Poirot Investigates is a collection of eleven short mystery stories featuring Agatha Christie’s renowned detective Hercule Poirot. Published in 1924, the book follows Poirot as he solves a variety of cases involving greed, jealousy, and revenge. From the theft of a valuable diamond to the disappearance of a banker, Poirot uses his keen intellect and powers of observation to unravel the most puzzling crimes.
Recommended for:
- Fans of classic detective fiction and the works of Agatha Christie
- Readers who enjoy short, self-contained mystery stories
- Those interested in the early adventures of the iconic character Hercule Poirot
You will:
- Discover a diverse range of mysteries, each with its own unique twist and challenge for the famous Belgian detective
- Witness Poirot’s exceptional deductive skills as he uncovers clues and unravels the most intricate of plots
- Explore the social dynamics and moral complexities that often underlie the crimes Poirot investigates
Plot Summary
Poirot Investigates is a collection of eleven short stories, each presenting a different mystery for the eccentric detective to solve. The stories include:
- “The Adventure of the Western Star”: Poirot investigates the theft of a valuable diamond and a complex web of blackmail and deception.
- “The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor”: Poirot uses his psychological insights to uncover the truth behind an apparent suicide.
- “The Adventure of the Cheap Flat”: Poirot helps recover important naval plans that have been stolen by a pair of spies.
- “The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge”: Poirot solves a murder case that involves a mysterious housekeeper and an elaborate alibi.
- “The Million Dollar Bond Robbery”: Poirot deduces the method used to steal a large sum of bonds during a transatlantic voyage.
- “The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb”: Poirot investigates a series of deaths connected to the excavation of an ancient Egyptian tomb.
- “The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan”: Poirot recovers a stolen pearl necklace and exposes the thieves at a hotel in Brighton.
- “The Kidnapped Prime Minister”: Poirot foils a plot to kidnap the British Prime Minister during a peace conference.
- “The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim”: Poirot solves the case of a missing banker by deducing his elaborate scheme of embezzlement and deception.
- “The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman”: Poirot uncovers the truth behind the murder of a wealthy Italian count.
Theme and Analysis
Poirot Investigates explores themes of greed, jealousy, and the lengths people will go to in order to satisfy their desires. The stories often reveal the moral complexities underlying the crimes, with Poirot’s exceptional powers of deduction and psychological insights playing a crucial role in uncovering the truth.
The collection also showcases Agatha Christie’s mastery of the short story format, as each tale presents a self-contained mystery that challenges the reader to keep up with Poirot’s brilliant reasoning. The stories are characterized by Christie’s trademark plot twists, red herrings, and the unexpected revelations that have made her one of the most celebrated mystery writers of all time.
Through Poirot’s investigations, the reader is invited to delve into the darkest corners of human nature and witness the triumph of justice and logic over the forces of deception and criminality.
Licensing
Agatha Christie. Poirot Investigates. Published in 1924. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before the cutoff of January 1, 1929. This digital edition is provided by Standard Ebooks under the CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication License.
To cite this work
Christie, Agatha. Poirot Investigates. Standard Ebooks. CC0 1.0. https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/agatha-christie/poirot-investigates