The Million Dollar Bond Robbery by Agatha Christie

 

"Iceberg, right ahead!"

It's a brand new month and that means more Agatha Christie short-stories, courtesy of the reading event hosted by FandaClassictLit. 

The premise of stolen bonds vanishing on an ocean liner doesn’t exactly scream “edge-of-your-seat excitement.” But leave it to Agatha Christie to take a ho-hum setup and spin it into an amusing and tightly plotted little mystery. That’s kind of her thing. She could probably make a thrilling whodunit out of a missing sock. Christie’s mastery of the mystery genre and uncanny ability to craft intricate puzzles with seemingly simple pieces continues to impress me. The woman was also wildly prolific, churning out mystery after mystery with the kind of consistency that makes other writers weep into their typewriters. 

As for The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, it’s a fun, classic whodunit that benefits immensely from the presence of Hercule Poirot. Without our beloved little Belgian detective at the helm (yes, pun intended), I’m not sure it would hold up nearly as well. Captain Hastings is once again the well-meaning sidekick, charmingly baffled while Poirot remains ten steps ahead of absolutely everyone, as usual. His mind is a steel trap, and let’s be honest, he’s the main reason we keep coming back for more.

Yes, these stories follow a bit of a formula, but it’s a formula that works. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just pour yourself some tea and enjoy the quick ride.