A Floating Barge of Death

Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie

Wow - after a rather slow start, in which I was holding my breath, waiting for the lovely Linnet to get hers, Ms. Christie certainly has the bodies pile up.

Poor Linnet -she's young, beautiful, rich, popular, and newly married, yet none of these attributes will save her. The question is, which was enough for someone to kill her? There certainly is not a lack of suspects, or motives.

Not to fear! Hercule Poirot is a passenger on this floating death trap, and he and his formidable gray matter will have this murder solved in no time. Unfortunately, not quite quick enough to prevent some collateral damage.

This is a fun read, and a classic in the genre. Of course, considering it was published in 1937 and set in Egypt, there's your typical amount of racist commentary. Nothing over the top, but it is certainly noticeable.

Seeing as this is a mystery, that's all you're getting, folks! I wouldn't want to spoil this for anyone who hasn't yet read it.

A Christmas Murder Mystery

Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Agatha Christie

Who said this is the time of peace on Earth, goodwill towards men? Not in the Lee family, certainly.

Agatha Christie spins a tale of a crotchety old man, Simeon Lee, who calls his offspring to him to celebrate Christmas. Only Mr. Lee's idea of fun is to threaten to rewrite his will, reduce his children's allowances, and insult their wives. Since he can no longer leave the house to cheat on his long-dead, long-suffering wife, get into business feuds over South African diamonds, or otherwise traipse around getting people to hate him, he'll just bring the drama to his house. Awesome!

So, of course, he winds up dead. There are no shortage of suspects, between his family and a house full of servants. But no matter! Hercule Poirot, armchair sleuth extraordinaire, happens to be visiting the area and will solve this case in no time at all.

This was a fun read, and when I'm feeling the stress of family overload this weekend, I'll remember that we haven't actually  killed each other - so far.