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Hercule Poirot #0.50
The Capture of Cerberus: A Short Story
21 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1947
8 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,299?books71.9k?followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (n¨¦e Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
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§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (n¨¦e Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â§Ú§ã§ä§Ú (Russian)
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 23, 2023
Countess Vera Rossakoff, who is both an illicit mastermind and the woman of Poirot's dreams is running a very profitable club that allows the rich and famous to mingle with dangerous criminals. ]
Hell.
And at the entrance of the club is a scary looking black dog named Cerberus. Cute!
But even Rossakoff may be unaware of the evil that lurks in her swanky saloon. Lucky for her, she has a fussy Belgian detective on her side to save the day.
Drugs are bad, kids.
And now Poirot is ready to retire and grow his vegetable marrows.
Or is he...?
Recommended for fans of Poirot and Christie!
Unlike the 11 other stories in The Labours of Hercules, this one was not published in a magazine prior to release in a collection. There was, in fact, a rejected story under the same name that has recently resurfaced and I intend to read that one as soon as possible.
These 12 cases are chosen by Poirot as his own labors of Hercules that he will undertake before his supposed retirement.
Hell.
And at the entrance of the club is a scary looking black dog named Cerberus. Cute!
But even Rossakoff may be unaware of the evil that lurks in her swanky saloon. Lucky for her, she has a fussy Belgian detective on her side to save the day.
Drugs are bad, kids.
And now Poirot is ready to retire and grow his vegetable marrows.
Or is he...?
Recommended for fans of Poirot and Christie!
Unlike the 11 other stories in The Labours of Hercules, this one was not published in a magazine prior to release in a collection. There was, in fact, a rejected story under the same name that has recently resurfaced and I intend to read that one as soon as possible.
These 12 cases are chosen by Poirot as his own labors of Hercules that he will undertake before his supposed retirement.
January 17, 2023
3 Stars. Not that exciting but for the appearance of Countess Vera Rossakoff, the closest Hercule Poirot came in the novels and stories to a girl friend, a flame, dare I say, a wife! This one is the last of the 12 stories - set just after WW2, many years after the first 11 in "The Labours of Hercules." It is the only original story in that 1947 book; I read it as part of "Hercule Poirot The Complete Short Stories" of 1999. Rossakoff appeared in the Poirot novel, "The Big Four" of 1927, a collection of several melded short stories. She's always been light fingered when it comes to beautiful jewels; indeed Poirot also meets her in "The Double Clue" when a lovely necklace goes missing. Here the two are on opposite escalators in Piccadilly Circus tube station when they see each other. "Chere Madame - where can I find you?" She responds, "In Hell." Miss Lemon brings Poirot up to speed by informing him that Hell is the name of a new nightclub, run by some Russian woman! It turns out to be overwhelmed with people, and attracting the interests of Inspector Japp and the drug squad too. What has the Countess got herself into? (May 2021)
December 3, 2020
Het wordt steeds romantischer met HP.
December 21, 2024
Not going to lie. This one was really boring to me and I definitely have no clue what really happened¡
June 7, 2016
Poirot is lamenting how young women do not fit his fancy when he sees Countess Rossakoff, a woman who (although a thief) does fit his fancy. Passing each other on the escalator, she tells him he may find her "In Hell"
After ascertaining where such a place may be, he procures dinner invitations and meets the woman of his fancy. She introduces him to several people, including Alice - the fiancee of her Niki. Poirot notices a policeman....
...so he approaches Scotland Yard to find out what investigation is being done. Scotland Yard believes that a drug ring is being operated out of the nightclub and Poirot volunteers his help (because he does not believe the Countess is wrapped up in such things).
Poirot hires a man to take the guarddog (named Cerberus) out of the nightclub and presents his dramatic reveal to the Countess.
Who was running the drug ring?
After ascertaining where such a place may be, he procures dinner invitations and meets the woman of his fancy. She introduces him to several people, including Alice - the fiancee of her Niki. Poirot notices a policeman....
...so he approaches Scotland Yard to find out what investigation is being done. Scotland Yard believes that a drug ring is being operated out of the nightclub and Poirot volunteers his help (because he does not believe the Countess is wrapped up in such things).
Poirot hires a man to take the guarddog (named Cerberus) out of the nightclub and presents his dramatic reveal to the Countess.
Who was running the drug ring?
August 6, 2020
The last of The ¡®Trials of Hercules¡¯ Collection. In this story, Poirot bumps into an old friend, a Russian Countess on the tube who invites Poirot to her nightclub. Hell is a nightclub the bored Toff¡¯s go to to hang out with criminals for fun. Poirot and Inspector Japp then turn their eye to a drug smuggling ring and try to figure out who is financing the club.
For Poirot¡¯s last case, it was pretty darn boring to say the least.
For Poirot¡¯s last case, it was pretty darn boring to say the least.
June 15, 2016
And thus concludes my second read of Agatha Christie's Labours of Hercules. Not much to say here, I love this book, I'll probably read it a third and maybe even a fourth time (probably more) at a later point.
Read
October 13, 2010just in time for halloween I read a few murder mysteries while in Africa... stress reliving. Always enjoy these simple stories...
December 28, 2014
Only ok.
May 26, 2019
I wish I could follow his train of thought, so maybe I could figure out whodunit before he tells me!
March 7, 2020
Fun, short stories. Quick, easy, and engaging read.
October 18, 2020
2.5 stars
November 27, 2022
A Hercule Poirot short story. Light and entertaining.
June 3, 2024
Countess Vera Rossakoff from ! I like her, so I had to take her side. Content the story ends the way it does.
June 10, 2021
3 stars
Not one of my Favorites.
Not one of my Favorites.
October 17, 2022
One of the best Poirot shorts. Short and yet intrigue and drama abound.
June 10, 2023
Poirot nearly meets his match of the criminal side of the ledger. She runs an illicit club for people to go up against criminal masterminds. Definitely recommended
August 28, 2024
3 /5 stars.
Read my review:
Read my review:
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February 27, 2025DNF
March 15, 2025
I don't know, I'm not a fan of Russian aristocrate Vera as a character
November 15, 2020
?nos Kerbera - ?esky
June 24, 2009
Dibanding beberapa buku Christie sebelumnya, yang ini agak datar. Tokoh utama, seperti judulnya, adalah Hercule Poirot. Buku ini berisi 12 cerita pendek, yang kalau dirangkum jadi satu berkaitan dengan tugas-tugas yang diemban oleh Hercules, dewa dalam mitologi Yunani. Hanya saja, kalau menurut Poirot, tugas yang diemban oleh Poirot sebagai seorang Hercules, adalah tugas-tugas di abad modern. Masih ada benang merahnya dengan tugas di zaman Yunani klasik, cuma aja dalam pengertian kiasan.
Ada beberapa cerita yang menarik, sisanya ya.. kalau menurut gue so-so lah. Entah kenapa, beberapa cerita membahas seputar hal yang sama, yaitu penyelundupan narkoba. Kok kayaknya Christie jadi kurang kreatif ya di buku yang satu ini...
Penggunaan kiasan tugas2 Hercules juga terkadang rada-rada maksa. Beberapa cerita bisa ditebak siapa penjahatnya. Intinya sih, maraton gue berakhir agak mengecewakan.
Ada beberapa cerita yang menarik, sisanya ya.. kalau menurut gue so-so lah. Entah kenapa, beberapa cerita membahas seputar hal yang sama, yaitu penyelundupan narkoba. Kok kayaknya Christie jadi kurang kreatif ya di buku yang satu ini...
Penggunaan kiasan tugas2 Hercules juga terkadang rada-rada maksa. Beberapa cerita bisa ditebak siapa penjahatnya. Intinya sih, maraton gue berakhir agak mengecewakan.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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