Search - Agatha Christie's Poirot: Collector's Set Volume 9 on DVD

Annoying Clients

Magnifying Glass | 12/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hercule Poirot prefers to take on only the most important cases. However, he occasionally finds that he has been out maneuvered by an annoying new client into accepting - what at first appears to be - an inconsequential case.



In the 'Dead Man's Mirror,' Mr. Chevenix first irritates Poirot by taking delight in outbidding him on a fancy wall mirror at an auction and then has the audacity to tell Poirot that he wants him to investigate someone who may be defrauding him. Before Poirot has a chance to refuse, Mr. Chevenix disappears down the staircase. Riled, Poirot says to his friend Hastings, "... he summons me like a mere nobody!" But then, the man offered the mirror in payment; Poirot takes the case.



In the 'Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan,' Mr. Opalsen irritates Poirot by alerting the press that the world famous detective Hercule Poirot would be attending the opening of his new play: 'Pearls before Swine.' Later that night, the Opalsen's pearls are stolen. He asks Poirot to find them, but when Hastings reminds him that he came to the seaside resort for convalescence, Poirot politely refuses. But then, Poirot finds relaxing too much of a strain; he takes the case.



In 'The Adventure of the Clapham Cook,' Mrs. Todd irritates Poirot when she asks, "Did you pay for that bit in the paper saying what a cleaver detective you were or did they put it in themselves?" Poirot's feathers are further ruffled when she ask him to find her cook. He refuses. But then she huffs: "Too proud, only deal with government secrets, crown jewels ... Mr. High-and-Mighty!" Chagrined, Poirot takes this embarrassing case.



Features: Short written bios: David Suchet and Agatha Christies. Filmographies.



Picture: good. No cropping. Sound: good. Volume: typical."