I LOVE a good murder mystery. Trying to work out whodunnit before the big reveal as the story unfolds is a massive part of the fun.

It looks like I’m not the only fan as there was a sell-out crowd for the opening night of Agatha Christie The Hollow – A Hercule Poirot Mystery, which is being performed at the Hall for Cornwall until Saturday, October 24.

Renowned detective Hercule Poirot expected a quiet break in the country at the estate of Sir Henry and Lady Lucy Angkatell. Instead, the sleuth is drawn into one of the most unsettling cases of his career as he finds himself navigating a treacherous web of desire, jealousy and betrayal when charismatic physician Dr John Cristow is shot dead beside a swimming pool.

For me it was all about the acting as a whodunnit invites you to scan every expression, slip of the tongue, and prop for hidden meaning.

I spent the interval playing detective in a bid to crack the case before the final curtain after enjoying tracking all the clues and analysing alibis throughout the first part of the play. I must admit I ended up with three guesses, and they were all wrong. I well and truly fell for not one but all the red herrings that led me to make my deductions.

Peter Polycarpou, who plays the role of Poirot, the ever-meticulous Belgian sleuth, captures his charm, dry wit, and signature accent with a natural, unstuffy presence. But it was Sarah Moyle, who played the role of Lady Lucy Angkatell, who steals the show as the eccentric, delightfully batty, and fiercely magnetic lady of the house. James Sheldon, who played Edward Angkatell, had a bit of Basil Fawlty about his performance, which made for amusing viewing.

I was certainly gripped throughout the performance, but you do not need to be a die-hard fan of murder mystery stories to enjoy watching Agatha Christie's play The Hollow. It works well as an entertaining night out even if you have never read a whodunnit before.