He’s portly, balding and unyielding, but Hercule Poirot—dramatized most distinctly by English actor David Suchet—is a romance hero most should aspire to.

Poirot is, of course, a consummate Agatha Christie protagonist. The Belgium detective, a refugee of WW I, starred in thirty-three Christie novels and many more short stories. The British TV series that brought those mysteries to light is beautifully set in the art deco era of Europe in the 1930’s. Find these gems. Buy them; rent them. Whatever you have to do.

If my hero is having a Alpha-male moment (which, let’s face it, all romance heroes are prone to do), if his temper or ego is driving his actions, I find myself wondering, what would Poirot do? How would he charm the lady? How would he smoothly turn the conversation to his advantage? How would he get the deed (whatever that deed happens to be) done?

He’s consummate in his manners, methodical in his approach to his work and complete in his respect of everyone, especially women. He holds them on a pedestal (something a modern hero or two could take note of). He flatters them, respects their opinions and reveres their beauty and style.

Of course Poirot also has a significant touch of OCD, is fussy, self-congratulatory and certainly too effeminate for modern tastes. But, oh, that brain! Clever, intelligent, quick and decisive.

Christie was certainly a woman who knew that a man’s worth lay in the depth of his character and not necessarily the breadth of his shoulders.

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