Somehow, this is the first Sophie Hannah Poirot I've read. I was really excited to see how well it stands up against the classic Agatha Christie Poirots that were one of the main reasons I got into crime fiction in the first place, twenty-plus years ago.

The answer, for me at least, is … not that well.

Hannah does a pretty good job of capturing the attitudes and style of writing of Christie's time. Her Poirot is … close. Like a skilled celebrity impersonator. You can tell it's not the real thing but it's good enough to enjoy for a while.

Where the book fell down for me was primarily the plot. Christie's plots were elegant, with multiple tiny details you didn't notice on first read-through adding up to the solution. Her character motivations, though often dated, always struck me as psychologically sound. The plot of this book, however, is unnecessarily convoluted. Too many of the apparently important details didn't contribute to the solution at all – and not in the sense of red herrings. More like the detectives didn't know which details were important so had to explain everything, no matter how trivial (and this is Poirot we're talking about!). It felt like the bones of a good Christie murder mystery were there, but clumsily executed and padded. I also found the character motivations wildly implausible and the reasons behind the deaths pretty thin. 'Human nature' was always a key driver of Christie's books but I don't feel like Hannah's characters showed any such depth; they were more like puppets forced to dance in increasingly twisted ways to serve the plot. And the dialogue was frequently long-winded and expository.

Overall, I'm really not that impressed and I wouldn't rush to read another in the series – which is a great disappointment.

Monsieur Poirot and Inspector Catchpool return, courtesy of Sophie Hannah, for another mystery which exercises the 'little grey cells' of the protagonists as well as the reader. Poirot and Catchpool are invited to the Kingfisher estate to prove the innocence of a woman who has confessed to the murder of her finance, only to find themselves involved in a further mystery as they travel to their destination. This is a well-plotted story which hooks the reader early in its telling. The characters are largely well-drawn down to Poirot's self-belief bordering on arrogance. It slowed a bit in the middle partly, I felt, as a result of the large number of characters which meant some telling of back-stories and recaps on what we had learnt to date. But this was not a major distraction and the story came together well and in a way which was not predictable.

** Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced reader copy


The Killings at Kingfisher Hills follows M Poirot, and Inspector Catchpool from Scotland Yard, on their journey to a luxury estate / gated community - Kingfisher Hill - via luxury passenger coach from London. He has been summoned by Richard, a member of the Devonport family, to solve the murder of his brother Frank, of which his fiancée Helen is due to be hung for. However Poirot is asked to conceal his identity from the rear of the Devonport clan, and understandably the mysteries unfold from there including a hysterical coach passenger refusing to board because of an omen of death, further concealed identities, a terrible board game and another murder.

There’s a labyrinth style plot that unfolds much like in Agatha Christie’s Poirot work, but this has been reimagined by Sophie Hannah. We play catch-up to the story from Catchpool’s perspective and there are hints and red-herrings aplenty through the course of the story and it felt like even my old grey matter was being put to the test! There is an amusing camaraderie between Poirot and Catchpool that makes it almost fun, especially as Poirot encourages Catchpool to catch-up in his findings thus producing a long list of questions that the reader has thought of too.

This reminds me of “Murder on the Orient Express” which I read last year, as there’s crossed alibis, non-linear timeline discoveries and a host of some-what “irrelevant but relevant” details are uncovered and prove vital for the motive of murder.

This was definitely an enjoyable read and it’s got a certain wit and spark to it that is irrevocable in a murder-mystery starring Poirot.

"The Killings at Kingfisher Hill" is the fourth book in the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries written by Sophie Hannah and a great addition to the series. Although since this new series appeared I've read some critiques saying Hannah's Poirot is not the same as Christie's, I disagree and like them both equally. I truly like what she's doing with this series as I think she's showing true respect for Christie's work and character.

I will not rehash the synopsis but let me tell you that it reminded me of some of Christie's classics. It was so complex and labyrinth like that I had to keep my five senses while reading to not miss some crucial detail.

There were so many clues, details and red-herrings that oh, boy, my brain hurt! No, seriously, it's still hurting! But in a good way. Every time Poirot told Catchpool to put his little grey cells to work it felt as if he was talking to me, so I put them to work and I guessed several things Catchpool didn't so, take that, Catchpool! Poirot would be proud of me.

Although not Hastings, Catchpool makes a good partner and the sense of camaraderie in their relationship is growing on me.

Overall, a very entertaining story, perfect for Agatha Christie fans as long as they keep an open mind and don't try to compare every single word to Christie's work.

Both myself and my 14 year old daughter have really enjoyed this Poirot story. Poirot goes to investigate a murder in a gated country estate with his friend Inspector Catchpool. Rich people are completely different to regular folk, and behave abominably to anyone beneath their notice. Poirot and his sidekick have to deal with the horrors of most of the characters and solve two bizarre murders, which they do with aplomb. The best character is a formidable woman called Hester, who is Poirot's equal in every respect. Hester could easily carry off her own book series.

Hercule Poirot and Inspector Catchpool travel by coach to Kingfisher Hill estate to secretly prove that Richard Devonport's new fiance, Helen, didn't kill his brother Frank, even though she has already confessed to the murder. However, before they reach their destination more mysteries present themselves to the pair. A distressed woman on the coach insists that if she sits in the last remaining free seat she will be murdered, and another woman unexpectedly confesses to Poirot that she has killed a man that she loved.

There are so many different strands to this mystery, yet the story doesn't get too complicated to follow. I felt a small sense of triumph by solving some of the smaller mysteries while the reveal of the over-arching mystery was still a surprise to me.

Agatha Christie's Poirot mysteries, and Sophie Hannah's continuation of the series, are my go-to cosy reads. I really enjoyed this one too, but it lost a couple of stars as, although all the separate mysteries were tied together nicely, the reason that the original murder happened felt forced and a little unbelievable.

Thank you, #NetGalley and Random House UK for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill is a Hercule Poirot mystery written by Sophie Hannah. Poirot, and his sidekick Inspector Catchpool, travel to Kingfisher Hill to investigate whether a woman charged with murder, and set to hang, did indeed commit the crime. This is the first Poirot story by Sophie Hannah I have read. There is no doubt that this is a true Poirot mystery; Sophie Hannah perfectly captures his speech, manner, character and idiosyncrasies. The sections of the story where he is interviewing someone, or explaining his interactions with a character or where he is trying to work through his thoughts are my favourite. However, I must admit that otherwise I struggled to get into this novel. I found the first chapter particularly clunky and it took until Chapter 8 before I was truly interested in the story. Therefore while this is a great portrayal of Poirot, I did not find it engaging enough throughout the whole story.

I did enjoy the mystery as it was well plotted, but having been a reader of Agatha Christie from way back, I really found that Poirot lost his charm and rather spoiled for me.

The Killing at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah is a new Hercule Poirot mystery and it doesn’t disappoint. A novel that draws you in with a mind boggling mystery and leaves no stone unturned to get to the truth.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the arc of The Killings at Kingfisher Hall written by Sophie Hannah.

This is the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries Book 4

It follows Poirot and his sidekick whom is an Scotland Yard detective and named Catchpole who are travelling via coach to the Kingfisher Hill estate to investigate the murder of Frank Davenport. Apparently before they get There that a suspect has already been put into jail for the crime, the fiancée of Frank’s brother is the suspect... and Richard has asked Poirot to prove that she is actually the innocent one as he dont think she did it...

The mysteries go further later on within the opening pages and with a fellow passenger refusing to enter the coach vehicle as she has been threatened with death if she does so... and then another passenger confessing to the murder! Then Hercule Poirot will have to untangle this mess once and for all....

5 Star⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
recommend if you like Agatha Christie mysteries.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

I have loved Christie for a long time and it was such a pleasant surprise when Sophie Hannah started the Poirot novels again. I have enjoyed all her outings of Poirot and this wasn't much different. But i must say that the plot was too much in the style of Hannah, much more complicated than all the previous three books she has written in the series.

Poirot and Catchpool (his new Hastings) are on their way to Kingfisher Hills when two strange incidents happen. A woman with a half formed face is terrified of something and talks of a bizzare warning of murder if she sits at a particular spot in the bus; another woman tells Poirot tge most extraordinary story of how she murdered someone she dearly loved. And then there is a third woman in the gallows on whose account this entire journey is being undertaken.

These three women and their stories are what guide and propel the narrative as they come together in ways only Hannah can manage to pull off.

I must say that none of the characters present were likeable and I wasn't sorry to see anyone go. While the mystery was satisfatory, i could guess certain things and identities but not the motives, it somehow took me a longer time to get into the story than it usually does with Poirot novels, even the modern ones. It's not that i was looking for the exact Poirot that Christie created. Hannah maintains enough flavour of the former even as she makes Poirot her own, i did feel that the novel was a bit slow in the beginning and a bit too complicated. It didn't help either that i didn't really care for any of the repulsive characters.

Overall though, this is read for Christie fans. I will perhaps not recommend anyone reading Hannah's Poirot series to begin with this one, but for us Poirot lovers, it is definitely worth visiting. Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me an ARC in return of an honest review.

This is the latest Poirot book from Sophie Hannah. Having read every Agatha Christie book in existence and having a special fondness for the little Belgian detective, I was sceptical when Hannah began adding to the Point cannon. However, I am pleased to say I thoroughly enjoy them, even though I initially tried to find every reason to not to.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill is the latest instalment, and I enjoyed it as much as the other titles in the series. It does follow a typical Christie type plot, but Hannah does put her mark firmly on it, and the various twists and turns are very enjoyable.

Hannah is able to recreate Poirot so well, that it is easy to forget that the story does not come from the pen of Christie. He is as frustrating as he is in the originals, full of his own ingenuity and making sure everyone around him knows how clever he is, I like Catchpole, he makes a decent enough sidekick, but he is not a patch on Hastings.

The book races along at quite a pace, encouraging the reader to keep reading to discover whodunnit! It is a very hard book to put down. There are elements of the plot that remind me of some of Christie's greats, like the Body in the Library and Murder on the Orient Express, and it shares the clever plotting and well drawn characters of those books.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I look forward to further instalments.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

In the latest of Sophie Hannah’s Poirot novels, the little Belgian detective and his Hastings-substituting sidekick, Inspector Catchpool, are heading (on a coach!) for the exclusive community of Kingfisher Hill, where Poirot has been asked to investigate a murder. Before they even get there - indeed, before they even set off - things begin to get strange. A fellow passenger is behaving strangely; another has a very alarming story to tell.

While the characterisation of Poirot is spot on, the labyrinthine plot is pure Sophie Hannah and not one I can ever imagine Christie coming up with. (Hannah is a marvellous writer, but if I have one reservation it’s that her plots can, at times, start tying my brain in knots.)

It’s a very enjoyable read (and made me laugh out loud a couple of times) and if I was a little confused at times, that may well be down to my own slight distractedness.

A bizarre coach journey to the Kingfisher Hill estate is a prelude to a strange and enticing case for the world’s cleverest detective and his devoted friend, Inspector Catchpool. The Devonport's are a peculiar family but Poirot will not be distracted by their unpleasant character traits to get to the truth before the wrong person is hanged.

I was so excited at receiving the ARC that I immediately put aside my stack of review books in favour of this. The dapper Belgian is my favourite detective and I have been really enjoying these new cases. Hannah was the perfect choice by the Christie estate. I was also pleased that Inspector Catchpool is still along for the ride as his relationship with Poirot is an absolute joy.

This latest endeavour expertly captures the essence of what makes Poirot so beloved by millions of readers, whilst entertaining us with an intelligent, intricate puzzle to solve. Hannah is keeping the spirit of the golden age of mystery alive and long may she continue.

This was my first novel by Sophie Hannah, I entered cautiously being a fan of Agatha Christie. I was pleasantly surprised. The setting, period details, and the characters felt very authentic. I had no problem adjusting to Ms Hannah’s Poirot, I thought his portrayal was excellent. I will definitely read the earlier books in the series and am happy to recommend this book.
Thank you to netgalley and the author and publisher.

** spoiler alert ** As someone who guesses how a lot of modern books ae going to turn out,I seem incapable of guessing a Christie whodunnit.
Hannah is continuing the tradition.
I was picturing David Suchet quite easily voicing the character (not sure about him going on a coach though)
Lots of twists and turns,and Daisy seemed a ridiculously over the top character.
But,it was all good fun.
This is the second book I've read with Hannah writing Poirot,and I think he's in very safe hands

I liked parts of this but I thought that something was missing from this to make it seem like a true Agatha Christie Poiret novel. The crime was explored well and i did like the characters but it was just missing something for me. I would read another Sophie Hannah mystery but this one wasn't for me.

This is the fourth 'Poirot' novel penned by Sophie Hannah, and she shows no sign of running out of ideas. Like its predecessors, it is engagingly written and features a typically complex and twist-ridden plot, a typically Christie British country house setting, and everyone's favourite eccentric Belgian detective. The novel is narrated again by Edward Catchpool, a police inspector who is glad to act as Poirot's sidekick. Catchpool is likeable and makes a good peripheral first person narrator, there to describe the brilliance of Poirot as he untangles his latest case.

Poirot and Catchpool have been asked to visit leafy Surrey gated community, Kingfisher Hill, by a young man whose fiancee is due to hang for a murder she confessed to committing there. He is convinced of her innocence, despite her continued protestations of guilt. On an eventful coach journey there, a young woman confesses to Poirot that she has committed a murder, and another young woman becomes hysterical claiming that she has been told she will die if she sits in a particular seat on the coach. And once they arrive at 'Little Key', the stately home at the centre of the story, things soon get even more complicated.

It's classic Poirot, with larger than life characters, and told with trademark tongue-in-cheek humour. Poirot is well written and comes across very consistently with Christie's characterisation. The mystery is of course ridiculous and convoluted, but no more so than any of the Poirot stories and less than some. It wouldn't be a Poirot mystery if it wasn't. One of the best things about these novels is knowing what you sign up and are going to get, and then seeing it delivered to a high standard.

This is a really fun read that zips along and is something you will look forwards to picking up and continuing. It's great that this most distinctive of fictional detectives has been given a second lease of life and I am sure that Christie herself would approve - even if she did famously claim to dislike Poirot!

A new Hercule Poirot which takes him and Inspector Catchpool to the Kingfisher estate where they are to solve the murder of Frank. Only two people have confessed to the same crime so it is up to the great detective to deduce which, if any, of these confessors are the real murderer. A really cosy crime. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

I'm such a huge fan of both Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie, so when Hannah began to write new Poirot novels I was over the moon. This is her fourth Poirot book, and each one is better than the last. She has the character absolutely captured and her twisty turny tales are so Christie-esque. It is clear that Hannah is an enormous fan of Christie and does her justice. Even if you have never read an Agatha Christie book, I would still highly recommend this. Simply a brilliant crime novel.