Moord in de bibliotheek

Inhoud

Tommy en Tuppence hebben een huis gekocht in een klein dorp. In de bibliotheek ontdekt Tuppence een oud kinderboek waarin een aantal letters zijn onderstreept. Samen vormen die letters een zin: 'Mary Jordan stierf geen natuurlijke dood,' Wie was die onbekede Mary Jordan? En wie was de jongen die de letters onderstreepte, en die zelf ook onder verdachte omtandigheden blijkt te zijn overleden? Tuppence besluit in het verleden te duiken,

Bespreking

The most tiresome book Christie ever wrote

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, now retired, move into a house in Devonshire. In an old children's book left in the attic, Tuppence finds cryptic clues to a murder which took place in the village during the First World War. The girl who died was mixed up in an old scandal to do with the passing on of naval secrets. But was she innocent or guilty? Intrigued, Tommy and Tuppence investigate. Suddenly Tommy and Tuppence are in danger, though no one can guess from what source, nor why their raking up of the past should be so bitterly resented. What can it matter now?

This is the last book that Agatha Christie wrote, although not the last one to be published - it was followed by a few other, like Curtain, but they all date from before Postern. Unfortunately, Postern of Fate is one of, if not the, very worst books Christie wrote, and as such forms a sad ending to the enormously successful career of the Dame of Crime. The story never succeeds in catching the readers' attention. It goes on and on, without really making a point. And when the chaotic plot finally unfolds in the last twenty pages, you might as well go to sleep. Strangely the conclusion is even more tiresome.

The only reason to ever read this book is when you are like me and want to read every book written by Agatha Christie. But even then, be prepared to be utterly disappointed.