Summary: The Killings at Kingfisher Hill: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery by Sophie Hannah
Hercule Poirot is traveling by luxury passenger coach from London
to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate. Richard Devonport
has summoned the renowned detective to prove that his fiancée, Helen,
is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. Poirot will have only
days to investigate before Helen is hanged, but there is one strange
condition attached: he must conceal his true reason for being there from
the rest of the Devonport family.
The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot’s curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attached . . .
Could this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot find the true culprit in time to save her from the gallows?(from Amazon).
My review of this cozy murder mystery
The Killings at Kingfisher Hill is the New Hercule Poirot Mystery by Sophie Hannah, published by William Morrow. The story is set in fictional Kingfisher Hill country estate in Surrey 1922. We follow Hercule Poirot and new colleague Scotland Yard Inspector Edward Catchpool as they are summoned to Kingfisher Hill to solve the murder of Frank Devonport. They travel by luxury motor coach where a seemingly disturbed woman is adamant she will be killed if she sits in a certain seat. Poirot agrees to switch seats and takes her place next to another woman who confesses to a murder. Nothing happens to him and Poirot is both shocked and curious to see if these two occurrences on the coach are linked to the murder he is assigned to solve.
Main character Hercule Poirot seems his recognizable self. I enjoy how new details makes him even more interesting while the most important original traits are still in place; maybe with some new twists. I find it charming that he uses more French language.
Second main character and narrator is Scotland Yard Inspector Edward Catchpole. I love how he conducts independent questionings of some witnesses. Perhaps a slightly modern way of dealing with investigations,
I love how the writing style is so excellently in keeping with the original Agatha Christie novels. An amusing vibe, in parts, does not get in the way of the seriousness of the murder investigation. In the centre of the story is the Devonport family who has an extreme capacity for denial. This might have been customary in the 1920s, so it adds an old fashioned feel to the story. Poirot allows Inspector Catchpool an independent, trusted position which might be a modern touch, but he still has to work with Poirot’s detailed lists. I feel this element adds information, clarifies and drives the plot forward in an amazing way.
My absolute favorite part of the story is Poirot’s interaction
with amusing character Hester Semley. She is a feisty old lady who is insulted
by Poirot’s tendency to interrupt her to dig out more details for the
investigation.
I am not able to reveal my least favorite part of the story to avoid spoiler. Lets just say it relates to the second murder.
Fans of Agatha Christie will love this
new mystery. As will readers of cozy mysteries.
Similar author to explore might be Agatha
Christie.
Thank you to Kristiansand Public Library @krsbib for lending me this book. It gave me the opportunity to share my honest review and all opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: This is the exiting new story where Hercule Poirot solves two complex murders helped by his interesting colleague, Scotland Yard Inspector, Edward Catchpool. They have to deal with a family with extraordinary capacity for denial living in an enclosed country estate. This is the perfect addition to the library of Agatha Christie books for fans old and new. I will be eagerly awaiting Sophie Hannah’s next release.
Rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: interesting and complex plot, fabulous writing, great character building.
Where to buy your copy
Book details
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 0062792377
ISBN-13 : 978-0062792372
Publisher : William Morrow (September 15, 2020)
About The Author
Sophie Hannah is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling writer of crime fiction, published in forty-nine languages and fifty-one territories. Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. In 2014, with the blessing of Agatha Christie’s family and estate, Sophie published a new Poirot novel, The Monogram Murders, which was a bestseller in more than fifteen countries. She has since published two more Poirot novels, Closed Casket and The Mystery of Three Quarters, both of which were instant Sunday Times Top Ten bestsellers.
In 2013, Sophie’s novel The Carrier won the Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards. She has also published two short story collections and five collections of poetry – the fifth of which, Pessimism for Beginners, was shortlisted for the T S Eliot Award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A Level and degree level across the UK. Most recently, she has published a self-help book called How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment – The Power of Grudges to Transform Your Life.
Sophie has recently helped to create a Master’s Degree in Crime and Thriller Writing at the University of Cambridge, for which she is the main teacher and Course Director. She is also the founder of the DREAM AUTHOR coaching programme for writers. She lives with her husband, children and dog in Cambridge, where she is an Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College.
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