I am a die-hard Agatha Christie fan. I love her books and have read each one of her books – especially those featuring Poirot and Marple. A confession – I do not view the current trend of resurrecting and recreating literary figures favourably. I avoid reading such books simply not to spoil the original world of words created in my mind . So my reaction to the news last year that the Christie estate had commissioned the resurrection of Poirot was conflicted. Intrigued more because it had the “official” sanction, I decided to approach this with a bit more of an open mind than usual. I finished reading The Monogram Murders yesterday and my fears were unfounded!
The novel begins with a familiar known setting – a cafe and Poirot setting things in order (the cutlery on the table here). Poirot is as OCD’ish as ever; sharp, eccentric and funny. The first chapter has Poirot meeting a strange frightened lady who is evidently in some danger and Poirot’s curiosity is incited. The grey cells though retired are working! The second chapter has us meet our narrator, a The scene then shifts to the lodgings where Poirot is residing at the moment and we are introduced to a new character, the narrator, a young policeman working for Scotland Yard – Edward Catchpool. He works with Poirot to solve the case. Psychological crime thrillers is the genre that Hannah has made a name in. I have read a couple of her thrilling works in the past and was apprehensive as to whether she would be able to pull off a “simple” Poirot novel. But yes she does! She also puts her skills to good use in the Edward Catchpool backstory. I found Catchpool more likeable than Captain Hastings. Mainly because Sophie Hannah gives this character more emotional depth and a backstory and what I really enjoyed was the bit of baggage thanks to an unpleasant childhood memory that Catchpool carries. This doesnt intervene a bit in the rest of the novel in which Poirot is as we remember him – eccentric, OCD and the possessor of those clever grey cells. Hannah certainly had fun writing it and that passes down to the reader as well. I guess a more critical look at the novel again will reveal all the lil flaws that reminds one that it is a homage and not a Christie original but I am not going to embark on that. I enjoyed reading Hannah’s tribute to Christie’s Poirot. It is good to have him back!
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I have to admit I steer clear of pastiches of my favourite classic fiction too – I always have a fear that the writer will fail (somehow, I don’t really mind it when the original author doesn’t maintain a level standard – I think of it as ‘ups and downs’ – but a wannabe I’m less forgiving of). I’ve read a couple of Holmes pastiches (and have been disappointed in both), plus have heard terrible things about the recent Bertie Wooster and Jeeves pastiche. I’m glad somebody’s managed to pull off a homage this well. I’ll look out for it, especially as I’ve been on a Christie spree recently.
Yes, I know what you mean! I shudder to think what the Bertie Wooster and Jeeves pastiche would be like! Even this one, I was kind of iffy about it at first but curiosity got the better of me. I was intrigued mainly because Hannah was chosen by the Christie estate. I do not think would have read it otherwise. You call it your fear that the writer will fail; I call it my very biased mindset that the writer SHALL fail – “if this isn’t the original, It can’t be good!” 🙂
Do let me know what you think when you read The Monogram Murders; I read it just once. Was scared I would find too many flaws if i read it again. For a first time read, I enjoyed it. So!
I will! Thanks for the reco. 🙂