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| Agatha Christie |
Over the course of her life, 1890 - 1976, Agatha Christie wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections. The majority of the featured sleuths Miss Jane Marple and Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. But there were also many standalones and those featuring husband and wife team, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford and others. She also wrote what has become the longest running play in the world, the mystery, The Mousetrap. Jo and I saw it here at out local playhouse and enjoyed it very much. Of course, as instructed, we will not reveal the ending (not that I can remember it anyway).
In this entry I'll highlight mysteries from Miss Marple, Poirot and the Beresfords.
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| Geraldine McEwan - My favorite Marple |
Twelve mysteries featuring Jane Marple were written. She also featured a number of short stories. There have been countless movie and TV movies made out of the books and even some of the standalone novels have been redone to put her in them. Great actresses like Margaret Rutherford, Helen Hayes, Angela Lansbury, Geraldine McEwan and others have played Marple. I've begun reading the Marple mysteries but so far have just completed the first.... and it was excellent.
"A most enjoyable introduction to the Miss Marple series of mysteries. I particularly enjoyed how the story was presented, with the Vicar being the story teller. Miss Marple is almost in the shadows, as the Vicar wanders around town on his own or with the police inspector, chatting with people, hearing the ideas and thoughts. Miss Marple is a watcher, a wise lady, who observes and figures things out. The Vicar meets with her regularly, discussing ideas, clues and gaining her insight. I loved the story, loved trying to figure things out (for the most part, unsuccessfully) and I loved the main characters, the Vicar and his lovely young wife, Griselda and Miss Marple especially. The story was fun and a pleasure to read. I was even happy with the ending, more than satisfied as Miss Marple presented her findings and solution. Loved it! (5 stars)"
The next couple of books are sitting on my bookshelf along with a few other Christie mysteries. I should get much enjoyment out of them over the next few years.
"The body of a beautiful blonde is found in the library of Gossington Hall. What the young woman was doing in the quiet village of St. Mary Mead is precisely what Jane Marple means to find out. Amid rumors of scandal, Miss Marple baits a clever trap to catch a ruthless killer."
"Poison-pen letters cause two deaths in Lymston. Can Miss Marple uncover the killer before there is another?"
"When an evening of fun and games turns to murder, Miss Marple plays by her own rules to solve the whodunit
The remaining books in the Marple series are -
- They Do it With Mirrors (1952)
- A Pocket Full of Rye (1953)
- 4:50 from Paddington (1957)
- The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (1962)
- A Caribbean Mystery (1964)
- At Bertram's Hotel (1965)
- Nemesis (1971)
- Sleeping Murder (1976)
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| David Suchet as Hercule Poirot |
I've read 3 novels and one collection of short stories so far since I started my exploration of this series. As a kid, I remember reading Murder on the Links and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd but then I just stopped reading the mysteries. I'm definitely enjoying getting back into the books.
"The first Agatha Christie novel, it introduces her famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. It's been many years since I've read an Agatha Christie mystery, although I've seen many Christie mysteries on TV and at the movies. It was extremely enjoyable to reintroduce myself to her stories. There was humour and an interesting story. As per normal, there many twists and turns, many suspects and an ultimately satisfying conclusion. I will definitely be reading more of her mysteries. (4 stars)"
"I don't want to say too much about this story as I don't want to ruin a surprising, excellent ending. Suffice it to say that Hercule Poirot is once again, superb. He leads you on an excellent journey as he gathers facts, drops clues and ultimately satisfyingly solves a very interesting mystery. I liked the characters, the story (comfort food for the mind) and the resolution. Nice to read a story that pleasantly surprised me.."
"Finishing off 2014 with a couple of Agatha Christie mysteries. Peril at End House was originally published in 1931 and features super sleuth Hercule Poirot. In this story, Poirot is living a retired life, spending some time on the coast with his friend Hastings who has returned from Argentina. He becomes involved in a case of attempted murder of a young woman, Miss Nick Buckley and is frustrated trying to solve the case and keep her alive. All of the suspects seem innocent and Poirot even begins to doubt his own abilities. Has retirement made him rusty? Is he getting too old? An interesting story and an interesting case. I've enjoyed getting back into Agatha Christie's writing in 2014. (4 stars)"
"An entertaining collection of short stories, with all but one featuring Hercule Poirot. The final story, Greenshaw's Folly is a Miss Marple story. I recognized the basic plots of some from the TV series but the stories and results were for the most part nice and fresh. Every story was enjoyable. I liked the investigations and the solutions. It's been so nice to get into Christie's works and mysteries. I don't know why I didn't sooner. If you want a nice quick, enjoyable selection of mysteries, this is the book for you. (3 stars)"
The remaining books can be found here.
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| Jessica Raine and David Walliams as Tommy and Tuppence |
"The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie is the first book utilizing the wonderful detective skills of Tommy and Tuppence, who eventually appeared in 4 of Christie's novels. In The Secret Adversary Tommy and Tuppence meet by chance, both looking for work and struggling to make ends meet. They decide to form up an agency, The Young Adventurers and put an ad in the newspaper. Surprisingly they get a job, trying to find a young American woman. This woman survived the sinking of the Lusitania and was supposedly carrying important documents, which if they fell into the hands of the enemy, might destroy the fabric of society of Britain. The woman is also being hunted by the mysterious, super spy, Mr. Brown. The story is a race against time, with many suspects as Tommy and Tuppence must use their wits to solve the mystery and fine the woman and the document. I've seen the TV series starring Jessica Raine and David Walliams as the intrepid duo. There are differences between the book and the series but both were enjoyable, entertaining mysteries/ adventures. Agatha Christie never disappoints. (3 stars)"
"Loved it. My first Tommy and Tuppence book and I enjoyed so very much. Intrepid spies from the First World War, sort of put out to pasture at the start of the 2nd. But they manage to get an assignment with the government trying to find out who are the German Fifth columnists at a resort hotel on the coast. Interesting, well-paced story, Tommy and Tuppence are a lovely couple, the guests are all suspicious. Excellent! (4 stars)"
"When Tommy and Tuppence visit an elderly aunt in her Gothic nursing home, they think nothing of her mistrust of the doctors. But then Mrs Lockett mentions a poisoned mushroom stew, and they find themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure."
"Tommy and Tuppence Beresford have just become the proud owners of an old house in an English village. Along with the property, they have inherited some worthless bric-a-brac, including a collection of antique books. While rustling through a copy of The Black Arrow, Tuppence comes upon a series of apparently random underlinings.
However, when she writes down the letters, they spell out a very disturbing message: M a r y - J o r d a n - d i d - n o t - d i e - n a t u r a l l y. . . And sixty years after their first murder, Mary Jordan's enemies are still ready to kill..."
The collection of short stories, Partners in Crime, was published in 1929.
Well, there you go, a brief of look at the career of Agatha Christie. Always interesting and worth reading.
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