Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39)

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Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39)

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 10,652 ratings · 461 reviews

Ο λοχαγός Χάστινγκς, επιστρέφει από την Αργεντινή, για να βοηθήσει το φίλο του Ηρακλή Πουαρό, σε ένα τελευταίο κυνήγι του δολοφόνου, πίσω στο Στάιλς Κωρτ, όπου είχε ξεκινήσει η συνεργασία τους τόσα χρόνια πριν. Το Στάιλς Κωρτ δεν είναι πλέον το πολυτελές αρχοντικό που γνώριζαν· έχει μετατραπεί σε πανσιόν από τους νέους του ιδιοκτήτες, τον παλαίμαχο συνταγματάρχη Λούτρελ κα...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published January 1st 2000 by Berkley (first published January 1st 1973)

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And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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Dec 08, 2010 mark monday rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: choose-ur-adventure

You Chose Your Own Adventure!

You are the killer: you kill yourself. You deserve it. Or do you? Are you the hero or the villain? But what does it matter: in the end, death comes to us all. Your adventure is over.

If you decide to reject your notorious life and start anew, choose
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Feb 12, 2013 Sarai rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, historical

Poirot is my favorite Agatha Christie sleuth. I also love the corresponding A&E Poirot series with David Suchet playing the famous Belgian detective (those moustaches!). I have to admit, I have a bit of a crush on the Poirot character. He's so smart, so wonderfully pompous but gentlemanly, a wee bit delicate, slightly neurotic, a loyal friend, and dedicated protector of the innocent. I always enjoy Poirot and Hastings working together and Poirot's gentle chiding of Hastings' deductions.

I con...more

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Jan 15, 2009 Carrie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is Poirot’s last novel, which, like Miss Marple’s Sleeping Murder, was written (during World War II just in case) long before it was published (in the late 1970’s as her second to last published novel), and unlike the Marple book, it is a real “last” book*. One reason for this is that it takes place at Styles - the setting of the first Poirot novel. It is no longer a private home, but now a guest home. Poirot has invited Hastings (whose wife has recently died) to come to stay there with him...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars

Last summer, at an estate auction, I found a beautiful collection of about 50 leatherbound Agatha Christie books - the kind that come from a subscriptlon book club once a month at the rate of about $30 each. I managed to get the whole set for $50 and am slowly making my way through the (I'm only too sad to say) many that I've never read before.

This one is listed as Hercule Poirot's Last Case. It's true; he's dead! It was either this one or The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and I don't know why I...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, poirot

When we think of a murder mystery we think of a plot where a detective finds out who killed whom, with what and possibly where. None of this applies to this masterpiece mystery. Although known as the second novel Agatha Christie ever wrote, it is one of the last ones published. Agatha Christie herself claimed she wanted to save the book until she had finished a lot more other detective novels. After reading the book you might agree that she was most likely too nervous to release this type of plo...more When we think of a murder mystery we think of a plot where a detective finds out who killed whom, with what and possibly where. None of this applies to this masterpiece mystery. Although known as the second novel Agatha Christie ever wrote, it is one of the last ones published. Agatha Christie herself claimed she wanted to save the book until she had finished a lot more other detective novels. After reading the book you might agree that she was most likely too nervous to release this type of plot onto the world, and with good reason. She would in her life be berated by readers and other crime novelists for her 'unorthodox' murder mechanisms and approaches. In fact Dorothy Sayers threatened to kick her out of the Detection Club for her plot in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Christie's main offense was allegedly not providing enough information for the readers to figure out for themselves who dunnit. This novel, Curtain, is no exception, except that the plot in this novel is so subtle and intricate that even if all information was explicitly provided people would most likely still be up in arms over it. Without giving too much away, Christie found a means of committing murder that can not under any circumstance be blamed on the killer.

In Curtain, we meet famed detective Hercule Poirot one last and final time. In a message, which leaves nothing to speculation as to Poirot's health, the great detective summons his old friend Hastings to the house where it all began. The large mansion has since changed ownership and is now a lovely bed and breakfast with modern conveniences. Like before, and this time announced early on by Poirot, the hotel will be host to a murderer. Again without giving away too much about the plot it can be said that this is one of the most unorthodox methods by which any murderer has operated. In fact it is the way by which the murderer kills and more importantly gets away with it, which is the best part of the novel and its most controversial part.

Christie early on defined for herself two principles by which her Belgian detective approached a case. First of all Poirot would solve all crimes by means of psychology and not for example by using an analysis of cigarette ashes. Second, it was extremely important to Poirot that the innocent should not suffer or be blamed for something they had not done. Out of all the novels she wrote, Curtain actually honors those both those principles. In other works it could be argued that Poirot also used cigarette ashes and circumstantial evidence, but not in this one, this one is all psychology. Perhaps yet another reason she was hesitant to release the book into the critical hands of her readers.

Agatha Christie liked unorthodox plots, to her credit. But she had one weakness, which makes this novel even more difficult to get into. Her characters have always been rather flat and boilerplate. She usually introduces a grand old lady of the house who's irresistibly beautiful and eternally tragic. There's always a colonel or captain somewhere who just got back from safari or a war. This does not make a good combination with a plot that is highly logical and mechanical and contrary to other novels she wrote this one is on the extreme side of mechanical writing. How then to think about a book such as this? Should the rating reflect the genius of plotting and logic or should the work be judged solely on its character development and emotional depth? It's hard to say but I feel I need to reward the tremendous originality of the novel and slightly overlook the sentimental aspects.(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

No one, to my knowledge, has written a sonnet about Poirot, a la Vincent Starret's 221B. Perhaps that's because Poirot put so much of an emphasis on life that, in the end, he did everything possible to protect it.

So maybe Poirot doesn't have the pipe, or the deerstalker, or a Mrs Hudson or even a Watson, in the end. He was, and is, alone, in the end, regardless of the warmth and good intentions of Arthur Hastings, the friendliness and respect of Inspector Japp, or even the vague assistance offer...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Tali rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christie-mysteries, crime

The first thing I had to bear in mind when I read this last Poirot novel, was that although I hadn't been reading the series in order, I did save this one until last. Which means I read it immediately after One Two, Buckle My Shoe. Coming after the moral message in that second book, meant that I didn't enjoy this novel as much as I wanted to, given that it turns everything I've ever thought about Poirot on its head.
The story is very clever and suitably puzzling - I changed my mind about who the...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Kirsten rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, 1900-1950s, own

Poirots final case. The old detective invites Capt Hastings back to the scene of their first case together - the stately home of Styles, which has now been turned into a guest house. And again, there is a feeling of menace in the air, especially when Poirot informs hastings that he is on the trail of a murderer that has no apparent connection to his victims - he is the perfect murderer. With a cast that includes a nervous ornitholigost, a dedicated doctor and his hyperchondriac demanding wife, H...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Poirot's first case in England occurred at Styles Manor, which is where he met his faithful friend and companion for many an investigation, Captain Hastings. Now at the end of his life, crippled with arthritis and suffering a fatal heart condition, Poirot summons Hastings for one last cast at Styles. Poirot claims that several seemingly unrelated deaths were in fact caused by one person, now at Styles, and he needs Hastings' help to bring the person to justice before he (Poirot) dies.

I'd read th...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Hannah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-university

I had to present a class tutorial on this book, so I read it three times in a row: once to understand what happens, once to analyse the crap out of it, and once more to try to enjoy it again.

I really did enjoy the book. I love Agatha Christie's writing. She never fails to force on me a deep desire to go back to that 'golden era' and live like one of the wealthy characters in her books. I also find myself for a few days after reading any of her books narrating my life as if I were actually living...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Peter rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Hercule Poirot's famous last case is a rather sad and melancholy book, despite being penned in the 1940s when Agatha was at the height of her powers. Neatly, Poirot is joined by his loyal companion Hastings at Styles, the estate where they first met and solved their first murder together in the 1920s. But Poirot is older, physically spent, and Hastings is haunted by the memory of his dead wife and bothered by his (live) cool, intellectual daughter.

They investigate a killer "X", the identity of...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Mitch rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For a plane ride I decided to take along the final Hercule Poirot book: "Curtain", by Agatha Christie. I enjoyed it because it was a very quick and breezy read (perfect for the plane) and had a nice cast of characters. The pace was smooth and brisk, and the ending was interesting.

The following may or may not contain spoilers.

The book begins with Porot's best friend Arthur Hastings going to the hotel where he met Poirot to pay him a visit. Poirot is aging and ill, and doesn't have long to live. B...more

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May 01, 2011 Kathleen Hagen added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-audio-books, 2011-mysteries

Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case, by Agatha Christie, A-minus, narrated by Hugh Fraser, produced by BBC Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

I read almost all of the Agatha Christie books back in high school, but I missed the last Poirot book. The last book was set at the same estate the first Poirot book was set: Stiles. Poirot lets Colonel Hastings know that he wants him at Stiles, so he comes. Poirot indicates that there will be a murder. He tells Stiles that there is a Suspect X, who is present for...more

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Jun 29, 2010 Laurel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-year-of-agatha

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Spoilers ahoy! I admit it, I teared up at the end; I don't want Poirot ever to die. However, two things comforted me: one is that this was not actually the last novel Dame Agatha wrote about Poirot, not by a long shot. Since Elephants Can Remember is largely regarded as a weak later effort, I think of Hallowe'en Party as the last excellent novel written about Poirot. Curtain was written somewhere around WWII most likely, and put away to be released decades later as Agatha neared the end of her l...more Spoilers ahoy! I admit it, I teared up at the end; I don't want Poirot ever to die. However, two things comforted me: one is that this was not actually the last novel Dame Agatha wrote about Poirot, not by a long shot. Since Elephants Can Remember is largely regarded as a weak later effort, I think of Hallowe'en Party as the last excellent novel written about Poirot. Curtain was written somewhere around WWII most likely, and put away to be released decades later as Agatha neared the end of her long career. So it is always possible to read the novels in chronological order and pretend that Poirot is back from the dead for all his many post-WWII cases, rather like Sherlock Holmes' return from "The Final Problem".

But the biggest comfort is that this truly excellent novel could not have been written without killing off Poirot--it is in some ways the ultimate twist from the author famous for brilliant, unexpected twists. Agatha often expressed the idea that ANYONE is capable of murder in the right circumstances, and her novels show that the last person the reader expects to have done it, could have done it--the narrator, a child, a supposedly dead character, etc! In Curtain, Agatha hits us with the biggest shocker of them all: even her Great Detective is not immune. Poirot can and does commit murder, and even "mon ami Hastings" makes a (typically blundering!) attempt...and both are completely in character whilst doing so. No doubt Agatha wanted to write the detective author's White Whale: the perfect crime. And who could pull off the perfect crime except Poirot himself??

There are many satisfying elements in this novel to console the bereaved reader. There is the perfect symmetry of having Poirot's English career end where it began, at Styles Court (and many other, more minor symmetries along the way). There is the character development of Hastings, shown here as far more complex that one usually credits him as being, and given hope of a happy ending and a new romance thoughtfully provided by Poirot! There is the delightful surprise that, far from being the cripple Hastings thinks him to be, Poirot remains agile and able to sleuth until the very end. His grey cells are in fine fettle until his dying day.

Curtain is supremely clever and confident, one of Dame Agatha's tours de force. I am glad, though, that she never killed off Miss Marple. I really don't think I could handle that.(less)

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Feb 24, 2010 Hope rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by Agatha that I have ever read, so I was not sure what to expect. But as you can imagine the expectations were high, because I am reading Agatha Christie’s books, author who had and still has such a great influence on mystery novels.

This book is set in Styles and it is the last book for Poirot. The story was very interesting and there was a lot of mystery around it, as a reader you have a hard time figuring out who the murder is, actually you do not figure it out till the...more

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Feb 22, 2010 Raj rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: whodunnit

At the twilight of his years, Hercule Poirot returns to the country house where he solved his first case and summons his old friend Hastings to help him solve one final crime.

I was a bit wary about this, since it was apparently published after her death, and posthumously published work is sometime not published for a reason. However, according to Wiki, it was written in the '40s during the war when Christie was afraid for her life and she wanted to ensure that her most famous creation got a dece...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Gavin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This really must have caused a little head scratching at the time of its original publication. Poirot dies! Hastings is left to read the solution. Poirot is a killer! It's quite a departure in many ways from the usual Poirot story, but similar in many ways too.

By the time Christie published this she was 85 or thereabouts and completely fed up with the public's attitude to Poirot, with whom she had a rather ambivalent relationship. The public always wanted more and Christie gave them more. Had sh...more This really must have caused a little head scratching at the time of its original publication. Poirot dies! Hastings is left to read the solution. Poirot is a killer! It's quite a departure in many ways from the usual Poirot story, but similar in many ways too.

By the time Christie published this she was 85 or thereabouts and completely fed up with the public's attitude to Poirot, with whom she had a rather ambivalent relationship. The public always wanted more and Christie gave them more. Had she not had such a popular detective to chronicle she would most likely have written more of her psychological thriller type books, such as Death is Not the End. Happily for posterity she did continue with Poirot and churned out one every eighteen months or so throughout 55 years.

Poirot and Hastings have come full circle and have returned to Styles St. Mary for Poirot's last case. The cast of suspects is assmebled when Hastings arrives. The usual twists, turns and red herrings are here, but when one finally gets to the postscript in which Poirot explains all (always assuming you don't know the solution - as I didn't prior to reading) in a letter written to Hastings, there's something of a huge anticlimactic feeling. This is especially heightened by the knowledge that Poirot is dead and this will be the last time he explains his solution. The solution does make sense in a way, although having become used to Poirot's attitude in 38 previous books, it does not totally satisfy. Poirot had always had the attitude that murder is inexcusable and those responsible must be found. While his justification for killing his victim has a certain rationale, it conflicts with poirot's personality.

I suspect Christie really was fed up with the pompous little blit and wanted in some way to detract from him. In my opinion, she did not succeed. Poirot will always stand in the very top tier of fictional detectives and his little aberration here will be glossed over. One good thing about killing him off is that there has never been a rash of further adventures, unlike with some fictional detectives who would be best left to dwell in the pages of their originators.

This completes my reading of all Christie's detective books and it will be a while before I pick any up again. I will reread some at some point and continue to enjoy the many film adaptations.(less)

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Aug 30, 2009 DJ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it

I have to admit that I do keep putting off reading this book as I do hit a stumbling block each time I pick it up and here it is the very start of chapter 2.Which causes me great distress Quote"Nothing is so sad,in my opinion,as the devastion wrought by old age.
My poor friend.I have described him many times.Now to convey to you the difference.Crippled with arthritis,he propelled himself about in a wheeled chair.His once plump frame had fallen in.He was a thin little man now.His face was lined a...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Claire Sgyreju rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: agatha-christie, hercule-poirot, kindle-books, books-suggested-by-friends, mysteries-and-thrillers

First, a warning: this is a very sad book.

Without going into details, it *is* Hercule Poirot's last case, and it is always difficult to say goodbye to a beloved character - at least, it was hard for me. Fortunately I hadn't finished reading all the books and short stories about him (I just jumped ahead to this one because it had been recommended to me and I didn't want to wait any longer) so I knew I had something to go back to. For that reason alone I would recommend not reading it last, even t...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Chavonne rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Agatha Christie fans who need a sense of completion

Shelves: mysteries, series-that-sucked-me-in, anglophilia

This is such a hard review to write. I read this once before when in college and was just as dissatisfied. This time I read is as I work my way through Christie's works (just one more to go). I have read rave reviews of this novel but just don't see it. Without spoiling anything, Hercule Poirot's image is, to me, completely altered and I'm left with a deepregret for what I have thought in the past. Still, I do adore Poirot and his delightful mustaches and little grey cells. When this was publish...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Francine Nicholas rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As someone who has developed a somewhat unhealthy relationship with Agatha Christie novels and the 'little grey cells' of Hercule Poirot, I anxiously put off reading Curtain, fearing disappointment. Fortunately, I can pleasurably say Christie concluded this end of an era in style; with her unremitting ability to dramatically portray the depth and sorrows of each character. Though any devoted Christie fan could attest the direction of the plot remained relatively the same, allowing you to accurat...more

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Apr 19, 2010 Philip rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know some Christie readers prefer to avoid CURTAIN because it’s Poirot’s last case, but that’s never bothered me. However (and this may sound sacrilegious), while I gobbled up CURTAIN upon publication in 1975 (no doubt due in part to the months of excitement leading up to its release), on re-reading I found it rather contrived and, unfortunately, tedious (in fact, I actually gave up on a previous re-reading attempt four years ago). Even if it was written in the 1940s, while Christie was still...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Sahir D'souza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: agatha-christie, murder-mystery-suspense-crime, books-that-i-d-love-to-read-again, favourite-books

All right. So here is the book that made front-page news in the New York Times. It sold over a million copies in hardback and has been hailed as the best of the Christies. And this is what happens.
Captain Hastings is summoned by Poirot to Styles, where they both solved their first case together. As Hastings observes, Styles was never a happy house and it's inhabitants were not happy people. Now a deteriorating guesthouse, it's guests are not happy either. Poirot is crippled with arthritis and...more All right. So here is the book that made front-page news in the New York Times. It sold over a million copies in hardback and has been hailed as the best of the Christies. And this is what happens.
Captain Hastings is summoned by Poirot to Styles, where they both solved their first case together. As Hastings observes, Styles was never a happy house and it's inhabitants were not happy people. Now a deteriorating guesthouse, it's guests are not happy either. Poirot is crippled with arthritis and is feeble, although he claims that his little grey cells are still as sharp as ever. He shows Hastings a collection of five apparently unconnected cases. He then announces that in all the murders, there is no doubt (in the eyes of police, or in local gossip) as to who the murderer is. But, he says, in all five cases there is a character called X involved. X had some connection with all the people. So, Hastings assumes that X is the murderer and Poirot pronounces that X is in the house, but refuses to give away his name, while saying that a murder was soon to be committed.
Hastings takes up the job of Poirot's 'eyes and ears'. He begins to converse with the guests. There is Sir William Boyd Carrington, a famous man, and instantly likeable. There is Mr John Franklin, a doctor engaged in research. There is Mrs Barbara Franklin, his moody, invalid wife. Major Allerton is the person whom Hastings takes an intense dislike to: suave, charming, a ladies' man. There is Hastings's own daughter, Judith, assistant to Franklin. There is Stephen Norton, the shy, sweet bird-lover. And lastly, there is the slightly melancholy Miss Elizabeth Cole, who has had a troubled past. There are of course, the owners os Styles, Colonel Luttrell, a retired colonel who was in India, and his wife, the snappish, bossy Mrs Luttrell.
Poirot predicts murder. Quite soon, we are confronted with it, and not just once, but thrice! Are they all X crimes? They certainly look like it! The final chapter is quite ingenious.
But I'd like to point out one or two disappointments in the book: first off, the MOTIVE for X's crimes was quite a poor one. I think Agatha Christie came up with a brilliant, 'perfect', five-times murderer and then went, 'Oops, what's the motive?' and stuck a slightly doubtful one in. And also, there is no way in which one could guess the answer before the end, because of this obscure motive.
Anyway, the book quite impressed me. Please read it!(less)

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Jul 23, 2011 Kurt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

While I generally dislike Hercule Poirot and many of Agatha Christie's novels that feature him, this farewell to the character is surprisingly good. The basic premise is that Poirot and a buddy head to a shabby "hotel" (it's somehow less than a hotel, but I think there are cultural issues here that I don't understand as someone from the States) in the middle of nowhere to eat bad food, sit in the sun, meet other guests who have set aside weeks to similarly do nothing (again, I think there are re...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Mohak Chotrani rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading Agatha Christie's books, I have become a (mini) Sherlock Holmes (Only For Books). I loved this book, due to this reason! I usually figure out the suspense of Sherlock Holmes, Detective Conan, Miss Marple, etc. but (except for the Miss Marple books) Agatha Christie has always amazed me! Alright enough praise for her, let's get on with the review.

She has done it again, like always! She created a story that no one could guess at all (Sherlock would have been so ashamed after reading this bo...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Ruby Scarlett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

And so it ends. I spent most of my year reading almost all of the Poirot books in chronological order of publication so this feels so much like the end of an era. Now it's a matter of rereading not for the great reveal but for the psychology and the words chosen. I was surprised to see Hastings in this but it's very much a book wrapped in nostalgia for a time long gone (even more so now) and memories not quite forgotten. The case itself was good, though not as great as, say, Murder on the Orient...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Andinie Sunjayadi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: agatha-christie, roman-crime-fantasy-misteri

Saya menghindari membaca buku ini selama lebih dari 15 tahun! *waks* Hanya karena sebuah alasan sentimentil: gak sanggup menghadapi kenyataan Poirot akhirnya mati ;-P

Akhirnya, malah kelimpungan nyari judul ini (yang bercover versi jadul) kemana-mana saking udah gak ada dimana-mana, hehehe...

Well, gak sebagus karya Agatha Christie yang lain. Masih ada yang lebih keren. Entah judulnya apa, saya lupa... Yang pasti ini adalah kasus terakhirnya Miss Marple, sebelum dia juga "dimatikan" oleh Christie...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I'm just not one to give mysteries four stars. I like important issues to be central to a story. The topics of euthanasia, divorce, (and more) were discussed briefly by the characters -revealing both character and possible motives. However, the author's focus is presenting crimes to be solved and she does this cleverly. I can't believe that I have not actually read any of Agatha Christie's books. I will again when I want light entertainment. It was fun trying to guess whodunnit and what Poirot h...more

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Nov 20, 2010 Rozonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 16, 2012 Monica rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: british, crime-and-or-evil

It's been more than 30 years since I've read Agatha Christie and this book reminded me why.

On the plus side, it only took 3 hours to read while watching food television.

On the other hand, I have totally lost my taste for traditional cozies and village crime. The characters are 2D at best - the doggedly loyal but dimwitted, Watson wannabe Hastings and his eugenically inclined bluestocking daughter, the fumbling retired colonel landlord and his grasping shrewish wife, the brilliant but cold resea...more

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About Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three. The Millers had two other children: Margaret Frary Miller (1879–1950), called Madge, who was eleven years Agatha's senior, and Louis Montant Miller (1880...more

More about Agatha Christie...

Books by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #10)

The Mysterious Affair At Styles (Hercule Poirot #1)

Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple, #1)

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Quotes from Curtain: Poirot's Last...

“Everyone is a potential murderer-in everyone there arises from time to time the wish to kill-though not the will to kill.” — 62 people liked it

“Nothing is so sad, in my opinion, as the devastation wrought by age.
My poor friend. I have described him many times. Now to convey to you the difference. Crippled with arthritis, he propelled himself about in a wheelchair. His once plump frame had fallen in. He was a thin little man now. His face was lined and wrinkled. His moustache and hair, and hair, it is true, were still of a jet black colour, but candidly, though I would not for the world have hurt his feelings by saying so to him, this was a mistake. There comes a moment when hair dye is only too painfully obvious. There had been a time when I had been surprised to learn that the blackness of Poirot's hair came out of a bottle. But now the theatricality was apparent and merely created the impression that he wore a wig and had adorned his upper lip to amuse children!” — 5 people liked it

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title link	preview: Curtain: Poirot's Last Case
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81903.Curtain?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309282296l/81903.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81903.Curtain?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Curtain: Poirot's Last Case by Agatha Christie[/url]

Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39)

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