|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three Act Tragedy, 30 Oct 2005
“Three Act Tragedy” is well worthy of the title being split into three separate sections of the story which Agatha Christie even named “First, Second and Third Acts.” The theatrical theme is fully developed within the plot as it concerns the famous actor Sir Charles Cartwright.***Possible Spoilers*** Sir Charles has retired to the quiet costal town of Loomouth and has organised a small party for a number of distinguished guests. There’s the eminent Harley Street doctor Sir Bartholomew Strange, the beautiful actress Angela Sutcliffe, Lady Mary Lytton Gore and her daughter, the curiously nicknamed “Egg”, Mr Satterthwaite a well known patron of the arts and several others. Also amongst the crowd is the beautifully turned out Hercule Poirot. When during the serving of cocktails, one of the guests, Rev Babbington keels over and dies, no-one suspects anything more than a unfortunately accident. Sir Charles, who is love sick for Egg decides he has lost her to another and leaves the country for Monte Carlo. Whilst there he meets up with Mr Satterthwaite and they read of the news that Sir Bartholomew has also been killed in an event remarkably similar to the one that happened at Sir Charles’ house in Loomouth. The two immediately decide to return to England to investigate the matter, and when Mr Satterthwaite meets M. Poitrot also in Monte Carlo he lures the famous detective in on their investigations. As I say the book has a very theatrical feel to it, with the bulk of the investigation being carried out by Sir Charles who adopts the mannerisms of various characters to aid him in this. M. Poirot really sits on the sidelines a little and the main investigators use him as a sounding board to their various theories on what has really happened. The key to the murder is a ruse that Christie has used in other books (“Lord Edgeware dies” for example) but it’s still enjoyable and very nicely put together. The book also benefits from some interesting characters, Mr Satterthwaite is a fine example, and makes for great reading.
|