The Last Death of the Year

A Novel

By: Sophie Hannah, Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

The brilliant Belgian detective rings in the New Year with a chilling murder investigation on a Greek island in this all-new holiday mystery from Sophie Hannah, author of Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night.

New Year’s Eve, 1932. Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool arrive on the tiny Greek island of Lamperos to celebrate the holiday with what turns out to be a rather odd community living in a dilapidated house. A dark sense of foreboding overshadows the beautiful island getaway when the guests play a New Year’s Resolutions game after dinner and one written resolution gleefully threatens to perform “the last and first death of the year.”

Hours later, one of the home’s residents is found dead on the terrace.

In light of the shocking murder, Poirot reveals to Catchpool the real reason he’s brought him to the island and both men resolve to ensure that the first murder will be the last.

Not bad

I've read all of Sophie Hannah's Poirot novels, and I would put this one in the middle. It kept me wondering what would happen next through the entire story, but I did keep getting the characters confused. A cast of characters is always part of a Poirot story, but I kept mixing up some of the female characters (who was in love with who, who was married or single). It did have an impact once the solution was revealed (Pearl was the only one I didn't get mixed up). I plan to read it again now that I know the ending. Love Sophie Hannah's and Julian Rhind-Tutt's portrayals of Poirot!

it was okay. Good effort

It lacked some of the intrigue and charm of the previous novels. I think there is something missing- as Sophia Hannah’s Poirot just isn’t as interesting.

I really wanted to like it

It pains me to say this because I really enjoyed Sophie Hannah's other Poirot iterations, but this didn't work for me. Too many characters and none of them are likable. At many points it felt like life coaching packaged as a mystery novel. Reveals fell flat. I really enjoyed Hercule Poirot's Silent Night (also a Sophie Hannah book) and would recommend that to anyone in search of a new iteration of Poirot rather than this. (Her others are decent too - Monogram Murders, Killings at Kingfisher Hill, and Mystery of Three Quarters).

Perfect narration…story was ok too

I was counting down the days till this release. The narrator did an amazing job distinguishing the many characters and his Poirot accent was spot on. I didn’t love the story but it wasn’t bad. It felt a bit rushed but I liked the twist at the end. No spoilers!

Poirot fans delight

Sophie Hannah continues to bring Hercule Poirot to amazing life. Her plotting and writing style is perfect as an homage and emulation of Agatha Christie and her famous detective.