Books in series
#1
The Chocolate Box
1925
Poirot investigates a murder in which the only clue is a box of chocolates. This case took place in Brussels early in his career when he was a detective with the police force there. Likely before the start of the Great War. As far as we are aware, this is the earliest Poirot case!
#2
The Kidnapped Prime Minister
1923
Just as the Great War is drawing to an end, the Prime Minister is kidnapped. That's an official secret mind you. Stumped, officialdom finally brings in an outsider - Poirot, and it comes down to him to locate the PM and get him to a crucial conference in France. That doesn't mean officialdom approves of his methods! Can an international crisis be averted by this strange little man?
#3
The Lemesurier Inheritance
1923
We are told that the Lemesuriers are under a curse that can be traced back to a medieval ancestor. He suspected his wife of being unfaithful, and that their son was not his own. As punishment he murdered them both. While dying, she cursed his family to never have a first-born son live to inherit.
In modern times, Hercule Poirot and Hasting meet the latest heir, an eldest son. But later that night he apparently commits suicide. After the death of another heir, the mother of the next heir asks Poirot to protect her young son who has been having accidents that could have been fatal. Can the ancient curse be true? Is there a riddle which Hercule Poirot can solve in time to save her son?
#4
The Affair at the Victory Ball
1923
Young Lord Cronshaw is murdered at a masked ball, and his fiancée dies of a cocaine overdose later the same evening. Who was wearing which costume? Can Poirot find out who the killer is?
#5
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
1923
Mr. Davenheim, a wealthy financier, leaves his home to mail a letter, then fails to return. The story fills the newspapers and intrigues Hercule Poirot, who challenges Inspector Japp with the claim that he can solve the case before the police, and without leaving his flat.
#6
The Plymouth Express Affair
A Hercule Poirot Short Story
1923
When the body of Ebenezer Halliday's daughter, Flossie, is found stuffed underneath a train seat, the wealthy American industrialist hires Hercule Poirot to locate the murderer and over one hundred thousand dollars' worth of jewels which have disappeared at the same time.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Plymouth Express." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#7
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
1923
Over morning coffee, Hastings recounts a story to Poirot that he heard the previous evening at a small party. A beautiful redheaded stranger had gossiped to the guests that she had recently rented an amazing apartment at a truly bargain rate. To Poirot, there was something wrong about the story and he smelled a rat. Surprisingly, he starts to investigate!
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Adventure of the Cheap Flat." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#8
The Submarine Plans
1923
The plans for England's new submarine have been stolen from the aspiring Prime Minister. The situation is urgent and Hercule Poirot is summoned late in the evening to crack the case, but none of the witness accounts are the same! Was it an outsider who dashed into the house and snatched the plans, or a member of Lord Alloway's household? Or could it have been a guest?
Previously published in the print anthology "Poirot's Early Cases."
#9
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook
1923
Poirot is not interested in investigating some of the cases which appear in the newspapers when Hastings tries to bring them to his attention. These include ones about a bank clerk, Mr. Davis, who disappears with fifty thousand pounds of securities, a suicidal man, and a missing typist. He is put on the spot though when visited by a Mrs. Todd who is determined that he investigate her missing cook. Challenged, he decides, with some humour and to avoid an argument, to take the seemingly trivial case. Eliza Dunn, a middle-aged woman, walked out of her job and the Todd's house in Clapham two days ago without working her notice. She has not communicated with her employer since, except for sending for her trunk that very day. What can Poirot make of this?
This is the Illustrated Large Print Version from the "Original Daily Sketch" magazine short story of the 14 November 1923 - Issue 1607.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#10
The Cornish Mystery
1923
A wife is convinced that her husband has been trying to poison her and run off with a younger woman, and she begs Hercule Poirot to save her. Poirot and Hastings act quickly but, was it fast enough?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Cornish Mystery." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#11
The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
1923
An aging, heavily-insured country squire whose estate is in financial ruin is thought to have committed suicide. Hercule Poirot investigates by taking the guise of a representative of the victim's insurance company. His real task? Uncover the identity of the actual murderer.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#12
The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge
1923
Belgian investigator Hercule Poirot, now London based, tasks his friend Arthur Hastings with solving a murder that is more like a riddle. It occurs at a hunting lodge. The owner has been murdered, and his nephew wants Poirot to investigate. But our favourite private detective has the flu so its Hastings or nobody!
Originally published in "Sketch" on May 26, 1923.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#13
The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
1923
Do you believe in the curse surrounding the opening of King Tutankhamun's tomb in late 1922? Within a year of that historic event, Poirot and Hastings visit Egypt to delve into the mysterious deaths surrounding the opening of the tomb of another pharaoh, the fictional King Men-her-Ra.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#14
The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
1923
Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings are on holiday at the opulent Grand Metropolitan Hotel in Brighton when they meet the wife of a wealthy stockbroker. As they discuss the jewels worn by Mrs. Opalsen, the great detective relates his experiences in cases which have concerned some of the best-known jewels in the world. Excited by his anecdotes, the wealthy matron eagerly offers to show him her most expensive piece, a pearl necklace, but when she goes to retrieve it from her room, she discovers that it has been stolen!
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#15
The Market Basing Mystery
1923
In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Market Basing Mystery,” Poirot and Hastings are called on to investigate the suspicious death of a landowner in a small English town. What looks at first like a simple case of suicide quickly becomes more complex as Poirot interrogates the suspects in the home.
#16
The King of Clubs
1923
Hercule Poirot is asked by Prince Paul of Maurania to come to the aide of his fiancé who seems to be involved in the murder of Henry Reedburn in some way. It has greatly distressed her. She is the famous dancer Valerie Saintclair. The only other witnesses seem to be a family of four who were playing bridge at home near an open window through which she staggered in, crying "Murder!"
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The King of Clubs." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#17
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
1923
An Italian count telephones his doctor's office, screaming for help. The woman who answered the call quickly locates the doctor. He's actually enjoying the evening at the home of Hercule Poirot. But when help arrives at the count's hotel room, in the form of his doctor along with Poirot and Hastings, he is already dead. It's murder. Why did he call? What has happened?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#18
The Double Clue
1923
In Agatha Christie's short story, "The Double Clue," Poirot investigates the robbery of a collection of medieval jewelry from the safe of a dealer - including a necklace said to have belonged to Catherine de' Medici! Since the theft occurred during a dinner party, the suspects could be any of the guests. But which one? This short story originally appeared in the December 5, 1923, issue of "The Sketch" magazine.
PS. We get to meet Countess Vera Rossakoff once again! One of the author's great minor characters.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Double Clue." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#19
The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly
1923
When little Johnnie Waverly is kidnapped, there is only one man his parents trust with the case—the inimitable Hercule Poirot! Can he solve the matter when the police had such little luck? After all, the little boy was snatched from right under the nose of the police.
Librarian's note: this entry relates to the story "The Adventure of Johnny Waverly." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#20
The Case of the Missing Will
1923
Behold, the publisher's summary, just a little improved!
Poirot receives an unusual request for help from Miss Violet Marsh who was orphaned as a child and went to live with her very peculiar Uncle Andrew. He died almost a month before the Poirot / Marsh meeting, leaving a will with a strange clause. In it he gave instructions that his "clever" niece was allowed to live in his house for one month, and in that time she has to "prove her wits" and find a more recent second will. At the end of that time, if she hasn't, all his worldly goods go to charitable institutions and she will be left with nothing. Her request? Can Poirot help?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Case of the Missing Will." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#21
The Lost Mine
1923
Hercule Poirot always kept a healthy and symmetrical balance in his bank: four hundred and forty-four pounds, four and four pence. That's not easy to do!
But what about investments? Hastings proposes that he buy shares worth three hundred pounds in an oil field promising a yield of 100% in one year! In response, Poirot says, "There's no need for speculative behavior." He explains that, for the exercise of his little grey cells, he was once rewarded with fourteen thousand shares of the Burma Mines Ltd. Hastings wants to know more. So do we!
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Lost Mine." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#22
The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
1923
Philip Ridgeway, a young banker, is suspected of stealing one million dollars in Liberty Bonds on a transatlantic journey to New York. His fiancé appeals to Hercule Poirot to prove his innocence and clear his name.
Ridgeway is the nephew of Mr. Vavasour, the joint general manager of the London and Scottish Bank. A million dollars of bonds have gone missing whilst in his care. Poirot meets Ridgeway at Cheshire Cheese to hear the facts of the case; he was entrusted by his uncle and the other general manager, Mr. Shaw, with taking the bonds to New York to extend the bank's credit line there. Poirot learns the identities of the three people who hold keys to the locked trunk, but it won't be as easy to identify the thief…
This story originally appeared in the May 2, 1923 issue of "The Sketch" magazine.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Million Dollar Bond Robbery." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#23
The Veiled Lady
1923
Frustrated with a lack of challenging cases, Poirot is given an opportunity to flirt with the other side of the law. A young lady, soon to be married, is being blackmailed and pleads for his help. You can decide whether Poirot employs dubious methods to bring the blackmailer to justice!
A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an eBook.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Veiled Lady." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#25
Double Sin
1928
While trying to relax on holiday, Hercule Poirot is confronted with not one but two cases! The first is the reason for the short vacation; it's a small problem his friend Joseph Aarons wants to meet him about. It provides an opportunity for Poirot and Hastings to take a day or two off from the grind of being England's most famous private detective agency! Aarons lives in Charlock Bay in North Devon. While on the bus excursion to that beautiful location, they meet a young woman, Mary Durrant. It is not long before the priceless miniatures she is transporting to a client disappear.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Double Sin." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#26
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
1923
An English country house at Christmas time should be the perfect place to get away from it all - but nothing is ever simple for Hercule Poirot, as he finds not one but five baffling cases to solve.
First comes a sinister warning on his pillow to avoid the plum pudding...then the discovery of a corpse in a chest...next, an overheard quarrel that leads to murder...the strange case of a dead man's eating habits...and the puzzle of a victim who dreams of his own suicide.
Add an extra bonus - Miss Marple investigates Greenshaw's Folly.
#27
The Third-Floor Flat
1929
A woman's body is found in the third-floor flat at Friars Mansion. And who should live in the very same building but Hercule Poirot! Another woman accidently locked herself out of her flat and her friends found an interesting way to get in and retrieve the key. But they made a mistake in their calculation as to which flat was hers. What did they find in the dark? Blood and a body. Our perspicacious detective then offered assistance.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Third Floor Flat." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#28
The Under Dog
1926
Pretty Lily Margrave is not convinced that Hercule Poirot is needed in the matter of Sir Reuben Astwell's murder. But at the request of her employer, Lady Astwell, she has come to see Hercule Poirot and recount what happened ten days ago in the Tower Room, and how the victim's nephew, Charles Leverson, came to be charged with the murder.
Margrave coveys the request of Lady Astwell for Poirot to visit the great house, Mon Repos, to see if he can find out anything. While at first the family is struck by Poirot's ardent endeavour to uncover what befell Sir Astwell, his insistence on looking into every nook and cranny becomes too much for some to bear. Does a scrap of material, the contents of a tiny box, and his singular ingenuity lead the detective to uncover who is behind this violent act?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Under Dog." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#29
Wasps' Nest
1929
In one of the few short stories without Captain Hastings, the Belgian detective must face up to solving a mystery without his trusty companion. But it's a different kind of murder mystery. One that hasn't happened as yet. Could he be wrong?
A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an eBook.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Wasps' Nest." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#30
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
1960
Hercule Poirot is not interested in the affair of the Spanish Chest, which has been reported in the papers so often that it seems to be an entirely closed case. But Miss Lemon piques his interest. Then Lady Chatterton persuades Poirot to attend a fabulous party she is giving. There is someone sequestered upstairs who is desperate for his help. He gets drawn into the case. Will the contents of a dead man’s pockets reveal to the inscrutable eye of Hercule Poirot who the culprit is?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Mystery of the Spanish Chest." Collections of short stories by the author, and an earlier version of the story, "The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest," can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all the Poirot short stories can be found by searching on Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#31
How Does Your Garden Grow?
1935
Miss Lemon brings Hercule Poirot an intriguing letter from an old woman asking for his assistance. When the lady dies suddenly five days later, Poirot suspects foul play. He quickly travels to the scene, pretending the note from the elderly woman's family telling him that he was no longer needed had not arrived. His suspicions were further aroused. Was he right?
A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an eBook.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "How Does Your Garden Grow?" Collections of short stories by the author can be located elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#32
Dead Man's Mirror
A Short Story
1937
Hercule Poirot is requested to visit a client as quickly as possible, indeed on a specific train but, by the time he arrives, the gentleman is dead. A smashed mirror convinces Poirot that the apparent suicide of his client is far too convenient an explanation for what is obviously a gruesome case of murder. Yet it did occur in a locked room!
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Dead Man's Mirror." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#33
Problem at Sea
1936
On a Mediterranean cruise ship, a woman is found stabbed to death in her cabin while the ship was in the port of Alexandria, Egypt. Was the murder committed by one of the sellers of post cards and beads who came on board in port? There's a rumour that money was missing from her cabin. Unfortunately for the murderer, Hercule Poirot is also one of the passengers.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Problem at Sea." Collections of short stories by the author can be located elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#34
Triangle at Rhodes
A Short Story
1936
One of Christie's most famous short stories.
The story concerns a lonely wife, the use of poison, and a husband attracted to a lady on holiday in the Greek islands with her fifth husband. It just so happens that Hercule Poirot is on holiday on the island of Rhodes at the same time to watch it happening. Will his warning prevent a tragedy?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Triangle at Rhodes." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#35
The Incredible Theft
1937
The fate of a nation rests on a lie and a spy. Can Poirot see through the swirl of outrageous deception, lust and arrogance? Would it be better if he didn't? So much for his quiet night in the country to attend a small dinner party with the First Minister of Armaments. Something of national security importance has been stolen and Poirot's on the spot.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Incredible Theft." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#36
Murder in the Mews
1937
In this interesting short story, a young woman appears to have committed suicide while her roommate was away for the weekend. When the roommate returned, she found the upsetting scene, and called the police.
However the lead inspector, our friend Japp, was sufficiently doubtful about the cause of death that he called in the help of Hercule Poirot. Where will the inconsistencies lead?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the short story, "Murder in the Mews." Collections of stories by the author, including the collection with this one as the lead story, can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#37
Yellow Iris
1937
Hercule Poirot gets an an alarming telephone call late at night, in which the phrases “it’s life and death” and “the table with the yellow irises," are whispered. It results in Poirot rushing to the luxurious restaurant Jardin des Cygnes. He's desperate to stop an impending murder, and find the person behind the voice on the phone. After bumping into an old acquaintance, he is invited to join a dinner party in full swing. But, just as the dancing begins and champagne is overflowing, a morbid announcement is made and the lights go out. By the time they come back on, everything has changed….
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Yellow Iris." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#38
The Dream
1937
Hercule Poirot is reluctant to answer a letter demanding his services from the reclusive and eccentric millionaire Benedict Farley. He's wary but goes to Northway House anyway. Farley wants him to diagnose his recurring dream of death, in which he shoots himself at precisely 3:28. Then, a week after dismissing Poirot, the dream becomes a reality. Each member of the Farley household questioned by Poirot seems to be more puzzled than the one before. Was Benedict Farley’s death a suicide, or were darker forces at work?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Dream." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#39
The Nemean Lion
1939
Includes "The Nemean Lion," "The Lernean Hydra," "The Arcadian Deer," and "The Earmanthian Boar." 2 cassettes.
#40
The Lernean Hydra
1939
We venture onwards - to Hercule Poirot's second challenge in his effort to duplicate the tests confronted by Hercules of Greek mythology. This short story is part of the Agatha Christie 12 story collection published in 1947, "The Labours of Hercules."
In mythology, the Lernean Hydra was a water monster thought to be protecting an entrance to the underworld. It had numerous heads; with the chopping off of one, two would replace it.
A doctor from the village of Market Loughborough in Berkshire, Charles Oldfield, is convinced that Poirot can't do anything but, with prodding by our great detective, he is persuaded to get something off his chest. He despairs that the village gossips are convinced that he murdered his recently deceased wife in order for him to marry his younger medical dispenser, Miss Jean Moncrieffe.
Here we have rumour as the many-headed Lernean Hydra. It cannot be stopped and keeps coming back. Poirot's challenge? To flush out the rumours and kill them once and for all.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Lernean Hydra." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#42
The Erymanthian Boar
1940
We progress on to the fourth challenge of Hercule Poirot as he endeavours to duplicate the Labours of Hercules of Greek mythology.
The Erymanthian beast took the form of a wild boar, a type of pig. It lived near the Erymanthus wetlands. Boars are know for their irrational temper; their defence is often a crazed charge. Hercules task was to capture it alive and bring it to the king in Mycenae.
After finishing the previous challenge in Switzerland, Poirot decides to visit the Alps. While buying his ticket for a funicular train up a mountain near Andermatt, he gets recognized by an old friend, Lementeuil, the Swiss Commissioner of Police. The commissioner is in pursuit of Marrascaud, the murderer of a Paris bookmaker. Can Poirot help? As his friend notes, "(The criminal) is not a man - he is a wild boar - one of the most dangerous killers alive today." This challenge is dangerous. The boar is cornered at the top of a mountain and will do anything to ensure he is not caught by Hercule Poirot.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Erymanthian Boar." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#44
The Stymphalean Birds
1939
Hercule Poirot comes to the assistance of a young man who is being blackmailed.
#45
The Cretan Bull
1939
As we move to the seventh challenge facing Hercule Poirot, we encounter the Greek myth of the Cretan Bull,. The bull from Crete is the father of the Minotaur. Pasiphae, the wife of Minos was Minotaur's mother. Greek hero Hercules was commissioned by King Eurystheus to capture the bull in Crete.
One of the Labours of Hercules.
Poirot is approached by a young woman, a determined young woman, about her engagement to Hugh Chandler. She states, "Hugh broke off our engagement because he thinks he is going mad. He thinks people who are mad should not marry." Strange things have been happening in and around the Chandler estate of Lyde Manor, sheep being killed late at night for example, and people think Hugh is responsible. Diana Maberly asks Poirot, "Can you do something?" Is the Cretan Bull present? Can Poirot meet and conquer him?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Cretan Bull." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#47
The Girdle of Hyppolita
1939
Hercule Poirot has progressed to the ninth challenge in his effort to match the Labours of Hercules so extolled in Greek mythology. Hercules was instructed to obtain the girdle of the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. King Eurystheus planned to give it to his daughter Admeta.
Alexander Simpson, the owner of Simpson Art Galleries sent for Poirot. During the recent civil disobedience in London over the lack of employment, demonstrators were lying down at intersections and sitting-in at well known establishments like the Ritz and his gallery. A valuable Rubens painting had disappeared. Simpson is certain it will be found in France. Not that interesting to Poirot, but a paying client!
As he is packing for Paris, Chief Inspector Japp brings Poirot a much more interesting case. The 15-year-old daughter of a Church of England official has been kidnapped while on the train from Calais to Paris with other students. He can combine the two cases!
Surely Hyppolita comes into this in some fashion!
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Girdle of Hyppolita." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#48
The Flock of Geryon
1940
Agatha Christie
#49
The Apples of Hesperides
1940
What do a lost Pekinese, a reputation poisoned by gossip, a man spiraling into madness, and a Russian countess in love have in common? Hercule Poirot.
#51
Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds
1940
Hercule Poirot is about to tuck into a very traditional English supper with his old friend Bonnington when a lone diner sparks his interest. He's informed that, like clockwork, the man has eaten at the restaurant on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the last ten years, but no one on the staff knows his name. When “Old Father Time,” as they have fondly nicknamed him, suddenly stops coming, Poirot believes that he might have picked up the one essential clue that could shed light on this mysterious man. Could the meal the man ordered as his final meal at the restaurant provide the clue?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."
#52
Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly
2013
Never before published—the lost classic, unseen for sixty years!
A party game goes dead wrong in this ingenious mystery from the most beloved novelist of all time. Hercule Poirot, the world's favorite detective, has agreed to take part in a mock murder mystery in a charming English village—but when tragedy strikes, a different sort of game begins ...
In 1954, Agatha Christie wrote this novella with the intention of donating the proceeds to a fund set up to buy stained glass windows for her local church at Churston Ferrers, and she filled the story with references to local places, including her own home of Greenway. But, having completed it, she decided instead to expand the story into a full-length novel, Dead Man's Folly, which was published two years later, and donated a Miss Marple story (Greenshaw's Folly) to the church fund instead.
Unseen for sixty years, Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly is finally published in this ebook-exclusive edition.
Author
Agatha Christie
Author · 508 books
Agatha Christie is the top-selling author of all time, with a legacy spanning 66 crime novels, 14 plays, and six romance novels under a pseudonym. Her works have sold over two billion copies globally, translated into at least 103 languages, making her the most translated author. She introduced the world to iconic characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, and wrote *The Mousetrap*, the record-holding longest-running play in modern theater. The youngest in the Miller family, her experience as a nurse during WWI and later roles in pharmacies during both World Wars deeply influenced her mystery novels, often featuring poisons. Christie’s writing career launched in 1920 with *The Mysterious Affair at Styles*. Her life was as captivating as her fiction, notably her 1926 disappearance after her first husband’s affair became public, sparking a nationwide search. Christie's second marriage to archaeologist Max Mallowan enriched her life and work, with travels and homes like the Greenway Estate and Abney Hall providing settings for several novels. Her marriage to Mallowan lasted until her death in 1976. Christie's contributions to literature earned her the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire, solidifying her place in literary history.
