This is the first Poirot book to be written as a collection of short cases, much like Sherlock Holmes. While I preferred a few of the actual cases in this book more than the previous stories, I think Christie's talent shows better in the longer cases. She has a wonderful skill with character development and relationships--something that shows quite strongly in her later Ms. Marple books more prominently. The short cases of this Poirot Investigates didn't give me enough time with each motley cast to cast my own speculations before the mystery was solved.

Of special note, there is one case in the book that deals with the disappearance of a high-profile figure titled, "The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim". Its interest was less to do with the mystery in the novel than with Agatha Christie herself. Here is the small snippet of relevant text, no spoiler involved:

"Are disappearances classified and labeled, then?" I laughed. Japp smiled also. Poirot frowned at us both.

"But certainly they are! They fall into three categories: First, and most common, the voluntary disappearance. Second, the much abused 'loss of memory' case - rare, but occasionally genuine. Third, murder, and a more or less successful disposal of the body. Do you refer to all three as impossible of execution?"