It is not a silent night for premiere mystery solver Hercule Poirot in the latest entry to the continuing Agatha Christie's mysteries under the capable hands of Sophie Hannah. "Hercule Poirot's Silent Night" brings Poirot and trusty sleuth Inspector Edward Catchpool to solve a murder right before Christmas in 1931. In this one, Catchpool's mother is the one to call in the sleuths - and brings to light one of the best relationships in the book - albeit a dysfunctional one. Christmas plays a part in the story, but as with all Poirot mysteries it is all about the characters and motivations, You will not be disappointed with Hannah's latest. I thank her for continuing the Christie tradition.

Publishing October 24, 2023

Grade: A-

I love Agatha Christie's books. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite character as they all have their peculiar tweaks that make them impossible to rank so feeble as a number on a scale. The mystery/thriller genre would possibly not even exist were it not for Christie's efforts to fool her readers into thinking they could predict "who done it". Of course, Agatha Christie died in 1976. Many authors have tried to maintain her level of excellence and Sophie Hannah has done a great job of it.

When Hercule Poirot and Inspector Catchpool from Scotland Yard join forces again, they will investigate a murder in the St Walston's Hospital. The investigation will be hampered by the "help" they receive from those outside the police.....but this is always a sticking point for Poirot and one of the things that makes him so great. Poirot will gather stories from many, adding clues together to surprise the killer when all of the suspects find themselves gathered together at Poirot's request. If you've never read any Christie books.....it's well past time you started.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Hercule is asked to take a look at a man who was found murdered. This book kept me guessing.

This new Poirot mystery was well-constructed, with some interesting characters and a solid plot. Although the clues to “who dunnit” were all there, I found that some of the characters acted for reasons that were not made clear until the end. And aside from being a reason for the family to gather at the mansion and a bit of tree trimming, the Christmas setting did not play as large a role as I had hoped.

All in all a satisfying read for Christie fans. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mid December 1931 and Hercule Poirot and Inspector Catchpool are looking forward to a restful Christmas holiday. Enter Catchpool's mother who has other ideas for them and will not take No for an answer. So off the three of them go to solve what they think is one murder and ends up being two, as well as a long kept secret that will change the holidays for many.

This is the first book in the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries by Sophie Hannah that I have read, but this worked just fine as a stand-alone. As an Agatha Christie fan, I was intrigued and nervous to read Poirot by anyone other than Christie, but I went in open-minded.

Hannah captured the spirit of Poirot in many ways, and this also has some elements that I love from golden age mysteries. It is well-written and atmospheric. The characters are eccentric and very vividly depicted, like Catchpool's mother, though few are likable, which is fair, as most are murder suspects. Catchpool is an interesting character. I found some humorous moments between him and Poirot, particularly as neither wants to spend a minute longer than they have to at run-down Frellingsloe House with its inedible food.

The action builds slowly in this one, though, and I found some passages wordy, throwing off the pacing for me in places. And Poirot takes so much interest in the psychology of the murderer that the denouement is lengthy and twisty and had me thinking I must have missed several clues along the way.

I enjoyed this more when I did not compare it to the original Christie books, but only on its own merit. Hannah has put her own stamp on the beloved character and his continued adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

"It is thanks to my actions that you are sick, Monsieur Poirot"
Hercule Poirot believed he would spend the days leading upto Christmas and Christmas day itself under multiple layers with a cup of sirop in his hand, while Inspector Catchpool believed that he would be spending his Christmas in London, all this changes the minute a stranger enters Poirot's house.
An amazing story which captures the essence of Hercule Poirot and the plight of his companions. I am proud to say through all the twists and turns, I still knew who the murderer was, the reason though, was far too convoluted for me to figure out. I must say that the characters of this story were either unlikable or plain annoying and this made Poirot seem less arrogant than usual. Absolutely thrilled to have recieved this book through Netgalley to review and I thank the author as well as the publisher for the amazing opportunity. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable Hercule Poirot mystery, full of twists and turns that would definitely please Agatha herself! Poirot is faced with quite a perplexing murder case, with a large cast of possible suspects, each hiding their own secrets and lies. I have always been a fan of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot. Sophie Hannah has definitely captured the spirit of Poirot, and in Hercule Poirot's Silent Night, created a cast of complex and suspicious characters that kept me baffled until the end revealed a culprit I did not expect! This is a mystery filled with suspense and the superb Hercule Poirot and his little gray cells that is both an exciting and nostalgic read from beginning to end! Thank you to the author, the publisher, Scene of the Crime, and Netgalley for my advanced copy. The opinions of the review are my own.

Having not read any of the other Hannah books I didn’t know what to expect. I found it a bit confusing with the various characters-some of whom weren’t distinctive enough to stand alone. Some
Of the characters were particularly annoying. So good enough to pass the time but not something I’d recommend.

Just wanted to start off by how excited I was to be chosen for an ARC of this book. I am huge fan of Agatha Christie and Ms. Hannah and was looking forward to this collaboration and combined with it being a Christmas mystery it hit all the right notes before I even started. After reading it, I am just as pleased!! What a wonderful homage to Christie and her beloved Poirot. I was totally taken back to Christmas 1931 and thoroughly enjoyed both the mystery and the adept way Ms. Hannah took me right into a manor house on the coast. She perfectly captured the drawing room life of the time with characters that embodied a past no longer found. I highly recommend this novel for fans of either author.

** “Fortunately, I do not need to rely on luck, monsieur. I have the little grey cells. They never let me down.” **

Once again Sophie Hannah brilliantly returns us to the world of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot with “Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night.”

When the mother of Poirot’s friend Inspector Edward Catchpool insists they join her at her friend’s home for Christmas, they almost refuse … until they hear of a murder and an impending murder.

Invited to solve that murder and prevent the second murder, they join her at Frellingsloe House, the home of Arnold and Vivienne Laurier. Arnold is dying and set to be admitted at the St. Walstan’s Hospital, where a man was killed in the room next to where Arnold will be staying. Believing whoever killed the man next door will also kill Arnold, his wife begs Poirot to come solve the murder and save her husband.

What follows is a story written very much in the style of the Grand Dame of Mystery herself. Hannah excellently takes on the tone and style of Christie to write a continuation story of Poirot along with a new sidekick Hannah created, one reminiscent of Christie’s Hastings.

She does a great job of keeping the reader guessing, questioning motives and alibis and adding red herrings and misdirections.

Due out Oct. 24, “Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night” is a classic whodunnit for the fans of murder mysteries everywhere.

Five stars out of five.

William Morrow provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Sophie Hannah is back with another Hercule Poirot mystery. Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night is the fifth of this series, authorized by the Agatha Christie estate and it is Hannah’s best attempt yet. This time Poirot and Catchpool are invited to solve a murder of a man in his hospital room, a room just next to the room reserved for Arthur Laurier, who is a long-time Poirot admirer and who longs to work with him to solve a murder. The book does a good job of capturing Poirot, even though the crime’s motivation seems a little hard to believe. Christie fans will be eager to read this satisfying mystery.

4 Christmas Crime Stars

Since Agatha Christie isn’t around anymore to write new Hercule Poirot mysteries, her estate has authorized Sophie Hannah to continue the character. This happens to be the fifth in the series. I have only read this one, but I think they are fine as stand-alone reads.

It has been a while since I’ve read an Agatha Christie-penned book, but this one seems authentic to what I remember of the style and the character. In typical Christie style, there are crimes investigated, and Poirot solves the case at record speed.

Edward Catchpool is Poirot’s sidekick, and the pair are off to the coast just before Christmas to solve a murder in late 1931. They are invited by Edward’s mother, Cynthia. The murder happens at a hospital and has the local police puzzled. Catchpool and Poirot join Cynthia at a mansion that is destined to crumble into the sea. The hosts are Arnold and Vivienne Laurier.

As Poirot and Catchpool interview family members and hospital staff, they rush to solve the case before Christmas and before Arnold is admitted to the hospital and becomes a potential murder victim as well.

Near the end of the book, Poirot has solved the case and gathers everyone together. I did not guess the killer correctly, but Poirot lays it all out for us.

This one was a nice change of pace from my usual reads, and it was fun to revisit an old character in Poirot.

Hannah makes an adequate attempt, but I prefer Agatha Christie's books. This book was well done, overall, but it just lacked that extra bit you find with Christie. She just can't be matched. It's an okay read overall if you're not expecting too much.

CAN HERCULE POIROT SOLVE A BAFFLING MURDER MYSTERY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS?

This is book #5 in the new Hercule Poirot mystery series, authorized by the estate of Agatha Christie and penned by New York Times bestselling author, Sophie Hannah, but it is the first of the series that I have read, and it works just fine as a stand-alone.

It’s 19 December 1931.

Hercule Poirot is once again teaming up with Inspector Edward Catchpool from Scotland Yard-a character that Sophie Hannah created and introduced to the World in “The Monogram Murders”-the first in this series.

Although Edward’s mother, Cynthia is usually trying to marry him off, this time she appears at Poirot’s home-uninvited- to summon Poirot to a mansion which could literally crumble into the sea, at any given moment.

She needs Edward, and Poirot to accompany her to Norfolk, to solve the case of a man who was murdered in what was supposed to be the safe haven of Ward 6 at St. Walstan’s hospital.

Cynthia is invested in the case because her friend’s husband Arnold Laurier is soon to be admitted to that same hospital, and his wife, Vivienne is convinced he will be the killer’s next victim, though she refuses to offer an explanation of WHY.

But, Arnold who is an AVID fan of Poirot’s thinks the idea is ludicrous, and he would like to prove that, by helping Poirot to solve the case-from the inside.

Always up for a challenge, Poirot has less than a week to solve the crime if he wants to be home for Christmas-which he most definitely does. Their accommodations leave much to be desired-as the food served at Frellingsloe House is inedible and it’s hard to sleep when you fear you might fall into the sea.

Catchpool will keep a log of the findings which may, or may not, help you to follow the clues.🕵🏼‍♂️

I am no Agatha Christie expert, but from those I have read, I feel that Sophie Hannah has captured perfectly the spirit of Christie’s Poirot.

Per usual, the Belgian private detective (greatest in all the world if he does say so himself) will gather all the suspects together in one room to reveal the conclusion that his little grey cells have come up with.

Will you guess correctly?

Available October 24, 2023.

Thank You to William Morrow and the Scene of the Crime Early Read program for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.

Inspector Edward Catchpool was with Hercule Poirot discussing the up coming Christmas season, when Cynthia Catchpool, Edward's mother arrives to fetch both to Frellingsloe House in Norfolk. It seems her friend Vivienne Laurier is beside herself with worry with the murder of a patient at St. Walstan's Hospital, the one that her dying husband, Arnold, is set to go to for hospice care. Cynthia needs Poirot to solve the crime so as to ease Cynthia's mind that her husband won't be murdered there.
Reluctantly they go and are met by a highly dysfunctional family. As Poirot and Catchpool investigate at both the house and hospital, it seemed that the victim had no enemies (although the detective in charge is fixated on a victim's family member) and that Arnold wants to solve the crime himself.
When another murder occurs, Poirot finally has all the pieces in place and then gathers the suspects to unfold the what, why and who of the mystery.
A quick and entertaining foray into Poirot's murder solving methods with Catchpool gathering important information and as always, recording Hercule's cases.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for this e-galley of "Hercule Poirot's Silent Night".

Hercule Poirot is back thank to Sophie Hannah. I missed the Belgian detective and his little grey cells. Book 5 in The New Hercule Poirot Mystery series begins with Catchpool and Poirot settled in for a Christmas together in London. When a woman named Enid Surtees shows up unexpectedly insisting only Mr. Poirot could assist her. Catchpool’s is uneasy because the name sounds familiar but he can’t place it. His worst fears are confirmed when “Enid” turns out to be his overbearing mother.

Mrs. Catchpool does not let Poirot tell her “no” and drags them both to a crumbling mansion by the sea full of tension and weirdness. The owner of the house is dying and wants to solve a murder that happened at the local hospital four months ago. His wife fears for his safety and wishes he would spend his last days at home. She seeks Poirot’s help in solving the case before her husband goes to the hospital so the murderer will not be at large to harm her husband.

Poirot is poisoned at the house and now much figure out if the murderer is after him too! Will Catchpool and Hercule survive the holiday?

This title is the fifth and latest Hercule Poirot novel to be penned by Sophie Hannah who has the approval of the Christie estate. This one is my favorite so far.

Hercule Poirot and companion Catchpool are thinking about what they will do for Christmas when their plans are upended by Catchpool’s mother. Cynthia, the mother, is a real presence in the novel and, at times, had me laughing out loud over her interactions with her son.

Cynthia convinces Poirot and Catchpool to visit a family whose house is falling into the sea and whose patriarch is dying. These family members, by and large, do not get along. There are two brothers married to two sisters, the brothers’ parents and the sisters’ parents, along with Vivienne and our duo. Note that the sisters’ parents are (ineffectually) acting as the home’s servants and this is not good for Poirot’s dinner plans or digestion.

The family patriarch wants to go to a hospital to die. His wife is against this plan as a prior patient (a man described as lovely and a postman) was murdered there. Said patriarch wants to work on the case and is realizing a life’s dream when he plans to collaborate with Poirot. He is aware that this could lead to his own murder. The story takes off from here. Note some of the interesting scenes; for example, find out how Catchpool learns a lot while decorating Christmas trees.

This title offers an excellent traditional mystery along with some eccentric characters in a Christmas run up. All of this makes Hercule Poirot’s Christmas a perfect holiday gift for a mystery reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Wm. Morrow & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Obviously, Sophie Hannah will never completely capture the spirit of Dame Agatha, but for what these novels are, they're pretty entertaining. I can think of plenty of later Christie novels that were well and truly stinkers, so it's not like Agatha was perfect herself. I always enjoy Hannah's books, and I enjoy the spin she puts on the stories. Her Poirot is a little cantankerous (well, who wouldn't be if they had to deal with Catchpool all the time?), but no less brilliant for it.

I thought that this story held up pretty well. I liked the interplay between Catchpool and his mother, and while the other characters were all pretty awful (even the one who was allegedly delightful!), they were also kind of fascinating. Hannah excels at writing unlikeable characters who make the reader curious about their activities and motives - it's an unusual gift.

I'll keep reading these as long as she writes them, I think.

I absolutely love these new Hercule Poitot mysteries. They are so good. And this one was absolute fire! I loved it. I read it in one sitting. Perfect! Mrs. Christie would be proud!
I just reviewed Hercule Poirot's Silent Night by Sophie Hannah. #HerculePoirotsSilentNight #NetGalley
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