Hercule Poirot decided it was fitting to retire while at the height of his career--but before he bows out of public life, he sets himself a challenge modelled on the twelve labors of the mythical Hercules. Poirot carefully selects twelve unusual cases that will challenge him to parallel, equal and perhaps evern surpass the feats of the ancient hero. From a kidnapper of expensive pets, to a deceitful Russian countess, to the blackmailer of a powerful Englishman, the Herculean tasks Poirot chooses keep the indefatigable detective far from retirement.