From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

After the Funeral (Hercule Poirot, #33)

Agatha Christie

Start date: June 1, 2020

Finish date: June 30, 2020

Discussion: Archive: Poirot Buddy Reads

Why we're reading this: Next in our series of Hercule Poirot buddy reads.
[close] Next in our series of Hercule 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

Mar 11, 2009 Susan in NC rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-with-gr-groups, kindle, currently-re-reading, my-library, favorites, audiobook, christie, tbrpool25, want-to-reread

3/2025 - increased to five stars on this reread, right book, right time, I guess! Read this time for the Retro Reads group Book Pool. This is a later Poirot, one character says they were sure he was long dead! I find the later mysteries very enjoyable, our hero isn’t necessarily humble (Poirot could never be that), but he gets tired, his patent leather shoes make his feet ache, younger characters don’t necessarily recognize his name, etc. - he’s decidedly more human! But still sharp as ever.

Here 3/2025 - increased to five stars on this reread, right book, right time, I guess! Read this time for the Retro Reads group Book Pool. This is a later Poirot, one character says they were sure he was long dead! I find the later mysteries very enjoyable, our hero isn’t necessarily humble (Poirot could never be that), but he gets tired, his patent leather shoes make his feet ache, younger characters don’t necessarily recognize his name, etc. - he’s decidedly more human! But still sharp as ever.

Here, relatives visiting with each other after a funeral are stunned when a long-estranged relative, younger sister to the deceased, suddenly comes out with, “but he was murdered, wasn’t he?” Next day, she’s found battered to death with a hatchet in her lonely cottage…Poirot is eventually brought in by the elderly family solicitor to figure out what’s going on! And an intriguing, twisty mystery full of red herrings it is - with a gobsmacking twist at the end. I really enjoyed this reread, it’s only been 5 years, but I’d forgotten whodunnit.

5/2020 - reread with Reading the Detectives group, 4 stars. Very satisfying reread, I didn’t remember much, but Hugh Fraser’s narration on the audiobook Is always a delight. As always, a clever twist at the end. Christie continues in this mystery with Poirot’s ongoing chagrin at not being recognized by the younger group of suspects. He’s getting much older, in fact someone says when his name is mentioned that they thought he was dead! And retired family solicitor Mr. Entwistle, when asking Poirot to investigate, says “I know you don’t take cases anymore.” Yet, of course, he does!

Previous reread, 2018?: What can I say about the master? I read a lot of Christie when I was a teenager and for a relaxing reading break in college, but I don't think I appreciated her as much as I do now as I reread her. She really does an amazing job weaving her puzzles and characters and plots together, and I still almost don't see it until the end - a fun, satisfying read! ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2011 Robin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, dads

Very good, though if you've read a lot of Christie, you'll notice a few of her favorite 'tricks'.

I only gave it 3 stars as it seemed a trifle padded. You don't get the final and most important clue until very near the end, and then from there it's just a wrap-up. ...more

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Mar 04, 2009 Laura Anne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, british-isles

"... To be always right must be sometimes monotonous."
"I do not find it so," Poirot assured him.

Quarantine Re-Read 2020: Struggling to find anything "new" that catches my interest, I return to Christie and Poirot. ...more

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