Lisa Barger

When a young chemist takes her own life after confessing to a spate of kleptomania, Hercule Poirot suspects there’s more to the story. Turns out, there’s a lot more to it.

The Story In Hickory Dickory Dock

Poirot agrees to investigate an outbreak of thefts and vandalism occurring in a student hostel run by Miss Lemon’s widowed sister, Mrs. Hubbard. After giving the students a lengthy talk on crime, Poirot quickly he gets to the heart of the matter and urges them to contact the police about the matter.

Later that evening, a young chemist named Celia Austin confides that has been stealing things to catch the romantic attention of psychology student Colin McNabb. She confesses to most of the thefts, and agrees to make restitution, but denies committing the acts of vandalism.

The next morning Celia is found dead, apparently having taken an intentional overdose of morphine. Neither Poirot nor the investigative officer, Inspector Sharpe, are convinced it is suicide and continue their investigations. It appears everyone living in the hostel has something they’d like to hide.

My Thoughts On Hickory Dickory Dock

With more than a dozen potential suspects, Hickory Dickory Dock has a lot going on and I found myself having to re-read entire chapters to keep it all straight. But Christie knew what she was doing and the story kept me guessing almost right up to the moment of Poirot’s big reveal. I won’t say this is one of Poirot’s best, but it was certainly worth the read.

My audiobook of Hickory Dickory Dock was performed by Hugh Fraser, who navigated the myriad voices with his usual aplomb.

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