Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Poirot Loses a Client by Agatha Christie
Grade: A-

In Poirot Loses a Client, Poirot received a rather peculiar letter from a woman named Miss Arundel. She wrote, “I am emboldened to write to you in the hope that you may be able to assist me in a matter of a strictly private nature.” The letter rambled on for some time but Miss Arundel never quite explained what the private matter was. Poirot was interested enough to reply to the letter, only to find that she had since died. Naturally, he suspected murder, and though the woman was no longer alive, he decided to investigate on her behalf.

This is one instance where Poirot’s investigations are not only interesting but also amusing, as he misrepresents himself shamelessly in order to get information. The presence of Hastings is always welcome, and the interplay between the two makes this book an extra fun read for Poirot fans.

“You are really very offensive sometimes, Hastings. Anybody would think I enjoyed telling lies.”
“I rather think you do. In fact, I’m sure of it.”
“It is true that I sometimes compliment myself upon my ingenuity,” Poirot confessed naively.
I could not help giving a shout of laughter. Poirot looked at me reproachfully…

It’s always good for a hero to have a sidekick. I’ll have to look back at my opinions of other Poirot novels and see if the ones to feature Hastings got better grades overall. I suspect that is the case.