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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie


πŸŽ„ Despite the title, I wouldn't dream to categorize this book as a Christmas read. In fact, Agatha Christie wrote this in particular to answer a critic who said that her books are too "pristine", they lack of blood. Hence, this bloody murder mystery - a fantastic novel nevertheless - which is happened to be set on Christmas Eve.

πŸŽ„ Simeon Lee is a tyrannical multi-millionaire. He ruled his family with fearmongering. His wife died unhappy, and of his four sons, only Alfred, the meek son, who stays with him and adores him. George left the house, while Harry is the "prodigal son", while David the sensitive boy couldn't forgive his father for making his mother unhappy.

πŸŽ„ This Christmas Simeon Lee invites his children to family reunion with their spouses. His Spanish granddaughter, daughter of his dead child also appears, as well as his longtime friend's son. But it's not for reconciliation, no.. far from it. First he let's them know that he's changing his will, then he triggers their anger in a cunning way. He really knows each son's sensitive weakness, and uses it to mercilessly torture them. To George, the money-lover, he cuts his comfortable allowance. To David, the mother's son, he insults his mother. To Alfred (the first son in the Bible's prodigal son parable), he specifically shows his preference to the prodigal son. And to Harry who boasts his manhood, he reproaches his sons as useless.

πŸŽ„ That night Simeon Lee was killed in his locked bedroom. But before that, he reported to the police that his collection of rough diamonds was stolen. So, is it a theft-outsider murder or a vengeful-insider one? Of course we know it's the latter because - as Hercule Poirot said from the beginning - the character of the victim determines the murderer identity, and the kind of murder itself.

πŸŽ„ All in all, it's a wonderful story. I always love Christie's psychological side in her stories, and this one provides a handful. It reminds me too of the tyrannical matriarch in Appointment with Death. The plot is fantastic, and the twisted ending is a refreshing surprise.

Rating: 4 / 5

6 comments:

  1. I haven't read this but must have seen the TV episode starring David Suchet. Agathie Christie did tyrannical parents very well!

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    1. She did, indeed! And a rather tyrannical wife/aunt too, like in The Mysterious Affair at Styles, right? I always love when Christie killed these selfish people!
      I don't think I've watched David Suchet's movie of this one. I'm sure it's a good one!

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  2. I loved this one. But then I always enjoy those locked room mysteries. :D

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    1. I love locked room mysteries too, but especially with familial murder, it always provides interesting psychological aspect!

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  3. This one really kept me guessing! :-D

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    1. It's one of Christie's best plot twist, for sure!

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