When asked on a panel to name the one mystery book prior to 1995 that inspired me to become a lifelong reader, I selected, “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie. This features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. So you can imagine my delight at finding a book of short stories and novellas, written by Agatha Christie featuring Poirot, one of her most popular sleuths.

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her books have sold approximately four billion copies. Christie was one of the British Writers from the Golden Age of Mystery. Agatha Christie’s published her first novel “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” in 1920 featuring detective Hercule Poirot. He has appeared in 33 of Christie’s novels. She died in 1976.

Hercule Poirot was a refugee from the German invasion of Belgium, where he had served as a ranking policeman in Brussels. He is an odd looking fellow with sharp intelligence. He reminds me of other detectives from this period: Sherlock Holmes and Rex Stout.

I wasn’t always a fan of short stories, but I have come to love them. With a busy life, they are the perfect break in the day and terrific for all the times you find your self waiting in lines, in doctor offices or at your child’s practices. Keep it beside your bed for a short read before you fall asleep.

The book features fifty-one short stories and a foreword by Charles Todd on ‘Who is Hercule Poirot?’

I can’t imagine a better gift for the mystery lover in your life. You will also want to get a copy for yourself.

Five stars out of five.

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In accordance with FTC guidelines for reviewers, I would like to clarify that this book was provided to me by the publisher free of charge.  I am not compensated by the author or publisher for my review. All they expect is an honest review of the work.