Title: Silent Night

Series: Hercule Poirot Mysteries #5

Author: Sophie Hannah

It’s 19 December 1931. Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are called to investigate the murder of a man in the apparent safe haven of a Norfolk hospital ward. Catchpool’s mother, the irrepressible Cynthia, insists that Poirot stays in a crumbling mansion by the coast, so that they can all be together for the festive period while Poirot solves the case. Cynthia’s friend Arnold is soon to be admitted to that same hospital and his wife is convinced he will be the killer’s next victim, though she refuses to explain why.

Poirot has less than a week to solve the crime and prevent more murders, if he is to escape from this nightmare scenario and get home in time for Christmas. Meanwhile, someone else – someone utterly ruthless – also has ideas about what ought to happen to Hercule Poirot . . .

Confession/s – I’ve never read a Hercule Poirot book before or a Sophie Hannah story but a) I loved the TV show and b) I will read more Hannah now!

Bien, bien! All the stars!

December 1931, told from Catchpool’s point of view, we travel to Munby in Norfolk to Frellingsloe House to spend Christmas with the inhabitants which include Catchpool’s Mum, a terminally ill man, his terrified wife, 4 squabbling kids, a curate and a doctor! Poirot and Catchpool also desperately want to be back in London for Christmas!

And of course there is murder!

I was captivated by this book! The author painted such a vivid picture, it was like I was transported back watching the TV show with my parents! I could picture it all in my head!

Catchpool’s Mum was so amusing, I don’t think she meant to be but gawd, I laughed at her exploits!

I was busy pointing the finger at almost all of the characters, dismissing that and moving on but the perp and the reason for their actions made my jaw drop!

As I said before, I was enchanted with this read and now I’ve seen there are 4 other Poirot books by this author and I need them!