Date of Reading: 09/06/2007
Author: Agatha Christie
Publisher: Collins
Place: Great Britain
Year: 1966
Summary:
Hercule Poirote's breakfast is interrupted by a dishevelled girl who announces that she may have committed a murder; but appalled by his age, she leaves with her story untold. His detective novelist friend Mrs. Aridane Oliver collects the details. She is Norma Restarick, a third girl ie, she shares the flat with two other girls in 67 Borodene Mansions. Her companions are Claudia Reece Holland and Frances Cary.
Norma's father Andrew Restarick has left the country with his lover Louise Birell; this worsened the relation between him and Norma's mother. Louise broke the relationship after a year. With the chunks of money that he has made abroad, Andrew returns to London when his brother Simon dies. He has another wife now - Mary. Norma's mother was dead and the stepmother is not in her taste. She is even accused of poisoning Mary.
Poirot meets Norma's boyfriend David Baker and also comes to know the suicide of Louise Charpentier in the same flat; he suspects this as a murder. Norma is put under the care of Dr. Stillingfleet who finds out that she is being given drugs without her knowledge. She leaves the place without warning and the news comes that she has killed David.
Poirot intervenes, unfolds the mystery and Norma is saved. Andrew Restarick was dead and the impostor is Robert Orwell; only Louise who has known Andrew well is not fooled by the act. They kill her Mary also murders David who was their helper turned blackmailer. Mary was none other than Frances Cary, the flatmate. She has given Norma drugs to put the murder charges on her head. Dr. Stillingfleet marries Norma.
Rating: Good
Comment:
Sorry, its hard to love Poirot after reading Sherlock Holmes. Perhaps my choice was bad; feel free to suggest a nice work of Christie.
--- novel is noted for being the first in many years in which Poirot is more or less present from beginning to end.
--- book is dedicated to Nora Blackborow.
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