I just finished it (literally, like, 15 minutes ago). One of the things I appreciated was how little Poirot figured in it. I mean no disrespect to poirot fans, but I've been avoiding him for a bit because so often there'd be the repition of all that "little grey cells/moustaches/dapper little egg-shaped-head" stuff. You know, it just got wearisome, to the point that I'd skim the plot description of a Christie and recoil in horror, saying, "Oh no! Not Poirot!" When, actually, I don't dislike him really...I just needed a break. Anyway, so I liked the way he was more mellow in this one.

I really like "The Hollow" for its focus on the relationships between the characters and how the characters respond to the crime. "The Hollow" contains some of the best characterization in the series– the plot revolves around the suspects rather than the investigation.

I agree with all the above comments and the character of Henrietta is one of the best AC has invented. I think I read somewhere that AC expressed disappointment that she put Poirot in the book, feeling it would have worked better without him.

Well written, melancholic, purely beautiful and tragic with wonderful characters that act in a mysterious and exotic set. I really love it. I don't like Henrietta Savernake much, I must confess, but she is a very intersting character. Lucy Angkatell is amazing, she moves the story. I think Poirot didn't destroy the magic of the novel, however, without him, the novel would be better.

Well, the play doesn't feature Poirot, so it's easy to judge which is better. I personally enjoyed the book more than the play. I liked the insertion of Poirot, which was much more subtle than usual (no page-long descriptions of his mannerisms, but there ARE certain comic insertions here and there).

SPOILERS!

Poirot may have stopped the murder had he gone through the back gate. But, because he thought it impolite to do so, he went the long way around. THAT is bitter irony, one of a few instances in the book.

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Hi guys. That is a very interesting observation go_leafs, I had never thought of it before. I also think the charecterazation in this book is amazing. The audio book reading that Huge Frasier does is very chilling. Fits the book to a T. Especially the end when Hennretta grieves. Love it love it love it!!

Sarah Miles is incredibly good as Lucy Angkatell in the tv series.

The Hollow is my favorite HP mystery.  I love the book and I love the movie version.  There are a few differences between the book and the movie, but I think the movie is well done with respect to the book.  My only beef with the movie is the sex scene.  I assume the producers believe that might appeal to Agatha Christie fans.  The scene did not add to the story nor was it a part of the book.  I believe movie makers should be true to the original.

Henrietta is my favorite character.  She is very self-sacrificing and loyal.  She is one of the best developed characters in all the Poirot stories.  Lucy provides great humor--she is such an air-head!  Gerda is a great character, also, very withdrawn, but intense.  I love the ending of the book!

I completely agree, Lady Horbury! However, the sex scene wasn't, literally, in the book but sex is implied so I didn't really mind about it.

Although I didn't stare and take notes while that scene played, I didn't mind it too much. It was definately implied in the novel, because

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I honestly doubt Gerda would kill John for merely "talking" with Veronica. She worshipped him too much.

This is one of the books in which AC proves she can be a good character builder. I liked Henrietta's realization in the end that she can't not put her feelings of grief and sorrow into sculpture. One of the best written AC's endings.

I liked the movie version, too. Honestly, I think that Gerda commiting suicide in the movie is better then her wanting to murder Henrietta, as in book. The former makes Gerda a severely flawed, but still a somewhat sympathetic character, the latter makes her a downright you-know-what.