What do you think?
Rate this book
Superintendent Battle #5
Towards Zero
What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?
To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gulls Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid planfor murder.
347 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1944
About the author
Agatha Christie
6,064 books77.9k 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 Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (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 Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,727 reviews
January 20, 2024
"quando lemos a notícia de um assassinato, ou uma história de ficção sobre um assassinato, normalmente tudo começa com o próprio crime. isso é errado. o assassinato começa muito antes, é o ponto culminante de várias circunstâncias diferentes, todas convergindo para um dado ponto, em um dado momento. o assassinato propriamente dito é o final da história. é a hora zero."
imagina escrever isso em 1944
imagina escrever isso em 1944
May 15, 2026
Superintendent Battle's daughter is a liar.
But the reason she lied will also prove to be the key to helping him solve a murder.
Nevile Strange (no relation to Doctor) is a handsome tennis star who is married to a young hottie. But when he meets his ex-wife in the park, it's decided that they should all just try to get along and be friends again. Which translates into staying at his aunt's estate at the same time over the holidays.
Seriously?
Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
Well, it certainly doesn't sound like a good idea to his new wife.
This is one of those Christie mysteries that leaves out a pretty HUGE chunk of pertinent information till the very last few chapters. You will probably be (just like I was) suspecting everyone except the killer right up till she throws down that last clue.
Superintendent Battle feels more fleshed out in this (his last) book. He's more of a participant in this story than he is in the others, and that made me happy.
He's just that solid sort of dude who kind of steps in and stops the crazy. I really liked him, and I'm glad Christie gave us a chance to get to know this character a little better.
I really enjoyed this one.
Recommended!
But the reason she lied will also prove to be the key to helping him solve a murder.
Nevile Strange (no relation to Doctor) is a handsome tennis star who is married to a young hottie. But when he meets his ex-wife in the park, it's decided that they should all just try to get along and be friends again. Which translates into staying at his aunt's estate at the same time over the holidays.
Seriously?
Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
Well, it certainly doesn't sound like a good idea to his new wife.
This is one of those Christie mysteries that leaves out a pretty HUGE chunk of pertinent information till the very last few chapters. You will probably be (just like I was) suspecting everyone except the killer right up till she throws down that last clue.
Superintendent Battle feels more fleshed out in this (his last) book. He's more of a participant in this story than he is in the others, and that made me happy.
He's just that solid sort of dude who kind of steps in and stops the crazy. I really liked him, and I'm glad Christie gave us a chance to get to know this character a little better.
I really enjoyed this one.
Recommended!
February 6, 2023
I had so much fun with this one, almost all of the characters were so suspicious and entertaining. Per usual, my 900 theories were wrong but that’s okay 😂
September 29, 2019
It's been some time since a murder mystery has imposed on my mind so heavily. Even when this mystery had all its clothes on, you could guess the promise it contained. I kept thinking, and the question and the curiosity, the suspense and the wonder, they kept occupying my mind. As the pages flew by, the time to say goodbye to Inspector Battle came too soon. At least Miss Marple starred in 13 of her books. Poor Battle was shunted aside in the public's stampede for Poirot.
I guessed wrongly regarding the culprit. I fell for one of the many false trails painted by Mrs Christie. I react strongly to the narration of life and how it's being wasted, in more ways than one, by this great author. The main characters here are Nevile, Audrey, Kay, Ted, and Mary. The most mysterious of them was Audrey, whose secret feeling was not anger, love, or sadness, but fear. I never thought that she was the culprit, and I could have guessed rightly who was, but then I got waylaid.
I was amused by the inimitable Mr Treves. When an author like Christie has a limited number of brushstrokes at her disposal for painting a character, then one like Treves often walks a fine line between brilliance and parody. I was very entertained by this situation, and Mr Treves played like a retarded and oblivious person who thinks he's being very observative. Finally after being slightly disappointed by the real solution, I was cheered by the downright creepy lovey dovey ending. Agatha Christie must generate a happy ending, no matter what. But then she probably knew her audience too well. Nevertheless this book has secured its perfect score, and time has come for me to escape, even if some people in the book don't want to!
I guessed wrongly regarding the culprit. I fell for one of the many false trails painted by Mrs Christie. I react strongly to the narration of life and how it's being wasted, in more ways than one, by this great author. The main characters here are Nevile, Audrey, Kay, Ted, and Mary. The most mysterious of them was Audrey, whose secret feeling was not anger, love, or sadness, but fear. I never thought that she was the culprit, and I could have guessed rightly who was, but then I got waylaid.
I was amused by the inimitable Mr Treves. When an author like Christie has a limited number of brushstrokes at her disposal for painting a character, then one like Treves often walks a fine line between brilliance and parody. I was very entertained by this situation, and Mr Treves played like a retarded and oblivious person who thinks he's being very observative. Finally after being slightly disappointed by the real solution, I was cheered by the downright creepy lovey dovey ending. Agatha Christie must generate a happy ending, no matter what. But then she probably knew her audience too well. Nevertheless this book has secured its perfect score, and time has come for me to escape, even if some people in the book don't want to!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2019
I’ve now reached the final book to feature Superintendent Battle in the Christie cannon, what a great mystery for his last appearance!
Bed bound Lady Tressilian still intends to invite guests to her seaside home at Gull's Point during the summer, one of the guests included tennis star Nevile Strange.
Though the idea of him bring both his current and ex-wives seems like an ill advised idea...
Whilst at an uncomfortable dinner party Mr Treves regales all the guests a tale of one child killing another with an arrow, ruled as an accident and the child given a new identity the old solicitor suggests is murder ever predetermined - a Towards Zero point.
When Mr Treves is found dead in his room the following morning from what appears to be a heart attack, the lift had an ‘Out of Order’ sign attached even though it was still fully functional.
Could one of the guests be that child?
Christie is a master of weaving cleverly constructed mysteries, I loved the various red herrings throughout as my suspicions kept changing between the different guests.
Even though this is a stand-alone tale, the reader benefits from reading her previous novels.
Battles mentions of Poirot was a delight, the fact that he’d previously worked with the Belgium detective helped aid him solve this case was a perfectly fitting conclusion.
Bed bound Lady Tressilian still intends to invite guests to her seaside home at Gull's Point during the summer, one of the guests included tennis star Nevile Strange.
Though the idea of him bring both his current and ex-wives seems like an ill advised idea...
Whilst at an uncomfortable dinner party Mr Treves regales all the guests a tale of one child killing another with an arrow, ruled as an accident and the child given a new identity the old solicitor suggests is murder ever predetermined - a Towards Zero point.
When Mr Treves is found dead in his room the following morning from what appears to be a heart attack, the lift had an ‘Out of Order’ sign attached even though it was still fully functional.
Could one of the guests be that child?
Christie is a master of weaving cleverly constructed mysteries, I loved the various red herrings throughout as my suspicions kept changing between the different guests.
Even though this is a stand-alone tale, the reader benefits from reading her previous novels.
Battles mentions of Poirot was a delight, the fact that he’d previously worked with the Belgium detective helped aid him solve this case was a perfectly fitting conclusion.
July 24, 2016
‘I like a good detective story,’ he said. ‘But, you know, they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that– years before sometimes– with all the causes and events that bring certain people to a certain place at a certain time on a certain day.
What makes a good detective story? Suspense? Atmosphere? An outrageous plot? Memorable characters? Twists?
As with many others of Christie's stories, Towards Zero relies on a set of characters, the type of which is already familiar to Christie's readers. The setting (a version of country house) and plot (errm....murder), is also in line with the expectation of the "typical" Christie novel. What I had not expected was for Christie to actually question the whole setup of her "typical" story by proclaiming that the story cannot stop with the detection of the murderer but that it needs to reveal the background in order for the story of the murder to be understood.
It's almost like Christie used this story to prove that the police investigation needs to include an understanding of the psychology of the characters involved in order to successfully solve the crime.
But did she need to do this? Surely, the fact that her Marple and Poirot act as the psychologists to aid the inspectors in her other books is proof enough that there is a partnership between the two?
Towards Zero does not feature Marple or Poirot but instead has Inspector Battle, who takes on the role of the "enlightened" policeman. We learn early on that he has little time for amateur psychology, and later we learn that he is also capable of trickery - although, Christie stays away from implying that there is a member of the police who would use trickery to get a murderer to confess. No, she added a different character to do this.
Which brings me to one of the few complaints I have about the story - the multitude of characters. There are so many of them that it is hard to keep track of. Some are mentioned, but then disappear in almost the next scene - with no relevance to the story.
Were they included to merely bulk out the pages?
I mean, I really enjoyed the main plot and characters, but I wish she had spent more time fleshing them out, rather than just throwing new characters in the mix. Maybe getting to learn more about the characters would have also helped the ending, which reminded me of the somewhat creepy relationship in Du Maurier's Rebecca:
What makes a good detective story? Suspense? Atmosphere? An outrageous plot? Memorable characters? Twists?
As with many others of Christie's stories, Towards Zero relies on a set of characters, the type of which is already familiar to Christie's readers. The setting (a version of country house) and plot (errm....murder), is also in line with the expectation of the "typical" Christie novel. What I had not expected was for Christie to actually question the whole setup of her "typical" story by proclaiming that the story cannot stop with the detection of the murderer but that it needs to reveal the background in order for the story of the murder to be understood.
It's almost like Christie used this story to prove that the police investigation needs to include an understanding of the psychology of the characters involved in order to successfully solve the crime.
But did she need to do this? Surely, the fact that her Marple and Poirot act as the psychologists to aid the inspectors in her other books is proof enough that there is a partnership between the two?
Towards Zero does not feature Marple or Poirot but instead has Inspector Battle, who takes on the role of the "enlightened" policeman. We learn early on that he has little time for amateur psychology, and later we learn that he is also capable of trickery - although, Christie stays away from implying that there is a member of the police who would use trickery to get a murderer to confess. No, she added a different character to do this.
Which brings me to one of the few complaints I have about the story - the multitude of characters. There are so many of them that it is hard to keep track of. Some are mentioned, but then disappear in almost the next scene - with no relevance to the story.
Were they included to merely bulk out the pages?
I mean, I really enjoyed the main plot and characters, but I wish she had spent more time fleshing them out, rather than just throwing new characters in the mix. Maybe getting to learn more about the characters would have also helped the ending, which reminded me of the somewhat creepy relationship in Du Maurier's Rebecca:
January 25, 2023
I decided to participate in the Read Christie challenge this year and I selected Towards Zero as it fits with this month's theme. I consider it a standalone novel l although I believe one of the characters, Superintendent Battle, appears in a few other mysteries. Hercule Poirot also gets name dropped a few times in this book but the Belgian detective does not make any type of appearance.
You don't need to know much about the plot ahead of time. Basically a group of people are staying at a seaside home. A tennis player, his current wife, as well as his ex-wife are among the guests, and well, that makes things a bit awkward.
Agatha really sets the stage in that she takes her time before getting to the actual mystery portion of the story. It works well though because you are getting bits and pieces of relevant information about the characters along the way. I'll admit I was super confident I had this one all figured out, but nope, she fooled me again! An enjoyable read and it's worth mentioning out of the 10 or so mysteries I've read by this author, I've yet to read a bad one.
You don't need to know much about the plot ahead of time. Basically a group of people are staying at a seaside home. A tennis player, his current wife, as well as his ex-wife are among the guests, and well, that makes things a bit awkward.
Agatha really sets the stage in that she takes her time before getting to the actual mystery portion of the story. It works well though because you are getting bits and pieces of relevant information about the characters along the way. I'll admit I was super confident I had this one all figured out, but nope, she fooled me again! An enjoyable read and it's worth mentioning out of the 10 or so mysteries I've read by this author, I've yet to read a bad one.
March 2, 2020
What a devilish book this is!
It is no secret that Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and in this novel, she truly excels. Slowly, inexorably, all the pieces of the chess, or mystery, are put in place awaiting the final scene - the murder - but things are of course not what they appear. The tension grows while all these characters meet, cross and finally come together. No Poirot present, although mentioned, but a very competent Superintendent Battle.
This is definitely one of her best. The less you know, the better the experience :0)
It is no secret that Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and in this novel, she truly excels. Slowly, inexorably, all the pieces of the chess, or mystery, are put in place awaiting the final scene - the murder - but things are of course not what they appear. The tension grows while all these characters meet, cross and finally come together. No Poirot present, although mentioned, but a very competent Superintendent Battle.
This is definitely one of her best. The less you know, the better the experience :0)
June 18, 2026
Towards Zero is both a psychological thriller and a detective mystery. That's what struck me as marvelous. I believe it's the only work by Agatha Christie in which the two genres are combined. And the story is structured quite differently from the others. In Agatha Christy mystery/thriller novels, murder is committed fairly soon. But here, the murder is delayed. It doesn't happen until half the story is told. This is where Agatha Christie works on character psychology, building tension and laying the ground for the crime to be committed. In this novel, the murder is not the beginning but the end, when the premeditated crime comes "towards zero". The readers live in perpetual suspense, contemplating when the crime will be committed and who the victim will be. And then the murder happens, and the police investigation begins. The psychological focus then shifts towards procedural questioning of possible suspects, and the collection of evidence begins, transforming the story structure to detective fiction. No wonder Agatha Christie considered this her favourite. She must have had a really enjoyable time writing this.
Towards Zero is the final work that includes Superintendent Battle and, in my opinion, the best of Superintendent Battle novels. Unlike in other Battle novels, here he plays an actively involved role. I enjoyed that very much. I always like to have an active detective in mystery stories. And Battle was his best self here, dominating the police investigation. Drawing on his experience, expertise, and knowledge in psychology, he apprehends a criminal mastermind who, though only one crime could be proved, is suspected of two others.
Agatha Christie has employed an interesting mix of characters and isolated them in close company in a picturesque coastal estate situated in a seaside village. A prominent tennis player, his ex-wife, current wife, an intimate friend of the current wife, a love-interest, and a distant relative of the ex-wife, an old Lady, her companion, and a former survivor of attempted suicide. They were a mix and complex batch, and they all brought different colours to the story. The plot was complex, and I admit I had no clue who the culprit was, so his identity came as a surprise. My only complaint is that the denouement felt feeble. After all the fuss, I expected something grander. Nevertheless, the novel was both intriguing and fascinating. It is the best in the Superintendent Battle series and one of the best Agatha Christie psychological thrillers. 3.5 stars.
More of my reviews can be found at http://piyangiejay.com/
Towards Zero is the final work that includes Superintendent Battle and, in my opinion, the best of Superintendent Battle novels. Unlike in other Battle novels, here he plays an actively involved role. I enjoyed that very much. I always like to have an active detective in mystery stories. And Battle was his best self here, dominating the police investigation. Drawing on his experience, expertise, and knowledge in psychology, he apprehends a criminal mastermind who, though only one crime could be proved, is suspected of two others.
Agatha Christie has employed an interesting mix of characters and isolated them in close company in a picturesque coastal estate situated in a seaside village. A prominent tennis player, his ex-wife, current wife, an intimate friend of the current wife, a love-interest, and a distant relative of the ex-wife, an old Lady, her companion, and a former survivor of attempted suicide. They were a mix and complex batch, and they all brought different colours to the story. The plot was complex, and I admit I had no clue who the culprit was, so his identity came as a surprise. My only complaint is that the denouement felt feeble. After all the fuss, I expected something grander. Nevertheless, the novel was both intriguing and fascinating. It is the best in the Superintendent Battle series and one of the best Agatha Christie psychological thrillers. 3.5 stars.
More of my reviews can be found at http://piyangiejay.com/
April 8, 2025
My husband and I had just finished watching a 2025 BBC One series production of Agatha Christie’s book, “Towards Zero.” Beautifully acted, the 3-part series murder mystery revolved around a recently divorced British tennis player holidaying at his rich aunt’s house in 1930’s England.
My first response to watching this series, was recognizing I had never heard of this Agatha Christie story. Especially since I thought I had read all of them. So, I ordered the book from my local library. Would the book be similar to the BBC production?
Let’s begin…
The book was originally published in 1944. It starts off with two pages of characters names! Already I am concerned. How does one remember everybody? Still, having this list helps as a ‘go-to’ reference as the story unfolds.
It doesn’t take long to get a sense of what the title of the book means when one of the characters laments the following...
“I like a good detective story. But you know they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that – years before sometimes – with all the causes and events that bring certain people to a certain place at a certain time on a certain day. …All converging towards a given spot. Zero hour. All of them converging towards zero.”
I also remember this same speech being at the beginning of the BBC production, too. So, in many respects readers and viewers are being set up early to understand the intention of the story.
Which leads any of us to wonder, are we to assume that a murder shall occur?
In the BBC series, everything took place at one location, Gull’s Point. In the book, readers become aware of an individual in the hospital recovering from a suicide attempt. Next, another character is planning a murder with a specific date in mind for it to occur.
The story is setting everything in motion for what is to occur, and where, with readers for the most part, in the dark about when or why. Each chapter setting begins with a calendar date, giving readers the sense that they are meeting everyone as the year goes forward, and wondering, what is in play here? We suspect a murder will take place, but we are uncertain how all these characters will play into it.
And, that is Madame Christie for readers. She gives us a sense of foreboding, and a recognition that we need to pay attention. Because everyone is being presented to us readers for an important reason. To find out how they will shape the mystery to be solved. Whose death will be ‘the culmination of a long train of circumstances?’
Will the police officer be able to solve the mystery in the end? Will readers?
In this twisty, who-dunit with so many characters to keep track of and understand, readers will get a taste of Madame Christie without her familiar characters of Hercule Poirot or Mrs. Marple or even Tommy and Tuppence. And, with a very different ending than the BBC adaptation.
And, maybe the bigger question might just be, which will readers or viewers prefer? No spoilers from me.
My first response to watching this series, was recognizing I had never heard of this Agatha Christie story. Especially since I thought I had read all of them. So, I ordered the book from my local library. Would the book be similar to the BBC production?
Let’s begin…
The book was originally published in 1944. It starts off with two pages of characters names! Already I am concerned. How does one remember everybody? Still, having this list helps as a ‘go-to’ reference as the story unfolds.
It doesn’t take long to get a sense of what the title of the book means when one of the characters laments the following...
“I like a good detective story. But you know they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that – years before sometimes – with all the causes and events that bring certain people to a certain place at a certain time on a certain day. …All converging towards a given spot. Zero hour. All of them converging towards zero.”
I also remember this same speech being at the beginning of the BBC production, too. So, in many respects readers and viewers are being set up early to understand the intention of the story.
Which leads any of us to wonder, are we to assume that a murder shall occur?
In the BBC series, everything took place at one location, Gull’s Point. In the book, readers become aware of an individual in the hospital recovering from a suicide attempt. Next, another character is planning a murder with a specific date in mind for it to occur.
The story is setting everything in motion for what is to occur, and where, with readers for the most part, in the dark about when or why. Each chapter setting begins with a calendar date, giving readers the sense that they are meeting everyone as the year goes forward, and wondering, what is in play here? We suspect a murder will take place, but we are uncertain how all these characters will play into it.
And, that is Madame Christie for readers. She gives us a sense of foreboding, and a recognition that we need to pay attention. Because everyone is being presented to us readers for an important reason. To find out how they will shape the mystery to be solved. Whose death will be ‘the culmination of a long train of circumstances?’
Will the police officer be able to solve the mystery in the end? Will readers?
In this twisty, who-dunit with so many characters to keep track of and understand, readers will get a taste of Madame Christie without her familiar characters of Hercule Poirot or Mrs. Marple or even Tommy and Tuppence. And, with a very different ending than the BBC adaptation.
And, maybe the bigger question might just be, which will readers or viewers prefer? No spoilers from me.
June 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this mystery and its many twists and turns. Great atmosphere set in the house and all of the suspects a possible murderer. Battle is the detective who uses psychology to solve the murders. The addition of information about one of the suspects towards the end indicates the murderer. A great little read.
I recently watched a tv adaptation of this story with Miss Marple included as the sleuth and Battle as her sidekick. Still a good story with a weekend away turning into murder. The ex wife a victim with Audrey and her husband suspects. Lots of red herrings as always and insanity playing a role! Enjoyed the book more.
I recently watched a tv adaptation of this story with Miss Marple included as the sleuth and Battle as her sidekick. Still a good story with a weekend away turning into murder. The ex wife a victim with Audrey and her husband suspects. Lots of red herrings as always and insanity playing a role! Enjoyed the book more.
January 28, 2019
This is a very good murder plot with many victems and just as many suspects. The author cleverly took each suspect out one by one until we are left with the killer.
Enjoy and Be Blessed
Steven
Enjoy and Be Blessed
Steven
August 25, 2025
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Guau. Si alguien me dice que adivinó el final, no le creo😂. Realmente, en este libro Agatha mete un plottwist que es la pura definición de «giro inesperado en la trama». Juega con sus lectores como le da la gana.
Aunque debo decir que, en parte, me ha enfadado un pelín la forma en la que revela la verdad en este libro. Para mí, existen básicamente dos tipos de historias de misterio: las que te van dejando pistas aquí y allí (que luego tú puedes detectarlas o no, pero estar, están ahí, aunque solo las veas a posteriori) y las que no te dejan apenas ninguna pista y de repente al final te dan una explicación con la que dan la vuelta a todo lo que ha pasado en el libro y la forma en que se te han presentado los personajes y acontecimientos. Y en esta ocasión nos encontramos con esta segunda situación, en la que el giro es tan bestia que te cuenta todo lo que sabías hasta ahora con un enfoque superdistinto. Y a mí esto a veces me parece un poco trampa, porque digamos que no le da una oportunidad real al lector de averiguar la verdad por su cuenta. No obstante, reconozco que el golpe de efecto es potentísimo.
Por otro lado, en esta historia vuelvo a confirmar que no coincido con la idea de Agatha del amor😬. No entraré en detalles, porque no quiero destriparle la historia a nadie pero... Su visión y la mía son muy distintas. Sé que la relación con su primer marido no acabó bien, pero guau, a veces hasta me sorprende su enfoque de las relaciones supuestamente románticas.
A pesar de ello, es un libro de los cortos y adictivos que sin duda engancha. Al principio, se toma su tiempo para presentarnos a los personajes y disponer todos los elementos en el tablero, pero lo hace de esa forma tan suya que siempre te tiene pendiente de lo que va a pasar a continuación. Y lo cierto es que, como siempre, consigue hacer pasar un buen rato a los fans del misterio.
Guau. Si alguien me dice que adivinó el final, no le creo😂. Realmente, en este libro Agatha mete un plottwist que es la pura definición de «giro inesperado en la trama». Juega con sus lectores como le da la gana.
Aunque debo decir que, en parte, me ha enfadado un pelín la forma en la que revela la verdad en este libro. Para mí, existen básicamente dos tipos de historias de misterio: las que te van dejando pistas aquí y allí (que luego tú puedes detectarlas o no, pero estar, están ahí, aunque solo las veas a posteriori) y las que no te dejan apenas ninguna pista y de repente al final te dan una explicación con la que dan la vuelta a todo lo que ha pasado en el libro y la forma en que se te han presentado los personajes y acontecimientos. Y en esta ocasión nos encontramos con esta segunda situación, en la que el giro es tan bestia que te cuenta todo lo que sabías hasta ahora con un enfoque superdistinto. Y a mí esto a veces me parece un poco trampa, porque digamos que no le da una oportunidad real al lector de averiguar la verdad por su cuenta. No obstante, reconozco que el golpe de efecto es potentísimo.
Por otro lado, en esta historia vuelvo a confirmar que no coincido con la idea de Agatha del amor😬. No entraré en detalles, porque no quiero destriparle la historia a nadie pero... Su visión y la mía son muy distintas. Sé que la relación con su primer marido no acabó bien, pero guau, a veces hasta me sorprende su enfoque de las relaciones supuestamente románticas.
A pesar de ello, es un libro de los cortos y adictivos que sin duda engancha. Al principio, se toma su tiempo para presentarnos a los personajes y disponer todos los elementos en el tablero, pero lo hace de esa forma tan suya que siempre te tiene pendiente de lo que va a pasar a continuación. Y lo cierto es que, como siempre, consigue hacer pasar un buen rato a los fans del misterio.
August 5, 2019
Another blockbuster from Christie, featuring Superintendent Battle. An interesting aspect of the novel is that Battle solves the case thinking of Poirot’s obsession with symmetry. The beginning is great and sets the tone for a great mystery. As a reader you keep reading anxiously for the crime to be committed and when it finally happens, you sit back and relax for Battle to resolve it. A very different technique but interesting. Great read.
November 11, 2015
I'm breaking all the rules here. I had been reading my way through the Agatha Christie canon book-by-book in chronological order. Generally I was managing to get through a couple, or more, books per year. Suddenly – and very generously – my parents bought me a copy of Towards Zero for Christmas. As the fifth of the Superintendent Battle books – and the thirty-fourth published Christie novel – it was going to take me a while to get to. In fact, based on my current reading pace somewhere between 10 and 15 years. When I pointed this out my parents suggested that they couldn't really guarantee to be around to hear what I thought of it by then; so, seeing as most Christie novels aren't really interlinked as a series, it seemed fairer to bend the rules slightly and read this one out of order...
The story itself jumps straight into classic Christie fare: a large number of people (read: suspects) are gathered together for an unimportant (to us) reason. Some of them obviously have pre-existing histories with each other; some of them (we believe) are meeting for the first time; and, of course, not everybody is necessarily who they claim to be. The zero of the title, it is explained, is the time of the murder we are moving towards. The murder itself is the time zero, the events and reasons that lead up to this point are as important as the murder itself.
However, this is a book that could have been so much better. It has all the teasers and all the fantastic suspects we love; all the twists and turns; all the suspects briefly in the spotlight of suspicion before the story moves on. But, ultimately, Battle is a non-detective in this. He barely influences the resolution at all. The crime is actually wrapped up by some random passer by who happens to be in the area for a totally unconnected reason. With this being Christie's last outing for Battle maybe she just wasn't feeling the love any more. Up until the unsatisfactory ending though, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The story itself jumps straight into classic Christie fare: a large number of people (read: suspects) are gathered together for an unimportant (to us) reason. Some of them obviously have pre-existing histories with each other; some of them (we believe) are meeting for the first time; and, of course, not everybody is necessarily who they claim to be. The zero of the title, it is explained, is the time of the murder we are moving towards. The murder itself is the time zero, the events and reasons that lead up to this point are as important as the murder itself.
However, this is a book that could have been so much better. It has all the teasers and all the fantastic suspects we love; all the twists and turns; all the suspects briefly in the spotlight of suspicion before the story moves on. But, ultimately, Battle is a non-detective in this. He barely influences the resolution at all. The crime is actually wrapped up by some random passer by who happens to be in the area for a totally unconnected reason. With this being Christie's last outing for Battle maybe she just wasn't feeling the love any more. Up until the unsatisfactory ending though, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
August 4, 2021
The only thing that I remembered from my first read of this one was "whodunnit," but I was pleased to find that my original impression of this being a strong Christie was validated. This is a great example of what Christie does best: evocative setting, interesting double blinds and clue twists, and the delightful authorial voice that make her work stand the test of time. I didn't love one aspect of how the mystery eventually is resolved, but apart from that, this is a delight
September 5, 2025
Siento que sí debí leer a Christie en orden de publicación porque cuando creo que ya adiviné y le supe a su fórmula me doy cuenta que no es posible. Siempre me cambia el rumbo. Siempre sorpresas.
January 18, 2025
Lunchtime Listen January 2025
Now as I inherited all the Agatha Christie books from my mother, I know I have this, but have never read it. (I think the great Christie group reads of about 5 years ago fulfilled my need to read them all, and I never got around to the non Poirot or Marple books )
My wife did however remind me, about 30 minutes in, that we had seen this, when it was adapted into a Marple TV episode. Took me a while but then I remembered. Personally I prefer it as a Superintendent Battle story, sort of makes more sense. That said, being read by the wonderful Hugh Fraser certainly puts a shine on the story.
A handful of people are staying at the aptly named house Gull’s Point in the West Country , when the head of the household and house owner, Lady Tressilian is brutally murdered in her bedroom. All the evidence points to Neville Strange her ward, who is staying there with his wife, at the same time as his ex-wife, awkward ?
But why would he kill her, he is a rich sportsman and has no need of the money he will inherit, and surely the evidence is all a bit too obvious. And what has this to do with the death of Lady Tressilian’s friend, the eminent barrister who died of a heart attack the week before after dining at the house, ?
Expertly woven together by Agatha Christie, and brilliantly read by Hugh Fraser, a really fun listen.
Now as I inherited all the Agatha Christie books from my mother, I know I have this, but have never read it. (I think the great Christie group reads of about 5 years ago fulfilled my need to read them all, and I never got around to the non Poirot or Marple books )
My wife did however remind me, about 30 minutes in, that we had seen this, when it was adapted into a Marple TV episode. Took me a while but then I remembered. Personally I prefer it as a Superintendent Battle story, sort of makes more sense. That said, being read by the wonderful Hugh Fraser certainly puts a shine on the story.
A handful of people are staying at the aptly named house Gull’s Point in the West Country , when the head of the household and house owner, Lady Tressilian is brutally murdered in her bedroom. All the evidence points to Neville Strange her ward, who is staying there with his wife, at the same time as his ex-wife, awkward ?
But why would he kill her, he is a rich sportsman and has no need of the money he will inherit, and surely the evidence is all a bit too obvious. And what has this to do with the death of Lady Tressilian’s friend, the eminent barrister who died of a heart attack the week before after dining at the house, ?
Expertly woven together by Agatha Christie, and brilliantly read by Hugh Fraser, a really fun listen.
April 5, 2017
Even though most mysteries start with a murder, actually it is the end - culmination of a lot of events at a common point. Or so says one of the characters in this novel.
This is the theme of this book - events moving towards a murder: towards zero.
That it starts with a murder is of no matter. By the time one finishes the book, one will understand the appropriateness of the title.
This book features my favourite Christie policeman, Superintendent Battle.
This is the theme of this book - events moving towards a murder: towards zero.
That it starts with a murder is of no matter. By the time one finishes the book, one will understand the appropriateness of the title.
This book features my favourite Christie policeman, Superintendent Battle.
August 24, 2021
A professional tennis player, his new wife, his former wife, and a few other friends and relations decide to spend the last weeks of summer together to bond and let bygones be bygones. Then the hostess is brutally murdered, and the complicated relationships between the houseguests provide everyone with a motive.When I was a teenager reading Agatha Christie, I didn’t notice how tortured some of her plot devices are. Am I really supposed to believe that someone can plan out a murder, and a major red herring, and actually get the whole thing to (nearly) come off exactly as planned?
And yet, this impossibility also made this book compelling. I didn’t believe it one bit, but I was eager to see how it would all be carried off. One thing I’ll say for Agatha Christie is, her books are wonderfully short and to the point, and zooming through a book in a day or two is pretty rewarding. Since I’d completely forgotten who the murderer was, I could barely stand putting this down as I tried to put the clues together and figure out which of all these folks had the strongest motive to kill anyone. And that’s the attraction and addictiveness of Agatha Christie, right?
Despite the throwaway nature of all these characters, I did remember other bits of this book vividly: the scene with Sergeant Battle and his daughter, and Kay’s bright red hair and brown eyes. It’s funny what sticks after a read, isn’t it? Also, rueful aside: When I read this book as a teen, I thought Kay was a grownup. Rereading it now, I understand why everyone in the book keeps saying how young she is. How perspectives change! :-)
And my takeaway from this reread is : What the hell is with the last sentence in this book? Did it pass as romantic back in the day? It gave me chills in a very bad way.
July 16, 2023
***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***
Reading Prompt: Mystery with a seaside setting
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3
My regular monthly installment of Agatha Christie and this was one of the better ones. Christie didn't get much mileage out of Superintendent Battle, which is kind of a shame. Fewer Hercule Poirot books and more Superintendent Battle would have suited me down to the ground. I had to laugh when Battle referenced Poirot during this investigation, saying that the psychological aspect would have been right up his alley.
As per usual, Christie bamboozled me. My nose was pointed in exactly the wrong direction by some (now that I think more about it) rather obvious red herrings. I should know better by now than to be led astray, but 9 times out of 10 I am wrong!
I thought the inspiration to go back in time well before the murder and see how all the people were related to Gull's Point and how they came to assemble there was genius. The emphasis on the careful planning was designed both to conceal and reveal. Brilliant! It did the trick, too, distracting from the perpetrator nicely. And I know that courts of law aren't necessarily interested in motives, but I am. I think one of the appeals of the true crime genre is the sussing out of the reasoning behind the event.
Battle turns out to be a wily investigator, urging that they appear to concentrate on one suspect and carefully watch how the others react. Despite seeing his process putting clues together, he made some connections that I couldn't. I can see myself rereading this novel at some future point and admiring how the cake is mixed, baked, and decorated.
Reading Prompt: Mystery with a seaside setting
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3
My regular monthly installment of Agatha Christie and this was one of the better ones. Christie didn't get much mileage out of Superintendent Battle, which is kind of a shame. Fewer Hercule Poirot books and more Superintendent Battle would have suited me down to the ground. I had to laugh when Battle referenced Poirot during this investigation, saying that the psychological aspect would have been right up his alley.
As per usual, Christie bamboozled me. My nose was pointed in exactly the wrong direction by some (now that I think more about it) rather obvious red herrings. I should know better by now than to be led astray, but 9 times out of 10 I am wrong!
I thought the inspiration to go back in time well before the murder and see how all the people were related to Gull's Point and how they came to assemble there was genius. The emphasis on the careful planning was designed both to conceal and reveal. Brilliant! It did the trick, too, distracting from the perpetrator nicely. And I know that courts of law aren't necessarily interested in motives, but I am. I think one of the appeals of the true crime genre is the sussing out of the reasoning behind the event.
Battle turns out to be a wily investigator, urging that they appear to concentrate on one suspect and carefully watch how the others react. Despite seeing his process putting clues together, he made some connections that I couldn't. I can see myself rereading this novel at some future point and admiring how the cake is mixed, baked, and decorated.
September 29, 2019
《ساعة الصفر》
هذه الرواية ليست اول تجربة لي مع أجاثا كريستي ؛كعادتها رواية بوليسية كٌتبت ببراعة .
لم اكن انوي قراءة الرواية لكن وقع الكتاب في يدي ولم استطع ان امنع نفسي من اكمال الرواية في جلسة واحدة، رغم انقطاع الكهرباء في العراق (: والاجواء الحارة التي لا مثيل لها ^_^
استمتعت في قراءة الرواية رغم مداخلات العائلة..
_ لفت انتباهي في الرواية قضية غيرة المرأة من المرأة التي كانت الحب الاول لزوجها ،انا كفتاة وبرأيي البسيط اننا كنساء لا نستطيع منع انفسنا من شعور الغيرة من الحبيبة او الزوجة الاولى مهما كانت ثقتنا بأنفسنا وقوتنا على تحمل هكذا الم صحيح الغيرة مرض لكن بعض الاحيان لا نستطيع تحمل ،وضعت نفسي في نفس الموقف التي وضعت فيه كاي ،موقف صعب تتواجه الزوجة الاولى والثانية والاصعب من ذلك ان كل من الزوجتين يجب عليهن تقبل الاخرى !!!
موقف صعب بجد .
_سرعة الاختيار ،التسرع في القرارات امور تغير حياتنا واغلب القرارات المتسرعة عديمة الفائدة لانها تكون غير مدروسة او لم نفكر ما سيحل بنا عند اتخاذ قرار معين بسرعة .
_الانتقام ؛كلمة مخيفة بالنسبة لي ان بعض من الناس تنتقم ليس فقط في جريمة لا تنتقم عن طريق مداخلة كلامية بصيغة المزاح لكن يرجع لك ما انت فعلت به قد يقول احد منا جملة واحدة كفيلة بأن تكون رصاصة في قلبك او رأسك ،قد يكون الانتقام في التجاهل او بعمل شيء واتهامك به.
*لا اريد حرق احداث الرواية عليكم ،رواية ممتعة
2019/9/29
هذه الرواية ليست اول تجربة لي مع أجاثا كريستي ؛كعادتها رواية بوليسية كٌتبت ببراعة .
لم اكن انوي قراءة الرواية لكن وقع الكتاب في يدي ولم استطع ان امنع نفسي من اكمال الرواية في جلسة واحدة، رغم انقطاع الكهرباء في العراق (: والاجواء الحارة التي لا مثيل لها ^_^
استمتعت في قراءة الرواية رغم مداخلات العائلة..
_ لفت انتباهي في الرواية قضية غيرة المرأة من المرأة التي كانت الحب الاول لزوجها ،انا كفتاة وبرأيي البسيط اننا كنساء لا نستطيع منع انفسنا من شعور الغيرة من الحبيبة او الزوجة الاولى مهما كانت ثقتنا بأنفسنا وقوتنا على تحمل هكذا الم صحيح الغيرة مرض لكن بعض الاحيان لا نستطيع تحمل ،وضعت نفسي في نفس الموقف التي وضعت فيه كاي ،موقف صعب تتواجه الزوجة الاولى والثانية والاصعب من ذلك ان كل من الزوجتين يجب عليهن تقبل الاخرى !!!
موقف صعب بجد .
_سرعة الاختيار ،التسرع في القرارات امور تغير حياتنا واغلب القرارات المتسرعة عديمة الفائدة لانها تكون غير مدروسة او لم نفكر ما سيحل بنا عند اتخاذ قرار معين بسرعة .
_الانتقام ؛كلمة مخيفة بالنسبة لي ان بعض من الناس تنتقم ليس فقط في جريمة لا تنتقم عن طريق مداخلة كلامية بصيغة المزاح لكن يرجع لك ما انت فعلت به قد يقول احد منا جملة واحدة كفيلة بأن تكون رصاصة في قلبك او رأسك ،قد يكون الانتقام في التجاهل او بعمل شيء واتهامك به.
*لا اريد حرق احداث الرواية عليكم ،رواية ممتعة
2019/9/29
April 6, 2023
Unlike other detective stories that begin with a murder, Towards Zero is where the murder comes at the end of the story. This book features Superintendent Battle as he discovers a carefully planned murder and how some of the characters are connected to it. I have only read a few Christie books, and so far, she has never let me down when it comes to well-plotted classic murder mysteries. However, the detective work of Battle was a bit unexciting for me. He was able to resolve it quickly because of a convenient coincidence, and it felt rushed. Also, the ending? I don't think the last three pages were necessary. I still enjoyed it and am glad I've read it. It's an interesting and unique read that definitely had its moments.
After reading this, I watched the adaptation of this novel, which is part of the Miss Marple series. The show was pretty much faithful to the plot but not to its characters. Lol. I'm surprised they did not include an essential character from the book in the show. It has a different approach, and they made it work, and I enjoyed it more.
After reading this, I watched the adaptation of this novel, which is part of the Miss Marple series. The show was pretty much faithful to the plot but not to its characters. Lol. I'm surprised they did not include an essential character from the book in the show. It has a different approach, and they made it work, and I enjoyed it more.
August 19, 2021
"There are so many kind friends about in the world-always anxious to arrange other people's lives for them-to suggest courses of action that are not in harmony-" He broke off as Nevile Strange strolled back through the French windows." (PG. 109)
I'm curious as to why this Christie novel isn't on the top 10 of her works! It was a good mystery and such a great twist at the end. This was like some true crime you hear about. Someone sane looking holding a long grudge.....
I even like the meaning of the title. This is one I highly recommend. It is up there with THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.....
I'm curious as to why this Christie novel isn't on the top 10 of her works! It was a good mystery and such a great twist at the end. This was like some true crime you hear about. Someone sane looking holding a long grudge.....
I even like the meaning of the title. This is one I highly recommend. It is up there with THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.....
March 6, 2023
Me ha gustado bastante se ha ido cocinando a fuego lento pero una gran resolución. La verdad es que estos 2 ultimos de Battle me han gustdo los que más.
Valoración: 7.5/10
Sinopsis: «Me gustan las buenas historias de detectives, ¡pero estas siempre comienzan en el lugar equivocado! Comienzan con el asesinato. Pero el asesinato es el final. La historia empieza mucho antes de eso». Así hablaba el eminente criminólogo Treves.
Y tales palabras nunca han sido más justas, cuando se trata del psicópata asesino que acecha en el tranquilo poblado a orillas del río Tern. ¿A quién pretende matar? ¿Cuáles son sus motivos? Y por último ¿cómo y cuándo llegará al punto del asesinato, el punto cero?
En esta ingeniosa obra de Agatha Christie, el misterio se centra en la patológica mente que planea el crimen, mientras un grupo de amigos pasan un agradable fin de semana juntos, sin ser conscientes de que se trata del último de sus vidas…
Muy buena resolución aunque con algo de fortuna.
Valoración: 7.5/10
Sinopsis: «Me gustan las buenas historias de detectives, ¡pero estas siempre comienzan en el lugar equivocado! Comienzan con el asesinato. Pero el asesinato es el final. La historia empieza mucho antes de eso». Así hablaba el eminente criminólogo Treves.
Y tales palabras nunca han sido más justas, cuando se trata del psicópata asesino que acecha en el tranquilo poblado a orillas del río Tern. ¿A quién pretende matar? ¿Cuáles son sus motivos? Y por último ¿cómo y cuándo llegará al punto del asesinato, el punto cero?
En esta ingeniosa obra de Agatha Christie, el misterio se centra en la patológica mente que planea el crimen, mientras un grupo de amigos pasan un agradable fin de semana juntos, sin ser conscientes de que se trata del último de sus vidas…
Muy buena resolución aunque con algo de fortuna.
March 10, 2015
Brilliant. Elegant and spare like The Body in the Library. No Poirot or Marple, and I did slightly miss them - Superintendent Battle doesn't work as well for me - but is still one of Agatha's best, most well-plotted stories.
May 31, 2025
"When you read the account of a murder - or, say, a fiction story based on murder - you usually begin with the murder itself. That's all wrong."
When it comes to the Read Christie 2025 challenge, the prompt for the month of May was detectives, and the official book was Cards on the Table. After browsing through the alternative stories, I settled for Towards Zero since I had not read it yet.
Now that I have read it, though, I feel somewhat conflicted on how to rate it? It wasn't necessarily bad or anything, and I much preferred it over any and all of the Tommy & Tuppence books, but it didn't draw me in like some of her other works. Maybe it was because May put me in more of a Star Wars mood than mystery, or perhaps it was due to something else entirely? Eh, whatever the reason, I think I'll give the book a solid 3 stars.
When it comes to the Read Christie 2025 challenge, the prompt for the month of May was detectives, and the official book was Cards on the Table. After browsing through the alternative stories, I settled for Towards Zero since I had not read it yet.
Now that I have read it, though, I feel somewhat conflicted on how to rate it? It wasn't necessarily bad or anything, and I much preferred it over any and all of the Tommy & Tuppence books, but it didn't draw me in like some of her other works. Maybe it was because May put me in more of a Star Wars mood than mystery, or perhaps it was due to something else entirely? Eh, whatever the reason, I think I'll give the book a solid 3 stars.
April 16, 2020
I've never been a big fan of Agatha Christie but I generally like to read her book from time to time. However, I have read a few of them more than usual lately and I think I have had enough of them. The more I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book.
This is probably one of the less known books of Christie, which is a shame, because it is a really good book. Which in my opinion would also make a fantastic film. The general structure of this story, of course, does not differ from Christie's typical pattern. A murder in a closed house that could only be committed by one of the small group of people who were there at the time. Each of these people had a motive, sometimes more than one. And basically everyone had the opportunity. Suspicion falls on everyone one after the other. And just as recently I was completely tired of this scheme in After the Funeral, here I truly enjoyed this classic scheme.
It seems to me that this is at least partly due to well-constructed characters. All the characters in this group of suspects are very interesting and multidimensional. Again, compared to After the Funeral, they are really unique characters. I usually like it when the dead body appears on the first pages of the novel. Here, however, the murder is not committed until the second half of the book. The entire first half is devoted to the exact presentation of the characters and the relations between them. And it's worth adding that these are fascinating and entangled relationships. Already then you wonder if everyone is who they claim to be. That is why I do not mind that the murder mystery itself is postponed until the second half of the book.
And this is a very good mystery. Very Christie style, but her best style. And while some things can be expected, the answer to the question of who the killer is is not so simple. Still, there was one person who I really wanted to be a murderer. That's why I'm so happy that it just happened. I admit that for a moment I was afraid that the murderer was someone else. Definitely a good intrigue.
If I see any weaknesses in this book, this is without a doubt the last scene. It is completely sentimental and unrealistic and in my opinion spoils the entire effect of this book. This story would be great without this silly scene. Fortunately, that's basically the only thing that annoyed me.
I definitely recommend this story as one of Agatha Christie's better books. I also very much hope that due to the growing popularity of film adaptation of her books lately, this book will also be made into film. It is definitely worth it.
This is probably one of the less known books of Christie, which is a shame, because it is a really good book. Which in my opinion would also make a fantastic film. The general structure of this story, of course, does not differ from Christie's typical pattern. A murder in a closed house that could only be committed by one of the small group of people who were there at the time. Each of these people had a motive, sometimes more than one. And basically everyone had the opportunity. Suspicion falls on everyone one after the other. And just as recently I was completely tired of this scheme in After the Funeral, here I truly enjoyed this classic scheme.
It seems to me that this is at least partly due to well-constructed characters. All the characters in this group of suspects are very interesting and multidimensional. Again, compared to After the Funeral, they are really unique characters. I usually like it when the dead body appears on the first pages of the novel. Here, however, the murder is not committed until the second half of the book. The entire first half is devoted to the exact presentation of the characters and the relations between them. And it's worth adding that these are fascinating and entangled relationships. Already then you wonder if everyone is who they claim to be. That is why I do not mind that the murder mystery itself is postponed until the second half of the book.
And this is a very good mystery. Very Christie style, but her best style. And while some things can be expected, the answer to the question of who the killer is is not so simple. Still, there was one person who I really wanted to be a murderer. That's why I'm so happy that it just happened. I admit that for a moment I was afraid that the murderer was someone else. Definitely a good intrigue.
If I see any weaknesses in this book, this is without a doubt the last scene. It is completely sentimental and unrealistic and in my opinion spoils the entire effect of this book. This story would be great without this silly scene. Fortunately, that's basically the only thing that annoyed me.
I definitely recommend this story as one of Agatha Christie's better books. I also very much hope that due to the growing popularity of film adaptation of her books lately, this book will also be made into film. It is definitely worth it.
July 8, 2023
05/2010
A good mystery as usual from Christie, a satisfying puzzle. I read this when I was eleven- I didn't remember at first, then it started to come back to me. I didn't recall the killer's identity, just details, little moments. Memory can be so funny.
A good mystery as usual from Christie, a satisfying puzzle. I read this when I was eleven- I didn't remember at first, then it started to come back to me. I didn't recall the killer's identity, just details, little moments. Memory can be so funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,727 reviews