The sun-browned land of sandstones in the heart of Mesopotamia, or an old English country house during Christmas? Which setting would you prefer for a murder? Well, you can have both. Today, I will be reviewing books 19 and 20 of the Hercule Poirot series, namely Appointment With Death, and Hercule Poirot’s Christmas. If you wish to check out my other Poirot reviews, you can do so here. So without further delay, let’s begin:
Appointment With Death
Old Mrs Boynton was ugly – from within and without. She loved power. It was this love that first led her to become a jailor by profession, and then retire and rule over the members of her family. She enjoyed bullying her children – step and blood. If she wished her eldest stepson to get up from the living room and move to his bedroom, he would do it. But one day this family, closeted together in the same house for years, decided to step out of town for a change and go on a trip to the Middle East.
When they arrived, everyone was somewhat happy except Mrs Boynton. She had just realized how insignificant she was. Her power extended only over a few members of her family, while the rest of the world was moving freely. But then she saw something. She saw a person who had committed a shameful act many years ago, and whom she had punished then. She saw that that person had now become a very powerful person, and they would be in big trouble if she leaked the truth. When she saw that that person was going on a visit to Petra, she decided that she and her family would go to Petra too. They reached Petra the next day. The camp they were staying in accommodated themselves, the person’s party, a famous psychologist, a recently graduated doctor, and Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
One day, most people in the camp decided to go on walk and see some nearby ruins. When they were leaving, many saw Mrs Boynton sitting in front of her cave. Her head had slumped on her chest. She was probably sleeping. When they returned, everyone gathered in the main tent for tea. A servant went to fetch Mrs Boynton. He came back to tell that she was not responding to her. Upon closer examination, the doctor declared her dead. A small mark, the size of a mole, told Poirot that it was a murder.
Poirot was given the task of apprehending the criminal before the whole party moved back to the main city – which was the next day. Upon investigation he found out that nearly everyone in that camp had a motive to kill the old woman. It was going to be a difficult task.
This is a classic Agatha Christie tale that is long enough to last you for some time, but never gets boring. The story is always moving and finally ends with the characteristic twist in the tail that is sure to leave you surprised.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
The Lee household comprises of Simeon Lee, the patriarch, his eldest son Alfred, and Alfred’s wife Lydia, their old butler Tressilian, and Simeon’s valet, Horbury. Simeon is a little like old Mrs Boynton, but not much. He loves bossing over Alfred, but is also generous with his allowances. He is highly adventurous, but age prevents him from getting around much.
Alfred has three brothers. George Lee is an MP, and a miser of the first class. David Lee is the quiet one and hates his father, because he had treated their mother very badly. Harry Lee is a little better than a vagabond, and Alfred’s arch-nemesis. When Christmas comes close, Simeon tells Alfred that he has invited all of his brothers and their wives for Christmas, and they will be joined by their late sister’s daughter, Pilar. Tressilian feels that the master has called everyone maybe because in his old age, he wished to see the whole family together. He could not have been more wrong. What Simeon wanted was not family spirit, but drama. He wished to create unrest within the family, and to enjoy seeing them get disturbed.
On Christmas eve, the whole family arrives, and are joined by an extra guest – Stephen Farr, the son of Simeon’s old friend Ebenezer Farr. That day, Simeon summons all of his family, which is followed by some drama. Simeon tells his children that none of them are worthy of being his child, and that Pilar is as good as two of them. Then he clearly indicates that he will make a new will, and the chances of his sons getting anything substantial are slim.
Lunch is a quiet affair. After everyone had finished eating, they drifted into the different rooms of the house. Some time later, they heard a horrible scream from Simeon’s room, and a loud crash as if many things had fallen at once. Everyone rushed up to his room and found the door locked. They broke it and entered. Inside, Simeon Lee lay dead in a pool of blood.
The officer in charge, Superintendent Sugden requested Hercule Poirot, who was on a visit to that town, for his help. Poirot began his investigation and found that there was no dearth of motives for killing the tyrannical Simeon Lee. This Christmas was certainly not going to be fun.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas was written by Christie in response to her brother-in-law’s request for a ‘good, violent murder with lots of blood’. A murder where there was no doubt that the death was not an accident. This novel certainly has that. This, too, contains the twist Christie is known for. The twist is sudden and startling, and brings out the best of Poirot’s deductive powers.
Outro:
So that is it for today. I know I have not reviewed books number 16 and 17. I will try and do them soon. If you have not already done so, please consider subscribing. Until next time, au revoir!