Peril at End House

The ominously named End House is the setting for deadly deception in this feature-length adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel. As so often happens, supersleuth Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is charmed by a woman--in this case, Magdala "Nick" Buckley (Polly Walker, who later starred in Enchanted April and Restoration). Nick jokingly mentions three recent close calls with death, piquing Poirot's investigative instincts. A murder does occur; however, the murderer isn't the only criminal in this multilayered mystery. The path to the truth takes several unexpected twists before reaching its conclusion. In fact, this is one case Poirot's little gray cells may not have solved but for the help of his assistants. Although Poirot teases Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) about his crime-solving abilities, it is Hastings's childish word-association game that provides the crucial piece to the puzzle. And Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), who in previous episodes has resorted to tarot cards and hypnotism to aid her employer, holds an impromptu séance during the final scene. A highly enjoyable (if somewhat improbable) addition to the Agatha Christie's Poirot series.