About the Book
-
Author:
- Agatha Christie
Cover Story: Pretty Darn Accurate
BFF Charm: Yay!
Talky Talk: Sit Up And Pay Attention
Bonus Factors: Cocktails!
Relationship Status: Together Forever
Cover Story: Pretty Darn Accurate
Yep, that chick gets murdered on the beach. Seems like one out of every ten covers nails it!
The Deal:
Our favorite Belgian detective gets an anonymous letter in the mail, claiming that a murder will be committed in Andover on a specific day. What do you know? When the date mentioned in the letter rolls around, a woman named Ascher is found murdered in her small shop. Poirot receives another letter, this time claiming a murder will happen in Bexhill on a certain day, and it does take the life of a pretty girl named Betty Barnard. This serial killer has an alphabet complex! It seems the only way to stop this faceless murderer is to wait until he leaves another calling card. As the bodies begin to pile up, Poirot gathers his evidence, but not without a struggle– this serial killer is very, very clever.
BFF Charm: Yay!
Hercule Poirot gets letters from a serial killer and is forced to track him down. What’s not to love? Hastings even shows back up again, visiting from his homestead in South America, so the whole gang is back together again.
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
No swoon in this story, I gotta tell you. We are dealing with a madman on the loose! And although Poirot loves to delve into the secret lusts and loves of the people he investigates, this book has little to no swoon in it.
Talky Talk: Sit Up And Pay Attention
Full Disclosure: I own this book. I have owned this book since I was a teen, and I have read this book. I have read the end of this book; I should know what to expect. That being said, I was totally wrapped up in the story the whole time and enjoyed it all over again. I knew there was going to be a twist, but I couldn’t remember exactly what it was, and it made re-reading this story so much fun. All the clues, and the red herrings, are there for you, intrepid armchair detective– go for it!
Bonus Factor: Cocktails!
In honor of our alphabet-loving serial killer, I present to you, A Bitter Cocktail!
To make your own, all you need is the following:
- 1 oz. Bourbon
- 1 oz. Averna
- 1 oz. vermouth (I love Cocchi, I recommend it highly for making great cocktails!)
Pour all into a shaker with ice. Shake briefly, then strain. Enjoy this delicious drink that’s got a dark side!
Relationship Status: Together Forever
This is definitely a book you can come back to more than once. It is so clever and so much fun to read, and the very modern idea of a serial killer having to match wits with the very classic character of Hercule Poirot makes this a book I am happy to keep permanently on my shelf.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). The A.B.C. Murders is available now.
About the Contributor:
Jill Brumer has been reading murder mysteries since she was old enough to wrap her hands around a Nancy Drew book. She can be found most days in Houston sewing or teaching others to sew.
