3 answers2025-06-18 05:41:56
As someone who's read 'Curtain' multiple times, I can confidently say the ending hits like a freight train. Poirot's final case isn't just about solving a murder—it redefines what we thought we knew about justice. The twist isn't some cheap trick; it's elegantly woven into every interaction from the first chapter. What appears to be a straightforward country house mystery suddenly flips into a psychological masterpiece where the killer's identity makes you question every previous scene. Christie plays with expectations so brilliantly that even seasoned mystery fans get blindsided. The real genius lies in how the twist forces readers to reconsider Poirot's entire moral compass.
3 answers2025-06-18 18:03:13
I always grab my Christie novels from local bookshops first - there's something special about holding that crisp new copy of 'Curtain' while smelling that bookstore paper scent. Most big chains like Barnes & Noble stock it in their mystery section, usually shelved with her other Poirot stories. If you prefer online, Amazon has both paperback and Kindle versions ready for instant download. Check used book sites like ThriftBooks too; I found a gorgeous 1975 first edition there last year for under $15. Libraries often carry multiple copies if you just want to borrow it - mine had three different translations available.
3 answers2025-06-18 00:28:16
The killer in 'Curtain' is actually Captain Hastings' dear friend, Arthur Hastings himself, though he doesn't realize it. Christie crafted this twist brilliantly - Hastings becomes an unconscious pawn manipulated by Norton, the real mastermind. Norton is a psychological puppeteer who studies people's weaknesses and pushes them to commit murders without direct involvement. He identifies Hastings' protective nature and plants suggestions that lead to the fatal act. What makes this reveal so chilling is how ordinary Hastings is, showing anyone could become a killer under the right manipulation. The genius lies in Norton's method - he never gets his hands dirty, making him one of Christie's most terrifying villains. This final Poirot case subverts expectations by making the narrator complicit, a bold move that stayed with me long after reading.
3 answers2025-06-18 15:58:47
As a longtime Christie fan, 'Curtain' delivers the most heartbreaking yet perfect ending for Poirot. The brilliant detective, now old and frail, returns to Styles where his first case began. His final act isn't about outsmarting a murderer—it's about preventing one. Poirot takes drastic measures to stop a manipulative killer who escapes justice through psychological coercion. The shocking twist? Poirot himself administers justice by killing the culprit, knowing it contradicts his lifelong morals. He then dies peacefully, leaving Hastings a letter explaining his actions. This circular storytelling—ending where he began—shows Christie's mastery. Poirot sacrifices his reputation to protect others, making his exit both tragic and noble.
3 answers2025-06-18 20:06:51
As someone who's devoured every Christie novel multiple times, I wouldn't call 'Curtain' her absolute best, but it's definitely among her most emotionally powerful works. What makes 'Curtain' special is its finality - it's Hercule Poirot's last case, and Christie wrote it with that weight. The mystery itself is clever, with that classic Christie twist, but what really stands out is how she wraps up Poirot's arc. The setting returning to Styles, where it all began, creates this perfect narrative circle. While 'And Then There Were None' might be more technically brilliant and 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' more shocking, 'Curtain' has this bittersweet quality that stays with you. It's less about the puzzle and more about saying goodbye to an icon. For longtime fans, that emotional impact puts it in the top tier, even if it's not the most flawless mystery she ever crafted.