The Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot is certainly one of the most famous detectives. Who has not heard of the fictional small Belgian private detective, created by author Agatha Christie, who solves a case with no magnifying glass, revolver, or fists, but instead only with his little gray cells, as he himself happily claims?

The Belgian-born with the huge mustache was an active member of the police force before the First World War, serving as a senior police official in Brussels, Belgium. After a serious injury in the First World War he went into exile in Britain. He first settled in the county of Essex, but then moved to London in Farraway Street 14 and began his career as a private investigator.

The company later moves to Whithehaven Mansions, Park Lane, in London, with Poirot temporarily staying in The Larches in Kings Abbot. His skills are the subject of much talk based on his solved cases, which is why his commissions are becoming more and more profitable. This led to a certain wealth, that allowed Poirot, like his colleague Sherlock Holmes, to choose his own cases.

The plump little detective with the egg-shaped head speaks with a strong French accent and dressed impeccably in a suit, vest, bow tie, black patent leather shoes and hat. In warmer countries, he prefers a white suit and a sun helmet. His outfit is completed by a slender cane, which he often carries with him. At home, however, he loosens his clothing style a little and instead of wearing a vest, jacket and shoes, he opts for a silk dressing gown and slippers. Hercule Poirot lays great emphasis not only on his impeccable clothes, but his black hair is groomed just as carefully as his mustache.

Among the famous private detective’s culinary preferences are his beloved creme de menthe, sweet peppermint-flavored liqueur, black currant liqueur, and in particular hot chocolate. The detective also doesn’t refuse a cup of coffee, however, even though he lives in England, English tea feels despicable to him and he calls English tea poison. He is afraid of the dentist and hates both air and sea travel.

Though Hercule Poirot is often not taken seriously due to his physical appearance and the vanity that he displays in front of strangers or suspects, there has still not been a case that the detective couldn’t solve. Poirot completely abandons any attempt to secure evidence during the investigations.

He is convinced that there is absolutely nothing to be established from burned matches and cigarette butts found at the crime scene. Poirot solves his cases only by using his little gray cells, through logic and extensive psychological knowledge. It is clear that he is a genius in his field.

In almost all stories, there is a running gag that Hercule Poirot is mistaken for a Frenchman, which always manages to ruin his good mood. Even if he doesn’t look like it, Hercule Poirot handles each of his cases very sensibly. He can also be very charming and sometimes acts like a Cupid in matters of the heart.

Poirot will only share the most essential information while carrying out an investigation. He has repeatedly pointed out that he just needs to allow his little gray cells to do the work. It is this mental work that emphasizes a similarity to Nero Wolfe, a private investigator from New York. Unlike Nero Wolfe, who rarely leaves his house, Hercule Poirot is often drawn to the crime scene in order to feel the atmosphere there. Such an inspection of the premises often makes an impression on the genius, who immediately pictures himself the series of events and at times even the identity of the murderer.

Poirot is assisted by his friend Captain Arthur Hastings, thereby Captain Hastings playing a similar role to Dr. Watson’s character from  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crime stories. And like Dr. John Watson, Captain Hastings plays the role of the narrator in many cases. Furthermore, Poirot often involves his friend, Inspector James Japp, Inspector at Scotland Yard, in the stories. And Superintendent Battle, another friend of Poirot's, is now and again a guest on the books.

In addition to the above-mentioned characters, Superintendent Albert Spence (a former employee of Scotland Yard) and Colonel Johnny Race (a former member of the Secret Service) are also among the detective’s friends. If Poirot requires information as part of his investigations, he turns to Mr. Goby, a small and rather unassuming man who has always worked to Poirot’s fullest satisfaction. Another person with whom Poirot is on friendly terms is the writer Ariadne Oliver, with whom the detective also conducts joint investigations.

Mystery stories about the famous Detective Hercule Poirot

    The Mysterious Affair at Styles

    Murder on the Links

    Poirot Investigates

    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

    The Big Twenty-Four

    The Mystery of the Blue Train

    Peril at End House

    Lord Edgware Dies

    Murder on the Orient Express

    Three Act Tragedy

    Death in the Clouds

    The A.B.C. Murders

    Cards on the Table

    Murder in Mesopotamia

    Death on the Nile

    Dumb Witness

    Murder in the Mews and Other Stories

    Appointment With Death

    Hercule Poirot's Christmas

    One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

    Sad Cypress

    Evil under the Sun

    Five Little Pigs

    The Hollow

    The Labours of Hercules

    Taken at the Flood

    Murder Most Foul

    Murder at the Gallop

    Hickory Dickory Dock

    Dead Man's Folly

    Cat Among the Pigeons

    The Clocks

    Third Girl

    Hallowe'en Party

    Elephants Can Remember

    Dead Man's Mirror

    Curtain: Poirot's Last Case

    Hercule Poirots Casebook (only English)