by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to in a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

I have been an Agatha Christie fan since my early twenties, and my favorite of her characters is Hercule Poirot. When I first saw that Sophie Hannah was going to be writing new books featuring Poirot, I wasn’t certain how I felt about it. She has now released the fifth book in the series, Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night, and I have enjoyed every one of them! I think part of her secret to making this work so well has been to have them narrated by a completely new character, Inspector Edward Catchpool—that way, the voice could be hers, even if the books take place in the world of Agatha Christie. Her portrayal of Poirot is spot on, and that, to me, is the most important thing.

Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night starts out on December 19, 1931. Catchpool is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas holiday which he will be spending with Poirot, however, his mother, Cynthia, suddenly shows up with different ideas. She insists that they must come with her at once to investigate the murder of a man in the Norfolk hospital and that they must stay for Christmas. Much to Catchpool’s dismay, Poirot agrees as he is intrigued when Cynthia says the murdered man was loved by all and was one of the most joyful people they knew. Why, then, would such a person be murdered? The main reason Cynthia cares is that the husband of a friend of hers is being admitted soon to the same hospital, and her friend fears he will be murdered too—he also is a Poirot fan and wants to solve the murder himself just like he has read about Poirot doing. The husband, Arnold, also has a terminal disease.

The pair go to Arnold’s home, which is a crumbling mansion on the coast, and both are determined they will solve this and be back home in time for Christmas. Catchpool is certain this is all just a ploy by his mom to make him spend Christmas with her. He does not get along with his mother, so he has no intention of staying. Poirot sets out to investigate the murder and instructs Catchpool to interview the members of the household to learn why someone might want to murder Arnold and if the family has any connection to the murdered man. Living in the mansion together with Arnold and his wife are their two sons, their sons’ wives (who happen to be bickering sisters), and the in laws. It is an odd, mostly unlikeable, bunch. Along the way, Poirot’s own life is put in danger, and Catchpool just wants to get out of there in time for Christmas.

While Catchpool can be annoying at times, I think he makes an excellent narrator for these new stories and I really like his friendship with Poirot—they make a good pair. The mystery was filled with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing on the identity of the killer until Poirot’s reveal. I think Sophie Hannah does an excellent job of writing a mystery with the feel of a golden age traditional British mystery. I look forward to Poirot’s next new adventure, and in the meantime, will be rereading more of the original stories by Agatha Christie.

To enter to win a copy of Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “silent night” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 16, 2023, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet. Lorie’s latest mystery novel, One of Us, is set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre!<

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