Series: Hercule Poirot #40
Major characters:
- Norma Restarick, the third girl
- Frances Cary, artist, the second girl
- Claudia Reece-Holland, secretary, the first girl
- Andrew Restarick, Norma's father
- Simon Restarick, Andrew's brother [deceased]
- Mary Restarick, Norma's stepmother
- Sir Roderick Horsefield, Mary's uncle
- Sonia, the Restarick's au pair
- David Baker, "The Peacock", Norma's boyfriend
- Hercule Poirot
- Ariadne Oliver, writer of detective stories
Locale: London and environs
Synopsis: A scattered young girl drops in on Hercule Poirot, claiming she "might" have committed a murder. She abruptly changes her mind, stating Poirot is too old to help her, and leaves - neglecting to give her name. Poirot and his detective story writer friend Ariadne Oliver set out to track her down. Ariadne finds her name is Norma Restarick, and she is the "third girl" sharing an apartment. The "first girl"(the actual renter) is secretary Claudia Reece-Holland, and the "second girl" is artist Frances Cary.
Despite their efforts, Poirot and Oliver cannot find any trace of a murder - or any death - having occurred.
Norma drops out of sight, much to the consternation of her father, Andrew Restarick; and stepmother Mary Restarick. Poirot and Oliver find Norma's boyfriend is flamboyant David Baker, whom they nickname "The Peacock". She does eventually show up, but with alarming memory lapses. It is found that a woman, Louise Charpentier, had committed suicide by leaping from her window at Norma's apartment house; but could this be the murder Norma mentioned?
Review: There is a theme throughout of Poirot believing he is too old to be effective, and this is one of the final Poirot stories written at the end of the series. This is contrasted with the young mods of Britain in this day of The Beatles. Drugs are a common theme as well.
The story ends with several surprises which explain everything, but Agatha is not completely fair with the reader. Poirot knows things all along and has his fingers in the 'disappearance' of Norma, but none of this is revealed to the reader as it happens. Foo. It left me feeling tricked.
You may also enjoy this review by Bev Hankins on My Reader's Block.
No comments:
Post a Comment