Hercule Poirot's Silent Night is the fifth outing for Sophie Hannah writing a sanctioned Poirot novel. The clue is in the title for the time this mystery is set and it is the perfect Christmas read for those crime readers who like a classic crime set in the festive season Hats off to Hannah for managing to write in the style of Christie, fitting the Poirot novels neatly into the Christie canon so as not to upset the running order of the 39 Poirot novels written by Christie.

In this Poirot and his sidekick Inspector Catchpole are invited to a country house to solve the mysterious murder of a hospital patient. They hope that their stay will be short and fruitful and that they will escape to celebrate Christmas at Whitehaven Mansions with Poirots valet George.

Perfect reading for the Christmas season.
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More like 4.5 stars I think. It is the highest compliment I can give, to say Sophie Hannah recreates Agatha Christie’s voice so well that if you read the book without knowing the author, you’d think Christie had written it herself. To inhabit another writer’s world and voice so totally, is a genuine skill. To then create a Christie-esque plot as well, takes even more skill.

Now onto the plot - I don’t know how I’d improve on it, it was very good, intricate and yet clearly explained at the end. Vivid characters, and plausible motive. I think it was just a few tiny things that prevented it being 5 stars for me, like not quite reconciling why Maddie and Janet reconciled all of a sudden. But if you’re on the look out for a good murder mystery with favourite and well known characters, you would be well served to read this.

#HerculePoirotsSilentNight #NetGalley
Loved it.
It’s December 19, 1931. Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are looking forward to a much-needed, restful Christmas holiday, when they are called upon to investigate the murder of a man in a Norfolk hospital ward. Cynthia Catchpool, Edward’s mother, insists that Poirot stay with her in a crumbling mansion by the coast, so that they can all be together for the festive period while he solves the case.
As Poirot digs into the mystery, he discovers that the murdered man was a retired post office master, and by all accounts very well-liked. The local constabulary’s investigation failed to uncover how someone could have entered a hospital room and killed him under the noses of the staff. 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. With no obvious motive or suspect, 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.
Read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.

I love Agatha Christie novels so I couldn’t resist trying this novel by author Sophie Hannah featuring Christie’s most famous detective Hercule Poirot. This was far more enjoyable than I expected and look forward to reading other books in the future featuring Poirot. The character Hercule Poirot is an excellent character and far too good not to continue in the writing of Sophie Hannah.

Sophie Hannah’s “Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night” is a very good addition to the Hercule Poirot collection and feel sure many of Agatha Christie’s following will enjoy this book. The plot revolves around Arnold Laurier, a dying math teacher with two poignant wishes for his final days. His wife, Vivienne, wants Poirot to visit their home for Christmas week in 1931, and she hopes he can unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Stanley Niven, a seemingly unassuming patient at St. Walstan’s Cottage Hospital. Poirot, ever the gracious and brilliant detective, agrees to the task, drawing his devoted amanuensis, Inspector Edward Catchpool, into the web of intrigue.

The characters are very strong and Sophie Hannah captures the essence of Poirot keeping him true to that of Christie. The Laurier family is full of secrets, difficult relationships and motives that provide a perfect backdrop for the investigation. Like you would expect in any good Poirot novel there are plenty of twists and turns and lots of suspects with motives. Well paced building the tension up to the satisfying finale.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A new book in the Sophie Hannah Poirot continuation series--and one set at Christmas to boot? Yes, please! I was excited to see this book and I was not disappointed! I think it may just have been her best Poirot yet. Can you tell that I loved it? Hannah does a great job with these books, both in characterizing Poirot and in her plots, settings, and supporting characters. In this book, Cynthia Catchpool in particular is a fabulous character. I like the way readers are given more insight into the friendship between Poirot and Edward Catchpool. The mystery is twisty enough to be enjoyable, but not so convoluted that it's hard to follow. Poirot is Poirot in all his persnickety glory. There are some surprising plot twists.

In this book, Poirot and Catchpool are finalizing their plans for the Christmas dinner they plan to share when they are interrupted by a breathless woman who insists that they must go with her at once to spend Christmas at the large home of a friend. The friend is in distress because her husband, who is quite ill and nearing the end of his days, plans to admit himself to a hospital right after the new year. He wants to spend the time he has left solving the mystery of who killed a patient there three months before. His wife is trying everything she can to convince him not to go because she is sure he will be killed next. The police have had no luck solving the three-month old murder, so Poirot is needed. Things go on from there as Poirot and Catchpool put up with horrible food, a freezing old house, and more.

The book is also funny. There were places where I laughed out loud at the descriptions she provides. For example, "He spoke in an inelegant manner, one had the sense that a struggle between words and teeth was taking place, with no clear winner emerging.' If you love Christmas mysteries, Hercule Poirot, and/or mystery stories with a collection of quirky characters--some of whom can't stand one another--thrown together in what is supposed to be a festive atmosphere, this would be a great one to pick up.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I'm a big fan of Sophie Hannah but this is the first of her Hercule Poirot ones that I've read. It didn't disappoint, I really enjoyed it and would never have guessed the ending. I couldn't help reading Poirot's dialogue in the vouce of David Suchet!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Hercule Poirot's Silent Night' by Sophie Hannah.

This is the fifth book in the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries licensed by the Agatha Christie estate written by Sophie Hannah and honestly? Im disappointed. Set in the 1930s, we have a new fella helping our favourite Belgian Poirot. He's our main point of view and honestly? I dislike him. He feels underdeveloped and just not a good suit for Poirot. The writing style felt like it dragged on and I didn't enjoy it. Overall, I feel conned but that's okay.

December 1931 marked the beginning of a grave investigation for Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool. They were summoned to unravel the unsettling murder of a man who met his demise within the supposed safety of a Norfolk hospital ward. In an unexpected turn of events, Cynthia, Catchpool's spirited mother, insisted that Poirot accompany them to a decaying mansion by the coast for the holiday season, all while he worked diligently to crack the case. However, Cynthia's close friend, Arnold, awaited admission to the very same hospital, leaving his wife fearful that he would be the next target of the enigmatic killer. Alas, she remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind her apprehension.

With less than a week at their disposal, Poirot had to employ his wits and intuition to solve the crime promptly and avert further bloodshed, ensuring his escape from this nightmarish scenario and a timely return home for Christmas. Nevertheless, there was another individual present – one harboring a ruthless disposition – who held their own agenda on what should befall Hercule Poirot.

True to form, Poirot was as self-assured and exasperating as always. Despite being an Inspector, Catchpool proved somewhat dim-witted, a characteristic commonly found among police officers in Christie's novels, designed to illuminate the brilliance of the main character. I found great pleasure in the central mystery, albeit it took some time to gain momentum. Although the denouement was entertaining, it deviated from the Golden Age's principles as not all the clues were accessible to the reader.

Indeed, the ending introduced an intriguing aspect! Just the way I prefer to conclude a murder mystery novel – slightly befuddled, astounded by the solution to the crimes, and yet unsurprised that I didn't deduce it myself. While Poirot was perpetually intrigued by "the psychology of the individual," the resolution of this particular mystery delved into more psychological realms than Christie typically ventured, although it retained Sophie Hannah's signature touch. Hannah's fifth addition to the Poirot series pays homage to Agatha Christie's distinctive style of mystery and remains true to her legacy.

Overall, if you are a fan of Christie or Hannah, this novel offers a delightful, easily forgettable read, blending personal engagement with originality.

I am THE biggest fan of Poirot, my favourite little moustached egg man who also happens to be (by his own admission) the best detective in the world. And to read all new tales and see his stories live on is a pure delight to me. I look forward to every new book by Sophie Hannah and any excuse to be back with Poirot is an easy sell!

Set around Christmas time, Poirot finds himself at ‘Frelly’ house, along with Catchpool at the insistence of his mother. A murder of a man committed at a hospital seems unrelated to the event of another, due to be admitted to the same hospital, but his wife is convinced that he is next. They employ the talents of Hercule to get to the bottom of the murder and prevent another. But lies are everywhere and will he solve the mystery in time?

I loved the festive element to this one and the more I read of Catchpool, the more I’ve started to love him too! He has a great balance with Poirot and works so well with him. The set up is great, the atmosphere was fab and the writing was brilliant as always.

The ending was a little much to maybe get your head around first time and I needed to reread it a few times to unravel my confusion, but it was certainly an interesting element to how it was ended! Which is exactly how I like to leave a murder mystery book: slightly confused, amazed that was the answer to the murders and not the slightest bit shocked I didn’t work it out.

Another brilliant Poirot story from Sophie Hannah and I’m always hopeful in more to come!

In true Christie style, a collection of odd bods are gathered in a country house, joined rather reluctantly for Christmas - at the instigation of Catchpool's mother - by Hercule Poirot and his loyal sidekick, Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard.

A well-liked postmaster, Stanley Niven, has been murdered in hospital; terminally ill Arnold Laurier, the owner of Frellingsloe House, is determined to solve the mystery before he dies, although Arnold's wife Vivienne is terrified Arnold himself will be the next victim. There's also two warring sisters and their husbands, and those Christie staples - the local doctor and the local curate.

Sophie Hannah has put her own stamp on these Poirot stories; the narrative voice is more Hannah than Christie, but Poirot himself remains in character. Inspector Catchpool seems rather more in love with him here than was apparent in the previous novels, though maybe it's more hero worship.

While Poirot was always interested in "the psychology of the individual", the resolution of the mystery here is perhaps rather more psychological than Christie ever allowed herself, though it's very Sophie Hannah. Much as I love her work, she can sometimes tend to the overly complicated, but this - while as intriguing as always - didn't feel too brain-twistingly complex.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of Catchpool's mother Cynthia - she does some objectively awful things, but her son does seem particularly hard on her.

A great read as always.

A Perplexing Puzzle..
December, 1931, Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool and a whodunit for Christmas. Tasked with finding a murderer and, perhaps preventing another, the duo travel to a country house in Norfolk - much to their joint chagrin. Will they make it back to the safety and the luxury of Poirot’s abode for Christmas Day? A stellar addition to the series of Poirot novels from Sophie Hannah encapsulating the inimitable character of Poirot and his little grey cells, an accurate sense of time and place and a truly perplexing puzzle at its very heart. A perfect Christmas mystery.

Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie is just a literary marriage made in heaven. I honestly couldn't think of anyone better to carry on the story of M.Poirot than Sophie. How she isn't more widely read and admired is a mystery than even the aforementioned Poirot couldn't solved.

In Silent Night, we are a few days before Christmas when Inspector Catchpool's mother begs Poirot for help. A man has been killed in hospital and one of her friends' husband is due to be admitted to the same ward. Her friend is adamant her husband should not be admitted as she fears he will be next. Sounds like a mystery tailor made for Hercule.......

I am really enjoying this series of books and, as I say, I think the only author who could take on the mantle of Agatha would be Sophie Hannah. Another great mystery to solve and an entirely satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Little grey cells at Christmas what is not to love. The usual twists, full of Poirot quirks and wit. As a long time Christie fan I love these new tales from Sophie they will never be as good as OG but they are a very close second. This one is a great edition to series and is a perfect Christmas gift for fans. I will be purchasing the book for my collection and also the the audiobook to listen to while doing my Christmas present wrapping nothing like a good whodunit set a Christmas time to make you feel festive.

Hercule Poirot's Silent Night is mostly set in the days leading up to Christmas, 1931. The famous Belgian detective and the companion who assists in his investigations and writes up his cases, Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard, find themselves in a crumbling Norfolk coast, surrounded by warring family members. They will have to act fast if they want to solve the baffling murder they are tasked with, and prevent the murderer from striking again, in time for the quiet Christmas at home they have been dreaming of.

I love the way that Sophie Hannah writes Poirot, so unlikable yet so irresistible. There were several moments where his lines of dialogue made me laugh out loud. I loved all the other characters that peopled Hercule Poirot's Silent Night too. There are enough to keep the reader guessing until the end, but not quite so many that you begin to lose track. I really do think that Hannah has a knack for writing unlikable characters, and I loved the rivalries and conflicts that existed between the vividly imagined characters in this book. I also enjoyed the combination of a dead man whom apparently no-one had a motive to kill, and a man who it appears will be the next victim, and whom everyone seems to want out of the way.

I found this one a gripping read, especially with all its twists and turns, but in keeping with the style of the original Poirot novels, the tale is narrated by Catchpool at a fairly leisurely pace. That is part of its charm. This is a wonderfully atmospheric read, and I loved the setting; not only the countdown to Christmas, but also the crumbling mansion on the Norfolk coast. I love this series, and Agatha Christie's original stories, but Hercule Poirot's Silent Night can absolutely be read as a standalone.

I've always Hannah's take on the famous Poirot, but this time it didn't entertain me quite so much.
I can't figure out why though, I could still hear the voice of David Suchet every time Poirot spoke, I still had to use my little grey cells to figure what was going on....
Still enjoyable, just not a favourite.

I know Christie purists complain but I love the way Hannah has taken Poirot and given him and his stories a distinctive twist of her own. Hannah's own fiction specialises in the 'impossible' crime and she's brought that edge to her re-vamped Poirot series. This one definitely has a more Christie feel in the setting and in the characterisation of Poirot himself (no more coach trips or moves into a draughty guest house as in the previous books!) but Catchpool is no Hastings and there's a Freudian nuance to the denouement as well as more emotion than Christie often allowed herself. Dark, witty and puzzling, this is the perfect mash-up of Christie and Hannah playing to both of their strengths.