1. In the foreword, Hercule Poirot is discussing his retirement plans with his friend, Dr Burton. What does Hercule Poirot plan to do when he retires? bee-keeping study the classics grow vegetable marrows write his memoirs

2. As a result of his conversation with Dr Burton, Poirot decides to take on only select cases which, in some way, reflect or symbolise the Twelve Labours of Hercules. He assigns his secretary to collect information about Hercules, the hero of Greek mythology, for him to study. What is his secretary's name? Georges Miss Lemon Hastings Miss Oliver

3. The first Labour of Hercules was "The Nemean Lion". This case involves the kidnapping of a Pekinese dog. What was the name of the Peke who symbolises the Nemean lion? Shan Tung Tricki Woo Nanki Poo Augustus

4. The second Labour of Hercules was "The Lernean Hydra". What did the Hydra correspond to in this story? poison necklace gossip politics

5. The third Labour of Hercules was "The Arcadian Deer". In this story, a young mechanic asks Poirot to locate a lady with whom he has fallen in love. What is her name? Marie Bianca Katrina Juanita

6. The fourth Labour of Hercules was "The Erymanthian Boar". Poirot finds himself stranded at a ski resort, trapped with a man described as "one of the most dangerous killers alive today". In which country did this story take place? Denmark France Switzerland Holland

7. Hercule Poirot's fifth case involved a political scandal which, if publicised, would bring about the fall of the British government. Which of the Labours of Hercules corresponds to this story? The Capture of Iole The Capture of Pylus The Augean Stables The Conquest of Elis

8. The sixth Labour of Hercules was "The Stymphalean Birds". In this story, two women represent the birds. Which of the following crimes do they attempt to perpetrate? kidnapping blackmail jewel theft art forgery

9. The seventh Labour of Hercules was "The Cretan Bull". Why did Diana Maberly consult Hercule Poirot in this story? she was the victim of blackmail she had been accused of embezzlement her fiancé broke off their engagement she was trying to locate her birth mother

10. The eighth Labour of Hercules was "The Horses of Diomedes". In this story, who asks Hercule Poirot for help in a drug-peddling case? Dr Michael Stoddart General Grant Lady Carmichael Sheila Grant

11. The ninth Labour of Hercules was "The Girdle of Hyppolita". Alexander Simpson sends for his friend Poirot when a masterpiece is stolen from his gallery in broad daylight. Which famous artist painted the stolen picture? Rubens Rembrandt Picasso Van Gogh

12. The tenth Labour of Hercules was "The Flock of Geryon". Which character from one of the previous "Labours of Hercules" stories makes a re-appearance in this one? Harold Waring (“The Stymphalean Birds”) Miss Amy Carnaby (“The Nemean Lion”) Ted Williamson (“The Arcadian Deer”) Dr Charles Oldfield (“The Lernean Hydra”)

13. The eleventh Labour of Hercules was "The Apples of Hesperides". Hercule Poirot is commissioned to find a golden goblet which has been missing for ten years. Who is alleged to have been a former owner of the goblet? Roderigo Borgia Catherine De Medici King Henry VIII Joseph of Arimathea

14. The twelfth Labour of Hercules was "The Capture of Cerberus". This story featured the only woman who ever captured the heart of Hercule Poirot. What was her name? Ariadne Oliver Irene Adler Dulcie Duveen Countess Vera Rossakoff

15. These short stories were originally written separately for publication in the "Strand" magazine in 1939. In 1947, they were first published as a collection. Why was Agatha Christie so upset when she first saw the proposed cover design? it suggested a nude Hercule Poirot she thought the photograph of herself was particularly ugly Poirot's trademark moustache had been shaved off the title was spelt "Labors" (American spelling) instead of "Labours" (British spelling)