Three act tragedy by Agatha Christie

I liked it, although it was rather simple, yet nice enough. I sure like more Poirot in a more central role that as a sort of guest appearance as in here, still it was a nice little story.
Plot: famous actor Sir Charles has invited a few friends for dinner, and Poirot is among them, yet it doesn't start here for him because when Vicar Babbington dies he doesn't suspect foul play at all, even after Sir Charles suggests the idea he discards it. Some time later Sir Charles and his friend Satter are in Montearlo when they read that their friend Doctor Strange died in pretty much the same way. Satter gets Poirot involved when he meets him in Montecarlo and tells him about Strange, still all the investigation is done by the little group of friends while Poirot has only a small part: he listens to their stories and thinks. The poor vicar appears to have been a good, quiet man with no enemies in the world, and Poirot still can't see why anyone would want his death. Sir Charles, Satter and young Hermione, in love with the great, although old, actor, dig into his past and also question all the people that were present in both parties. Now the 'big spoiler': apparently Strange had been enjoying himself very much that night he died, he was happy and jovial and even talked to a servant, Ellis, that later disappeared, thus getting upon himself all the police's suspicions. A patient of the doctor was later found dead after Poirot received a telegram from her. She couldn't get out but apparently she gave the message to a homeless wanderer, or something like that, who then paid a kid to send it. Now, someone might think that Agatha tricked us this time, but I don't see it that way. Sure, we were lead to believe Sir Charles was in Montecarlo the whole time of the second murder, but we also know he was alone at that time, he met Satter later, and we are told in numerous occasions how good an actor he was and how much he liked to play some part or another even in real life, so it was kinda obvious to suspect him. Come on, a waiter that disappeared into thin air and a poor homeless guy? These seemed so much like impersonations. Therefore I was not surprised when Poirot revealed the name of the murderer. It was interesting, though, to learn the reason. I had absolutely no clue about this: a patient of doctor Strange was Charles' wife who nobody knew about, and since he wanted to marry Hermy nobody else had to know about her. Strange would not have let him trick the girl into a marriage with a married man. The poor vicar's death was just a rehearsal, and his death was accidental, meaning that one glass was poisoned and anybody could have drank from it, even Poirot!




In Italy: Tragedia in tre atti