Hercule Poirot returns to investigate the murder of a tween girl, Joyce Reynolds, who is drowned in a bucket of water used to bobble for apples. This marks the beginning of this story that includes all the twists and turns you’d expect from a murder mystery. I haven’t read that many books of this genre, so I’ve been making an effort to read more of them this year, this being the third I read, and honestly, it might be the weakest (not to say I didn’t like it, though!). I feel like the story tried too hard to give/present red herrings to the reader, and, while I personally didn’t figure out who the murderer was until the very end, I was kind of close, and can actually see how others might have guessed it from pretty early on. This is my first Agatha Christie read, and from other reviews I’ve read it seems that this might be one of her weaker novels. If that’s the case, then I’m all in on her books, because I did like this quite a bit, so if it only gets better from here, sign me up.
The book is super British, which might or might not work for you. It personally works for me, other than that, I really liked Christie’s plot work and the mystery in general and how it was handled. I definitely don’t think it was anything outstanding, but for what it is, it is a fun page turner, which is honestly all I look for in these types of books.
I think this is one of those books where even if you’re the slightest bit interested in it, just give it a chance, after a few chapters you’ll either be hooked and keep going, or you won’t and you’ll drop it, you either like it or you don’t. Don’t expect the greatest mystery in the history of mankind, but a fun page turner and I think you’ll be fine.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐☆☆