Finally another reading post

69. MISS MARPLE'S FINAL CASES (Marple)
A very enjoyable collection of short stories that includes solving the mysteries of a man dying in a church, a buried treasure, a riding accident ... but also two additional non-Marple poltergeist stories!

Memorable quotes:
-"If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again."
-"There's such a thing as a secret inside a secret."
-"The worst of ill health is ... that one knows what a burden one is to everyone around one."
-"Her love had died and it was I who had killed it..."

Favourite Guest Character: Charmian and Edward from Strange Jest
Favourite Story: Strange Jest
Mystery: ****
Final Solution: ***
Entertainment: ****
11/15


68. THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN (Poirot)
Mimosas! A rich American is travelling on the Blue Train from London to Nice with half-a-million worth of rubies. But before she reaches the Riviera, she is murdered. Surprisingly (or not), her estranged husband and his mistress are also on this train, as is Katherine who unexpectedly inherited a lot of money, and Hercule Poirot. In this story, Poirot is a cat, a dog, a squirrel and a devil. And at the end, he's only Hercule Poirot!

Memorable quotes:
-"Any letters that a lady might write to me I should hold sacred."
-"A woman should be calm and sympathetic, and a good cook."
-"You see, unless you are good at guessing, it is not much use being a detective."
-"... being tied physically gives you lots of scope mentally."

Favourite Guest Character: Katherine, but also Comte de la Roche
Mystery: ****
Final Solution: *****
Entertainment: ***
12/15  


67. BLACK COFFEE (Poirot)
A physicist discovers a powerful (nuclear) explosive and just after he realises that the formula has been stolen, his coffee tastes a bit bitter... Poirot arrives too late but can still solve the mystery in which everyone seems to have something to hide. A family drama with way too much description of static action.

Memorable quotes:
-"... the truth is never horrible, only interesting."
-"Science should be of interest to all of us."
-"One should see the world one lives in."

Favourite Guest Character: probably Sir Claud Amory
Mystery: **
Final Solution: ***
Entertainment: **
7/15