This late-stage Poirot novel is not a critical darling, and I agree that the mystery and its resolution does not really have the subtle clues and red herrings that Christie was capable of. However, I do not read these mysteries to try to solve them myself, but as entertainment, and this one did entertain me thoroughly.

I have to say that I really enjoy Ariadne Oliver. She's my favorite Poirot supporting character, much better than Captain Hastings, who thankfully only appeared in a few of the early novels. Ariadne Oliver is the author's alter ego, a female crime writer depicted as kind of foolish but with the occasional moment of, mostly unconscious, insight. I always enjoy the way she talks and confounds Poirot.

I also enjoyed that here we have Poirot all the time. It's not one of those novels where he appears only for the second half of the story.

So, true, this novel is not among Christie's most dazzling investigations, and the resolution was perhaps a bit too sensational (is this becoming a trend at this point? the previous novel,
Hickory Dickory Dock, also had an unlikely and sensational solution, more so than this one). However, it was always entertaining and intriguing, so I had a great time reading it. ( )

Mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver summons Hercule Poirot to a country estate in Nassecomb, owned by Sir George and Lady Stubbs, where she is organizing a charity “murder hunt” because her gut tells her that a real murder will take place. Although Poirot is annoyed and reluctant at first, he intervenes, but the “pretend” murder victim, a teenage girl, is nevertheless actually killed, a woman disappears, and an old man dies. Despite all the clues, Poirot is baffled until he assembles the clues in the right way. Slow start but then the momentum picks up and the motive was a complete surprise to me. ( )

Dead Man’s Folly brings a story of death and mayhem. Poirot goes to Devon to aid a mystery writer in her Murder Game when the unexpected happens and a young girl is murdered. So many twists and turns in this delightful novel. Again, like a Shakespeare story, two characters pose as someone else. An old man knows the false identity and tells his granddaughter, Marlene. Someone murders Marlene during the Murder Game, and of course, no one understands why. As usual, Agatha Christie employs her usual characters: a rich man and his younger and beautiful wife, the faithful secretary in love with her boss, and a young couple having problems. Poirot, a romantic at heart, aids the couple in patching their relationship. The English countryside and the lovely gardens enhance the story. Yes, Christie’s book follow a certain script, but the journey always brings pleasure. ( )

Vintage Paperback, Vintage-Fontana, Crime, Cops/Sleuths/P.I.'s, Novel, Tom Adams, 30p

Detective novelist Ariadne Oliver is in Devon organizing a murder hunt for a fête at her host’s estate. Mrs. Oliver senses that something is very wrong, so she summons her old friend, Hercule Poirot, to get to the bottom of things. Mrs. Oliver’s host and the other guests believe that Poirot is there to present the prize to the winner of the murder hunt. The perceptive Mrs. Oliver’s fear is realized when a real body turns up where the corpse is supposed to be.

Mrs. Oliver is one of my favorite supporting characters in the Poirot novels. This is at least the third time I’ve read or listened to this novel, so I remembered some of the clues but not the whole solution. It’s a clever plot, and Christie makes good use of her red herrings. ( )