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Paromjit's Reviews > Closed Casket
Closed Casket (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #2)
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This is the second book that Sophie Hannah has written with Poirot since she took up the Agatha Christie mantle. Whilst I had enjoyed Monogram Murders, this was a harder sell for me. The story is narrated by Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard. For no reason that he can fathom, he has been invited to Clonakilty, County Cork in Ireland. He is to be a house guest at Lillieoak, a mansion owned by Lady Playford, a writer of the Shrimp series. He harbours some resentment of Poirot after the media coverage of his role in the Monogram Murders, but gets over this once he discovers Poirot is a guest. Lady Playford has summoned Michael Gathercole to change her will leaving everything to her dying assistant, Joseph Scotcher. She is disinheriting her son, Harry, an obsessed taxidermist and her daughter, Claudia, is engaged to be married to the extremely wealthy Dr Randall Kimpton. The scene is set for a murder in a country house which could only have been committed by a resident or guest.
Lady Playford announces the change in her will to rancorous recriminations, bitterness and other drama. Scotcher makes clear his intention to marry his nurse, Sophie, despite his terminal illness. There are overheard conversations, a fear of being poisoned by the lawyer, Orville Rolfe, and an upset Lady Playford. Sophie discovers the dead body of Joseph Scotcher, and claims to witness Claudia killing him despite the fact that this seems unlikely. Poirot and Catchpool investigate all in the house and delve into the life of the victim. There are a number of red herrings along with an inept Irish policeman in charge of the case. Poirot has a trip to England which gives him much information and the killer is finally unveiled at the end.
The story is a pleasant way to while away some time but for me it fails to capture Poirot's character or the plot depth that I expected. There are the usual array of characters, all of whom harbour secrets and the possibilities of motive. There is the large country house, a staple of golden age crime writing, but there is a lacking of verve, and more spirited story telling that I wanted. I would recommend this to those looking for a light and undemanding read.
Lady Playford announces the change in her will to rancorous recriminations, bitterness and other drama. Scotcher makes clear his intention to marry his nurse, Sophie, despite his terminal illness. There are overheard conversations, a fear of being poisoned by the lawyer, Orville Rolfe, and an upset Lady Playford. Sophie discovers the dead body of Joseph Scotcher, and claims to witness Claudia killing him despite the fact that this seems unlikely. Poirot and Catchpool investigate all in the house and delve into the life of the victim. There are a number of red herrings along with an inept Irish policeman in charge of the case. Poirot has a trip to England which gives him much information and the killer is finally unveiled at the end.
The story is a pleasant way to while away some time but for me it fails to capture Poirot's character or the plot depth that I expected. There are the usual array of characters, all of whom harbour secrets and the possibilities of motive. There is the large country house, a staple of golden age crime writing, but there is a lacking of verve, and more spirited story telling that I wanted. I would recommend this to those looking for a light and undemanding read.
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Reading Progress
February 4, 2017
–
Started Reading
February 4, 2017
– Shelved
February 4, 2017
– Shelved as:
crime-fiction
February 4, 2017
– Shelved as:
mystery
February 4, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-24 of 24 (24 new)
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Good to read your thoughts on this Paromjit.
I couldn't face trying the second as the first was so disappointing. Good to hear your thoughts on it though.
I don't think Sophie Hannah has captured Christie's voice and style. I read Monogram Murders and didn't love it.
Great review, Pamrojit. I just can't see reading Poirot from the pen of an author who isn't Agatha Christie.
Amazon is being very diligent in offering me the chance to buy books in this Poirot series. I knew I had been resisting for a good reason! My reading taste jibes with yours so often that I feel I can trust your judgement and I don't have time to indulge in 3* books on purpose. I find enough of those by myself. Thanks. ;DJudy
Mary wrote: "A light and undemanding read,is not something that I would normally associate with you, Paromjit! I fully understand why you were disappointed with the depth of this book. Have read a few of S.Ha..."
Thank you so much Mary. It might be I wasn't in the frame of mind to read this xox
Carol wrote: "Good to read your thoughts on this Paromjit."Thank you Carol xx
Susan wrote: "I couldn't face trying the second as the first was so disappointing. Good to hear your thoughts on it though."Thank you Susan....yes, this just doesn't feel up to par xx
Barbara wrote: "I don't think Sophie Hannah has captured Christie's voice and style. I read Monogram Murders and didn't love it."I agree with you when it comes to this book Barbara xx
Esil wrote: "Great review, Pamrojit. I just can't see reading Poirot from the pen of an author who isn't Agatha Christie."I fear you are right when it comes to this book Esil xx
Judy wrote: "Amazon is being very diligent in offering me the chance to buy books in this Poirot series. I knew I had been resisting for a good reason! My reading taste jibes with yours so often that I feel I c..."Judy thanks for trusting my judgement and I agree there's no point reading 3 star books xox
Maureen wrote: "Hope your next one's better Paromjit."Thank you so much dear Maureen....me too xox
Maddie wrote: "Sorry it was not as much as you expected Good honest review xo"Maddie, I am so happy to hear from you my sweet....hope you are good.... thank you xox
Yup, not quite up to Agatha’s standards. A bit wordy at times. Light reading fare.
Carol wrote: "Yup, not quite up to Agatha’s standards. A bit wordy at times. Light reading fare."Thank you, Carol.
This is ventriloquism with emphysema, laboured to the point of expiry. The tired old tropes of the genre are paraded like pantomime ghouls at Halloween. Arguably the most interesting character is the corpse; the rest shamble on and off stage as if in a bad am-dram performance. It must have the old dame spinning in her grave.
Barbara Lemon wrote: "Perfect Review. I agree entirely. In fact, I felt I was overly generous giving it 3 stars."Thank you, Barbara....I enjoyed reading your review too!
linda lee-wright wrote: "This is ventriloquism with emphysema, laboured to the point of expiry. The tired old tropes of the genre are paraded like pantomime ghouls at Halloween. Arguably the most interesting character is t..."Most eloquent, Linda!
Thank you for introducing me to this author and series. Was not aware of it. Great review. Will read this series.
Shankar wrote: "Thank you for introducing me to this author and series. Was not aware of it. Great review. Will read this series."Thank you!
Paromjit, I agree. Monogram Murders was better than I feared, this was a small step down and the third in the series a bigger step down. Nonetheless this book was a pleasant, innocuous read.
Cynthia wrote: "Paromjit, I agree. Monogram Murders was better than I feared, this was a small step down and the third in the series a bigger step down. Nonetheless this book was a pleasant, innocuous read."Thank you, Cynthia. :)
Have read a few of S.Hannah's books and found them to be enjoyable. However I haven't ventured into her Poirot series.
How your next choice is a 5* read.