A credit to Agatha Christie's enduring appeal, this collection of a dozen short stories features various detecting characters and locations. Also included is a childhood reminiscence from her autobiography. Definitely of entertainment value. ( )

‘’Most details are insignificant; one or two are vital. It is the brain, the little grey cells’ - he tapped his forehead - ‘on which one must rely. The senses mislead. One must seek the truth within - not without.’’

‘’They do say, lady, that if anyone sees those bloodstains that there will be a death within twenty-four hours.’’

The Blood-Stained Pavement: An atmospheric story in which an old curse sets the background for sinister acts and strange deaths. Miss Marple and THE perfect Cornish setting, what more can we ask for?

The Double Clue: A beautiful necklace is stolen and Poiroy rushes to solve the case. Also, please meet Countess Vera Rossakoff, Poirot’s Irene Adler…

Death on the Nile: Not to be confused with its much more famous cousin, this is the story of a high-society lady who believes that her husband is poisoning her and her not so idyllic holidays in glorious Egypt are about to end…

‘’ Shiela, dark Shiela, what is it
that you’re seeing?
What is it that you’re seeing,
that you’re seeing in the fire?
I see a lad that loves me -
and I see a lad that leaves me,
And a third lad, a Shadow
Lad - and he’s the lad that
grieves me.’’

Harlequin’s Lane: A melancholic, haunting story of summer evenings and moonlight, of lovers’ dreams and the life we lose, with Rimsky Korsakoff’s Columbine echoing in the background. My favourite moment in the collection.

The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman: Italian gusto, intrigue and a tight plot can’t stop our dear Belgian detective.

Jane in Search of a Job: In a charming story, Jane is looking for a new job. When she becomes interested in a rather peculiar notice, she finds herself in the centre of an elaborate charade.

Or does she?

The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim: A banker has gone missing. Was he murdered? Did he commit suicide? And what about the very peculiar robbery? Monsieur Poirot is sure to have all the answers before long.

‘’As we entered the grove of trees, a curious oppression came over me. I think it was the silence. No birds seemed to nest on these trees. There was a feeling about it of desolation and horror.’’

The Idol House of Astarte: A very powerful story of strange groves, primaeval powers and forgotten deities, set in Dartmoor, the land of legends.

The Rajah’s Emerald: Christie’s James Bond bears no resemblance to his famous Daniel Craig-esque namesake. His girlfriend (aka. epic gold digger) doesn’t pay him any attention, having set off to find a wealthy fish, and these holidays have become too loud. But the case of a stolen emerald might just be his chance to show the spoiled company that money doesn’t equal brains.

The Oracle at Delphi: I have nothing to say except that Mrs Peters can go and +*%&$# herself, really, in her ‘’spiritual homes of Paris, London, and the Riviera’’ since Greece is too ‘’low’’ for her tastes.

And bye.

The Adventures of the Sinister Stranger: A letter and an odd theft bring trouble to dear Tommy and Tuppence.

The Incredible Theft: Poirot investigates the seemingly impossible theft of the plans for a new bomber as the shadow of war looms over Britain.

‘’There are certain placed imbued and saturated with good or evil influences which can make their power felt.’’

Many thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com ( )