Death on the Nile Book

4.5 stars

"I like an audience, I must confess. I am vain, you see. I am puffed up with conceit. I like to say: 'See how clever is Hercule Poirot!'"

Well, this confession from the renowned detective may very well be true, but I admit it is one of the reasons I love him so! He also has integrity and class… and a really swell mustache! Reading Agatha Christie's Poirot stories never fail to entertain and to comfort. In my part of the country, we are bracing for a winter storm with heaps of snow and frigid temperatures. The dark, dreary days and the vision of my least favorite season stretching well into March are threatening to cause a case of wintertime funk. Fortunately, I can get lost in a book; and, in this instance, I can further imagine myself far, far away - cruising down the Nile River with Poirot and company. I'll even take a boatload of potential murderers as my company at this point! Anything to escape for a bit!

The super-rich, drop-dead gorgeous Linnet Ridgeway is on her honeymoon in Egypt… on her honeymoon with her best friend's former fiancé, I should add. Jacqueline de Bellefort may have been cast aside, but she is not going to let Linnet and Simon Doyle revel in their marriage without being a thorn, a very large thorn, in their sides. When she pops up once again and boards the same boat down the Nile, the newlyweds know it couldn't really be a coincidence. Poirot showing up on holiday at the same time and place is rather fortuitous, however. There may be a few folks on board this pleasure cruise that are not at all happy to see the detective, holiday or not. We quickly learn that more than one person just might consider Linnet to be his or her enemy. As usual, there are plenty of suspects and it was a delight meeting each and every one and trying to sort out the multiple motives for murder.

"Do people interest you too, Monsieur Poirot? Or do you reserve your interest for potential criminals?"

"Madame'that category would not leave many people outside it."

A lush setting, elegant and mysterious characters, lively dialogue, and murder combine to make a very satisfying read. I had fun working alongside Poirot, who naturally won't share all of his ideas with anyone, including the dear reader. I thought I had it figured out a few times, but I'm easily fooled by all the red herrings. That's okay, I like being distracted by it all!

Highly recommended for mystery lovers and Agatha Christie fans. I had been eager to read this one ever since I had seen "Murder on the Orient Express" in theaters last year and found out that an adaptation was in the works for this book as well. I can't wait to get in line for my ticket when it's released! 4.5 stars

"Do not open your heart to evil… Because'if you do'evil will come…Yes, very surely evil will come…It will enter in and make its home within you, and after a little while it will no longer be possible to drive it out."