But at times there seemed to be a bit more than needed. I understand we need to know their history to understand who committed the crime. My biggest issue with this story is the back story for each of the 4 suspects. But, can you expect anything less from the Queen of Mystery? Negatives The mystery is itself written wonderfully. While reading, one could easily picture the scene, without being bogged down by excessive detail. Each brings a different aspect of society into focus.

Roberts, and the world traveler Major Despard.

Shaitana, the nervous Miss Anne Meredith, the confident Mrs. The cast of Cards on the Table is an interesting group. It is up to Poirot and his fellow players to determine who the murderer is. Unfortunately, the host has been murdered, and none of the players in the room has seen anything. His fellow players agree, and head to the other room to let their host know of their desire to leave. After several rounds, Poirot decides it is getting late, and it is time to leave. What is the collection? Murderers! After dinner, the guests, 8 in total, as separated into different rooms to play a game of bridge. Hercule Poirot is invited to view the interesting collection of Mr. It is the 15th book written by Agatha Christie to feature Hercule Poirot and the first full-length novel to include Ariadne Oliver. Cards on the Table by Agatha ChristieĬards on the Table was first published in 1937. A graphic novel adaptation was published in July 2010.The first book I read in March 2021 was Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie. In 2005 David Suchet starred in the story for the series Agatha Christie’s Poirot, and Zoë Wanamaker was Ariadne Oliver, a role which would become associated with the actress.

It was adapted for stage in 1981, omitting the character of Poirot as Agatha Christie had done in many of her own adaptations, and opened at the Vaudeville Theatre. One of the characters of the story even recognises Mrs Oliver as writing the novel The Body in the Library, a title Christie then adopted for her own Marple novel in 1942. This book was the debut of Agatha Christie’s literary alter ego and parody of herself, Ariadne Oliver, a popular detective writer through whom Christie often voiced her opinions of the industry. The foreword even mentions that this was one of Poirot’s favourite cases, while Hastings found it rather dull. Four murders, four detectives, Agatha Christie present a clever puzzle at a bridge game in which any player could have murdered their loathsome host.

Cards on the table by agatha christie