Book review: The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah

The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah is the latest release in the reimagined world of Hercule Poirot – made famous of course by Agatha Christie… who killed him off in Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case. As a result these are set earlier in his career and here he’s partnering with Inspector Edward Catchpool. Incidentally I did wonder if Hannah has to scour Christie’s novels to make sure Dame Agatha hadn’t already had Poirot on a case on NYE 1932/22 or in another location that would preclude him being on a Greek Island as 1933 dawned.

New Year's Eve, 1932.

Hercule Poirot and his good friend Inspector Edward Catchpool arrive on the Greek island of Lamperos for a little holiday…or is it?

Catchpool suspects Poirot has a different reason for being there ― one he won't reveal. As the clock ticks towards the New Year and a festive guessing game takes a sinister turn, can Poirot stop a murderer who is determined to strike before midnight?

I’ve mentioned before that I kinda wish Anthony Horowitz had been given the gig of recreating Poirot. Not that Hannah doesn’t do a good job but it feels like Horowitz’s Atticus Pünd series are more consistent with Poirot’s voice and eccentricity (and I know he wrote the tv series, so that’s probably why). Anyhoo, Hannah’s Poirot certainly does the original justice although he is perhaps not quite as arrogant or self-congratulatory as Christie’s.

Poirot’s cagey about the motivation behind the invitation he and Catchpool receive to attend NYE celebrations on a remote Greek island and it’s only once they arrive Catchpool realises their host wishes to make the most of Poirot’s exquisite little grey cells.

I found the purpose of the House of Perpetual Welcome, to be somewhat vague. Host Nash and his residents aren’t a cult, but the other than espousing goals of saving humanity and preaching forgiveness, it seemed a bit like a place to hide from the world. There are nine residents at the house when we meet them. We learn more about each – initially through sharing their new year’s resolutions… a game which results in a threat of murder. When the murder or death doesn’t occur at midnight (hence the book’s title) as predicted the group is relieved… until hours later one of the residents is found dead.

In usual Poirot style he goes about questioning those present and dipping into past secrets before gathering everyone to reveal all. And though this is an enjoyable read, I struggled a little with some of the discoveries at the end, with Poirot pointing to facts we’d not been privy to which felt a little unfair (*pouts*) as well as some less-than-convincing motives.

The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah will be published by Harper Collins UK in late October 2025.

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.