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Books

Hercule Poirot returns – and yes, he’s as irritating as ever

A review of The Monogram Murders: A new Hercule Poirot Mystery, by Sophie Hannah (as Agatha Christie). It’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better job of resurrecting Poirot

11 October 2014

9:00 AM

11 October 2014

9:00 AM

The Monogram Murders: A New Hercule Poirot Mystery Sophie Hannah (as Agatha Christie)

Harper Collins, pp.320, £18.99

First, a confession. I have never cared much for Hercule Poirot. In this I am not alone, for his creator felt much the same way, describing him as a ‘detestable, bombastic, tiresome, egocentric little creep’, albeit a creep with remarkable commercial staying power. Fortunately, my prejudice doesn’t affect enjoyment of the brilliantly constructed plots and the unobtrusively effective storytelling.

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