Book Review - Death on the Nile

Title: Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot # 18)
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1937
 
Description: The tranquility of a lovely cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discover that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everything. – until she lost her life.
 
Who is also on board? Detective Hercule Poirot is on holiday. He recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: “I’s like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger”. Despite the exotic setting, nothing is ever quite what it seems…
 
Review: This detective novel by Agatha Christie, number 18 in the adventures of detective Hercule Poirot, is an exciting and ingeniously put together story. For example, the things you think are too obvious may not be, or are they? The so-called red herring is used well here, but not the way you think. Christie really played with that in “Death on the Nile”.
 
It takes some time to get to the actual death, Christi takes her time to introduce all the characters and give them motive or an alibi for the eventual crime that will be committed. Other than the wording sometimes, it’s really not that obvious the book was written in the 30s.
 
“Death on the Nile” is one of Christie’s most known books, but not my favorite. I loved it, don’t get me wrong. But for me, the time it takes to get to the mystery is a tad too long. My favorite part of her books is always the detective work. Trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. And this part of the book is flawless.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - A Haunting in Venice

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime/ Mystery/ Drama/ Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Kelly Riley, Jude Hill
 
Description: In post-World War II Venice, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a séance. But when on of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Review: Hercule Poirot is invited to attend a séance and use hi unique skill to debunk the paranormal.

Kenneth Branagh shines for the third time as detective Hercule Poirot and once again takes on the role of director as well. After “Murder on the Orient Express”(2017) and “Death on the Nile” (2022), “A Haunting in Venice” takes a different approach. Crime, mystery and horror are merged to give this case a unique twist. Based on the book “Halloween Party” by Agatha Christie, one that fans call one of her more underrated murder mysteries.

The film succeeds well in putting you down alongside Poirot as a spectator of events. Like the detective, you try to unravel the story behind the haunted house and ponder the how and why of this murder. It remains fascinating to puzzle together the answers.

For fans of the genre, the horror-inspired scenes are a welcome addition. This is what makes “A Haunting in Venice” different from the other two movies. The variety between the three films, for example, in tone, location and characters, ensure that you won’t easily become bored with Poirot and his case.

If Branagh decides to continue this franchise, I would love that. Because “A Haunting in Venice” is definitely the best one yet. “Murder on the Orient Express” was okay and “Death on the Nile” was downright disappointing. I really loved “A Haunting in Venice”. Branagh managed to deliver an atmospheric production. With beautiful sets, clever use of one location and an intriguing mystery. I does not bore you for a moment. And I’m very confused that its average rating is so low.

Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Title: And Then There Were None
Series: -
Author: Agatha Christie
 
Description: First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion.

When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.

When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.
 
Review: Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island, by a mysterious guest. When they arrive at the island, the host is not there. All the guests get to know each other and soon it’s clear that they’ve all been lured to the island under false pretenses. When they discover each and every single one of them has a secret past, the atmosphere quickly turns darker.
 
One by one the guests are found dead. There is a killer in their midst. But who. A nursery rhyme, that is hanging in each of their rooms, seems to have a pivotal role in these murders.
 
“And Then There Were None” is a dark and mysterious thriller, a classic murder mystery or whodunit. The book has many characters and the story switches between these people very rapid. It’s not like every characters has their own chapter. The way Agatha Christie did this, makes the story very dynamic.
 
Right from the first page, the atmosphere is very present and its immediately sets the tone. The characters are introduced and you’re taking into the story very quickly. It’s very well done how Christie manages to write all these characters and create a solid development for each of them, especially for there being so many of them. Like other Christie books, where for example Hercule Poirot is the main character, there is no leading role in “And Then There Were None”.
 
Locations are always very important for thrillers like this. Here it’s a secluded island and it’s mainly set in the mansion of this mysterious host. This adds to the atmosphere as well.
 
The plot is so strong, it seems obvious and predictable, but it’s anything but that. Christie is the queen of murder mysteries and she proves it with “And Then There Were None”. There are more then one surprise in this story. And I love how, in the final chapters it’s explained what really happened.
 
Agatha Christie’s book are timeless. Once you start reading, it’s hard to stop and you get invested. Christie knows how to create a sinister atmosphere, set on an even more atmospheric location with tons of interesting stories and multiple surprising elements. This is an amazing book, that I would recommend to anyone who loves murder mystery thrillers.
 
Rating: 5/ 5
 

Book Fair

I went to a book fair with my mother the other day. A school library wanted to raise money for a school in Indonesia, so they sold their books. And it where a lot of books. I didn't know where to start. So I found myself four wonderfull books:
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie;
- Gorilla's in the Mist by Dian Fossey;
- Sherlock Holmes: the Ultimate Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle;
- The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
I only had to pay 3 euros! That's practically nothing! I gave 5, because it is for a good cause!
I'm a big fan of detective books. They're thrilling, exciting and mysterious! I was so glad that I found "Murder on the Orient Express". That's my favourite Christie story. So I will make it trough winter with those novels, haha!