Part of Series
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."
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.
