Monsieur Renaulds life is in danger and he asks desperately for Poirots help. Alongside his sideckick Hastings he ventures to France, but upon his arrivel Monsieur Renauld has been murdered. Poirots "grey little cells" are needed once more.
I really liked this second book in the Poirot series. The mystery took its twist and turns and I was really surprised by the end of the book, simply because I didn´t see it coming.
The more Poirot books I read, the more I grow fond of the characters. Poirot is such a charming, odd and funny man and he might be pompous at times, but he is a genuinly good soul. I have to admit, though, that I like Poirot more when he is with Hastings instead of being on his own. There is something paternal in his manners towards Hastings, that makes him a more likeable person.
Hastings grated on my nerves at the beginning of the book, because he more or less drooled over every young woman he has laid his eyes on. As a consequence he makes some pretty stupid decisions and I didn´t like how gullible his character has been written in the beginning of the book. However, towards the end of the book I really took a liking to Hastings and when he makes an appearance in other books, I guess I will be less annoyed by him.
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