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Hercule Poirot #40
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Three young women share a London flat. The first is a coolly efficient secretary. The second is an artist. The third interrupts Hercule Poirot’s breakfast confessing that she is a murderer—and then promptly disappears. Slowly, Poirot learns of the rumors surrounding the mysterious third girl, her family, and her disappearance. Yet hard evidence is needed before the great detective can pronounce her guilty, innocent, or insane.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1966
1,243 people are currently reading
20.1k people want to read
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 2,271 reviews
November 14, 2018
Imagine, if you will, being a famous female mystery author. You’ve been publishing for over forty-five years, and you’ve become more than a bit tired of your fans’ favorite detective, the egg-headed Hercule Poirot. What’s a person to do? Try a mystery where there’s no murder, only a confused, drugged twenty-something who is sure she’s committed one. Poirot, of course, has his suspicions early on:
“She is not one who can cope with difficulties. She is not one of those who can see before hand the dangers that must come. She is one of whom others will look round and say, ‘We want a victim. That one will do.'”
I enjoyed this one very much, and intend on acquiring a paper copy. It is quintessential Christie, and while somewhat rooted in the time period (those dirty, sexually ambiguous youth of the 60s is a frequent topic of conversation among the more mature), at least it wasn’t offensively so. Poirot is present from page one, and mystery writer and friend Mrs. Oliver appears not long after. I can’t help but feel as if Christie was having a bit of meta fun in this one, playing off her detective and alter ego against each other. Poirot has just finished a literary magnum opus and feels he needs a new challenge (!). When Mrs. Oliver happens to be involved in this non-mystery, she leaps in, certain ‘real’ detectives ‘do’ things. There’s also the usual commentary about authors and being famous. See what I mean by meta?
“‘Who told this girl about you, Monsieur Poirot?’
‘No one, so far as I know. Naturally, she had heard about me, no doubt.’
Mrs. Oliver thought that ‘naturally’ was not the word at all. What was natural was that Poirot himself was sure that everyone had always heard of him. Actually large numbers of people would only look at you blankly if the name of Hercule Poirot was mentioned, especially the younger generation.”
It’s definitely a slow progression, seeing how there isn’t precisely a known murder. It has the feel of a character study, a more full one than some of her early books. Reminds me perhaps, just a bit, of Crooked House, although the people here are far less eccentric. Many feel quite real, and quite of their time period. There’s more than a little indirect commentary when Poirot uses the pretense of an old war connection to meet with the elderly Sir Roderick. They engage in their remembrances, and after Poirot leaves, Sir Roderick confides to his assistant that he can’t remember who the man is at all, but humored Poirot out of the war connection. It’s a story built on those kind of moments. The build is definitely a ‘think, think,’ kind of story, not at all an action one.
For me, it was a four star read, but I read Christie for very different reasons than most. I’ve been reading her works for over three decades now, and I’m almost positive I’ve read all of the Poirot and Marple more than a few times. Still, I was never methodical about it, so I’m always kind of hoping to run into one I might have missed. Because of that, most the stories never reach the type of suspense a brand-new mystery does–not that they aren’t good, or enjoyable as one watches the intricate puzzle pieces click into place–but I don’t need to finish them. As I’ve aged, I’ve noted that Christie often relies on a cultural characterization of ‘madness’ that is more than a bit outdated. However, on reflection, I realize it’s more often a red herring, like something her readers expect her to address but she then subverts. I mostly read Christie because she’s really a marvelously intricate character writer who does so much with a few choice words. It’s a pleasure for the little grey cells.
“She is not one who can cope with difficulties. She is not one of those who can see before hand the dangers that must come. She is one of whom others will look round and say, ‘We want a victim. That one will do.'”
I enjoyed this one very much, and intend on acquiring a paper copy. It is quintessential Christie, and while somewhat rooted in the time period (those dirty, sexually ambiguous youth of the 60s is a frequent topic of conversation among the more mature), at least it wasn’t offensively so. Poirot is present from page one, and mystery writer and friend Mrs. Oliver appears not long after. I can’t help but feel as if Christie was having a bit of meta fun in this one, playing off her detective and alter ego against each other. Poirot has just finished a literary magnum opus and feels he needs a new challenge (!). When Mrs. Oliver happens to be involved in this non-mystery, she leaps in, certain ‘real’ detectives ‘do’ things. There’s also the usual commentary about authors and being famous. See what I mean by meta?
“‘Who told this girl about you, Monsieur Poirot?’
‘No one, so far as I know. Naturally, she had heard about me, no doubt.’
Mrs. Oliver thought that ‘naturally’ was not the word at all. What was natural was that Poirot himself was sure that everyone had always heard of him. Actually large numbers of people would only look at you blankly if the name of Hercule Poirot was mentioned, especially the younger generation.”
It’s definitely a slow progression, seeing how there isn’t precisely a known murder. It has the feel of a character study, a more full one than some of her early books. Reminds me perhaps, just a bit, of Crooked House, although the people here are far less eccentric. Many feel quite real, and quite of their time period. There’s more than a little indirect commentary when Poirot uses the pretense of an old war connection to meet with the elderly Sir Roderick. They engage in their remembrances, and after Poirot leaves, Sir Roderick confides to his assistant that he can’t remember who the man is at all, but humored Poirot out of the war connection. It’s a story built on those kind of moments. The build is definitely a ‘think, think,’ kind of story, not at all an action one.
For me, it was a four star read, but I read Christie for very different reasons than most. I’ve been reading her works for over three decades now, and I’m almost positive I’ve read all of the Poirot and Marple more than a few times. Still, I was never methodical about it, so I’m always kind of hoping to run into one I might have missed. Because of that, most the stories never reach the type of suspense a brand-new mystery does–not that they aren’t good, or enjoyable as one watches the intricate puzzle pieces click into place–but I don’t need to finish them. As I’ve aged, I’ve noted that Christie often relies on a cultural characterization of ‘madness’ that is more than a bit outdated. However, on reflection, I realize it’s more often a red herring, like something her readers expect her to address but she then subverts. I mostly read Christie because she’s really a marvelously intricate character writer who does so much with a few choice words. It’s a pleasure for the little grey cells.
February 14, 2022
Third Girl (Hercule Poirot #38), Agatha Christie
Third Girl is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in November 1966. It features her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and the recurring character Ariadne Oliver.
The novel is notable for being the first in many years in which Poirot is present from beginning to end. It is uncommon in that the investigation includes discovering the first crime, which happens comparatively late in the novel. Norma Restarick seeks help from Poirot, believing she may have committed murder. When she sees him in person, she flees, saying he is too old. He pursues the case finding that Ariadne Oliver sent Norma to him. He believes there is a murder that prompted Norma’s fears.
Poirot and Mrs Oliver gather information, visiting her parents’ home and her apartment building. Norma does not return home after a weekend visit to her father and stepmother. Mrs Oliver finds her in a café by chance with her boyfriend David. Poirot meets Norma at the café, where she mentions the death again. After describing the odd times where she cannot recall what has happened she leaves in fear again. Mrs Oliver trails David, ending up in the hospital after being coshed on the head upon leaving his art studio.
Poirot arranges for Dr Stilling fleet to follow Norma; he pulls her to safety from a close call with speeding traffic and brings her to his place for treatment and for safety. Norma’s father Andrew abandoned her and her mother Grace when Norma was about 5 years old. Andrew had run off with a woman in a relationship that ended soon after. He traveled in Africa in financially successful ventures.
Norma lived with her mother until Grace’s death two and a half years before. Andrew returned to England after his brother Simon died a year earlier, to work in the family firm, arriving with a new young wife. Norma can recognize nothing familiar in this man, but accepts him. Norma is the third girl in her flat in the fashion of young women advertising for a third girl to share the rent. The main tenant is secretary to her newfound father; the other girl, Frances, travels often for the art gallery that employs her. ...
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????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????: ????? ????? ??? ?? ????: ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ?? ???1966?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ?????
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????? ?????? ????? 03/03/1400???? ???????? 24/11/1400???? ???????? ?. ???????
Third Girl is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in November 1966. It features her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and the recurring character Ariadne Oliver.
The novel is notable for being the first in many years in which Poirot is present from beginning to end. It is uncommon in that the investigation includes discovering the first crime, which happens comparatively late in the novel. Norma Restarick seeks help from Poirot, believing she may have committed murder. When she sees him in person, she flees, saying he is too old. He pursues the case finding that Ariadne Oliver sent Norma to him. He believes there is a murder that prompted Norma’s fears.
Poirot and Mrs Oliver gather information, visiting her parents’ home and her apartment building. Norma does not return home after a weekend visit to her father and stepmother. Mrs Oliver finds her in a café by chance with her boyfriend David. Poirot meets Norma at the café, where she mentions the death again. After describing the odd times where she cannot recall what has happened she leaves in fear again. Mrs Oliver trails David, ending up in the hospital after being coshed on the head upon leaving his art studio.
Poirot arranges for Dr Stilling fleet to follow Norma; he pulls her to safety from a close call with speeding traffic and brings her to his place for treatment and for safety. Norma’s father Andrew abandoned her and her mother Grace when Norma was about 5 years old. Andrew had run off with a woman in a relationship that ended soon after. He traveled in Africa in financially successful ventures.
Norma lived with her mother until Grace’s death two and a half years before. Andrew returned to England after his brother Simon died a year earlier, to work in the family firm, arriving with a new young wife. Norma can recognize nothing familiar in this man, but accepts him. Norma is the third girl in her flat in the fashion of young women advertising for a third girl to share the rent. The main tenant is secretary to her newfound father; the other girl, Frances, travels often for the art gallery that employs her. ...
????? ?????? ?????: ??? ???? ? ???? ??? ???? ???2008??????
?????: ???? ???? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???1385? ??288?? ????9643634485? ??? ??? ???1386? ??293?? ????9789643634483? ??? ????? ???1392? ?????: ????????? ???????? ?? ????????? ???????? - ???20?
????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????: ????? ????? ??? ?? ????: ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ?? ???1966?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ?????
?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ? ?? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???????
????? ?????? ????? 03/03/1400???? ???????? 24/11/1400???? ???????? ?. ???????
June 30, 2023
A dirty hippie girl thinks she may have killed someone.
She goes to Poirot for advice, takes one look at him, and blurts out that he's too old to help. Naturally, his pride is hurt and he & Ariadne Oliver spend quite a bit of the book tracking her down to prove that he's no dithering old fart.
After all, he's got his tight patent leather shoes, luxurious mustaches, and a mild case of OCD.
What more does this girl need?!
Gaslighting, drugs, forged art, absentee fathers, wigs (Christie really likes wigs, doesn't she?), awful roommates, unwanted stepmothers, and iffy boyfriends.
There's a lot to unpack in this one and the mystery was sufficiently twisty to keep me entertained.
However.
This book isn't my favorite simply because I don't particularly love any of the characters in it. Especially the dirty little hippie girl. She's in her early 20s and everything that's annoying and stupid about that age. And the romance at the end felt very shoehorned in there. Blech.
Oh well. It was still a decent way to pass the time.
Recommended for Dirty Hippies.
She goes to Poirot for advice, takes one look at him, and blurts out that he's too old to help. Naturally, his pride is hurt and he & Ariadne Oliver spend quite a bit of the book tracking her down to prove that he's no dithering old fart.
After all, he's got his tight patent leather shoes, luxurious mustaches, and a mild case of OCD.
What more does this girl need?!
Gaslighting, drugs, forged art, absentee fathers, wigs (Christie really likes wigs, doesn't she?), awful roommates, unwanted stepmothers, and iffy boyfriends.
There's a lot to unpack in this one and the mystery was sufficiently twisty to keep me entertained.
However.
This book isn't my favorite simply because I don't particularly love any of the characters in it. Especially the dirty little hippie girl. She's in her early 20s and everything that's annoying and stupid about that age. And the romance at the end felt very shoehorned in there. Blech.
Oh well. It was still a decent way to pass the time.
Recommended for Dirty Hippies.
December 9, 2017
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January 4, 2021
Its strange, i don't remember ever reading this book before,and yet it's turned out to be one of my favourites. More thoughts tomorrow.
As other people have mentioned this (wonderful) book features both Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver from the very beginning, and that alone is worth half a star each. Add to that an interesting and convoluted story, some other great characters and wonderful settings of dingy London and aristocratic suburbs, and well you're already up to 4 stars.
Make the mystery a good one, don't give away too many clues, but just enough, add in some discarded Ariadne hairpieces and your up to 4.5 stars. And then as you're heading for the denouement add in another murder which completely throws everyone except of course Hercule, hey ho 5 stars at least.
A wonderful mystery, brilliantly solved by our man Hercule.
(Just a shame i'm about 3 books behind in the buddy read)
As other people have mentioned this (wonderful) book features both Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver from the very beginning, and that alone is worth half a star each. Add to that an interesting and convoluted story, some other great characters and wonderful settings of dingy London and aristocratic suburbs, and well you're already up to 4 stars.
Make the mystery a good one, don't give away too many clues, but just enough, add in some discarded Ariadne hairpieces and your up to 4.5 stars. And then as you're heading for the denouement add in another murder which completely throws everyone except of course Hercule, hey ho 5 stars at least.
A wonderful mystery, brilliantly solved by our man Hercule.
(Just a shame i'm about 3 books behind in the buddy read)
January 8, 2022
Agatha Christie Book Reading Challenge
BOOK 10 :- SEPT 2019
3 STARS
BOOK 10 :- SEPT 2019
3 STARS
January 23, 2022
Choose Your Own Adventure!
You are an apartment in London. It is the Swingin’ 60s, man, and everything is new and shiny and groovy and covered with flowers. Psychiatry: what a mind trip, it’s crazy! Drugs: they’re everywhere – and sometimes not so groovy! You have room for three girls, you spacious bohemian pad you... but three girls in swingin’ London can sometimes equal trouble: Murder Trouble! Whatever is a hepcat apartment to do? Time to bring in an old-school private detective and his square sidekicks to sort this mess out. They can barely understand the lingo, but sometimes it's the straights who know what time it is. Time to kick these double-timing floozies to the curb and move on, ‘cause murder can be such a drag, man! But what’s a bohemian apartment to do without some real cool cats to live in it? Is it time to think of a different path?
If you decide to go on a Journey to the Center of the Mind, choose
If you decide it is time to go back to your roots, old-timey country village style, choose /review/show...
You are an apartment in London. It is the Swingin’ 60s, man, and everything is new and shiny and groovy and covered with flowers. Psychiatry: what a mind trip, it’s crazy! Drugs: they’re everywhere – and sometimes not so groovy! You have room for three girls, you spacious bohemian pad you... but three girls in swingin’ London can sometimes equal trouble: Murder Trouble! Whatever is a hepcat apartment to do? Time to bring in an old-school private detective and his square sidekicks to sort this mess out. They can barely understand the lingo, but sometimes it's the straights who know what time it is. Time to kick these double-timing floozies to the curb and move on, ‘cause murder can be such a drag, man! But what’s a bohemian apartment to do without some real cool cats to live in it? Is it time to think of a different path?
If you decide to go on a Journey to the Center of the Mind, choose
If you decide it is time to go back to your roots, old-timey country village style, choose /review/show...
September 20, 2018
Well… It’s not as bad as at least! Yeah, that’s about the most in terms of praise I can personally give this one. Now don’t get me wrong, Christie wrote so many books that I am in no way upset when I read a “bad” one, but it is a little disappointing that I say this is my second to least favorite in the series.
There are so many issues with this one. For a good portion of the novel there isn’t an actual case to be solved, just Poirot going “Hmm… it feels like there should be a case here.” It isn’t very engaging for a mystery to really be without an actual mystery for a good portion of the read. Yet nonetheless, Poirot will sit there and recap every clue he's found for multiple pages (there is seriously one chapter which is just Poirot going, "Nope, still can't find a mystery, but here's everything I've learned just in case it is important").
Christie also tries to update the book to the 60s, which rather humorously makes it feel more dated than any of her other books. The books from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s that I’ve read all feel rather timeless. They all fit their period, but you could read them in any order without really feeling the passage of time. So, what does this 60s update bring us? Essentially it’s Christie singing
Kids!
I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!
Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?
Kids!
They are so ridiculous and immature!
... for 270 some odd pages.
The book also feels rather inconsistent, with at least one side-plot being brought up, never fully explained and dismissed in two lines, which is rather frustrating given how brilliantly Christie planned out so many of her other mysteries.
In closing: This one all around just feels like a disappointment. The case takes too long in arriving, and isn't particularly stunning when it arrives. The time change really feels like a reason for Christie to shout at kids to get off her lawn and no, not even name dropping the Beatles could make this one hip. 2/5
There are so many issues with this one. For a good portion of the novel there isn’t an actual case to be solved, just Poirot going “Hmm… it feels like there should be a case here.” It isn’t very engaging for a mystery to really be without an actual mystery for a good portion of the read. Yet nonetheless, Poirot will sit there and recap every clue he's found for multiple pages (there is seriously one chapter which is just Poirot going, "Nope, still can't find a mystery, but here's everything I've learned just in case it is important").
Christie also tries to update the book to the 60s, which rather humorously makes it feel more dated than any of her other books. The books from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s that I’ve read all feel rather timeless. They all fit their period, but you could read them in any order without really feeling the passage of time. So, what does this 60s update bring us? Essentially it’s Christie singing
Kids!
I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!
Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?
Kids!
They are so ridiculous and immature!
... for 270 some odd pages.
The book also feels rather inconsistent, with at least one side-plot being brought up, never fully explained and dismissed in two lines, which is rather frustrating given how brilliantly Christie planned out so many of her other mysteries.
In closing: This one all around just feels like a disappointment. The case takes too long in arriving, and isn't particularly stunning when it arrives. The time change really feels like a reason for Christie to shout at kids to get off her lawn and no, not even name dropping the Beatles could make this one hip. 2/5
March 6, 2018
I want a murder.
- Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie held me captive.
I should not have postponed reading this classic this long. DANG! Better late than never.
A young woman approaches you and confesses that "She might have committed a murder." and leaves the house without throwing any lights on the matter. What do you make up of this incident? Do you think she's a troubled mad girl, that she's facing some family issues and forget about everything altogether?
A normal person would shake it all off.
But if you're Hercule Poirot, you'll not let the things go easily, will you?
Third Girl is a jaw-dropping thriller where you've no clues of any murder or a death. You know nothing of the girl who confessed. Without any evidences, all you can do is hit in the dark hoping to get the justice. But for whom? Maybe, The third girl? but how? What evil are you dealing with here?
Agatha Christie's Third Girl is a must read.
- Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie held me captive.
I should not have postponed reading this classic this long. DANG! Better late than never.
A young woman approaches you and confesses that "She might have committed a murder." and leaves the house without throwing any lights on the matter. What do you make up of this incident? Do you think she's a troubled mad girl, that she's facing some family issues and forget about everything altogether?
A normal person would shake it all off.
But if you're Hercule Poirot, you'll not let the things go easily, will you?
Third Girl is a jaw-dropping thriller where you've no clues of any murder or a death. You know nothing of the girl who confessed. Without any evidences, all you can do is hit in the dark hoping to get the justice. But for whom? Maybe, The third girl? but how? What evil are you dealing with here?
Agatha Christie's Third Girl is a must read.
February 6, 2021
"I want a murder!"--Poirot (not that the Belgian wants to see anyone dead, really. A murder has been claimed, and none has been proven)
A “third girl” is a reference to the intricacies of flat rental, I learn. A woman rents a flat and then invites a friend in to join her. Then they advertise for a “third girl” to share with them, who apparently is not usually a friend. Not surprisingly, this third girl idea makes its way into the plot in more than one way.
Norma, our third girl, comes to Poirot to suggest she “may have committed a murder.” Later, a similar thing would seem to happen, where Norma is holding a bloody knife over the body of her boyfriend, David. For most of the book it is not clear at all whether any murder at all has been committed. So that's unique in Christie-land.
Highlights:
*In the last few books, Christie got the idea to go slightly meta by adding a prolific detective novelist, Ariadne Oliver, to work with Poirot. She’s fun and funny, kind of batty, and a way for Christie to lightly comment on herself in the process of solving the mystery. She’s kind of the opposite of Poirot, though not weak like Hastings, who is featured in the early novels.
*Madness is almost always considered by various characters in Christie plots as the reason why murders are committed, and it is almost never a real consideration in the crime. People kill for reasons. As Poirot points out, logic is usually followed, and it will take Poirot's brain cells to logically figure make this clear. But in this book “madness” comes up in various ways more than usual. Ariadne is often seen as “batty,” and is “coshed” on the head, making her a little confused. Third girl Norma has memory lapses, and possibly hallucinates.
*One of the reasons Christie got into writing mysteries is that she was working in a hospital and imagined several drugs as poisonous in mystery plots. In this book, set in the sixties, recreational drugs abound in a way she might not have imagined in the twenties (though booze is always present in Christie novels): LSD, marijuana, cocaine, very attractive to Christie as a lifelong student of chemistry.
*Christie published this book in 1966, when she was 76; she never really says how old Poirot is, but it is clear he was retired when she began to publish works with him as a main character in 1920! But she at least reflects on him increasingly as quite old and not able to do what he was able to do, though it is clear he is still brilliant. She uses this book to reflect on aging also through Sir Roderick Horsfield, who has memory issues; she does this largely in a comic vein.
*One blurb says, “Christie displays her usual acute sense of the contemporary scene." By this, the reviewer means fashion and lifestyle, as in the mod London beatnik scene, which amuses her and Poirot. In the 1920s Christie features flappers; in the sixties we have bony Twiggy types, and androgynous men in tight bell bottoms. Free love abounds. Christie almost never mentions world political events in her “amusements,” but always loves to comment on clothes and hairstyles (which figure importantly in the plot this time).
*The Beatles are even mentioned in this book! Hip Christie?
It is usual to note that the latter Christie works are not as good as they once were, but (low expectations operating here?) I found some turns surprisingly surprising! Is this a sign of ageism on my part, as a guy in his sixties? Nah, most older writers are not as good as they were “in their prime,” but this is still a good mystery by the Great One.
A “third girl” is a reference to the intricacies of flat rental, I learn. A woman rents a flat and then invites a friend in to join her. Then they advertise for a “third girl” to share with them, who apparently is not usually a friend. Not surprisingly, this third girl idea makes its way into the plot in more than one way.
Norma, our third girl, comes to Poirot to suggest she “may have committed a murder.” Later, a similar thing would seem to happen, where Norma is holding a bloody knife over the body of her boyfriend, David. For most of the book it is not clear at all whether any murder at all has been committed. So that's unique in Christie-land.
Highlights:
*In the last few books, Christie got the idea to go slightly meta by adding a prolific detective novelist, Ariadne Oliver, to work with Poirot. She’s fun and funny, kind of batty, and a way for Christie to lightly comment on herself in the process of solving the mystery. She’s kind of the opposite of Poirot, though not weak like Hastings, who is featured in the early novels.
*Madness is almost always considered by various characters in Christie plots as the reason why murders are committed, and it is almost never a real consideration in the crime. People kill for reasons. As Poirot points out, logic is usually followed, and it will take Poirot's brain cells to logically figure make this clear. But in this book “madness” comes up in various ways more than usual. Ariadne is often seen as “batty,” and is “coshed” on the head, making her a little confused. Third girl Norma has memory lapses, and possibly hallucinates.
*One of the reasons Christie got into writing mysteries is that she was working in a hospital and imagined several drugs as poisonous in mystery plots. In this book, set in the sixties, recreational drugs abound in a way she might not have imagined in the twenties (though booze is always present in Christie novels): LSD, marijuana, cocaine, very attractive to Christie as a lifelong student of chemistry.
*Christie published this book in 1966, when she was 76; she never really says how old Poirot is, but it is clear he was retired when she began to publish works with him as a main character in 1920! But she at least reflects on him increasingly as quite old and not able to do what he was able to do, though it is clear he is still brilliant. She uses this book to reflect on aging also through Sir Roderick Horsfield, who has memory issues; she does this largely in a comic vein.
*One blurb says, “Christie displays her usual acute sense of the contemporary scene." By this, the reviewer means fashion and lifestyle, as in the mod London beatnik scene, which amuses her and Poirot. In the 1920s Christie features flappers; in the sixties we have bony Twiggy types, and androgynous men in tight bell bottoms. Free love abounds. Christie almost never mentions world political events in her “amusements,” but always loves to comment on clothes and hairstyles (which figure importantly in the plot this time).
*The Beatles are even mentioned in this book! Hip Christie?
It is usual to note that the latter Christie works are not as good as they once were, but (low expectations operating here?) I found some turns surprisingly surprising! Is this a sign of ageism on my part, as a guy in his sixties? Nah, most older writers are not as good as they were “in their prime,” but this is still a good mystery by the Great One.
Read
March 18, 2024A very late Christie, mostly notable for her (and thus her viewpoint characters') intense dislike of men with long hair and bright clothes, women living alone, and the indignity of being an old person having to deal with young people. A time passer.
December 24, 2016
Ashamed to say this was not Agatha Christie on top form. I really wasn't a fan of this, and although the story was explained at the end I still didn't feel it made any sense! Poirot is going a bit downhill I feel by now, and like in the book beforehand that I read, Christie seems fed up of him as a character. It really shows. Interesting story, but too drawn out and just not enjoyable!
October 14, 2020
When a young client refuses to consult Poirot in a case concerning her because he is "too old", Poirot's pride is wounded and his ability is challenged. So without either the consent or knowledge of the young girl, he voluntarily involves himself. In involving himself, he not only saves the young girl from impending danger but proves that he, Hercule Poirot, is undefeatable.
The murder-mystery is not one of Agatha Christie's best, but it was still made interesting by Poirot's manner, conduct, methods, and people he employ to help him solve the puzzle. And it is also the first time that Ariadne Oliver makes a considerable contribution towards Poirot's investigations. She's playing the role formerly played by Captian Hastings - that is of badgering Poirot for his inaction, and at the same time, stimulating Poirot's brain with their incessant prattle of possible solutions. :) She does a bit of amateur sleuthing too. Both Poirot and Ariadne Oliver bring drama and hilarity to the story which makes the story very enjoyable.
Poirot is not in his best element and he somehow muddles the things before he triumphs, which kind of justifies his young client's reluctance to rely on him. :) But his final success shows that the "little grey cells" of our dear Poirot is still intact.
The 38th story of the Poirot series may not have got the best of Agatha Christie, but on the whole, it was interesting enough to keep you engaged.
The murder-mystery is not one of Agatha Christie's best, but it was still made interesting by Poirot's manner, conduct, methods, and people he employ to help him solve the puzzle. And it is also the first time that Ariadne Oliver makes a considerable contribution towards Poirot's investigations. She's playing the role formerly played by Captian Hastings - that is of badgering Poirot for his inaction, and at the same time, stimulating Poirot's brain with their incessant prattle of possible solutions. :) She does a bit of amateur sleuthing too. Both Poirot and Ariadne Oliver bring drama and hilarity to the story which makes the story very enjoyable.
Poirot is not in his best element and he somehow muddles the things before he triumphs, which kind of justifies his young client's reluctance to rely on him. :) But his final success shows that the "little grey cells" of our dear Poirot is still intact.
The 38th story of the Poirot series may not have got the best of Agatha Christie, but on the whole, it was interesting enough to keep you engaged.
February 2, 2023
My least favorite Poirot so far.
This book was all over the place - nothing made sense.
———————————————
I hid in the library yesterday during lunch break because the customers at work were swarming us like bees and found out they have Agatha Christie's books. So, of course, I had to bring one home with me.
This book was all over the place - nothing made sense.
———————————————
I hid in the library yesterday during lunch break because the customers at work were swarming us like bees and found out they have Agatha Christie's books. So, of course, I had to bring one home with me.
April 21, 2025
Third Girl was on last year’s Read Christie challenge and I’m just catching up now. Actually I’m catching up from the last eight days of Passover and any books read then were lovely but probably won’t receive a full review. The same thing happened last year as I took the week for family time and any “work” got shifted aside. The holiday coming to an end, I picked up Poirot. In this case Poirot is an older detective but still has more wits than the average person. A girl comes to him for help and notes that he is “too old.” In turn, Poirot enlists Ariadne Oliver, the detective writer, who really was Dame Christie’s alter ego. Mrs Oliver implores Poirot that he is not too old but a sign of the changing times- the 1960s- when young people view anyone over the age of thirty as old. One can tell that Poirot is older as he employs a manservant and secretary plus an intern to do research. In the end Christie has Poirot solve a multilayered case, complete with her trademark withholding clues until the end. If she didn’t leave out this key information, it would not be a Poirot mystery. All in good fun to finish up a holiday on a relaxed note.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
February 26, 2025
4'5? / ?
Este libro se aleja un poco del planteamiento más típico de Agatha, puesto que el primer cadáver no aparece hasta bien entrada la historia y casi todo gira en torno a la posibilidad de que una veintea?era con aparentes problemas de drogas haya sido capaz de matar a alguien o no. Es un estudio de personajes completísimo, de esos en los que sobresale Agatha Christie.
Ariadne Oliver es un personaje secundario que me gusta mucho, y aunque no creo que esta sea la vez en que más se ha lucido o que más he disfrutado de su intervención en el misterio, su aparición siempre es bienvenida por mi parte.
P.D.: recomiendo no leer la sinopsis, al menos de la edición de Booket, porque contiene un error bastante gordo.
Este libro se aleja un poco del planteamiento más típico de Agatha, puesto que el primer cadáver no aparece hasta bien entrada la historia y casi todo gira en torno a la posibilidad de que una veintea?era con aparentes problemas de drogas haya sido capaz de matar a alguien o no. Es un estudio de personajes completísimo, de esos en los que sobresale Agatha Christie.
Ariadne Oliver es un personaje secundario que me gusta mucho, y aunque no creo que esta sea la vez en que más se ha lucido o que más he disfrutado de su intervención en el misterio, su aparición siempre es bienvenida por mi parte.
P.D.: recomiendo no leer la sinopsis, al menos de la edición de Booket, porque contiene un error bastante gordo.
September 3, 2024
Published in 1966 when Christie was well into her 70s, this isn't the place to start with Christie but it's far more fun and intricate than I remembered.
The plot is one where Poirot doesn't know if a crime has taken place or not and much of the delight comes from his sidekick being Ariadne Oliver with her troublesome hair styles and determination to play detective.
There's lots of lovely descriptions of 1960s London: gender ambivalence, girls leading independent lives away from their parents, drugs and the Chelsea art scene.
Despite some authorial grumpiness about the changing youth culture and a rather stilted mystery, I found this more fun than I remembered.
The plot is one where Poirot doesn't know if a crime has taken place or not and much of the delight comes from his sidekick being Ariadne Oliver with her troublesome hair styles and determination to play detective.
There's lots of lovely descriptions of 1960s London: gender ambivalence, girls leading independent lives away from their parents, drugs and the Chelsea art scene.
Despite some authorial grumpiness about the changing youth culture and a rather stilted mystery, I found this more fun than I remembered.
January 23, 2025
4.5* #ReadChristie25
This one was so much fun! Not only did it feature Ariadne Oliver, a firm favourite, but this novel had plenty of humour and a great ‘mystery’ to unravel. One for once that I was able to solve ;O) Loved it.
“ The old, you must remember, though considered incapable of action, have nevertheless a good fund of experience on which to draw.”
This one was so much fun! Not only did it feature Ariadne Oliver, a firm favourite, but this novel had plenty of humour and a great ‘mystery’ to unravel. One for once that I was able to solve ;O) Loved it.
“ The old, you must remember, though considered incapable of action, have nevertheless a good fund of experience on which to draw.”
October 24, 2023
An interesting story and social commentary. I always enjoy the character Ariadne Oliver who breezes in like a whirlwind with so much energy and enthusiasm and was delighted that she was included in this story.
March 12, 2023
3.7 stars. At the time reading it I was either really enjoying to comfy feel of Christie's writing but also feeling as it didn't feel quite as intriguing to read. I found it funny about the discussion of the "young people" and it basically sounded pretty much like it always have i presume. This one wasn't much enjoyable surrounding the case but rather the people trying to solve it and others.
October 18, 2023
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January 4, 2025
A young lady comes to seek help from Poirot and then she changes her mind and disappears. Before departing, she had told Poirot that she “thought” she may have murdered someone. Poirot, of course, must get to the bottom of this. Is this young lady speaking the truth or is she mentally unbalanced?
To help him with this case is Ariadne Oliver, the detective fiction author. She was more involved this time around than she has been in her other appearances and I loved this as her character always amuses me.
Really enjoyed how this all came together. I had one slight misgiving with the ending, otherwise another top notch listen. The Queen of Crime has not lost touch.
Hugh Fraser, as narrator, is exceptional.
Published: 1966
To help him with this case is Ariadne Oliver, the detective fiction author. She was more involved this time around than she has been in her other appearances and I loved this as her character always amuses me.
Really enjoyed how this all came together. I had one slight misgiving with the ending, otherwise another top notch listen. The Queen of Crime has not lost touch.
Hugh Fraser, as narrator, is exceptional.
Published: 1966
January 15, 2025
I followed ALL the breadcrumbs and couldn’t believe I had figured it out but I really hadn’t!
So cool to see that Ms Christie was as sharp four decades after her first novel.!
So cool to see that Ms Christie was as sharp four decades after her first novel.!
August 23, 2007
Well, as my first Agatha Christie book in about 20 years, i'm told this was a bad choice. Christie wrote it later in her life, and in a bid to maintain some relevance with the younger people, wrote in a lot of jargon about drugs and young people and their strange ways. The jargon and stereotypes didn't bother me so much - they were quaint and at times humorous, but forgivable in most circumstances. What was bothersome about the book was that it had some difficulty in getting started, and when it did get up and rolling, the plot was continuously interrupted by Hercule Poirot ruminating about all the facts of the case up to that point. Now, a great detective must do this, of course, but i swear it happens ten times in the second half of the book, and Poirot isn't exactly the soul of brevity when talking to himself. I was able to keep all the facts straight while listening to the story, and had much of the conclusion figured out before Poirot did, which was also slightly annoying. Ah well. The reader for this particular recording was quite good, and did an exceptional job creating the character of Hercule Poirot.
January 9, 2019
???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ??????
????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??
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June 7, 2022
Reading the Christie books in publication order does highlight her longevity as an author. Whilst many of her later works aren't as strong, her take on the swinging sixties are certainly an interesting one.
Christie definitely knows how to draw a reader in with a hook.
As Norma Restarick seeks Poirot help by saying she might have committed a murder, she then flees saying that the Belgian Detective is too old (again reaffirms that Christie has been writing the character for years).
After?a promising start the tangent events resolving around the mystery never quite held my attention as this short book still seemed bloated.
Whilst I didn't quite connect with the story's characters, it was nice to see Poirot feature throughout the novel (not like fleeting appearances in the past couple) alongside Ariadne Oliver.
Christie definitely knows how to draw a reader in with a hook.
As Norma Restarick seeks Poirot help by saying she might have committed a murder, she then flees saying that the Belgian Detective is too old (again reaffirms that Christie has been writing the character for years).
After?a promising start the tangent events resolving around the mystery never quite held my attention as this short book still seemed bloated.
Whilst I didn't quite connect with the story's characters, it was nice to see Poirot feature throughout the novel (not like fleeting appearances in the past couple) alongside Ariadne Oliver.
November 21, 2021
This is a very entertaining and fast read.
I read it and simultaneously listened to the audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser, who, once again, did a terrific job.
There is an adaptation for the TV, with David Suchet playing the beloved detective.
This was a re-read, but first time in English.
I liked it more this time, plus the additional pleasure of the audiobook.
I had previously rated it 3 stars. Perhaps something was lost in translation or I was too young when I read it for the first time.
I read it and simultaneously listened to the audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser, who, once again, did a terrific job.
There is an adaptation for the TV, with David Suchet playing the beloved detective.
This was a re-read, but first time in English.
I liked it more this time, plus the additional pleasure of the audiobook.
I had previously rated it 3 stars. Perhaps something was lost in translation or I was too young when I read it for the first time.
December 13, 2019
???? ??? ?????? ???????? ????????? ????? ??? ??? ???????? :
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????? ???? ? ????:
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18 aout 18?
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????? ???? ? ????:
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18 aout 18?
May 7, 2017
It's not that Agatha Christie has never written a bad book in her career. Though I love most of her books, I do not like some of her more political novels. So while I am not shocked that I disliked this book, never has Christie written something so meandering and pointless.
Till the last chapter, the book seems to have no plot at all. There is no murder committed, there is nothing happening. There are not even any interesting interactions between the various characters like in The Hollow before the murder happens. The entire book is composed of Poirot ruminating on bits and pieces, which ended up being frustrating and boring. There are far too many angles being explored, and the story wanders all over the place, while Poirot (and the reader) struggles to make sense of it all.
Another problem with this book is that it is just too long. There are far too many repetitive scenes, which could have been deleted. This book could have done with a good dose of pruning by a good editor. In its core, it is not a bad book, but the writing is extremely shoddy. There are a couple of wonderful scenes such as Mrs Oliver shadowing someone, but the bulk of the book is simply random scenarios that don't hang together very well. The plot is actually quite interesting, and the story would have worked if it had been written in a more Christie-like style. I think perhaps she was experimenting with a different style, which simply did not work out.
The book also suffers from my own personal bias. I prefer the Golden Age novels, an era in which crime fits in snugly. With the exploration of the drugs and art scene of the 60s, the atmosphere of the story became quite different. I was definitely not too happy with the setting.
Till the last chapter, the book seems to have no plot at all. There is no murder committed, there is nothing happening. There are not even any interesting interactions between the various characters like in The Hollow before the murder happens. The entire book is composed of Poirot ruminating on bits and pieces, which ended up being frustrating and boring. There are far too many angles being explored, and the story wanders all over the place, while Poirot (and the reader) struggles to make sense of it all.
Another problem with this book is that it is just too long. There are far too many repetitive scenes, which could have been deleted. This book could have done with a good dose of pruning by a good editor. In its core, it is not a bad book, but the writing is extremely shoddy. There are a couple of wonderful scenes such as Mrs Oliver shadowing someone, but the bulk of the book is simply random scenarios that don't hang together very well. The plot is actually quite interesting, and the story would have worked if it had been written in a more Christie-like style. I think perhaps she was experimenting with a different style, which simply did not work out.
The book also suffers from my own personal bias. I prefer the Golden Age novels, an era in which crime fits in snugly. With the exploration of the drugs and art scene of the 60s, the atmosphere of the story became quite different. I was definitely not too happy with the setting.
May 25, 2020
While looking for the third girl, Poirot & Mrs Oliver took up a third too many pages.
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