Deciphering the Enigma of Hercule Poirot

Journey into the enigmatic world of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s renowned detective. This article provides a deep dive into Poirot’s distinctive character, his memorable cases, and his lasting impact on the detective genre.

Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot needs no introduction. A genius detective known to solve any mystery with his “little grey cells”, Hercule Poirot is a remarkable and most loved fictional character of all times. From books to movies to TV series, Poirot has entertained and inspired generations of readers and viewers.

This page contains:

About Hercule Poirot?
Facts about Hercule Poirot
What are some of Hercule Poirot’s famous cases?
What are some of Hercule Poirot’s hobbies and interests?
Hercule Poirot Series in Order
Hercule Poirot Short Stories


About Hercule Poirot

Hercule Poirot was created by Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime. She wrote a total of 33 full-length novels, 2 plays, and 51 short stories featuring the Belgian detective.

Hercule Poirot first appeared in Mysterious Affairs at Styles (1920) and last appeared in Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (1975).

Poirot is a retired Belgian police officer who moved to England after World War I. He often helps the British police, especially his friend Inspector Japp, in solving complex cases. He also works as a private detective, taking on clients who need his expertise and discretion.

Facts about Hercule Poirot

  • Poirot takes great pride in his appearance – from immaculately groomed and waxed moustache to polished leather shoes. He also uses a special dye to conceal his grey hair.
  • Poirot likes disorder – he refuses to eat anything except perfectly shaped eggs. He’s also known to have refused an irregularly shaped loaf of bread.
  • Poirot relies on his “little grey cells” to solve mysteries, rather than physical clues or forensic evidence. He uses his knowledge of human psychology and his keen observation skills to deduce the truth.
  • We all love a good dash of drama, don’t we? Poirot is no different. He often gathers all the suspects in one room and reveals the culprit in a dramatic fashion.
  • Captain Arthur Hastings, a loyal companion and friend of Hercule Poirot narrates many of the stories. Hastings is often amazed by Poirot’s brilliance, but also amused by his eccentricities and vanity.
  • Poirot also has a personal secretary, Miss Felicity Lemon, who is extremely efficient and organized. She can type, file, and sort anything with ease. Poirot admires her skills, but sometimes finds her too rigid and inflexible.
  • Poirot has a soft spot for women, especially those who are young, beautiful, and innocent. He is very chivalrous and courteous towards them, and often tries to protect them from harm. He also respects women who are intelligent and courageous, such as Ariadne Oliver, a crime novelist who helps him in some cases.
  • He is fluent in several languages, including French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian. He can also speak some Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Latin, and Mandarin. He enjoys reading classical literature and listening to opera music.
  • He loves food and drink, especially chocolate, coffee, wine, and liqueurs. He prefers continental cuisine over British food, and dislikes spicy or exotic dishes.

What are some of Hercule Poirot’s most famous cases?

Hercule Poirot has solved hundreds of cases in his long and illustrious career. Some of his most famous ones are:

  • The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: In this novel, Poirot investigates the murder of a wealthy man who was stabbed to death in his study. The novel is famous for its shocking twist ending that reveals the identity of the murderer.
  • Murder on the Orient Express: In this novel, Poirot is on board the famous train when it gets stuck in a snowdrift. He discovers that one of the passengers has been killed in his cabin, and that everyone else has a motive and an alibi. He has to find out who among them is the killer before the train resumes its journey.
  • Death on the Nile: In this novel, Poirot is on a cruise along the Nile River when he witnesses the murder of a young heiress who was shot in the head. He learns that she had many enemies among the other passengers, including her former friend who married her husband.
  • The ABC Murders: In this novel, Poirot receives a series of letters from a serial killer who calls himself ABC. The letters challenge him to stop the murders that follow a pattern: each victim’s name and town begin with the same letter as the one on the railway guide that is left at the scene.
  • Five Little Pigs: In this novel, Poirot is hired by a young woman who believes that her mother was wrongly convicted of killing her father 16 years ago. He interviews the five people who were present at the time of the murder, and reconstructs what really happened.

What are some of Hercule Poirot’s hobbies and interests?

  • Hercule Poirot is not only a master detective but also a cultured and refined gentleman. He has many hobbies and interests that he enjoys in his spare time.
  • He is fluent in several languages, including French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian. He can also speak some Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Latin, and Mandarin. He enjoys reading classical literature and listening to opera music.
  • He loves food and drink, especially chocolate, coffee, wine, and liqueurs. He prefers continental cuisine over British food, and dislikes spicy or exotic dishes. He is very particular about how his food is prepared and served.
  • He has a sense of humor and a playful side, although he can also be serious and stern when needed. He likes to make jokes and puns, especially involving his name or his nationality. He also likes to surprise people with his disguises and his tricks.
  • He is fond of gardening and growing vegetables. He has a small plot of land where he cultivates marrows, pumpkins, and other plants. He also likes to arrange flowers and make bouquets.
  • He is interested in art and architecture. He appreciates the beauty and harmony of different styles and periods. He also likes to visit museums and galleries and admire the paintings and sculptures.

Hercule Poirot Series in Order

  • The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
  • The Murder on the Links (1923)
  • Poirot Investigates (1924)
  • The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
  • The Big Four (1927)
  • The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
  • Black Coffee (1930)
  • Peril at End House (1932)
  • Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
  • Three Act Tragedy (1934)
  • Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
  • Death in the Clouds (1935)
  • The A.B.C. Murders (1936)
  • Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
  • Cards on the Table (1936)
  • Dumb Witness (1937)
  • Death on the Nile (1937)
  • Murder in the Mews (1937)
  • Appointment with Death (1938)
  • Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1938)
  • Sad Cypress (1940)
  • One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940)
  • Evil Under the Sun (1941)
  • Five Little Pigs (1942)
  • The Hollow (1946)
  • The Labours of Hercules (1947)
  • Taken at the Flood (1948)
  • Mrs. McGinty’s Dead (1952)
  • After the Funeral (1953)
  • Hickory Dickory Dock (1955)
  • Dead Man’s Folly (1956)
  • Cat Among the Pigeons (1959)
  • The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (1960)
  • The Clocks (1963)
  • Third Girl (1966)
  • Hallowe’en Party (1969)
  • Elephants Can Remember (1972)
  • Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (1975)

Hercule Poirot Short Stories

These stories can be found in various collections and anthologies of Agatha Christie’s works.

  • The Adventure of the Western Star
  • The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
  • The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
  • The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
  • The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
  • The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
  • The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
  • The Kidnapped Prime Minister
  • The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
  • The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
  • The Case of the Missing Will
  • The Veiled Lady
  • The Lost Mine
  • The Chocolate Box
  • The Adventure of the Clapham Cook
  • The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly
  • The Double Clue
  • The King of Clubs
  • The Lemesurier Inheritance
  • The Lost Lady
  • The Man in the Brown Suit
  • The Market Basing Mystery
  • The Plymouth Express
  • The Submarine Plans
  • The Under Dog
  • The Affair at the Victory Ball
  • The Apples
  • The Erymanthian Boar
  • The Girdle of Hyppolita
  • The Golden Ball
  • The Horses of Diomedes
  • The House of Shiraz
  • The Oracle at Delphi
  • The Purloined Papers
  • The Queen of Spades
  • The Sirens
  • The Stymphalean Birds
  • The Two Cures
  • The Witness for the Prosecution
  • The Third-Floor Flat
  • The Regatta Mystery
  • The Mystery of the Bagdad Chest
  • How Does Your Garden Grow?
  • Problem at Sea
  • The Incredible Theft
  • Triangle at Rhodes
  • The Cornish Mystery
  • The Mystery of the Blue Jar
  • The Call of Wings
  • The Hound of Death
  • The Dream

References:

Wikipedia ; AgathaChristie.com

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