This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.
In Agatha Christie's classic mystery, Cards on the Table, the wily Hercule Poirot is on the case when a bridge night turns deadly
Mr. Shaitana is famous as a flamboyant party host. Nevertheless, he is a man of whom everybody is a little afraid. So when he boasts to Hercule Poirot that he considers murder an art form, the detective has some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view Shaitana's "private collection."
Indeed, what begins as an absorbing evening of bridge is to turn into a more dangerous game altogether....
Porua: Hercule Poirot with Mrs. Oliver once again after Cards on the Table. This is reason enough for anyone who has enjoyed their first outing together to read this book.
I think that this is one of Agatha Christie’s strongest novels, and shows her ability to play with the format of the whodunnit story. In fact, in her previous novel featuring Hercule Poirot, The A B C Murders, he speculates about the possibility of an intense mystery perhaps arising from a game of bridge in which someone is murdered by one of the players while they are the dummy hand’ but with none of the other players noticing.
That is precisely the scenario for this story. Christie’s occasionally brutally of sentiment is evident here, and the victim, the enigmatic Mr Shaitana, is portrayed as an especially odious man whose death provokes interest but little sympathy. In a chance meeting he had boasted to Poirot that he ‘collected’ murderers, and invites him to dinner, along with Mrs Ariadne Oliver, the noted mystery writer (clearly meant as a humorous avatar from Christie herself), Superintendent Battle from Scotland Yard, and Colonel Race, a leading figure in the Intelligence Service. There are four other guests who are all civilians, with the implication being that at least one of them is one of Mr Shaitana’s collection of murderers. This imputation seems to be borne out when Mr Shaitana is himself murdered, unnoticed by the four ‘civilians’ who are playing bridge in the same room.
The four investigative figures all participate in the hunt for the killer, with various startling revelations along the way. Without wishing to be guilty of too great a spoiled, Poirot finds a solution.
All very enjoyable – Christie close to her enticing best. ( )
8 people are invited to Mr. Shaitana's for dinner: four sleuths--Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard; Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, writer of detective stories; Col. Race of His Majesty's Secret Service; and Hercule Poirot; four guests (2 men and 2 women)--whom the host feels have gotten away with murder. How he planned to enlighten the sleuths or expose the murderers is left undisclosed as he is murdered. The sleuths must find the murderer and perhaps find out what other murders were committed. Great set up. Loved how the sleuths used their own styles and worked together to solve the puzzle. Unfortunately I know nothing about bridge and don't know if that would have made a difference in determining my guess. ( )
Another fine Poirot mystery by the queen of the Golden Age of Detection. Perhaps the setup is a bit artificial, but it's entertaining, insightful in the psychology of the characters and a pleasure to read. ( )
Another great Christie book, where any 1 of 4 people could have been the killer. It's up to Poirot and the other 3 detectives at the scene to determine which one actually did it
“Permit me to tell you, madame, that you are a most remarkable woman. All my homage and respect. Yes, indeed, a woman in a thousand. Why, you have not even done what nine hundred and ninety-nine women out of a thousand could not have resisted doing.” “What is that?” “Told me just why you killed your husband—and how entirely justified such a proceeding really was.” Mrs. Lorrimer drew herself up. “Really, M. Poirot,” she said stiffly. “My reasons were entirely my own business.” “Magnifique!” said Poirot, and, once more raising her hand to his lips, he left the room.
Last words
'Let's stab him, Rhoda, and see if his ghost can come back and find out who did it.'
In Agatha Christie's classic mystery, Cards on the Table, the wily Hercule Poirot is on the case when a bridge night turns deadly
Mr. Shaitana is famous as a flamboyant party host. Nevertheless, he is a man of whom everybody is a little afraid. So when he boasts to Hercule Poirot that he considers murder an art form, the detective has some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view Shaitana's "private collection."
Indeed, what begins as an absorbing evening of bridge is to turn into a more dangerous game altogether....
.
▾Library descriptions
No library descriptions found.
▾LibraryThing members' description
Book description
De geheimzinnige mijnheer Shaitana "verzamelt" niet-ontdekte moordenaars. Een gevaarlijke hobby, die hem zijn leven kost. Poirot moet uit deze "verzameling" degene zoeken die Shaitana doodgestoken heeft. Hoewel hij uit de manier waarop de verdachten bridge spelen heel wat kan opmaken over hun karakter, blijft het een bijzonder ingewikkelde zaak. -------------------------------------
It was the match-up of the century: four sleuths - Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard. Mrs Ariadne Oliver, famed writer of detective stories; Colonel Race of His Majesty's Secret Service, and the incomparable Hercule Poirot - invited to play bridge with four specially invited guests, each of whom had gotten away with murder! For the host, the mysterious Mr Shaitana, it was to be a clever entertainment. But before the first rubber was completed, the host himself was dead. ---------------------------------------- Poirot went over to the bridge table. Without touching anything he examined the scores. He shook his head once or twice. "The stupid little man! Oh, the stupid little man," murmured Hercule Poirot. "The dress up as the devil and try to frighten people. Quel enfantillage!" The door opened. the divisional surgeon came in, bag in hand; he was followed by the divisional inspector talking to Battle. A camera man came next. there was a constable in the h all. The routine of the detection of crime had begun ...
Haiku summary
killed in plain sight cards bridge to deadly suspects someone over bid (hardboiled)
)
)
Google Books — Loading...
Wikipedia in English
3
That is precisely the scenario for this story. Christie’s occasionally brutally of sentiment is evident here, and the victim, the enigmatic Mr Shaitana, is portrayed as an especially odious man whose death provokes interest but little sympathy. In a chance meeting he had boasted to Poirot that he ‘collected’ murderers, and invites him to dinner, along with Mrs Ariadne Oliver, the noted mystery writer (clearly meant as a humorous avatar from Christie herself), Superintendent Battle from Scotland Yard, and Colonel Race, a leading figure in the Intelligence Service. There are four other guests who are all civilians, with the implication being that at least one of them is one of Mr Shaitana’s collection of murderers. This imputation seems to be borne out when Mr Shaitana is himself murdered, unnoticed by the four ‘civilians’ who are playing bridge in the same room.
The four investigative figures all participate in the hunt for the killer, with various startling revelations along the way. Without wishing to be guilty of too great a spoiled, Poirot finds a solution.
All very enjoyable – Christie close to her enticing best. (