From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Cat Among the Pigeons (Hercule Poirot, #36)

Agatha Christie

Start date: September 1, 2020

Finish date: September 30, 2020

Discussion: Archive: Poirot Buddy Reads

Why we're reading this: Next in our series of Poirot buddy reads.
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Archive: Poirot Buddy Reads

* Reading Order for the Unofficial Poirot Buddy Reads
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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

Sep 28, 2020 Adrian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: zz-paper-books, det-agatha-christie, detectives-challenge-hp-2018-20

I am now into the last few months of my third year of monthly reads of all the Hercule Poirot novels and short stories, organised by Jessica from the Reading the Detectives Group. This has been an enjoyable romp through the counties of England and also Europe and the Middle East.

I have to admit there is a slight coincidence as I write my review of this novel. My wife and I have for the last 4 weeks been watching all of the David Suchet Poirot DVDs, in fact we still have around 8 episodes to go. I am now into the last few months of my third year of monthly reads of all the Hercule Poirot novels and short stories, organised by Jessica from the Reading the Detectives Group. This has been an enjoyable romp through the counties of England and also Europe and the Middle East.

I have to admit there is a slight coincidence as I write my review of this novel. My wife and I have for the last 4 weeks been watching all of the David Suchet Poirot DVDs, in fact we still have around 8 episodes to go. This in itself has been unbelievably enjoyable with some fantastic settings and wonderful actors and acting, however I must have been about half way through the book when we reached the episode on DVD. It was interesting to note the differences up to that point in the book, and then when I subsequently finished the book, there were a few more. None of which I hasten to add, meant that either the book or the DVD suffered as a result of the differences.

So this novel focusses on the exclusive girls school Meadowbank, run by the remarkable Miss Bulstrode. Into the mix throw an Arabian princess, cousin to the recently overthrown and murdered Sheikh of Ramat, new staff members, a handsome gardener that is more than he seems, some other new pupils including 2 girls who strike up a friendship over sport.
One of these girls mother is talking to Miss Bulstrode on the first day of term, who is unfortunately distracted by the arrival of an inebriated parent and so misses information that could've been useful.
Needless to say disaster strikes and the new acerbic sports mistress is murdered in the the new sports pavilion. For a school with such a good reputation this is intolerable, but worse is soon to follow.
In the book, unlike the film, our hero, the redoubtable Poirot does not get involved until way past the half way point, but still has enough of an opportunity to play the major role in the resolution of a kidnapping and multiple murders.

An excellent 5 star read (and watch). 4 months to go !! ...more

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