14th out of 68 books
—
343 voters
Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39)
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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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
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
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
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
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
I con...more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The story is very clever and suitably puzzling - I changed my mind about who the...more
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
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
I'd read th...more
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
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
"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
They investigate a killer "X", the identity of...more
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
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
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
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
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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
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
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
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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
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
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
Oct 17, 2011
Chavonne
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Agatha Christie fans who need a sense of completion
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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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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...
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
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“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
More quotes…
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!”

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Jun 19, 2012 06:53am
Jun 19, 2012 08:05am