I finished reading this book two days ago. I read it in a little more than a day, ignoring any and all chores that I could, just so I could keep reading...I love it when a book grips me that much.I have read this book before, but the last time I read it, I was 16...that was 21 years ago. I remember it as a book that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I did wonder if I would like it as much this time around.I did. I thought the resolution was a bit implausible...not the solution to the mystery, but the manner in which it was revealed...barring that, I loved everything.The plot was brilliant and the story was full of clues, false trails and surprises, the way a good detective story should be. But what I noticed this time around was the characters. They were all so well crafted each with their own set of perfectly plausible motives for doing what they do.When we think of Agatha Christie, we think about plot and action and lots of clever writing. All of that is very much in evidence here, but so is her ability to create believable and some genuinely likeable characters.The story is set in a school called Meadowbank. It is one of the best girl's schools in England, the last place that anyone would associate with murder. And yet one night, just a week into the summer term, the new games mistress is found murdered in the sports pavilion. The police are trying to solve the crime, but there are too few clues and a complete absence of motive.Just a few days later, one of the students is kidnapped. She's not a regular student, she's a princess and she's from the small middle eastern kingdom of Ramat, which has recently had a revolution in which her cousin, the former ruler of Ramat was killed.Before there is any proper investigation of the kidnapping, a second murder happens. Another of the teachers is killed...in the sports pavilion. What is so special about the sports pavilion? What is the connection between the Revolution in Ramat and the murders in at Medowbank? No one can make head or tail of it.There are rumours about jewels that were smuggled out of Ramat just before the revolution, there's blackmail and secrets a plenty. And one fifteen year old school girl who figures out one part of this mystery and realises that her life is in danger. She runs away from school and goes to Hercule Poirot looking for help and advice.He brings her back to the school and he slowly figures out exactly what happened and why. The book is an absolute romp from start to finish.
I've spent the last couple of weeks singing Agatha Christie's praises, and I don't want you to think I'm a hypocrite or anything, because even though I'm going to be a little more critical this time around, this is still a good book. That's one of the many things I like about reading Christie, even when one of her books isn't my favorite, it's still good.My cover is the absolute worst. I mean, really? I see this and am mentally prepared for some haunted house shenanigans, not the spy thriller story the novel actually contains.There's lots going on in this book, and it just sort of seems haphazardly done. I imagine that the reason this book was written was because the publisher was ecstatic about book sales,"Egad!" The publisher says, eyeglasses slightly crooked and combover run amok. "Christie's book sales are through the roof! She must write another! This one should be exotic, have spies, and of course that wonderful chap Poirot! Smashing! Diddly-pip! Is it time for crumpets yet?"And somewhere else, Agatha sighs, knowing the public demands more Poirot and wants excitement and intrigue and maybe she's just a little bit tired so she quickly writes this and sends it out and shablam! An exotic spy thriller in a girls school in England just in time for tea.What I do like about this book is how strong the women are. It was wonderful for me to read about a smart young girl who is able to follow the intrigue out to its conclusion, and it was truly her who solved the mystery. What sort of irritates me about this book is the deus ex machina-esque way Poirot is unceremoniously dumped into the story near the end to tie all of the loose ends.No, thanks. I prefer the ending where they were doing just fine without Poirot and the gutsy girl figures it all out and takes out the bad guys with a smile and a wink. 'Cause she's smart and everyone's acting a little too suspicious anyway.
What do You think about Cat Among The Pigeons (2005)?
An odd one - this is a really strong Poirot book if you ignore the fact that Poirot is barely in it (he turns up on page 182, approximately 3/4 of the way through, proceeds to listen to everything that has happened before explaining the solution). He feels like an afterthought, brought in to wrap it all up and bring in some readers.However, despite that, the actual story and intrigue is excellent. Wartime espionage, secret identities, a middle eastern revolution, a quaint English girls boarding school and some gems. The best of everything!It all feels far more detailed than some Poirot stories, rich in plot, environment and location with a cracking opening sequence. The characters are classic Christie, creating an almost entirely female cast, filled with a wonderful cross section of personalities. You can read a lot of Christie's thoughts on her fellow women here. The private school setting works wonderfully and there's an awful lot to like throughout.So, despite not really being a Poirot story, this is Christie at her best. Well worth reading for a riveting story, a great intrigue and a lovely school setting.
—Andy
the story is set in an exclusive residential school catering to the creme de la creme. There is a hidden cache of precious jewels, coup in a middle eastern country, mixing up of teachers and students of varying nationalities and personalities in a residential school in a remote English island. Three murders serially and sequentially - all involving the female teachers of the school, espionage, assumed identities - you name it, the book has it. I love boarding school stories and I enjoyed this one a lot, though there wasn't much in the real sense about the boarding school life. Hercule Poirot makes an appearance and solves the mystery in the last 60 pages or so.
—Ahtims
the very first - from such a long list of - agatha christie's detective novels i've read. quite a 'right' choice because the story reminds me of the more familiar enid blyton's boarding schools' series (i.e. mallory towers), but with such expanded plots that includes romance, theft and murder. very juicy indeed. i could even remember that i skipped sleeping that night just to finish this novel, and succeeded doing so in less than 48 hours. this novel was probably the one that triggered my crave (or hunger?) for ms. christie's other works.love "cat among pigeons" much.
—Mark
