Book review: Death in the Clouds: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie

I read Death in the Air by Agatha Christie years ago.  I remembered this after reading the first couple pages.  Even remembering the basic plot I enjoyed rereading the book.  I recalled who committed the murder and this second time through I really examined the clues.  The book was still enjoyable.

Hercule Poirot again “happens” to be close to a murder.  (One of the people in the book makes a funny comment about how people die because Hercule travels.)  At first it seems like Madame Giselle may have died by natural causes, but Hercule quickly determines that it was murder.   It appears she was poisoned by a dart from a South American blow-gun. 

There are thirteen people in the section of the plane of the murder.  Hercule suspects early who committed the murder, but he has to gather clues.  He interviews all the passengers and the two air attendants.  For a while it seemed like no one had motive, but Hercule is able to find four people could have had motive.  He continues to dig into Madame Giselle’s past and finally learns enough to prove who committed the murder.

It was a satisfying conclusion.

If you have enjoyed other Agatha Christie’s mysteries I’m sure you will enjoy this one.  And if you are new to Agatha Christie, this is a good place to start.