In Agatha Christie's 'The Big Four', Hercule Poirot is faced with an international conspiracy led by the Big Four, a group of criminals from different countries, aiming for world domination. The story unfolds through a series of contrived adventures, with Poirot and Hastings navigating through espionage and intrigue in a thriller style rather than a traditional mystery. The plot is described as cheesy but fun, with elements of spy thriller clichés and a fast-paced, episodic narrative that culminates in an abrupt resolution.
'The Big Four' is noted for its departure from Christie's usual murder mystery format, offering readers a different style of storytelling with a global scope. The book delves into themes of international espionage, featuring a mix of smaller mysteries and a central conspiracy plot that challenges Poirot in a new light. Despite criticisms of being more spy novel than detective story, the dynamic between Poirot and Hastings remains a highlight, showcasing their relationship in the face of a grand-scale threat.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains cultural stereotypes, racial insensitivity, and depictions of violence typical for its time, which may be uncomfortable for modern readers.
From The Publisher:
"It is always a delight to meet Hercule Poirot again. He is one of the few detectives with real charm." -Dorothy L. Sayers
Framed in the doorway of Hercule Poirot's bedroom stands an uninvited guest, coated from head to foot in dust. The man stares for a moment, then he sways and falls. Who is he? Is he suffering from shock or just exhaustion? Above all, what is the significance of the figure 4, scribbled over and over again on a sheet of paper?
Poirot finds himself plunged into a global conspiracy, risking his life-and that of his "twin brother"-to uncover the truth.
Ratings (23)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (9) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (35):
Read It (27) | |
Want To Read (6) | |
Not Interested (2) |
3 comment(s)
So many spy thriller cliches! Evil geniuses, a master of disguise, sinister Chinamen who all look alike, an underground lair....In the best Poirot stories, he, and we, get to know the psychology of each suspect intimately, and they all come together in the solution of the case. In this, players rush on and off the stage so fast, and in such ludicrous get-ups, that we never get to know any of them. This was early in Christie's career, and she clearly hadn't quite found her way yet.
****2.0*****
_______________
Re-Read in 2017
****3.5****
Fifth in Poirot series, perhaps the least favorite of mine. But re-read has surely increased my ratings.
Plots opens up when a mysterious man is found in Poirot's bedroom. The man is covered up with mud from top to bottom. Poirot and Hastings suspect that he might have entered from the window. He doesn't seem right on his mind but keeps on repeating Poirot's name and Number 4.
On more cross-examination, it comes out that there is an organisation called "The Big Four" lead by 4 people where Number 1 is a chinese man, Number 2 is referred by "$", Number 3 is a Frenchwoman and Number 4 is an unknown person who is referred as a destroyer. This mysterious visitor is left in care of Poirot's housekeeper and Poirot along with Hastings set off for the current case. But in mid way Poirot suspects that this "Big Four" case is more interesting and they return, only to find that their visitor is dead. Japp identified him as Mayerling , a secret service man who went missing 5 years ago.
And Poirot sets up to find this "Big Four" organization. He is cheated a very many times and he too plays a lot of tricks back on the "Big Four". Not a murder mystery, it's more like a adventure.
There are many characters in this story, and at times this is confusing. And without a setting of a village/countryside this gets rather muddled at times. It took me a re-read to understand this better.
Happy Reading!!
Poirot was an extraordinary-looking little man. He was hardly more than five feet four inches, but carried himself with great dignity. His head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side. His moustache was very stiff and military. The neatness of his attire was almost incredible; I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound. Yet this quaint dandified little man who, I was sorry to see, now limped badly, had been in his time one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police. As a detective, his flair had been extraordinary, and he had achieved triumphs by unravelling some of the most baffling cases of the day.
Christie, Agatha. Hercule Poirot 3-Book Collection 1: The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates (Kindle Locations 308-313). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.
I love Hercule Poirot. Such a great detective. Such a character. There's always a great mystery with lots of twists and turns and red herrings, all of which keep me riveted. The characters are interesting and have complex motives for their actions. I've read many Agatha Christie books before but not all and not in order so I'm in the process of commencing a reread. Highly recommend to crime lovers.
The Big Four was not my favourite. Was a bit too disjointed for my tastes. And Hastings is back. I don't understand why he gets married and then spends all his time away from her. Seems pointless to get married. I did enjoy the humor though. Particularly the cutting marks directed at Hastings by Poirot and Japp. And even the villains get in on it.
“I should not advise it,” he remarked. “Remember what came of your hasty action in Paris. Let me assure you that my way of retreat is well assured. Your ideas are inclined to be a little crude, Captain Hastings, if I may say so.”
Christie, Agatha. The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot series Book 5) (p. 190). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
Hastings is always so offended which cracks me up. And Poirot's self confidence. My favourite was this;
“You guessed this beforehand?” “‘Forecast the probable result of the deal,’” quoted Poirot from a recent bridge problem on which I had spent much time. “Mon ami, when you do that successfully, you do not call it guessing.”
Christie, Agatha. The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot series Book 5) (p. 124). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. Hastings is right - modesty is not his strong point.
“And his mistake?” I asked, although I suspected the answer. “Mon ami, he overlooked the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot.” Poirot has his virtues, but modesty is not one of them.
Christie, Agatha. The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot series Book 5) (p. 130). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
But that's alright because it makes for great reading. For all that, with the mystery being so disjointed - investigating each of the Four individually - I just couldn't get into it. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2.
What can you read after
The Big Four?
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