The Labors of Hercules by Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot #27 (Read Christie 2026 May Selection)

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1947

Genre: 

Mysteries, Short Story Mysteries

Length:  

319 pages

Series:

Hercule Poirot

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

From the Queen of Mystery, the twelve cases Poirot must solve in this captivating collection of short crime fiction stories are dangerous, demanding, and positively ingenious.

In appearance Hercule Poirot hardly resembled an ancient Greek hero. Yet, reasoned the detective, like Hercules he had been responsible for ridding society of some of its most unpleasant monsters.

So, in the period leading up to his retirement, Poirot makes up his mind to accept just twelve more cases: his self-imposed “labors.” Each would go down in the annals of crime as a heroic feat of deduction.

My Thoughts:

I have to admit, I wasn't thrilled about this latest Read Christie choice. I am not a big fan of short stories and especially with mysteries. I like to get involved in the story and with the characters. I thought "how on earth can I enjoy 12 such quick cases?" I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised and glad I didn't pass it up! I absolutely love Poirot so that helped but the stories were so clever and the whole tying it in with the "labors of hercules" was impressive. I know nothing at all about it and never got into Greek mythology but just seeing Christie use it and put it together with the cases was another testament to what a genius she really was. 

I could go through all the stories but the one that I really wanted to comment on was The Stymphalean Birds story as it was probably my favorite. I liked the way you almost forgot Poirot was in the story and then poof! he appears at the end to save the day. That was fun. Several of the stories were a bit confusing and filled with so many different people I got lost but when I stuck with it the ending was rewarding. I am truly in awe of how Christie came up with the mysteries and was able to "solve" them so succinctly and tie up loose ends. Even though I'm not a short story fan, I was with this book. And I honestly probably wouldn't have read it on my own without it being the Read Christie choice. 

There is something here for everyone....murder, blackmail, kidnapping, romance, heists, pets, and imposters. Each story will keep you guessing and on your toes! I highly recommend you don't skip this one just because it isn't the usual. 

Stacking the Shelves #91

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Castle of Kings by Oliver Potzsch

Kindle purchase: Free with points

On Goodreads this book is compared to The Pillars of the Earth and Bernard Cornwell's Agincourt for its style and history woven into the story. That was enough for me to look into it and I saw it was not part of a series. I am looking for those because I have waaaaayyyyy too many series books going! 

In the 1500's a boy and girl are on the run in Germany after shooting a knight during the Peasants War. I known nothing about this time in Germany and it unfolds during the time the German states were beginning. It looks like a good book to learn about some new historical happenings by an author who grew up there. 

Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland by Susan Fraser King

Kindle purchase: $1.50 with points

I love learning about Margaret of Scotland and she seems to be the subject of many new books lately. This one is written by an author who used to write historical romances and holds a degree in medieval art history. The perfect combination for a good novel based on historical research. I might not learn a lot of new things but it would be nice to read another one after my favorite Jean Plaidy one on Margaret. 

British Social Life in India by Dennis Kincaid

Kindle purchase: 60 cents with points

I am not a big fan of reading through primary sources (I'm too impatient!) to learn about something in history but occasionally I'll run across one that looks worthwhile. I am fascinated by the history of India under British rule and this was written in the 1930's by a man who was a former civil servant in British India. He details the life of the British during the colonial India period. He also wrote several novels about life in India that I'd like to look at. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (A Lady Darby Mystery Book 14)

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, A Bitter Cut, by Anna Lee Huber. This is yet another series on my list to eventually read. I have featured other books by this author and I don't know if it's the beautiful covers or interesting summaries that draw me in but I always stop when I see her books. 

She has another series, Verity Kent mysteries, and I've read book seven, The Cold Light of Day. The time period for that one really interested me so I just jumped in but I found it hard to understand due to not having read them in order.

In this story, it is 1833 and the heroine, Lady Darby and her husband Sebastian, find themselves caught up in trying to clear the name of her brother's father-in-law to be of murder. 

Historical Mysteries

June 23, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Lady Kiera Darby plans to spend the summer reconnecting with friends and family in anticipation of the betrothal of her beloved brother. But when a future in-law is implicated in a murder, the party takes a deadly turn. . . .

July 1833. Lady Darby and her dashing husband, Sebastian Gage, are settling into their newly renovated home at Bevington Park in Warkwickshire with their young daughter. With the breach between them and Sebastian’s father recently healed, they've agreed to help host a country house party for friends and family to share in their joy. Kiera is also anxious to help promote a match between her brother, Trevor, and the woman he’s fallen in love with, inviting her family to join them. However, Kiera swiftly discovers that the would-be bride’s family is not without their detractions. Her brother is unpleasant. Her mother is abrasive. And her father—the prosperous industrialist Jeremiah Birnam—is brusque, discourteous, and, at times, downright rude. 

So when Mr. Birnam’s secretary is found murdered with Birnam standing over her body, many are content to allow him to take the blame. But neither Kiera nor Sebastian believes he did it, and in spite of his bluster and boorish behavior, they can’t let an innocent man be hung for another’s crime. Unfortunately, Birnam had his fair share of enemies at the house party, and any one of them might have struck out at his secretary in order to get to him. It's up to Kiera and Sebastian to uncover the truth and salvage Birnam’s reputation. As the couple slowly inches their way closer to the truth and threats emerge against their loved ones, Kiera begins to fear that the price of solving the crime may mean sacrificing her brother’s future happiness.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors. This is a fun topic and easy to answer. Choosing only ten will be the problem! And trying to just pick one book as my favorite is hard. 

I am someone who loves series books so I have lots of authors to choose from who've written several books. I'm sure if you've read my blog for long the ones I choose won't surprise you but I'm trying to find some I haven't mentioned as often too. Here is my list!

Happy reading y'all!

*Click on the book to go to Goodreads for more information.

*Click on the book title for my review (if I have one).

1. Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman- The first three books in this series are amazing. And if I hadn't read the last two I'd have definitely said no way could book four be my choice for the best. And then I read Lionheart. It was indescribably good and it is one of those books that I'll never get to re-read in quite the same way again. The Land Beyond the Sea rivals this one but you just can't top the way Penman re-creates the time, place, battles, and bravery of King Richard I. It is a masterpiece. 

2. The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry- I am currently reading book 18 in this series, William Monk, and although they are all excellent, the first book is the classic for me. It introduces us to Inspector Monk, struggling with amnesia and having absolutely no recollection of his past life. I found this along with the mystery intriguing and I was completely hooked ever since. I haven't reviewed it because I read it long before I had my blog but maybe I will do a re-read when I finish the series one day. 

3. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon- I know, I know, this ends up on every favorite list of mine but, well, it IS my favorite! I have read this book three times and I could read it again tomorrow. It starts in Scotland with the battle of Culloden, takes you through time to an ocean voyage, Jamaica, voodoo, plantations....it is the most unique of all the Outlander books I think. It just never gets old for me.

4. Murder In An Irish Castle by Verity Bright- This is my favorite historical, cozy mystery series and the one I've kept up with in order. It always appears on my list of favorites due to the fun characters, great locations, and clever writing. Lady Eleanor, her butler Clifford, dog Gladstone, and beau Hugh are darling. I love to start a new one every few months. My favorite so far is this one set in Ireland. The author does a great job with the setting and it has that Christmas vibe too. 

5. Balian d'Ibelin by Helena Schrader- This author is so unique. I would never have heard of her if I hadn't gotten so interested in the history of the crusades during Covid. I started listening to a podcast and at some point her stories were mentioned. She is considered an expert on the crusader period and specifically on the d'Ibelin family who were influential during that time. She has written these books, which are fiction, and also some non-fiction books. 

Her website, helenapschrader.com has lots of interesting information for those interested in the crusader era. In addition, she has won awards for her books set during the Spartan period and WWII. I loved this first book in this trilogy and want to continue with the other two eventually. 

6. A Morbid Taste For Bones by Ellis Peters- I was surprised to find that I haven't reviewed this book. It introduces us to the beloved Brother Cadfael, the former crusader, turned monk who solves crimes within his Shrewsbury town. I am up to book seven and love Peters writing. She has introduced me to some great vocabulary and has a wonderful way of making you feel you are living in the 1100's. 

7. The Conscience of a King by David Field- He has become one of my favorite authors the last few years. Field is a retired lawyer who writes books that are meant to educate people on British history in an entertaining way. This book is my favorite and is about Simon de Montfort and his attempt to institute the first beginnings of democracy in England. I knew nothing about him until I read it and it was a great introduction without being bombarded with too many details. All of his books are amazing!

8. The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown- I am really enjoying these books and the Christmas ones are so cozy and atmospheric. The main characters are Lord Edgington and his grandson Christopher who share a bond inside of a somewhat obnoxious family and work together to solve the mysteries they just keep stumbling into. The author has a great way of using witty dialogue and unique circumstances to create one of a kind stories that are a dime a dozen in the 1920's cozy mystery world. 

9. The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy- This is another book I really need to re-read and do a review on. I read it years ago and it absolutely hooked me on learning everything about Eleanor of Aquitaine. Plaidy has a way of telling all the stories about a person in an easy to read yet very informative way. 

This book is one of her longer ones and is really detailed with Eleanor's life story, but It covers it in a way so the reader who is new to the period can keep up. Plaidy will always appear on my favorites lists....she's just a part of my life and childhood and got me interested in historical fiction. 

10. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett- I have yet to finish this trilogy. I started book two years ago and really need to finish it! I wasn't much of a fan of his Kingsbridge series but this book detailing the end of most of the monarchies of Europe and WWI is one of my all time favorite novels. It is such a great way to learn history through epic entertainment and is the kind of book I'd read over and over again. 

This is one that needs to be re-read and reviewed eventually. Although the next two books in the series interest me, this one in particular is special because it is hard to find good novels about WWI specifically. 

Stacking the Shelves #90

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick 

Kindle purchase: 99 cents this week

I confess I'm a sucker for highly acclaimed authors whose books are on sale this cheap and will almost always buy the book for this price. I still want to read Chadwick's Marshal series and her Eleanor of Aquitaine series, but this book looked pretty interesting on its own.

It's a stand alone novel about a young Irish princess who has to flee her home and gets caught up in the struggles of her father, King Diarmit of Ireland, Henry II and Richard de Clare in the 1100's. It looks like quite the epic. I know nothing about these events and so I'm sure I'll learn something new.

The Pioneers by David McCullough

Libby borrow

McCullough books are always great. I haven't read them all but years ago I really got into his works. He tells history like a story, does meticulous research, and picks unique people and events to explore. This book tells the story of five men who settle in the Northwest Territory forest and create a community there. I have always been fascinated with those who traveled west before steamboats and railroads and they seem so brave and adventurous. This book looks like a great way to learn about the earliest settlers. 

Rome by Ben Kane

Kindle purchase: 99 cents this week

I've read some of Kane's books about the crusader period and Richard II and while Rome isn't my favorite topic I know he will make it interesting and informative at the same time. 

He has great characters who live through major events and battles but adds personal stories to make them realistic. This book focuses on an unknown, but real person, Galla Placidia, a woman who tries to become a Roman empress. It's just good historical fiction to entertain and teach. He is also very accessible to his fans on his social media and that's always a plus with authors.