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"Hercule Poirot is traveling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate. Richard Devonport has summoned the renowned detective to prove that his fiance, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. Poirot will have only days to investigate before Helen is hanged, but there is one strange condition attached: he must conceal his true reason for being there from the rest of the Devonport family. The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attached... Could this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot find the true culprit in time to save her from the gallows?"--… (more)
User reviews
When reviving a much-loved character like Poirot the author has two choices. Try and write as close to the spirit, style and technique of Agatha Christie, or absorb the Poirot canon and then produce something recognisably Agatha-like, but definitely in the style of the new author. Here, Sophie Hannah has gone for the first option. The book is set in the 1930’s, with appropriate contemporary references, and features an upper middle class cast, plus the usual smattering of servants and ‘commercial’ types. The writing is first class, intelligent, to the point, with no concessions to modern mores. This could readily be from the pen of Christie herself who, I think, would be proud to have produced such a novel.
The plot is deceptively simple, who committed a murder that several people witnessed and that someone has confessed to. Almost every fact we are given from the first page is either a red herring or, more often, interpreted in different ways by different people, including the reader. Suspects hove into and out of view and no sooner do we dismiss or confirm their involvement another piece of information comes along to upend our thinking. I could not put this down because I felt as lost in the investigation as poor old Catchpool, always two steps behind the great Poirot.
This is an excellent psychological thriller where thoughts, feelings, motivation and character are the grounds in which we play. This is thoroughly recommended, even though the climax is bitter-sweet, as one of the best crime thrillers of the year.
The Killings at Kingfisher Hill is the New Hercule Poirot Mystery by Sophie Hannah,
Main character Hercule Poirot seems his recognizable self. I enjoy how new details makes him even more interesting while the most important original traits are still in place; maybe with some new twists. I find it charming that he uses more French language.
Second main character and narrator is Scotland Yard Inspector Edward Catchpole. I love how he conducts independent questionings of some witnesses. Perhaps a slightly modern way of dealing with investigations,
I read this as a standalone in The New Hercule Poirot Mystery series, which worked perfectly just as all other stories I have read about Hercule Poirot. I love how the writing style is so excellently in keeping with the original Agatha Christie novels. An amusing vibe, in parts, does not get in the way of the seriousness of the murder investigation. In the centre of the story is the Devonport family who has an extreme capacity for denial. This might have been customary in the 1920s, so it adds an old fashioned feel to the story. Poirot allows Inspector Catchpool an independent, trusted position which might be a modern touch, but he still has to work with Poirot’s detailed lists. I feel this element adds information, clarifies and drives the plot forward in an amazing way.
My absolute favorite part of the story is Poirot’s interaction with amusing character Hester Semley. She is a feisty old lady who is insulted by Poirot’s tendency to interrupt her to dig out more details for the investigation.
I am not able to reveal my least favorite part of the story to avoid spoiler. Lets just say it relates to the second murder.
Fans of Agatha Christie will love this new mystery. As will readers of cozy mysteries.
Similar author to explore might be Agatha Christie.
Thank you to Kristiansand Public Library @krsbib for lending me this book. It gave me the opportunity to share my honest review and all opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: This is the exiting new story where Hercule Poirot solves two complex murders helped by his interesting colleague, Scotland Yard Inspector, Edward Catchpool. They have to deal with a family with extraordinary capacity for denial living in an enclosed country estate. This is the perfect addition to the library of Agatha Christie books for fans old and new. I will be eagerly awaiting Sophie Hannah’s next release.
In the long run the author manages to bring the plot threads together and even to introduce a a couple of elements that we didn't see coming, to bring an element of surprise to the final denouement.
I must add also that the narration is superb.
Anyway, I could hardly put this down.
Poirot has a new sidekick in the Hannah books - Scotland Yard Inspector Edward Catchpool. Catchpool documents the cases and it is through his eyes that we see the unfolding mystery. He is a delightful character and he's clever in his own right. But, no one can match Poirot's deductive powers, so Catchpool's personal thoughts and comments are more in line with what the reader may be thinking and postulating.
Poirot and Catchpool are taking the train to the Kingfisher Hill estate for a reason only Poirot knows. But before they arrive there are number of odd events on the train. A woman is afraid to sit in the last available seat as she has been told she will die if she does. Ah hah! Poirot is intrigued... And there's more once they arrive at the estate. Murder to be exact. Hannah's plotting is clever, serpentine and makes for addictive reading.
It is Poirot's 'little gray cells' that drive the investigation. I always have enjoyed the deductions, the piecing together, the reasoning, the seemingly innocuous clue tucked into a paragraph along the way. The reader needs to pay close attention. The 'old fashioned' method of solving a crime is quite enjoyable and challenges the reader.
I think that Hannah successfully captures Poirot's style, mannerisms, dialogue and idiosyncrasies.Those looking for a book written as Agatha Christie won't find it in The Killings at Kingfisher Hill. But those looking for a classic mystery written in the style of Christie will enjoy this book. I did!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am excited that we have more Poirot books to look forward to thanks to this author! If you are a fan of Christie's books or are a mystery reader, I definitely think that you should give these a try. I haven't yet read the earlier Poirot books that Sophie Hannah has written and it didn't matter in the slightest. I would say you could probably treat these as standalones almost but I'm planning on reading those other books now as well! Definitely recommended!
Bottom Line: An enjoyable mystery that felt like Christie wrote it herself. I can give it no higher praise!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.
Frank Devonport as fallen from the balcony of his parents palatial home and died. Of the several people who were on the balcony, or had access to it at the time of his death, only his fiancé rushes down the stairs and confesses. She is tried and sent to prison where she is awaiting execution.
Then, on a bus trip to Kingfisher Hall, where the “murder” took place, Poirot and Catchpool are confronted by a young woman who tells them she has been threatened if she sits in a particular seat. Poirot insists on trading seats and finds himself sitting next to a mysterious woman who then confesses to a murder that she has gotten away with.
Wow?
What follows is coincidence after coincidence, lies upon lies and a twisted set of family and friends that could only be found in a murder mystery. I know that without all the deceptions there would be no mystery, but here the issues being lied about seem, to the most part, so picayune.
A second murder occurs which the reader should be able to solve right away, and yet another murder is presented in hindsight that helps explain all the proceedings, but the entire series of rationales feel forced and the amount of coincidences again feel not to be believed.
I can not recommend this novel, rather I refer you to any from Ms. Christie’s extensive catalog to read and enjoy.
While taking transportation to the estate, Poirot and Catchpool encounter a frazzled young woman terrified to sit in a particular seat, claiming that harm will come to her. Due to change of seats, Poirot is now seated with a cold, arrogant passenger, who spins a tale for Poirot.
As they arrive at the estate, tempers rise, and Poirot and Catchpool must try alternative means to solve the crime. Naturally, Hercule Poirot shines again with powers of deduction and investigation.
This tale involves a great deal of misdirection and lying, as well as financial crimes and multiple murders. This was a quick read, and had lots of confusing twists to follow to the conclusion.
Thanks to Scene Of The Crime/Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
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