Books like Problem at Sea: A Short Story

First published in 1936, this story sees Poirot taking a cruise down the Nile. As always, Poirot enjoys people watching and his attention is drawn to Colonel Clapperton, married to the odious – but incredibly wealthy widow – Lady Carrington. Rumoured to have been on the music hall stage before his marriage, Colonel Clapperton seems completely indifferent to his wife’s sniping and complaints – but is he? When a murder occurs, it is up to Poirot to solve the crime. This has a good setting, a cruise ship with lots of interesting characters, plus a nice twist at the end. Perfectly plotted and with Poirot at his best. At one point Mrs Clapperton asks him, “what would one be if one wasn’t alive?” to which he dryly replies, “dead.” However, despite his dislike of the victim, Hercule Poirot does not, “approve of murder” and can be counted on to see justice done.