Dead man's folly

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Agatha Christie: Dead man's folly (2014, William Morrow)

226 pages

English language

Published Aug. 5, 2014 by William Morrow.

ISBN:
978-0-06-236462-3
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OCLC Number:
876670062

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4 stars (1 review)

Poirot's friend, writer Ariadne Oliver, draws him into a mock murder mystery thrown by Sir George and Lady Stubbs; his expertise is needed when the fun and games become something altogether more sinister.

Well-known mystery writer Ariadne Oliver organizes a Murder Hunt as the main event at the Fete held on the grounds of Nasse House. Suspecting that something isn't quite right, Ariadne telephones Hercule Poirot for help.

38 editions

Review of "Dead Man's Folly" on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

A nice and cosy, very English whodunnit. The murder takes place during a pretend murder hunt at a summer garden fete. The whole thing feels like Christie having fun with the genre she has created. I like the Ariadne Oliver crime author as it's clearly Christie laughing at herself. I like the knowing touches, for example where she draws attention to people "SPEAKING IN CAPITALS". 

On the down side, I thought the characters were all stereotypes (maybe to be expected in this sort of book) and although I was able to predict a couple of twists the final solution would be too labyrinthine for any except Poirot to untangle. 

Some of the 1950s attitudes are a little shocking (eg. The idea that the murder might be a sex crime is dismissed because the victim wasn't very attractive).

Subjects

  • Private investigators
  • Belgians
  • Detective and mystery stories
  • Fiction

Places

  • England