“The Mystery of the Three Quarters” - Sophie Hannah

 

(New Poirot book 3)

✉️ Several years ago when I picked up “The Monogram Murders” and promptly put it down 30 pages in because Sophie Hannah is no Agatha Christie, I never thought I’d revisit the series with fresh eyes and wind up eagerly working my way through the novels. I think the Marple short story collection opened my eyes to appreciating new authors picking up Aunt Agatha’s beloved characters by accepting that their styles will be different from Aunt Agatha’s but the stories can be fantastic nonetheless.

✉️ 4 letters have been sent by an individual impersonating Poirot accusing 4 strangers of murdering a wealthy old man, whose death had been ruled accidental. Poirot is affronted by having his good name used thus, and like a terrier, he will not stop until he gets to the bottom of the old man’s death and uncovers the identity of the letter writer.

✉️ I noticed one detail that rankled: why was A. permitted to have a second dog? It was clearly a nuisance to her family; she’s obsessed to the point of distraction, and yet the family is very dominating of her so it doesn’t quite add up. The family allows her obsession to grow but then grumbles about it and dominates A. in every other regard.

✉️ The ending wasn’t entirely satisfactory, but not due to a plotting defect. You’re left aggrieved based on the reality of how justice can be carried out in a suboptimal manner. I liked Poirot’s philosophical interpretation that people can do unaccountable things for love.