3.5 Stars

This is the first book I have read in the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, but I was able to easily jump right in without being confused.

The book starts with Poirot and Inspector Catchpool going on a little New Years vacation to Greece. Upon arriving, Catchpool soon learns they are actually there to investigate an almost murder and an actual murder amongst a strange cult like group. This group believes that everyone should get complete forgiveness, and they are mostly all there to run from something in their past. Solving this crime proves to be difficult amongst the lies and secrets people are hiding.

Overall, it was a good book but some of the things at the end seemed a little far fetched and some of the pacing in the middle was a little slow. I did enjoy the ending and that I was unable to guess who the criminal was.

As a long-time Agatha Christie fan — I devoured all her books as a teenager and have reread a number of them over the years — I’d approached this reboot series with trepidation.
But I ended up loving them.
This, the sixth, while not my favorite, was still a really engaging read.

Poor Inspector Catchpool, naively thinking his friend Hercule Poirot has arranged a Greek holiday for the two of them, realizes quickly that there’s much more going on, and Poirot clearly knows all about it.
Strange things are afoot at the House of Perpetual Welcome, a rambling house on a small Greek island, inhabited by a handful of kooky folks who refer to themselves as Very Good Friends and have bought into the ‘leader’ Nash’s fervent beliefs in an unconditional, all-forgiving spiritual ethos. No questions asked, just complete and total forgiveness despite the transgression and regardless of any sort of repentant attitude. Which, when you think about it, could easily cultivate murderous tendencies because why not? in this world of repercussion-free forgiveness.

And murder it is. Or, rather, murders.
Throw in complicated relationships amongst the Very Good Friends, a temperamental slob of a chef, a hilarious ingenue who is determined to be in love with Catchpool, and a local inspector whose unorthodox methods test Poirot’s patience to the limits.
It’s fun, it’s twisty, it has definite shades of Dame Agatha herself. While the ending is a bit of a stretch, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
I just really love this series and the chance to hang out again with the Belgian detective and his little grey cells.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Agatha Christie was among the first writers to instill my love for reading (and specifically the mystery genre), favoring her Hercule Poirot stories in particular. I've read a few of Sophie Hannah's take on the character, and (for the most part) she does capture the essence of Poirot well (with all his quirks - except for his aversion to travelling by sea...)

Also, this tale has Poirot and Catchpool heading to a remote island in Greece during the winter (in particular on New Year's Eve) as a holiday for the pair (though that's never the case) and amongst people who foster a philosophy of forgiveness, A New Year's Eve game goes awry, leading to multiple murders and a host of suspects. The overall narrative is farfetched, though modestly paced, with red herrings scattered about - the resolution is complex and well crafted.

What I'm not so enamored on is her inclusion of policeman Edward Catchpool (an original character of hers), who comes across a bit like a self-insertion character, and is a lackluster stand-in for the in-canon sidekick Arthur Hastings (who presumably in this timeline has relocated to Argentina). In this tale, Catchpool comes across as too needy and wanting of Poirot's praise and admiration, almost to the point of a not-so-platonic relationship (this was the vibe I got in the opening chapters, not so sure if that's the intended direction of the character dynamic or if I'm reading too much into the subtext).

It's always interesting to read pastiches of well established characters and to see how they honor the legacy of those characters, and Sophie Hannah nearly gets it right - it's the absence of the established recurring side characters (Hastings, Miss Lemon and Inspector Japp) that keeps it from being a true homage to the original series.

This one was fine but the end got a bit far-fetched. Not just one murder, but three? Really? So many twists that it became unbelievable.

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

As a huge fan of Agatha Christie, this is a great addition to her hercule poirot series. It was wonderful to spend time with HP once again and marvel at how his little grey cells work. So much fun.

In this latest book by Sophie Hannah, with permission from the Christie estate, Poirot and his friend, Inspector Catchpool, are celebrating the New Year holiday by a trip to the Greek island of Lamperos. Somehow, Poirot didn’t tell Catchpool that this was a busman’s holiday and not the anticipated sun and sand trip with Poirot’s friends. Turns out, Poirot is on a case and hasn’t actually met any of the members of a unique commune that is all about forgiveness. That forgiveness is supposed to extend to anyone regardless of what prior acts have been committed.
The stage is set with a new twist on a country house cast of characters. New Year’s Eve is celebrated by a special game that has each person write a New Year’s Resolution, including one that states they’ll perform the first and last death of the year. We get to read them all as they set the stage for the murder that follows. Now, how do Poirot and Catchpool solve the crimes when they know nothing of the people involved and must do so before the next murder is committed?
Ms. Hannah has now written several Poirot books and her skills grow with each story. She does tend to write longer books that Ms. Christie but her characters are all well drawn.

Thanks for the ARC William Morrow!! I was somewhat nervous about reading a new Poirot book as I love the character so much, but I also couldn't resist it, like a moth to a flame. But the analogy breaks down there because the flame didn't burn me. It was a great read, and I enjoyed being back in Poirot's world as he used his little grey cells to solve another complicated murder. Hope we get to read some more of these from Sophie Hannah!

This was a great read. I gobbled it up in a few days. The setting was amazing. I felt like I was there. Poirot is on point as always. Looking forward to more. Lots more.

Cozy read knowing Poirot well. The behaviors and voice are captured well again in this series. It’s enjoyable to be walking through cases again.

Let me start by saying I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan. I’ve been devouring her books for years, and when Sophie Hannah started writing new Poirot mysteries, I was one of those skeptical fans who steered clear. I mean, how do you follow a legend without tripping up? But curiosity finally got me, and I picked up the sixth book in Hannah’s series, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It’s not quite Christie, no one is, but it doesn’t try to be, and honestly, I’m just thrilled to hang out with Hercule Poirot again.

This story whisks Poirot and his new sidekick, Inspector Edward Catchpool, off to a tiny Greek island called Lamperos for what’s supposed to be a New Year’s Eve getaway. All sounds good except the vibe is more creepy than cozy, with a rundown house and a bunch of oddball locals. Things get downright chilling when the group plays a New Year’s Resolutions game, and one creepy note promises “the last and first death of the year.” Sure enough, a body turns up on the terrace, and Poirot lets Catchpool in on a secret: they’re actually there because someone else’s life is in danger.

Hannah does a great job weaving a mystery that feels like it could fit in Poirot’s world while still being her own thing. The island’s spooky atmosphere and quirky characters had me hooked, and Poirot’s still got that sharp, mustache-twirling brilliance we all love. Now, about Catchpool… he’s fine, really, but I’ll admit I missed Captain Hastings something fierce. Hastings, Miss Lemon, Inspector Japp, oh, how I’d love to see that trio back together! I’m a bit stubborn about change, so warming up to Catchpool is a work in progress, but he’s growing on me.

This book is not perfect. The pacing can feel a tad different, and it’s got a modern spin that might not click for everyone. But for me, getting to dive back into Poirot’s world was such a treat. I’m a sucker for authors who keep beloved characters alive, like R.L. Green does with M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth. Hannah’s doing the same for Poirot, and I’m here for it. So, if you’re a Christie fan who’s been on the fence, give this one a shot. It’s a fun, twisty mystery that lets Poirot shine, even if it’s not quite the original. I’m already eyeing the rest of Hannah’s series.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Sophie Hannah, for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up this book hoping for a classic Agatha Christie-style mystery—something with a clever plot, eccentric suspects, and a satisfying twist. And while it definitely tried to check all those boxes, it didn’t quite land for me.

The setup had potential: a murder in a (Greek!) country house, a closed circle of suspects, and (of course) our favorite Belgian detective. But the pacing dragged, the many of Poirot’s actions or words felt out of character, and the big reveal didn’t pack the punch I was hoping for. It felt more like it was going through the motions of a Christie novel rather than bringing anything new or engaging to the table.

I appreciate the effort to recapture that golden-age mystery charm, but in the end, it felt more like an imitation than a true homage. So overall it was a okay read, just unfortunately underwhelming.

Thank you to William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

#TheLastDeathOfTheYear #NetGalley
Outstanding.
In The Last Death of the Year, Sophie Hannah once again channels the spirit of Agatha Christie’s legendary detective Hercule Poirot with elegance and ingenuity. Set in 1932 on a remote Greek island, this latest installment in the authorized Poirot series blends classic golden-age mystery charm with a fresh twist of psychological tension. Poirot and his partner, Inspector Edward Catchpool, are lured to Lamperos under the guise of a holiday celebration—but the festive atmosphere turns sinister when a New Year’s game ends with a chilling message: “the last and first death of the year.” When a guest is murdered just hours later, Poirot must untangle a web of lies, secrets, and motives before a second death strikes.
Likes :-
1 Atmosphere: The isolated island setting creates an eerie, snow globe-like stage for the murder—a perfect blend of coziness and dread.
2 Classic Poirot: His wit, logic, and moral compass are as sharp as ever. Fans of the original Christie stories will appreciate how Hannah continues his legacy with fidelity and flair.
3 Intriguing cast: The house’s residents are delightfully odd, secretive, and richly drawn—each with something to hide.
4 Clever puzzle: The plot is tightly constructed, with layered clues and a resolution that’s as satisfying as it is surprising.
Dislikes:-
None.
Overall, The Last Death of the Year is a sparkling New Year’s mystery full of misdirection, mood, and classic detective work.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me an advance copy.

Forgiveness can be obsessive. Forgiveness can be twisted. Forgiveness can be dangerous.
Following Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night, Inspector Catchpool jumps at Poirot’s invitation to a sun-drenched Greek island. Poirot promises that they will welcome the new year at a seaside house among very good friends. Catchpool discovers too late that Poirot does not have relaxation in mind and that the Very Good Friends are forgiveness-obsessed zealots. A New Year’s game pits Catchpool and Poirot against an anonymous riddler who isn’t playing about killing one of the Very Good Friends.
If you’ve read any of Sophie Hannah’s new Poirot novels, you know that she has the measure of him. In this book, she gives a twist to the setting and the suspect pool while keeping the feel of an English manor house mystery. Poirot is as frustratingly cryptic and as charmingly brilliant as ever. Catchpool sometimes stood in the way of the story with his meticulous analysis of each suspect. But as he tends to do in the end, Poirot stunned me and made me feel ridiculous for missing so much.

This is totally mediocre. The characters are dull and unconvincing, the solution to the murders convoluted and not very clever. Christie excelled at succinct character studies—here, the exposition is tedious and drawn out. Poirot utters many uncharacteristic and his sidekick Catchpole is given far too much attention. Finally, the setting should be interesting—but the book dully yammers on about theories of forgiveness.

Sophie Hannah picked up where Agatha Christie left off with her Poirot stories, and this installment serves as a great continuation of the series.

Hercule Poirot and his friend and associate Edward Catchpool are on a Greek island for New Years Eve, and they are accompanied by a group of friends staying in a large house on the water. The group plays a game in which they each write their resolutions down and they guess who has written each one. The resolutions ultimately hold the answer to who has committed murder within the group.

Narrated by the immensely affable Catchpool, the story unfolds at a rapid pace. Multiple characters and various mysteries are included, and the story is interesting from start to finish. This is sure to entertain those Christie fans who are not purists, and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I greatly enjoy Sophie Hannah’s Poirot mystery novels, which she writes with the consent of the Agatha Christie estate. They are more complicated and much longer than Christie’s novels, which I both like and dislike. I love being in Poirot’s universe, but I do miss Christie’s ability to tell an extremely twisty mystery in 250ish pages. This story is narrated by Edward Catchpool (the narrator in all of Hannah’s Poirot novels) as he and his pal Hercule travel to a beautiful, isolated Greek island to celebrate New Year's Eve and solve a mystery. The island is occupied by a group of people who seem awfully cult-y and claim to be members of a religion that vows admittance to anyone, regardless of past transgressions. The leader of this group is funded by his wealthy parents and he’s the one who requested Poirot’s presence. After introductions someone dies and then it’s your traditional Christie mystery with a big cast of characters, all with ulterior motives, and Poriot who is always one step ahead of everyone else. I loved this for what it is. I’ll continue reading books in this series because I love this type of murder mystery.

An interesting take on the Poirot novels, although it doesn't seem to have the 'Christie magic' that brings it all together.

Sophie Hannah is doing a really good job with the Hercules Poirot books I loved so much growing up. She brings him back to life with his trusty friend Catchpool. His misuse of the English language, the little grey cells, and the final reveal is all on point here.
Poirot and Catchpool head to Greece to visit a house of a cult religion where a murder may happen. As an aside, this was my least favorite part of the story. The characters go on and on ad nauseum about this stupid forgiveness religion they are supposed to ascribe to at the house. I did tend to speed read through some of that but it was still a satisfying mystery and a good reveal. I guess I still prefer the old body in the library for my Poirot stories.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sophie Hannah, and Harper Collins for the Arc to read and review. I will be awaiting the next installment.

Poirot is back in a new mystery set on a Greek island on New Year’s Eve, where Inspector Catchpool hopes for a relaxing holiday. Instead, he finds himself deep in a case involving a suspicious death and a religious community obsessed with total forgiveness. The pace is slow and deliberate, but tension simmers throughout as Catchpool recounts the events already past. His narration is witty and self-aware, which keeps the tone light even when the story gets darker.

The cast is full of odd, secretive characters, and the setting of Lamperos is vivid and atmospheric. Sophie Hannah captures the classic Christie vibe while adding her own spin. The mystery kept me guessing without feeling overcomplicated or unrealistic. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Poirot and Catchpool, which balances humor with moments of real insight.

There were a few lines where Poirot didn’t quite sound like himself, but it didn’t take me out of the story. I don’t compare these continuation novels directly to Christie’s work. Instead, I treat them as their own thing, and this one was a brilliant, enjoyable read. Fans of cozy mysteries, twisty plots, and imperfect people will enjoy it.

Hercule Poirot and Scotland Yard Inspector Catchpool are visiting a small Greek island for New Year's Eve. Catchpool thinks it's just for a vacation but Poirot has been asked to visit by Nash, the man who runs The House of Perpetual Welcome, because of a recent possible attempt on a resident's life. When a different resident is murdered shortly after midnight, Poirot and Catchpool set about to discover the identity of the murderer.
This is the first of the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries that I've read and I really enjoyed it! There were moments that I forgot I wasn't reading and original Agatha Christie book. The author does a splendid job of capturing the essence of everyone's favorite Belgian detective.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.