Poirot investigates

A collection of short stories about Hercule Poirot, early in his career, told by his friend Captain Hastings. The cases are brief and varied, including thefts, disappearances, suspicious deaths and a stolen plan. Poirot solves them from his armchair or on the spot, relying on order, method and what he calls the little grey cells. The stories show his vanity, kindness and sharp wit, and give a compact introduction to Christie's skill at building a puzzle in only a few pages.