The New Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot Mystery: Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“What I intend to say to you will come as a shock…”

With these words, Lady Athelinda Playford — one of the world’s most beloved children’s authors — springs a surprise on the lawyer entrusted with her will. As guests arrive for a party at her Irish mansion, Lady Playford has decided to cut off her two children without a penny . . . and leave her vast fortune to someone else: an invalid who has only weeks to live.

Among Lady Playford’s visitors are two strangers: the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard. Neither knows why he has been invited — until Poirot begins to wonder if Lady Playford expects a murder. But why does she seem so determined to provoke a killer? And why — when the crime is committed despite Poirot’s best efforts to stop it — does the identity of the victim make no sense at all?

my thoughts:

Sophie Hannah is back again, writing another Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot Mystery - Closed Casket.  As a fan of her last effort, The Monogram Murders, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of her new book.  I just knew that I would be in for quite a treat.  So, I settled in with a cuppa, some cookies, and Closed Casket.  I ignored everyone and everything around me.  I simply, read and read until I turned the very last page.  And let me just say - I absolutely loved Closed Casket!!  I think its even better than Hannah's first attempt at writing Christie's famed Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. 

In this latest mystery, we find ourselves at a house party out in the country.  Lady Playford has invited Poirot and Inspector Catchpool (from The Monogram Murders; Poirot's friend who relied a little too much on him and wound up catching flack for it after The Monogram Murders were solved), along with her attorneys and family up to her house for the weekend.  Both Poirot and Catchpool are surprised at the invitation, as they have no idea why they were invited.  They have their suspicions, but nothing is confirmed until the dinner party where everyone is left shocked, unhappy, and angry.  It seems that Athie (Lady Playford) has changed her will and left her monies to her assistant, who is deathly ill.  She believes that such an announcement may provoke someone to commit murder, which is why she has invited Catchpool and Poirot.  Suffice it to say, she's right, but not when it comes to the victim.  And that is all I will share about the book.  Its just too good and must be read in order to be fully experienced.  There are plenty of red herrings to throw you off, some twists and turns that will leave you perplexed, and Poirot's explanation of it all that will exhibit his intellect in full effect.  Its truly the best!  Hannah's done a smashing job of combining her voice with Christie's spirit in this new book - you will not want to miss out!  The writing is engaging, fun, and suspenseful.  The characters are such characters - they are outrageous, awful, and hilarious at the same time.  And the story is unputdownable.  I absolutely enjoyed Closed Casket and trying to figure out whodunit.  Oh, and you will find out what 'closed casket' has to do with the story - so, read on!

I would happily recommend this book to fans of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot Mystery series and fans of Sophie Hannah - you will LOVE Closed Casket!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tours schedule for: Closed Casket

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!