It's a shame. I was really looking forward to reading this as a cosy, relaxing experience, but Christie seems to have been in a very bad mood when writing it or something. There's a stereotype of the mostly pleasant man or woman, who on becoming older suddenly disapproves of the world and everyone in it, and spends their whole time complaining. That's Captain Hastings in this novel. I mean, he's never a barrel of laughs in any of the books, which all contain problematic caricatures and opinions, but he's really on fire here. There's patronising comments about women and young people, offensive comments about race, and downright disturbing comments implying that people with learning disabilities should be killed off where possible. It's just horrible. And Hasting's daughter - who I think we're supposed to be somewhat sympathetic to, just made my skin crawl in places. She sounds like a thoroughly awful individual.

Within all this mess, there's a reasonably decent Christie plot and the final twist was ok. But frankly, it's not worth it as a novel. I'm going to try and delete it from my mind now!

Passed to Triggerfish during a small garden meetup this afternoon.

Thanks LittleSuz!

Not one of Christie’s best. The reason for returning to Styles was unconvincing and the presence of the other guests was very unlikely. I kept wondering what on earth they were all doing there. I would definitely have found somewhere more congenial to stay.
It was rather sad that it was Poirot’s last appearance, but he was exceptionally annoying in the book and this helped to diminish my grief.

Welcome to Bookcrossing!
It would be great if you left a journal entry saying that you have the book - anonymously if you wish.
Please consider releasing the book back into the wild, when you’ve finished with it. (Be aware that charity shops are likely to discard the book, due to the writing in it.)