Dead Man’s Folly by Agatha Christie

Dead Man’s Folly by Agatha Christie

A Hercule Poirot Mystery

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (July 2005)

240 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $6.64)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Ariadne Oliver is organizing a “murder hunt” (a treasure hunt of sorts in which clues are given with the object of solving a fictional murder) as part of a fete at a large manor house, but she feels an ominous sense that perhaps someone is planning a real murder at the same time and she has called in Poirot to see what he thinks. There are a lot of people involved in the planning of this “fete” (which is basically a village carnival), so there are many things going on all at the same time and a variety of relationships making themselves known between people, as Poirot makes his observations. The story has a bit of a house party feel, with all the people and visitors to the house. Poirot is assisted by Inspector Bland and Constable Hoskins, as he makes his inquiries  . . . and Ms. Oliver helps as well in an unconscious kind of way. I will admit I was led completely astray on this one, and the reveal was quite unexpected. Entertaining murder mystery!

Movie Adaptations:

Agatha Christie’s Poirot (TV Series 1989-)

Dead Man's Folly (Season 13, Episode 3)

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson