Third Girl

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.

One thing impressive about Christie is she can write over 38 books with the same main character and I still like him. I have been reading Christie's mysteries chronologically and now that I am nearing the end I think some of her books aren't as good as the previous. Maybe it's just that the sixties are less romantic than the thirties. But Poirot is as charming as ever.

This one has a nice easy pace and the murder doesn't happen for a while, which I don't mind. I like Ms. Oliver making a reappearance and Poirot facing his old age. Some of the familiar tropes are old...like that of the main girl thinking she is insane. Everyone knows that in ANY mystery if someone thinks they are going insane they are probably being drugged. I wish the characters would connect that sooner.

Overall it was an enjoyable mystery. Not exceptional, but good.