Third Girl by Agatha Christie

In this breathtaking Agatha Christie mystery, the Third Girl sharing a London flat with two others announces to Hercule Poirot that she’s a murderer and then disappears. The masterful investigator must figure out whether the missing girl is a criminal, a victim, or merely insane.

Three young women share a London flat. The first is a coolly efficient secretary. The second is an artist. The third interrupts Hercule Poirot’s breakfast confessing that she is a murderer—and then promptly disappears.

Slowly, Poirot learns of the rumors surrounding the mysterious third girl, her family, and her disappearance. Yet hard evidence is needed before the great detective can pronounce her guilty, innocent, or insane.…

One of the more interesting Poirot mysteries! And a sprinkle of “Papa Poirot” in there as well, which I always love

A ‘Young lady' arrives to see Poirot about a murder she May have committed but she leaves before giving any information. Poirot and Ariadne Oliver go on an adventure to find the girl and to find out what happened in this ‘murder'. Poirot is my favourite of Agatha's Characters. He misses nothing and pieces it all together so effortlessly. The writing style of this story along with other Poirot's is much easier to understand and take in than other Agatha Christie books. It is nice for Poirot and Ariadne to work together again. I enjoyed Aridane's character in previous books such as ‘Cards on the Table'. Ariadne is slightly chaotic and adventurous writing while Poirot is level-headed and calculating. This is a very amusing mixture of characters much like Hastings and Poirot x 10. I definitely recommend this book. I do not feel it is the place to start with Poirot's books but it is a brilliant addition to the collection.

I sat on this review for a while, thinking about it. Some of the criticisms other reviews point out are totally valid–dated observations, quick & somewhat questionable relationships. However . . . I really did enjoy this book! Ariadne is such a fun “stand in” for Christie, and I really enjoyed her presence and interactions with Poirot. The mystery itself unfolds slowly, true, but it is fascinating in the end, and resolves well. And I kind of enjoyed the relationship twist, though it is sudden. (As often happens in these stories!) Overall, I think this might be one of my favorite–or at least among the most memorable–Poirot adventures so far.