LJ Ross Book Club: December
Northumberland-born LJ Ross is the bestselling author of the DCI Ryan murder mystery series. Each month, she shares an exclusive Book Club pick with Living North readers
This month’s crime reading never gets old —Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, from Dame Agatha Christie, was a success when it was first published in December 1938 by the Collins Crime Club and remains a success to this day, finding new readers every festive season. A classic ‘locked room’ mystery, it features Christie’s Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, who is invited to join a family who are reuniting at Christmas, only to discover the host of the gathering murdered in a private room.
AGATHA CHRISTIE - HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS
LJ’s Thoughts: ‘While most of us will probably recognise the television adaptation of this novel which often shows at Christmastime, featuring David Suchet in the titular role, if you’re like me and prefer to discover the original story as words on a page, then I heartily recommend you settle in with this book and a hot toddy near to hand. It has a bit of everything: an unlikeable, vengeful millionaire who dies badly; a black sheep of the family; snowy scenes and country houses…what’s not to love? Beyond this, the story afforded Christie, or rather, Poirot, an opportunity to flex his intellectual muscle and marry his observations about human nature and psychology with the facts. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for the season!’
