paperback, 208 pages
Published Jan. 16, 2019 by Dover Publications.
Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is summoned to France after receiving a distressing letter with a urgent cry for help. Upon his arrival in Merlinville-sur-Mer, the investigator finds the man who penned the letter, the South American millionaire Monsieur Renauld, stabbed to death and his body flung into a freshly dug open grave on the golf course adjoining the property. Meanwhile the millionaire's wife is found bound and gagged in her room. Apparently, it seems that Renauld and his wife were victims of a failed break-in, resulting in Renauld's kidnapping and death.
There's no lack of suspects: his wife, whose dagger served as the weapon; his embittered son, who would have killed for independence; and his mistress, who refused to be ignored - and each felt deserving of the dead man's fortune. The police think they've found the cumprit. But Poirot has his doubts. Why is the dead man wearing …
Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is summoned to France after receiving a distressing letter with a urgent cry for help. Upon his arrival in Merlinville-sur-Mer, the investigator finds the man who penned the letter, the South American millionaire Monsieur Renauld, stabbed to death and his body flung into a freshly dug open grave on the golf course adjoining the property. Meanwhile the millionaire's wife is found bound and gagged in her room. Apparently, it seems that Renauld and his wife were victims of a failed break-in, resulting in Renauld's kidnapping and death.
There's no lack of suspects: his wife, whose dagger served as the weapon; his embittered son, who would have killed for independence; and his mistress, who refused to be ignored - and each felt deserving of the dead man's fortune. The police think they've found the cumprit. But Poirot has his doubts. Why is the dead man wearing an overcoat that is too big for him? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse...
I really struggled to get through this one. Maybe that’s on me, but there were so many twists that felt unnecessary and I couldn’t keep up with who was who.
Another great Poirot story. It was a bit disappointing that we were kept even more in the dark and some clues were just revealed after the fact—not the same way as in Styles. I was kept mostly in the dark, even though I realised some connections fast. The murderer though, I did not find on my own. Still, it was very enjoyable and I cannot wait to re-watch the tv show as well.
Another great Poirot story. It was a bit disappointing that we were kept even more in the dark and some clues were just revealed after the fact—not the same way as in Styles. I was kept mostly in the dark, even though I realised some connections fast. The murderer though, I did not find on my own. Still, it was very enjoyable and I cannot wait to re-watch the tv show as well.
