| Hercule Poirot | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Hercule Poirot |
|
First Appearance |
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) |
|
Original Publisher |
John Lane |
|
Created by |
Agatha Christie |
Origin[]
Hercule Poirot was Belgian detective who has been described as short, somewhat vain, with brilliantly maintained hair and a waxed mustache. Relying on his “little grey cells” to solve crimes, Poirot is notably meticulous in his personal habits and his professional methodology. For example, Poirot mocks a rival "bloodhound" detective who focuses on the traditional trail of clues established in detective fiction (e.g., Sherlock Holmes depending on footprints, fingerprints, and cigar ash).
Arthur Hastings, similar to Holmes' Watson, was Poirot's only close friend and the two share a flat briefly when Poirot sets up his detective agency. Also similar to Watson was Hastings' penchant for speculation and gambling, as well as a military background in the colonial Middle East. In addition the presence of Chief Inspector Japp was a close "literary descendant" of Holmes's Inspector Lestrade.
In Mysterious Affair at Styles, Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, was settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. His friend Arthur Hastings also arrived as a guest at her home. When Mrs.Inglethorp was murdered, Poirot used his detective skills to solve the mystery.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Hercule Poirot from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
- The Murder on the Links (1923)
- Poirot Investigates (1924)
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
- The Big Four (1927)
- The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)