Hallowe’en Party (A Haunting in Venice)

by Agatha Christie

• Murder Mystery
• Crime

I do love a good murder mystery, and you simply can’t beat the queen of crime herself, Agatha Christie! With Halloween just around the corner, I thought what better book to pick up than her famous Hallowe’en Party, perhaps more widely recognised by its newer title, A Haunting in Venice, following the release of the blockbuster film adaptation. 

I picked up a copy of the novel under its newer title, A Haunting in Venice, and was surprised to find that the opening chapter included a statement from the film’s director explaining how he had changed the original story. This meant I went into the novel genuinely unsure of what was going to happen, despite having already seen the film! 

The story begins much like the film, with a Halloween party taking a sinister turn when a murder is committed. However, the victim and the method of murder are very different in the book, making this a fresh mystery to unravel. Of course, no murder mystery would be complete without the arrival of Hercule Poirot, who must piece together the clues and uncover the truth behind the crime. 

The novel starts by really gripping my attention. The Halloween party, the circumstances surrounding the murder and the identity of the victim make for an intriguing opening that immediately drew me in. However, I did find the middle section a little slower, particularly as Poirot begins interviewing the various characters. Some of these conversations felt a little irrelevant at times, and the pace dipped as a result. 

Thankfully, the ending picks things back up again, delivering a quick and entertaining conclusion. I actually managed to guess the culprit more or less correctly, although there were a few details I hadn’t quite worked out! 

One thing that always impresses me about Agatha Christie’s writing is how well it holds up today. Although some of the language reflects the period in which the novel was written, with words such as ‘gay’ used to mean happy and ‘queer’ to describe something suspicious, the writing itself remains engaging and accessible. Christie has a real talent for creating intriguing mysteries, and this was still an enjoyable read, even if it wasn’t without its slower moments. 

If you enjoy a good murder mystery, particularly one with a Halloween setting, why not pick up a classic by the queen of crime herself? Hallowe’en Party is a great choice for an autumnal read, especially if you’re in the mood for something a little sinister! 

---