Welcome to Litsy!

Another great installment in the Poirot series. This was one of my favorites I think, it kind of gave me James Bond/Sherlock vibes with a dash of supervillain evil global plotting.

Hastings returns from South America to see his old friend but arrives to find Poirot in the midst of packing. Poirot is about to leave for overseas on a case, but plans change when they both become embroiled in the latest scheme masterminded by a group called 'The Big Four'.

This book is a series of short stories arranged into a narrative which revolves around 'The Big Four'. (continued)

This one was…interesting. I liked it okay but definitely another that is not a favorite.

Good old chauvinistic Agatha Christie 😂

This one is a bit confusing.. it‘s not one murder but many all connected to the 4..

Up next in my reading challenge #agathachristie#readingchallenge#murdermystery#queenofmystery

Books 17 and 18 of the year.

What a strange book this is. But then, so far I've found all of Christie's "international intrigue" plot lines strange. I do enjoy the relationship between Hastings and Poirot, but this one is hindered by an anti-Asian bias that, while probably true to the time and location, is still jarring and unpleasant to read, especially the accent/pidgin Christie has her Chinese characters speak. Or I guess maybe one could argue that it's Hastings's bias?

Misty morning audiowalk. After an hour listening to the adventures of Poirot and Hastings, I came home noting clues. "You must have made the coffee within the past 30 minutes because your mug isn't in the sink. Ah, yes! Your mug is by your side and the coffee is still hot! And someone had eggs for breakfast. An omelet, made with onions."

I commend my family for taking my dorkiness in stride.

This was not a Poirot novel, this is a collection of short stories. Of Poirot going after the Bug Four of the world‘s conspiracy network. Interesting group of individuals, granted the diversity there. But it lacked greatly in a solid through plot. Let alone the horrendous Asian stereotypes. Poirot was more all over the place than usual, too, being Obsessed with taking the group down. Not good one if you have to force yourself to read #whodunit

Our next source of information was the famous Madame Olivier. I was quite excited as we mounted the steps of her villa at Passy. It has always seemed to me extraordinary that a woman should go so far in the scientific world. I should have thought a purely masculine brain was needed for such work. - Hastings
There‘s so much old time stereotypes in plain sight thrown throughout. So eye pain wrenching. Like excuse YOU. #whodunit

Always need a cup of tea with an Agatha Christie novel. (Also with a spoonful of honey) so far this seems like an all over the place mystery with a super villain group conducting murder around England. Don‘t understand the link Poirot has to the group though. Nice to have Hastings as company to bounce ideas off. #whodunit

Just finished my first #24in48 book. I can‘t say I liked this Poirot mystery. It felt exceedingly disjointed, and I wasn‘t surprised to learn that it started as short stories that were combined into a novel. Despite being action-packed, the plot was far-fetched even for a Christie—a powerful, international cabal called The Big Four orchestrating murders across the English countryside—and it featured a lot of gross, old-timey racial stereotyping.

Another good one from Agatha Christie. I liked this one because of the relationship of Hastings and Poirot. It brought more humour into the novel, which I really enjoyed.

There were some good little misteries in the middle, but I still don't like Hastings very much and I found the overarching narrative very unconvicing, as well as Number Four's disguise habilities.

This was another fun installation of Poirot, but it's the first which really stretches the imagination - an evil supervillain group who run the world is way outside of the expected Agatha Christie cozy mystery... Enjoyable nonetheless, but not my favourite so far. 3.5⭐

Well, hello again, Hastings! Somehow, this felt more like a series of connected short stories than a novel. I liked how it seems to span over quite a long period of time and in some places, read more like a thriller than a mystery.

3. Poirot joins Christie's espionage thrillers with this book. Did you find him to be a good fit? How did this compare to the other thrillers we've read for you?

#agathachristieclubR2

2. This book takes a different form than we've seen so far in Christie's writing, in that they are linked short stories. Did you enjoy this style?

#agathachristieclubR2

Another month has gone and it's time for #agathachristieclubR2 questions!

As usual, please tag all previous commenters to keep the conversation flowing.

1. Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not? (I will always lead with this question. :) )

@TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @hes7 @AnneCecilie @Charityann @linzy @Laughterhp

I‘m going to give this a pick, even though as far as Poirot books go it‘s a little out there. It‘s very different than any of hers I‘ve read. There are a lot of characters so it tends to get confusing, but still, it wasn‘t bad. Not her best but worth reading if you enjoy her books. 3.5 ⭐️

#AgathaChristie
#Poirot

I enjoyed this mystery. It doesn‘t have the best reviews, but I thought it was a great big mystery. Probably the biggest and most intricate mystery that Poirot has had to deal with. I‘ve never really not liked an Agatha Christie book. And Hasting wasn‘t too awful in this books, I usually can‘t stand him. I also knew the reveal, but I‘m not sure if it was supposed to be obvious or not, even if Hastings didn‘t know.

#agathachristieclubr2

I really enjoyed this one! 😊📖 #Agathachristieclubr2

Putting together a small #AprilTBR - Not sure what I‘ll actually be in the mood to read but I do want to read all these books. Luckily I own all but 1, so I do have to wait for an audio hold to come in.

The tagged is for #AgathaChristieClubR2, 3 are #BOTM, and 1 is for #swordandlaserpodcast

Day 21 - #FavoriteLiteraryFriendships #MagnificentMarch
#PoirotAndMe #DavidSuchet

I love the books where Poirot and Hastings are featured!

It pains me to give a Christie book a so-so, but it was weird. It held my attention, but the very end was so quick. I read on GR that this was originally a series of stories for a newspaper, & I could tell because it seemed each chapter was a separate murder that only had the Big Four as a tie-in.

Four miles 🏃🏻‍♀️with friends ✅
Tea and books ✅
#myyearwithagatha

This one is so weird and un-Poirot-like. It‘s not terrible... but it‘s not great. #jesshowreads2018

That one was fun! But it's not the usual Poirot novel!
A lot of plot twists, Hastings (I don't like him, but it was ok this time), big international organization and a huge body count.

Sometimes it was as if this was a short story collection with a villain in common, but I enjoyed the James Bond "feel"

Hastings shows up on Poirot's doorstep as the latter is about to leave the country on a big case. After a man stumbles in giving Poirot a clue about something he has suspected – 4 criminals working together to cause unrest in the world, aka the Big Four. Poirot fakes leaving England to take them on.

Like super villains against a master sleuth. At times it seemed a bit cartoony.

At the end of the book Poirot called this the great case of his life. This was a great mystery. Poirot and Hastings stay one step behind a criminal organization called The Big Four but Poirot always has tricks up his sleeve.

Oh Agatha, this was not one of your best! I found the whole mystery to be extremely convoluted, and the racial and rather mean characterizations throughout were a bit off putting. What should have been a fast few hour read turned into a several hour, eye rolling adventure with Poirot and Hastings. Out of all the Christie‘s I‘ve read, my least favorite indeed. #agathachristieclub

At least I got to spend time with #Vladimir and #Zeke . #catsoflitsy

Over halfway through this book, so hope to finish it today. #Vladimir came out of hiding to spend some time with me! Since adopting Sebastian in December, Vladimir doesn‘t come around me anymore for hugs and cuddles, though I do get lots of purrs when I pet him. At this time, this is the closest I get to Vladimir alone time and cherish these moments greatly!#catsoflitsy

Good to know...don‘t commit murder on a Monday???

I‘m waiting to head out on a long day involving many hours in the car. Brought along a couple Christie‘s to read, as I am woefully behind in the #agathachristieclub read. This one is the first up; I admit to being a tad apprehensive, given all the feedback regarding this book‘s content. Oh Agatha!

An author as prolific as #agathachristie is certain to have some books that bomb. The Big Four definitely fits into that category. The racism alone had me fuming. Christie does not do international spy thrillers well, and if I read one more derogatory comment about Chinese people, I‘ll scream.

Poirot was almost clownish, Hastings an imbecile; it is hard to believe this is the same author that wrote her previous book, TMoRA. #agathachristieclub

I WILL finish this book this morning. 🤓

If it wasn‘t for my goal of reading every Christie mystery in publication order, I would have bailed on it already. 😫

On the plate: GF everything bagel flats, local strawberries (yay strawberry season!!), black pepper salami and OJ. 🍓 🍊 🥤

#booksandbreakfast #glutenfree #agathachristieclub #agathachristie #poirot

Got the chance to start reading this book while waiting for the bus. So far, I'm digging it!

Every time I read “The Big Four” - and it is mentioned constantly in this book - my mind goes to “The Big Three” from This Is Us. 😃

Honestly, I like the Big Three better. This #agathachristie is really dragging. #agathachristieclub

Afternoon reading time. It is a gorgeous day! Although the birds hanging around the bird bath are super chatty, so I keep getting distracted. 🐦😊#agathachristieclub #poirot

Driving to and from the vet gave me time to finish this one for the #agathachristieclub. Like many others, I found the racism to be over the top and uncomfortable, and Poirot was insufferable. I actually found myself feeling sorry for Hastings, and if you‘ve seen my earlier reviews, you know I abhor Hastings, so this is a big deal. 😂 The only thing that saved this was the audiobook narrator, Hugh Fraser. He‘s superb.

So thankful for audiobooks. I can get through this drivel for #agathachristieclub while being productive. The problem is, I find myself rolling my eyes so often that I lose focus on my crochet. 😂🤪🙄

At least this is a short audiobook- less than 6 hours. Sadly, I have 4 hours left. You know what would make this better? If someone went “dunh dunh dunh” every time Poirot says “the Big Four”. 🤣🤣

"I felt wrapped all around with the atmosphere of the East - tortuous, cunning, sinister" Oh FFS. Sorry Agatha, but no. Too many quips strung together without a plot, with a strong whiff of racism & orientalism ? I was ready to push Poirot & Hastings off a cliff if they said "the Big Four" one more time. I think you need more than four people to take over the world. Gah! Let's pretend this book never happened. #agathachristieclub

#agathachristieclub @Bambolina_81

Definitely not my favourite Poirot. Poor Hastings is the dump guy again and Poirot got me on my nerves several times.

The idea was really good, but I had to think about Sherlock and his stories some times...

Finished my #agathachristieclub for February! Her international intrigue novels are not my favourite, and the stereotypes and racism is something terrible 😂 but I ended up enjoying it more than I expected.

Trying to get some reading done, before I fall asleep, it was a terrible week... 😥😴 #fridayreads #agathachristieclub @Bambolina_81

I remember listening to this about ten years ago and being totally shocked that there could be an Agatha Christie I hated. I enjoyed it more this time around, but I'll never love her international intrigue novels. It's a good thing I'm already a fan because I would have probably bailed if they were my first taste of her style.

(I love Hastings!)

#agathachristieclub @Bambolina_81 #pop18 #nextbookinaseriesyoustarted

Waiting for the updates. I hate the new year and the new taxes... I am using the time for some #agathachristieclub reading. 🕵️

More Poirot!! Loved it as always. I feel like Roger Ackroyd should have come after, as Poirot mentions retiring and growing marrow.
@shanebeth #ssdgmchallenge Agatha