Christie Talk
Christie Talk - Book Club - Poirot Stories
Poirot Stories
Poirot is Agatha Christie's most famous and popular detective. No doubt he would agree that he deserves that accolade!
Here is the place to discuss all of his stories in detail with other fans. The most insightful comments will be added to the Stories pages. But remember to beware spoilers!
If you can't find your favourite Poirot story here, don't worry - we'll be adding them all soon.
Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!
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8 replies
MissQuin on 09 Mar 2010 at 4:49 p.m. GMT
I enjoyed this one. i actually saw the TV Suchet vesion, before I read the book. I like the fact the book shows Poirot's very human fear of the dentist.
I dont think One two buckle my shoe was the best title. Murder at the Dentist isnt any better though! I'm sure alot of people are scared enough. This is the second book with a dentist, Death in the Cloud's had one.
I don't really think this book is very simular to Lord Edgware or After the Funeral. The closest I think is the ABC murders, motive wise.
None of the character's stand out for me in this, apart from Ms Sailsbury Seale.
Lone_Wolf on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:49 p.m. GMT
I like the idea of the essense of British respectability and conservatism turning out to be a murderer. Very progressive message.
However, the story itself wasn't written that well. I guessed the culprit from the very beginning.
sjoerdbol on 10 Mar 2010 at 8 a.m. GMT
I think it is a good book, and I also saw the Suchet TV adaptation and I really enyojed it. Though it is very obvious in the Tv version that the secretary isn't really a secretary. But Poirots fear is also great to watch, I myself don't like the dentist, so I can understand it very well.
I think Murder at the dentist is a bit to obviousas a title, I would go for something like, Murder in treatment. That sounds more exciting I think.
go_leafs_nation on 10 Mar 2010 at 11:19 a.m. GMT
This is a pretty unmemorable, formulaic entry into the Poirot series, with misdirection that isn't as good as it usually is.
Lone_Wolf on 10 Mar 2010 at 2:17 p.m. GMT
"This is a pretty unmemorable, formulaic entry into the Poirot series, with misdirection that isn't as good as it usually is."
Pretty much yes. Like I said, I like the concept of the murderer, but everything else is very meh.
stylestocurtain on 12 Mar 2010 at 1:22 p.m. GMT
Disagree, I thought it was brilliant and on a par with Death on the Nile. And Miss Sainsbury Seale is such a wonderful character! The only annoying thing is that we were supposed to work out shoe sizes from stocking length. But other than that, a true Christie classic!
MissQuin on 12 Mar 2010 at 3:28 p.m. GMT
I enjoyed the TV version better than the book, but I like both. Miss Sainsbury Seale is the best character in it.
stylestocurtain on 12 Mar 2010 at 4:41 p.m. GMT
Yeah I preferred the adaptation as well - Sainsbury Seale is an absolute legend!! Gerda is a bit creepy as Helen Montressor :-s
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When Poirot's dentist, Morley, is found shot dead in a seeming suicide and one of his patients is later found dead from a lethal dose of anaesthetic it seems a straightforward case. However as Poirot begins to delve deeper into the lives of the possible suspects he finds himself embroiled in one of his most tricky cases.
Does this story have strong echoes of other Christie tales, for instance Lord Edgware Dies and After the Funeral? Is Christie's use of the nursery rhyme used to good effect here?