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Hercule Poirot #0.30
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest: a Hercule Poirot Short Story
Hercule Poirot is not interested in the affair of the Spanish Chest, which has been reported in the papers so often that it seems to be an entirely closed case. But Miss Lemon piques his interest. Then Lady Chatterton persuades Poirot to attend a fabulous party she is giving. There is someone sequestered upstairs who is desperate for his help. He gets drawn into the case. Will the contents of a dead man’s pockets reveal to the inscrutable eye of Hercule Poirot who the culprit is?
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest. Collections of short stories by the author, and an earlier version of the story, The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest, can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for each of the Poirot short stories can be found by searching on Goodreads for: a Hercule Poirot Short Story.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest. Collections of short stories by the author, and an earlier version of the story, The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest, can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. The individual entries for each of the Poirot short stories can be found by searching on Goodreads for: a Hercule Poirot Short Story.
53 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
77 people are currently reading
2024 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,976 books76.8k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
August 7, 2022
A man lay dead in a trunk in the corner while a party went on around him.
The murdered man told his wife he was traveling out of town, then went by his best friend's house to talk about something. A servant remembers letting him into the room he was found in, but his friend says he never saw him.
A house party that included his wife and other friends was scheduled for that evening and carried on as usual with no one suspecting that he was in the room, as well.
The next morning a servant saw a dark stain on the floor and traced it back to the trunk that was partially hidden by the screen, discovered the body, and alerted the police.
The dead man's wife is one of those women that all the men are secretly in love with, including his best friend. <--he's been arrested, btw and she's gone to Poirot because she doesn't believe it did it.
Now it's up to Poirot to discover whodunnit and why.
I liked this one! It felt like one of those rare shorts that feel as fleshed out as they can be, and it made quite fun reading.
Read as part of the short story collection The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories
The murdered man told his wife he was traveling out of town, then went by his best friend's house to talk about something. A servant remembers letting him into the room he was found in, but his friend says he never saw him.
A house party that included his wife and other friends was scheduled for that evening and carried on as usual with no one suspecting that he was in the room, as well.
The next morning a servant saw a dark stain on the floor and traced it back to the trunk that was partially hidden by the screen, discovered the body, and alerted the police.
The dead man's wife is one of those women that all the men are secretly in love with, including his best friend. <--he's been arrested, btw and she's gone to Poirot because she doesn't believe it did it.
Now it's up to Poirot to discover whodunnit and why.
I liked this one! It felt like one of those rare shorts that feel as fleshed out as they can be, and it made quite fun reading.
Read as part of the short story collection The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories
September 27, 2018
This story was adapted (extended) from the story "The Baghdad Chest" which I can't seem to get hold of, so for the challenge I have read this version.
I have this vague memory of seeing the TV version with David Suchet as I had a mental picture of the contents of the chest !!.
Poirot was as inscrutable and inevitable as ever, tying up the murder in double quick time. It was unfortunately quite a short story so we never really had time to get into it a lot but none the less it was still a great mystery and very enjoyable.
I have this vague memory of seeing the TV version with David Suchet as I had a mental picture of the contents of the chest !!.
Poirot was as inscrutable and inevitable as ever, tying up the murder in double quick time. It was unfortunately quite a short story so we never really had time to get into it a lot but none the less it was still a great mystery and very enjoyable.
January 26, 2026
4 Stars. An expanded and improved version of The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest. Here Miss Lemon plays a role. Poirot is consulted by Lady Chatterton - her friend Mrs. Clayton really needs his help. The murdered body of Clayton's husband, oozing blood, had been found in a large chest. Was she seeing someone else behind his back? Possibly Mr. Rich now arrested? Could the murder have actually happened during a party? The chest was in the same room! Baghdad appeared in 1932 in the The Strand in the UK, and in Ladies' Home Journal in the US. The Spanish version is from The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a Selection of Entrees in 1960. Mrs. Clayton is adamant; Rich did not murder her husband. Interesting premise for the 1930s. A party was held at Rich's home for the Claytons, Jock McLaren, and a couple named Spence. For a little dancing to records, food and fun. The party proceeded even when Mr. Clayton was called to Scotland on business. All was normal until the next morning when the chest in the corner was found with a body inside! From the beginning I thought Mrs. Clayton's story was suspect. Didn't you? (Oc2019/Ja2026)
June 22, 2020
I listened to this on audio and Hastings didn't appear in this edition.
Perusing the morning paper Poirot’s attention was caught by the headlines… SPANISH CHEST MYSTERY. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. Six people had been invited to attend an evening party at Major Charles Rich’s house, five of them enjoying the food and dancing while the sixth lay dead, in the Spanish chest. Poirot is lamenting the absence of Hastings as tries in vain to engage Miss Lemon’s interest and thoughts on the matter. But nothing about the case piqued her curiosity.
[quote]Ah, thought Poirot. How my dear friend, Hastings, would have enjoyed this! What romantic flights of imagination he would have had. What ineptitudes he would have uttered. Ah, ce cher Hastings, at this moment, today, I miss him … Instead — [unquote]
All the same, Poirot is very interested and asks Miss Lemon to gather all the information she can about the case from the newspapers. The facts were seemingly pretty straightforward. Mr Clayton was summoned to Scotland on an urgent business matter so was unable to attend the party. Everyone else was having a good time, unaware of anything untoward. It wasn’t until the following morning Major Rich’s manservant discovered the body in the chest. After a visit from Lady Chatterton Poirot is persuaded to investigate on behalf of Mrs Clayton who is sure the police have the wrong suspect. It’s not long before Poirot agrees with Mrs Clayton and sets out to discover the real culprit.
A fun short story with a listening time of 1 hour 25 minutes, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest was enjoyable and quick listen, although there wasn’t the chance for detailed character development. Nevertheless the characters were sketched well and the case was intriguing with some unexpected twists. A nice reference to the similarities of the case to a Shakespeare play.
As always, Poirot finds little clues that escape others. Most of the cast have motive if not means, with jealousy and the hint of conspiracy. It was interesting to note that Poirot liked his women ‘lush, exotic and highly coloured’ I don’t know that that’s ever been mentioned before, in the books I’ve read anyway. And the fact there had been ‘a certain Russian countess – a folly of earlier days’… very intriguing!
A pleasant way to while away an hour and a half.
Perusing the morning paper Poirot’s attention was caught by the headlines… SPANISH CHEST MYSTERY. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. Six people had been invited to attend an evening party at Major Charles Rich’s house, five of them enjoying the food and dancing while the sixth lay dead, in the Spanish chest. Poirot is lamenting the absence of Hastings as tries in vain to engage Miss Lemon’s interest and thoughts on the matter. But nothing about the case piqued her curiosity.
[quote]Ah, thought Poirot. How my dear friend, Hastings, would have enjoyed this! What romantic flights of imagination he would have had. What ineptitudes he would have uttered. Ah, ce cher Hastings, at this moment, today, I miss him … Instead — [unquote]
All the same, Poirot is very interested and asks Miss Lemon to gather all the information she can about the case from the newspapers. The facts were seemingly pretty straightforward. Mr Clayton was summoned to Scotland on an urgent business matter so was unable to attend the party. Everyone else was having a good time, unaware of anything untoward. It wasn’t until the following morning Major Rich’s manservant discovered the body in the chest. After a visit from Lady Chatterton Poirot is persuaded to investigate on behalf of Mrs Clayton who is sure the police have the wrong suspect. It’s not long before Poirot agrees with Mrs Clayton and sets out to discover the real culprit.
A fun short story with a listening time of 1 hour 25 minutes, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest was enjoyable and quick listen, although there wasn’t the chance for detailed character development. Nevertheless the characters were sketched well and the case was intriguing with some unexpected twists. A nice reference to the similarities of the case to a Shakespeare play.
As always, Poirot finds little clues that escape others. Most of the cast have motive if not means, with jealousy and the hint of conspiracy. It was interesting to note that Poirot liked his women ‘lush, exotic and highly coloured’ I don’t know that that’s ever been mentioned before, in the books I’ve read anyway. And the fact there had been ‘a certain Russian countess – a folly of earlier days’… very intriguing!
A pleasant way to while away an hour and a half.
December 30, 2016
How perfectly scandalous! I love the stories with a big cast of characters. Oh, what a tangled web... The allusions to Shakespeare were especially fun (The intended Othello, but also potentially unintended Hamlet). This one is longer than some of the others, which tend to run around 30 minutes, but still a wonderful listen.
April 22, 2021
I listened to this read by Hugh Fraser who I think does a brilliant job with Agatha Christie. There were so many names that I had trouble keeping track of who was who but it all came right in the end. Thank you, Poirot. I must brush up on Othello...
Good enough story to listen to while doing housework.
Good enough story to listen to while doing housework.
May 13, 2021
3.5 stars - for a short story. If it were longer, I don't think I'd give it four stars, but for a short murder mystery, it did pretty well. I know most people think Agatha Christie's short stories aren't very good, but I really enjoyed this one. I didn't suspect the right person at all (I rarely do haha), and I like when the murderer is unexpected. The way the murder was carried out and what went on was very interesting, more so than most of her short stories (or, for that matter, her long stories - i.e., The Body in the Library which I found very tedious).
October 5, 2018
An interesting mystery, with some unique plot twists.
July 31, 2017
It is amazing how the reader can have the same facts that Poirot has and never see what he has seen. I thought I had this one and was on to something, only to realize that I would have hung the wrong man. I love the way Christie weaves her tales, she shows everything but yet leaves you in the dark until the end when you get the big reveal. Great quick read
January 20, 2016
Monsieur Poirot knows his Shakespeare, folks.
October 5, 2018
That was fun! Way too short of course ... but totally fun.
January 27, 2023
A very good mystery that appears to be impossible, yet there it was.
A well paced short that kept me guessing to the end.
A well paced short that kept me guessing to the end.
March 10, 2024
Very nice! Poirot investigates in his own, no Hastings which is always a plus. We are in Poirot's mind for once so we see him figure things out which is a nice change. The mystery is very intricate but makes sense. Really lovely
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March 23, 2022Something to listen to while doing laundry and cleaning today. Enjoyable to listen to on a cold, rainy, Ontario spring day!
February 7, 2025
“لغز الصندوق الإسباني” هي واحدة من قصص أجاثا كريستي الممتعة، حيث يتولى المحقق الشهير هيركيول بوارو حل لغز جريمة قتل غامضة تتعلق بصندوق خشبي إسباني. تبدأ القصة عندما يُعثر على جثة رجل ثري مقتولًا داخل هذا الصندوق، مما يثير الكثير من التساؤلات حول الجاني والدوافع وراء الجريمة.
تدور الشكوك حول عدد من الشخصيات، وكل منهم لديه سر يخفيه، مما يجعل القضية معقدة ومليئة بالمفاجآت. بمهارته المعتادة، يعتمد بوارو على ذكائه وتحليله الدقيق للتفاصيل الصغيرة التي يغفلها الآخرون. مع كل خطوة جديدة، تتضح الخيوط أكثر، لتصل القصة إلى لحظة الكشف الصادمة عن هوية القاتل والدافع وراء هذه الجريمة الغريبة.
القصة ممتعة ومليئة بالتشويق، وتُظهر عبقرية أجاثا كريستي في بناء حبكة ذكية تتلاعب بتوقعات القارئ حتى اللحظة الأخيرة. تجمع بين الألغاز الغامضة والتحليل النفسي للشخصيات، مما يجعلها رحلة شيقة في عالم التحقيق والجريمة.
“The Mystery of the Spanish Chest” is one of Agatha Christie’s most enjoyable stories, featuring the famous detective Hercule Poirot as he solves a puzzling murder mystery involving a Spanish wooden chest. The story begins when the body of a wealthy man is found inside the chest, raising numerous questions about the killer and the motive behind the crime.
Suspicion falls on several characters, each hiding a secret, making the case increasingly complex and full of surprises. With his usual brilliance, Poirot relies on his keen observation and analysis of small details that others overlook. Step by step, the pieces of the puzzle come together, leading to a shocking revelation about the killer’s identity and the reason for the crime.
The story is engaging and full of suspense, showcasing Agatha Christie’s genius in crafting a clever plot that plays with the reader’s expectations until the very end. It masterfully combines mystery and psychological depth, making it an exciting journey into the world of crime and investigation.
تدور الشكوك حول عدد من الشخصيات، وكل منهم لديه سر يخفيه، مما يجعل القضية معقدة ومليئة بالمفاجآت. بمهارته المعتادة، يعتمد بوارو على ذكائه وتحليله الدقيق للتفاصيل الصغيرة التي يغفلها الآخرون. مع كل خطوة جديدة، تتضح الخيوط أكثر، لتصل القصة إلى لحظة الكشف الصادمة عن هوية القاتل والدافع وراء هذه الجريمة الغريبة.
القصة ممتعة ومليئة بالتشويق، وتُظهر عبقرية أجاثا كريستي في بناء حبكة ذكية تتلاعب بتوقعات القارئ حتى اللحظة الأخيرة. تجمع بين الألغاز الغامضة والتحليل النفسي للشخصيات، مما يجعلها رحلة شيقة في عالم التحقيق والجريمة.
“The Mystery of the Spanish Chest” is one of Agatha Christie’s most enjoyable stories, featuring the famous detective Hercule Poirot as he solves a puzzling murder mystery involving a Spanish wooden chest. The story begins when the body of a wealthy man is found inside the chest, raising numerous questions about the killer and the motive behind the crime.
Suspicion falls on several characters, each hiding a secret, making the case increasingly complex and full of surprises. With his usual brilliance, Poirot relies on his keen observation and analysis of small details that others overlook. Step by step, the pieces of the puzzle come together, leading to a shocking revelation about the killer’s identity and the reason for the crime.
The story is engaging and full of suspense, showcasing Agatha Christie’s genius in crafting a clever plot that plays with the reader’s expectations until the very end. It masterfully combines mystery and psychological depth, making it an exciting journey into the world of crime and investigation.
September 27, 2020
This popped up on my library's audiobook app and, as I'm not rushing my audiobook listening to The Thursday Murder Club, thought would dip in and listen to this over course of a day.
I might need to accept the fact that, while I do like Poirot and Miss Marple as characters, their novels and short stories are very hit and miss with me (am going to ignore the one/two attempts I made to like Tommy and Tuppence as that was a car crash). Some stories I loves, others not so much.
I do like this short story as it's more a novella as this short has more room to breath and pacing is better. And I like the mystery - a dead body in a truck and the owner (who must be the killer, right?) didn't remove the body after a party he was throwing. Instead, he went to bed. So, did he do it? - but, as I was doing other things, the twists in the story I missed. Plus, never read Othello (the closest I have is the sci-fi reimagining, Chasing the Stars, which I might reread soon) so some of the hints went over my head.
I did like this - it past the time no nicely - and I might try one more short story by Agatha, but might have to stick to her novels.
I might need to accept the fact that, while I do like Poirot and Miss Marple as characters, their novels and short stories are very hit and miss with me (am going to ignore the one/two attempts I made to like Tommy and Tuppence as that was a car crash). Some stories I loves, others not so much.
I do like this short story as it's more a novella as this short has more room to breath and pacing is better. And I like the mystery - a dead body in a truck and the owner (who must be the killer, right?) didn't remove the body after a party he was throwing. Instead, he went to bed. So, did he do it? - but, as I was doing other things, the twists in the story I missed. Plus, never read Othello (the closest I have is the sci-fi reimagining, Chasing the Stars, which I might reread soon) so some of the hints went over my head.
I did like this - it past the time no nicely - and I might try one more short story by Agatha, but might have to stick to her novels.
November 30, 2020
This one reminded me of The Murders in the Rue Morgue: The Dupin Tales. Not one of her best works, but these short stories are handy to read between big books.
October 21, 2019
A fun Agatha Christie short story starring the wily Hercule Poirot. I really enjoyed this one. I even came across it again in an anthology and listened to it again. It’s creative.
A man is found dead in a chest and everyone is completely stumped as to how he got there.
A man is found dead in a chest and everyone is completely stumped as to how he got there.
October 14, 2021
One of the better Poirot short stories but resolved and ended a tad abruptly as I am noticing is a common occurrence with Agatha Christie. The ending is the resolution of the crime, or Poirot's conclusions, and then we are left to wonder the punishment of the criminal and other details.
January 8, 2021
This was an okay short mystery; nothing extravagant but not real super boring either...
March 9, 2019
3.5/5 ⭐️ (vleresimi i pergjithshem per 14 tregimet e perfshira ne kete botim).
March 12, 2019
I liked this story! Short and yet still has that special touch that Christie brings to plot and mystery
April 15, 2019
Poirot never disappoints!
June 12, 2020
Quite different from the David Suchet dramatization. She tells us she's retelling Othello.
April 12, 2023
The story is memorable for its dry humour and Dame Christie's sublime observations. The solution is somewhat abrupt. But what a smooth read it was!
Recommended.
Recommended.
March 12, 2025
i think i may have enjoyed this more as a physical book rather than an audiobook
September 7, 2022
3.5 stars
Short stories are difficult to rate for me always. The plot is good and the mystery is well concealed. But the time is not enough to get absorbed in the story.
I loved this one. My first Agatha Christie short story and I am a fan. Easy enough to understand but compelling enough that it doesn’t bore you. The killer I kind of expected but that’s just the one sliver of the whole mystery in my opinion. The way Hercule Poirot puts it all together is what I love the most.
Short stories are difficult to rate for me always. The plot is good and the mystery is well concealed. But the time is not enough to get absorbed in the story.
I loved this one. My first Agatha Christie short story and I am a fan. Easy enough to understand but compelling enough that it doesn’t bore you. The killer I kind of expected but that’s just the one sliver of the whole mystery in my opinion. The way Hercule Poirot puts it all together is what I love the most.
July 7, 2022
Good, solid murder case with dear Poirot.
February 24, 2023
هيركول باورو هو الأفضل.♡
استفزتني تلك السيدة كثيرًا المدعوة مرجريتا.
استفزتني تلك السيدة كثيرًا المدعوة مرجريتا.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews