The Labors of Hercules: The Apples of Hesperides by Agatha Christie (1947)

The Labors of Hercules: The Apples of Hesperides by Agatha Christie (1947)

February 28, 2024

2–3 minutes

Agatha Christie, Book Review, Book Reviews, Hercule Poirot, mystery, The Apples of Hesperides, The Labors of Hercules

Poirot is visited by Emery Power, an affluent art collector with Irish roots, bearing a tale of a notorious artifact—a gold goblet purportedly crafted by Benvenuto Cellini for Pope Alexander VI, infamous for its association with poison. The goblet, adorned with a serpent coiled around an apple-bearing tree, captivates Poirot’s attention, particularly at the mention of apples. Power recounts purchasing it at a staggering sum during a 1929 auction, only for it to vanish on the night of the sale from the Marchese di San Veratrino residence.

Authorities of the time attributed the theft to an international trio of thieves, leading to the apprehension of two culprits and partial recovery of stolen items, excluding the goblet. The demise of the third member, Patrick Casey, a skilled Irish burglar, thwarted further investigation. Despite offers of reimbursement from the Marchese, Power’s steadfast refusal stemmed from a desire to retain ownership if the goblet resurfaced. Suspicions initially fell on Power’s rival bidder, Sir Reuben Rosenthal, until recent reconciliation dispelled doubts of his involvement.

Engaging Inspector Wagstaffe for insights into the case, Poirot uncovers sparse leads. Casey’s family history—a deceased wife and a son incarcerated in the U.S.—provides minimal traction. Launching a global inquiry, Poirot follows threads spanning continents.

Months later, Poirot journeys to a remote convent on Ireland’s western coast, where Casey’s daughter resided until her recent passing. With local assistance, Poirot clandestinely retrieves the goblet from the convent, where it serves as a chalice, unbeknownst to the nuns of its true origins. Poirot deduces its sanctuary, where “ordinary material values did not apply,” given the absence of any trace post-theft.

Returning the goblet to Power, Poirot elucidates its sinister history, recounting the Renaissance-era mechanism enabling poison delivery. Encouraging its return to the convent, Poirot highlights the solace of prayers from the nuns for Power’s soul. Recollecting Power’s Irish upbringing, Poirot persuades him to relinquish ownership, emphasizing the goblet’s ominous legacy. Power, having achieved his aim of possession, accedes. Poirot, bearing the goblet as an offering from a troubled soul, restores it to the convent, a poignant gesture echoing unseen unhappiness.

The Review

Poirot has been asked to recover a stolen religious artifact for a wealthy collector. However, leads go all over the globe, and at this moment, Hercule Poirot is faced with the need to travel the world. However, he reasons that such a course would be arduous and hires detectives to do his footwork. In this way, Hercule Poirot and his namesake could not be less similar.

There is an awkward three-month interval where we, the reader, are not privy to the investigation and are reintroduced to Poirot in Ireland following up on Casey’s daughter, with much displeasure, which further gives the impression that out of all the labors, this one is the least in Poirot’s wheelhouse.

Poirot’s incessant discomfort and scanty actual detective work make this story rather disinteresting for readers. Poirot didn’t want to be in this story, and I didn’t enjoy reading it!