I am so enchanted by this novel. I have loved Hercule Poirot since I started reading these books and I’ll admit that I’ve especially loved Arthur Hastings in the first two books. He’s been an exact representation of my own thoughts while reading. We think we know what’s going on and then we are swiftly corrected by Poirot.

Despite missing Arthur after reading The Murder on the Links I was happy to find that I quite liked Dr. Sheppard… well look how that went for me.

I was so excited thinking “maybe he’ll be poirot’s new companion” oh how wrong I was.

It wasn’t until the second to last chapter that I started to catch on I had spent the whole novel suspicious of Geoffrey Raymond that I never thought to look at the very man telling the story. I think that’s the genius of the whole story the average reader would never think to point the magnifying glass at the narrator.

What struck me the most about the story was a surprisingly emotional ending. I’m used to Poirot’s adventures being lighthearted and thrilling so the somber acceptance of the last chapter hit me hard.

Hearing Dr. Sheppard talk about his sister really got to me. I also think that she probably knew at least a majority of the time. Going back and thinking about her comments, Knowing it wasn’t Rolf Paton, saying James had to save Flora from being accused. (I’m sure there are more instances but those are the ones that stand out in my mind) All throughout the book I always thought Caroline was very smart. She seemed to be right up there with Poirot.

My heart hurts for her knowing she had to lose her younger brother whom she cared so much for.

We recently posted up the contest at Rampage Skatepark from Monsters Of Suburban Highlife from 1990