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· 1,748 ratings · 109 reviews
Start your review of The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb: a Hercule Poirot Short Story (Hercule Poirot, #SS-13)
Agatha Christie tells us the story related to the opening of an Egyptian tomb. The people who opened the tomb of
King Men-He-Rah are dying one by one. People are scared as they think the curse of the dead King is causing all these deaths. Poirot and Hastings travel to Egypt to discover the mystery behind these deaths. Will Poirot be able to solve a supernatural case? The author disc Poirot and Hastings travel to Egypt to discover the mystery behind these deaths. Will Poirot be able to solve a
supernatural case? The author discusses it through this story. “A murderer has always a strong desire to repeat his successful crime. The performance of it grows upon him. ”
“A murderer has always a strong desire to repeat his successful crime. The performance of it grows upon him. ”
One by one the men who discovered and opened the tomb of King Men-He-Rah are beginning to die. Superstition spreads that they have been cursed by the dead king. Poirot is asked to investigate the supernatural deaths by a
concerned mother. Hastings is left bewildered when Poirot asserts his belief in the supernatural… This was a really enjoyable short story. I like books that have to do with Egypt and archaeology. Poirot does a fine job solving the case. A fast and easy read.
Feb 22, 2022 Paromjit rated it really liked it
This is a Hercule Poirot short story by Agatha Christie which I listened to on audio, just over 30 minutes long and narrated by David Suchet. Hastings relates the adventurous and colourful details of their investigation into the strange series of deaths which followed upon the discovery and opening of the tomb of King Men-her-Ra in Egypt. The duo travel to the archaeological dig in Egypt, a place that tests Poirot's fastidiousness with sand getting everywhere, and having to ride a donkey, to loo This is a Hercule Poirot short story by Agatha Christie which I listened to on audio, just over 30 minutes long and narrated by David Suchet. Hastings relates the adventurous and colourful details of their investigation into the strange series of deaths which followed upon the discovery and opening of the tomb of King Men-her-Ra in Egypt. The duo travel to the archaeological dig in Egypt, a place that tests Poirot's fastidiousness with sand getting everywhere, and having to ride a donkey, to look into the rumours and superstitions of a curse surrounding the deaths. Naturally, Poirot's little grey cells have no problem as they hone in on the truth. ...more
I love this one and always have. The tv episode is one of my favorites, as well, so this was a win-win for me.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and
I love this one and always have. The tv episode is one of my favorites, as well, so this was a win-win for me.
After several untimely deaths surrounding an archaeological dig site prompt a frantic mother to call in Poirot, he and Hastings race against the clock to unravel the mystery.
Is there really an ancient Egyptian curse or is something far more corporeal to blame?
The pseudo-spooky mummy vibe makes this a classic Christie short. But I love the fact that she also managed to work leprosy and a will written on a napkin into the story!
This version was read by Charles Armstrong, who did a decent job. I still prefer Hugh Fraser or David Suchet to read my Poirot books, though.
...more
When an ancient Egyptian tomb is opened three deaths occur in quick sucession. Is there really a curse, or will Hercule Poirot discover a more human reason behind the deaths ?
A short, sweet story where Poirot uses his little
grey cells while trying not to let the dust & dirt of Egypt distract him.
Rating: 3.5* of five The Publisher Says: Previously published in the print anthology Poirot Investigates. A series of deaths around a pharaoh’s tomb is blamed on an ancient curse, but Poirot knows better. My Review: A
99¢ Kindle Single and fifth season episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot. The story is set entirely in Egypt. The episode is more wide-ranging, interweaving the Egyptian archaeological dig with New York and London. The deaths that Poirot investigates are all connected to the
archaeologic The Publisher Says: Previously published in the print anthology Poirot Investigates. A series of deaths around a pharaoh’s tomb is blamed on an ancient curse, but Poirot knows better. My Review: A
99¢ Kindle Single and fifth season episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot. The story is set entirely in Egypt. The episode is more wide-ranging, interweaving the Egyptian archaeological dig with New York and London. The deaths that Poirot investigates are all connected to the
archaeological dig; there is a suspicion that an ancient curse is in action, an idea spread by the superstitious widow of the first victim. She calls in Poirot and Hastings to determine what has occurred. The resolution of the deaths is the same in both iterations of the tale. But let me tell you somethin' the episode makes hay of the imagery reported in the story! Anubis-headed nightmares for me tonight. The horror of human greed is eternal, isn't it. Appalling what people will do
for enough money.
This Hercule Poirot short story was first published in the UK in The Sketch magazine on September 26, 1923 and was published in the US in The Blue Book magazine. At the time Christie wrote this story Egypt and ancient tombs
were all the rage in England and across Europe. The discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter and several deaths that followed afterwards ignited rumors of an ancient curse on the tomb. Those rumors still circulate today, but most experts say the story was At the
time Christie wrote this story Egypt and ancient tombs were all the rage in England and across Europe. The discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter and several deaths that followed afterwards ignited rumors of an ancient curse on the tomb. Those rumors still circulate today, but most experts say the story was started by Howard Carter and his excavation team to give the media something extraordinary and exciting to report, while keeping reporters and curious people at a
distance from the tomb. In this story a famous archaeologist dies following the discovery of the Egyptian tomb of King Men-Her-Ra. Two more deaths follow. Rumors of a supernatural curse begin to circulate. The widow of the archaeologist hires Poirot to investigate because her son wants to take over the dig, and she doesn't want him to die if the curse is real. This is one of my favorite Poirot short stories so far. It had that awesome mummy-ancient curse vibe to it, and also showed
the Belgian detective's intelligence and understanding of human nature. Multiple times Poirot states that he believes in the power of the supernatural....not in curses, but in the power of belief itself. I feel this story might have also been somewhat of an aside commentary from Agatha Christie about her thoughts on the rumors surrounding King Tut's tomb. This story was adapted into an episode by the television show Agatha Christie's Poirot (Season 5, episode 1). The episode stays
relatively true to the original story with embellishments to stretch it to a 45 minute episode. I'm reading through all of Christie's works in publication order. Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9-years old and bought my first Poirot novels. I've always wanted to read her works in the order she wrote them, and I'm having a great time! Because Poirot stories have quite a bit of French in them at times (and I do not speak any French except a few words.....polite/necessary
phrases and those relating to ordering food), I am listening to the audio book version of these stories while also reading the text. For me, hearing Poirot's dialogue read in the correct accent just adds so much to the reading experience....and the french is correct. Much better than me making a mangled attempt at it or skipping over those bits while reading to myself. Because I am using 2-3 versions of these stories to compare editions, and to listen/read at the same time, I am reviewing each
story separately. I will also review the story collections and specific audio/text versions I read when I have completed all the stories in the collections. Charles Armstrong narrates the audio books I am reading. I love David Suchet's portrayal of Poirot on television and in audio performances....but Armstrong is also very good. He has a nice voice, and portrays the character very well. On to the next story: The Veiled Lady!
I'm a sucker for Egyptian archaeology mystery stories and Christie's short stories pack a lot in a little space. I'm a sucker for Egyptian archaeology mystery stories and Christie's short stories pack a lot in a little space. ...more
Aug 03, 2020 Jack Heath rated it really liked it
4 Stars. Considering Agatha Christie's association with the Middle East, it is surprising she didn't write more short stories with that setting. Novels yes, but short stories? This one is from a 1924 collection of eleven published under the name, "Poirot Investigates." Its 18 pages first appeared in "Sketch" in September 1923. Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb was opened by Howard Carter in November 1922 with funding assistance from Lord Carnarvon. Those facts are true. This story revolves around the f 4 Stars. Considering Agatha Christie's association with the Middle East, it is surprising she didn't write more short stories with that setting. Novels yes, but short stories? This one is from a 1924 collection of eleven published under the name, "Poirot Investigates." Its 18 pages first appeared in "Sketch" in September 1923. Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb was opened by Howard Carter in November 1922 with funding assistance from Lord Carnarvon. Those facts are true. This story revolves around the fictional opening of King Men-her-Ra's tomb shortly thereafter; Lord Carnarvon is again mentioned but he was deceased by the time the story came out! Poirot receives a note from Lady Willard who is worried about the curse surrounding these discoveries. Her husband, Sir John Willard and another donor, Mr. Bleibner of New York, had died in strange circumstances, and her son Guy is in Cairo to follow in his father's footsteps. "What are your views on the supernatural?" she asks. Hastings and Poirot travel to Egypt. Do you think Agatha Christie answered that question through her fictional detective? I do. (August 2020) ...more
Jan 03, 2022 Elysa rated it liked it
This was a pretty fun one. After the discovery of the Tomb of King Men-her-Ra, several of the discoverers are dead. Is it a curse or is it a plot? This case's solution was the easiest for me to come to, but it's still a worthy mystery. Especially to read Hastings enjoy how poorly Poirot fares in the desert. This was a pretty fun one. After the discovery of the Tomb of King Men-her-Ra, several of the discoverers are dead. Is it a curse or is it a plot? This case's solution was the easiest for me to come to, but it's still a worthy mystery. Especially to read Hastings enjoy how poorly Poirot fares in the desert. ...more
Beautifully narrated by David Suchet. The story was okay, just over 30 minutes long.
Apr 10, 2020 Megan rated it really liked it
Aesthetically, Hercule Poirot, Ancient Egyptian tombs, and a possible mummy curse is just such a winning combination. The mystery here is a little short and light, but still satisfying. Christie's later in life interest in archaeology is very much present here, and all the historical stuff checks out. There are a few stray lines in reference to the "natives" working at the site and the "devoted servant" of one of the characters that might make a modern reader blink, but nothing that will surpris Aesthetically, Hercule Poirot, Ancient Egyptian tombs, and a possible mummy curse is just such a winning combination. The mystery here is a little short and light, but still satisfying. Christie's later in life interest in archaeology is very much present here, and all the historical stuff checks out. There are a few stray lines in reference to the "natives" working at the site and the "devoted servant" of one of the characters that might make a modern reader blink, but nothing that will surprise longtime Christie readers (the woman was brilliant, but very much a product of her time). Short fun mystery romp. ...more
“You misunderstood me, Hastings. What I meant was that I believe in the terrific force of superstition.” Christie once again tears my heart out by toying with supernatural stories and then taking them away right at the end through Poirot’s reason. I find these stories to have the power to be the spookiest and I hope throughout them every time even though I should know what’s coming.
Delightful short And yes, it's very short, but still it's perfectly plotted.. very much of its time with the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb and very fitting for the wife of an
archaeologist working in Mesopotamia. And yes, it's very short, but still it's perfectly plotted.. very much of its time with the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb and very fitting for the wife of an archaeologist working in Mesopotamia.
The leader of an Egyptian expedition that has just found and opened a tomb dies of a heart attack, another of blood poisoning. A week later, another man commits suicide. Is it the curse of Men-He-Ra? The widow of the leader asks
Poirot to investigate. Her son is now working on the dig and she is concerned.“No, indeed, Lady Willard,” said Poirot quickly. “I, too, believe in the force of superstition, one of the greatest forces the world has ever known.”
He means of course, it’s ability to work on The leader of an Egyptian expedition that has just found and opened a tomb dies of a heart attack, another of blood poisoning. A week later, another
man commits suicide. Is it the curse of Men-He-Ra? The widow of the leader asks Poirot to investigate. Her son is now working on the dig and she is concerned.“No, indeed, Lady Willard,” said Poirot quickly. “I, too, believe in the force of superstition, one of the greatest forces the world has ever known.”
He means of course, it’s ability to work on the minds of people as he tells Hastings later.“You misunderstood me, Hastings. What I meant was
that I believe in the terrific force of superstition. Once get it firmly established that a series of deaths are supernatural, and you might almost stab a man in broad daylight, and it would still be put down to the curse, so strongly is the instinct of the supernatural implanted in the human race.”
Exactly.
But the two are off to Egypt and poor OCD Poirot is way out of his comfort zone. There is sand … so much sand… and it ruins his shoes and gets everywhere.
He gazed at the Pyramids thoughtfully. “It is true that they, at least, are of a shape solid and geometrical, but their surface is of an unevenness most unpleasing. And the palm-trees I like them not. Not even do they plant them in rows!”
Bless…
He’ll have to solve the mystery quickly so he can get home again.
4 stars
...more
titular-ish sentence: Hercule and Arthur travel to Egypt despite the fact that the former hates the sea. Nevertheless, the gray cells still functioned.
p4: I have always considered that one of the most thrilling and dramatic of the many adventures I have shared with Poirot was that of our investigation into the strange series of deaths which followed
upon the discovery and opening of the Tomb of King Men-her-Ra.
Both humorous and intriguing, it ends on a high note and everyone's happy. At the beginning, people are murdered. In the middle, it's disturbing and creepy, but at the end they figure it out and justice is done. It was an interesting story and I enjoyed it. For a short story, it's remarkably well done. Both humorous and intriguing, it ends on a high note and everyone's happy. At the beginning, people are murdered. In the middle, it's disturbing and creepy, but at the end they figure it out and justice is done. It was an interesting story and I enjoyed it. For a short story, it's remarkably well done. ...more
“I pass over the spectacle of Poirot on a camel. He started by groans and lamentations and ended by shrieks, gesticulations and invocations to the Virgin Mary and every Saint in the calendar. In the end, he descended
ignominiously and finished the journey on a diminutive donkey.” This interesting story reveals Poirot’s thoughts on the supernatural and curses.
The climax of the story fell short in my opinion. The plot otherwise was good. Loved David Suchet's narration,
though! He breathes life into all the characters, making each of their distinct personalities shine out just from their voice😀 Loved David Suchet's narration, though! He breathes life into all the characters, making each of their distinct personalities shine out just from their voice😀
It is amazing how much archeology is in Agatha Christie books once you start looking for it. (This was good. Worth the read.)
Another short story, it was ok, a bit weird and campy...
2.75/5
So and so. Poirot's guess is a good one, but there is no extra quality in this story. So and so. Poirot's guess is a good one, but there is no extra quality in this story. ...more
Love the Hercule Poirot short story mysteries.
Aug 17, 2020 Adrina rated it really liked it
A short yet interesting story by the mystery queen.
A Good
& Quick Read!
May 07, 2021 Dr.J.G. rated it liked it
................................................................................................ Force of sup Force of superstition used in a criminal endeavour for profit.
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The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb -
a Hercule Poirot Short Story (Hercule Poirot),
by Agatha Christie.
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The Adventure of the Egyptian
Tomb -
a Hercule Poirot Short Story (Hercule Poirot),
by Agatha Christie.
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................................................................................................
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Listened to this short story on Classic Tales podcast 14May2020
Agatha 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 is the best-selling author of all time. She wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie is the best-selling author of all time. She
wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author, having been translated into at least 103 languages. She is the creator of two of the most enduring figures in crime literature-Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple-and author of The Mousetrap, the
longest-running play in the history of modern theatre. Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three. The Millers had two other children: Margaret Frary Miller (1879–1950), called Madge, who was eleven years Agatha's senior, and Louis Montant Miller (1880–1929), called Monty, ten years older than Agatha. Before marrying and starting a family in London, she had served in a Devon hospital during the First World War, tending to troops
coming back from the trenches. During the First World War, she worked at a hospital as a nurse; later working at a hospital pharmacy, a job that influenced her work, as many of the murders in her books are carried out with poison. During the Second World War, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital, London, acquiring a good knowledge of poisons which feature in many of her novels. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, came out in 1920. During
her first marriage, Agatha published six novels, a collection of short stories, and a number of short stories in magazines. In late 1926, Agatha's husband, Archie, revealed that he was in love with another woman, Nancy Neele, and wanted a divorce. On 8 December 1926 the couple quarreled, and Archie Christie left their house, Styles, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, to spend the weekend with his mistress at Godalming, Surrey. That same evening Agatha disappeared from her home, leaving behind a
letter for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire. Her disappearance caused an outcry from the public, many of whom were admirers of her novels. Despite a massive manhunt, she was not found for eleven days. In 1930, Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan (Sir Max from 1968) after joining him in an archaeological dig. Their marriage was especially happy in the early years and remained so until Christie's death in 1976. Christie frequently used familiar settings for
her stories. Christie's travels with Mallowan contributed background to several of her novels set in the Middle East. Other novels (such as And Then There Were None) were set in and around Torquay, where she was born. Christie's 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express was written in the Hotel Pera Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, the southern terminus of the railway. The hotel maintains Christie's room as a memorial to the author. The Greenway Estate in Devon, acquired by the couple as
a summer residence in 1938, is now in the care of the National Trust. Christie often stayed at Abney Hall in Cheshire, which was owned by her brother-in-law, James Watts. She based at least two of her stories on the hall: the short story The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, and the novel After the Funeral. Abney Hall became Agatha's greatest inspiration for country-house life, with all the servants and grandeur which have been woven into her plots. To honour her many
literary works, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1956 New Year Honours. The next year, she became the President of the Detection Club. Wikipedia entry
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