Curtain (1975)

One of the best Christie novels that I have read. Recommended to all Poirot fans. ( )

totally unexpected and sad and marvellous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( )

Hercule Poirot "detecting his own death" (Inspector Japp in the _The ABC Murders_) in this, his last, mysterious affair at Styles. Christie apparently had this book stashed in a vault waiting for her to let it be published just prior to her own death. Poirot is afflicted with self-doubt and commits himself to protecting Hastings. ( )

The final Hercule Poirot novel, Agatha Christie's Curtain brings things full circle, with Poirot and Captain Hastings returning to Styles (the scene of their first murder investigation) to attempt to prevent a second murder in that ill house. This time, the killer is far more ingenious and cunning, compelled to kill but with no connection to his victims and a clear suspect for every crime. An ailing Poirot needs Hastings' assistance to stop this, his most diabolical adversary.
Christie ended her long run of Poirot stories with a masterpiece, breaking one of the cardinal rules of classic detective fiction, though in a manner that satisfies her audience. Curtain is permeated with a sense of nostalgia, evoking Poirot's long career and reminding Christie's readers why he remains such a mainstay of detective fiction while simultaneously giving him a fitting sendoff. ( )

I read this after watching the David Suchet dramatization on television.
It is a dark, sad story but good in a way to wrap up Poirot's last days.
The moral twists are quite troubling - the question of who can or should be the judge of evil along with the idea of euthanasia and who gets to decide are covered in some depth. The results are a bit alarming but maybe a reflection of what was happening when the story was written.
The character of Hastings is very interesting to the point where it would be wonderful to know what happened next. ( )