4.5 stars

In Death on the Nile, a luxury cruise turns deadly when the glamorous Linnet Ridgeway is found murdered. Amid the sweltering Egyptian heat, Hercule Poirot investigates a tangled web of love, jealousy, and betrayal. As the secrets unravel and the tensions rise, Poirot must untangle the lies and uncover the truth in one of Christie's most iconic mysteries.

Are all of Christie's most iconic Poirot tales set in either a closed location (a train, a cruise ship, an island estate) or with a tight set of characters? I was thrilled to finally get to this famous one — and it was worth the wait. Just as intricate and detailed as her previous standout Poirot books, Death on the Nile is packed with everything you expect and hope for from Christie.

What really elevates her most famous works is an almost indefinable quality that shines through her main character. When Christie was truly inspired by the work in progress, with the plot and characters coming together seamlessly, you can feel the excitement brimming through Poirot's detective work. Brilliant.

Footnote: To finish this one out, I'll be watching the 1978 film adaptation.