Hallowe’en Party is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, featuring her famous detective, Hercule Poirot. The book was first published in 1969 and is the 39th novel in the Hercule Poirot series.
The story begins at a Halloween party hosted by Mrs. Rowena Drake for a group of children in the village of Woodleigh Common. During the party, a young girl named Joyce Reynolds is found dead in a tub of water used for apple-bobbing, with her head bashed in.
Poirot is called in to investigate the murder, and he soon learns that Joyce had bragged about witnessing a murder in the past, but no one had taken her seriously. As Poirot delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that includes the victim’s family, the guests at the party, and the villagers.
Poirot’s investigation leads him to suspect several individuals, including the victim’s stepmother, her half-brother, and a visiting author. The detective uses his signature method of questioning and deduction to piece together the clues and uncover the killer’s identity.
In the end, Poirot solves the mystery and reveals the killer’s motive, rooted in a long-held grudge and a desire for revenge. “The Hallowe’en Party” is a classic Agatha Christie mystery that showcases the author’s mastery of the genre, with a clever plot, a host of intriguing characters, and a surprise ending.
Hallowe’en Party is a classic Agatha Christie mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end. The story is well-plotted and full of twists and turns that make it difficult to predict who the killer is until the final reveal.
As always, Agatha Christie’s writing is excellent, with vivid descriptions that bring the village of Woodleigh Common and its inhabitants to life. The characters are well-drawn, each with their own distinct personalities and motives that keep the reader engaged.
Hercule Poirot is, of course, the star of the show, and his use of logic and reasoning to solve the mystery is both impressive and entertaining. Poirot’s interactions with the other characters are always a highlight, and in Hallowe’en Party, he is at his best as he navigates the complex web of secrets and lies that surround the murder.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the way in which Christie weaves together the various plot threads to create a satisfying resolution. The clues are all there for the reader to piece together, but the killer’s identity is still a surprise.
Overall, Hallowe’en Party is a well-crafted and enjoyable mystery that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie’s work and the detective fiction genre in general. It is a great example of the author’s skill at crafting intricate puzzles and her ability to keep the reader engaged and guessing until the very end.
You can pick up a copy of Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie here.