Rating: 
Summary: New light on Dame Agatha Christie's last days
Review: Since its publication, POSTERN OF FATE has received largely execrable reviews, with some labelling it "tedious" and others finding themselvs unable to follow its byzantinely boring plot. Look at the reviews on Amazon for samples. Now comes new evidence that the version of POSTERN OF FATE which we have was severely edited and that Christie's original may be a very different (and more cogent) work than the one we all know and abhor.
Sotheby's was offering the "complete Dictaphone recording of Agatha Christie dictating her last novel" including the original dictaphone belts she used (sixty of them). This was evidently put up for sale by her secretary, Mrs. Jolly. Did you know that "Postern of Fate" was Christie's sub=title for the novel and that the real title is "Doom's Caravan"? Sotheby's catalogue, from which I quote here, reveals that "the text incorporated here differs substantially in very many instances from the final, printed version . . . Among the most striking differences might be noted the following. [WARNING -- SPOILERS AHEAD.] The group responsible for Mary Jordan's murder is here more clearly identified as a Fascist cell amd many more details of, and clues about, them are given in a substantial section eventually cut. The motivation for the murder of old Isaac by a descendant of this group who is endeavouring to bring Fascism to England is, accordinly, more substantiated in the present version; moreover, in the way this material is here worked, clues are thrown out so as apparently to implicate a different murderer. The rearrangement of the final, printed version, in which some of these chapters are placed earlier, also leaves a few threads hanging loose, evidently because of poor editing, there remain in the printed version a few references to certain of these sections which had either by then been moved in such a way that the references are inappropriate or else cut alttogether . . ."
Perhaps it is the case that Christie's last novel isn't the sad, woolgathering, near-Alzheimers experience it presently seems to be, but instead it was the victim of "poor editing"? Wouldn't it be great if a critical edition of POSTERN OF FATE--or should we call it DOOM'S CARAVAN--could be prepared by the Christie estate which would clear up some of these inconsistencies and restore the blot from her reputation?
I give this book only 4 stars because, well, it isn't all that good, and until her original version is restored, this is all we're going to have.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst
Review: That's the worst book of Agatha Christie. When I was reading it I was hoping for a good end, but it didn't happened.
Rating:
Summary: intriguing
Review: The book held my attention...and that's what is important for any reader. She may have written better plots but this one was thoroughly intriguing stuff. In fact I have read it several times over just to recreate the "Christie Aura'
Rating:
Summary: 2 stars for below average, but not terrible
Review: The mystery did keep me reading on, wanting me to go forward, although pretty dull, I would have to say that the characters in it are the most intrigueing to me, mainly the dog Hannabal- because you hear what he is thinking, and the old man who brags he's reaching 90 so people will be amazed at what a great memory he has. It has cute little nuances, I wouldn't go as far as giving it just 1 star like everyone else. I have not read the whole story, I was interested in reviews people have said, but I have reached 80-something and so far it rolls nicely for me. It is a book for those who have extra time on an overcast morning to delv into, drinking your tea and enjoying dialogue- although the dialogue may be a little ditzy for lack of a better word, because the reactions do not seem realistic to some conversation Tommy and Tuppence say. I was also quite annoyed with seeing over and over again--said Tuppence, said Tommy, when I know they are the only ones conversing. But I still think it has potential to those who do not care for fast actionpacked stories to be a bit delighted with it--note I have not finished it completely.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: The only reason I kept reading this book after the few initial chapters was that its written by Agatha Christie. I have always enjoyed her mysteries but this one was extremely boring and repetitive, wasn't much of a mystery anyway. I love the way Agatha Christie shapes her characters in other books but if one wants to keep admiring her genius, avoid Postern Of Fate.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it in context
Review: This was her last book, and was probably dictated, which accounts for its rambling nature. It's a shaggy dog story without any clear resolution. However, it's as well written as her best, and full of good ideas. For example: that you can get at the truth by listening to old people and disentangling their stories. That bad ideas and organisations never die, they just change their shape, colour and name. Watch out, too, for the intertextuality - there are references to past stories of hers (the poisonous leaves that are planted next to the spinach). In the cellar of T&T's house is some old photographic equipment that's never mentioned again - was it left behind by the murderer from the story Philomel Cottage? The most Alice-in-Wonderland element, though, is the way Tommy and Tuppence have actually bought Agatha Christie's old home in Torqay, enabling her to revisit the house in her mind. Tuppence leafs through Agatha's best-loved children's books and finds in a greenhouse the child Agatha's old toys. She even gets to play in Agatha's old go-kart and wander round her garden. Check with Christie's autobiography if you don't believe me - in fact, READ her autobiography. Now!
Rating:
Summary: The most tiresome book Christie ever wrote
Review: Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, now retired, move into a house in Devonshire. In an old children's book left in the attic, Tuppence finds cryptic clues to a murder which took place in the village during the First World War. The girl who died was mixed up in an old scandal to do with the passing on of naval secrets. But was she innocent or guilty? Intrigued, Tommy and Tuppence investigate. Suddenly Tommy and Tuppence are in danger, though no one can guess from what source, nor why their raking up of the past should be so bitterly resented. What can it matter now?This is the last book that Agatha Christie wrote, although not the last one to be published ' it was followed by a few other, like Curtain, but they all date from before Postern. Unfortunately, Postern of Fate is one of, if not the, very worst books Christie wrote, and as such forms a sad ending to the enormously successful career of the Dame of Crime. The story never succeeds in catching the readers' attention. It goes on and on, without really making a point. And when the chaotic plot finally unfolds in the last twenty pages, you might as well go to sleep. Strangely the conclusion is even more tiresome. The only reason to ever read this book is when you are like me and want to read every book written by Agatha Christie. But even then, be prepared to be utterly disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Weak
Review: Tommy and Tuppence's final appearance is sadly weak: although Christie endows the couple with considerable charm, the story itself becomes increasingly vague and confused as the novel progresses, and there is no satisfying conclusion to the piece. Avoid this one.
Rating:
Summary: Agatha Christie's Last Bow.
Review: When you are the world's best-selling author, and have given so much pleasure to readers for more than fifty years, the pressure to keep going must be hard to resist. Dame Agatha kept going long enough to complete this last book a year or two before she died in 1974.
Don't expect the initiative and ingenuity found in her best mysteries. She limits herself to a re-working of old plots. Her sleuths are two of her earlier creations - Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, now in their 70s and chattering politely. There is much tedious reminiscing, much collecting of village gossip, and the occasional diatribes on the ills of the world and the errors of the young. Dogs, old gardens, old houses, old children's books and toys are included.
To take up an Agatha Christie book is usually like taking up a nice, warm, familiar cardigan. You know you'll be cozy and comfortable and it's likely you'll be unwilling to take it off. The trouble here is that the cardigan sags badly and seems to be unraveling. It lacks tension and the requisite shape and pattern. Shouldn't the book end with a solution that makes the reading of it worthwhile? You won't find that satisfaction here.
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