Poirot (TV Series) Murder in the Mews (1989) User Reviews

Jolly good night for a murder

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 26 October 2015]

Bonfire night, sparklers and fire works galore, Hastings shares with Poirot and Japp that 'it's a jolly good night for a murder.' Inspector Japp calls in Poirot when it seems somebody did as Hastings suggested, used the fireworks to conceal gun shot, but was Mrs Allen killed or was it suicide?

It's a really nice looking episode, Bonfire night makes for an intriguing backdrop, the production values are excellent, plenty of Art deco for the eye. The music is great, adding to the story. Lots of red herrings that you'd expect from Christie, the gun in the wrong hand, blotting paper, Turkish cigarettes etc.

We briefly saw Japp in adventure of the Clapham Cook, from now on in he's firmly fixed as a regular, Phillip Jackson would be solid from start to finish.

I like the use of humour, it's not off putting, it's quite enjoyable, it's all adding to Poirot's character. Very early on we witness the degree of precision Poirot lives by.

It's not one of my favourite episodes, but it has a lot going for it, being only the second episode I still find it rather incredible how quickly everyone got into their roles.

Overall good start, slightly padded middle, enjoyable ending. 7/10

"What is the world coming to Miss Lemon?"

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 3 July 2015]

A woman is found dead in her locked room. Poirot and Company must discover if the gunshot was self-inflicted or if it was murder.

Murder in the Mews is the second installment in the long running Poirot series. If anything, it's even more enjoyable than the first and may be one of the best of the first season. While I found the solution to the mystery in the first fairly obvious, this one is much more interesting. It's a rather unique twist on the old suicide made to look like murder plot we've all seen. It held my interest throughout.

The acting is, once again, outstanding. Suchet and other regulars are as good as you'd expect. They work well together. The scene with Poirot and Miss Lemon discussing the Chinese laundry made me laugh out loud - and I've seen it before. Juliette Mole and David Yelland add a lot to the episode in their respective roles. Mole, in particular, gives a memorable performance.

One more thing before I end this - I honestly think these early episodes do a better job of paying attention to period details than the later episodes. There seems to be more of an attempt to provide depth to the period atmosphere. The scenes in the garage, at the golf coarse, and with the fireworks are instances where the producers could have trimmed to save a buck, but didn't. And Murder in the Mews is a more richer experience because of that.

Guy Fawkes Night - a perfect time for a murder

[Paularoc · 8/10 · 8 August 2012]

During the Guy Fawkes Night celebration of fireworks and bonfires, Hasting comments to his companions - Poirot and Japp - that this would be the perfect night for a murder as a gunshot would be mistaken for a firecracker. The next day and very near the place where Hastings made his comment the young Mrs. Adams is found dead of a gunshot to the head. It appears to be suicide but there are a couple of odd things that arouse Japp's and Poirot's suspicions. They wonder if it might indeed be murder and that the culprit tried to make it look like suicide. Among the suspects are Major Eustace who Mrs. Adams knew in India and her current finance who is a very politically ambitious and cold young man. Mrs. Adams' room mate refers to him as a "proper little tick." Love that description as it was so fitting and colorful. The apartment featured in the show was interesting for its minimalism and modernity. A good story with a nice twist on a detective story cliché.

Fireworks in the city in this Poirot mystery

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 27 February 2018]

The setting for "Murder in the Mews" is in London, so Hercule Poirot doesn't have to dirty his shoes as he sometimes does in trips to the country. All of Poirot's usual entourage are in this episode of Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective.

On reflecting, after having watched this episode again recently, it seems that some keys clue were given more obviously than in most Poirot mysteries. But of course, that's on reflecting and knowing what it was that we had seen. Poirot's gray cells register many miniscule details and store them. Then, when added to during the course of his sleuthing, the solution comes to light as these bits and pieces come together to form a picture. Trouble is, it doesn't work that way for most of we mortals. And that's all the more food for entertainment in these wonderful mysteries.

The humor in this episode concerns Poirot's over-starched collars and the seeming inability of the laundry to correct the matter. Poirot has written them many letters about this problem. Some great dialog ensues over this between Poirot and Miss Lemon. Here are some favorite lines from "Murder in the Mews."

Miss Lemon, "You won't forget your dental appointment at 11 will you, Mr. Poirot?" Hercule Poirot, "Hercule Poirot does not need to go to the dentist, Miss Lemon." Miss Lemon, "You've put it off once already." Hercule Poirot, "My teeth are perfection. It's sacrilege to tamper with them."

Hercule Poirot, "But, why do we not do something constructive about my collars, Miss Lemon, hmmm? That laundry is in the pay of my enemies."

Chief Inspector Japp, "Never mind about jumping to conclusions, Poirot. This is a murder we're dealing with."

Miss Lemon, "The trouble is, Mr. Poirot, they just don't understand the letters." Hercule Poirot, "Why not?" Miss Lemon, "They're Chinese Mr. Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "The Bulldog Breed Laundry is Chinese?" Miss Lemon, "Yes, Mr. Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "What is the world coming to, Miss Lemon?"

Hercule Poirot, "The name of Poirot is feared on golf courses all over the continent."

Hercule Poirot, "Do you really wish to destroy the... the mind of any human being?"

Chief Inspector Japp, "Not murder disguised as suicide, but suicide made to look like murder."

Murder in the Mews...

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 9 May 2012]

This is a solid, well-made episode as usual. It is the second episode of the overall series, so everything is still settling. However there is so much to like, including a typically compelling story with one of the most different and clever final solutions Agatha Christie ever wrote. Murder in the Mews is also elegantly made with splendid period details and an evocative atmosphere. The music is as hauntingly beautiful as ever, and the writing is intelligent and entertaining. Solid pacing and direction also help, as does the great acting. Everybody seems to be settling in quite nicely, with David Suchet still managing to embody Poirot and Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran just as good. Juliette Mole and James Faulkner give good support. Overall, not one of my favourites, with the sense that things are still settling, but as solid as you would expect, elevated by the acting, production values and final solution. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Murder or justice?

[gridoon2024 · 7/10 · 27 March 2011]

Hercule Poirot investigates the case of a woman's apparent suicide; there are enough indications to convince Inspector Japp that it was actually murder, and with the victim's roommate having an iron-clad alibi, suspicions turn to her pompous politician boyfriend, and a mysterious military man who may have been blackmailing her.

This is the second episode of the still-running "Poirot" series, and dare I say, it's also one of the better ones from the first season. The story reverses the usual suicide-murder formulas, and, within its light framework, asks some interesting moral questions (you can't help but find the actions of the guilty person justified to a degree). Juliette Mole gives a terrific, smart performance; strange that her career was so short, but she did manage to score appearances in both this and the Hickson "Marple" series! *** out of 4.

The pros and cons of a period piece

[kaberi-893-642316 · 8/10 · 2 September 2015]

So, in this episode we become much more precise about exactly when these episodes are taking place. The episode begins with the bonfires and firecrackers of Guy Fawkes night, which Anglophiles will know takes place on November 5th. Halfway through the episode, Poirot dictates a letter which references a previous letter supposedly written in March of 1935, so it's safe to assume that the episode takes place in November of that year, or 1936 at the latest.

As Poirot and his companions observe the fireworks that night, Hastings suggests that the general noise and chaos would make it a good night to shoot someone. The next morning they find that the idea has evidently occurred to someone else, as a woman's body is found in her home. She appears to have committed suicide, but there are indications that it may have been murder instead. Poirot and Japp sift through ashtrays, garbage cans and cupboards to find the truth.

On the one hand, I was fascinated with the production values: the costumes,the nightclub, the Art Deco design of the house where the crime took place, and especially Poirot's apartment, with its semicircular minimalist bookcases and gleaming surfaces. I could have paused every few minutes just to appreciate the trouble they went to to recreate the look of the era.

On the other hand, one of the period aspects they recreated was the colonialist view of the English at the time (which is sprinkled throughout Christie's novels and short stories). It's only natural that her work should reflect the prevailing attitudes from almost a century ago, but it is jarring to hear Poirot and Miss Lemon discuss the difficulty they are having communicating with the local Chinese laundry. (Here I am forced to admit that I laughed out loud to hear where Miss Lemon got the pidgin English phrase she used with the delivery boy. Vaguely racist, but still funny.) Another minor point related to the reflection of the times. One of the characters, described as an unsavory type, is said by a witness to have a toothbrush mustache. I believe this description came directly from Christie's short story. But when we see the character only a day or two later, he has a significantly longer mustache. I suspect that in 1935 that style was relatively popular, but Hitler's use of it had made it so unacceptable that people were unwilling to show it even in 1989 when the show was filmed. This is what comes of trying to depict bygone times with authenticity.

Do Not Hit The Little Red Flag In The Golf.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 13 May 2014]

Second in the series, "Murder in the Mews" establishes once more the fidelity with which the 1930s is reproduced. I can't get over it. What is it -- OCD? When Japp, with his face like the mask of tragedy, picks up his office telephone and puts it to his ear, you can't help noticing that the cord between the receiver and the cradle is braided and looks sheathed in wool. I don't know if English telephone actually looked that way in 1935, but I'm impressed anyway. If they didn't, they SHOULD have. The same goes for the cars, the cartoon diesel train zooming out of the credits with its load of futurism -- sometimes even the streamlined art moderne of the architecture, brick and glass and wavy lines. I mean it. I'm impressed.

It's Guy Fawkes Day, which few Americans will understand unless they compare it to The Fourth of July. The supposed symbolism is different, naturally, but that's not the important thing anyway. Both holidays are what the sociologist Van Gennep called a rite of intensification. They give the members of the community a chance to get together and put their group loyalty on display. While they're watching the celebration, Japp comes up with the remark that his wife can't stand fireworks. "Ah, yes, the delicate sensibilities of the woman," nods Poirot. "Maybe. Maybe. I think it's just that she doesn't like to see people enjoying themselves." Great little exchange there. It goes with Japp's face.

The story is clever, as most of them are, and Poirot's final explanation comes as a surprise, although not an especially believable one. There's more humor than usual. It's all very diverting.

A pleasant early episode

[Sulla-2 · 16 January 2019]

Fortunately for Japp and Poirot the suspects are all lined up ready to be interviewed and eliminated if necessary. One of the suspects is a young MP. He later gets kicked out of Parliament and many years later gets himself a job workig for Poirot and calling himself George.

What I particularly liked was the interior of the mews and a nightclub.

Agatha Christie and Yet Another DELICIOUS Idea

[poetcomic1 · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

This is a fresh, early entry in the series and returning to it after years of other Poirots it is still sharp, fresh and beautifully done. WARNING SPOILER: Christie, pondering the classic situation of making a murder look like a suicide got the genius idea of reversing the formula and making a suicide look like a murder in order to get someone hung. So this is what Poirot often in the series wishes for - a chance to solve the murder BEFORE it happens. Billy Wilder, the director of Witness for the Prosecution said of Lady Agatha, of a 100 good screenwriters, only one will be a master of plotting and this is wha makes her so special.

Murder in the Mews

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 6 June 2017]

The second episode of Poirot sees an increased role for Inspector Japp. During Guy Fawkes Night Hasting mentions that it is a good night to commit a murder as a gunshot could sound like a firework.

The next day a body of a young woman is found near to where Hasting made his remark. Comments to his companions - Poirot and Japp - that this would be the perfect night for a murder as a gunshot would be mistaken for a firecracker. The next day and very near the place where Hastings made his comment a body of a young woman is found dead, a gunshot wound that looks like suicide but Poirot and Japp are not convinced.

The young lady was engaged to a prominent and politically ambitious man who takes the news of her death coldly. She also knew a Major Eustace from her days in India and he arouses suspicion. Then there is the case of her female room mate who is behaving erratically such as playing golf and bending all the clubs.

Once again the episode features attention to period detail and the art deco look. Poirot brings out humour even absurdity such as at the beginning when he complains of his shirts from the Chinese laundry and how Hasting helped Miss Lemon translate to them.

Then there is Poirot playing a round of golf and he turns out to be rather good at it. He also teams up well with Japp, you see the little grey cells whirring and the mystery features a twist on the murder made to look suicide trope.

Intriguing and engaging mystery with a great twist

[grantss · 8/10 · 17 July 2016]

Chief Inspector Japp enlists Poirot's help in a case of his. Barbara Allen appears to have committed suicide but Japp isn't so sure. Several clues point to it potentially being murder. The most likely suspects are Jane Plenderleith - Mrs Allen's best friend, Laverton West - Ms Allen's fiancé - and the shadowy Major Eustace. Poirot and Hastings help out and uncover a most ingenious plan.

Intriguing and engaging mystery with a great twist. The murderer is not obvious at all, and there are several suspects. Some good red herrings and a wonderful twist near the end. Some great banter and humour too.

Almost ruined at the end by a rather unnecessary, sanctimonious speech by Poirot but thankfully it doesn't affect the outcome too much.

Suicide to look like murder

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 15 August 2023]

I need to say that the episode was kind of hard to get focus on it. We have small details trough the episode and we couldnt really have an explanation for all this. And of course Poirot will let us know what will really happen and the revelation was really interesting and make us undestand that they tried to make the murder look like a suicide and even tried to make false accusations toward another man. But everything is revealed and the left hand lady make us realised that who was really the killer. It was pretty interesting and make us unsure until the end but Poirot will always give his help. Nice episode.

yeah, but no....

[mooretc-1 · 4/10 · 12 July 2007]

Having been a fan of Agatha Christie since I could read adult books I found it lacked a certain something.

The telly movie was entertaining and this was the second one that was made, so i suppose all the characters are not yet got into the swing of things yet. Mind you this was made in 1989 and the series is still going in 2007, so they must have did something right.

I am just watching the TV movies now on DVD. The DVD are the ones that are coming out every two weeks, this one is number 22 in the series.

One of the better ones is "After the Flood", nice juicy plots that center around dysfunctional families, remind me of home, but with the murder.

One of my most favorite Agatha Christie is "Then there was none", not a Poirot mystery, but an ingenious plot never the less. Another one that has never been filmed is "Death comes as an end" set in Ancient Egypt around 2000 bc. Again dysfunctional family bumping members off.

The Wrong Calendar

[rhlucas · 10/10 · 20 January 2019]

Monsieur "Kaberi" in 2015 writes well and observes that the events no doubt happened in 1935 (or '36) if Hercule Poirot's reference to his previous letter to the Chinese Laundry in "March 1935" * is anything to go by. Earlier in the story when Chief Inspector Japp telephones Hercule on the day after the shooting,which, as "predicted" had indeed occurred on the evening of Bonfire Night - November 5th. Notice if you will, S.I.V.P...that the desk calendar behind Japp has in separate sections "Tuesday" "November" "6" - was this a mistake by the person who oversaw properties, as Bonfire Night, the 5th, itself was on Tuesday in 1935, not Monday,

• or the script editor who should have dropped the year reference* later in the episode?

I haven't checked Miss Christie's original text. (Edit, having found a relevant page in a review of the book, Chief Inspector Japp states that it happened on Bonfire Night, Tuesday November 5th. It was 1935. Whoever had the job of setting the calendar in Japp's office made the mistake. C'est bien, now to look up who that was...ha ha .)

It happened in Hotel Bucharest also. There's an incorrect calendar on a snowy wall, also the thirties. If my memory is correct it showed October. Teasers no doubt for all eagle eyed enthusiasts. I agree with all others thatas usual it's a feast for one's eyes visually.

Was it murder or suicide...or something more?

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 12 May 2023]

When the story begins, Poirot is called in to consult on a police case which is baffling authorities. Although it appears that a young woman killed herself. Enough contradictory evidence is there that make it seem like a murder. Which is it? Or is there more to the story?

I appreciated this episode of "Poirot" very much because there is a real sameness about murder mystery shows...and this one manages to be different. It's well constructed, intelligently written and acted. An excellent episode.

By the way, a lot was made in the episode that a right-handed woman couldn't have killed herself because the gun was found in her left hand. Well, a little-known fact is that your hand dominance does NOT always determine how you shoot. In actuality, eye dominance often determines which hand you use to shoot. I myself always use my right hand first...except when shooting as my left eye is dominant. I've talked to an experienced shooting instructor and he, too, uses his non-dominant hand but favors the hand corresponding to his dominant eye.