Yes, I know the actual book title is Hallowe’en Party. And the truth is, I had planned to try to solve the book before seeing Kenneth Brannagh’s movie adaptation, A Haunting in Venice. Unfortunately, I hit a reading slump, and realized that if I waited till I finished reading it, I risk the movie no longer being in theatres by the time I was ready to watch it.

And I really wanted to watch this movie in theatres. I realize opinions on Brannagh’s Poirot are really mixed, with many Christie purists unhappy with all the liberties he’d taken with the character. Personally, I enjoy his versions, just like I enjoy David Suchet’s (the definitive adaptation, IMHO), and just like I enjoy the books. (I haven’t yet watched the Albert Finney films, but I hear they’re also good.) Plus, A Haunting in Venice also stars Michelle Yeoh, who is one of my favourite actresses of all time. So I wanted to support this film, and while I missed my chance to contribute to opening weekend numbers, I figure I may as well do my part for the theatrical run.

My verdict? It was fun! I yelped at the jump scares, I ate lots of buttery popcorn, and I shuddered every time that creepy kid Leopold appeared on screen. Michelle Yeoh plays a psychic medium, who is hired by opera singer Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) to summon the spirit of her daughter Alicia, who’d died in that house a year ago. Yeoh’s character’s name is Joyce Reynolds, and even if you’ve read only the first few chapters of Hallowe’en Party like I have, you already know a key change to the story, and also the important role Yeoh plays in the story. Rounding out the cast are Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver (very much in the style of Cinda Canning from Only Murders in the Building), Jamie Dornan as Leopold’s dad and the doctor treating Alicia before she died, Alicia’s ex-fiance Maxim, the housekeeper Olga, and Joyce’s assistant.

I came into the theatre not really planning to try to solve it. I figured I’ll just enjoy the film, and wait till my next Poirot book to try solving it again. Yet as the story unfolded, i realized there was really only one character who I could see as being the murderer. I knew what motive they would have, and I could tell when they’d have the means and opportunity to commit their crimes.

So I whispered my guess to my sister, who watched the movie with me but thankfully, also watched the movie for me, meaning I doubted she would mind me interrupting her viewing experience with my guess.

And I was right! I didn’t quite figure out the method (I had noted the clue indicating this, but missed its significance), but I was on point with the identity and motive. There was also a secondary crime committed, and I’m proud to say I guessed that person’s identity and motive as well.

So I’m chalking this up as a win, and I’ll take my time with Hallowe’en Party, simply enjoying the story for what it is without trying to solve for the killer.