The Big Four (Hercule Poirot Series)

The Big Four by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot has had his share of intruders-yet none more peculiar than the emaciated stranger covered in mud who stumbles into the detective's apartment, shout half-crazed warnings about "the Big Four," and dies. But not before plunging Poirot into a crazy netherworld of international intrigue, secret weapons, kidnapped physicists, underground laboratories, hairbreadth escapes, and an employee from a local insane asylum who's all too eager to let the baffles Belgian in on the sinister secret of "the Big Four".

To be honest when I started this book, that is only 198 pages long, I thought it would be a quick read. Unfortunately it took me two days to get through it, simply because I didn't like it.

You already know I'm a huge Christie fan, hence the whole reading all her books in order, so I'm always a little sad when I come across one that I could do without. As you can tell from the synopsis this one had too much going on for such a short book. Each chapter felt more like a short story that was rewritten to go with a bunch of other short stories. The main threat of "the Big Four" which was the sole continuing thread throughout the book just didn't come off as credible. The Big Four are a quartet of super genius criminals bent on world domination. The only problem was that they were boring and one dimensional. It almost reminded me of a rejected plot for a old Charlie Chan movie.

The only redeeming quality for me was the return of Hastings, our narrator from the first few Hercule Poirot books. He always paints Poirot in a light I find more agreeable. Poirot still comes across as egotistical, but somehow Hastings softens that image and makes Poirot more human to me. For this reason alone I'm glad I read the book, I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not my favorite Poirot book

I usually read these books quickly but this seems almost disjointed so it is not dragging me in. The characters are a little flat.

My Fav. book

This was the first book I ever read from Agatha Christie, and I,m really glad I read it. To me the plot was outstanding and so intriguing. I feel like people are comparing this to Agatha's other writings when it should be in its own Category even compared to other books I've read....this book sticks out in a great way.

Christie's Belgian Giant Solves Another Mystery

Dame Christie rejoins us with our favorite egg-head armchair detective, Hercule Poirot, assisted by his great friend, Captain Hastings. Each little problem is as a pebble in the shoe for the great Poirot, of no great consequence and easily dealt with. However, when the connection to dastardly gang of genius super-villains, The Big Four, is discovered in each event, Poirot dwells on the deeper complexities of the cases with his "little gray cells" until he is eventually able to ensnare all four foul masters of evil.

This novel, really a collection of simple tales, isn't one of the strongest in the Christie magnum opus. In fact, it is sort of out of character for Poirot to be so blatantly active in his pursuits. Where's the armchair? The one immensely entertaining moment is the introduction of Poirot's twin brother. I'll say no more on that topic!

A noteworthy quality missing from the usual brilliance of Christie's stories is the chance to develop a relationship with any of the characters in a meaningful way. I would recommend the following novels ahead of this one. Enjoy!

Not a Typical Christie

Very good, but not a regular case. I was intrigued by the problem and how it was solved

Page turner, fo sho.

Great book! Starts fast & keeps the pace. Enjoyable. Trying to figure out what happened before Poirot does makes you feel like part of the story! Can't say it gets much better than this, happy endings too!

the best mystery novel ever

this is by far the best book i ever read. you are on the edge of your seet until the end, wich is a complete shocker. i garentee if you like mysteries even a little you'll love this.

Too Far-Fetched

I love Christie and Poirot, but this plot bounced around a little too much for me, and the story was a bit too fantastic as well. Still, Christie's writing style and familiar characters made it an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Height of Agatha Christie's Talent!

This book, along with some of her others like 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'And Then There Were None' shows that mystery novels can be works of literature. 'The Big Four' is a dynamic, sleek, and instantly absorbing novel. All of the characters are among the most vibrant and life-like of any of Christie's works, and Hercule absolutely sparkles! I must-read for any Agatha Christie or Mystery fan!

poirot excells

poirot & hastings battles wits with the 'big four. death,intrigue disguises cannot stop hercule from the truth

TWISTS AND TURNS

This book is great because the e nding is'nt obvious. I love the charactors! I could not put it down! Hercule Poirot is fantastic!

Hi mister

I liked this book because it was not too long and not too short.

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