The Clocks by Agatha Christie

Recommended for 13+ (for complex plot elements)
4/5 Stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Mystery

This Hercule Poirot novel seems to be an unusual one. Poirot barely features in the novel, instead, the narrative mainly follows Colin Lamb, whose interest in marine biology sadly does not feature in his current job. Lamb instead finds himself working for a highly secretive group within the British government which is why he finds himself practically plowed down by the hysterical Sheila Webb on Wilbraham Crescent. But Colin soon learns that things have a way of working out in the most unexpected of ways.

The mystery, like all of Christie's mysteries, is complex, filled with baffling questions and even more characters. The murder ends up involving most everyone who lives on Crescent Lane and Poirot, of course, figures out the whole thing in the end.

-Edna Brent, colleague of Sheila's, finds herself possessing a bit too much information.
-Miss Martindale runs the secretarial company in which Edna and Sheila are employed. It was she who fielded the suspicious telephone call that requested Sheila come to 19 Wilbraham Crescent.
-Sheila Webb was the first one to discover the dead man.
-Mr. R. H. Curry is suspected of having a false name but no one can quite figure out what he is doing in Miss Pebmarsh's house.
-Miss Pebmarsh owns the house in which the victim is found and was not present when he was killed (presumably) as she was running errands.
-Dick Hardcastle, detective inspector and close friend of Colin's, finds himself at a lose to explain Mr. Curry's death.
-Mr. James Waterhouse and Miss. Waterhouse are neighbors to Miss Pebmarsh. It is clear that Miss. Waterhouse is the one in charge, leaving her brother to live in her shadow.
- Miss Hemmings is the epitome of a crazy cat lady.
-Josiah and Valerie Bland seems to live very well off from money that may not be rightfully theirs.
-Mrs. Ramsey cannot may much mind to the murder as she has two rambunctuous boys to look after...at least until they return to school.
-Mr. McNaughton likes his job as a professor and enjoys gardening on the side while his wife promises her full cooperation to the authorities.