The Hollow (Murder After Hours)

First Published: 1946
Setting: The Hollow, London

Starring: Hercule Poirot, John Christow, Gerda Christow, Henrietta Savernake

Important Other People: Lucy and Henry Angkatell, Midge Hardcastle, Edward Angkatell, Inspector Grange, Veronica Cray, Mrs. Crabtree, Gudgeon

The enigma of John Christow. I would like to talk to Agatha about how she feels about him. He is a complete contradiction- he is awful to Gerda (who is awful herself) and their children (also awful), he doesn't treat Henrietta well, he overshadows Edward, and he is pompous. At the same time, he is a completely different person when he is with Mrs. Crabtree trying to tackle Ridgeway's disease. Usually, I can tell what characters Agatha expects us to like and which we should dislike based on the descriptions of them that she gives. With John Christow, though, the descriptions differ so wildly throughout the book that I don't know what to think. Overall, I hate him because he is an ass and because he blatantly cheated on his wife in front of the entire house party, as well as surreptitiously with Henrietta, but I love Mrs. Crabtree and I have to like him a little bit because she likes and respects him so much. 


I also have to wonder if John would ever have married Gerda if he had not been coming off the rebound with Veronica Cray. He wants someone to dominate after having just been dominated by Veronica, and so he naturally turns to Gerda, although she is not as weak as he thinks. When he meets Henrietta, he must have realized he made a mistake with Gerda, but it was too late. Besides, he liked dominating Gerda. I hate that John was able to have both of them- Henrietta, at least, had a strong enough personality to stand on her own. 


See, that's part of the problem with John Christow. I hate him, yet I just spent two paragraphs writing about him.


I love the subplot with Midge and Edward, even though it is quite depressing through much of the book. The faithful kind usually get what they want in the end- in Edward's case, he gets what he wants, even if he didn't realize beforehand what exactly it was that he wanted. He knew he wanted Ainswick the way he remembered it from the past, and eventually, he got that. Just not in the way he imagined. 


One small aspect of this book that we do not usually get to see in Agatha's novels are the conversations among the servants. This is helpful because we learn more of the devoted nature of Gudgeon and the other servants to the Angkatells, and we also get more insight than we are used to. The conversations help show how everyone worked together to protect the murderer, which is another unusual aspect. Poirot usually knows who the murderer is before anyone else in the book does, but in The Hollow, everyone else knows who murdered John, and we have to watch Poirot try to stay one step ahead of everyone's intentions to save the murderer. 


One last thing: Poirot always considers the human aspect of his cases, but this one is particularly difficult- there are children in this case that are going to have one parent murdered and the other one hanged. To compensate for that, Poirot offers another solution- poison. The children will still be orphans, but there may be less animosity towards society when they grow up (especially with Terence). 

Interesting facts: According to my pal Matthew Bunson, "The Hollow was the first Christie novel published after the end of World War II...the setting for this story, the country house of the Angkatells, was based on the real-life house of the famous British stage actor Francis L. Sullivan and his wife at Hazlemere, Surrey." Agatha acknowledges the use of their house as the setting in her dedication, "For Larry and Danae, with apologies for using their swimming pool as the scene of a murder." Agatha herself adapted The Hollow into a play. She writes, "It was, of course, in some ways rather more of a novel than a detective story. The Hollow was a book I always thought I had ruined by the introduction of Poirot. I had got used to having Poirot in my books, and so naturally he had come into this one, but he was all wrong there. He did his stuff all right, but how much better, I kept thinking, would the book have been without him. So when I came to sketch out the play, out went Poirot." Agatha adds that the success of The Hollow as a play helped spur her on to write more plays. 

Favorite? Yes. So favorite, in fact, that I went to see a production of the play with my family at a theater in the country. Talk about high quality acting...especially the guy who played Sergeant Clark. I would like to point out that, in the play, John Christow is still a respected doctor from Harley Street, but the whole subplot with Mrs. Crabtree and Ridgeway's disease is left out. Accordingly, the John in the play has little to no redeeming qualities, and is thus a lot easier to dislike than the John in the book.

Death by: shooting, poison

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 101

The Count: Poirot-22, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: There can be a certain zest to existence. One can't go back (into the past). Some people are wise- they never expect to be happy. Servants can be very useful (shoutout to Gudgeon!) Expressions can be very helpful. The eyes see sometimes what they are meant to see. Police don't always consider the human aspect (but don't worry, because Poirot does). It is hard to tell right from wrong when right is unpleasant and wrong is agreeable. The faithful kind usually get what they want in the end. Despair is coldness and loneliness. 

Up Next: Taken at the Flood

Sparkling Cyanide (Remembered Death)

First Published: 1945
Setting: London

Starring: Iris Marle, Rosemary Barton, George Barton

Important Other People: Anthony Browne, Lady Alexandra Farraday, Stephen Farraday, Ruth Lessing, Lucilla Drake, Victor Drake

What I like about this book is that the early chapters focus on a single character in relation to Rosemary, who died a year ago. Through the descriptions of the other characters, we get a complete picture of Rosemary, even though she is never really alive throughout the book, only in reminisces. I like how the plot moves back and forth between the past and the present, and each character becomes intricately woven into the plot as we learn more about them. 


I don't really have much more to say about this one, but I will point out that Lady Alexandra and Stephen Farraday are totally the same as Edward and Evelyn Hillingdon from A Caribbean Mystery. And the two women are awesome.


One last thing: does cyanide sparkle? I have no idea.

Interesting facts: Adapted from an earlier short story, "Yellow Iris," which starred Hercule Poirot and was not as good as the longer book. Second in the series of "cold case" books, although not as good as Five Little Pigs.

Favorite? No, but as with Death Comes As the End, I liked this book a lot better the second time I read it.

Death by: cyanide (duh)

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 99

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: What damned silly things one says when one is in love. A man doesn't want to be continually reminded what an add he's made of himself. Wit, charm, and provocation of manner hold men. Marriage is a form of safety, a protection against love.

Up Next: The Hollow

Death Comes As the End

First Published: 1944

Setting: Thebes, ancient Egypt

Starring: Renisenb, Imhotep, Esa, Yahmose, Sobek, Hori, Henet

Important Other People: Nofret, Satipy, Ipy, Kait

Death Comes As the End begins with an introduction by Agatha Christie. As she says, she wrote this book with the advice and guidance of an Egyptologist, Stephen Glanville. As he said to her, "'There is no reason why a detective story shouldn't be just as easy to place in ancient Egypt as in 1943 in England.'" I like Agatha's next thoughts, as they correspond so well with Miss Marple's constant saying: "I saw what he meant. People are the same in whatever century they live, or where." According to her autobiography, Agatha got her ideas from a series of letters from a Ka Priest in the 11th Dynasty. Throughout the writing process, she "...was continually ringing him up and demanding information which, as he said, only took me three minutes to ask for, but which he usually had to look through eight different books to find." She sent Glanville the manuscript to read, and he informed her that he did not like the ending very much. Based on his feedback, she changed the ending, which was "...the first and only time that she changed an ending at someone else's urging." As she says, "If I think I have got a certain thing right in a book- the way it should be- I'm not easily moved from it. In this case, against my better judgement, I did give in. It was a moot point, but I still think now, when I reread the book, that I would like to rewrite the end of it- which shows that you should stick to your guns in the first place, or you will be dissatisfied with yourself."


As much research as went into this book, there are a few main things that I do not like about it (although I do want to point out that this is only the second time I have read this book, and I liked it a whole lot more the second time). The first thing is that there are too many names that I can't keep track of, mostly because I don't know how to pronounce them. I don't even know how to pronounce Renisenb, and she is the protagonist! I also don't like that some of the language used in the book definitely does not fit in with the time period of Ancient Egypt.  For example, when someone says they are "cross" about something, that does not seem like the kind of thing people would be saying in the 11th Dynasty. The third, and main, thing that I do not like is that everyone hates each other very much, is very mean to each other, and almost everyone dies! It's not fun to read such a sinister book about such repulsive people. 


A few things I will point out that I noticed- there is an allusion to The Moving Finger, when the characters talk about how a tongue may cause a death, and with all of the gossip that flies around that plantation. Death Comes As the End also uses themes from The Under Dog, a short story written by Christie in the 1920s-1930s. The story explores the relationships between a domineering personality and those that succumb to and push back against their wrath. The book also references Agatha's personal life, talking about how "what you think is an end is only the beginning," which could be an allusion to her divorce from her first husband, leading to her new, happy life with her archaeologist husband. Lastly, seeing as the book was written during World War II, the themes of courage and facing death with resolution are strong throughout the book.

Interesting facts: Agatha's only historical murder mystery. And, I think I mentioned a lot more interesting facts already.

Favorite? Nope. Too many weird names to remember, too much animosity among the characters, and too much evil in general.

Death by: pushed off cliff, poison, drowned, suffocated, shot with arrow

Body Count: 8; Cumulative: 97

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Stick to your guns. Death is always profitable to someone. People do not really change their characters. Sometimes what you think is an end is only a beginning. Courage is the resolution to face the unseen. If one is to live always in fear it is better to die. A tongue may cause a death. Nothing can harm you unless you choose to let it. Hate is very close to love. Today is enough to live through. Once the heart is opened to evil, evil blossoms.

Up Next: Sparkling Cyanide

Towards Zero

First Published: 1944

Setting: Gull's Point, Saltcreek

Starring: Superintendent Battle, James Leach, Nevile, Audrey, and Kay Strange

Important Other People: Lady Tressilian, Mary Aldin, Thomas Royde, Ted Latimer, Mr. Treves, Andrew MacWhirter

I love this book. I love the whole concept of "zero hour" and how Agatha works backwards from it, giving us the whole picture of the events leading up to the murder. A lot of the time in her other novels, I am disappointed that we don't know more of the backstory before the murder is committed and we are thrown right into the investigation. In Towards Zero, we get to know a little bit of everything about what is going to happen before it happens. I love how Agatha ties every detail, even the small ones, together to show how all of these events converge in the zero hour. One thing about the telling of all of those events at the beginning, is that it means that we, as readers, know that all of them are important for some reason. All of the small things come together when the murder is committed, although that is the end of the story. The beginning is long before the murder happens.

I also like how in this book, characters take the law into their own hands. Similar to Appointment with Death, Murder on the Orient Express, and Curtain, characters know that the actions they take can prevent a horror from happening. They realize that the police are powerless to prevent something from happening, and so they know they must take action on their own.

I love the setting, the flow of the plot, the characters, and the interactions between them. Agatha writes really well on the juxtaposition of Audrey and Kay, the two Mrs. Stranges'. (PS- did women not change their names back after divorce in those days?) The entire atmosphere of the novel revolves around the interaction between these two women, although they rarely talk to each other. All of the other characters are affected by the atmosphere that is created in the house, and I don't think that is something the murderer really took into consideration beforehand. I know the murderer knew they both would be there, but I don't think they really thought about how everyone else's interactions would be changed based on "Rose Red and Snow White."

The movie Crash reminds me of this book because, in it, we are shown the climax of the interactions, and then go back to see all of the events that led up to that moment. I'm sure many other books and movies make use of the idea of going back to show all of the small details that led to a moment; although Agatha doesn't actually start with the murder- we still know it's going to happen. She writes the best, for sure.

Interesting facts: Hercule Poirot is mentioned, although Battle is the star of this book. Instead of the usual numbered chapters we get from Agatha, the book is divided into separate parts.

Favorite? YES. It is one of Agatha's favorites, and definitely one of mine.

Death by: Placard on elevator (which caused too much exertion on the part of the victim, causing his heart to give out, so I may attribute this to "heart"), cosh

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 89

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Murder is the end- the story begins long before that. Fathers don't know much about their children. The dog-like devotion of a lifetime does sometimes get its reward. A little malice adds a certain savor to life. Women possess little or no pride where love affairs are concerned. There are worse things than boredom. We've got to go on living our lives in the present. A minute can be a very long time. Love turns very easily to hate. Some things matter more than the truth. Think of the most difficult thing you can, and then set about doing it.

Up Next: Death Comes As the End

The Moving Finger

First Published: 1942

Setting: Lymstock

Starring: Miss Marple, Jerry and Joanna Burton

Important Other People: Megan, Superintendent Nash, Owen Griffith, Aimee Griffith, Emily Barton, Reverend and Mrs. Dane Calthorp, Miss Ginch, Elsie Holland, Mr. Pye, Mr. and Mrs. Symmington, Agnes Woddell

The Moving Finger is all about rumors in a small community spreading like wildfire, leading to a variety of different outcomes. The book belongs in the class of novels that are in first person narration, but the narrator, Jerry Burton, is a character we don't see in any other novels. And, like Jerry, it is easy to become tired of the phrase, "there's no smoke without fire," as it is constantly repeated in the book.

What I don't really like about this book is how slow the plot seems to go, mainly due to the fact that we don't encounter Miss Marple until halfway through the book. There is a lot of talk about what is happening with the letters being sent, and suspicions thrown about (along with some romance), causing the plot to drag at some points. Another aspect of the book that I don't really like is how Jerry is invited to involve himself as much as he wants in the police investigation. I don't think they let regular people just join in while they are investigating scandal and murder.

I have to say that I do enjoy the romantic aspect of the book, mainly because we usually only see romance from Agatha when it is Hercule Poirot setting couples up or married couples being interrupted by murder (except Tommy and Tuppence). It's nice to see some regular people falling in love, and some good coming out of the mess left behind by murder in the ruins of the town called Lymstock.

Interesting facts: One of Agatha Christie's favorites. Also written during the bombing of London. Also, according to Matthew Bunson, "In a way, many parts of the novel are more reminiscent of Christie's romances (penned under the pseudonym of Mary Westmacott) than the Marple murder mysteries. The Moving Finger contains several subplots involving the romantic aspirations of Jerry Burton for the young Megan Hunter."

Favorite? I can't really say that it is. Agatha likes it though; "Rather to my surprise on rereading them the other day, I find that another one I am really pleased with is The Moving Finger. It is a great test to reread what one has written some seventeen or eighteen years before. One's view changes. Some do not stand the test of time, others do."

Death by: Cyanide, stabbing

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 87

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: In everybody's life there are hidden chapters which they hope may never be known. Even a blind man might stab to the heart by pure chance. Everything has to have a beginning. A man's got to stick up for his wife. Don't attribute to God the evils that man does of his own free will. God doesn't need to punish us- we're so very busy punishing ourselves. Hate doesn't last; love does. Girls with brains are so liable to turn into morons. Things never come when they are expected. We are not put into this world to avoid danger when an innocent fellow creatures' life is at stake.

Up Next: Towards Zero

Five Little Pigs

First Published: 1942

Setting: Devonshire, London

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Caroline Crale, Amyas Crale

Important Other People: Philip Blake, Meredith Blake, Elsa Greer, Angela Warren, Cecelia Willams

In Five Little Pigs, Agatha takes us on a journey into the past. Carla Lemarchant, Amyas and Caroline Crales' daughter, asks Poirot to investigate into the murder of her father, some sixteen years previous. Her mother had been convicted of the crime and died in prison, although she wrote to Caroline and told her she was innocent. Once we have that fact to go on, there are only five suspects Poirot can look to- his five little pigs.

One of the things that I really like about this book is that we hear about the day of the murder from five different people, all with their own take on the events. They all have something to hide, and so their accounts are guarded in some sense. At the same time, the things they do reveal are very telling- to Poirot, that is. I am amazed at how he puts together the tiniest pieces of evidence gathered from what everyone says and doesn't say, and is able to come up with the only viable solution to a murder that has long-since been thought of as solved.

One thing that is amazing to me is how accurately the different suspects can remember the events of the day, particularly the conversations that were held. The police record from the time is helpful in this process, of course, but I don't know if there is some artistic liberty on Agatha's part for them to recall all of these details. I guess since it was such a memorable event that it would be easier to remember everything that happened. It's noticeable with Angela, given that she was much younger than the other characters at the time, does not remember the day as well, and mixes several instances that happened when she was younger.

I also like how the different characters in the book are irrevocably changed because of this incident. Not to give away any plot points, but both Blakes are unable to get past their younger loves, Elsa is completely embittered and tortured due to her relationship with Amycas, Ms. Williams is still staunchly loyal to her employer, and Angela has a hole in her life left from her sister's death. Thankfully, Poirot is there to uncover the real truth, allowing these people to finally heal and move on from their past tragedy.

Interesting facts: I must quote extensively from Matthew Bunson here: "Five Little Pigs was the first of the five novels written by Christie that present a murder case solved in retrospect....[it] is considered the best, although it is one of Christie's lesser-known works. The novel is notable for two other reasons. First, the book uses- entirely with success- the most complicated of narrative styles. Hercule Poirot must interrogate witnesses who provide their own personal views of distant events. Thus, the murder of Amyas Crale and the trial of his wife, Caroline Crale, are recounted several times, albeit from the differing perspectives of the individual witnesses...Second, the story details the complex psychological and emotional components of a marriage that disintegrates, mirroring in many ways the unfortunate events in Christie's own life during her failed marriage to Archie Christie."

Favorite? Of the "cold case" books, where we look into a case from the past, this is my favorite. I typically do not love books that focus heavily on conversations about what happened, but this one is really well done. There are also some really great lessons in it.

Death by: Coniine (hemlock)

Body Count: 1; Cumulative: 85

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-2, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Amongst everyone's ancestors is violence and evil. The ability to put on the brakes comes with maturity. Youth is vulnerable, ruthless, sure, generous, demanding. The young have no doubts, fear, or pride. With women, love always comes first. Some of us see beauty in curious places. The truth has a habit of making itself known. When a person has determined on a certain course, it is not easy to turn them from it. The desire for drama is very strong in human nature. Things can only pain you when they are happening. There are things that no woman should put up with. A woman should have a certain respect for herself and not submit to humiliation. One must have the courage to face reality- without it, life is meaningless. The people who do us the most harm are the people who shield us from reality.

Up Next: The Moving Finger