Wasps' Nest

Hercule Poirot #0.29

by Agatha Christie

Previously published in the print anthology Double Sin and Other Stories.

At a garden party, Hercule Poirot realizes that a murder is being plotted and he must stop it before the fete comes to a fatal end.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Short Stories, Crime, Fiction, Audiobook, Classics

20 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 1929

About the author

Agatha 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 Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasps nest tells us one of those rare cases entirely different from the normal ones that Hercule Poirot usually investigates. This case dealt with a murder investigation where the murder had not been yet committed.

What will you do if you get Hercule Poirot as an unexpected guest one fine day? John Harrison had to deal with such a situation. Why did Poirot visit Harrison? This book gives you the answer to it. This is one of those cases where Poirot solves the case quickly with his wisdom.


“That is what the conjurer says before he takes the goldfish out of the hat, saying that is part of the trick.”


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[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Hercule Poirot short story from Agatha Christie which I listened to on audio, about 20 minutes long, ably narrated by Hugh Fraser. John Harrison is surprised and delighted when Poirot unexpectedly drops in. This is a wonderful story with a twist in which Poirot sets out to prevent a murder, and he wants Harrison's help, the only trouble is Harrison refuses to believe him. Will Poirot manage to stop a murder in time?

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was only 24 pages!

Just a short little Hercule Poirot mystery. All about his amazing ability to work those grey cells.
Solving a murder before it happens!

Enjoyable, but too short for me. I always want more.

3.5 STARS

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirot investigates a murder. The kind with a love triangle among best friends and a beautiful girl.

Only none of them are dead. Yet.

Are any of us so perfect that we've never once thought of thievery, of seduction to prove our prowess and superiority? The fact is that murdered people know their murderers far more often than not, and that something went wrong between them quite often in their love lives. Most murderers hate their victims enough to kill then because they've been so horribly hurt, so humiliated by them. And the ones who commit murder instead of merely wishing it on the loved one are usually bad at problem solving and worse at self-reflection.

All of these facts apply in this very short, very intense tale of rage, hate, love, and revenge, and how sometimes complete accidents of Fate offer paths we can best define as miracles.

The Agatha Christie's Poirot version is pitch-perfect. What liberties are taken are negligible. And the scene that ends the episode is really very poignant. Both versions of this story are moving as well as most acutely observed...consider what happened in her own life in 1926...leaving me with the conviction that there was a lot more to Dame Agatha than she ever allowed one to see.

[محمد خالد شريف · Rating 3 out of 5]

أول بداية في عالم آجاثا كريستي البوليسي والمشوق.. والبداية بقصة قصيرة بعنوان "عش الزنابير" وبطلها المُفتش بوارو الذكي جداً ودقيق الملاحظة.. وصديقه "جون هاريسن".. رغم قصر القصة جداً فهي لا تتعدى 30 صفحة.. ولكنها جيدة جداً ومُشوقة للغاية.. ويعجبني جداً الجرائم التي تُحل بواسطة العلم والملاحظات الدقيقة جداً.

مُلخص القصة في الجملة التي قالها بوارو:

"اسمع يا صديقي إنك رجل يحتضر، وقد فقدت الفتاة التي أحببتها، ولكن شيئاً واحداً لا يُمكن أن تكونه.. فأنت لست قاتلاً".

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it a murder mystery if you prevent the murder?
Close enough, I say.



The gist of it is that Poirot stops someone from fulfilling their dying fantasy.
BOO! <-you think.
But this isn't some sweet Make-A-Wish thing. No, someone wants to frame their spouse's lover using the poison they supposedly bought to take out some flying pests.
Clever.
But not clever enough to fool Hercule Poirot.
And in the end, I think they realize that's probably a good thing.



This is a really short one, but I liked it.

Read as part of the short story collection A Deadly Affair.

[Peiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

هرکول پوارو در هر حالتی جذابه... سه داستان از ماجرا های کاراگاه خصوصی هرکول پوارو
توضیح و تفسیر نداره دیگه، جالبه

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

In a rare twist of events, Poirot investigates a murder before it has even happened

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual in Agatha's stories, all that's too obvious is NOT true.
That works for Poirot, the same with Sherlock Holmes. In this short story, Poirot is smart enough too "see" a triangle of lovers and a murder that is not committed yet.

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry, I don't buy certain coincidences in books... This short story could be 5 stars for me, but unfortunately it was not so thrilling was I expected. However it was enjoyable and a good entertainment.

[Ehsan'Shokraie' · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان های پوآرو شاید تنها پس از شرلوک هلمز از زیباترین جذاب ترین و هنرمندانه ترین آثار جنایی باشند،انسان در ناخودآگاه نیازمند به باور به قدرتی در ماورا،یا هوشی فراتر از آنچه در حد تصور اوست،تا که از به آن به احساس امنیت برسد یا معنی از آن برای زندگی خود متصور شود،به همین خاطر به شخصیت های قهرمانان پیامبر وارانه ایمان می آورد و مریدانه علاقه می ورزد،حال آنچه که پوآرو و هلمز انجام می دهند تنها مشاهده است،مشاهده چیز هایی که دیگران به راحت از کنارشان می گذرند.

[Iloveplacebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5 / 5

Relato de Hercules Poirot.
Un breve misterio en el que el detective se ve envuelto entre un nido de avispas, cianuro, y dos amigos.

Me ha gustado. Es el primer relato de la autora que leo (creo), y está bien llevado. Es cierto que al ser tan breve te deja con ganas de más; pero así también está bien.

¿Lo más interesante de este caso? El asesinato aún no se ha cometido cuando Poirot se "entromete".

[Rizwan Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

সেই ছেলেবেলায় তিন গোয়েন্দা'র অ্যাডাপ্টেশন খুন!-বইয়ের নামগল্পটা পড়েছিলাম, রকিব হাসানের মাথায় প্রৌঢ় এরকুল পোয়ারোর জায়গায় টিনেজার কিশোর পাশাকে বসানোর চিন্তা কেমনে এসেছিল আল্লাহই মালুম! যদিও কিশোরকে চিরকালই মনে হয়েছে টিনেজারের দেহে আটকে পড়া এক প্রৌঢ়বয়ষ্ক, সে পোয়ারোর মতো কিঞ্চিত মোটাসোটা স্বাস্থ্যের (অন্তত ছোটকালে) আর পোয়ারোর মতোই শারীরিক দৌড়ঝাঁপের চেয়ে মাথার 'little grey cells'-দের দৌড় করাতে অনেকবেশি আগ্রহী। সেদিক থেকে বোধকরি একদম মানানসইই হয়েছিল ;)

কী অসাধারণ একটা ছোট্ট (প্রি)মার্ডার-মিস্ট্রি! মাত্র দুয়েক পৃষ্ঠার, অথচ এটুকুর মধ্যেও ট্রেডমার্ক পোয়ারোর গোয়েন্দাগিরি/ক্রিস্টি'র লেখনি-সুলভ চিরচারিত একাধিক টুইস্টের উপর টুইস্ট পাঠককে বেমক্কা ধাক্কা দিতে উপস্থিত। কোথাকার জল ইয়ে ভিমরুলের চাক শেষে কই গিয়ে ঠেকল...

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. It all starts with a surprise visit by Hercule Poirot to his friend John Harrison and his beautiful garden. Christie's "dandified figure" is asked why he has come to "this out-of-the-way place?" He responds with, "Business. All crimes are not committed in crowds, you know?" The "Daily Mail" first carried it in 1928; in 1999 it was in "Hercule Poirot The Complete Short Stories." Very short at eight pages. It's different than most other Poirot stories and novels, in that he is present in order to stop a serious crime from occurring. I can think of two others in which he fails at such a task, "The Triangle at Rhodes," and "Death on the Nile." Murder occurred anyway. He soon remarks on a wasp's nest in the roof of the veranda where the two are having soda water, and suggests Harrison should destroy it. His host finds this strange in that he has arranged for his neighbour to do the deed later that very day. Poirot has met Claude Langton who will be visiting at 9pm for that purpose and hopes that he will be using petrol not cyanide. M. Poirot vows to return at that time. If you enjoy obtuse conversations, you are in for a smile. (January 2021)

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much to say here at all except Masterpieces in Miniature is correct. One of my all time favourite AC short stories. I really wish this was adapted into a longer novel; I adored the tv episode of this one with David Suchet as Poirot too :)

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story, it reminds us that Poirot is not only a brilliant detective (solving a murder before it happens), but his depth of sensitivity is truly his greatest gift.

[thegreensofa]

A tiny little story that no-one would surely possibly guess from Hercule's short visit!
And the poor wasps, why.

[Amir Rajabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

بازمانده دوران نوجوانی

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella was $0.99on Amazon

A quick mystery novella about Hercule Poirot visiting a gentleman and uncovering the truth.

I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of British 🏰 mystery novels and fans of Agatha Christie. 2024

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickest read short story in history. Agatha Christie takes her man, Hercule Poirot, to a little village so he can prevent murder.

Poirot goes to visit an aquaintance at his home to warn him of murder. He points out little details of how he comes across the signature of a man that is due to visit Poirot's acquaintance later that same evening. The gentleman had signed for a poison. To clear out a wasp's nest or as murder for revenge of losing his love to the other man. Poirot feels it is his duty to prevent murder and must let his acquaintance know that he understands what is going to happen. He is told that this will happen at 9:00 pm and he returns to the scene at that time to find the visitor in a rush to leave. what else does Hercule Poirot find?

This story was short. It took longer to write this review than it did you read the story. This story is worth reading if you are a fan of Agatha Christie. It is not her best tale but it is still enjoyable. There are many details that are not revealed until the end so that you cannot establish the crime or killer properly. The whole overall tale is wonderful but there is no chance you could figure out this mystery without her laying out the whole solution to you. Still, it has the appeal of Hercule Poirot and his amazing grey cells.

[Marie-Louise Persson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am telling you, those little grey cells always win

[Karri Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

How cunning is Meneer Poirot to solve a crime before it has begun? His mustache must be akin to "Spidey Senses".

[catherine ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it's usually more interesting if there is a crime that has already occurred, but I actually really enjoyed the idea of this short story, of Poirot being one step ahead, even of the actual murder.

[Chari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirot visits a friend and warns him that he is in danger of being murdered. The motive: the man who is taking care of a wasps' nest is an ex- of the woman the friend is currently with. Poirot learns of the time the ex- is supposed to come by and promises to return at that time.

He does, and reveals the prevention of a crime.

Who done it? Poirot prevents the murder of the ex-. The friend had directed the ex- to get dangerous poison, instead of a method otherwise endorsed. The plan was to commit suicide, but have the ex- blamed for murder.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slim story that nevertheless proves once again Dame Christie's talent for ingenious plots.

In a matter of just a few minutes, she manages to completely turn the tables on the reader and defy what has been so cleverly set up.

It's a classic example of the bait-and switch structure that she perfected over the years.

[Jovana Vesper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a f-up story, indeed, pardon my French! Its deviant the way this bloke decided to part with his connections and life. Pity it is so short but it was also brilliantly detailed and done in the show. The lady of the story is the worst type of woman, at least in my book.
Poirot is the man here, super serious, adroit and quick-witted.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent short story by an excellent author.

[anðre · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm gonna read a short story"
.
.
"well that was short.."

[judy koepsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Very interesting story, I just love the Hercules Poirot tales. Clean and intriguing, they never fail to entertain. More, please, anytime.