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Aug 24, 2022 Anne rated it really liked it Cursed jewelry? Of course, there's so much more going on here than first
appears, and Poirot manages to set everything right in the end. The famous American actress, Miss Mary Marvell, has been receiving menacing letters telling her that the jewel given to her as a wedding present is about to get repoed. The jewel will supposedly be reunited with its twin (which belongs to Lady Yardly) before the next full moon as they are the stolen eyes of an idol. It's very spooky stuff. Really. Of course, there's so much more going on here than first appears, and Poirot manages to set everything right in the end. I've read this several times over the years, but this time around I listened to the audio short narrated by Hugh Fraser. He did (as always) a wonderful job.
This Hercule Poirot short story was first published in The Sketch magazine in the UK on April 11, 1923. The Blue Magazine printed it in the US in February 1924. A famous American film star arrives in England. She seeks out Poirot's help, stating that she has been receiving strange threatening letters regarding a large diamond she owns. Then a second woman, Lady Yardley, comes forward with concerns about a
similar stone in her collection. Poirot jumps right in to lend the powers of his little grey A famous American film star arrives in England. She seeks out Poirot's help, stating that she has been receiving strange threatening letters regarding a large diamond she owns. Then a second
woman, Lady Yardley, comes forward with concerns about a similar stone in her collection. Poirot jumps right in to lend the powers of his little grey cells to get to the facts of the matter. There are times when some of the language and attitudes in Christie's writing bother me. The stories are nearly 100 years old and sometimes use derogatory terms for foreigners or non-white characters....terms that were widely used in the 1920s, but are now considered incredibly rude, derogatory, and
unacceptable. Several times characters in this story refer to Chinese people with a racist term.....but in the past the term was commonly used without thought or care. I see the benefit to leaving Christie's works as she wrote them as they are her words and it does reflect attitudes of the time, but this is one area where I have trouble with her writing. The ideas expressed by upper class white characters in her books/stories sometimes come off as incredibly racist and classist. But the elite at
the time were racist and classist. I'm not saying that society is any better today....we still have some major issues to work through when it comes to how we treat others. But, most of us don't just toss out incredibly racist terms as part of normal conversation. For example, Christie used the n word in a book title in 1939. That would not be ok at all today. Sensibilities have changed at least somewhat. I don't like it when I come across blatantly racist terms in literature (even when my
favorite author is the culprit)....but it does make me glad that some verbage that was ok in the early 1900s is not ok now!! Despite my momentary shock at the term, I did enjoy this story. Interesting case, and Poirot was his usual brilliant self. Agatha Chrstie's Poirot adapted this story for television in 1990 (Season 2, Episode 10). The story is changed somewhat to lengthen it into a full episode, but the basic case is the same. So glad David Suchet played Poirot for every story that
Christie wrote. He does such a good job! On to the next story: The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor!
I really enjoyed the storyline of this one; there must be something about fabulous jewels that inspire writers to new heights with inventive plots.
A movie star is worried about threats she is receiving about her very expensive diamond. She goes to Hercule Poirot for advice. I got a chuckle when at one point the lights go out and *presto!* the diamond is stolen. A few quick deductions and the mystery is solved. The story feels a bit rushed. I knew exactly what was coming and "whodunnit" well in advance. A movie star is worried about threats she is receiving about her very expensive diamond. She goes to Hercule Poirot for advice. I got a chuckle when at one point the lights go out and *presto!* the diamond is stolen. A few quick deductions and the mystery is solved. The story feels a bit rushed. I knew exactly what was coming and "whodunnit" well in advance. ...more
2 Stars. "The Adventure of 'The Western Star" is a short story in the 1924 collection of 11 published under the name, "Poirot Investigates." Its 28 pages first showed up in "Sketch" in 1923. Why two stars? It's good but I took off two for the racist slang describing a Chinese character. It also happened in "Too Many Cooks" by Rex Stout starring Nero Wolfe regarding Afro-Americans. When the words first appear, they startle you in their starkness and stupidity. I understand the books are of their 2 Stars. "The Adventure of 'The Western Star" is a short story in the 1924 collection of 11 published under the name, "Poirot Investigates." Its 28 pages first showed up in "Sketch" in 1923. Why two stars? It's good but I took off two for the racist slang describing a Chinese character. It also happened in "Too Many Cooks" by Rex Stout starring Nero Wolfe regarding Afro-Americans. When the words first appear, they startle you in their starkness and stupidity. I understand the books are of their time, the 1920s and 30s. It has to be a dilemma for publishers doing reprints. Print word for word, or be politically correct a century or so later? Or not print at all? Is there a protocol concerning great authors, such as Mark Twain, Harper Lee, Christie and Stout? Here's the story. Poirot and Hastings are consulted on the same day by different women about mysterious letters threatening to steal their fabulous diamonds, the Western Star and the Eastern Star. The first is owned by Mary Marvell, an American movie star. She wants to wear it to an event at the home of Lady Yardly, the owner of the other one! Poirot cautions. There's a risk. As usual, he's right. (July 2020) ...more
Rating: 3* of five The Publisher Says: A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an ebook. Movie star Mary Marvell consults with Hercule Poirot
after receiving threatening letters that warn her to return her diamond, the famous ‘Western Star’, to its rightful owner. But who does own the diamond, and is it even the genuine article? My Review: Again, a 99¢ Kindle Single as well as an episode of Agatha
Christie's Poirot's second season. Good lord, society was The Publisher Says: A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an ebook. Movie star Mary Marvell consults with Hercule Poirot after receiving threatening letters that warn her to return her diamond, the famous ‘Western Star’, to its rightful owner. But who does own the diamond, and is it even the genuine
article? My Review: Again, a 99¢ Kindle Single as well as an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot's second season. Good lord, society was racist in those days. In 1923, when this story was published, making the villain Chinese was a piece of shorthand for
morally degenerate furriner. That the ultimate culprits were not Chinese and that the reason for the jewel theft was simple and sordid adultery made the entire tale predictable. This was more of a Columbo episode than it was a typical Christie. The look of these shows is stellar. I love it, this Art Deco beauty and lushness. What's very strange to me is how much the atmosphere of the stories (in these early seasons) depends on Poirot and Hastings acting like an old married couple. Bicker
bicker bicker! Smile and make up. Bicker some more, Poirot says something cutting, Hastings acts hurt, smile and make up! It was 1990 when these were made, no one can convince me that there's any chance of this being unconscious or accidental. Well anyway it's a charming way to pass an hour.
I'm starting to see a pattern here. Poirot gets on a case, Hastings thinks too much of himself, tries to be the detective and gets fed up with Poirot, Poirot is always in a jolly mood, laughs at Hastings incapabilities and explains everything himself on the final pages. Maybe it's that I keep (unwillingly) comparing it to Holmes and Watson, but I feel like their personalities really enhance the story,
whereas Poirot and Hastings mostly drew my attention away from the case (which wasn't even that I'm starting to see a pattern here. Poirot gets on a case, Hastings thinks too much of himself, tries to be the detective and gets fed up with Poirot, Poirot is always in a jolly mood, laughs at Hastings incapabilities and explains everything himself on the final pages. Maybe it's that I keep (unwillingly) comparing it to Holmes and Watson, but I feel
like their personalities really enhance the story, whereas Poirot and Hastings mostly drew my attention away from the case (which wasn't even that bad), mostly because Hastings, with his pride, is so annoying.
The Adventure of “The Western Star”: 4* I feel like this story felt the most whole out of all the short stories I’ve read so far. It felt like it was
building the entire time and not just a random short story that was more just an idea, but was later published. I could have done with less stereotyping of “Chinamen,” but it was published in 1923... I love how this story sets up Captain Hastings being in the right for once, just to later disprove him, making him the stupid one once more. What a bril I feel like this story felt the most whole out of
all the short stories I’ve read so far. It felt like it was building the entire time and not just a random short story that was more just an idea, but was later published. I could have done with less stereotyping of “Chinamen,” but it was published in 1923... I love how this story sets up Captain Hastings being in the right for once, just to later disprove him, making him the stupid one once more. What a brilliant literary tool he is.
I could not get into this one. There is A LOT of racist language, which wasn’t racist at the time this was published, and sexism that made this short story very uncomfortable for me. Under 30 pages but packed full. Also thought Poirot was extra mean to Hastings. He’s very condescending and doesn’t share info with Hastings. It almost feels like he’s mocking him. And why was he so unsympathetic to
the actress when she was a victim?
Priceless Diamonds
& a Mysterious Threats G rated My only warning is to be aware that the story was written nearly 100 years ago, so if you are easily devastated by what is now politically incorrect, your gasps will suck the oxygen out of the room. For the rest of us: we have here a classic Hercule Poirot short story.
Not too bad, I am really not a fan of her short stories.
Meh... It was ok. 2.75/5 Read it very quickly & I was throughly surprised by the weird twist at the end. The best aspects: Poirot and Hastings relationship - although there is a super uncomfortable ending of this short story. The
Negative: There are other reviews freaking out regarding the sexism & racism within, but please remember this was written almost a hundred years ago. Still it's uncomfortable to read today in 2019, but push past that and engage the story...onto the next Poirot 👍🏽 The best aspects: Poirot and Hastings relationship - although there
is a super uncomfortable ending of this short story. The Negative: There are other reviews freaking out regarding the sexism & racism within, but please remember this was written almost a hundred years ago. Still it's uncomfortable to read today in 2019, but push past that and engage the story...onto the next Poirot 👍🏽
Interesting, but not that interesting. She's not that good at writing short stories so it doesn't totally surprise me. Interesting, but not that interesting. She's not that good at writing short stories so it doesn't totally surprise me. ...more
Reminded me of the Moonstone a bit, loved the ending, but the plot twist was a bit too twisty for my taste. Poor Hastings though.
Apr 16, 2019 Hunter rated it liked it This was not my favorite story. I thought it was a little hard to follow and it wasn’t a thrilling as most of her other writing.
Quick and masterful mystery, but hard to overlook the two uses of a racial slur (1924 Agatha wasn’t very woke).
A short story featuring Hercule Poirot. Quick and entertaining.
I've lately learned that I can read and enjoy Christie's short stories instead of struggling-- and failing-- with her novels. After having read all her Miss Marple short stories, I'm now embarking on the Poirot stories. I really enjoyed the storyline of this one; there must be something about fabulous jewels that inspire writers to new heights with inventive plots. The only thing to dull the sparkle of this story for me was the racist comments sprinkled throughout. Christie was indeed a writer o I've lately learned that I can read and enjoy Christie's short stories instead of struggling-- and failing-- with her novels. After having read all her Miss Marple short stories, I'm now embarking on the Poirot stories. I really enjoyed the storyline of this one; there must be something about fabulous jewels that inspire writers to new heights with inventive plots. The only thing to dull the sparkle of this story for me was the racist comments sprinkled throughout. Christie was indeed a writer of her times, and readers back then thought nothing of it. It's good to know that we've progressed enough as a species for most of us to know that racism is wrong. Do as I did and enjoy the concise plotting and characterization. ...more
The Adventure of the 'Western Star' by Agatha Christie is a short, enjoyable tale. No one dies, the plot twist
is clever enough, and there appears to be some metacommentary on race taking place that is surprisingly well done for the time period of its publication. What you get is not really enough to wholly immerse yourself, but there's enough here to convey a story reasonably well. Its enough to encourage me to read a great deal more from Christie, and for her character Hercule Poirot. 80/100 80/100
A typical Agatha Christie filled with twists and drama. I liked the plot, but there were was something about it that didn’t quite work for me. I listened to this as an audiobook, and had to listen to it twice to
understand the ending as my concentration had strayed away towards the end. I loved the Hastings and Poirot’s relationship, poor Hastings is always so excited to solve things but somehow misses the mark. XD Overall an okay read, a must for people who enjoy short crime mysteries.
Jan 04, 2020 Meg rated it really liked it This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I did not enjoy this one as much as I have the other short stories. Once again, it involved stolen jewels and fake paste jewels. I thought it was a bit too convoluted. Just so many deceptions and lies that it was hard for me to know how Poirot figured out which ones to believe. I figured that it had something to do with getting the insurance and I was partially right but i thought it would be the Lord who was trying to get one over on everyone. Nope.
Feb 13, 2018 Carolyn F. rated it really liked it
Audiobook. This was part of Poirot Investigates I'm almost positive this was a Poirot Presents on PBS because I knew the story as soon as it started. Great story. 4 stars. I'm almost positive this was a Poirot Presents on PBS because I knew the story as soon as it started. Great story. 4 stars.
Just a short story, nothing to get excited about.
Props to Hastings for keeping his head in the game despite all the skirts.
This was a fun, quick read. Fun, but nothing to write home about.
Sep 06, 2020 ✨shiri✨ rated it it was ok Hastings: "Poirot, am I quite demented?" Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name
Agatha Christie Mallowan. Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie is the best-selling author of all time. She wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie is the best-selling author of all time. She wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author, having been translated into at least 103 languages. She is the creator of two of the most enduring
figures in crime literature-Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple-and author of The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theatre. Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three. The Millers had two other children: Margaret Frary Miller (1879–1950), called Madge, who was eleven years Agatha's senior, and Louis Montant Miller (1880–1929), called Monty, ten years older than Agatha. Before marrying and
starting a family in London, she had served in a Devon hospital during the First World War, tending to troops coming back from the trenches. During the First World War, she worked at a hospital as a nurse; later working at a hospital pharmacy, a job that influenced her work, as many of the murders in her books are carried out with poison. During the Second World War, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital, London, acquiring a good knowledge of poisons which feature in
many of her novels. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, came out in 1920. During her first marriage, Agatha published six novels, a collection of short stories, and a number of short stories in magazines. In late 1926, Agatha's husband, Archie, revealed that he was in love with another woman, Nancy Neele, and wanted a divorce. On 8 December 1926 the couple quarreled, and Archie Christie left their house, Styles, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, to spend the weekend
with his mistress at Godalming, Surrey. That same evening Agatha disappeared from her home, leaving behind a letter for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire. Her disappearance caused an outcry from the public, many of whom were admirers of her novels. Despite a massive manhunt, she was not found for eleven days. In 1930, Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan (Sir Max from 1968) after joining him in an archaeological dig. Their marriage was especially happy in the
early years and remained so until Christie's death in 1976. Christie frequently used familiar settings for her stories. Christie's travels with Mallowan contributed background to several of her novels set in the Middle East. Other novels (such as And Then There Were None) were set in and around Torquay, where she was born. Christie's 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express was written in the Hotel Pera Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, the southern terminus of the railway. The
hotel maintains Christie's room as a memorial to the author. The Greenway Estate in Devon, acquired by the couple as a summer residence in 1938, is now in the care of the National Trust. Christie often stayed at Abney Hall in Cheshire, which was owned by her brother-in-law, James Watts. She based at least two of her stories on the hall: the short story The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, and the novel After the Funeral. Abney Hall became Agatha's greatest inspiration for
country-house life, with all the servants and grandeur which have been woven into her plots. To honour her many literary works, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1956 New Year Honours. The next year, she became the President of the Detection Club. Wikipedia entry Related ArticlesIt’s no secret that the digital 21st century has been rough on the average attention span. Even for dedicated readers, it can sometimes be... Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Where was Poirot Western Star filmed?Filming Locations
Dorney Court, Buckinghamshire. Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen St, London. Sandy's Row, London. Artillery Passage, London.
Which Poirot story is the best?How do you rate the top ten?. The one on the train. ... . The thrilling one. The ABC Murders. ... . The honeymoon one. Death on the Nile. ... . The festive one. Hercule Poirot's Christmas. ... . The British holiday. Evil Under the Sun. ... . A murder in retrospect. Five Little Pigs. ... . The one with the Aunt. After the Funeral. ... . The sad one. Curtain.. Who was Poirot in love with?Countess Vera Rossakoff is the only woman with whom Hercule Poirot has ever admitted being attracted. The countess' true name is a mystery. She appears in only one novel, The Big Four, and two short stories, "The Double Clue" and "The Capture of Cerberus" (The Labours of Hercules series).
In what order should I watch the Poirot movies?What is the order of the Hercule Poirot movies?. Alibi (1931). Black Coffee (1931). Lord Edgware Dies (1934). The Alphabet Murders (1965). Murder on the Orient Express (1974). Death on the Nile (1978). Evil Under the Sun (1982). Appointment with Death (1988). |
Agatha christies poirot the adventure of the western star
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