MY TOP 10 FAVOURITE EPISODES OF POIROT

As you can all guess I love a good Murder Mystery and Agatha Christie’s “Poirot” ticks all the boxes for the classic whodunnit. The 1930’s setting is so beautifully recereated through beautiful sets and costumes not to mention some exotic locations. Of course I love all of Agatha Christie’s books filled with complex cases, mysterious characters and of course the number one detective Hercule Poirot. He is played to magnificent perfect by David Suchet in this series and captures all those Poirot traits and personality highlights. Poirot also always has help in the form of close friend Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Chief Inspector James Japp of Scotland Yard (Phillip Jackson) and Secretary Miss Felicity Lemon (Pauline Moran) to help solve the case. Poirot is such a unique character and what makes the series so good to watch, that and all the dead bodies that pop up all over the place.

1: THE MYSTERYIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES

Poirot’s first case upon his arrival in England see’s him investigate the strychnine poisining of a rich elderly lady by one her dysfunctional family. Suchet and Fraser as Poirot and Hastings in this episode prove why they have such a fantastic Holmes and Watson style dynamic with Hastings always leading Poirot to the main clue. Some fantastic performances from the rest of the cast, as in any country house mystery elderly rich people have relatives who would kill for thier money. With one or two slight alterations from the book the story still perfectly works on screen. It also perfectly captures the early 1900’s setting before bringing the series into the 1930’s.

2: THE ABC MURDERS.

I love this adaption of one of Christie’s most ingenious stories and Poirot is really put to the test here. Suchet gives one of his most terrific performances here as he picks up on facts and clues that prove crucial to the case, the reveal scene is a testament to this as he puts everything together to reveal the real Murderer. Donald Sumpter as Alexander Bonaparte Cust also brings more intrigue to the story as the perfect red herringto keep the viewers thinking.

3: HERCULE POIROTS CHRISTMAS.

Christmas for Hercule Poirot should be a time for relaxation instead he faces murder, the theft of uncut diamonds and a mansion full of relatives prepared to kill for thier own ends. Some slight changes away from the book but still a fantastic adaption filled with mystery and intrigue. A notable change is Inspector Japp being brought into the story to help investigate after being rescued from his tedious relations. The solution itself is perfectly presented as Poirot once again puts all the pieces together for a completely unexpected conclusion.

4: FIVE LITTLE PIGS.

Poirot is brought into prove if Caroline Crayle really did poison her husband Aymas Crale fourteen years before or was it one of the other people close to him. An enjoyable adaption that interweaves between past and present as everyone’s accounts of that fateful summer reveal the truth. The cast are all perfect in thier respective roles including an elegant mesmerising performance by Julie Cox as Elsa Greer. Suchet again shows how maginificent he is in bringing Poirot to life as he weaves the solution from the accounts of the possible suspects and exposes who really poisoned Aymas Crale.

5: DEATH ON THE NILE.

Visually stunning, set on the Nile in Egypt and undoubtedly my Favourite Episode and the one that introduced me to Poirot is visually beautiful with a terrific ensemble cast. A Young Heiress on honeymoon is shot dead by one of the other passengers with the main one being her Husband’s betrayed former Fiance Jacqueline De,Belfort who has been stalking the couple since thier honeymoon began. Aside from Suchet Emma Griffith’s Malin as Jacqueline gives a fiery performance as the a woman scorned and possible killer. Again the cinematography of all Egypt’s wonders such as the pyrmaids make this a feast viusally and also the performances.

6: THE HOLLOW.

If you ever wondered what it would be like for someone to try and really outwit Poirot then this episode gives you that. The reveal of this episode is quite unexpected and ingenious, never say that the most obvious suspect would be too tedious as it is that that makes it such a great story. Lystette Anthony also gives an alluring performance as Film Star Veronica Cray. The episode also offers some fascinating visuals such as an intracate almost theatrical tableau of suspects around the body by the swimming pool.

7: CARDS ON THE TABLE.

A Very intricate and clever mystery where there are only four suspects all in one room with a body but who took the risk to commmit murder. Normally a Poirot episode has 6/7 or more suspects but having only four really adds to the intricacy of the story. The victim himself Mr Shaitana is also quite an elegant mesmerising charecter who still holds influence over the story even after he is murdered and his slippery charcter could hold a vital clue to solving the mystery. There are some major changes from the novel but it is still an enjoyable episode filled with mystery and intrigue

8: AFTER THE FUNERAL.

Undoubtedly one of Christie’s finest Country House mysteries, the Funeral of Richard Abernathie is thrown into choas when his sister Cora blurts out he was murdered only to be bumped off herself the very next day. Poirot finds himself surrounded by a rather disconnected somewhat flamboyant family who are not being totally honest about their wherabouts the day after the funeral. The ensemble cast all perform very well as another typical Chrstie Dysfunctional rich Family. The reveal scene is one of the best in the series as Poirot assembles everyone together, assembles the clues and reveals the guilty party. One of my favourite reveal scenes, those Christie style ones are the best.

9: MRS MCGINTY’S DEAD.

Poirot investigates the murder of a charwoman the convicted man is innocent and who in a village full of interesting characters. The visuals also add to the episode as beneath the picturesque idyllic setting, something or someone very wicked is at work. Helping Poirot figure everything out with her comic rather bizzarre womens intuition is Crime Novelist Ariadne Oliver played by Zoe Wanamaker whose flustered, bubbly performance brings a sense of comedy to the episode. Some interesting unqiue characters in this Village such as a Politician, his mysterious Wife, A Playwright, any of whom could be the real killer.

10: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

David Suchet’s performance as Poirot is put to the test as Detective who believe in justice and what is right must make a huge choice upon revealing the guilty party. The sense of claustrophobia, entrapment, fear and suspicioun among the passengers on the snow trapped train is evident as well brought together by an excellent ensemble cast including the wonderful Barbera Hershey. The reveal scene is really perfectly executed and there is so much evident tension and intensity as we await to see what Poirot will do once he knows the truth or will he bend his principles just once.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

• One Two Buckle My Shoe
• Dumb Witness
• Lord Edgeware Dies
• Murder in Mespotamia
• The Mystery of the Blue Train
• Cat Among the Pigeons
• The Clocks

Well there you have it, My Top 10 Favourite Episodes of Poirot and I hope after reading this you will check out the series, I will also do a Top 10 of my Favourite Aagatha Christie Novels on this and and as well on my Book Blog.

Thanks For Reading.

LISTING THE TOP 10 EPISODES OF MY TOP 10 FAVOURITE TV SHOWS

Hey Guys

This next set of posts is something I’ve wanted to do, From my Top 10 Favourite TV Shows, I will be selecting my Top 10 Favourite episodes. Sounds like quite a mammoth task and it will be for some of my favorite shows. with Some TV Shows, it will be very tricky whereas for others I can pinpoint exactly what my favorite episodes are. If you like the sounds of some of these shows then I hop it will inspire you to watch them

MY TOP 10 CRIME NOVELS

Everyone loves a good Crime Novel, bodies piling up all over the place, a detective with nerves of steel to track down the killer. Nowadays Crime Novels revolve around sexual crimes I.e. Rape, child killings, serial killers. It seems the puzzle, mystery element has gone out of it and is probably considered old fashioned. Personally I prefer a good old fashioned Whodunit with an intriguing crime to puzzle over. If you are ever in the mindset to pick up a good Murder Mystery then here are my Top Ten Favourite Crime Novels and Yes they are all written by the same Author but no one does it better than the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie

1. DEATH ON THE NILE

I want to begin with my Top Favourite. Under the Hot Egyptian Sun aboard the SS Karnak a Newlywed Heiress fears danger from both her Husband’s Jilted Fiancé and the other Holiday Makers aboard the ship. The Beautiful setting adds to the tension that build up to the  Murder itself resulting in a crime that challenges Poirot to the limit. Poor Poirot can never seem to get that Crime Free Holiday. My First introduction to the world of Agatha Christie and my top Favourite.

2. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Deemed one of the Greatest Crime Novels of all time presents Poirot with a case that is tinged with tragedy and past heartbreak. As the train lies trapped in a snowdrift, cabin fever sets in leaving the reader puzzling over who the killer could be and as revelation after revelation is uncovered building up to what can only be described as one of the most unexpected, shocking endings in Crime Fiction History.

3. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE

Eight people are invited to the remote Indian Island, completely cut off from the mainland, they soon discover their unknown host Mr Owens has invited them in order to punish them for past crimes. As the body count increases, the terrified group realise the Mysterious Mr Owens is one of them. A gripping, chilling story the reader will not be able to put down. This novel is a gripping display of cabin fever amongst an atmosphere of distrust amongst everyone leading to a conclusion that will leave the reader speechless with shock.

4. THE BODY IN THE LIBRARY

When the Bantry’s discover the body of a young girl in their library, Mrs Bantry calls in the Ingenuitive Ms. Marple to solve a case that leads to the Majestic Hotel in Seaside Danemouth where motives and mystery mix together like a fine cocktail. Any Crime reader will enjoy a Miss Marple mystery especially this one where she unmasks the truth with St Mary Mead Village Parallels and other unexpected deductions.

5. THE SITTAFORD MYSTERY

Here Christie borrows from Conan Doyle’s classic Hound of the Baskervilles. The eerie snowy English moors rife with fear and suspicious and at the heart of it all an Impossible Murder. A group séance takes a horrifying turn when they are told Captain Joseph Trevelyan is dead, murdered. His friend upon reaching Trevelyan’s cottage discovers the man murdered. A mystery that will baffle the reader and have them rooting for amateur Sleuth Emily Trefusis to solve the sinister yet baffling mystery

6. A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED

A Murder announced in a village newspaper, a man shot later that night, an inheritance and a village full of suspicious characters create the perfect Christie Mystery. Ms. Marple returns in top form to solve her biggest challenge yet. The shooting at the start is only the beginning of shocking events that will puzzle the reader and give them plenty of clues to try and make their own deductions. Events also become further mysterious as we discovered even in a tranquil English village, nobody is who they say they are. Christie also uses this novel to open a door into British life post WW2

7. THE ABC MURDERS.

Poirot returns in a case that will both challenge and excite the reader. A Killer by the alias ABC is murdering people by order of the alphabet beginning Alice Asher at Andover then Betty Barnard at Bexhill and so forth. A brilliant and ingenious plot that see’s Poirot really put to the test this time. The reader no doubt will be tearing their hair out trying to solve this one before Poirot

8. THE MIRROR CRACKD

Hollywood comes to St Mary Mead when Film Star Marina Greg and her Husband Director Jason Rudd take up residence at Gossington Hall. What should be a period of excitement for the Village community turns dangerous when a local woman is poisoned at a Village Fete held at Gossington and Ms Marple must detect beneath the gold and glitter of Movie life to expose a killer. A story tinged with both symbolism and tragedy that will truly enthral any reader.

9. HERCULE POIROTS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a time for joy, celebration and Murder. Millionaire Miser Simeon Lee has his throat slit on Christmas Eve and everyone in the Lee Family has enough motives to fill a Christmas stocking ranging from hate and anger to greed. The murder itself is a classic example of the Locked Room Mystery. Poirot faces up to the task and with all his powers of deduction expose a dangerous Killer, plus a conclusion you won’t at all expect.

10. THE MOVING FINGER

Jerry and Joanna Burton move to the Village of Lymstock for some rest and relaxation only to find themselves caught in a tidal wave of poison pen letters. The poisonous author doesent stop there when one letter leads to a death which is deemed a suicide or is it possible there is more to these shocking events. Miss Marple makes her entrance quite late on in the story but again is in fighting form and exposes the dangerous mind behind everything. Only in Agatha Christie are those sweet tranquil English villages’ places of death and deception.