13 Best Holiday Books to Read in 2022
In this article, we will share the 13 Best Holiday Books to Read in 2022. Holidays seem to be the days when friends and acquaintances gather together. And myself, it seems that there is no one to ask for, and there is nowhere to go.
The more holidays, the more lonely I feel. It doesn't matter, if no one is available, you might as well make an appointment with the best books for a holiday.
Not only can accompany you to spend a fulfilling festival, but also let you settle down in the hustle and bustle of the world.
Below, I have compiled 13 books about Christmas and holidays for everyone, whether it is warm, nostalgic, or thrilling. There is always one that suits you and accompanies you to spend a different kind of Christmas and holiday.
Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in the World, and it often appears in literary works. These literary works, it can be cheerful, hopeful, or sad. This festival is like the characters in every literary work.
13 Best Holiday Books to Read in 2022
The 13 classic literary works that we recommend for Christmas and holiday, this year are the 13 Best Holiday Books to Read in 2022.
The warmth and tranquility of Christmas are favorite themes of writers. December is a good time to read classic Christmas literature.
We recommend several Christmas-related literary best books for a holiday.
1. Little Reunions
Most men have been loved by a woman before, and they will think that this woman will think of him more or less all his life. This is the common illusion of men and the common narcissism of men.
If you do not understand this point, you will not be able to arrange your own love and marriage in the first place, and you will get a lot of breaks; at the bottom, it will be difficult to read "Little Reunion" willingly and calmly.
"Little Reunion" gave me the biggest feeling that I discovered that she remembered two things all her life: childhood and a love that had a beginning and an end. Moreover, the former can determine the appearance of the latter.
What "manuscripts to be destroyed" and what "self-destructed private lives" are all hype. This is just a memoir of a woman in her old age, plain and plain, with a slight stream of consciousness. Originally, most of "Little Reunion" was not about love, but about childhood.
I'm afraid most readers don't pay much attention to her memories of childhood, but this is what moved me the most.
Of course, I love "This Life and This Life", I love the hypocritical and blooming words, which can write nasty things in a gentle manner. Yes, gentlemen, especially like to tell other women about their gorgeous and clean love history; rough men, like many people I know, like to tell other people how much body looks they have slept. Not a single woman.
This is actually the same, the same lack of confidence and the same narcissism. Of course, this is a common problem for men. If he doesn't take the initiative to speak today, he will speak tomorrow if he is passive.
However, in "Little Reunion", this matter is stated very clearly, to be precise, the distinction is very clear-I loved you back then, but then I really did not love it. It took only a few years.
You don’t have to put my love for you in front of me and not fall in love in the back in "This Life and This Life" so that readers have to see our breakup through this veil of love.
2. The Catcher in the Rye
It's every Christmas. All the skinny Santa Clauses stood in the corner ringing their bells, and the Salvation Army girls who didn't wear powder or lipstick on their faces were also ringing bells there.
I looked around looking for the two nuns I met during breakfast yesterday, but I didn't see them. I knew I couldn't see them because they told me that they came to New York to be teachers, but I kept looking for them. Well, no matter what, it's a Christmas scene at a moment's notice.
Thousands of young children came to the city center with their mothers, going up and down in the bus, in and out of the shops. I really hope that old Phoebe is by my side. She is no longer that kind of naive child. She is so happy as soon as she enters the children's toy department, but she likes to watch the excitement and make fun of it.
I took her to the city center for shopping the year before last Christmas. We did have fun for a while. We went into the shoe department together, pretending that she—Old Feibi—want to buy a pair of high-heeled rain boots, that kind of rain boots always have a million belted eyes.
We literally tossed that poor salesperson to death. Old Feibi tried about twenty pairs. For each pair, the poor guy had to wear all the straps on one shoe. This is really an obscene trick, but it almost made Old Phoebe laugh to death.
In the end, we bought a pair of moccasins and paid for it. That salesperson is very kind. I think he also knows that we are making fun because old Phoebe is always giggling.
3. Wuthering Heights
Katie lived in Thrush Grange for five weeks until Christmas. At that time, her ankle had healed and her behavior had improved a lot. During this period, the hostess often visited her and started her reform plan.
First, try to improve her self-esteem with beautiful clothes and flattery, and she accepts it without hesitation. Therefore, she was no longer a little savage without a hat who jumped into the room and rushed over to hug us out of breath,
but a very dignified person with brown curly hair came down from a beautiful little black horse. Hanging from a beaver hat with feathers, he wore a long cloth riding uniform.
She must wear her dress with both hands to walk in gracefully. Hindley helped her off the horse and exclaimed happily: "Why, Katie, you are such a beauty! I won't recognize you anymore. You are like a lady now. Isabella Linton Can't compare to her, is it, Francis?"
"Isabella doesn't have her natural beauty," replied his wife, "but she has to remember, don't go wild here anymore. Allen, Help Miss Catherine take off her coat, don’t move, my dear, you are going to mess up your hair curls.—Let me untie your hat." I took off her riding uniform, and a piece was revealed inside. Plaid silk robe, white pants, and shiny leather shoes.
When the dogs jumped up to welcome her, her eyes were bright with joy, but she did not dare to touch them, for fear that the dogs would pounce on her beautiful clothes. She kissed me tenderly: I was full of flour, and I was making Christmas cakes. It would not do to hug me.
Then she looked around for Heathcliff. Mr. Earnshaw and Mrs. Earnshaw watched their meeting anxiously, thinking that this would enable them to judge whether they wished to separate the two friends.
So I am left here alone. I smell the rich fragrance of overripe spices, admiring the shiny kitchen utensils, the polished clocks decorated with holly leaves, the silver basins arranged on the plates-they are meant to be poured at dinner With ale.
What I admire most is the thing that I carefully scrubbed clean and flawless, that is, the floor that I have washed and swept. I secretly praised everything appropriately,
so I remembered how old Earnshaw always came in when everything was cleaned up, saying that I was a fake and serious girl, and stuffed a shilling into my Hand as a Christmas gift. From then on I remembered his love for Heathcliff.
He was afraid that Heathcliff would be left unattended after death, so I naturally went on to think about the position of this poor child. I sang and started crying. But after a while, I suddenly thought that it was more meaningful to make up for his grievances than to cry over these things.
4. Jane Eyre
The first half of November, December, and January have passed in a blink of an eye. In Gateshead, Christmas and New Year’s Day are usually celebrated with joy, exchanging gifts, and holding Christmas dinners, and evening parties.
Of course, these enjoyments are not for me. My share of the pleasure is to watch Eliza and In Georgiana's costumes, watch then go downstairs to the living room in tulle tops, red belts, and elaborate curly hair.
Then listen to the sound of piano and harp playing downstairs, the footsteps of the housekeeper and servants, the clinking of cups and plates when serving snacks, and the intermittent conversations when the living room door opens and closes. Tired. I will leave the stairs and walk into the lonely nursery room. Although there is also a little sadness there, I am not uncomfortable.
To be honest, I have absolutely no intention to join in the fun, because there are very few people paying attention to me. Spending many nights is also a kind of enjoyment.
It's like passing those moments under the intimidating gaze of the young lady, Mrs. and Mrs. Reed, but Bessie often leaves the ladies as soon as they stop dressing up. I went to lively places such as the kitchen and the housekeeper and always took the candles away.
After that, I put the doll on my knees and sat withered until the fire gradually dimmed, and looked around from time to time to figure out that there was nothing more terrifying except me.
Visit this dim room, and when the embers faded to dark red, I hurriedly Busy, take out the energy to breastfeed, undress and undress, get into the small bed, avoid the cold and darkness,
I often take the doll with me to the bed, people have to love something, when I lack something more worthy of love, I imagined cherishing a faded puppet to get pleasure, even though the doll was already in tatters and looked like a little scarecrow. Recalling this past at this moment also puzzled me.
At that time, I was carrying Absurd piety to spoil this little toy! I still believe that it has flesh and blood. I can only fall asleep if I wrap it in a nightgown. Once it lay there warm and sound, I feel much happier, and this doll feels the same way.
5. Gone with the Wind
Hearing this, Scarlett pursed her lips impatiently. "As long as you say 'war' again, I will go in and close the door. I have never felt annoyed by the word 'war' in my life unless that word means seceding from the Union.'
Dad always arrives early. Late to talk about war, war, all the gentlemen who came to see him also yelled about Fort Sumter, State Power, and Abel. Lincoln, it’s so annoying that I’m yelling! And all the boys are talking about it. And their army.
This spring, I didn’t hear any happy things at any party, because the boys didn’t talk about anything else. What I am most happy about is that Georgia will not announce its separation from the Union until after Christmas. Otherwise, the Christmas party will be spoiled. If you talk about 'war' again, I'll go in immediately." ...
For Atlanta and for the entire South, Christmas in 1862 was a happy holiday. The Confederate League won a big battle in Fredericksburg. The Yankees suffered thousands of casualties. People are generally rejoicing during the holidays.
The situation of celebration and prayer has reached a turning point. The troops in gray uniforms have become battle-tested teams. Their generals have made great contributions. Everyone knows that as soon as the spring battle begins, the Yankees will be completely defeated forever.
6. Little Women
"Little Women," tells the story of a family of four sisters during the American Civil War. It is delicate and beautiful, warm and timeless. In the book, the sisters' expectations and selfless dedication to Christmas are moving.
Although the sisters were unable to own and give exquisite Christmas gifts under the influence of the war, their laughter and joy filled the holiday of gatherings.
"How do you spend Christmas without presents?" Joe mumbled lying on the rug.
"Poverty is terrible!" Meg let out a sigh, looking down at her old clothes.
"Some girls have glory and wealth, some have nothing. I don't think this is fair." Amy snorted slightly, three points out of contempt and seven points out of jealousy.
"But we have parents and sisters." Beth, who was sitting in the corner, protested. This pleasant sentence brightened the four young faces illuminated by the fire.
"We don't have a father, and we won't have one for a long time," Joe said sadly. Hearing these words, everyone's faces dimmed again. Although she didn't say "may never be", everyone said this quietly in their hearts, and at the same time remembered her father who was far away on the battlefield.
Everyone was speechless for a while. After a while, Meg changed her tone and said, "Do you know why my mother suggested not to give gifts this Christmas? Because the cold winter is coming, and our men are suffering in the barracks, we should not spend money for fun.
Although we have limited abilities, we can make a small sacrifice in this regard, and we should do it happily. But I am not happy.” Meg shook his head. Thinking of those beautiful gifts she had always dreamed of, she felt regretful.
"I don't think our little money can help much. We only get one yuan each, and it's not very useful to give it to the army. We don't want to expect mothers to give us many gifts, but I really want to buy a copy of "Goddess," I wanted to buy that book a long time ago." Joe said. She is a bookworm.
"I was going to buy some new sheet music," Beth said with a sigh, his voice so soft that no one could hear it.
"I want to buy a box of exquisite Faber brushes. I really need them." Amy said simply.
"Mom never said how to spend this money. She wouldn't be happy if we watched empty-handed. We might as well be happy to buy something we like each. How much effort have we spent to make this money!" Joe shouted Said, looking at his heel with a gentleman's style.
7. A Christmas Memory
American writer Capotti became famous for "Breakfast at Tiffany's." This semi-autobiographical "Christmas Reminiscence Collection" tells the story of a boy and an elderly relative preparing a Christmas fruit cake. This book that combines warmth, sweetness, and loneliness is the most popular Christmas book in the Western world.
This book brought me a touch that I haven't had in a long time. There is no gorgeous rhetoric, no exaggerated plot, only "me" and "me" good friends. "My" petite and flexible good friend "has very short white hair, a pair of tennis shoes on his feet, and a summer floral sarong covered with a shapeless gray sweater, like a bantam hen."
We have no money, Being bullied by relatives often makes us cry. But every November morning, when the inner flame is ignited, the imagination is also jubilant. On the day of making fruit cakes, we will also push a very dilapidated stroller to pick up the windblown down. Pecan and the puppy Queenie returned to the kitchen happily.
Just make 30 fruit cakes and give them to friends. Not necessarily neighboring friends, those who please us. Such as President Roosevelt. Or the little knife sharpener who comes to town twice a year. Or Abu Napac, the driver of the six o'clock shuttle bus from Moubayer, who swishes every day and waves to
us from a cloud of smoke... We can’t give each other the best gifts. As a Christmas gift, you can only make a beautiful kite for each other every year. But when the wind blows, we plunge into the waist-high lush grass. The sun is warm. When we watch the kite joyously in the sky, we can imagine the scene of the Lord’s coming, as beautiful as the stained glass through the sun.
We are not smart people, we can only live simply and simply, but what we enjoy is the feast of fools. There are always too many smart people around us, they know what to do and what not to do, and they always tell us what to do and what not to do. But a wise man has forgotten what is fun and what is a friend; what is wind and what is sunshine; what is peace and what is joy. Only a fool can see God.
8. Les Misérables
In Mengfeiying, Christmas in 1823 was very lively. In early winter, the temperature is mild, there is no freezing, and there is no snow yet. A few tricksters came from Paris. They got permission from the mayor to set up shacks on the streets of the village.
At the same time, there were a group of merchants who walked the rivers and lakes. They also got the same accommodation. They were in the empty flat in front of the chapel. Some temporary paving was built on it and extended to Baker’s Alley.
We may remember that Thenardier’s inn was in that alley. All the inns and hotels are crowded with people, bringing a lively and joyous atmosphere to this quiet little place.
There is one more thing, we should mention, this is a faithful speaker of the ancients. Among the bizarre things displayed in the empty flat, there is an animal exhibition hall. There are a few clowns there. I really don’t know where those people came from. Their clothes are ragged and they look very ugly. They are in 1823. So he took a scary vulture made in Brazil and showed it to the villagers of Mengfei.
The eyes of that vulture looked like a three-color cap badge. The Royal Museum didn't get such one until 1845. Natural scientists call that kind of bird, I think, Caracalla Polypolus, which belongs to the bird of prey, the eagle family.
There were a few kind-hearted veterans in the village, Bonaparte’s old army, and they went to see the bird, and the love for the lord rose spontaneously. Tricksters claim that the three-color cap badge-like eyes are a unique appearance, specially created by the merciful God for their animal gallery.
On Christmas night, there were many people, some drivers, and merchandisers, sitting around four or five candles on the table in the low hall of the Thenardier inn, drinking. That hall, like the halls of all liquor stores, had tables, tin wine cans, glass bottles, drinkers, and smokers. The candlelight was dim and the voices were noisy.
But in the year 1823, two fashionable things were indispensable on the table of the property-owning class: a kaleidoscope and a flashing tin lamp. Lady Thenardier was preparing dinner in front of a burning oven, and the boss of Thenardier accompanied his guests to drink and talk about politics.
9. War and Peace
The Christmas festival is here. Except for perfunctory afternoon prayers, solemn and tedious congratulations from neighbors and domestic servants, and for everyone to put on new clothes,
there is nothing special about celebrating Christmas. In the windless cold of minus 20 degrees, under the starlight of this winter night, people feel a strong desire to celebrate this holiday.
The servants disguised themselves as bears, Turks, small restaurant owners, and their wives. They were terrible and ridiculous. They brought air-conditioning and joy with them.
At first, they huddled in the reception room, then hid behind each other and squeezed into the hall. At first, I was a little shy and replied, but then I became more and more happy, singing, dancing, and dancing in harmony more and more harmoniously, playing Christmas games.
The countess recognized her face, smiled for a while at the man in fancy dress, and went into the living room. Count Ilya Andreitch sat in the hall with a smile, praising the people playing. Some young people have slipped somewhere.
Half an hour later, another old lady in a whale-baleen skirt appeared among the other people in fancy dresses in the hall-this was Nikolai. Petya disguised herself as a Turkish woman. Timber is dressed as a harlequin, Natasha is dressed as a hussar, and Sonya is dressed as a Circassian (with a beard and eyebrows painted in soft charcoal).
After the people who did not put on fancy dresses graciously amazed them, expressed that they could not recognize the true face of Lushan Mountain, and praised them, the young people all agreed that the costumes were very beautiful and should be displayed in front of others.
Luisa Ivanovna agreed. After half an hour, four troikas with tambourines and bells drove to the front of the steps, and the skates creaked on the frozen snow.
Natasha was the first to give out the Christmas carnival and infect each other with joy, becoming more and more enthusiastic. When everyone went outside in the cold, shouting, echoing each other, talking and laughing, and getting on the sleigh, the carnival mood arrived. peak.
The stagecoach carried the first two troikas, the old earl took the third sleigh, which was driven by Orlov’s big horse, and Nicholas took the fourth sleigh, which was measured by his short stature, The hairy black horse rides on its heels. Nikolai was wearing an old woman's clothes, wearing a hussar cloak with a belt, and standing in the middle of the sleds with the reins tightened.
It was still bright, and he saw the eyes of the buckle and the horse shining under the moon, and the horses looked in horror at the yelling riders under the shade on the dark steps.
10. A Christmas Carol
"A Christmas Carol" is a book that spreads the concept of "Generous Sharing" Christmas, profoundly changing the status and value of modern Christmas in British society. The rich but stingy Scrooge is visited by three Christmas elves on Christmas Eve.
Under the leadership of the elves, he saw his poor but happy past, the present when his staff could not afford gifts but were happy, and his aging and lonely future of himself. He realized that Shibina was happier.
The language of this classic is simple and fluent, which is very suitable for improving English reading. It was also because of the influence of this book that people began to take turkey as the main meat for Christmas dinners.
text--
"Uncle, Merry Christmas! God bless you!" a voice said cheerfully. Scrooge's nephew had arrived.
"Bah!" Scrooge said angrily. "A lie!"
"Christmas is a lie! Uncle, of course, you don't mean that?" said his nephew.
"That's what I meant," Scrooge said. "Why do you call it a happy Christmas? You are too poor to be happy at all."
"Hey." The nephew replied with a smile, "Why are you so angry? You shouldn't be upset that you are rich."
"Of course I am angry." Uncle replied, "When I live in a world full of stupid people like you! You say'Merry Christmas'! But what is Christmas? It's just a lot of flowers. In the days of money, you will find that you are one year old but your wealth has not increased by the slightest, and you have to pay all the bills. The tongues of all those who wander around and say merry Christmas' should be cut off. Yes. Yes, he will!"
"Uncle, please don't say that!" said the nephew. "I have always regarded Christmas as a day to help and be kind to others. There is only one day in a year for men and women to open their hearts freely to each other. So uncle, even though I have never made a Christmas fortune, I think it is for me Christmas has always been and will be a wonderful time! God bless you!"
When Scrooge woke up, he immediately found that the church bell was about to ring at one o'clock. He was certain that the second ghost was coming to visit him soon. This time he wanted to be ready, so he opened the curtains around his bed by himself and lay there waiting.
At one o'clock, the ghost did not come, but a strong light shone on Scrooge's bed from above. He was terrified. A few minutes later, he thought the light was coming from the next room, so he got up and got out of bed, and came to the door. When his hand touched the door, a strange voice called his name and let him in, he obeyed.
Although he recognized this as his own room, it looked completely different now. The walls were covered with bright green leaves, and a roaring flame was burning in the fireplace. On the floor are piles of excellent Christmas food-rich flavored chocolate cake, warm and fluffy bread, colorful apples and oranges, plates of butter, stewed chicken, boxes of chocolates, and candies. Sitting next to these things was a tall, smiling ghost who happily shouted to Scrooge, "Please come in! Come in, man! I am the ghost of Christmas today! Look at me!"
Since the first ghost's visit, Scrooge hasn't been sure about himself. So even though the ghost’s eyes are bright and full of kindness, Scrooge still dares not look at its face, but he can see the ghost wearing a green robe, its long brown hair casually scattered on its back, and its face A warm and friendly smile. The light came from the torch held by his powerful right hand.
"Ghost," Scrooge said softly. "You can go wherever you want to take me. I learned the lesson last night, and the lesson is now in effect. If you have anything to learn from me tonight, please let me learn from you."
"Tugging on my robe!" said the ghost, and Scrooge died.
The food, the room, and the fire all disappeared. It was Christmas morning, and they were standing outdoors in the ice and snow. Although the sky is gray and the streets are dirty, when people rush to the bakery with their Christmas dinners for baking, they all look surprisingly happy. The ghost seems to be particularly interested in the poor.
It stood at the door of the bakery with Scrooge, and when the dinner passed by it, it shone the torch on it. Sometimes when he saw people crowding or losing their tempers, he held the torch on their heads, and they immediately became docile or stopped arguing, "Because it is Christmas." They warned each other.
"What is your torch for, ghost?" Scrooge asked.
"It can bring a special taste to people's dinner today." The ghost replied.
"Why do you mostly use it on the poor?" Scrooge asked.
"Because the poor need it most," the ghost replied.
11. The Gift of the Magi
The Gift of the Magi (Holiday Classics Illustrated by P.j. Lynch) by O. Henry
In today's extremely rich material life, "The Magi's Gift" is beautiful and sadly unreal. A young couple in love made a huge sacrifice in order to give each other the best gift. This kind of love that transcends the material reminds us that love is to give the best of everything to each other. "
In "The Gift of the Magi", by author O. Henry, the founder of modern American short stories, the O. Henry-style ending has become synonymous with the unexpected results of the novel.
"The Gift of the Magi" is such a masterpiece. So far, I have always been very worried about the ending. I feel that it is not perfect, but it can't be more perfect. I believe that everyone is not too unfamiliar with this story, because it once appeared in our text. I was impressed with the storyline, but now I know what I seem to be missing.
Frankly speaking, I don't always remember foreign names, but I am very impressed with her other work "Grandma in the Perfume Village". The painting style of this book is actually very similar. The delicate depiction allows us to better understand the emotion of the protagonist in the book.
The reason is that Christmas is here and Della wants to give a gift to her husband Tom. But their family is really poor, and the rented house is as simple as a "beggar's den".
The final ending is that the two young people discarded each other's most important things, which is also the most valuable thing in the family. Purchased gifts for each other.
The book mentions that "Maggie brought precious gifts, but such things are not among them." Maggie is the person in the Bible who gave three gifts when Jesus was born, and also refers to the wise man.
The three gifts they gave to Jesus were: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gift of gold represents honor, the gift of frankincense symbolizes sacredness, and the gift of myrrh indicates that Jesus was persecuted and died later.
The thing mentioned in the book is love. Two poor young people are doing everything for each other. The ending looks a bit sad, but they are full of emotion.
This novel was first published in 1906, and it has been more than a hundred years since then. In today's society, many young people pay more attention to the material world, and they are lacking in spirit to a certain extent.
Such a good story is really meaningful no matter how long it takes to read and I am very happy to let my children come into contact with such a good story.
12. Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Agatha Christie has a soft spot for Christmas so that detective Poirot will not rest at Christmas. The wealthy Simeon Lee invites all family members to spend Christmas together, including illegitimate children who are conflicting with him.
A Christmas party that was meant to be a pastime and insulting family members had a fatal problem and could only rely on Poirot's reasoning ability to find the real culprit.
This book is also known as Poirot's Christmas Detective. In this book, the grandmother described it as "blood violence." In fact, there was a blood sacrifice scene at the murder scene.
If it were made into a movie, the picture would be terrifying. The others are nothing. The case is very bizarre. I believe that any reader, even any reader in the world Like can't guess the real murderer. Similar to the plot design of "***", I won't mention it, otherwise, a careful reader would have guessed it at once, hehe.
In the end, Poirot analyzed the various possibilities of the case until the real murderer was revealed, with twists and turns, and the final result was not only unexpected but also thrilling. Human nature has always been the focus of her description.
This book still emphasizes the importance of inheritance in personal growth. Sons can inherit all the selfish and brutal characteristics of their fathers. Therefore, Lao Li was murdered.
The book mentions that Lao Li is lustful by nature, likes to seek flowers and ask willows, and is always merciful. He doesn't even know how many illegitimate children he has. In this regard, his wife swallows all the pain and hatred for David, making the young children.
Growing up was burdened with many adult burdens and sins. Her tolerance for cowardice and inaction also aroused Lao Li’s evil, prompting him to intensify, ignoring his wife and children’s feelings, and playing tricks on others. Therefore, good and evil are one. Both sides are the extreme side of human nature.
13. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
"Queen of Suspense" Agatha Christie's great detective Poirot (Poirot) was invited to an English country house. His visit was not to celebrate Christmas but to solve the mystery of the theft of a valuable ruby.
The English-style Christmas elements in the book make people immersive: Christmas tree, Christmas plum pudding, Christmas dinner, and boxing day, all fresh and interesting. "
Agatha Christie's seasonal Poirot and Marple short story collection. First came a sinister warning to Poirot not to eat any plum pudding...then the discovery of a corpse in a chest...next, an overheard quarrel that led to murder...
the strange case of the dead man who altered his eating habits...and the puzzle of the victim who dreamt of his own suicide. What links these five baffling cases? The little grey cells of Monsieur Hercule Poirot!
