From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Big Four (Hercule Poirot, #5)

Agatha Christie

Start date: July 1, 2025

Finish date: July 31, 2025

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: Next in our Poirot and Marple challenge
[close] Next in our Poirot and Marple challenge

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 168 topics — 7,797 comments total

Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 16 posts · 18 views

last updated Sep 12, 2025 08:12PM

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - SPOILER Thread
By Susan · 13 posts · 22 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:58PM

showing 6 of 6 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This novel was published in 1927. It follows, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” and it also followed Christie’s notorious eleven day disappearance; an event which haunted her all her life. Devastated by the death of her mother, and the breakdown of her marriage, her brother in law suggested that she re-work some short stories, previously published in “The Sketch,” an American magazine. Due to the publicity surrounding her disappearance, “The Big Four,” was a huge success – much more so than, “The M This novel was published in 1927. It follows, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” and it also followed Christie’s notorious eleven day disappearance; an event which haunted her all her life. Devastated by the death of her mother, and the breakdown of her marriage, her brother in law suggested that she re-work some short stories, previously published in “The Sketch,” an American magazine. Due to the publicity surrounding her disappearance, “The Big Four,” was a huge success – much more so than, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” However, despite this, the critical acclaim for Roger Ackroyd has grown (quite rightly), while, “The Big Four,” has been criticised as being disjointed. Robert Barnard, for example, stated that it was, “cobbled together,” “demeaning to Poirot,” and “pretty dreadful.”

Despite these criticisms, though, “The Big Four,” is, to my mind, a lot of fun and showed just how good Christie was under pressure. This is more thriller than mystery and it may have been, “cobbled together,” from different short stories, but it has a lot to delight fans. It begins with Hastings returning from Argentina, on a surprise visit; only to discover that Poirot is about to leave the country. However, Poirot’s journey is delayed by a mysterious stranger and, before long, Poirot and Hastings are embroiled in trying to uncover the Big Four – a criminal gang responsible for illegal activities worldwide.

What follows is non-stop action, as Hastings and Poirot follow leads, investigate murders, find themselves in danger and do what they can to discover the identity of these criminal masterminds. The relationship between Poirot and Hastings is both warm and humorous. I listened to the Audible version of this, read by Hugh Fraser, who played Hastings in the television series and I enjoyed his narration. Yes, sometimes the plot gets a bit silly, but I loved the real sense of affection that Poirot displays for his friend, Hastings loyalty and the brief appearances of Japp. Although it isn’t Christie’s best, it is better than most author’s could have come up with. Sadly, it is one of only two Poirot novels which has no dedication, possibly showing how alone, or dispirited, she felt at that time. Even at such a low point, she created a fun, fast-moving novel, with a lot of recommend it to Poirot fans and, as such, it is certainly worth reading.

...more

59 likes · Like · see review

Jun 23, 2018 Frances rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

Something of a diversion for Christie, into a world of criminal masterminds. Poirot and Hastings are together again, and there are a series of smaller mysteries making up one overarching story. I'm enjoying reading the Poirot's in series and watching the progression of the characters and style. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2020 Rachel Burke rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, own-and-read, own-physical

Very interesting earlier Christie. She was obviously still deeply in her “Sherlock Holmes” phase. “A Case in Crimson”, a secret brilliant twin brother, Irene Adler (I mean Countess Rossakoff), a great previously unreferenced adversary, a tragic death, the “Adventure of the Baited Trap”, and the idiotic narrator with the far away wife.

We mimic what we love.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2025 Jackie rated it liked it

This is an oddly silly change of pace from all the other Christie novels, suffering from being short stories stuck together. It is nowhere near as good as her other books, but mildly entertaining to see Hastings and Poirot sucked up into an international conspiracy of cartoon villains. (view spoiler) Another reviewer said it read like Fan Fic, but it's really more ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 26, 2018 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: agatha-christie

Seems I'm in the minority here, as I really liked this book. OK, at times it did seem a bit disjointed, but it was so different from the usual Christie books, that it amazed me. I certainly can't see myself forgetting this book unlike some of the other Christie books I have read. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2017 Becky rated it liked it

I cannot say that this book makes a great example of Agatha's work. Nevertheless I enjoyed because there are hilarious insights into Poirot and Hastings partnership. It's adorable and fun. The plot is a little messy and maybe childish (a group of four people trying to rule the world?! Screams super-hero comics!) Still I think maybe because I like Poirot so much I could overcame the silliness and enjoy the story. ...more

Like · see review

Apr 27, 2022 Novita added it

Shelves: classic, dnf

Didn’t enjoy this at all

Like · see review

May 01, 2024 Cricket Muse added it

Apparently this novel is actually a patched together collection of short stories Christie previously wrote. It shows. There is a struggle of cohesiveness that made it difficult to finish the story. I did learn Poirot has green eyes--something of a surprise.

Like · see review