Part of Series
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."
Author
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.
