I’ve mentioned before how I am a huge Agatha Christie fan and that I wanted July to be my month of Agatha Christie. I planned to read at least 10 of her books (or books relating to her) during the month of July. So how did I do? Read all about my July TBR here.
I managed to read all ten plus two extra – see below for my thoughts on them all!
I rated this three stars. I went into it having already seen the TV adaptation and found that quite a lot had been changed from book to screen which may have biased my opinion of it somewhat. I definitely feel as if this wasn’t one of Agatha Christie’s best novels though.
CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
One of my favourites from years ago and it still is. This was a re read and I loved it as much as ever even if Poirot didn’t come into it until very late in the book. 5 stars.
MISS MARPLE’S FINAL CASES BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
I gave this three stars. It was pleasant enough but the mysteries were a little too easy in some cases. Worth a quick read though if you like Agatha Christie.
CROOKED HOUSE BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
This was a decent enough read – I gave it four stars. I did work out the culprit early on but appreciated the twists and turns to try and divert my attention from the perpetrator.
THE THIRTEEN PROBLEMS BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
I loved this, such a clever idea for a book – 13 different stories and Miss Marple completely baffles everyone by working out their mysteries every single time. A great read.
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION BY AGATHA CHRISTIE
This was an interesting selection of short stories from Agatha Christie with the title story being the most interesting. Having seen the film with Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton, I knew the outcome but it was an interesting read nevertheless.
THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
An interesting read but not one of her best. I’d seen the TV adaptation so knew the outcome (as for once, the TV adaptation didn’t change it drastically) but it definitely isn’t my favourite of her books.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)#
Another of my absolute favourites and another re read. A great whodunnit – most people are baffled by it all and shocked at the revelation. I can’t wait for the TV adaptation coming later this year!
DEATH IN THE CLOUDS BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
An interesting read and I did work out the culprit but completely second guessed myself when Agatha Christie cleverly distracted me and deceived me into thinking it was someone else. Definitely worth a read.
CURTAIN: POIROT’S LAST CASE BY AGATHA CHRISTIE (Find it on Goodreads)
If I’m honest I kept putting this one off as I have read it before and know what happens. I put off watching the adaptation on TV as well when it was first released. Even Steve was shocked at the outcome and never saw it coming. This is definitely one of the better novels but I wish it didn’t end in the way it does.
After finishing ten by the lady herself, I also picked up two who are very much linked in some way…
THE MONOGRAM MURDERS BY SOPHIE HANNAH (Find it on Goodreads)
I went into this trying not to expect anything – so as not to be bitterly disappointed or utterly surprised. I wanted to go in without a bias but I left with conflicted feelings. I think that Sophie Hannah wrote Poirot well, she definitely captured his essence, h owever I really disliked Catchpool – there was something about him that I just didn’t like but I can’t really put my finger on it – he does seem to resent Poirot’s involvement the majority of the time though yet constantly asks Poirot for assistance.
The premise was interesting but unfortunately the plot was quite muddled and the ending seemed very rushed and not very well thought out. It was like the author came up with one ending then changed it but kept both in if that makes sense.
HARM BY HUGH FRASER
If you don’t know who Hugh Fraser is and why I have added him to my Agatha Christie post, shame. Hugh Fraser played Captain Hastings alongside Poirot for many years and I was interested to read his debut novel.
It definitely didn’t read like a debut novel and I really loved it. I’m looking forward to reading some more from him in the future. Full review coming on the blog very soon.
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I managed to read a grand total of 10 Agatha Christie books and two related to her in some tenuous way during the month of July. I also managed a couple of non related books too. How did you do during July?