Cards on the Table
Ratings106
Average rating3.8
An interesting and fun read but I might have understood it more if I knew anything about bridge, which unfortunately I do not.
I enjoyed this in that it was a nice distraction, but I'm starting to feel like Agatha Cristie's stories are very much a formula.
Пуаро приглашает на ужин некий человек с говорящей фамилией Шайтана, который воображает себя неким Мефистофелем. По его собственному признанию, он коллекционирует истории преступников (убийц), которые ушли от правосудия, а значит, совершили идеальное убийство. Чтобы продемонстрировать свое хобби, он созывает на ужин четырех удачливых убийц, и четырех детективов в той или иной степени - Пуаро, инспектор Баттл, полковник Рейс и писательница Ариадна Оливер. За ужином происходит трагедия - убит сам хозяин вечера...
It's rather boring, actually...
But - it is good Agatha Christie, with twists and murders and interesting characters and all that.
I am a bit bothered by Ariadne Oliver's “If a woman was the head of Scotland Yard...” and “a woman's intuition” and all that, because it's all just rubbish.
The conclusion was also a bit of a mess... Though I remember not thinking so the first time I read it :-D Maybe it does influence one to have read a mystery before :-D It wasn't quite as intriguing this time :-D
Oh, and of course, the racism... all those dagos and white men couldn't possibly behave in any dishonorable, unmanly manner X-]
“He played the part of the devil too successfully. But he was not the devil. Au fond, he was a stupid man. And so - he died.”“Because he was stupid?”“It is the sin that is never forgiven and always punished, madame.”
A flamboyant, mysterious host who goes by the impressive name of ‘'Mr. Shaitana'' invites eight guests. Four sleuths and four people who are possibly capable of murder. Following a rather exciting game of bridge, Mr Shaitana is found dead. Now, each one of our sleuths has to investigate and try to connect the dots, leading to motive and the perpetrator.
Memory, sins of the past, dangerous secrets, and an impressive pile of the finest stockings compose one of the most elaborate and exciting mysteries of Queen Agatha. This is the introduction of Ariadne Oliver, the most impressive, sassy and downright glorious sidekick of our beloved Belgian genius.
“Life is a difficult business,” said Mrs. Lorrimer. “You'll know that when you come to my age. It needs infinite courage and a lot of endurance. And in the end one wonders: ‘Was it worthwhile?”
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