Dead Man’s Folly is the 35th story in the Hercule Poirot books, written in 1956.   Agatha Christie wrote 33 full novels, 2 plays, and 51 short stories featuring Poirot.   She was one of the most popular writers of the twentieth century and her books are still widely read and adaptations of her books are part of the heritage and still being produced.

Poirot is invited to a Devonshire Manor by a friend who writes detective stories.    She is hosting a “murder mystery (fete)”, that is a social event with clues to a fake murder, complete with clues, props, and a girl posing as the victim.     The victim is found murdered and the police are called in.    Poirot (without Hastings) is on the sidelines and helps where he can, but the murder remains unsolved.    Poirot is unable to let the case rest that way so he returns to the village to carry out further investigations.     In the end, 3 murders are uncovered by Poirot, as he discovers secrets, some of them decades past.

This is a solid mystery in Christie’s library.    It has been adapted to film, television, radio plays, and video games.    It is traditional Agatha Christie fare, but that is a high standard , and the book is a pleasing read.

Recommended to mystery lovers – 4.3 out of 5.0 stars4.3