I haven't read it and never will. I don't buy for a second that Poirot would kill someone. In Murder of the Orient Express, he is wracked with guilt and uncertainty about letting the culprit get away with the murder, he is hardly likely to commit one himself
If it were possible, I'd give Project Poirot 500 likes. I need to read this again. I came to it out of sequence;so the tragedy of it failed to carry the same emotional significance. About Mission Marple: I think you'll enjoy her short stories as much,if not more,than Poirots. Marple was originally created for the short story format... WHICH IS WHY YOU SHOULD START WITH 'THE THIRTEEN PROBLEMS';as Christie herself did :) Marple's character is ideally suited to the short little conundrum. Anyway...roll on, January!
Thank you so much!!! I've loved seeing your comments... the community aspect of this and finding other Christie lovers has been the best part of the whole thing. And big cosign on the Marple short stories!! Those are 100% my fav form of Marple- I'm hoping the novels will grow on me this time around :)
Hi Mara, I never comment on youtube videos but I had to on yours. Thanks so much for Project Poirot, I'm definitely going to be reading along with you on Mission Marple. One thing that really stuck with me from Curtain was when Hastings describes 'night fears', the way things always seem way worse if your thinking about them at 3am. I thought that was just me! Anyway, I really enjoyed your non-spoiler-free discussion, I'd love to see more of them.
Thanks so much!! Yes, those night fears are so relatable... nothing feels scarier than in the middle of the night when you can't stop thinking about it. Christie is great at capturing those little details :)
i think Curtain is definitely one just for Poirot fans. I had the advantage of reading it only a few years after it first came out, by which time I had devoured almost all the others (and no internet spoilers back then, so I had no idea what to expect). It was devastating. Melancholy, full of dread, yes, and full of nostalgia and warmth, too. The mystery doesn't matter a bit. I cried buckets. I did believe that Poirot could commit a murder, as long as he knew he would be "sentenced to death" immediately afterwards, as is the case here. It is moving that he laid aside his own morality, in a way, because of his love for Hastings. I've just found your channel and I'm looking forward to the Marple Mission next year, although, like you, I prefer the Poirot books.
Yeah, that’s a good point- Poirot often does morally absolve murderers do long as they are willing to kill themselves as a way of paying for their crimes, so I guess it’s unsurprising that he’d go that route himself if he felt compelled to commit a murder. I agree- it’s definitely a weeper of a book!!!
I’ve watched quite a few of these videos!!! Very enjoyable,very well done. Can’t say that I think cards on the table is the best book but your certainly entitled to your opinion! Curtain is my favorite,I think it’s genius,tied together very well and a brilliant ending!
I’ve been reading this series for a couple years and after I finish each book I come here for your review. It feels like I’ve been in a one sided book club lol. So thank you, I’ve really enjoyed watching these videos!!
I’m glad you mentioned spoilers, as that’s the last thing I want when reading a mystery. So I’ll perhaps watch this after I have finished all my Agatha Christie books.
This book definitely needs to be read last. The first time I read it, it was about the middle of the road and I couldn't feel it. Then I re-read it after I finished all of the books, watched David Suchet adaptations and I was so much into Poirot already. It was so emotional, I cried my eyes out at the end. It is in my top 5 fav books. I am really glad that she wrote it in the middle of her writing carrier. I think that if she left it for the end she wouldn't have the strength to do it like this.
1000% - I think you only get the full impact if you save it for last (I'm really glad I did!). It's not a perfect book, but I think it effectively helps us say goodbye to Hastings & Poirot
I loved this book. I love that this book is set at Styles Court where Poirot and Hastings first case took place. I was sad for Hastings he is very much a shell of his former self in this novel. He is not quite a broken man. To find Poirot in such a bad way health wise was jarring. I think the mystery in this book was decent but not Agatha Christie's best one. I still wanted to know who X was. Like you I was more interested in Hastings welfare and relationship with his daughter Judith. I was crushed when Poirot died I almost cried when I read that part of the book. I like Poirot 's letter at the end of the book. I would recommended this to someone who has not read this book. I am also said that Project Poirot is over. I will miss your videos. You helped me navigate the Poirot books and let me know the good ones to read and witch books to stay away from. I loved hearing your option of these books. I love how your brake them down for us. I love how you explain the morality that Christie is harping on in her books. Your are a very nice lady and I cant wait for Mission Marple.
Haha...shame on *me!* I haven't read it but I'm about 90% sure I've seen the Suchet episode, so I kept watching your review. I hope to work my way through all the books and I will keep in mind what you said about saving this one for last. Thank you so much for these highly enjoyable synopses of the Poirot stories!
And so here we are. I can't believe we're finally at the end of this project! I'm going to miss it... "A novel of dread" - YES! That is the feeling I had from reading this novel. I have only read it twice, so my memory is more of the atmosphere. The mystery isn't completely satisfactory, I agree. I do find it intriguing though, the idea of manipulating others to kill, even if not sure in practical terms how successful that would be. Perhaps Christie did something a bit different like this because the final Poirot may be more likely to disappoint if she'd tried for the best "standard" mystery she could write. Then it may just be thought of in comparison to some of her Poirot classics like Murder on the Orient Express, or Death on the Nile whereas the way it is Curtain is in some ways a different kind of novel with its own tone. Overall I guess I've always thought of it as a decent Christie, just not a classic. Definitely one that rewards reading through Poirot, getting to know and love him, and getting to see him through to the end though. It's funny but when this was slightly spoiled for me as a kid before I read it, it wasn't that Poirot died, it was my dad remarking in passing: "Oh Curtain, that's the one where Hastings kills someone." Which out of context still doesn't exactly spoil what was going on, but I've always thought it weird someone spoiled that part but not Poirot's death. Thank you so much for this project, Mara, it's been seriously wonderful. The amount of effort you put into your videos is excellent, you always have interesting things to say, and I love how much deeper you go into the books than a standard review would. And thank you for allowing me to gab on in the comments constantly haha. It's been great going down memory lane as you read these books. And hey, I might have come here for Project Poirot, but I've stayed for your other vids too, you should be so proud of your channel and the material you put out there. I think you said awhile ago you were going to be reviewing Southern literature sometime soon? Will be really interested to see that if so as I've never read anything from that genre before. I'm champing at the bit for Mission Marple too, very much looking forward to January! Might even read along myself. :). Thanks again!
I think "a decent Christie, just not a classic" sums this book up quite well. I suspect my emo nature made me like this one better than I would have if it wasn't my last unread Poirot, but yeah-- I did end up really enjoying it! Of all the spoilers you could get for this, having the fact that Hastings killed someone is such a funny part for him to have remembered as the big takeaway :). I did find that quite jarring when I realized that Hastings accidentally killed her! I guess he really saved the doctor from getting killed, but still... way harsh, Agatha And thank you so much for being such a joy to interact with on this!! I've loved finding other lovers of Agatha and learning from you & others. You know way more about Christie than I do, so thank you for sharing your knowledge!! I will be doing Southern September, so stay tuned! I'll do a TBR video some time before to let everyone know what I'm going to try read in case people want to read along. And DEFINITELY read along for Marple! I'll have the schedule posted in the next video, so folks can plan ahead ;)
I loved this book as well. But...sad. Nevertheless Poirot lives on. And I’ll keep reading about him. ETA: Very perceptive thoughts on grief. It’s a bit amazing how close my brother and I are now that we’re the last of the original little family. And you’re right on target; we’re the only ones left who remember...
Do you think the BBC made the right call by placing almost all the Poirot episodes in the mid 30s? Likewise, with the Marple episodes taking place in the mid 50s?
He did it by mistake. Barbara put the Poison in the glass to kill her husband. But she put it on the rotating Bookshelf. And Hastings rotated the Bookshelf to find a book, and Barbara was drinking her own poison
I just didn't buy into this one at all. Not the killer, not the motive and especially not the Method! I wanted to like it but for me this is Agatha Christie's most tedious killer...
I loved this book because it’s the first time that Poirot defies his principle of murder is always wrong. That people should not take law into their own hand unless the murderer is beyond the law (similar to And Then There Were None). And yet Poirot keeps his ethics by punishing himself with suicide. Similarly to how the judge in And Then There Were None commits suicide. Curious if people agree that this similarity allows Poirot to stay in character despite murdering.
i don't feel it was out of Poirot's character, as this murderer couldn't ever be stopped by regular law and would continue ruining lives, including Hastings's.( It's not that farfetched either, remember Charles Manson, who never personally killed anyone. )Poirot always was willing to bend the law if he felt it was the right thing to do ( Orient exp.). I think this book is phenomenal.
This was my favorite on so many levels-- the nostalgia, the Shakespearean steal, the dialogue. Oh. I love it.
I loved this novel so very much. I agree it was not perfect, but it was still a fantastic ending for the series.
I haven't read it and never will. I don't buy for a second that Poirot would kill someone. In Murder of the Orient Express, he is wracked with guilt and uncertainty about letting the culprit get away with the murder, he is hardly likely to commit one himself
This is my favorite book. I know maybe is not the best but i can't help the tears
If it were possible, I'd give Project Poirot 500 likes.
I need to read this again. I came to it out of sequence;so the tragedy of it failed to carry the same emotional significance.
About Mission Marple:
I think you'll enjoy her short stories as much,if not more,than Poirots. Marple was originally created for the short story format... WHICH IS WHY YOU SHOULD START WITH 'THE THIRTEEN PROBLEMS';as Christie herself did :)
Marple's character is ideally suited to the short little conundrum.
Anyway...roll on, January!
Thank you so much!!! I've loved seeing your comments... the community aspect of this and finding other Christie lovers has been the best part of the whole thing.
And big cosign on the Marple short stories!! Those are 100% my fav form of Marple- I'm hoping the novels will grow on me this time around :)
Hi Mara, I never comment on youtube videos but I had to on yours. Thanks so much for Project Poirot, I'm definitely going to be reading along with you on Mission Marple. One thing that really stuck with me from Curtain was when Hastings describes 'night fears', the way things always seem way worse if your thinking about them at 3am. I thought that was just me! Anyway, I really enjoyed your non-spoiler-free discussion, I'd love to see more of them.
Thanks so much!! Yes, those night fears are so relatable... nothing feels scarier than in the middle of the night when you can't stop thinking about it. Christie is great at capturing those little details :)
i think Curtain is definitely one just for Poirot fans. I had the advantage of reading it only a few years after it first came out, by which time I had devoured almost all the others (and no internet spoilers back then, so I had no idea what to expect). It was devastating. Melancholy, full of dread, yes, and full of nostalgia and warmth, too. The mystery doesn't matter a bit. I cried buckets. I did believe that Poirot could commit a murder, as long as he knew he would be "sentenced to death" immediately afterwards, as is the case here. It is moving that he laid aside his own morality, in a way, because of his love for Hastings. I've just found your channel and I'm looking forward to the Marple Mission next year, although, like you, I prefer the Poirot books.
Yeah, that’s a good point- Poirot often does morally absolve murderers do long as they are willing to kill themselves as a way of paying for their crimes, so I guess it’s unsurprising that he’d go that route himself if he felt compelled to commit a murder. I agree- it’s definitely a weeper of a book!!!
I’ve watched quite a few of these videos!!! Very enjoyable,very well done. Can’t say that I think cards on the table is the best book but your certainly entitled to your opinion! Curtain is my favorite,I think it’s genius,tied together very well and a brilliant ending!
I’ve been reading this series for a couple years and after I finish each book I come here for your review. It feels like I’ve been in a one sided book club lol. So thank you, I’ve really enjoyed watching these videos!!
I’m glad you mentioned spoilers, as that’s the last thing I want when reading a mystery. So I’ll perhaps watch this after I have finished all my Agatha Christie books.
This book definitely needs to be read last. The first time I read it, it was about the middle of the road and I couldn't feel it. Then I re-read it after I finished all of the books, watched David Suchet adaptations and I was so much into Poirot already. It was so emotional, I cried my eyes out at the end. It is in my top 5 fav books. I am really glad that she wrote it in the middle of her writing carrier. I think that if she left it for the end she wouldn't have the strength to do it like this.
1000% - I think you only get the full impact if you save it for last (I'm really glad I did!). It's not a perfect book, but I think it effectively helps us say goodbye to Hastings & Poirot
Awww I'm sad Project Poirot is over 😢
But Poirot lives on forever! :)
I loved this book. I love that this book is set at Styles Court where Poirot and Hastings first case took place. I was sad for Hastings he is very much a shell of his former self in this novel. He is not quite a broken man. To find Poirot in such a bad way health wise was jarring. I think the mystery in this book was decent but not Agatha Christie's best one. I still wanted to know who X was. Like you I was more interested in Hastings welfare and relationship with his daughter Judith. I was crushed when Poirot died I almost cried when I read that part of the book. I like Poirot 's letter at the end of the book. I would recommended this to someone who has not read this book.
I am also said that Project Poirot is over. I will miss your videos. You helped me navigate the Poirot books and let me know the good ones to read and witch books to stay away from. I loved hearing your option of these books. I love how your brake them down for us. I love how you explain the morality that Christie is harping on in her books. Your are a very nice lady and I cant wait for Mission Marple.
Thank you so much!!
Haha...shame on *me!* I haven't read it but I'm about 90% sure I've seen the Suchet episode, so I kept watching your review. I hope to work my way through all the books and I will keep in mind what you said about saving this one for last. Thank you so much for these highly enjoyable synopses of the Poirot stories!
It's one that I really enjoyed, though I know it's not everyone's fav. Hopefully you will enjoy it as well!! :)
Omg this book made me cry 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔
And so here we are. I can't believe we're finally at the end of this project! I'm going to miss it...
"A novel of dread" - YES! That is the feeling I had from reading this novel. I have only read it twice, so my memory is more of the atmosphere. The mystery isn't completely satisfactory, I agree. I do find it intriguing though, the idea of manipulating others to kill, even if not sure in practical terms how successful that would be. Perhaps Christie did something a bit different like this because the final Poirot may be more likely to disappoint if she'd tried for the best "standard" mystery she could write. Then it may just be thought of in comparison to some of her Poirot classics like Murder on the Orient Express, or Death on the Nile whereas the way it is Curtain is in some ways a different kind of novel with its own tone.
Overall I guess I've always thought of it as a decent Christie, just not a classic. Definitely one that rewards reading through Poirot, getting to know and love him, and getting to see him through to the end though.
It's funny but when this was slightly spoiled for me as a kid before I read it, it wasn't that Poirot died, it was my dad remarking in passing: "Oh Curtain, that's the one where Hastings kills someone." Which out of context still doesn't exactly spoil what was going on, but I've always thought it weird someone spoiled that part but not Poirot's death.
Thank you so much for this project, Mara, it's been seriously wonderful. The amount of effort you put into your videos is excellent, you always have interesting things to say, and I love how much deeper you go into the books than a standard review would. And thank you for allowing me to gab on in the comments constantly haha. It's been great going down memory lane as you read these books. And hey, I might have come here for Project Poirot, but I've stayed for your other vids too, you should be so proud of your channel and the material you put out there. I think you said awhile ago you were going to be reviewing Southern literature sometime soon? Will be really interested to see that if so as I've never read anything from that genre before.
I'm champing at the bit for Mission Marple too, very much looking forward to January! Might even read along myself. :). Thanks again!
I think "a decent Christie, just not a classic" sums this book up quite well. I suspect my emo nature made me like this one better than I would have if it wasn't my last unread Poirot, but yeah-- I did end up really enjoying it!
Of all the spoilers you could get for this, having the fact that Hastings killed someone is such a funny part for him to have remembered as the big takeaway :). I did find that quite jarring when I realized that Hastings accidentally killed her! I guess he really saved the doctor from getting killed, but still... way harsh, Agatha
And thank you so much for being such a joy to interact with on this!! I've loved finding other lovers of Agatha and learning from you & others. You know way more about Christie than I do, so thank you for sharing your knowledge!!
I will be doing Southern September, so stay tuned! I'll do a TBR video some time before to let everyone know what I'm going to try read in case people want to read along.
And DEFINITELY read along for Marple! I'll have the schedule posted in the next video, so folks can plan ahead ;)
I loved this book as well. But...sad. Nevertheless Poirot lives on. And I’ll keep reading about him.
ETA: Very perceptive thoughts on grief. It’s a bit amazing how close my brother and I are now that we’re the last of the original little family. And you’re right on target; we’re the only ones left who remember...
Yes, Poirot rides on forever! That's the joy of literature :)
Just subscribed #7224
I am truly looking forward to your content on Poirot; I love A.C.
Welcome!!
Do you think the BBC made the right call by placing almost all the Poirot episodes in the mid 30s? Likewise, with the Marple episodes taking place in the mid 50s?
Totally read this at the wrong time in my forays into Poirot so I got none of this from it haha. Don't even remember it!
LOL, yes, you need to go back and reread this once you've read all the Poirots! :)
I might do, I don't really like Poirot much though :p
I didn't get why Hastings killed Barbara!?
He did it by mistake. Barbara put the Poison in the glass to kill her husband. But she put it on the rotating Bookshelf. And Hastings rotated the Bookshelf to find a book, and Barbara was drinking her own poison
I just didn't buy into this one at all. Not the killer, not the motive and especially not the Method! I wanted to like it but for me this is Agatha Christie's most tedious killer...
Same, found it ridiculous from start to finish.
I loved this book because it’s the first time that Poirot defies his principle of murder is always wrong. That people should not take law into their own hand unless the murderer is beyond the law (similar to And Then There Were None). And yet Poirot keeps his ethics by punishing himself with suicide. Similarly to how the judge in And Then There Were None commits suicide. Curious if people agree that this similarity allows Poirot to stay in character despite murdering.
i don't feel it was out of Poirot's character, as this murderer couldn't ever be stopped by regular law and would continue ruining lives, including Hastings's.( It's not that farfetched either, remember Charles Manson, who never personally killed anyone. )Poirot always was willing to bend the law if he felt it was the right thing to do ( Orient exp.). I think this book is phenomenal.