Original Book

This is a classic example of a Christie novel! While not her best, it’s during Christie’s best period of writing and has some examples of what she does best. This novel has a very surprising ending, with several twists you wouldn’t see coming originally. Even Poirot doesn’t see the whole truth until the very end of the novel! I had a very enjoyable time with this one! The novel begins with Hastings and Poirot in a town on the English Riviera, called St. Loo. While sitting outside of their hotel, they meet a charming, lively young woman named Magdala Buckley, but all of her friends call her “Nick.” “Nick” lives in a run down old house known as End House. She has some friends visiting her, including Frederica “Freddy” Rice, and Jim Lazarus. Also in Nick’s close circle is George Challenger, who is in love with her, and her cousin Charles Vyse. Nick tells Poirot and Hastings about her recent close escapes from death, including a car accident, an oil painting almost dropping on her head, and a rockslide. Nick talks with Poirot and Hastings for a while, then leaves to have drinks with her friends. Soon after, Poirot realizes that the “bee” Nick had swat away from her face during their conversation wasn’t a bee at all, it was a bullet. Poirot realizes this young girl’s life is in extreme danger. He enlists himself as her personal savior and encourages her to have some trusted friend or family member come and stay with her to ensure she is safe. Nick chooses her cousin Maggie, who is described as “unimaginative” and “not any fun,” so she’s considered perfect for the job. Only a few days after Maggie arrives at End House, she is shot dead while wearing Nick’s sweater. The story continues from there, with Poirot racing to find out who killed Maggie, and who is trying to kill Nick, before it’s too late. This was a very enjoyable novel, and features some VERY interesting themes! These include:

1. Feminine vs. Masculine – The fact that Nick is known as Nick is a very interesting choice on Christie’s part. The name comes from a kinship she always felt with her grandfather Nick Buckley, who was described as hotheaded. The fact that Magdala is referred to by a male name is an indication of her character. This can also be true of Frederica “Freddy” Rice. Both women’s masculine names undermines their femininity, allowing Christie to show that there is more to them than first appears
2. Old vs. Young – Upon entering End House, the first thing that is noted is the difference in furniture. Some of the furniture is original Victorian, kept from the house’s glory days, and some furniture is extremely modern, and cheaply made. Even between Poirot and Nick, there is a constant back and forth about her young and carefree attitude colliding with his more cautious and thoughtful one. This leaves the reader questioning which of the two is better, and who should be listened to. 
3. Appearance of Respectability – Hastings always wants to believe that people like him are automatically respectable. This is not specific to this book, it occurs in mostly every novel that features Hastings. Poirot always acts as the foil to Hasting’s romanticized idea of who is a “good chap” and who is not. Appearances can be deceiving, as Hastings seems to never learn. 

David Suchet TV Version 

This episode of the Poirot series was done earlier in the series’ history, so it’s not as dark and true to the novel’s story as some of the later episodes are. Chief Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon are also included in this adaptation, which is not true to the book. I’d personally prefer to see the novel truthfully adapted. Apart from that, there was only one aspect of this adaptation that upset me, and that was the portrayal of Nick Buckley. While reading the novel, from the descriptions that Christie gave, I viewed Nick as a very flamboyant, vivacious girl. In the adaptation, she is much more subdued. Other than that, I did actually quite enjoy this one. 

Final Thoughts 

This is the perfect example of a classic Christie novel. The characters are very well written, and the plot keeps you engaged and guessing until the very end. I would definitely encourage anyone to read this one! 

My Current Ranking 

1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 
2. The Mysterious Affair at Styles
3. Poirot Investigates
4. Peril at End House
5. The Big Four 
6. The Murder on the Links 
7. The Mystery of the Blue Train