The Big Four

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

70114

Title

The Big Four

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Agatha Christie's *The Big Four* presents a thrilling mystery where Hercule Poirot battles a shadowy criminal syndicate. Featuring elaborate disguises, international intrigue, and a daring sacrifice, this novel showcases Poirot's wit and determination as he unravels the secrets of the world's second greatest brain and his deadly associates.

Summary up to 500 words

In Agatha Christie's *The Big Four*, Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings confront their most formidable adversaries: a criminal syndicate known as the Big Four, orchestrated by the brilliant and sinister Li Chang Yen. The organization has already committed two murders, abducted a scientist named Halliday, and nearly killed the detectives. A critical challenge remains identifying the elusive fourth member, who frequently changes appearance to evade capture. Poirot deduces that this individual is an actor capable of perfect disguise, narrowing the suspect list to four candidates with specific physical traits. The investigation intensifies with the 'Yellow Jasmine Mystery,' where Poirot discovers that a dying message left by a victim was actually a clue pointing to the criminal organization's symbol. Realizing the gravity of the threat, Poirot executes a daring ruse: he pretends to be dead to lure the Big Four into a trap. Posing as his twin brother, Achille Poirot, he infiltrates the group's mountain retreat, gaining their trust and learning their plans. The climax unfolds as the Big Four attempt to escape via a tunnel beneath the mountain. In a masterstroke of deception, Poirot convinces the Countess Vera Rossakoff to lead him out, revealing that he has secretly rescued her lost child, whom he had saved earlier. The mountain collapses, destroying the villains. Li Chang Yen commits suicide upon hearing of the disaster, while the fourth member is killed in the explosion. The novel concludes with Poirot reflecting on the victory, noting the tragic fate of his great opponent and his own desire to retire from such high-stakes cases, marking the end of his greatest case.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-06-30 09:05 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery