Agatha Christie Lovers discussion

Originally published 1941. Features Hercule Poirot.

Set at the Jolly Roger, a posh vacation resort for the rich and famous on the southern coast of England, "Evil Under the Sun" is one of Agatha Christie's most intriguing mysteries. When a gorgeous young bride is brutally strangled to death on the beach, only Hercule Poirot can sift through the secrets that shroud each of the guests and unravel the macabre mystery at this playground by the sea.

Here's the link to the previous discussion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Have the book, will be reading sometime later this month.

I might read this too!

I've already finished it but it was a re-re-reread for me. I love it when Poirot and Miss Marple go on vacations. I'm just happy I'm not with them!

Just finished the book !

... and liked it a lot. A pleasant reading from the beginning to the end.

The crime's resolution was so sophisticated and so rich in details that one can hardly believe in it.

But I think that this is part of the Agatha Christie's magic ... bringing some fantasy to unravel the crimes !

No one, but Poirot , could find out the killer and his motivation!

What are everyone's thoughts on the plotting of this book compared to the short story The Triangle at Rhodes: A Hercule Poirot Mystery? A lot of similarities, but different endings.
Also, has anyone seen the Peter Ustinov movie? Maggie Smith and Diane Riggs are just wonderful in it.

Finished! Definitely one of her best. I thought I had it figured out but—as we’ve discussed before—she always withholds evidence until the final denouement, though I did have a feeling acting somehow played into it.

I love Peter Ustinov’s movie. It is so funny to see how some swim and others stay fully dressed at the beach...

Heather L wrote: "Finished! Definitely one of her best. I thought I had it figured out but—as we’ve discussed before—she always withholds evidence until the final denouement, though I did have a feeling acting someh..."

Exactly ! Some evidences were hold until the final .

However, I suspected that it was a crime commited by 2 people.

... but my hunches were completely wrong.

I thought it could be Rosamund/Linda or Christine/Linda or Keneth/Rosamund

Let's try again on the next one !

I finished this one some two weeks ago. I agree that it has very similar beginning as "Triangle at Rhodes".
For me it was always surprising how can the killer continue with the plan of murder when the detective is present. Of course, they might think they are very smart and could outsmart the detective, but in reality it is a very stupid decision.

My (very short) review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Aušrinė wrote: "I finished this one some two weeks ago. I agree that it has very similar beginning as "Triangle at Rhodes".
For me it was always surprising how can the killer continue with the plan of murder when ..."

You are right and right !

Right, when you say 'the killers think they are the smartest' .. and right, when you say how stupid they really are, following the plan, even with the presence of the detective.

I think this is a very common behaviour of criminal minds. Here in Brazil we have an expression (in Portuguese) : "O bandido sempre volta à cena do crime".

I don't know if there is a similar expression in English, but the literaly translation would be "The criminal always comes back to the criminal scene"

This is some how , part of the criminal minds.

They are capable to have sophisticated thoughts and plans, but almost always are betrayed for primitive instinctics like these - continue the plan even with the presence of the detective, or - return to the scene of the crime

PS: I've Read your review and Im' curious to read the Triangle at Rhodes ;-)

Even in Italy we say the same thing: "Il colpevole torna sempre sul luogo del delitto" !
When we watch the movies my boyfriend always says: "Why they don't kill Poirot first?"

Miriam wrote: "Even in Italy we say the same thing: "Il colpevole torna sempre sul luogo del delitto" !
When we watch the movies my boyfriend always says: "Why they don't kill Poirot first?""

Your boyfriend is much smarter than them :-)

“For me it was always surprising how can the killer continue with the plan of murder when the detective is present. Of course, they might think they are very smart and could outsmart the detective, but in reality it is a very stupid decision.”

I think, too, that his age factored in. More than one character commented on how “old” he was. They thought he was a “doddering old man,” and one character even said they thought he had died years ago.

Tara— I don’t remember “Triangle at Rhodes.” Is it in one of her short story collections?

Miriam wrote: When we watch the movies my boyfriend always says: "Why they don't kill Poirot first?""

If I remember correctly, criminals tried to kill Poirot in "The Big Four". It is not that easy either!

Heather L wrote: I don’t remember “Triangle at Rhodes.” Is it in one of her short story collections?"

It is a short story from "Murder in the Mews".

Thanks, Aušrinė. I missed that collection in the rotation. I’ll have to go back and read it.

Heather L wrote: "“For me it was always surprising how can the killer continue with the plan of murder when the detective is present. Of course, they might think they are very smart and could outsmart the detective,..."

It has a very similar set-up and cast of characters, but totally different solution. So reading one does not spoil the other. I believe there are also a lot of similarities between full length Sparkling Cyanide and short story Yellow Iris.

Finished rereading it; definitely one of my favorite among Christie's 'holiday murder' books. Really enjoyed the perception shift in this, even if the culprits' plan feel a bit too audacious when you really think about it~

I just finished reading yesterday, it was very good.

I watched the movie several times and then read the novel: though I already knew how it ended, it didn't spoil the reading. I think this is not only an ingenious mystery novel, but also a good novel in spite of the mystery.
My favourite carachter is Christine. What about you?

Miriam wrote: "I watched the movie several times and then read the novel: though I already knew how it ended, it didn't spoil the reading. I think this is not only an ingenious mystery novel, but also a good nove..."

I really liked Rosamund. There was no such character in the Ustinov movie, but my favorite was Maggie Smith.

I like Christine too, (view spoiler)[especially after the reveal. Super clever, and she might've been able to get away with a more level-headed and intelligent partner. (hide spoiler)]

It’s quite a good one, though an insanely complicated murder method. One of those ones where I find myself thinking ‘surely there must have been an easier way to do it than that?’

One of my favourites - exceedingly clever!

This book was one of my favs. Such a genius move by A.C.. ❤❤