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Publisher:
Harper Collins |
Release
Date:
January 2003 |
ISBN:
0007121113 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon US
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Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Mystery / Classic Crime Reprint (1929, England) |
Reviewer:
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewer
Notes: |
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Black
Coffee
Hercule Poirot
By Agatha
Christie
Agatha Christie needs no introduction.
Called "The Queen of Crime," she has entertained readers
worldwide since her first novel was published in 1920, and is outsold
only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Author Charles Osborne is turning
several of her plays into novels, and this is his third such adaptation.
Scientist Sir Claud Amory summons Poirot to a house party to find
out who has stolen his formula for a new explosive. Just before
he arrives, Sir Claud tells his family and guests that he is going
to allow them to give it back and turns out the lights for a minute.
The trouble is, when they come on again he is dead in his chair,
poisoned by his cup of black coffee.
In the inimitable Christie-style comedy
and high drama mix in a world where, despite the bodies, everything
is reasonably cozy, adding up to a good relaxing armchair read that
is expertly paced and never flags for an instant. Osborne does his
best, but I wouldn't have been fooled into thinking that Agatha
actually wrote this as a novel for it still has its roots firmly
in the fact it was originally a play and missing are her character
asides, most of the comedy and homespun psychology. If you have
read all or most of her novels, then it is wonderful to have a new
one to savor and this is still a fine read and a worthy addition
to anybody's Christie collection.
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