I was very surprised at the exceptional condition of the book. It really is wonderful to be able to aquire books from so many different places when, up till now, I've been unable to get them from conventional book stores.

Agatha Christie is well-known for the twists that are in her mystery stories, but should receive just as much renown for her psychological examinations within certain mysteries. "Appointment With Death" is much more the psychological study of a family and those involved with them, than it is with the murder at the heart of the story. Therefore, the novel is heavy on character development and motive for murder, and lighter in terms of mystery and crime.

Mrs. Boynton was a mental sadist, a woman who loved holding her family captive to her every whim and fancy, allowing them no freedom of thought or action. Enclosed in their own world and oblivious to any difference, a trip to Jerusalem finally makes her children aware of how miserable their lives are. Two of the children come to the conclusion that she must be killed, especially to protect the youngest child, but hardly know how to carry out the deadly act. So when their mother is found dead (and murder is believed) all of the children are immediate suspects to Hercule Poirot, but also among each other.

"Appointment With Death" is as fast-paced as any of Christie's other works. Hercule Poirot is more of a minor character until the latter part of the book when he pieces together all of the evidence to arrive at the truth of who killed Mrs. Boynton. The chapters in which he lays out motive and means for the innocence and guilt of each member of the Boynton family is both exhilarating and frustrating, but it shows the remarkable plotting that Christie had to explain the criminal elements in her books. While not the best Poirot mystery, "Appointment With Death" is an enjoyable read with plenty of motives to keep the reader guessing the identity of the culprit.

Above average. Interesting family dynamics with the classic matriarch.

A definite for Agatha fans; top 25% for others.

Although this is not my favorite Christie story (hence, the 4 stars instead of 5), I still loved listening to it. I think Hugh Fraser (Captain Hastings) does a superb job as reader.