From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Hollow (Hercule Poirot, #26)

Agatha Christie

Start date: February 1, 2020

Finish date: February 29, 2020

Discussion: Archive: Poirot Buddy Reads

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Archive: Poirot Buddy Reads

* Reading Order for the Unofficial Poirot Buddy Reads
By Jessica-sim · 54 posts · 155 views

last updated Dec 27, 2020 08:20AM

Poirot Buddy Read 40: SPOILER THREAD Curtain
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last updated Feb 05, 2021 06:12PM

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What Members Thought

Jun 07, 2016 BrokenTune rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

"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 par "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…’ " ...more

61 likes · Like · see review

Jun 30, 2019 Anissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-fiction-uk-ireland, 2019, series, mystery-suspense-crime

I love mysteries. I read them and watch them and one of my favourite things about them is when you're introduced to the characters and one is so awful or has riled up so many people that you just know, there's your murder victim. Dr. John Christow, upon introduction, came screaming off the pages that he was that guy and it was all I could do not to skip forward to his demise (very end of chapter 10) to see how it was going to be done and who among the characters would be the one to send him on h ...more

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Jan 19, 2017 Damaskcat rated it it was amazing

Hercule Poirot is invited to a country house by Lady Angkatell who is interested in the criminal mind. As Poirot arrives he is faced with an elaborate tableau which features a dead body beside the swimming pool and a woman holding a gun.

Poirot feels at first that he has been set up and it is all an elaborate hoax but he soon realises that it is a real murder and naturally enough his curiosity is aroused and he must investigate. There are plenty if suspects and everyone involved seems determined ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 04, 2021 Marilyn Maya rated it it was amazing

Shelves: the-baby-boomer-booktuber

What a journey this book was! It is Agatha Christie at her best. It's Hercule Poirot at his best. I read and listened to the audio on my phone, and although I had read it many years ago, the audio narrator, Hugh Frasier, made the story come alive for me. He deliciously acts out all the voices, and it's easy to tell each character apart. I remembered some of the plot points from my first read, but some details and prose had been missed. One missed gem was the snippet of the poem by Lord Alfred Te ...more

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Feb 01, 2020 Jill rated it it was amazing

Shelves: agatha-christie, jill-s-sixth-year-challenge

This all revolves around a house-party, where old friends are invited for a weekend . Poirot being a close neighbour and someone who the hosts met on a holiday, is also invited for lunch. On arrival Poirot believes that a joke has been set up for him, as there is a dead body at the side of the pool, with a woman, gun in hand, standing over him. He soon realises that this is in fact the situation. The party of people, plus a previous lover of the dead man, are all suspects.
We are given all sorts ...more

1 like · Like · see review