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Hercule Poirot #33
Funerals are Fatal
The master of a Victorian mansion dies suddenly—and his sister is convinced it was murder… When Cora is savagely murdered with a hatchet, the extraordinary remark she made the previous day at her brother Richard’s funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of Richard’s will, Cora was clearly heard to say: ‘It’s been hushed up very nicely, hasn’t it… But he was murdered, wasn’t he?’ In desperation, the family solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery.
Original British title: After the Funeral
This edition is part of the Bantam Agatha Christie Mystery Collection leatherette-bound set with gold emblems front and spine on dark navy texture, marbled inside papers, front and back.
Original British title: After the Funeral
This edition is part of the Bantam Agatha Christie Mystery Collection leatherette-bound set with gold emblems front and spine on dark navy texture, marbled inside papers, front and back.
226 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1953
2931 people are currently reading
25686 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 3,283 reviews
May 28, 2020
For in the long run, either through a lie, or through truth, people were bound to give themselves away…
A Poirot mystery set in the post World War II Era. A sad reminder that Poirot is now old & retired & that the writer has now slowly started moving away from the Poirot character… An era where Christie had started focusing more on Marple than Poirot.
Story: A wealthy man dies & his relatives gather after his funeral for the reading of his will, during which his sister states that he was murdered. The next day, she herself is found murdered. Poirot is called in to solve the mystery.
Without revealing the plot too much, I will get into what works & what doesn’t work in terms of the storyline:
What Works: After the Funeral has the ideal setting for a perfect murder mystery; a dead rich man, plenty of greedy relatives & reading of a dead man’s will. Christie is brilliant at murder mysteries involving multiple scheming & backstabbing suspects ( And Then There Were None & Murder On The Orient Express come to mind), where every member is a suspect and enough clues are left around to suspect every one of the murder. Christie keeps confusing the readers with clues while blinding them to the obvious facts right in front of them. Indeed, hidden amongst the plot are many of Christie’s usual tricks & hints which guide & sometimes misguide you.
What Doesn’t Work: There are a lot of characters at the start which you have to get your head around. The chapters are split into parts each dedicated to a different character with alibis of each character deconstructed. The many characters introduced all at once & their stories, all gets confusing & it slightly distracts you from the main mystery. Although this is a Poirot novel, for about the first two-thirds of the novel the investigation is conducted by Entwhistle, the family solicitor. Poirot is brought in at the end– almost as an afterthought for the final reveal. (as discussed above) Poirot’s solution to the murder mystery is quite logical and satisfying, though it does have a few loopholes, if you think about it.
Overall, though not among Christie’s best works, it is still a very good & enjoyable mystery with a unique twist in the end. 3.5/5
October 9, 2025
After the Funeral is another entertaining Hercule Poirot mystery. I say pretty much the same thing about every Christie novel, but it's twisty and fun and masterfully narrated by the talented Hugh Fraser. I did highly suspect the actual murderer this time around (a rarity for me and this this series!) but not the reasoning behind their actions. Timothy Abernethie reminds me somewhat of an adult version of Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter series, so do be prepared to be annoyed by his character. All in all, though, a delightful read. 4 stars.
March 13, 2022
This was the March read and part of the Read Christie 2022 challenge.
I really enjoyed this mystery! I read it in a couple of days and was trying hard to catch the murderer! Alas, I was wrong.
As usual with Christie, there are quite a few characters that become suspects. I did need to take notes of them in the beginning to get a grasp of who was who! I only needed it long enough to get into the story. I love how Christie adds such fun characters and places little clues of misdirection along the way.
After a wealthy family member, Richard dies, the family gathers at his Victorian mansion for the executor to read the will. Then Richard's batty sister, Cora announces, "But he was murdered, wasn't he?" Richard's niece, Rosamund perks up hearing this and exclaims, "It might really be rather fun. Having a murder in the family." She gets plenty of raised eyebrows from the family!
Poirot enters later in the story because yet another murder happens!
Love her storytelling, unforgettable characters, and cleverness. Always a good challenge to solve a Christie mystery (or not in my case)!
This is the website if anyone else is interested adding some Christie this year.
https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2...
I really enjoyed this mystery! I read it in a couple of days and was trying hard to catch the murderer! Alas, I was wrong.
As usual with Christie, there are quite a few characters that become suspects. I did need to take notes of them in the beginning to get a grasp of who was who! I only needed it long enough to get into the story. I love how Christie adds such fun characters and places little clues of misdirection along the way.
After a wealthy family member, Richard dies, the family gathers at his Victorian mansion for the executor to read the will. Then Richard's batty sister, Cora announces, "But he was murdered, wasn't he?" Richard's niece, Rosamund perks up hearing this and exclaims, "It might really be rather fun. Having a murder in the family." She gets plenty of raised eyebrows from the family!
Poirot enters later in the story because yet another murder happens!
Love her storytelling, unforgettable characters, and cleverness. Always a good challenge to solve a Christie mystery (or not in my case)!
This is the website if anyone else is interested adding some Christie this year.
https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2...
January 8, 2022
Agatha Christie Book Reading Challenge
BOOK 27 :- FEB 2021
4.5 STARS
BOOK 27 :- FEB 2021
4.5 STARS
October 30, 2020
from my blog, where it is much easier to give links, pictures and half-stars at https://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2015/...
Goodness, but I’m a reading disaster when it comes to Christie books. At one point in After the Funeral, I felt I knew who the murderer was, and when I flipped to check if I was right (oh, the horror!)–yes, I did that—I was. But I got no pleasure out of my powers of deduction, as I’m almost positive I’ve read this at least once before. Possibly twice. So that’s a sad statement of my mental affairs that I’m almost pleased by solving the murderer of a book I’ve read twice before. Sigh–if it doesn’t pertain to biology, it likely doesn’t stick in my brain. So I find I’m unable to advise if it was a ‘fair’ or ‘solvable’ mystery, for those who look for that sort of thing. I rather think it wasn’t. But at any rate, murderer identified, I was able to settle down and concentrate on Christie’s fine storytelling. That Dame sure can tell a tale, because it remained no less suspenseful.
I’m working on a theory that Christie was a master mystery writer. Oh, I know; the British Empire already figured that out in 1971. But really, the woman could write. I am so amazed, sometimes, how she created so much character in a handful of words. I know I’ve said this before, but it’s something that bears examining. Why is it that Rothfuss and Sanderson get heaps of accolades when they describe every single jewel someone is wearing, taking 700 pages to tell their story about a journey of a thousand steps? I think–and now that I spell this out, I think there’s something really quite valid to my instinct here–that I prefer the character of a story, the sense of it. I don’t need the high-def, cinematic version–I want the emotion of it, the presence of it. Max Gladstone recently wrote a fascinating post about action scenes (“Fighting Words”), and at the very bottom, in the comments section, Kameron Hurley comments: “Yup, this is how I think about it: it’s not my job to give the literal then this, then that, then this, but to infer enough of the scene through the emotion I convey for the reader to *fill in the gaps.* ”
^This.
If I may move from the discussion of writing action to the concept of writing, period, Christie doesn’t (exhaustively) describe how each person walks, the sound of their voice, their dress, their mannerisms; she picks out the part that identifies them most, includes that description in an action, and lets the reader draw the conclusion. For me, to mix my metaphors again, it’s the difference between 17th century Dutch paintings and cubism, particularly Braque, one of my favorite painters (although not this one):
versus
I think that’s why Christie works for me. There’s a combination of specificity and ambiguity that gives an impression, with out the need to delineate every shadow. She allows my own interpretation, and yet every single time, I end up exactly where she wants me. More or less.
In After the Funeral, everyone gathers at the estate for the funeral of Richard Abernethie, and imagine the surprise among the clan when dotty, arty Aunt Cora says, “But he was murdered, wasn’t he?” Elderly solicitor Entwistle remains bothered, her remark nagging at him, and imagine his surprise when he receives a phone call the next day from the police. I won’t spoil any more, but Christie does trot in her favorites: the ancient family butler, the motherly wife, the gambler, the hypochondriac, the actress, the scatty matron, the stockbroker of questionable values. And, of course, the Monsieur himself:
“‘Hercule Poirot–at your service.’
Poirot bowed.
There were no gasps of astonishment or of apprehension.”
And such a snicker we all had at Poirot’s expense, did we not? And with virtually no set-up, we laughed. Now try this brief character appearance on for size:
” Mr. Entwistle passed a very restless night. He felt so tired and so unwell in the morning that he did not get up.
His sister who kept house for him brought up his breakfast on a tray and explained to him severely how wrong he had been to go gadding off to the North of England at his age and in his frail state of health.
Mr. Entwistle contented himself with saying that Richard Abernethie had been a very old friend.
‘Funerals!’ said his sister with deep disapproval. ‘Funerals are absolutely fatal for a man your age!”
In four very brief paragraphs, we have the entire sense of Mr. Entwistle’s sister, do we not? And their decades of interaction? And had another little snicker at his sister’s comment? Even more surprising: there were three more paragraphs to follow, all on a chapter heading page. Eat your heart out, Way of Kings!
This book? I recommend it, for fans of both Christie and Poirot. It feels a little routine for her at this point, but it is a well-polished routine, with a nice twist. Even more, I recommend Dame Christie. Period.
Goodness, but I’m a reading disaster when it comes to Christie books. At one point in After the Funeral, I felt I knew who the murderer was, and when I flipped to check if I was right (oh, the horror!)–yes, I did that—I was. But I got no pleasure out of my powers of deduction, as I’m almost positive I’ve read this at least once before. Possibly twice. So that’s a sad statement of my mental affairs that I’m almost pleased by solving the murderer of a book I’ve read twice before. Sigh–if it doesn’t pertain to biology, it likely doesn’t stick in my brain. So I find I’m unable to advise if it was a ‘fair’ or ‘solvable’ mystery, for those who look for that sort of thing. I rather think it wasn’t. But at any rate, murderer identified, I was able to settle down and concentrate on Christie’s fine storytelling. That Dame sure can tell a tale, because it remained no less suspenseful.
I’m working on a theory that Christie was a master mystery writer. Oh, I know; the British Empire already figured that out in 1971. But really, the woman could write. I am so amazed, sometimes, how she created so much character in a handful of words. I know I’ve said this before, but it’s something that bears examining. Why is it that Rothfuss and Sanderson get heaps of accolades when they describe every single jewel someone is wearing, taking 700 pages to tell their story about a journey of a thousand steps? I think–and now that I spell this out, I think there’s something really quite valid to my instinct here–that I prefer the character of a story, the sense of it. I don’t need the high-def, cinematic version–I want the emotion of it, the presence of it. Max Gladstone recently wrote a fascinating post about action scenes (“Fighting Words”), and at the very bottom, in the comments section, Kameron Hurley comments: “Yup, this is how I think about it: it’s not my job to give the literal then this, then that, then this, but to infer enough of the scene through the emotion I convey for the reader to *fill in the gaps.* ”
^This.
If I may move from the discussion of writing action to the concept of writing, period, Christie doesn’t (exhaustively) describe how each person walks, the sound of their voice, their dress, their mannerisms; she picks out the part that identifies them most, includes that description in an action, and lets the reader draw the conclusion. For me, to mix my metaphors again, it’s the difference between 17th century Dutch paintings and cubism, particularly Braque, one of my favorite painters (although not this one):
versus
I think that’s why Christie works for me. There’s a combination of specificity and ambiguity that gives an impression, with out the need to delineate every shadow. She allows my own interpretation, and yet every single time, I end up exactly where she wants me. More or less.
In After the Funeral, everyone gathers at the estate for the funeral of Richard Abernethie, and imagine the surprise among the clan when dotty, arty Aunt Cora says, “But he was murdered, wasn’t he?” Elderly solicitor Entwistle remains bothered, her remark nagging at him, and imagine his surprise when he receives a phone call the next day from the police. I won’t spoil any more, but Christie does trot in her favorites: the ancient family butler, the motherly wife, the gambler, the hypochondriac, the actress, the scatty matron, the stockbroker of questionable values. And, of course, the Monsieur himself:
“‘Hercule Poirot–at your service.’
Poirot bowed.
There were no gasps of astonishment or of apprehension.”
And such a snicker we all had at Poirot’s expense, did we not? And with virtually no set-up, we laughed. Now try this brief character appearance on for size:
” Mr. Entwistle passed a very restless night. He felt so tired and so unwell in the morning that he did not get up.
His sister who kept house for him brought up his breakfast on a tray and explained to him severely how wrong he had been to go gadding off to the North of England at his age and in his frail state of health.
Mr. Entwistle contented himself with saying that Richard Abernethie had been a very old friend.
‘Funerals!’ said his sister with deep disapproval. ‘Funerals are absolutely fatal for a man your age!”
In four very brief paragraphs, we have the entire sense of Mr. Entwistle’s sister, do we not? And their decades of interaction? And had another little snicker at his sister’s comment? Even more surprising: there were three more paragraphs to follow, all on a chapter heading page. Eat your heart out, Way of Kings!
This book? I recommend it, for fans of both Christie and Poirot. It feels a little routine for her at this point, but it is a well-polished routine, with a nice twist. Even more, I recommend Dame Christie. Period.
July 5, 2022
Batty old Aunt Cora gets chopped up with a hatchet.
Was she the victim of a marauding psycho or did she say the wrong thing at a funeral?
Or is there some other reason entirely?!
Poirot is on the case once again, so no worries. The little man with the big mustaches will ferret out the criminal and set things right.
Well. Not for Aunt Cora, of course, because she's already been hacked to bits. But everyone else should be ok.
Should be ok as long as they don't cross the murderer, that is.
I can't remember if I'd read this one before or if I'd just seen it on tv. Either way, I kind of knew whodunnit. Or at least the why they dunnit.
But it was still a lot of fun to listen to.
Would definitely recommend Hugh Fraser as a narrator for anything Poirot-related.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
Was she the victim of a marauding psycho or did she say the wrong thing at a funeral?
Or is there some other reason entirely?!
Poirot is on the case once again, so no worries. The little man with the big mustaches will ferret out the criminal and set things right.
Well. Not for Aunt Cora, of course, because she's already been hacked to bits. But everyone else should be ok.
Should be ok as long as they don't cross the murderer, that is.
I can't remember if I'd read this one before or if I'd just seen it on tv. Either way, I kind of knew whodunnit. Or at least the why they dunnit.
But it was still a lot of fun to listen to.
Would definitely recommend Hugh Fraser as a narrator for anything Poirot-related.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
June 12, 2025
A rich man has died. The family comes together for his funeral. After the funeral, the sister of the deceased man casually says in front of everyone that she thinks it was murder. Not long after voicing her opinion about her brother’s death, she is found murdered. So Poirot is asked to investigate.
Hercule Poirot has no shortage of suspects in this one, as everyone seems to have the same motive and they’re all keeping secrets. Poirot plays a more subtle role in this one as he takes his time and even goes undercover for a little while to unearth the truth. But the mystery plot is strong enough to carry the story even when Poirot’s presence isn’t that strong. And the other characters are fleshed out enough to serve their roles.
What stands out most in this book is actually not the characters or the mystery plot to be honest. It’s how good a writer Agatha Christie is. The thing is, when she fleshes out characters, she gives you just enough to grasp exactly who that person is. Same thing happens when she provides us with a clue throughout a conversation between two characters for example. She never needs to go into great detail. She pinpoints exactly what needs to be said and she does it so subtly and masterfully that it feels effortlessly woven into a scene, which makes it a very interesting story to read.
With so many characters to keep track off, it’s quite a complex but interesting and ultimately satisfying mystery.
Hercule Poirot has no shortage of suspects in this one, as everyone seems to have the same motive and they’re all keeping secrets. Poirot plays a more subtle role in this one as he takes his time and even goes undercover for a little while to unearth the truth. But the mystery plot is strong enough to carry the story even when Poirot’s presence isn’t that strong. And the other characters are fleshed out enough to serve their roles.
What stands out most in this book is actually not the characters or the mystery plot to be honest. It’s how good a writer Agatha Christie is. The thing is, when she fleshes out characters, she gives you just enough to grasp exactly who that person is. Same thing happens when she provides us with a clue throughout a conversation between two characters for example. She never needs to go into great detail. She pinpoints exactly what needs to be said and she does it so subtly and masterfully that it feels effortlessly woven into a scene, which makes it a very interesting story to read.
With so many characters to keep track off, it’s quite a complex but interesting and ultimately satisfying mystery.
January 8, 2021
Agatha Christie’s #31 Hercule Poirot mystery is the work of a writer that at this point knows her craft so well that she can do it almost in her sleep. And this story has a lot of sleep in it, and dreams. And a couple of funerals. I prefer this original title, After the Funeral, because it speaks to the more serious literary tone of this book (compared to the more comic tone she often seems to be going for, as in the current title, Funerals are Fatal, which isn’t exactly accurate, as you are led to believe that a murder happens at a funeral, which it does not). The tone here in this book is not actually comic but serious, with a touch of madness.
In almost all Christie books there are bystanders who suppose that the crime must have been done by a “madman,” and it almost never is true. Poirot is a psychological detective. He operates by getting to know the possible murderers and thinking—using his little grey cells—and proceeding, not through the available evidence, that’s police work, only technical—but through ratiocination, through step-by-step logic as it applies to the study of human nature. So both Poirot and I think Christie also don't feel that "madness" is a central rationale for murder. Or interesting, really. Madmen are random, and thus boringly illogical, not worth the trouble to Christie and Poirot. Oh, we do have our daffy characters here, one possibly quite mad, Timothy, and one pretending to be mad, Greg, but finally those types are always comic relief, distractions. Which is not say madness is irrelevant to this tale, but . . . you won’t get me to tell, I won’t!
But back to the point: Poirot operates through logic, and talking to people, through what he calls “the dangers of conversation.” As he says, “if you can induce a person to talk to you for long enough, on any subject whatever, sooner or later they will give themselves away. [Name redacted] did.”
One of the features of this tale that finally makes Christie impressive in this particular book and not just ploddingly proficient is that Christie increasingly reveals her love/hate relationship with her little round Belgian, whom she likes to make fun of for his arrogance. No one in this tale, he is disappointed to discover, even has heard of him. She—wickedly—skewers him, as they many refer to him as “Mr. Pontarlier.” His name is his brand, his cache, and they get it wrong! Sacre bleu!
And she makes fun of his way of speaking:
Poirot: “The time has come to tell you all.”
Inspector Morton: “You sound like a young lady in a Victorian melodrama.”
And he kind of does, in this tale of all things Victorian! And at this point, dozens of books done, Christie feels forced to write him in this way! Augh! But she both does what she has to do, she makes Poirot come alive, and then she simultaneously satirizes him. Can he actually be to the masses both adorable and annoying? Looks like it.
And then Morton can’t resist saying what we as readers are thinking, something Christie perhaps might admit herself about her now close to fiftieth book, which she really does want to finish:
“Yes, yes, tell me all! And for the Lord’s sake hurry up and do it!”
Which he does, of course, finally. But here again she is making fun of Poirot for his necessarily meticulous (and sometimes admittedly boring, and long) method, which she is compelled to recreate, book after book, so tongue-in-cheek makes fun of herself for being trapped to write him in this way!
But then the resolution, the ingenuity of which makes you realize that it is all necessary, and moreover (such a Victorian word!) worth it! So in the end, all is forgiven, we love Poirot after all, and so does Agatha! Which is why she is Dame Christie, and not Detective Nobody!
(Spoilers in here, but not THE spoiler, I wouldn’t do that). The facts of the case: Richard Abernethie dies. After the funeral Cora Lasquenet says she thinks it was murder, and for which she is herself murdered. After which Miss Gilchrist, Cora’s companion, who may know the truth about Cora, is taken ill eating a piece of wedding cake laced with arsenic. And after that Mrs. Abernethie, who may know the truth about Cora, is conked on the head, concussed, hospitalized. Will she recover, to reveal the truth?! Oh, have it either way, because we have M. Poirot!
But seriously, what do we get for speaking the truth at odd moments? Or are they lies? What do we really know about Cora? Or about anyone?
You think as you read that details are just details, but Christie will make you pay attention, again and again, because some mundane details that are shared with us actually do figure in to make this a sort of dazzling resolution, among them:
“The visit of an art critic, a smell of oil paint, a picture postcard of Polflexan harbor and finally a bouquet of wax flowers standing on that malachite table. . .”
And a telegram with these four words: "Definitely a Vermeer, Guthrie."
And the imperfect reflection of people in mirrors. Poirot: “To see ourselves as others see us!”
And Victorian stolidity and aesthetics and values and “ladylike” manners being replaced by something rather modern.
And a consideration of the nature of madness.
And, just randomly, I like this line, from Timothy: “I’ve a soul above corn plasters, Entwhistle.” I didn't know what this meant, no, but it made me smile. But one would hope we all would have souls above corn plasters, oui?
Reading along in this book, do you have the temerity to be bored?! You must have patience, mon ami! A bit of advice about method, to which both the Inspector and Poirot ascribe:
"You don't want to fluster your bird too soon. But when you do fluster it, you want to fluster it well." And Poirot does, finally. He patiently builds his case, and then flusters the bird well in a final explosion of flustering!
I had never heard of Funerals are Fatal, and thought for 200 or so of the 224 pages that this was just another 3 starred book, oh, come on, get it over with, but the ending—gathering together all the relevant motifs—brought it to 4 stars. What did I know? What do I ever know? It’s maybe even better than that, really, compared to any other mysteries being written, but alas, I am getting a little tired of Christie in spite of myself. 30 books! Sacre bleu! Only 9 to go!
In almost all Christie books there are bystanders who suppose that the crime must have been done by a “madman,” and it almost never is true. Poirot is a psychological detective. He operates by getting to know the possible murderers and thinking—using his little grey cells—and proceeding, not through the available evidence, that’s police work, only technical—but through ratiocination, through step-by-step logic as it applies to the study of human nature. So both Poirot and I think Christie also don't feel that "madness" is a central rationale for murder. Or interesting, really. Madmen are random, and thus boringly illogical, not worth the trouble to Christie and Poirot. Oh, we do have our daffy characters here, one possibly quite mad, Timothy, and one pretending to be mad, Greg, but finally those types are always comic relief, distractions. Which is not say madness is irrelevant to this tale, but . . . you won’t get me to tell, I won’t!
But back to the point: Poirot operates through logic, and talking to people, through what he calls “the dangers of conversation.” As he says, “if you can induce a person to talk to you for long enough, on any subject whatever, sooner or later they will give themselves away. [Name redacted] did.”
One of the features of this tale that finally makes Christie impressive in this particular book and not just ploddingly proficient is that Christie increasingly reveals her love/hate relationship with her little round Belgian, whom she likes to make fun of for his arrogance. No one in this tale, he is disappointed to discover, even has heard of him. She—wickedly—skewers him, as they many refer to him as “Mr. Pontarlier.” His name is his brand, his cache, and they get it wrong! Sacre bleu!
And she makes fun of his way of speaking:
Poirot: “The time has come to tell you all.”
Inspector Morton: “You sound like a young lady in a Victorian melodrama.”
And he kind of does, in this tale of all things Victorian! And at this point, dozens of books done, Christie feels forced to write him in this way! Augh! But she both does what she has to do, she makes Poirot come alive, and then she simultaneously satirizes him. Can he actually be to the masses both adorable and annoying? Looks like it.
And then Morton can’t resist saying what we as readers are thinking, something Christie perhaps might admit herself about her now close to fiftieth book, which she really does want to finish:
“Yes, yes, tell me all! And for the Lord’s sake hurry up and do it!”
Which he does, of course, finally. But here again she is making fun of Poirot for his necessarily meticulous (and sometimes admittedly boring, and long) method, which she is compelled to recreate, book after book, so tongue-in-cheek makes fun of herself for being trapped to write him in this way!
But then the resolution, the ingenuity of which makes you realize that it is all necessary, and moreover (such a Victorian word!) worth it! So in the end, all is forgiven, we love Poirot after all, and so does Agatha! Which is why she is Dame Christie, and not Detective Nobody!
(Spoilers in here, but not THE spoiler, I wouldn’t do that). The facts of the case: Richard Abernethie dies. After the funeral Cora Lasquenet says she thinks it was murder, and for which she is herself murdered. After which Miss Gilchrist, Cora’s companion, who may know the truth about Cora, is taken ill eating a piece of wedding cake laced with arsenic. And after that Mrs. Abernethie, who may know the truth about Cora, is conked on the head, concussed, hospitalized. Will she recover, to reveal the truth?! Oh, have it either way, because we have M. Poirot!
But seriously, what do we get for speaking the truth at odd moments? Or are they lies? What do we really know about Cora? Or about anyone?
You think as you read that details are just details, but Christie will make you pay attention, again and again, because some mundane details that are shared with us actually do figure in to make this a sort of dazzling resolution, among them:
“The visit of an art critic, a smell of oil paint, a picture postcard of Polflexan harbor and finally a bouquet of wax flowers standing on that malachite table. . .”
And a telegram with these four words: "Definitely a Vermeer, Guthrie."
And the imperfect reflection of people in mirrors. Poirot: “To see ourselves as others see us!”
And Victorian stolidity and aesthetics and values and “ladylike” manners being replaced by something rather modern.
And a consideration of the nature of madness.
And, just randomly, I like this line, from Timothy: “I’ve a soul above corn plasters, Entwhistle.” I didn't know what this meant, no, but it made me smile. But one would hope we all would have souls above corn plasters, oui?
Reading along in this book, do you have the temerity to be bored?! You must have patience, mon ami! A bit of advice about method, to which both the Inspector and Poirot ascribe:
"You don't want to fluster your bird too soon. But when you do fluster it, you want to fluster it well." And Poirot does, finally. He patiently builds his case, and then flusters the bird well in a final explosion of flustering!
I had never heard of Funerals are Fatal, and thought for 200 or so of the 224 pages that this was just another 3 starred book, oh, come on, get it over with, but the ending—gathering together all the relevant motifs—brought it to 4 stars. What did I know? What do I ever know? It’s maybe even better than that, really, compared to any other mysteries being written, but alas, I am getting a little tired of Christie in spite of myself. 30 books! Sacre bleu! Only 9 to go!
August 11, 2020
I had fears for this lesser known and ultimately excellent book by Agatha Christie. This French translation was done by Yves Massip, and he did a perfect job of it. The murders in this book were very relevant.
The denouement of the plot, was abetted by a concise story. The book is imaginative, daring, original (but not entirely), functional, and elicited an inquisitive mood.
This book is criminally(pun intended) underrated. I read that the culprit barely appeared in the book. Wrong. Read for yourselves and find out. There was some humor in the novel, which was a bonus.
The denouement of the plot, was abetted by a concise story. The book is imaginative, daring, original (but not entirely), functional, and elicited an inquisitive mood.
This book is criminally(pun intended) underrated. I read that the culprit barely appeared in the book. Wrong. Read for yourselves and find out. There was some humor in the novel, which was a bonus.
December 14, 2018
Evil is not something superhuman, it's something less than human.
😈Agatha Christie👿
😈Agatha Christie👿
June 24, 2020
A fabulous Poirot. More tomorrow
So I, and a number of other people are now well into the third year of our Group Buddy Read of all of Agatha Christie's Poirot Novels and short stories, and whilst some of the novels fade in my memory, I can imagine this one will stay with me.
Poirot is asked by an old acquaintance and family lawyer to investigate the possible murder of his old friend and also the murder of his old friends sister just days after the funeral. Is there even a connection especially his sister blurts out she thinks her brother was murdered. A number of nieces and nephews as well as the final brother and his wife are the immediate beneficiaries of the will and are therefore prime suspects.
Poirot poses as the leader of a refugee charity interested in purchasing the deceased man's stately home to enable him to investigate the possible suspects, all of whom could be involved.
A wonderful example of Poirot's little grey cells in action, and the epitome of what Christie set out to create with her fabulous detective.
So I, and a number of other people are now well into the third year of our Group Buddy Read of all of Agatha Christie's Poirot Novels and short stories, and whilst some of the novels fade in my memory, I can imagine this one will stay with me.
Poirot is asked by an old acquaintance and family lawyer to investigate the possible murder of his old friend and also the murder of his old friends sister just days after the funeral. Is there even a connection especially his sister blurts out she thinks her brother was murdered. A number of nieces and nephews as well as the final brother and his wife are the immediate beneficiaries of the will and are therefore prime suspects.
Poirot poses as the leader of a refugee charity interested in purchasing the deceased man's stately home to enable him to investigate the possible suspects, all of whom could be involved.
A wonderful example of Poirot's little grey cells in action, and the epitome of what Christie set out to create with her fabulous detective.
December 8, 2025
A really strong Christie.
May 16, 2017
" Moartea este definitivă, nu există nici o viață după moarte. Nici un mort nu se întoarce înapoi pe pământ. Este un vechi adevăr - că orice om are ceva de ascuns. Asta este valabil pentru noi toți."
November 4, 2025
و همانا آگاتا کریستی ( هرکول پوآرو ) بر هر درد بی درمانی دواست
November 21, 2017
I used to make fun of Scooby Doo and how the gang would unmask the villain at the end, specifically how the villain would inevitably and hurriedly admit to the crime. Then I started reading Agatha Christie's books and I realized where they picked up the habit.
Now, don't get me wrong, Christie's mysteries are wonderful reads. So much fun! I especially love Hercule Poirot. It's a shame it takes such a long time for him to show up in After the Funeral. Much of the groundwork is laid out by a lawyer before Poirot arrives on the scene to tie it all up neatly.
The body of this book is quite good. The murderer is nicely disguised. The red herrings are well-stocked. But then comes the end. It's a satisfactory end as far as solving a crime goes, however, here again the murderer blurts out the truth. Certainly Poirot has the person cornered and it would just be a matter of a trial to have the person convicted, but then that wouldn't be as dramatic, would it? No. It would be more realistic though, and that's the problem with such endings. They somewhat tarnish an otherwise fairly believable story.
But that is a minor point as far as my enjoyment of the entire book goes. Yes, I have spent a good portion of a rather short review going on about it, but honestly, everything else about After the Funeral is a good read through and through!
Now, don't get me wrong, Christie's mysteries are wonderful reads. So much fun! I especially love Hercule Poirot. It's a shame it takes such a long time for him to show up in After the Funeral. Much of the groundwork is laid out by a lawyer before Poirot arrives on the scene to tie it all up neatly.
The body of this book is quite good. The murderer is nicely disguised. The red herrings are well-stocked. But then comes the end. It's a satisfactory end as far as solving a crime goes, however, here again the murderer blurts out the truth. Certainly Poirot has the person cornered and it would just be a matter of a trial to have the person convicted, but then that wouldn't be as dramatic, would it? No. It would be more realistic though, and that's the problem with such endings. They somewhat tarnish an otherwise fairly believable story.
But that is a minor point as far as my enjoyment of the entire book goes. Yes, I have spent a good portion of a rather short review going on about it, but honestly, everything else about After the Funeral is a good read through and through!
September 15, 2020
I couldn't let Dame Agatha's 130th Birthday pass without reading a Poirot - especially as it's also the hundredth anniversary of his first appearance in Christie's debut novel.
It was a slight shame that this actually turned out to be a Poirot-lite mystery, though the family drama aspect of following the array of potential suspects actually make for a great whodunit with numerous red herrings.
Following the funeral of Richard Abernethie his sister Cora declares that she thinks his death wasn't through natural causes, only to be brutally murdered the next day.
Astue Christie readers will look for all the usual clues that is synonymous with her puzzle mystery's, there was a few occasions I thought I'd worked it out.
But yet again it's not until Poirot's summing up during the conclusion that everything finally clicked into place.
Yet again the queen of crime had fooled me again and shows the longevity of these novels.
It was a slight shame that this actually turned out to be a Poirot-lite mystery, though the family drama aspect of following the array of potential suspects actually make for a great whodunit with numerous red herrings.
Following the funeral of Richard Abernethie his sister Cora declares that she thinks his death wasn't through natural causes, only to be brutally murdered the next day.
Astue Christie readers will look for all the usual clues that is synonymous with her puzzle mystery's, there was a few occasions I thought I'd worked it out.
But yet again it's not until Poirot's summing up during the conclusion that everything finally clicked into place.
Yet again the queen of crime had fooled me again and shows the longevity of these novels.
September 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this Poirot story. The sister after the funeral makes the startling statement that of course he was murdered. Then she is murdered. What follows is a classic of misdirection and red herrings.
It stumped me even with the clues. Perhaps it was because all of the family were so unlikeable that the murderer is such a surprise.
It stumped me even with the clues. Perhaps it was because all of the family were so unlikeable that the murderer is such a surprise.
August 5, 2019
Unorthodox storyline. Relatively smaller novel in length than other Poirot novels, it all begins when the deceased's sister makes a comment that her brother was murdered. In true Christie style all family members are suspects. Poirot joins and solves the murder. Interesting read.
December 13, 2025
After the Reading of the Will
A review of the William Morrow Kindle eBook (January 25, 2005) of the Collins Crime Club (UK 1953) & Dodd, Mead & Co. (US 1953) original hardcovers.
What a relief it was to get back to reading classic Agatha Christie again after enduring the alternate-universe version of Hercule Poirot in Sophie Hannah's Hercule Poirot's Silent Night (2023), part of her ongoing continuation series.
Poirot is called in on the case by his lawyer friend Entwhistle. After the funeral of a family patriarch, his surviving sister hints that the old man was murdered. A few days later she herself is murdered as well. If the culprit thought that would stop speculation they obviously didn't count on Poirot's investigation. Entwhistle actually does most of the legwork of interviews and such, but it all ends with the now classic scenario of Poirot gathering all the suspects in a room for the final reveal.
The front cover of the current 2025 William Morrow eBook. GR does not permit you to add alternate cover editions (ACEs) for Kindle eBooks for some reason. Image sourced from Amazon.
This edition includes a very respectful introduction by Sophie Hannah in which she names this as her favourite Poirot novel. It is unfortunate that her own pastiche version of the character does not show the same respect.
I continue to enjoy my binge of 2025 re-reads and/or new reads of the classic Agatha Christie books from the 1920s through to the 1950s.
Soundtrack
You can listen to an extended version of the opening theme music of the long-running TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989-2013) with many screenshots of actor David Suchet as the title character on a YouTube clip here.
Trivia and Links
After the Funeral will not enter the public domain in the USA until 2049, 96 years after first publication in the USA.
After the Funeral was adapted as a feature length episode for the TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989-2013). It was Season 10's Episode 3 in 2006.
A review of the William Morrow Kindle eBook (January 25, 2005) of the Collins Crime Club (UK 1953) & Dodd, Mead & Co. (US 1953) original hardcovers.
This time it was in the big drawing room that Hercule Poirot assembled his audience.
Timothy was not far from voicing the general feeling when he remarked in an audible sotto voce to his wife:
“Damned little mountebank! Entwhistle must be gaga!—that’s all I can say.”
It looked as though Hercule Poirot would have to work hard to make his proper effect.
What a relief it was to get back to reading classic Agatha Christie again after enduring the alternate-universe version of Hercule Poirot in Sophie Hannah's Hercule Poirot's Silent Night (2023), part of her ongoing continuation series.
Poirot is called in on the case by his lawyer friend Entwhistle. After the funeral of a family patriarch, his surviving sister hints that the old man was murdered. A few days later she herself is murdered as well. If the culprit thought that would stop speculation they obviously didn't count on Poirot's investigation. Entwhistle actually does most of the legwork of interviews and such, but it all ends with the now classic scenario of Poirot gathering all the suspects in a room for the final reveal.
The front cover of the current 2025 William Morrow eBook. GR does not permit you to add alternate cover editions (ACEs) for Kindle eBooks for some reason. Image sourced from Amazon.
This edition includes a very respectful introduction by Sophie Hannah in which she names this as her favourite Poirot novel. It is unfortunate that her own pastiche version of the character does not show the same respect.
I continue to enjoy my binge of 2025 re-reads and/or new reads of the classic Agatha Christie books from the 1920s through to the 1950s.
Soundtrack
You can listen to an extended version of the opening theme music of the long-running TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989-2013) with many screenshots of actor David Suchet as the title character on a YouTube clip here.
Trivia and Links
After the Funeral will not enter the public domain in the USA until 2049, 96 years after first publication in the USA.
After the Funeral was adapted as a feature length episode for the TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989-2013). It was Season 10's Episode 3 in 2006.
September 18, 2025
Audio is my least favourite favourite way of reading, but I had read this as a dead tree book before, so I gave it a shot. I was also able to read the first 10% on Amazon (that was essential to get all the characters straight in my head) & I tried to 'read along' with a copy on Open Library, but Open Library stopped cooperating for me.
& it proved not to be necessary. Hugh Fraser read beautifully but a bit slowly so I amped the speed up to 1.2.
Almost as soon as I started I remembered virtually everything about this Poirot murder mystery, but it didn't matter. Christie as usual played fair with her readers, so all the clues were there to discover. My eyes did glaze over with Christie using her characters as mouthpieces in her longing for the past (I wonder if older servants really did feel like that, I think I would be more envious of the younger generation & the choices they had) but I'm not going to mark the book down for that.
One of Christie's best.
& it proved not to be necessary. Hugh Fraser read beautifully but a bit slowly so I amped the speed up to 1.2.
Almost as soon as I started I remembered virtually everything about this Poirot murder mystery, but it didn't matter. Christie as usual played fair with her readers, so all the clues were there to discover. My eyes did glaze over with Christie using her characters as mouthpieces in her longing for the past (I wonder if older servants really did feel like that, I think I would be more envious of the younger generation & the choices they had) but I'm not going to mark the book down for that.
One of Christie's best.
April 16, 2022
Richard Abernethie ist tot. Komisch, denn obwohl der alte Unternehmer nicht mehr ganz fit war, hatte niemand das Gefühl, dass sein Ableben kurz bevorsteht. Aber egal, immerhin wartet auf die Erbengemeinschaft – bestehend aus mehreren Familienmitgliedern Abernethies – ein ganzer Haufen Geld. Doch als Richards Schwester Cora nach seiner Beerdigung wie selbstverstänlich fragt: „Er wurde doch umgebracht?“, läuten bei einigen Anwesenden die Alarmglocken. Tante Cora war zwar schon immer taktlos, aber meist hatte ihre Taktlosigkeit damit zu tun, dass sie unangenehme Wahrheiten in unpassenden Momenten aussprach. Könnte also was dran sein an ihrer unbedachten Bemerkung? Fragen kann man sie leider nicht mehr, denn Tante Cora wird nur einen Tag später selbst Opfer eines Gewaltverbrechens. Ein Zufall? Mr. Entwhistle, der Notar der Abernethies, kann sich das nicht vorstellen. Deshalb ist es Zeit, seinen alten Freund Hercule Poirot einzuschalten…
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Das war mal wieder ein Christie nach meinem Geschmack! Nachdem ich in letzter Zeit eher Christies außergewöhnliche Romane gelesen habe (Abenteuer- und Kurzgeschichten), war es mal wieder richtig schön, zurück in England zu sein. Hier trifft eine interessante Familienkonstellation (ich liebe es, wenn in einem Buch ein Stammbaum abgedruckt ist) auf einen komplexen Kriminalfall. Wie immer habe ich eifrig mitgefiebert und dennoch auf das falsche Pferd gesetzt – im Nachhinein ist die Aufklärung natürlich super logisch, aber man ist beim Lesen einfach manchmal so blind!
Besonders interessant zu lesen fand ich, wie deutlich sich in diesem Band die Nachkriegssituation der Briten widerspiegelt: alle haben Geld verloren, alle sind knapp bei Kasse, auch bei den reichen Leuten sind die Lebensmittel sehr begrenzt und deutlich rationiert. Es ist also nicht nur ein guter Krimi, sondern auch ein spannendes Stück Zeitgeschichte.
Große Empfehlung!
Gelesen für die #readchristie2022 Challenge: A book Agatha wrote abroad.
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Das war mal wieder ein Christie nach meinem Geschmack! Nachdem ich in letzter Zeit eher Christies außergewöhnliche Romane gelesen habe (Abenteuer- und Kurzgeschichten), war es mal wieder richtig schön, zurück in England zu sein. Hier trifft eine interessante Familienkonstellation (ich liebe es, wenn in einem Buch ein Stammbaum abgedruckt ist) auf einen komplexen Kriminalfall. Wie immer habe ich eifrig mitgefiebert und dennoch auf das falsche Pferd gesetzt – im Nachhinein ist die Aufklärung natürlich super logisch, aber man ist beim Lesen einfach manchmal so blind!
Besonders interessant zu lesen fand ich, wie deutlich sich in diesem Band die Nachkriegssituation der Briten widerspiegelt: alle haben Geld verloren, alle sind knapp bei Kasse, auch bei den reichen Leuten sind die Lebensmittel sehr begrenzt und deutlich rationiert. Es ist also nicht nur ein guter Krimi, sondern auch ein spannendes Stück Zeitgeschichte.
Große Empfehlung!
Gelesen für die #readchristie2022 Challenge: A book Agatha wrote abroad.
May 15, 2020
Agatha Christie never runs out on ideas, now, does she? And this is her 31st installment of the Poirot series, among others.
After the Funeral is another great murder-mystery story by her. It is a very interesting story with a strong, intelligent, and original plot. I was quite taken in for a ride with so many turns that I was a little disoriented as to the crime and the criminal. I assure you, the crime was baffling too because after all, . I had a certain idea of the true criminal, but the motive and ingenuity in the execution of the crime, I would never have guessed. It would have been impossible.
The solving of the crime was entirely based on analyzing the human mind and character by the close observation of the words and conduct of the suspected characters. This relying more on human psychology than on physical evidence (which I personally enjoy) is more and more common in these later installments.
There are more subtle changes that this series has slowly undergone. One is the changes that have taken place over the years in British society - the generation clashes and the modern thinking and daring living of the young generation. The other is how Poirot has aged. The great detective is still in his prime mind, but he cannot evade the slow physical changes that are coming over him. These carefully thought inclusions make this series live and very real. In addition to the interest generated by the mystery story, these subtleties have added to my enjoyment of Poirot mysteries.
Overall, it was a great read. And this one is definitely one of the best in the series.
After the Funeral is another great murder-mystery story by her. It is a very interesting story with a strong, intelligent, and original plot. I was quite taken in for a ride with so many turns that I was a little disoriented as to the crime and the criminal. I assure you, the crime was baffling too because after all, . I had a certain idea of the true criminal, but the motive and ingenuity in the execution of the crime, I would never have guessed. It would have been impossible.
The solving of the crime was entirely based on analyzing the human mind and character by the close observation of the words and conduct of the suspected characters. This relying more on human psychology than on physical evidence (which I personally enjoy) is more and more common in these later installments.
There are more subtle changes that this series has slowly undergone. One is the changes that have taken place over the years in British society - the generation clashes and the modern thinking and daring living of the young generation. The other is how Poirot has aged. The great detective is still in his prime mind, but he cannot evade the slow physical changes that are coming over him. These carefully thought inclusions make this series live and very real. In addition to the interest generated by the mystery story, these subtleties have added to my enjoyment of Poirot mysteries.
Overall, it was a great read. And this one is definitely one of the best in the series.
March 27, 2011
Ah Poirot, how I enjoy you with your funny egg shaped head, your sleek moustaches and your willingness to embrace the rampant racism present in the average Englishman all in the pursuit of a tricksy murderer. This lovely hardcover facsimile edition has been sitting on my shelf for a while waiting to be read and it's really a very enjoyable Poirot whodunnit.
We have a stately home reaching the end of it's life along with the owner, a death swiftly followed by a second and a small cast of eccentric and slightly stereotypical family members. Underlying it is a will, a reasonable amount of money and a statement that murder may have been committed. For in this one we're not even sure if there has been.
All very typical Christie and Poirot. Except this book seems more vested in the era than some of the others. Post war Britain, rationing, the fall of an empire, taxation issues and a changing cultural background plant the novel historically and it's richer for it. I found it took a few chapters to really get into but then it sucks you in. Poirot doesn't show up for a while and even when he does he's often in the background, quietly setting people off and observing the outcome. As such we don't get as many of those wonderful character moments he's known for. Still, this one had me guessing and the final resolution was surprising and unexpected, even though a fairly big clue is given to us earlier (for those really paying attention - you'll kick yourself when it's revealed - to date this makes it Agatha 12 : Andy 1).
I really enjoyed this one.
We have a stately home reaching the end of it's life along with the owner, a death swiftly followed by a second and a small cast of eccentric and slightly stereotypical family members. Underlying it is a will, a reasonable amount of money and a statement that murder may have been committed. For in this one we're not even sure if there has been.
All very typical Christie and Poirot. Except this book seems more vested in the era than some of the others. Post war Britain, rationing, the fall of an empire, taxation issues and a changing cultural background plant the novel historically and it's richer for it. I found it took a few chapters to really get into but then it sucks you in. Poirot doesn't show up for a while and even when he does he's often in the background, quietly setting people off and observing the outcome. As such we don't get as many of those wonderful character moments he's known for. Still, this one had me guessing and the final resolution was surprising and unexpected, even though a fairly big clue is given to us earlier (for those really paying attention - you'll kick yourself when it's revealed - to date this makes it Agatha 12 : Andy 1).
I really enjoyed this one.
December 8, 2025
Me ha gustado, si es cierto que al principio puede parecer lento, pero a mitad del libro ya aparece Poirot y ya es otra categoría...
Como siempre tenia un par de sospechosos pero jamás intuí quien podía ser...
En fin, la historia de siempre, jajajaa.
Valoración: 7/10
Sinopsis: Richard Abernethie, un anciano millonario, ha muerto inesperadamente y sus descendientes esperan ansiosos la lectura del testamento para solucionar sus respectivos problemas económicos. Sin embargo las cosas se complican cuando Cora Lansquenet, mujer imprudente y hermana de Richard, deja entrever que posiblemente su hermano fue asesinado y ella misma muere al día siguiente de su declaración víctima de un ataque violento con un hacha. El abogado de la familia (Mister Entwhistle) decide llamar a un viejo amigo: Hércules Poirot, para que solucione el misterio de ambas muertes y descubra la identidad del asesino.
# 50. Un libro que incluya a un personaje con dolor crónico. Reto Popsugar 2025
Como siempre tenia un par de sospechosos pero jamás intuí quien podía ser...
En fin, la historia de siempre, jajajaa.
Valoración: 7/10
Sinopsis: Richard Abernethie, un anciano millonario, ha muerto inesperadamente y sus descendientes esperan ansiosos la lectura del testamento para solucionar sus respectivos problemas económicos. Sin embargo las cosas se complican cuando Cora Lansquenet, mujer imprudente y hermana de Richard, deja entrever que posiblemente su hermano fue asesinado y ella misma muere al día siguiente de su declaración víctima de un ataque violento con un hacha. El abogado de la familia (Mister Entwhistle) decide llamar a un viejo amigo: Hércules Poirot, para que solucione el misterio de ambas muertes y descubra la identidad del asesino.
# 50. Un libro que incluya a un personaje con dolor crónico. Reto Popsugar 2025
April 5, 2017
The story starts after the funeral of Richard Abernethie, when his scatterbrain sister Cora makes a wild statement: "But he was murdered, wasn't he?" There is no such scandal, and everybody admonishes Cora - but the seed of doubt has been sown. Because the silly Cora has in the past been known to blurt out unwelcome truths.
Then, the next day, Cora is bludgeoned to death...
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This is an exquisitely structured novel with plenty of characterisation. As with all of Christie's novels, it uses the classic technique of misdirection, but it would have to be a very astute reader who can spot it. I suggest all Christie fans to reread the novel and marvel at her craft.
Five stars, without a doubt.
Then, the next day, Cora is bludgeoned to death...
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This is an exquisitely structured novel with plenty of characterisation. As with all of Christie's novels, it uses the classic technique of misdirection, but it would have to be a very astute reader who can spot it. I suggest all Christie fans to reread the novel and marvel at her craft.
Five stars, without a doubt.
December 7, 2016
unbelievable one!
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my favorite quotes:
...
February 7, 2021
Αρκετά προβλέψιμο.. Νομίζω πως αν κάποιος έχει διαβάσει πολλά δικά της και έχει κατανοήσει ως ένα βαθμό τον τρόπο σκέψης της, βλέπει προς τα που πάει το πράγμα και δεν θα ενθουσιαστεί και πολύ. Αν είναι από τα πρώτα της που διαβάζει σίγουρα θα του κάνει περισσότερη εντύπωση. Αυτό ισχύει για τα περισσότερα βιβλία της όμως.
Να πω επίσης πως στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, για πρώτη φορά, με ενόχλησαν αρκετά κάποια σχόλια για τις γυναίκες. Ήταν άκομψα, αβάσιμα και επαναλαμβάνονταν συχνά.
Παρ'όλα αυτά είναι πάντα ευχάριστο να διαβάζεις Agatha Christie, όταν έχεις διάθεση για κάτι πιο εύπεπτο..
Να πω επίσης πως στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, για πρώτη φορά, με ενόχλησαν αρκετά κάποια σχόλια για τις γυναίκες. Ήταν άκομψα, αβάσιμα και επαναλαμβάνονταν συχνά.
Παρ'όλα αυτά είναι πάντα ευχάριστο να διαβάζεις Agatha Christie, όταν έχεις διάθεση για κάτι πιο εύπεπτο..
October 4, 2023
This is a classic Agatha Christie plot involving intrigue within a family.
When wealthy Richard Abernethie passes away, ostensibly from natural causes, his will divides his estate equally among all his relatives, including a brother, sister, and several nephews and nieces. All the heirs badly want/need the money, to pay off debts. finance a pet project, travel, etc.
After the funeral, Richard's sister Cora suggests the deceased was murdered and hints that she has some inside knowledge about his death.
Soon afterwards Cora herself is killed, and the family attorney Mr. Entwhistle. becomes suspicious.
Entwhistle does a preliminary investigation by interviewing all the heirs and trying to ascertain where they were at the time of Cora's murder. When Entwhistle can't make much headway finding the killer, he enlists Hercule Poirot, who's retired but still very capable of using his 'little grey cells.'
The book is repetitious and plods along very slowly but has the usual Christie twist. Not Agatha's best work, but avid fans will want to include it on their life list.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
September 23, 2025
Disfrute el libro de inicio a fin (solo por un punto), el chisme, el drama familiar, la historia de cada integrante de la familia fue exquisito jaja.
Poirot se presenta ya muy avanzada la historia, tanto que ya ni recordaba que el era el detective en este libro, su aportación fue importante, pero no parte centrales la historia, lo cual me pareció bien.
Obviamente no adivine al asesino y no sé, el asesino no me molestó, ya que puede ser creíble y también se motivó, pero la causa como tal no me convenció.
El libro es ligero, adictivo y muy rápido de leer, solo por la parte del asesino que no me deja conforme del todo, pero para mí no le resta puntos y le dejo sus 4 estrellas.
Poirot se presenta ya muy avanzada la historia, tanto que ya ni recordaba que el era el detective en este libro, su aportación fue importante, pero no parte centrales la historia, lo cual me pareció bien.
Obviamente no adivine al asesino y no sé, el asesino no me molestó, ya que puede ser creíble y también se motivó, pero la causa como tal no me convenció.
El libro es ligero, adictivo y muy rápido de leer, solo por la parte del asesino que no me deja conforme del todo, pero para mí no le resta puntos y le dejo sus 4 estrellas.
December 24, 2022
I've forgotten to write an review since I finished it. I really enjoyed this one. For some reason I got very intrigued with Cora as I character. It's rarely I get so curious and want to more of a specific character and not for the plot line alone but don figure out why she "stood" out so much from other people and why people found her so odd. Unfortunately she was the victim but it was a good read nevertheless. I often feel like Christi's characters don't stand out much except does who should. Perhaps why I find it so difficult figure out who done it
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