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Hercule Poirot #26
Sangre en la piscina
El doctor Christow se debate entre tres mujeres: Gerda, con la que está casado; su amante, una conocida escultora, y una actriz con la que estuvo prometido hace años. Hércules Poirot es invitado a cenar y se enfada al ver una macabra broma.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
1527 people are currently reading
24470 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,775 books75.5k 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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,536 reviews
December 23, 2025
Who knew that Hercule Poirot owned a second home in the English countryside? Not me, that's for sure.
Anyway, this one took me a bit to finish but only because I went through an audiobook slump — once I switched over to an ebook, I actually enjoyed the mystery quite a bit. Our favorite Belgian detective takes a back seat this time around and the narrative is focused more on the other characters, but I'm probably not spoiling anything to say that Poirot once again uses his “little grey cells” to solve the murder and save the day.
And, of course, Hugh Fraser's narration is as fantastic as always, even if I didn't exactly manage to stick with the audiobook version. Sometimes my brain just wants to read and not listen, apparently.
Otherwise, I'm not really sure what to say about this one. It's twisty and turny and entertaining, and (minus Poirot himself being treated as a side character) it's pretty much what you'd expect from a book in the series.
Four stars.
Anyway, this one took me a bit to finish but only because I went through an audiobook slump — once I switched over to an ebook, I actually enjoyed the mystery quite a bit. Our favorite Belgian detective takes a back seat this time around and the narrative is focused more on the other characters, but I'm probably not spoiling anything to say that Poirot once again uses his “little grey cells” to solve the murder and save the day.
And, of course, Hugh Fraser's narration is as fantastic as always, even if I didn't exactly manage to stick with the audiobook version. Sometimes my brain just wants to read and not listen, apparently.
Otherwise, I'm not really sure what to say about this one. It's twisty and turny and entertaining, and (minus Poirot himself being treated as a side character) it's pretty much what you'd expect from a book in the series.
Four stars.
October 9, 2025
Eh. You know, I really didn't like this one too much.
Oddly enough, I thought I'd seen this one on tv and enjoyed it. And maybe I did!
But the fact that I didn't remember whodunnit was nice and one of the perks of my terrible memory.
Now, it wasn't the mystery that I didn't care for. That part was sufficiently twisty, and Christie threw in enough red herrings to make it interesting.
No, it was the characters that I didn't particularly like. I think this was probably something that the television show fixed a bit, but the characters in the book were bleak and unlikeable.
The main characters were a doctor who was horrible to his wife and his mistress who was a talented artist. Somehow, both the mistress and the wife idolized the doctor as perfection, and the reasons are never really explained.
He was brilliant and alive. <--says the mistress
He was perfect and angelic. <--says the wife
He gets shot dead, and no one should mourn. <--says me
So who did it?
Was it the jealous wife?
Was it the jealous mistress?
Was it the jealous ex-fiancée that he slept with the night before?
Or was it someone else entirely?
Read it to find out!
Or not.
This wasn't a great Poirot novel, but completionists like myself will probably want to snag it anyway.
Oddly enough, I thought I'd seen this one on tv and enjoyed it. And maybe I did!
But the fact that I didn't remember whodunnit was nice and one of the perks of my terrible memory.
Now, it wasn't the mystery that I didn't care for. That part was sufficiently twisty, and Christie threw in enough red herrings to make it interesting.
No, it was the characters that I didn't particularly like. I think this was probably something that the television show fixed a bit, but the characters in the book were bleak and unlikeable.
The main characters were a doctor who was horrible to his wife and his mistress who was a talented artist. Somehow, both the mistress and the wife idolized the doctor as perfection, and the reasons are never really explained.
He was brilliant and alive. <--says the mistress
He was perfect and angelic. <--says the wife
He gets shot dead, and no one should mourn. <--says me
So who did it?
Was it the jealous wife?
Was it the jealous mistress?
Was it the jealous ex-fiancée that he slept with the night before?
Or was it someone else entirely?
Read it to find out!
Or not.
This wasn't a great Poirot novel, but completionists like myself will probably want to snag it anyway.
December 13, 2023
Hercule Poirot, book #25 sees Agatha Christie weave a typically compelling conspiracy around a murder at a family gathering, at that home of a socialite. This case stood out for me, because Christie really gets into the impact of the murder on some of the suspects a lot better, deeper and dare I day, more real, than in many of her other works. A must read for Christie fans. 7 for 12 fearless Three Star read.
2013 read
2013 read
April 23, 2025
[3.0⭐] 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖 es una novela policial escrita por Agatha Christie y publicada en 1946. En esta historia seguimos un asesinato, ocurrido durante un fin de semana en la mansión campestre de la familia Angkatell. El crimen ocurre en un escenario cuidadosamente preparado y la escena parece resuelta desde el inicio, pero la presencia de Hércules Poirot (que se encuentra en la zona por invitación de Lady Angkatell) nos hace dudar de lo evidente.
Voy a ser honesta desde el principio: este libro no está ni cerca de ser uno de mis favoritos de Christie.
Uno de los aspectos que más me frustró fue lo evidente que se me hizo el asesino, aunque, paradójicamente, no acerté del todo. Sospeché de la persona correcta, pero pensé que sería tan obvio que me convencí de que debía estar equivocada y esa sensación no fue gratificante, no me sentí “engañada” de forma ingeniosa, sino más bien decepcionada por cómo se manejó el desenlace. Además, no puedo evitar mencionar que me hizo falta ese momento emblemático de Poirot reuniendo a todos y resolviendo el caso con su característico dramatismo. Aquí, la revelación final llega de manera mucho más débil, casi como un susurro en lugar de un redoble de tambores.
De hecho, la presencia de Poirot es otra gran debilidad del libro. Él aparece, pero de manera casi decorativa; su intervención es tardía y, cuando finalmente actúa, lo hace con una tibieza que no le es propia. No sentí esa lucidez brillante que caracteriza sus deducciones ni ese control absoluto del caso que suele desplegar. En cambio, son los propios sospechosos quienes se encargan de contar lo sucedido, restándole impacto a la resolución. Como fan de las novelas de Poirot, eso me desilusionó bastante.
Ahora bien, sería injusto decir que todo es negativo. Christie logra construir con precisión la atmósfera de tensión doméstica y emocional entre los personajes. Midge es, para mí, la más rescatable de todos: una mujer práctica, sensata y mucho más empática que el resto del elenco, que en general me resultó insoportable. La mayoría de los personajes me parecieron fríos, vanidosos o directamente irritantes. Enriqueta, por ejemplo, es compleja e interesante, pero aun así cuesta conectar con ella. En cuanto a John Christow, es tan desagradable, el lector solo quiere que lo maten y que no aparezca nunca más en la novela. Lo mismo sucede con David (aunque con menos intensidad). De hecho, podría decir que no me molestaría que todos los involucrados acabaran tras las rejas.
La historia apuesta mucho por el desarrollo psicológico de los personajes. Eso puede ser interesante en ciertos contextos, pero aquí termina por ralentizar la acción, sobre todo cuando lo que esperábamos era un crimen impactante, una investigación meticulosa y una resolución brillante. El asesinato no ocurre hasta bien entrada la novela y, para entonces, ya hemos pasado páginas y páginas sumergidos en reflexiones y recuerdos que, si bien aportan textura a los personajes, no siempre resultan relevantes o emocionantes.
Sin embargo, no diría que 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖 es un mal libro, es simplemente uno que no está a la altura de otras obras de la autora. Tiene sus méritos: la ambientación está lograda, la estructura del crimen tiene lógica interna y se intuye el esfuerzo de Christie por experimentar con una narrativa más introspectiva. Sin embargo, como lectora habitual de sus novelas, sentí que faltaba esa chispa, ese “algo” que hace que uno no pueda soltar el libro. Aquí, incluso con el asesinato ya en marcha, me costó mantener el interés en algunos capítulos.
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖 no fue una lectura horrible, pero sí una decepcionante. El misterio no es del todo malo, pero es un ejemplo claro de cómo, incluso las grandes autoras, tienen novelas que no terminan de funcionar como esperábamos. Esta vez, a mi querido Poirot le faltó protagonismo y el crimen no logró atraparme como otros de sus casos.
Voy a ser honesta desde el principio: este libro no está ni cerca de ser uno de mis favoritos de Christie.
Uno de los aspectos que más me frustró fue lo evidente que se me hizo el asesino, aunque, paradójicamente, no acerté del todo. Sospeché de la persona correcta, pero pensé que sería tan obvio que me convencí de que debía estar equivocada y esa sensación no fue gratificante, no me sentí “engañada” de forma ingeniosa, sino más bien decepcionada por cómo se manejó el desenlace. Además, no puedo evitar mencionar que me hizo falta ese momento emblemático de Poirot reuniendo a todos y resolviendo el caso con su característico dramatismo. Aquí, la revelación final llega de manera mucho más débil, casi como un susurro en lugar de un redoble de tambores.
De hecho, la presencia de Poirot es otra gran debilidad del libro. Él aparece, pero de manera casi decorativa; su intervención es tardía y, cuando finalmente actúa, lo hace con una tibieza que no le es propia. No sentí esa lucidez brillante que caracteriza sus deducciones ni ese control absoluto del caso que suele desplegar. En cambio, son los propios sospechosos quienes se encargan de contar lo sucedido, restándole impacto a la resolución. Como fan de las novelas de Poirot, eso me desilusionó bastante.
Ahora bien, sería injusto decir que todo es negativo. Christie logra construir con precisión la atmósfera de tensión doméstica y emocional entre los personajes. Midge es, para mí, la más rescatable de todos: una mujer práctica, sensata y mucho más empática que el resto del elenco, que en general me resultó insoportable. La mayoría de los personajes me parecieron fríos, vanidosos o directamente irritantes. Enriqueta, por ejemplo, es compleja e interesante, pero aun así cuesta conectar con ella. En cuanto a John Christow, es tan desagradable, el lector solo quiere que lo maten y que no aparezca nunca más en la novela. Lo mismo sucede con David (aunque con menos intensidad). De hecho, podría decir que no me molestaría que todos los involucrados acabaran tras las rejas.
La historia apuesta mucho por el desarrollo psicológico de los personajes. Eso puede ser interesante en ciertos contextos, pero aquí termina por ralentizar la acción, sobre todo cuando lo que esperábamos era un crimen impactante, una investigación meticulosa y una resolución brillante. El asesinato no ocurre hasta bien entrada la novela y, para entonces, ya hemos pasado páginas y páginas sumergidos en reflexiones y recuerdos que, si bien aportan textura a los personajes, no siempre resultan relevantes o emocionantes.
Sin embargo, no diría que 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖 es un mal libro, es simplemente uno que no está a la altura de otras obras de la autora. Tiene sus méritos: la ambientación está lograda, la estructura del crimen tiene lógica interna y se intuye el esfuerzo de Christie por experimentar con una narrativa más introspectiva. Sin embargo, como lectora habitual de sus novelas, sentí que faltaba esa chispa, ese “algo” que hace que uno no pueda soltar el libro. Aquí, incluso con el asesinato ya en marcha, me costó mantener el interés en algunos capítulos.
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖 no fue una lectura horrible, pero sí una decepcionante. El misterio no es del todo malo, pero es un ejemplo claro de cómo, incluso las grandes autoras, tienen novelas que no terminan de funcionar como esperábamos. Esta vez, a mi querido Poirot le faltó protagonismo y el crimen no logró atraparme como otros de sus casos.
March 7, 2020
Review to follow 👍🏻👍🏻
And so here is my belated review. The Hollow is an excellent story that epitomises the talents of Hercule Poirot. As other people have mentioned the murder itself is almost secondary to the intricate investigation that Poirot conducts.
He is fortunately living in a little cottage on the edge of the grounds of the mansion house where the murder took place, and had been invited to the house on the day of the murder itself. He witnesses the immediate aftermath of the murder and is then allowed to be involved through the subsequent investigation.
Well needless to say the best criminal brains are ultimately no match for Hercule and though the battle for truth rages through the last half of the book, it is Hercule who finally triumphs.
A wonderful setting for a first class murder investigation, and a great book.
And so here is my belated review. The Hollow is an excellent story that epitomises the talents of Hercule Poirot. As other people have mentioned the murder itself is almost secondary to the intricate investigation that Poirot conducts.
He is fortunately living in a little cottage on the edge of the grounds of the mansion house where the murder took place, and had been invited to the house on the day of the murder itself. He witnesses the immediate aftermath of the murder and is then allowed to be involved through the subsequent investigation.
Well needless to say the best criminal brains are ultimately no match for Hercule and though the battle for truth rages through the last half of the book, it is Hercule who finally triumphs.
A wonderful setting for a first class murder investigation, and a great book.
September 23, 2021
Two Christie reviews in a row - what is going on? As I stated with the last one, I don’t often write reviews for these. Mostly because I don’t often feel I have things to add that haven’t been said many times over the years, but also because as much as I enjoy AC mysteries (most of the time anyway), quite often they feel similar. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy them: it feels like coming back home and slipping into your most comfortable loungewear to sit down for your favorite meal, knowing exactly what you’re in for. Agatha is dependable; her books are something I can count on when I’m frustrated with current reads.
This one though, wow, this was so different! If you had just blindly handed me the first few chapters of this, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you who wrote it and I certainly would not have pegged it as a Poirot. I know AC was often frustrated with Poirot. She wanted to write new and different things, but her fans clamored for their favorite Belgian detective. I don’t claim to know what was in her head of course, but this feels like her version of a literary mutiny. An experiment in a different genre with a bit of murder and just the tiniest dash of Poirot so that she could get it published. Little grey cells, what are they? They most certainly weren't featured here... As a murder mystery/entry in Poirot’s cannon, this is marginal at best. But as a character driven drama, I’m so impressed!
I suppose I have to give this a 3, begrudgingly, as it really kind of fails at what it’s supposed to be. But Agatha, I *feel* you on your literary type-casting and I appreciate what you were trying to do here.
This one though, wow, this was so different! If you had just blindly handed me the first few chapters of this, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you who wrote it and I certainly would not have pegged it as a Poirot. I know AC was often frustrated with Poirot. She wanted to write new and different things, but her fans clamored for their favorite Belgian detective. I don’t claim to know what was in her head of course, but this feels like her version of a literary mutiny. An experiment in a different genre with a bit of murder and just the tiniest dash of Poirot so that she could get it published. Little grey cells, what are they? They most certainly weren't featured here... As a murder mystery/entry in Poirot’s cannon, this is marginal at best. But as a character driven drama, I’m so impressed!
I suppose I have to give this a 3, begrudgingly, as it really kind of fails at what it’s supposed to be. But Agatha, I *feel* you on your literary type-casting and I appreciate what you were trying to do here.
November 10, 2024
I never thought I could be disappointed in an Agatha Christie book. Surprisingly, that is possible too. It was difficult to rate the book as I have. The story was quite interesting. It would have been a four-star rating book, had it not come under the murder-mystery genre.
The accepted model of an Agatha Christie novel would be the predominance of the crime and ascertaining the person who committed it. But in The Hollow , one sees the predominance of characters and their inter-relations. The crime becomes secondary, almost non-existence at times. Additional to this grievance, the crime is committed almost after one-third of the book, by which time I was a little tired of waiting for the murder-mystery to begin. And when it finally did begin, the story became so melodramatic that I soon got bored.
I mustn't be misunderstood here. My criticism of the book lies in it being not competent in this specific genre. The characters were interesting and their inter-relations were quite fascinating. I enjoyed the characters, their development, and their inter-relations. But I did not enjoy the murder-mystery.
The accepted model of an Agatha Christie novel would be the predominance of the crime and ascertaining the person who committed it. But in The Hollow , one sees the predominance of characters and their inter-relations. The crime becomes secondary, almost non-existence at times. Additional to this grievance, the crime is committed almost after one-third of the book, by which time I was a little tired of waiting for the murder-mystery to begin. And when it finally did begin, the story became so melodramatic that I soon got bored.
I mustn't be misunderstood here. My criticism of the book lies in it being not competent in this specific genre. The characters were interesting and their inter-relations were quite fascinating. I enjoyed the characters, their development, and their inter-relations. But I did not enjoy the murder-mystery.
September 18, 2019
Choose Your Own Adventure!
You are Dr. John Christow and you are not having the time of your life. Women, women everywhere, and not a drop to drink. There's the mistress who won't have you, the wife you don't want, the secretary who sees it all, the female patients you could care less about, and that one sad case you wish you could save... it is time to get away, maybe go out to the country and enjoy some clean air by the poolside. But the country has its own share of female trouble. It all becomes simply too much. What's a virile young physician to do? Perhaps just lay your weary head by the pool and let all your cares bleed out. But then what will become of your patients, your mistress... your wife? Do not fear, good doctor: the family will take care of its own!
If your poolside dreams lead you to a faraway land full of intrigue, exotic women, and of course the usual death toll, choose:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you find you can't wake from your erotic yet troubling dreams, despite the ever-tolling clocks striking urgently, choose:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You are Dr. John Christow and you are not having the time of your life. Women, women everywhere, and not a drop to drink. There's the mistress who won't have you, the wife you don't want, the secretary who sees it all, the female patients you could care less about, and that one sad case you wish you could save... it is time to get away, maybe go out to the country and enjoy some clean air by the poolside. But the country has its own share of female trouble. It all becomes simply too much. What's a virile young physician to do? Perhaps just lay your weary head by the pool and let all your cares bleed out. But then what will become of your patients, your mistress... your wife? Do not fear, good doctor: the family will take care of its own!
If your poolside dreams lead you to a faraway land full of intrigue, exotic women, and of course the usual death toll, choose:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you find you can't wake from your erotic yet troubling dreams, despite the ever-tolling clocks striking urgently, choose:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 31, 2023
"Since she was a woman of disconcertingly rapid thought processes, Lady Angkatell, as was her invariable custom, commenced the conversation in her own mind, supplying Midge’s answers out of her own fertile imagination. The conversation was in full swing when Lady Angkatell flung open Midge’s door.
‘–And so, darling, you really must agree that the weekend is going to present difficulties!’ ‘Eh? Hwah!’ Midge grunted inarticulately, aroused thus abruptly from a satisfying and deep sleep."
A house party in the country, where each guest struggles with some internal conflict. The plot is pretty standard for a Christie novel, and so it the resolution. What really drew me to the book, tho, was it's focus on the characters. Not all of the characters are likable, some are down-right horrible, but what I really liked was that many of them are either transformed by the events of the book or undergo some serious soul searching.
The weakest part of the book was the ending. Although, it makes for a convenient conclusion, this is one of the Christie books where I felt she could have strayed from the path of formula and presented something more - not controversial, but - challenging as she had done in some of her other books - Endless Night for example.
Despite the weak(-ish) ending, I immensely enjoyed the book. I think this is the one that made me constantly think about why I prefer Poirot to Marple (even Poirot is almost a nuisance in this one). I believe the reason I am drawn to Poirot instead of Marple is their difference in outlook - where Marple seems a grounded old lady without many quirks, I have always found her to be a bit of a judgmental snob who seeks out the worst in people - and the gloats when her expectations are confirmed.
Poirot on the other hand gives the appearance of an eccentric but for all his quirks, he still manages to express his faith in and hopes for many of the characters he encounters. I really noticed this in his observations about Lady Angkatell, the most beautiful of which was:
"Hercule Poirot thought: ‘She is old–her hair is grey–there are lines in her face. Yet she has magic–she will always have magic…’ "
‘–And so, darling, you really must agree that the weekend is going to present difficulties!’ ‘Eh? Hwah!’ Midge grunted inarticulately, aroused thus abruptly from a satisfying and deep sleep."
A house party in the country, where each guest struggles with some internal conflict. The plot is pretty standard for a Christie novel, and so it the resolution. What really drew me to the book, tho, was it's focus on the characters. Not all of the characters are likable, some are down-right horrible, but what I really liked was that many of them are either transformed by the events of the book or undergo some serious soul searching.
The weakest part of the book was the ending. Although, it makes for a convenient conclusion, this is one of the Christie books where I felt she could have strayed from the path of formula and presented something more - not controversial, but - challenging as she had done in some of her other books - Endless Night for example.
Despite the weak(-ish) ending, I immensely enjoyed the book. I think this is the one that made me constantly think about why I prefer Poirot to Marple (even Poirot is almost a nuisance in this one). I believe the reason I am drawn to Poirot instead of Marple is their difference in outlook - where Marple seems a grounded old lady without many quirks, I have always found her to be a bit of a judgmental snob who seeks out the worst in people - and the gloats when her expectations are confirmed.
Poirot on the other hand gives the appearance of an eccentric but for all his quirks, he still manages to express his faith in and hopes for many of the characters he encounters. I really noticed this in his observations about Lady Angkatell, the most beautiful of which was:
"Hercule Poirot thought: ‘She is old–her hair is grey–there are lines in her face. Yet she has magic–she will always have magic…’ "
June 17, 2022
This one was a little slower than most of Christie's novels but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. And I was fooled by the murderer's identity. What else can I really ask for in the murder mystery?
December 5, 2021
This was my first Agatha Christie - chosen entirely at random - and I’ll definitely be reading more. This one was enjoyable enough, and felt very quintessentially English with all of its fretting about inheritances and appearances in their society. Possibly because it was a very character driven mystery.
That being said, I knew who’d done it from the very second they were introduced…considering I don’t read murder mysteries, I thought I’d be more easily duped but uhh, apparently not.
That being said, I knew who’d done it from the very second they were introduced…considering I don’t read murder mysteries, I thought I’d be more easily duped but uhh, apparently not.
May 11, 2020
For fans of Agatha Christie
Poirot is not my favorite of Christie's detectives. I prefer Miss Marple, but this is a psychologically interesting dive into what provoked a normally seeming person to murder. Although this is good, be warned that Christie was racist and anti-Semitic and you will find that here. She uses a horrible portrait of a shopkeeper to denounce a faith and actually used the most repugnant word of racists to describe a dessert.
Poirot is not my favorite of Christie's detectives. I prefer Miss Marple, but this is a psychologically interesting dive into what provoked a normally seeming person to murder. Although this is good, be warned that Christie was racist and anti-Semitic and you will find that here. She uses a horrible portrait of a shopkeeper to denounce a faith and actually used the most repugnant word of racists to describe a dessert.
May 5, 2025
По време на събиране в красивото имение „Холоу“ е убит един от гостите. Оказва се, че Еркюл Поаро притежава съседен имот, та няма как да не се захване с разследването на случая... Агата Кристи е създала много добро съчетание на любовна драма и криминална мистерия, описвайки по вълнуващ начин сложните взаимоотношения между персонажите.
„И някъде в това взаимодействие от характери и чувства се криеше истината.
За Еркюл Поаро съществуваше само едно нещо, което беше по-привлекателно от изучаването на човешката психология и това беше преследването на истината, чистата и неподправена истина.“
„И някъде в това взаимодействие от характери и чувства се криеше истината.
За Еркюл Поаро съществуваше само едно нещо, което беше по-привлекателно от изучаването на човешката психология и това беше преследването на истината, чистата и неподправена истина.“
February 10, 2017
This one holds an almost dreamy ambience, especially at the end. It reminds me of Death in the Nile with that rare quality. It's true that it DID take longer than usual to get to the actual death, but it's an unusual Christie story anyway. She delves into the personal aspects of the characters lives, something she rarely does, even to the degree where the details became irrelevant to the mystery at hand.
You might think this would be distracting, bad writing; instead, it was a refreshing change. One would never accuse Christie of writing cardboard characters, but she usually doesn't delve too deeply into personal tidbits that aren't part of the tale. Because of her doing this, I fell more for the people. I also loved the humor with the Lady of the house and how everyone related to her, including the poor detective.
Like I said, it takes awhile for any death to happen, almost 90 pages! Hercule Poirots intro into the scene is an amusing one too. That poor detective, he can never go anywhere. I suppose waiting till almost 1/3 of the novel was done was Christie's way of providing deep build-up of all the players in the game and motives they hold. You're not even sure who will be the dead body, although you know there MUST be one. The person who bit the big one didn't surprise me, as Christie didn't paint him as especially likeable some of the time.
The culprit surprised me, even though I had no firm suspicions. One of Christies best works, I think, and now a favorite of mine. Originally this book was called The Hollows, but was republished under this title as were many of Christies works. The covers brilliant too, haunting and a bit creepy, as can be summarized in the story as well.
You might think this would be distracting, bad writing; instead, it was a refreshing change. One would never accuse Christie of writing cardboard characters, but she usually doesn't delve too deeply into personal tidbits that aren't part of the tale. Because of her doing this, I fell more for the people. I also loved the humor with the Lady of the house and how everyone related to her, including the poor detective.
Like I said, it takes awhile for any death to happen, almost 90 pages! Hercule Poirots intro into the scene is an amusing one too. That poor detective, he can never go anywhere. I suppose waiting till almost 1/3 of the novel was done was Christie's way of providing deep build-up of all the players in the game and motives they hold. You're not even sure who will be the dead body, although you know there MUST be one. The person who bit the big one didn't surprise me, as Christie didn't paint him as especially likeable some of the time.
The culprit surprised me, even though I had no firm suspicions. One of Christies best works, I think, and now a favorite of mine. Originally this book was called The Hollows, but was republished under this title as were many of Christies works. The covers brilliant too, haunting and a bit creepy, as can be summarized in the story as well.
March 17, 2024
At the end of last year a friend told me about the Read Christie challenge. I am not participating in that particular challenge because I have read some of the books on it already, but I am challenging myself to read one Christie a month in 2024 to fill in some of the gaps of her body of work. There is more to Dame Christie than Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and for the last few months, I selected a few of her stand-alone novels. They range from spy thrillers to dark mysteries, and I appreciated the depth of Christie’s genius. Sometimes, especially on a long weekend day, one craves the comfort of familiar characters. I needed time with my favorite Belgian, mustachioed sleuth, one Hercule Poirot. Hercule Poirot is never wrong, and he never lets me down.
Lady Angkatell has staged a weekend getaway for her family at her country home, The Hollow. This estate resembles her family’s original estate Ainsworth. The woman is shrewd and calculating but also absentminded. On the first full day of this getaway, a guest, one Dr John Christow, is found murdered at the side of the swimming pool. The scene is meant to appear staged and blame pointed at Christow’s wife Gerda. At the time of the murder, Lady Angkatell had invited her neighbor, none other than Hercule Poirot, to lunch. Poirot arrived just at the time of the murder, and naturally, even though he was not officially part of the case, started to use his little gray cells in order to find out whodunit. He noted that the case could either be simple or complex, which one would it be.
I have noticed that most of Christie’s Poirot cases are around two hundred fifty pages. This particular case came out at three hundred and appeared to drag. The stage is set when we find out that John Christow had one mistress, Henrietta Savernake, and other lover from fifteen years ago, Veronica Cray. These two ladies were present at the Hollows and either could have been a suspect. Once Poirot is on the scene, the book reads quickly, perhaps because I am used to his tendencies. It took one hundred pages to provide background information and stage the crime, which is long for Christie’s to the point cases. Once Poirot starts to sleuth, things pick up: dialogue, Poirot’s mind at work, etc. I believe that this book could have been fifty pages shorter and still sufficed; yet, Poirot is still Poirot and I enjoy seeing his little gray cells at work.
Of course, Poirot figures out whodunit before the police assigned to the case because otherwise he would not be Hercule Poirot. As usual, there is use of poison and a character whose mind is drawn to the truth. At times, Poirot’s cases can be formulaic. Utilizing multiple characters and luring readers to think any guest present could have committed murder made this case seem like it could be performed on a stage. Perhaps if the book was shorter, it could have been, as other of Christie’s works had been written for the theater. Maybe I will read one of her plays next month, to provide a wider variety of her works. She is still the Queen of Crime, and Poirot is still Poirot, but this case fell a little short ahem long.
3.5 stars
Lady Angkatell has staged a weekend getaway for her family at her country home, The Hollow. This estate resembles her family’s original estate Ainsworth. The woman is shrewd and calculating but also absentminded. On the first full day of this getaway, a guest, one Dr John Christow, is found murdered at the side of the swimming pool. The scene is meant to appear staged and blame pointed at Christow’s wife Gerda. At the time of the murder, Lady Angkatell had invited her neighbor, none other than Hercule Poirot, to lunch. Poirot arrived just at the time of the murder, and naturally, even though he was not officially part of the case, started to use his little gray cells in order to find out whodunit. He noted that the case could either be simple or complex, which one would it be.
I have noticed that most of Christie’s Poirot cases are around two hundred fifty pages. This particular case came out at three hundred and appeared to drag. The stage is set when we find out that John Christow had one mistress, Henrietta Savernake, and other lover from fifteen years ago, Veronica Cray. These two ladies were present at the Hollows and either could have been a suspect. Once Poirot is on the scene, the book reads quickly, perhaps because I am used to his tendencies. It took one hundred pages to provide background information and stage the crime, which is long for Christie’s to the point cases. Once Poirot starts to sleuth, things pick up: dialogue, Poirot’s mind at work, etc. I believe that this book could have been fifty pages shorter and still sufficed; yet, Poirot is still Poirot and I enjoy seeing his little gray cells at work.
Of course, Poirot figures out whodunit before the police assigned to the case because otherwise he would not be Hercule Poirot. As usual, there is use of poison and a character whose mind is drawn to the truth. At times, Poirot’s cases can be formulaic. Utilizing multiple characters and luring readers to think any guest present could have committed murder made this case seem like it could be performed on a stage. Perhaps if the book was shorter, it could have been, as other of Christie’s works had been written for the theater. Maybe I will read one of her plays next month, to provide a wider variety of her works. She is still the Queen of Crime, and Poirot is still Poirot, but this case fell a little short ahem long.
3.5 stars
October 24, 2022
I was totally absorbed in this mystery from start to finish. There is a sense of an astute understanding of human nature. Small kindnesses are scattered along the way, intertwined with misdirection from unreliable witnesses, and a sense of menace and hidden motives. This is a really tangled web that was interesting to unravel.
My favorites quotes, most of which include food/drink:
"People were fond of tea, she knew - and Midge wouldn't be called for hours. She would make Midge some tea. She put the kettle on and then went down the passage."
"There would be something very gross, just after the death of a friend, in eating one’s favourite pudding. But caramel custard is so easy – slippery if you know what I mean – and then one leaves a little on one’s plate."
"Some really substantial sandwiches are as good as lunch - and nothing heartless about them if you know what I mean!"
After being led in many different directions by the witness statements, Inspector Grange "felt all tangled up in thistledown. What he needed was his oldest and foulest pipe, a pint of ale and a good steak and chips, something plain and objective."
Inspector Grange grumbles bitterly about getting even with the witnesses: "All of them! Muddling me up! Suggesting things! Hinting! Helping my men - helping them! All gossamer and spiders' webs; nothing tangible. What I want is a good solid fact!"
Finally, I pondered on what it means to be a "permanent guest" in the heart of a loved one.
My favorites quotes, most of which include food/drink:
"People were fond of tea, she knew - and Midge wouldn't be called for hours. She would make Midge some tea. She put the kettle on and then went down the passage."
"There would be something very gross, just after the death of a friend, in eating one’s favourite pudding. But caramel custard is so easy – slippery if you know what I mean – and then one leaves a little on one’s plate."
"Some really substantial sandwiches are as good as lunch - and nothing heartless about them if you know what I mean!"
After being led in many different directions by the witness statements, Inspector Grange "felt all tangled up in thistledown. What he needed was his oldest and foulest pipe, a pint of ale and a good steak and chips, something plain and objective."
Inspector Grange grumbles bitterly about getting even with the witnesses: "All of them! Muddling me up! Suggesting things! Hinting! Helping my men - helping them! All gossamer and spiders' webs; nothing tangible. What I want is a good solid fact!"
Finally, I pondered on what it means to be a "permanent guest" in the heart of a loved one.
December 4, 2020
“I hate the dreadful Hollow behind the little wood.
Its lips in the field above are dabbled with blood-red heath;
The red ribb’d ledges drip with a silent horror of blood,
And Echo there, whatever is ask’d her, answers ‘Death’”—Tennyson, quoted by Poirot
“He is dead and gone, lady
He is dead and gone;
At his head a grass-green turf
At his heels a stone”—Shakespeare (Hamlet), quoted by Midge
“Everything matters”—Poirot
This book has a slightly lower Goodreads rating than other Poirot books, but I will disagree and say this surprised me and is, #25, one of the best I have read, maybe not quite in the upper echelon, but pretty great. I fully expected to dislike this, as I had heard that it was written at a time when Christie begins to really dislike her own internationally famous character Poirot. She said, "I had got used to having Poirot in my books, and so naturally he had come into this one, but he was all wrong there. He did his stuff all right, but how much better, I kept thinking, would the book have been without him." She felt he was already in 1946 beginning to be an albatross, in part because of his very popularity, and because of the limitations she had placed on his character right from the beginning. She thought in retrospect that this book in particular was "ruined" by including Poirot! But I beg to disagree, Madame! But I implore you, let me make my case!
Trust me, I know how annoying the pompous Belgian can be at times, but let me just say: I think the opening (and closing) pages, focused on the artwork of Henrietta Savernak, is some of the best writing you have done thus far. I noticed in this book, too, your conscious attempt at highlighting some of the literary dimensions of your work. You're at this point internationally famous as a mystery writer--I do not mean to merely flatter you, Dame Christie--and you have almost singlehandedly elevated the public's respect for mysteries, though you for a long time only claimed the work as “mere entertainment.” Yet in The Hollow you make references to literature more often than usual, to works such as Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Shakespeare, and (see above) Tennyson. Maybe this is one reason you later regretted the inclusion of Poirot. The silly little Belgian was hard to integrate into the more serious tone of this work you began to develop. Maybe for us it is a strength of this book that Poirot actually comes in later in this book than he usually does, and is actually less a central character than he usually is, but he is still integral to the story.
The story features a truly (but not without flaws) good man, Dr. John Christow, married to Gerda. He is devoted to her, in ways she doesn’t fully realize, but he also “sees” Henrietta, and Veronica, a woman he had once dated who also makes her way into the tale. So Christow is killed, shot, just as Poirot arrives as an invited guest. As expected we get lots of false leads, red herrings, all sort of misdirection from you, the mystery magician, which we also are expected to . . . suspect, of course. In this one, though, we try to anticipate your obvious setups, but still get the tables turned on us, with a really terrific resolution. We think we can outsmart you, but think again, we must!
I like in The Hollow reflections various characters make about how Christow is somehow more “real” than anyone else. There’s a lot of shallow (or, less real, or maybe even "hollow"!) people in the book; Lucy is one of them, one of the batty women you like to give absurd dialogue in her books, such as what she says as they eat dessert after Christow’s death: "We are only moderately fond of carmel custard. There would be something gross, just after the death of a friend, in eating one's favorite pudding. But carmel custard is so easy, and then one leaves a little on one's plate."
But several of the characters reflect on their shallowness and seem to make commitments to better themselves and live more principled or “real” lives as Christow had done. There’s some nice reflections on grief, too, and how we might live and grow from it. Some consider suicide, and consider their life purposes. Well, it's not Hamlet, but I appreciated your attempts at being a little more thoughtful than usual about life!
Christow says to Henrietta, “If I were dead, the first thing you'd do, with the tears streaming down your face, would be to start modelling some damned mourning woman or some figure of grief.” Which in fact seems to be true, in the end; Henrietta turns to her art after Christow! Anyway, I liked the someone more serious tone and some of the writing in this one quite a bit! Maybe part of it is that it exceeded my expectations.
Its lips in the field above are dabbled with blood-red heath;
The red ribb’d ledges drip with a silent horror of blood,
And Echo there, whatever is ask’d her, answers ‘Death’”—Tennyson, quoted by Poirot
“He is dead and gone, lady
He is dead and gone;
At his head a grass-green turf
At his heels a stone”—Shakespeare (Hamlet), quoted by Midge
“Everything matters”—Poirot
This book has a slightly lower Goodreads rating than other Poirot books, but I will disagree and say this surprised me and is, #25, one of the best I have read, maybe not quite in the upper echelon, but pretty great. I fully expected to dislike this, as I had heard that it was written at a time when Christie begins to really dislike her own internationally famous character Poirot. She said, "I had got used to having Poirot in my books, and so naturally he had come into this one, but he was all wrong there. He did his stuff all right, but how much better, I kept thinking, would the book have been without him." She felt he was already in 1946 beginning to be an albatross, in part because of his very popularity, and because of the limitations she had placed on his character right from the beginning. She thought in retrospect that this book in particular was "ruined" by including Poirot! But I beg to disagree, Madame! But I implore you, let me make my case!
Trust me, I know how annoying the pompous Belgian can be at times, but let me just say: I think the opening (and closing) pages, focused on the artwork of Henrietta Savernak, is some of the best writing you have done thus far. I noticed in this book, too, your conscious attempt at highlighting some of the literary dimensions of your work. You're at this point internationally famous as a mystery writer--I do not mean to merely flatter you, Dame Christie--and you have almost singlehandedly elevated the public's respect for mysteries, though you for a long time only claimed the work as “mere entertainment.” Yet in The Hollow you make references to literature more often than usual, to works such as Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Shakespeare, and (see above) Tennyson. Maybe this is one reason you later regretted the inclusion of Poirot. The silly little Belgian was hard to integrate into the more serious tone of this work you began to develop. Maybe for us it is a strength of this book that Poirot actually comes in later in this book than he usually does, and is actually less a central character than he usually is, but he is still integral to the story.
The story features a truly (but not without flaws) good man, Dr. John Christow, married to Gerda. He is devoted to her, in ways she doesn’t fully realize, but he also “sees” Henrietta, and Veronica, a woman he had once dated who also makes her way into the tale. So Christow is killed, shot, just as Poirot arrives as an invited guest. As expected we get lots of false leads, red herrings, all sort of misdirection from you, the mystery magician, which we also are expected to . . . suspect, of course. In this one, though, we try to anticipate your obvious setups, but still get the tables turned on us, with a really terrific resolution. We think we can outsmart you, but think again, we must!
I like in The Hollow reflections various characters make about how Christow is somehow more “real” than anyone else. There’s a lot of shallow (or, less real, or maybe even "hollow"!) people in the book; Lucy is one of them, one of the batty women you like to give absurd dialogue in her books, such as what she says as they eat dessert after Christow’s death: "We are only moderately fond of carmel custard. There would be something gross, just after the death of a friend, in eating one's favorite pudding. But carmel custard is so easy, and then one leaves a little on one's plate."
But several of the characters reflect on their shallowness and seem to make commitments to better themselves and live more principled or “real” lives as Christow had done. There’s some nice reflections on grief, too, and how we might live and grow from it. Some consider suicide, and consider their life purposes. Well, it's not Hamlet, but I appreciated your attempts at being a little more thoughtful than usual about life!
Christow says to Henrietta, “If I were dead, the first thing you'd do, with the tears streaming down your face, would be to start modelling some damned mourning woman or some figure of grief.” Which in fact seems to be true, in the end; Henrietta turns to her art after Christow! Anyway, I liked the someone more serious tone and some of the writing in this one quite a bit! Maybe part of it is that it exceeded my expectations.
October 7, 2023
I LOVED this one! Even though it's a Poiret novel he's not really the main character. This book is more about the characterisation rather than the actual murder and the characters are depicted perfectly. I saw the tv adaptation but in this case the book is better. The murder is cleverly done.
It all takes place at a country house owned by the Angkatells. A weekend party arrives with tensions in the air. Everywhere you look someone is hiding something.
I loved Lucy Angkatell. She's away with the fairies most of the time, starting conversations with people before she even reaches them and then carries on so the person she's talking too hasn't a clue what's going on. Behind all that though is a mind like a steel trap. It latches on to what has actually happened almost without thinking but she always has it spot on.
I didn't like the murder victim so wasn't bothered when he was bumped off. This happens early on in the book and then we get down to the nitty gritty. I also liked Midge and was glad the way things worked out for her.
This one is different in some ways to her other novels and to me it's one of the best.
I listened to the audio book read by the brilliant Hugh Fraser.
It all takes place at a country house owned by the Angkatells. A weekend party arrives with tensions in the air. Everywhere you look someone is hiding something.
I loved Lucy Angkatell. She's away with the fairies most of the time, starting conversations with people before she even reaches them and then carries on so the person she's talking too hasn't a clue what's going on. Behind all that though is a mind like a steel trap. It latches on to what has actually happened almost without thinking but she always has it spot on.
I didn't like the murder victim so wasn't bothered when he was bumped off. This happens early on in the book and then we get down to the nitty gritty. I also liked Midge and was glad the way things worked out for her.
This one is different in some ways to her other novels and to me it's one of the best.
I listened to the audio book read by the brilliant Hugh Fraser.
January 12, 2022
This is an absolutely superb book. Agatha does it again.
A country house weekend where the highlight was going to be Sunday lunch with Hercule Poirot who was staying nearby. The Angkatells own The Hollow and invite assorted guests and family members for the weekend. In the hands of Agatha Christie, you know someone isn't going to make it to Monday morning.
For me, there were two mysteries.
The first was - who was going to be murdered? The death doesn't occur until Page 101 (in my version) and so there was a debate going on in my mind as to who was going to be the victim. I thought I knew and I was right, because this was the character most featured in the introduction.
Then there's the murder scene when Poirot arrives. He thinks it's been staged for his benefit and he's half right, but then he realises he's not been considered and that it's a coincidence that the highly staged murdered scene is in front of him as he arrives.
As to who did it - well I couldn't decide between three of the characters and it turned out not to be any of those three, so I was wrong about that.
The characters are without exception interesting, have quirky characteristics, and also 'know' more than they let on. There are family secrets aplenty. This book is recommended.
A country house weekend where the highlight was going to be Sunday lunch with Hercule Poirot who was staying nearby. The Angkatells own The Hollow and invite assorted guests and family members for the weekend. In the hands of Agatha Christie, you know someone isn't going to make it to Monday morning.
For me, there were two mysteries.
The first was - who was going to be murdered? The death doesn't occur until Page 101 (in my version) and so there was a debate going on in my mind as to who was going to be the victim. I thought I knew and I was right, because this was the character most featured in the introduction.
Then there's the murder scene when Poirot arrives. He thinks it's been staged for his benefit and he's half right, but then he realises he's not been considered and that it's a coincidence that the highly staged murdered scene is in front of him as he arrives.
As to who did it - well I couldn't decide between three of the characters and it turned out not to be any of those three, so I was wrong about that.
The characters are without exception interesting, have quirky characteristics, and also 'know' more than they let on. There are family secrets aplenty. This book is recommended.
February 17, 2025
Pues la historia del asesinato ha estado bien, pero ¿Por qué 3 estrellas? por que da muchas vueltas sobre otros temas, tipo la relación de fulanito con menganito, si me quiere o no me quiere, y asi con varios personajes y eso se me ha hecho algo bola...
Valoración: 6.85/10
Sinopsis: Hércules Poirot es invitado por su vecina, lady Angkatell a almolzar con ellos. Al llegar a la piscina, donde se va a tomar el aperitivo, a Poirot se le presenta una escena completa de asesinato que aparentemente acaba de ocurrir: John Christow, amigo de la familia, aparece asesinado, y a su lado su mujer sosteniendo una pistola en la mano. Poirot se enfrenta con la difícil tarea de averiguar si la señora Christow ha matado realmente a su marido o si por el contrario todo ha sido una trampa habilmente preparada.
#41. Un libro del autor más longevo en tu lista de pendientes. Reto Popsugar 2025
Valoración: 6.85/10
Sinopsis: Hércules Poirot es invitado por su vecina, lady Angkatell a almolzar con ellos. Al llegar a la piscina, donde se va a tomar el aperitivo, a Poirot se le presenta una escena completa de asesinato que aparentemente acaba de ocurrir: John Christow, amigo de la familia, aparece asesinado, y a su lado su mujer sosteniendo una pistola en la mano. Poirot se enfrenta con la difícil tarea de averiguar si la señora Christow ha matado realmente a su marido o si por el contrario todo ha sido una trampa habilmente preparada.
#41. Un libro del autor más longevo en tu lista de pendientes. Reto Popsugar 2025
January 3, 2023
Hercule Poirot is invited to a wealthy family’s party. But when he arrives, he finds a woman with a gun in her hand. And she’s standing over a dying man, lying in a pool of blood. Seems like a rather straight forward case. But Poirot is instantly annoyed, as he believes this case is much more complicated than it appears at first sight.
Agatha Christie apparently regretted including her famous detective Poirot at all in this novel. I can see why she said this. As soon as Poirot enters the story, he completely steals the show and overshadows the rest of the characters. Had Poirot not entered the story, all the other characters would simply stand out a bit more. But, in Poirot’s defense, if the other characters were all actually strong in their own regard, they wouldn’t be so easily overshadowed by Poirot.
The plot takes a while to really get going, since the first part of the novel is exposition. This is done to establish the characters and their motives, and doesn’t include Poirot. But as soon as the murder happens, the plot is absolutely gripping. And the conclusion is surprising, yet also satisfying.
Definitely not the greatest Poirot novel. But the murder mystery plot is very much on point, which does make this book worth reading.
Agatha Christie apparently regretted including her famous detective Poirot at all in this novel. I can see why she said this. As soon as Poirot enters the story, he completely steals the show and overshadows the rest of the characters. Had Poirot not entered the story, all the other characters would simply stand out a bit more. But, in Poirot’s defense, if the other characters were all actually strong in their own regard, they wouldn’t be so easily overshadowed by Poirot.
The plot takes a while to really get going, since the first part of the novel is exposition. This is done to establish the characters and their motives, and doesn’t include Poirot. But as soon as the murder happens, the plot is absolutely gripping. And the conclusion is surprising, yet also satisfying.
Definitely not the greatest Poirot novel. But the murder mystery plot is very much on point, which does make this book worth reading.
September 26, 2019
Whilst attending Lucy Angkatell’s invitation at her English country house, Hercule Poirot arrives just in time for what appears to be a mocked murder scene by the swimming pool.
On closer inspection our favourite Belgium detective discovers that in fact our victim John Christow whilst gasping ‘Henrietta’ as his final last words blood is slowly dripping into the pool.
I loved the description of this death, it felt so vivid and real!
Along with this great setting of this memorable murder also sees a strong array of interesting side characters.
During the confusion amongst the guests a gun is knocked into the pool which destroys any evidence of the culprit.
Literally everyone is a suspect...
With plenty of red herrings throughout the story I was constantly changing my mind on who the murder was, it’s another really strong psychological mystery that has a satisfying conclusion.
On closer inspection our favourite Belgium detective discovers that in fact our victim John Christow whilst gasping ‘Henrietta’ as his final last words blood is slowly dripping into the pool.
I loved the description of this death, it felt so vivid and real!
Along with this great setting of this memorable murder also sees a strong array of interesting side characters.
During the confusion amongst the guests a gun is knocked into the pool which destroys any evidence of the culprit.
Literally everyone is a suspect...
With plenty of red herrings throughout the story I was constantly changing my mind on who the murder was, it’s another really strong psychological mystery that has a satisfying conclusion.
December 2, 2020
Standing ovation for this one--outstanding, really one of Dame Agatha's very best. And how fabulously creepy is the quotation from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Maude," which provides the title?
"I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood,
Its lips in the field above are dabbled with blood-red heath,
The red-ribb`d ledges drip with a silent horror of blood,
And Echo there, whatever is ask`d her, answers 'Death.'"
I love Christie's literary allusions; I was inspired to re-read "Maude" after I finished "The Hollow." What mystery writer wouldn't find those lines inspiring?
"The Hollow" is a classic British country-house novel, and it is more psychologically complex than almost any other Christie novel I can think of. The solution is completely believable and devastating. Christie likes to wrap everything up neatly and pair up whichever characters are still alive into happy marriages at the end. Not here--this is honestly the saddest of her books I can think of; it broke my heart. It is also the most "adult"; although everything happens off-stage, there is far more sex in the plot than usual for Christie. I would say, in all ways, this is a "mature" work. That's why I love it, in fact.
Despite the overarching sadness, there was some fun for me here because the Angkatell family reminded me of my own: we have a similarly whimsical sense of humor that makes no sense to outsiders, and I have no doubt we would all have fun confusing the police with red herrings if we felt called upon to protect one of our own. I almost wish there had been no detective, although only Poirot could have solved this one. His logical nature seems a little out of place in the dreamy, almost unreal world of "The Hollow." Still, I consider this novel a huge accomplishment that shows how complex Dame Agatha could be.
"I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood,
Its lips in the field above are dabbled with blood-red heath,
The red-ribb`d ledges drip with a silent horror of blood,
And Echo there, whatever is ask`d her, answers 'Death.'"
I love Christie's literary allusions; I was inspired to re-read "Maude" after I finished "The Hollow." What mystery writer wouldn't find those lines inspiring?
"The Hollow" is a classic British country-house novel, and it is more psychologically complex than almost any other Christie novel I can think of. The solution is completely believable and devastating. Christie likes to wrap everything up neatly and pair up whichever characters are still alive into happy marriages at the end. Not here--this is honestly the saddest of her books I can think of; it broke my heart. It is also the most "adult"; although everything happens off-stage, there is far more sex in the plot than usual for Christie. I would say, in all ways, this is a "mature" work. That's why I love it, in fact.
Despite the overarching sadness, there was some fun for me here because the Angkatell family reminded me of my own: we have a similarly whimsical sense of humor that makes no sense to outsiders, and I have no doubt we would all have fun confusing the police with red herrings if we felt called upon to protect one of our own. I almost wish there had been no detective, although only Poirot could have solved this one. His logical nature seems a little out of place in the dreamy, almost unreal world of "The Hollow." Still, I consider this novel a huge accomplishment that shows how complex Dame Agatha could be.
June 25, 2025
The Hollow is the 26th-book in Agatha Christie's iconic Hercule Poirot series.
I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of this one when I discovered it while browsing the shelves at B&N a couple weeks ago. It actually caught my eye because I had never heard of it.
I plucked it off the shelf to find out and immediately fell in love with this cover. I had to have it. A few hours later, I cracked it open on my 2.5-hour ferry ride home.
I was immediately pulled into the story, which follows a colorful cast of characters that Lucy Angkatell, the quirkiest amongst them, has invited to her country house for a holiday weekend.
As it happens, Hercule Poirot is one of the Angkatell's neighbors, in that he has a country house nearly abutting their property.
Knowing the infamous detective is due to be at his house that weekend, Lucy invites him to dine with them all. His presence should be quite entertaining.
Unfortunately, just as Poirot is arriving for lunch at the Angkatell estate at the appointed time, one of the other guests is discovered shot dead by the pool.
At first, Poirot suspects it is some sort of cruel joke intended for him. He believes they're acting, but those suspicions are quickly put to rest upon closer examination of the body with copious amount of blood dripping into the pool.
The corpse's spouse is standing there, holding a revolver, but it can't be that simple, can it?
Thus, an investigation begins, involving both Poirot and local law officer. This was a fun closed-circle mystery that kept me guessing. It also made me quite sad at the end.
What's that all about, Agatha?!
I enjoyed that we had a full, unlikable cast of characters to choose from as suspects and each one of them had motive. That's always the best kind, isn't it?
And of course we have Poirot there, just slaying, as usual. He's so beyond other's deductive skills, but never rubs that in their faces. We love a confident, yet humble man.
I'm surprised, upon reflection, that I've never heard of this one. It was so good. I would definitely recommend this to all Christie fans, if you, like me, never had this on your radar. It's well worth the read.
It had been a while since I had picked up a Christie, a few months at least, and this has reinvigorated my love for her works. I ordered two more today, in fact. I can't wait to get to them!
I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of this one when I discovered it while browsing the shelves at B&N a couple weeks ago. It actually caught my eye because I had never heard of it.
I plucked it off the shelf to find out and immediately fell in love with this cover. I had to have it. A few hours later, I cracked it open on my 2.5-hour ferry ride home.
I was immediately pulled into the story, which follows a colorful cast of characters that Lucy Angkatell, the quirkiest amongst them, has invited to her country house for a holiday weekend.
As it happens, Hercule Poirot is one of the Angkatell's neighbors, in that he has a country house nearly abutting their property.
Knowing the infamous detective is due to be at his house that weekend, Lucy invites him to dine with them all. His presence should be quite entertaining.
Unfortunately, just as Poirot is arriving for lunch at the Angkatell estate at the appointed time, one of the other guests is discovered shot dead by the pool.
At first, Poirot suspects it is some sort of cruel joke intended for him. He believes they're acting, but those suspicions are quickly put to rest upon closer examination of the body with copious amount of blood dripping into the pool.
The corpse's spouse is standing there, holding a revolver, but it can't be that simple, can it?
Thus, an investigation begins, involving both Poirot and local law officer. This was a fun closed-circle mystery that kept me guessing. It also made me quite sad at the end.
What's that all about, Agatha?!
I enjoyed that we had a full, unlikable cast of characters to choose from as suspects and each one of them had motive. That's always the best kind, isn't it?
And of course we have Poirot there, just slaying, as usual. He's so beyond other's deductive skills, but never rubs that in their faces. We love a confident, yet humble man.
I'm surprised, upon reflection, that I've never heard of this one. It was so good. I would definitely recommend this to all Christie fans, if you, like me, never had this on your radar. It's well worth the read.
It had been a while since I had picked up a Christie, a few months at least, and this has reinvigorated my love for her works. I ordered two more today, in fact. I can't wait to get to them!
March 21, 2021
The Big Four holds the spot as my least favourite Poirot, but this one is not far above. A third of the book read like some strange introduction (and Poirot hasn’t entered the story at all) and the rest offers no suspense at all. The narrative and dialog are uncharacteristically disjointed and odd - containing an absolute avalanche of ellipses ... oddly formatted in the edition I read ... and giving the impression of the narrator being very sleepy ... I sure was ... often...
May 21, 2016
Jacques Barzun called this novel "a triumph of her [Christie's] art" and I enthusiastically second that judgment. In-depth characterization is perilous in a detective story, where the main interest is the mystery. But with Christie characterization is an integral part of the plot, thus the "art" Barzun refers to. In The Hollow, for instance, a romance is superbly delineated and of great interest by itself. It is also interwoven with the crime both in terms of motive and metaphorically.
A detective story, being a genre work, can perhaps never be great art. But The Hollow certainly gives something of the same satisfaction great art can give.
A detective story, being a genre work, can perhaps never be great art. But The Hollow certainly gives something of the same satisfaction great art can give.
April 27, 2025
Top tier Agatha Christie.
September 14, 2018
I read this in just one sitting, but in my mother language (Portuguese). I found the book's end interesting. It wasn't very exciting, however it was unlike the others Agatha Christie's books that I've read.
December 21, 2020
Очень люблю читать Агату Кристи в третий раз и угадывать убийцу. Свет моего интеллекта так и освещает мрачный зимний Петербург.
June 25, 2023
Hercule Poirot, the great Belgian detective, returns in another Agatha Christie mystery. Working through the facts and deducing which are red herrings, Poirot makes his way through the crime and points to the killer before the final pages of the succinct mystery. Christie dazzles and impresses as the tension mounts, leaving the reader pleased from beginning to end!
After being invited to a weekend house party, retired detective Hercule Poirot hopes for a relaxing few days. While engaging with his host, Lady Angkatell, Poirot is busy having his criminal mind picked, as they discuss some of his casework from years past. While a tableau is staged for his amusement, Poirot wonders if a doctor laying in a pool of red paint and the wife holding a revolver could be a tad too realistic. It’s soon discovered that the doctor is actually dead, murdered by a gunshot wound.
As Poirot kicks into active mode, he begins exploring all possible avenues. Who might have wanted the doctor dead and for what reason? Poirot asks the tough questions and presses for answers, as everyone has their own ideas who might have committed the crime. Working in tandem with the local authorities, Poirot posits that everything might not be as it seems. As he deduces the truths before him, he must peel back the lies before discovering the final result. A formidable story that helps show the true talents of Agatha Christie.
Bingeing the Hercule Poirot series between some longer reads has helped me progress through the collection with ease. Agatha Christie does not disappoint, as she advances the narrative swiftly and with a sense of direction, while offering some entertainment as well. The handful of key characters provide some flavouring and leaves the reader to wonder who might make the best suspect. As the plot thickens, Poirot pushes through the red herrings in order to get to the core of the matter, alerting everyone to the killer and describing their motive, in a detailed description before the final paragraph ends. Christie’s protagonist is on point and has me eager to delve even deeper into the collection.
Kudos, Madam Christie, for another great mystery.
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