Classic whodunit from Master -- fun short mystery read!

Also entitled "Thirteen at Dinner", this mystery novel from the early 1930's (!) is a Christie classic in her Hercule Poirot series. The plot engages the reader quickly when Lord Edgware is bumped off. All clues certainly point to actress Jane Wilkinson (Lady Edgware), who has been overheard at dinner (for 13) wishing death for her husband, from whom she wants a not forthcoming divorce. However, an airtight alibi rules out Wilkinson, and so we're off to the races as both Poirot, who the actress had hired to "persuade" the Lord for a divorce, and the cops, in the form of Inspector Japp (who interestingly does legwork for Poirot throughout the story and serves as an amusing foil), chase an overabundance of clues!

Soon a second murder, and later a third, add to both the complexities of the case as well as Poirot's chagrin -- an obvious villain is not forthcoming. We readers are probably no better off, as we have as much trouble as Poirot's perpetual sidekick (and narrator) Capt. Hastings does unraveling all the characters and their testimonies. But of course, our hero rises to the occasion in the end and spells out for us clear as a bell what might have been right in front of our eyes.

Part of the beauty of these novels is the rather straightforward movement of the plot. While Christie might be accused of "economy of words", we still get enough character description and involvement to care about the principals and the resolution of the case. While no doubt this story send us down many wrong paths with the numerous red herrings at hand, the eventual outcome, followed by an entertaining afterword by one of the characters, is most satisfying. Charming chapter titles only add to the appeal of the author's timeless writing; and the 200 pages or so pass by quite crisply. Enjoy!