christie throws in red herrings aplenty and I completely swallowed one of them and came nowhere near guessing the murderer as a result. Maybe my brain was on holiday too. Who cares! It was a light, entertaining and totally enjoyable read.
is Poirot and the little man is on holiday too. His holidays are always more like work though as he always seems to discover murdered bodies wherever he goes. This one is a beautiful woman on a beach and there are plentiful suspects among the hotel guests.
Christie throws in red herrings aplenty and I completely swallowed one of them and came nowhere near guessing the murderer as a result. Maybe my brain was on holiday too. Who cares! It was a light, entertaining and totally enjoyable read.
December 11, 2023
Even on vacation it Hercule Poirot can't avoid being to put work. In Evil Under the Sun Hercule is staying at the Jolly Roger hotel while vacationing on the southern coast of England. Not long after his arrival, a beautiful female guest is found dead on the beach - making everyone staying at the hotel is a potential suspect...
The secluded beach destination makes for a perfect locked room environment as it allows Poirot ample opportunity to do his sleuthing and interviewing in a leisurely fashion.
The storyline takes place in the 194os and it is fascinating listening to the thinking and attitudes of the times. What I love about Poirot is he doesn't allow himself to get caught up in the gossip and jealousies being espoused - easily weeding through and dispersing of the trivialities.
It was amazing listening to Poirot explain how he figured out who was responsible for the murder. He makes it seem so obvious as he methodically explains step-by-step all the minute details he stored away and how they all weave together to his proof positive conclusion. What a mind.
Narrator David Suchet does a wonderful job as the solo voice for this very eclectic group of characters.
The secluded beach destination makes for a perfect locked room environment as it allows Poirot ample opportunity to do his sleuthing and interviewing in a leisurely fashion.
The storyline takes place in the 194os and it is fascinating listening to the thinking and attitudes of the times. What I love about Poirot is he doesn't allow himself to get caught up in the gossip and jealousies being espoused - easily weeding through and dispersing of the trivialities.
It was amazing listening to Poirot explain how he figured out who was responsible for the murder. He makes it seem so obvious as he methodically explains step-by-step all the minute details he stored away and how they all weave together to his proof positive conclusion. What a mind.
Narrator David Suchet does a wonderful job as the solo voice for this very eclectic group of characters.
June 16, 2018
4.25 stars. I was just recommending this book to a friend in another Agatha Christie thread and noticed that I had only rated this 3 stars. What the heck, self? I’m not really a big Poirot fan, but this was an excellent murder mystery with a particularly intricate and twisty resolution.
The setting is an expensive, exclusive vacation resort in Devon, on the coast of southern England. Besides Hercule Poirot, there are only about a dozen guests at the hotel. The victim: one of the hotel guests, a flirtatious newlywed woman who is found dead on an isolated beach in a cove, strangled to death. Whodunnit?
There’s a pretty good 1982 movie version of this book starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot.
The setting is an expensive, exclusive vacation resort in Devon, on the coast of southern England. Besides Hercule Poirot, there are only about a dozen guests at the hotel. The victim: one of the hotel guests, a flirtatious newlywed woman who is found dead on an isolated beach in a cove, strangled to death. Whodunnit?
There’s a pretty good 1982 movie version of this book starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot.
December 9, 2010
Choose Your Own Adventure!
You are at a posh seaside resort and you are in love with a hot-bodied bitch, and even worse, she is not your wife. You are surrounded by the idle rich and the grasping poor. Matters do not improve once an insufferable little Frenchman, or some such European, insists on butting into your affairs. You already have to deal with your clingy wife, the gorgeous woman you are obsessed with, rumors of murder, the hot hot sun and the illusions that can arise in that heat... and now you have to make conversation with a berserk foreigner and his moustache. What’s an ambitious young stud to do?
If you decide to leave this sordid affair behind you, grow up, marry and settle down, choose
If you decide to give the seaside a rest and try an exotic journey across land as your next fabulous vacation idea, choose
You are at a posh seaside resort and you are in love with a hot-bodied bitch, and even worse, she is not your wife. You are surrounded by the idle rich and the grasping poor. Matters do not improve once an insufferable little Frenchman, or some such European, insists on butting into your affairs. You already have to deal with your clingy wife, the gorgeous woman you are obsessed with, rumors of murder, the hot hot sun and the illusions that can arise in that heat... and now you have to make conversation with a berserk foreigner and his moustache. What’s an ambitious young stud to do?
If you decide to leave this sordid affair behind you, grow up, marry and settle down, choose
If you decide to give the seaside a rest and try an exotic journey across land as your next fabulous vacation idea, choose
November 22, 2020
“Nowadays, no one believes in evil. It is considered, at most, a mere negation of good. Evil, people say, is done by those who know no better - who are undeveloped - who are to be pitied rather than blamed. But, M. Poirot, evil is real! It is a fact! I believe in Evil as I believe in Good. It exists! It is powerful! It walks the earth!' He stopped. His breath was coming fast. He wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and looked suddenly apologetic. I'm sorry. I got carried away”--Rev. Lane
Poirot #23 take place at the Jolly Roger resort. The startling man-magnet of the summer is former actress Arlena Stuart who, soon after things get under way, is found lying face down on the beach. And everyone has had a reason to kill her. Women hate her, especially the wives of men who follow Arlena, drooling. Men like Patrick Redfern, married to poor Christine who has to stand by humiliated while her husband spends all of his time sneaking around with Arlena.
So Arlena’s husband has a good reason to kill her, too. Is this a case of turning the tables on a femme fatale? Arlena’s step daughter is studying witchcraft. There’s been others strangled in the area in the past few years. Is it in fact evil that exists under the sun? Fortunately Hercule Poirot is also vacationing at the Jolly Roger, eh wot? What a coincidence! But no joke, there’s a satisfying resolution to this mystery, well done.
The quotation I opened with has Rev. Lane focusing on evil, but then there is, not surprisingly, given the title, a lot of musing about evil, even from Poirot. I hadn't seen it very often in Christie. I thought it might have to do with the word coming in fashion around the world because of Hitler (the book was published in 1941). But Christie avoids direct references to politics in her writing, usually. She's writing entertainments. But her commentary on evil is actually a feminist point, which I will only hint at because it is a little spoilerish. She (through Poirot) wants to make a commentary about what people assume about very beautiful people such as Arlena being "bad" (or even evil) because they look or dress in a certain way. I liked that part of the resolution a lot, actually.
This is a slightly higher rated Poirot than others on 欧宝娱乐, I see, and I agree with that assessment. I liked this one quite a bit!
Poirot #23 take place at the Jolly Roger resort. The startling man-magnet of the summer is former actress Arlena Stuart who, soon after things get under way, is found lying face down on the beach. And everyone has had a reason to kill her. Women hate her, especially the wives of men who follow Arlena, drooling. Men like Patrick Redfern, married to poor Christine who has to stand by humiliated while her husband spends all of his time sneaking around with Arlena.
So Arlena’s husband has a good reason to kill her, too. Is this a case of turning the tables on a femme fatale? Arlena’s step daughter is studying witchcraft. There’s been others strangled in the area in the past few years. Is it in fact evil that exists under the sun? Fortunately Hercule Poirot is also vacationing at the Jolly Roger, eh wot? What a coincidence! But no joke, there’s a satisfying resolution to this mystery, well done.
The quotation I opened with has Rev. Lane focusing on evil, but then there is, not surprisingly, given the title, a lot of musing about evil, even from Poirot. I hadn't seen it very often in Christie. I thought it might have to do with the word coming in fashion around the world because of Hitler (the book was published in 1941). But Christie avoids direct references to politics in her writing, usually. She's writing entertainments. But her commentary on evil is actually a feminist point, which I will only hint at because it is a little spoilerish. She (through Poirot) wants to make a commentary about what people assume about very beautiful people such as Arlena being "bad" (or even evil) because they look or dress in a certain way. I liked that part of the resolution a lot, actually.
This is a slightly higher rated Poirot than others on 欧宝娱乐, I see, and I agree with that assessment. I liked this one quite a bit!
July 7, 2018
"-Dar, domnule Poirot, r?ul este o realitate! Este un fapt! Eu cred ?n R?u a?a cum cred ?n Bine. El exist?! Este puternic! Umbl? pe p?m?nt!"
"-Durerea pentru o persoan? la care ?ii este diferit? - nu se poate trece peste a?a ceva. Dar po?i trece peste ?oc ?i oroare pur ?i simplu nel?s?ndu-?i mintea s? fie acaparat? tot timpul de acest subiect."
"-Durerea pentru o persoan? la care ?ii este diferit? - nu se poate trece peste a?a ceva. Dar po?i trece peste ?oc ?i oroare pur ?i simplu nel?s?ndu-?i mintea s? fie acaparat? tot timpul de acest subiect."
August 14, 2024
Would you read a mystery novel which you had read before? Often the answer is no, and particularly if it is a murder mystery. What is the point, one might quite reasonably think, if you already know “whoddunit”.
Yet some of the classic murder mysteries are read over and over again. Perhaps it is a strange sort of comfort reading, knowing what will happen in advance. Evil Under the Sun is one such. I’m not sure how many times I have read it, and seen and listened to various dramatisations. This time I listened to a reading of the text, by arguably the best ever Poirot, David Suchet. I enjoyed trying to pick up the clues, and occasionally noticing a red herring, alongside our favourite Belgian detective.
Incidentally, David Suchet was excellent! As it was a DAISY disc it had no visual cover, so I did not know who the narrator was until nearing the end, I thought to look it up. This shows how convincing he was at all the different voices, and also at having a neutral, non-distracting narrative tone. It was recorded in 1986 and is 6 hours and 23 minutes of great entertainment.
Evil Under the Sun is a popular one to dramatise, although directors sometimes take a liberty with the location and make it more exotic than it actually is. Agatha Christie set her novel in a hotel on Burgh Island, just off the coast of Devon. Perhaps there is a bit of wish fulfillment here ...
The year was 1941, and Agatha Christie was working for three half days and Saturday mornings in the dispensary at University College London Hospital. While World War II was raging through Europe, Agatha Christie was helping the war effort as best she could - and also publishing at least one novel a year, often two. The Blitz was on, and she had to write in the evenings in the blackout, aware all the time that the bombing could come nearer. During her afternoons she would also fill in for any missing members of staff who had been affected, or whose loved ones had been affected by the bombing. No wonder she fantasised a little about a holiday in her home county, in a grand hotel where she had been happy.
So Agatha Christie sends Hercule on holiday too, for a quiet holiday at a secluded hotel; a welcome escape from the Blitz. Of course, it will not stay quiet for long, and with the mix of guests being how they are, the sparks soon begin to fly, and Poirot thinks that murder is inevitable.
The setting is perfect for a variation on the “locked room” mystery, in that Burgh island is inaccessible from the mainland when the tide is in. It does have extensive grounds, but none of the select company venture out from there. The island is - as it still is - virtually cut off from the outside world. Its seclusion is seen as part of its attractive exclusivity.
We suspect very early on that we know who will be murdered. Hercule Poirot detects sexual tension in the seaside air, and is sure there will be a crime of passion. On this luxury retreat, everyone could be a suspect. Altogether there are perhaps a dozen players; perhaps not a great number by Agatha Christie standards, but each and every one has a motive for killing the designated victim. Each of them is a great cameo role. There is an American couple, with a fussy wife and long-suffering husband (affectionately drawn, so as not to alienate her American readership.) There is a priggish and overly pious Reverend, and a hearty, athletic spinster. There is a glamorous film star whom nobody likes much, but who nevertheless flirts with all the men, to their evident pleasure. There is her writer husband, her quiet step-daughter, and a former lover of her husband. There is a bluff retired army officer, and an ex-teacher.
As they follow various holiday pursuits, chatting, and engaging in banter and more serious arguments, we get a good impression of their characters. Despite the circumstances the novel was written in, this is a light and amusing read, with a baffling explanation. In case you are wondering whether you have read it, I will just say that a bronzed body is found on one of the secluded beaches, but nobody seems to have been able to sail around the cove at the right time to commit the crime.
Not everything is as it seems … but is it ever, in an Agatha Christie story? The novel follows the same themes as her earlier short story, “Triangle at Rhodes” (1936), where Poirot fills the role of .
When it was first published in June 1941 ‘The Guardian’ wrote:
“Is it going too far to call Mrs Agatha Christie one of the most remarkable writers of the day?”
The ‘Daily Telegraph’ enthused that its author:
“had never written anything better than Evil Under the Sun, which is detective story writing at its best.”
‘The New York Times’ was more cautious:
“The murder is an elaborately planned affair – a little too much so for credibility, in view of the many possibilities of a slip-up somewhere along the way – but Poirot’s reasoning is flawless, as it always is”
and ‘The Scotsman’ wrote:
“All of these [surprising discoveries in the book’s solution] the reader may best be left to encounter for himself in the assurance that the quest will prove as piquant as any this skilful writer has offered.”
These original reviews were perhaps not as eulogistic as they sometimes were, but it has been perennially popular. Not surprising, as we have a heady mix of swindling, concealed past crimes, drugs, religious mania, black magic and of course the all important ingredient, lust. It’s quite a cocktail. Look out for the red herrings, and try to work out what will be significant about a clock, a wristwatch and an empty bottle.
This popular novel has been adapted multiple times. My personal favourite is the TV adaptation from 2001, starring David Suchet, although this made perhaps the most alterations to the story. To fit in with the series, it included Inspector Japp, Colonel Hastings, and Miss Lemon, none of whom appear in the original novel. It was filmed on location at Bigbury Beach in Devon.
An earlier feature film was made in 1981, which was the second one to star Peter Ustinov as Poirot. Again, changes were made to the plot and additionally the setting was moved from Devon to the Adriatic.
In 1999 there was a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the story, with John Moffat as Poirot: a role he reprised for other adaptations. There is even a graphic novel of the story published in 2013. I’ve enjoyed all of these more than once, except the latter, which I have yet to track down. It’s a fun read, so when you need a gentle pick-me-up to tax those little grey cells, why not give Dame Agatha’s 24th novel starring Hercule Poirot a try?
A final few words from 1941? How about ‘The Observer’’s disjointedly enthusiastic review:
“Best Agatha Christie since ‘Ten Little [Indians]’ – and one can’t say much more than that – ‘Evil Under the Sun’ has luxury summer hotel, closed-circle setting, Poirot in white trousers. Victim: . Smashing solution, after clouds of dust thrown in your eyes, ought to catch you right out. Light as a soufflé.”
Yet some of the classic murder mysteries are read over and over again. Perhaps it is a strange sort of comfort reading, knowing what will happen in advance. Evil Under the Sun is one such. I’m not sure how many times I have read it, and seen and listened to various dramatisations. This time I listened to a reading of the text, by arguably the best ever Poirot, David Suchet. I enjoyed trying to pick up the clues, and occasionally noticing a red herring, alongside our favourite Belgian detective.
Incidentally, David Suchet was excellent! As it was a DAISY disc it had no visual cover, so I did not know who the narrator was until nearing the end, I thought to look it up. This shows how convincing he was at all the different voices, and also at having a neutral, non-distracting narrative tone. It was recorded in 1986 and is 6 hours and 23 minutes of great entertainment.
Evil Under the Sun is a popular one to dramatise, although directors sometimes take a liberty with the location and make it more exotic than it actually is. Agatha Christie set her novel in a hotel on Burgh Island, just off the coast of Devon. Perhaps there is a bit of wish fulfillment here ...
The year was 1941, and Agatha Christie was working for three half days and Saturday mornings in the dispensary at University College London Hospital. While World War II was raging through Europe, Agatha Christie was helping the war effort as best she could - and also publishing at least one novel a year, often two. The Blitz was on, and she had to write in the evenings in the blackout, aware all the time that the bombing could come nearer. During her afternoons she would also fill in for any missing members of staff who had been affected, or whose loved ones had been affected by the bombing. No wonder she fantasised a little about a holiday in her home county, in a grand hotel where she had been happy.
So Agatha Christie sends Hercule on holiday too, for a quiet holiday at a secluded hotel; a welcome escape from the Blitz. Of course, it will not stay quiet for long, and with the mix of guests being how they are, the sparks soon begin to fly, and Poirot thinks that murder is inevitable.
The setting is perfect for a variation on the “locked room” mystery, in that Burgh island is inaccessible from the mainland when the tide is in. It does have extensive grounds, but none of the select company venture out from there. The island is - as it still is - virtually cut off from the outside world. Its seclusion is seen as part of its attractive exclusivity.
We suspect very early on that we know who will be murdered. Hercule Poirot detects sexual tension in the seaside air, and is sure there will be a crime of passion. On this luxury retreat, everyone could be a suspect. Altogether there are perhaps a dozen players; perhaps not a great number by Agatha Christie standards, but each and every one has a motive for killing the designated victim. Each of them is a great cameo role. There is an American couple, with a fussy wife and long-suffering husband (affectionately drawn, so as not to alienate her American readership.) There is a priggish and overly pious Reverend, and a hearty, athletic spinster. There is a glamorous film star whom nobody likes much, but who nevertheless flirts with all the men, to their evident pleasure. There is her writer husband, her quiet step-daughter, and a former lover of her husband. There is a bluff retired army officer, and an ex-teacher.
As they follow various holiday pursuits, chatting, and engaging in banter and more serious arguments, we get a good impression of their characters. Despite the circumstances the novel was written in, this is a light and amusing read, with a baffling explanation. In case you are wondering whether you have read it, I will just say that a bronzed body is found on one of the secluded beaches, but nobody seems to have been able to sail around the cove at the right time to commit the crime.
Not everything is as it seems … but is it ever, in an Agatha Christie story? The novel follows the same themes as her earlier short story, “Triangle at Rhodes” (1936), where Poirot fills the role of .
When it was first published in June 1941 ‘The Guardian’ wrote:
“Is it going too far to call Mrs Agatha Christie one of the most remarkable writers of the day?”
The ‘Daily Telegraph’ enthused that its author:
“had never written anything better than Evil Under the Sun, which is detective story writing at its best.”
‘The New York Times’ was more cautious:
“The murder is an elaborately planned affair – a little too much so for credibility, in view of the many possibilities of a slip-up somewhere along the way – but Poirot’s reasoning is flawless, as it always is”
and ‘The Scotsman’ wrote:
“All of these [surprising discoveries in the book’s solution] the reader may best be left to encounter for himself in the assurance that the quest will prove as piquant as any this skilful writer has offered.”
These original reviews were perhaps not as eulogistic as they sometimes were, but it has been perennially popular. Not surprising, as we have a heady mix of swindling, concealed past crimes, drugs, religious mania, black magic and of course the all important ingredient, lust. It’s quite a cocktail. Look out for the red herrings, and try to work out what will be significant about a clock, a wristwatch and an empty bottle.
This popular novel has been adapted multiple times. My personal favourite is the TV adaptation from 2001, starring David Suchet, although this made perhaps the most alterations to the story. To fit in with the series, it included Inspector Japp, Colonel Hastings, and Miss Lemon, none of whom appear in the original novel. It was filmed on location at Bigbury Beach in Devon.
An earlier feature film was made in 1981, which was the second one to star Peter Ustinov as Poirot. Again, changes were made to the plot and additionally the setting was moved from Devon to the Adriatic.
In 1999 there was a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the story, with John Moffat as Poirot: a role he reprised for other adaptations. There is even a graphic novel of the story published in 2013. I’ve enjoyed all of these more than once, except the latter, which I have yet to track down. It’s a fun read, so when you need a gentle pick-me-up to tax those little grey cells, why not give Dame Agatha’s 24th novel starring Hercule Poirot a try?
A final few words from 1941? How about ‘The Observer’’s disjointedly enthusiastic review:
“Best Agatha Christie since ‘Ten Little [Indians]’ – and one can’t say much more than that – ‘Evil Under the Sun’ has luxury summer hotel, closed-circle setting, Poirot in white trousers. Victim: . Smashing solution, after clouds of dust thrown in your eyes, ought to catch you right out. Light as a soufflé.”
December 2, 2021
"Poirot said gravely: "Will you allow me to tell you something, Madame? Something that is as true as the stars above us? The Arlena Stuarts-or the Arlena Marshalls-of this world-do not count?"
Christine Redfern said: "Nonsense."
"I assure you, it is true. Their Empire is of the moment and for the moment. To count-really and trule count-a woman must have goodness or brains."
Christine said scornfully: "Do you thing men care for goodness or brains?"
Poirot said gravely: "Fundamentally, yes." (Forgot to add page # here!)
Such a great mystery with a great title.
A serial killer in the making. A killer for pleasure as well as for profit.... yet I never guessed. One of my new favorite Christie's
Christine Redfern said: "Nonsense."
"I assure you, it is true. Their Empire is of the moment and for the moment. To count-really and trule count-a woman must have goodness or brains."
Christine said scornfully: "Do you thing men care for goodness or brains?"
Poirot said gravely: "Fundamentally, yes." (Forgot to add page # here!)
Such a great mystery with a great title.
A serial killer in the making. A killer for pleasure as well as for profit.... yet I never guessed. One of my new favorite Christie's
February 6, 2020
Another good score from my garage sale box of books - an Agatha Christie I hadn't previously read.
Our fussy and fastidious Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, and his friend Captain Hastings, find themselves on an island spa at Poirot's doctor's insistence. Instead of exercising his 'medically obese ' body, Poirot finds himself exercising his 'little grey cells' when he fails to prevent the murder of a wealthy and beautiful woman, a murder he could see coming.
Classic Christie.
Our fussy and fastidious Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, and his friend Captain Hastings, find themselves on an island spa at Poirot's doctor's insistence. Instead of exercising his 'medically obese ' body, Poirot finds himself exercising his 'little grey cells' when he fails to prevent the murder of a wealthy and beautiful woman, a murder he could see coming.
Classic Christie.
January 8, 2022
Agatha Christie Book Reading Challenge
BOOK 12 :- NOV 2019
4 STARS
BOOK 12 :- NOV 2019
4 STARS
July 11, 2023
Ah… dear old Agatha Christie! How quietly petrifying you are!
This book started out simply enough, and I thought I would finally be able to get through one of her books without being hyper-aware of my surroundings and scared to close my eyes. For over half of it, I was doing fine, then she really went all out with the serial crimes XD.
And no, I did not manage to guess the murderer this time, either. Very, very clever. But it’s bound to happen for me some day!
I must admit that, as much as I love A. Christie, her descriptions of women in her books make me slightly unhappy. I understand that things were different in the early to mid 1900s, but still. It bugged me a little.
This book started out simply enough, and I thought I would finally be able to get through one of her books without being hyper-aware of my surroundings and scared to close my eyes. For over half of it, I was doing fine, then she really went all out with the serial crimes XD.
And no, I did not manage to guess the murderer this time, either. Very, very clever. But it’s bound to happen for me some day!
I must admit that, as much as I love A. Christie, her descriptions of women in her books make me slightly unhappy. I understand that things were different in the early to mid 1900s, but still. It bugged me a little.
September 16, 2016
"One arranges very methodically the pieces of the puzzle -one sorts the colours- and then perhaps a piece of one colour that should fit in with -say, the fur rug, fits in instead in a black cat's tail."
Yes! This is my Poirot, the one and only. I am so happy could cry.
Certainly the best crime novel I've read in a long while. Genius, this is simple genius. I adored the solution to pieces- utterly brilliant. Something -I can't put my finger on what exactly- in the carrying out of the investigation was not 100% to my liking, but whatever it is, it's really minor. This crime deserves all the stars.
Yes! This is my Poirot, the one and only. I am so happy could cry.
Certainly the best crime novel I've read in a long while. Genius, this is simple genius. I adored the solution to pieces- utterly brilliant. Something -I can't put my finger on what exactly- in the carrying out of the investigation was not 100% to my liking, but whatever it is, it's really minor. This crime deserves all the stars.
March 22, 2019
If truth be told, I cannot lie to you. This surprisingly dull offering had too many things going against it. For once I didn't appreciate the translation.
Maybe the original had a lot of expressions, because the French version had an overabundance of them. Most of the buildup to the finale was lackluster.
I have given Agatha Christie books 5 stars, but also 2 stars as well. There hasn't been one author who has captivated my respect so completely that I'd always rate them high scores. Except for maybe C.S. Lewis, but then I haven't touched his non fiction books.
Maybe the original had a lot of expressions, because the French version had an overabundance of them. Most of the buildup to the finale was lackluster.
I have given Agatha Christie books 5 stars, but also 2 stars as well. There hasn't been one author who has captivated my respect so completely that I'd always rate them high scores. Except for maybe C.S. Lewis, but then I haven't touched his non fiction books.
April 5, 2017
This was the second Agatha Christie mystery I read, immediately after . A beautiful femme fatale murdered on the beach at a resort. It simply blew me away.
Of course, many of the common shortcomings of Christie I have noticed later (as I grew older and became more critical) are present in this novel: the excessive reliance on coincidence, too many red herrings, the author's need to pair off couples - but so are her strengths; deft characterisation, sparkling dialogue, breakneck pace and most importantly, the literary sleight of hand which is the equivalent of the magician drawing the rabbit out of the hat ("the hand is quicker than the eye"). Dame Agatha gives us a clue at the very beginning (no, you won't be able to detect it, even after I say this) which seems so obvious once the mystery is revealed. And once Poirot explains everything, we see things from a different angle - and all loose ends are neatly tied up.
And this must be one of the most appropriate titles for a mystery.
Of course, many of the common shortcomings of Christie I have noticed later (as I grew older and became more critical) are present in this novel: the excessive reliance on coincidence, too many red herrings, the author's need to pair off couples - but so are her strengths; deft characterisation, sparkling dialogue, breakneck pace and most importantly, the literary sleight of hand which is the equivalent of the magician drawing the rabbit out of the hat ("the hand is quicker than the eye"). Dame Agatha gives us a clue at the very beginning (no, you won't be able to detect it, even after I say this) which seems so obvious once the mystery is revealed. And once Poirot explains everything, we see things from a different angle - and all loose ends are neatly tied up.
And this must be one of the most appropriate titles for a mystery.
December 8, 2024
3.5/5
Mam faz? na autork? - tego si? tak dobrze s?ucha
Mam faz? na autork? - tego si? tak dobrze s?ucha
May 11, 2025
Poirot enjoys his vacation in a hotel on an island somewhere along the English coast. Among the other guests, one stands out the most: Arlena Marshall. She is a beautiful actress who is on vacation with her husband and stepdaughter. She is immediately presented to Poirot as an evil person. Arlena for example openly flirts with a married man right in front of the man’s wife. Not long after, Arlena’s body is found on a secluded beach.
It’s a bit of a shame to say this, but this story kind of starts off a bit on the wrong foot. Poirot talks to an older lady who clearly doesn’t like the younger generation of women, and then Poirot basically gets fat-shamed. I don’t think the author meant anything offensive by this. The first part is a representation of the older generation thinking that things were better when they were young, and things have simply changed since then. Still, this feels a bit unfortunate.
I can’t help but notice that this book provides a little window into Agatha Christie’s soul and reveals some emotional scars. Especially the things said here about marriage and how people nowadays give up on their marriage too fast, come across as Agatha herself perhaps sharing how she feels about the end of her first marriage.
I love the island setting. Any remote setting is perfect for a murder mystery because it limits the suspects and essentially traps them in that location for a bit. But islands in particular have something more atmospheric and mysterious to them that just speaks to the imagination. Smugglers' Island getting some back story in the beginning of the book only elevates it more.
It’s a clever murder mystery where love and hatred swim together towards the island to install themselves in the hearts of the hotel guests and bask in Poirot’s glory.
It’s a bit of a shame to say this, but this story kind of starts off a bit on the wrong foot. Poirot talks to an older lady who clearly doesn’t like the younger generation of women, and then Poirot basically gets fat-shamed. I don’t think the author meant anything offensive by this. The first part is a representation of the older generation thinking that things were better when they were young, and things have simply changed since then. Still, this feels a bit unfortunate.
I can’t help but notice that this book provides a little window into Agatha Christie’s soul and reveals some emotional scars. Especially the things said here about marriage and how people nowadays give up on their marriage too fast, come across as Agatha herself perhaps sharing how she feels about the end of her first marriage.
I love the island setting. Any remote setting is perfect for a murder mystery because it limits the suspects and essentially traps them in that location for a bit. But islands in particular have something more atmospheric and mysterious to them that just speaks to the imagination. Smugglers' Island getting some back story in the beginning of the book only elevates it more.
It’s a clever murder mystery where love and hatred swim together towards the island to install themselves in the hearts of the hotel guests and bask in Poirot’s glory.
February 24, 2024
Not my favourite Christie-mystery, but it is entertaining with a nicely twisted plot!
Ahh, the never-ending allures of love triangles . :)
Ahh, the never-ending allures of love triangles . :)
May 25, 2023
Hercule Poirot's 24th adventure is an enjoyable & relaxing affair, even though a woman is strangled to death on a deserted beach.
The story is set around the real life location of Burgh Island in Devon, which works as an excellent setting. I enjoyed this book even more than I did last time, probably due to visiting the island itself. Although the solution to the crime felt a little more contrived than usual the journey to it was as enjoyable as ever.
Of course the greatest mystery is why, at the start of the book, was Arlena Stuart wearing a simple backless bathing dress & a fantastic Chinese hat of jade green cardboard ?! I suppose in the 1940s that was what they called fashion.
The story is set around the real life location of Burgh Island in Devon, which works as an excellent setting. I enjoyed this book even more than I did last time, probably due to visiting the island itself. Although the solution to the crime felt a little more contrived than usual the journey to it was as enjoyable as ever.
Of course the greatest mystery is why, at the start of the book, was Arlena Stuart wearing a simple backless bathing dress & a fantastic Chinese hat of jade green cardboard ?! I suppose in the 1940s that was what they called fashion.
July 23, 2017
All Agatha Christie readers by now know that Hercule Poirot can't go on vacation without a murder popping up. This time the detective has retreated to a mini island thing (sort-of) with history, and he finds himself trying to solve the crime of a woman who uses her charms to lure in men. Or does she?
I like how he twisted a misconception of woman who lure and trick men into something else at the end. Never guessed the guilty culprit, which is a pleasant surprise for a mystery. The author tends to follow the formula of having the least suspected, but really all of them was least expected except for the husband. There was a mislead here and there to keep it interesting.
Despite the cove and vacation spot being cut off from the inland a bit, it lacks a truly secluded and cut-off feel that you had with And Then There Were None or Murder in the Orient Express types. Cops and help came in easily to the vacation spot, after all, and for awhile the detectives assume someone who is not one of the vacationing guests could be responsible.
The book has fun with gossips wagging their tongues and strange romantic ties on the side, including a stepdaughter who may eye magic in an old-fashioned way. As always I'm impressed by how Christie does her characters and reveals the genuine honesty of human flaws, such as people using looks to trick others and get ahead.
Despite being another good mystery and having my favorite detective grace the pages, it wasn't as enjoyable as some of her other greats. Poirot is his usual marvel, but he seems almost in the background sometimes and keeps some comments to himself. The characters gossiping and general lives didn't suck me in as much as some of her other fiction did either, but still another recommended Christie enjoyment.
I like how he twisted a misconception of woman who lure and trick men into something else at the end. Never guessed the guilty culprit, which is a pleasant surprise for a mystery. The author tends to follow the formula of having the least suspected, but really all of them was least expected except for the husband. There was a mislead here and there to keep it interesting.
Despite the cove and vacation spot being cut off from the inland a bit, it lacks a truly secluded and cut-off feel that you had with And Then There Were None or Murder in the Orient Express types. Cops and help came in easily to the vacation spot, after all, and for awhile the detectives assume someone who is not one of the vacationing guests could be responsible.
The book has fun with gossips wagging their tongues and strange romantic ties on the side, including a stepdaughter who may eye magic in an old-fashioned way. As always I'm impressed by how Christie does her characters and reveals the genuine honesty of human flaws, such as people using looks to trick others and get ahead.
Despite being another good mystery and having my favorite detective grace the pages, it wasn't as enjoyable as some of her other greats. Poirot is his usual marvel, but he seems almost in the background sometimes and keeps some comments to himself. The characters gossiping and general lives didn't suck me in as much as some of her other fiction did either, but still another recommended Christie enjoyment.
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