As Agatha Christie's debut novel, serves as the definitive introduction to Hercule Poirot and set the blueprint for the modern "whodunit". Whether you are interested in the original book or the highly-regarded television adaptation, here are the key features and insights into this classic mystery. The Book: A Golden Age Foundation

: It provides a more poignant look at Hastings' post-war trauma (the "thousand-yard stare") which was less emphasized in the book.

First published in 1920, the novel was reportedly written as the result of a bet that Christie could not write a mystery where the reader would be unable to guess the killer.

: To streamline the plot, the adaptation removes the character of Dr. Bauerstein and skips over a detailed subplot regarding Mary Cavendish’s complex feelings for her husband. Community Perspectives