Have you ever observed a housefly? It rubs two of its feet, as if in anticipation! That was exactly how I felt, rubbing my palms together, as soon as I saw this novel in the bookstore. Dame, I am game!
Let’s get down to business….
One of the earlier editions book cover!
Review :
The Murder on the Links is one of the earliest works of Dame Agatha Christie featuring the 5’4″ egg – shape headed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and his somewhat foolish friend Captain Hastings!
The story starts with Captain Hastings meeting a girl on the train from France to London. She is unladylike, unrefined but clever and inspite of his prejudices, Captain Hastings takes to her. They part ways with her giving him a false name, Cinderella. Even he knows that is not her real name!
At London, his roomie Poirot invites Hastings back into France, regarding a case. English born French millionaire businessman Renauld fears for his life and hires Poirot. But before Poirot can reach him, Renault is found in a golf course, in a freshly dug open grave, with a knife in his back, dead! His wife Eloise Renauld claims that she had been tied up by two masked men, who took Renauld away at knife-point. Turns out the knife was gifted to her by her son Jack. (That is the murder weapon)
While Poirot honours the dead man’s request and decides to solve the murder case, the local detective Giraud is hired by the police. Both the detectives are at loggerheads and Giraud, being the younger detective is bent on taunting Poirot for his old school detection tactics. (It is obvious who wins the unofficial competition between the detectives at the end. )
The list of suspects is long. There is a beautiful neighbour Madam Daubreuil, whom the police suspect was having an affair with the dead man. Captain Hastings thinks Martha Daubreuil, daughter of Madam Daubreuil is a breath taking beauty. But Poirot thinks she has anxious eyes! (Hastings can be swayed by superficial features, but the little grey cells of Poirot look beyond the superficial. That is the marking of a good detective)
Incidentally, Jack Renauld is in love with Martha Daubreuil! For obvious reasons, his father opposes the match!
Then there is Bella Duveen, ex-girlfriend of Jack, who is still in love with him. She knows he has a new woman in his life.
Gabriel Stonor, the personal assistant of the dead millionaire, who clearly states that Eloise and Renauld were devoted couple and still in love. He laughs at the idea of Renauld having an affair!
Just as Hastings begins to get on with his life, he meets the girl from the train, again. In a bid to win her, he shows off the scene of murder. It is later revealed that the murder weapon has been stolen.
All hell breaks loose, when a second dead body is found, with a knife in its chest. Incidentally, the person had died after seizures and later a knife had been driven into his chest! (The knife which was used in both the cases is the same)
Who is the double murderer?
Who gains most from the death of Renauld? Only his wife, who gets all of his estate.
But Poirot is more than convinced Eloise loved her husband dearly.
Meanwhile, it is revealed that Jack Renauld had a huge fight with his father, regarding his love life. Did he resent his father so much to kill him off??
Just as Jack is arrested for the death of his father, Bella Duveen surrenders before the law, claiming she is the murderer!
Is Bella guilty?
Just as we begin to think the story has come to an end, Eloise Renauld’s life is in danger!
All is well that ends well, inspite of a murder!
P.S:
1. This is one of the best works of Dame Agatha Christie. The dead body is found in a golf course, hence the name.
2. How does she come up with these wonderful stories? Beats me!
3. All the books and novels I have read after watching the T.V series of Hercule Poirot, I have been picturing David Suchet and Hugh Fraser as Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings. They nailed their parts. I don’t think anyone can erase their faces from my memory!
4. Do read the book and enjoy it with a hot cup of masala chai and a bowl of spicy puffed rice. Atleast, that’s what I did!
