Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 WILL SOMEONE LET THE WOMAN SPEAK? May 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What "improvements" have been made for the Berkley edition? There are already major differences in punctuation, word choices, and scene breaks between the original Collins and Dodd Mead editions of this novel. There are further differences between the Dodd Mead editions republished by Random House/Avenel and the Dodd Mead editions republished by Simon & Shuster/Pocket. There are further differences still in the Signet, Bantam, and Black Dog & Leventhal editions. For every publishing house putting out her works, there seem to be a new batch of editors altering Agatha Christie's words and the sound of her voice. What's the matter with these publishers? Whose voice do they think we want to hear when we sit down to a novel by Agatha Christie? And what will she sound like twenty years from now? It's frightening that her estate has failed to see the importance of guarding her words as she wrote them. Please tell me I'm not the only one here who senses that a crime has been committed.
 FILIAL LOVE May 30, 2007
Written in 1950, MRS. MCGINTY'S DEAD was published for the first time in 1951. I like a lot this novel because Hercule Poirot appears at last as a human being in it. So we learn that the illustrious detective feels very old and that he appreciates the haute cuisine, particularly cooked snails. Look also for the character of Ariadne Oliver, Agatha Christie's literary double. The thoughts she formulates about Sven Hjerson, the detective appearing in her own novels, leave a bitter taste in the mouth considering the fact that Agatha Christie could say the same words speaking of Hercule Poirot.
Just finished rereading this great book February 3, 2007
I love it; perhaps not at the top of tree, as some experts would say.
But I still think it is wonderful how the Scotland yarder comes to Poirot after "winning" the case on evidence, but still uncertain if he had the right man.
Magnificent mystery February 5, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Hercule Poirot is bored, so he is delighted when he is visited by his old friend Superintendent Spence of the Kilchester Police. Spence has recently conducted an investigation into the murder of an old charwoman Mrs McGinty, in the village of Broadhinny. her lodger, James Bentley has been convicted of the murder and is due to hang, but Spence is convinced Bentley is innocent, and wants Poirot to investigate.
Poirot goes to stay in the village of Broadhinny, and soon begins to uncover reasons why other people might have wanted Mrs McGinty dead. While investigating the murder, he has to cope with staying at the dreadful guest house run by the Summerhayes, a couple who have no idea of how to keep house or cook an edible meal.
The scenes where the sufferings of Poirot at the guest house are described are among the most amusing in this very amusing book. There are many interesting characters, particularly the scatty but charming Maureen Summerhayes, whom Poirot likes in spite of her atrocious cooking. And there is the maddening James Bentley, the convicted murderer, whose unprepossesing character only makes Poirot more determined to prove him innocent.
One of the most amusing exchanges in the book occurs near the end: ' "Mon Dieu, how stupid I have been," said Hercule Poirot, "The whole thing is simple, is it not?" It was after that remark that there was very nearly another murder - the murder of Hercule Poirot by Superintendent Spence.' Enjoy it.
This one has a rather large cast for an Agatha Christie Book November 10, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The large cast and the large list of suspects in this book make it quite different than most of Agatha Christie's works. It also has a very convoluted plot that is difficult to follow. In spite of that, I still give it four stars because it is written by Agatha Christie in her usual creative style. The book will certainly keep the readers guessing as they set out with Poirot to get to the bottom of an old murder case that has already been tried by the courts. A man has been convicted of killing Mrs. McGinty, but Poirot and Inspector Spence don't think he did it. When Poirot starts digging he finds ties to other much older murder cases, and it's a case of identifying people, some thirty years later. Another thing that Ms. Christie does so well is characterization, and this book is certainly no exception. I absolutely loved the muddle-headed Mrs. Summerhayes.
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