Agatha Christie wrote many mysteries featuring Hercule Poirot. There are similarities in her books; some are a result of Poirot's study of the cases, but some are her vision. The sun may spy the murderer at work, but no one else does. Only Poirot can discover the reason buried in the clues. The murderer isn't old, ugly or poor; we never feel sorry for them. Scientists are present, but they don't use science to kill.
The stories have many differences. Why did they murder? When did they decide to kill? Was it a crime of passion or premeditated? Was this the first time or are they a con man with a trail of suspicious deaths? Who else was involved? Poirot uncovers the crime and we meet interesting characters.
In "Five Little Pigs" the scene of the crime is the seashore of England, sixteen years before the story takes place. "In Death In The Clouds" the murder happens on an airplane with Poirot present. The method in both books is poisoning. In "Five" Elsa spills coniine into the beer of Amyas, when she hears he won't leave his wife. This is driven by jealousy. In "Death" Norman puts snake venom on a thorn and pushes it into Madam Giselle's neck. This is driven by greed.
Underneath every murder is motive. Poirot's search for reason is what makes these stories compelling.
The stories have many differences. Why did they murder? When did they decide to kill? Was it a crime of passion or premeditated? Was this the first time or are they a con man with a trail of suspicious deaths? Who else was involved? Poirot uncovers the crime and we meet interesting characters.
In "Five Little Pigs" the scene of the crime is the seashore of England, sixteen years before the story takes place. "In Death In The Clouds" the murder happens on an airplane with Poirot present. The method in both books is poisoning. In "Five" Elsa spills coniine into the beer of Amyas, when she hears he won't leave his wife. This is driven by jealousy. In "Death" Norman puts snake venom on a thorn and pushes it into Madam Giselle's neck. This is driven by greed.
Underneath every murder is motive. Poirot's search for reason is what makes these stories compelling.
