I have mixed feelings about this series of Sophie Hannah’s new Poirot novels. I disliked the first two but felt that the series has got better as the author has settled more into the role. It is not an easy challenge to emulate one of the most famous and talented writers of the 20th century. In this novel, Silent Night, the writing is more reminiscent of Christie’s than the previous books although it is clunky at times and far too verbose. The clean Christie style has not yet been achieved and the plot wasn’t as precise making it easier for the reader to identify the murderer despite the numerous red herrings.

Catchpool can be irritating at times and doesn’t, in my opinion, inspire the fondness readers had for Hastings. His repeated use of the phrase Mr-Hurt-His-Head in the narration became irritating. At times, Poirot is believable at other times he seems more like a caricature, but I think this would be very difficult to achieve for any author other than Christie. This is an enjoyable Christmas read set in the Golden age of cosy crime with a proliferation of suspects. I hope Sophie Hannah will keep going with the series and that it will continue to improve with each release.

Sophie Hannah captures Poirot beautifully. I enjoyed the unfolding of the mystery here, and there was a terrific cast of eccentric British characters. I really love a Christmas novel, and this made such a great change from the 'cosy Christmas' style. However, it must be said, it was less 'twisty' than an original Christie and I guessed the killer some time before the reveal.

Christie purists be damned! I really like Sophie Hannahs take on Hercule Poirot. Sympathetic to the original, modernised but not in that BBC overly woke manner. This isn't my favourite of the series so far but still a fab addition to Poirots story.

I have had very mixed feelings about Sophie Hannah’s new Poirot novels, having enjoyed some and disliked others. In Silent Night, I felt she came closest to the spirit and style of Christie’s original novels - helped along by the classic Golden Age setting of a big house inhabited by an unhappy family and assorted hangers-on. There remained some quirks which felt entirely Hannah-esque (the phrase Mr-Hurt-His-Head being repeated, despite characters knowing his real name, felt particularly jarring) but the plot rattled along at a good pace and the solution was satisfying. Recommended for those seeking a festive mystery.

I don't read a Poirot mystery to critique. I simply love the familiarity, the coziness, the crime that keeps you guessing till the end, the reveal—all quintessential Agatha Christie things. I am glad Sophie Hannah keeps Poirot alive with her books

I had no idea Sophie Hannah had already written previous Hercule Poirot books. This was a total joy to read. Set around Christmas it was great to feel a little Christmas spirit - despite it being centred around a crime. I loved the characters and way Poirot’s character was written. I did find some parts of the story a little wordy but the ending sped up more. This helped to build a picture of the characters and their personalities.

Another excellent Sophie Hannah Hercule Poirot story again living up to what Agatha Christie fans will be looking for. In this story, Poirot and his sidekick, Inspector Catchpool are invited to spend Xmas at a Norfolk 'mansion' by Catchpool's mother, friend of its owners. The justification - a murder has been committed at the local hospital where the mansion's owner, ill with cancer, is soon to be moved. But why was the murder committed, what link does the victim have to the mansion owner's family? With his little grey cells Hercule Poirot manages to solve the murder, in time for he and Catchpool to return back to London for their Christmas as planned. Not the most challenging of reads, but light and engaging - just like a real Agatha Christie.

In "A Christmas Killing," set on December 19, 1931, Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are summoned to investigate a murder that occurs in a seemingly secure Norfolk hospital ward. The victim is a man, and as the mystery unfolds, Catchpool's mother, Cynthia, insists that Poirot stays with them in a deteriorating mansion by the coast for the holiday season. Cynthia's friend Arnold is on the verge of being admitted to the same hospital, and his wife is convinced that he will be the next target, although she refuses to provide details.

With less than a week to solve the case and prevent further murders, Poirot is determined to unravel the mystery and bring justice. However, there is another player in this deadly game, someone ruthless and intent on influencing the fate of Hercule Poirot. As the investigation unfolds, Poirot races against time to solve the crime and ensure a safe Christmas for all involved.

The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Fifth Poirot book written by Sophie Hannah
It’s Dec 1931 and Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are looking forward to a restful Christmas period.
Surprise, surprise there’s a murder and Edward’s mother, Cythnia insists that they stay at her crumbling mansion, so they can all be together over the festive break, while Poirot tries to solve the case.
Narrated in the first person of the young Inspector, Edward Catchpool, it’s a slow paced, meandering festive Murder mystery.
Hannah’s presentation of Poirot is spot on, showing his eccentric side without being over the top, and loved Catchpool as the side kick.
A fab festive read and didn’t guess the ending with all the red herrings.
Thanks @sophiehannahwriter, @harpercollinsuk & @netgalley for the eARC

This was a fun and festive murder mystery. Hercule Poirot needs no introduction, and Sophie Hannah manages to recreate his inimitable style while also adding her own flair. Nostalgic and cosy, this is a quick and easy read that is great for this time of year. Involving a whole host of unlikeable characters, the story delves into the (sometimes unbelievable) family dynamics. Poirot and Catchpool make for a decent team, bouncing off each other to discover the culprit. The exploits and twists are fairly formulaic but that is part of the appeal of this genre, I would recommend this to those who enjoy the original Poirot stories.
As an aside I also highly recommend the audiobook, skillfully narrated byJulian Rhind-Tutt.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to put my ‘little grey cells’ to the test reading this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Poirot, and I really enjoy Sophie’s writing, she absolutely perfect as far as I’m concerned.

Brilliantly written, howled as usual with Catchpole - oh and his mum!!! Hmmm…

Just classic Poirot, what can I say? Fabulous

My thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the copy

I requested the eARC of this to see if a Christmassy twist might improve upon previous Sophie Hannah versions of Poirot, but I'm sadly disappointed.

Those who enjoy Janice Hallett and Richard Osman might also enjoy this. However, Osman doesn’t do the author-splaining in his 'Thursday Murder Club' series in which Hallett loves to indulge, and towards which Sophie Hannah's Poirots seem to lean more and more.

I found 'Silent Night' cringeworthy in terms of condescension directed at the reader. I don't know what makes Hannah believe that her readers can’t think for themselves, and if this is a technique she's employing as a way of demonstrating the superior brainpower of the original Poirot's 'little grey cells', in my view, it's a failure and it does a disservice to the Agatha Christie character. To me, that’s the main difference between Hannah and Christie: Agatha Christie would never have authorsplained to her readership. In fact, Agatha Christie's mysteries might just be the opposite of authorsplaining!

I find Hannah’s Poirot to be caricaturish. I don’t think she manages to make him her own creation and when she apes one of Poirot's characteristics from the Christie novels, it just jars and - as I was reading - served to alienate me further.

The relationship between Poirot and Catchpool is the most frustrating element, and not just in this most recent addition to the series. In all Catchpool's conversations with Poirot, I just want one of them to break out of their imbecilic dynamic of one having no knowledge and the other having all the knowledge.

Even a festive atmosphere could not save this one.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK for the chance to read an early review copy via NetGalley.

Another hit by Sophie Hanna!

Lord I absolutely adore and I mean ADORE her portayal of Hercules Poirot. I cannot believe im saying this but she has proved herself again and again to be worthy of the title as Agatha Christie's heiress. Her Hercules Poirot brings so close to how Agatha wrote him, their writings are very hard to tell apart. This novel was so rich in detail and suspense, I'm still pleasantly surprised on being caught off guard by who the killer is in all her books.

Hercule Poirot is pressganged with his sidekick, Catchpool, into solving a mysterious murder and spending Christmas at a crumbling house on the Norfolk coast, which is falling into the sea.
I didn't expect to like this but I couldn't put it down! I read it in one sitting on a plane.
Sophie Hannah really captures Catchpool and Poirot's voices and that 1930s vibe that is so rich in the original books.
A great Christmas story to tax the old brain cells. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance reader copy of this book.

If you are a fan of the original Poirot's work, then you will love this book.

Poirot and Catchpool are planning for a nice and quiet Christmas together, though those plans are scarpered by the arrival of Catchpool's Mother who demands they accompany them up to Norfolk to a crumbling mansion by the coast. Not only was there a unsolved murder in a private hospital but a family friends of the Catchpool's believes they are the next target. It proves too much of a mystery for Poirot to resist, and soon they are on the train up to Norfolk to prove there is no mystery that the great dective could not solve.

A great mystery that will leave you wondering what the hell is going on, all with the uncheerful christmas spirit.

Another successful Poirot book by Sophie Hannah, she really manages to capture the voice and tone of Agatha Christie’s writing. There is something about reading a mystery book set around Christmas time that really speaks to me and this was a great read, I enjoyed the mystery and the setting in an old country home close to falling into the sea. A must read this holiday season!

Silent night is the 5th book in this series but I was inot aware of this before. However this, as I'm sure all the others work as standalones . It seems Sophie Hannah has been granted permission to write a new series of Agatha Christie's famous books and I think she does it extremely well.
In this new iteration Hercule Poirot is once again teaming up with Inspector Edward Catchpool from Scotland Yard-a character that Sophie Hannah created and introduced to the World in “The Monogram Murders”-the first in this series. The two of them have a wonderful, very believable relationship and Catchpool is a great character who compliments Poirot so seemlessly that you instantly believe their back story as if we always knew Catchpool.

One evening Edward’s mother, under a false name, appears at Poirot’s home-uninvited- to summon Poirot to a mansion which could literally crumble into the sea, at any given moment.She needs Edward, and Poirot to accompany her to Norfolk, to solve the case of a man who was murdered in what was supposed to be the safe haven of Ward 6 at St. Walstan’s hospital.The reason Cynthia is so embroiled in this case is because her friend’s husband, Arnold Laurier,is soon to be admitted to that same hospital, and his wife, Vivienne is convinced he will be the killer’s next victim, though she refuses to offer an explanation of WHY.But, this is the run up to Christmas and neither Poirot or Catchpool wish to be in Norfolk for the festivities. This means Poirot had left than a week to solve the murder.
This is a fabulous novel and I was hard pressed to remember it was not written by Agatha Christie herself. I will definitely be reading the previous 4 novels and any more that Sophie Hannah writes. A favourite author already for her incredible psychological thrillers. Now even desrer to my heart with this series?

Hercule Poirot and his friend Inspector Catchpool find themselves investigating a murder at a remote Norfolk mansion just before Christmas.

Poirot is one of my all-time favourite characters so I was very excited to read this, and I was not disappointed!

This was the first time I have read a book in Sophie Hannah's Poirot series and I was delighted to find that it felt so genuine and authentic. It was very true to the character that I know and love. I would even go as far as to say that if I didn't know it wasn't an Agatha Christie novel I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

I love all things Christmas so I particularly enjoyed the setting. The plot was clever and I enjoyed the twists and turns that the story took me on.

A hugely enjoyable festive mystery that I would highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is a Christmas read fans will enjoy. Sophie Hannah does a lovely job of bringing Hercule Poirot back to life for a fifth time. The story labours a bit towards the end but it's great to see Catchpole fleshed out and not treated as just the sidekick. Thank you to the publisher and Neygalley for the ARC.

Hercule Poirot is always a good read although I can't get used to him having Catchpole as an assistant rather than Hastings. Having no option but to go to Norfok to solve the latest crime he give himself two days before returning to London for Christmas. Meeting a very dysfunctional family and a policeman that seems to have a blinkered view of things he needs all the help he can get. Being poisoned to slow him down doesn't help. As all the clues are revealed it soon becomes apparent as to who the murder is but why.