The Cretan Bull: A Hercule Poirot Short Story(1939)

Αχιλλέας ΚυριαζήςAgatha Christie

As we move to the seventh challenge facing Hercule Poirot, we encounter the Greek myth of the Cretan Bull,. The bull from Crete is the father of the Minotaur. Pasiphae, the wife of Minos was Minotaur's mother. Greek hero Hercules was commissioned by King Eurystheus to capture the bull in Crete.

One of the Labours of Hercules.

Poirot is approached by a young woman, a determined young woman, about her engagement to Hugh Chandler. She states, "Hugh broke off our engagement because he thinks he is going mad. He thinks people who are mad should not marry." Strange things have been happening in and around the Chandler estate of Lyde Manor, sheep being killed late at night for example, and people think Hugh is responsible. Diana Maberly asks Poirot, "Can you do something?" Is the Cretan Bull present? Can Poirot meet and conquer him?

Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Cretan Bull." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."