Black Coffee

"Black Coffee" is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, adapted into a play by Charles Osborne. The book was first published in 1998 and features Christie's famous detective, Hercule Poirot. The story takes place in England in the 1930s and centers around Sir Claud Amory, a physicist who has developed a formula for a powerful new explosive. Sir Claud has invited a group of people to his country estate to discuss the formula, but before he can reveal it, he is murdered.

Poirot is called in to investigate the murder and soon finds himself with a group of suspects, including Sir Claud's family, his secretary, and his colleagues. The investigation leads Poirot to believe that the formula is the motive for the murder, as it is worth a great deal of money. However, when Poirot discovers the formula has gone missing, the motive becomes more complicated.

As the investigation progresses, Poirot uncovers a web of secrets and lies surrounding the murder, and with the help of his trusted friend, Captain Hastings, he eventually solves the case.

"Black Coffee" is a classic Christie mystery, filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The book is also notable for being one of the few Christie novels not to feature a previously established character as the detective. Instead, Christie created the character of Sir Claud Amory specifically for the story.

Overall, "Black Coffee" is a satisfying read for fans of Agatha Christie and fans of the mystery genre in general. The plot is intricate and well-crafted, and the characters are well-drawn and interesting. The book is also notable for its portrayal of Hercule Poirot as a detective at the top of his game, using his impressive deductive skills to solve the case.