Day 8 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

Football Sunday and I'm waiting to see how Brighton does against Wolves.. Go Brighton!!! And of course, being a person who believes in jinxes, I've now affected the result of the game.... 😓 In the interim, Jo and I are having our toast and tea / coffee and watching old episodes of Mannix. Lovely Gail Fisher..

Anyway now it's time for my daily music / book countdown.

Book 18

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie - The Clocks

It's only in the last few years that I've really begun to explore this great author. In my younger years, I remember reading a few and then getting frustrated with the endings. But I'm so glad to have started reading her stories. My review of The Clocks is below.

"I am so glad that I started exploring Agatha Christie a few years ago. She is such a great writer. The Clocks is #37 in her Hercule Poirot series. I enjoyed this mystery very much.

Poirot basically plays a very small role in this particular story. The story focuses on Colin Lamb, a British spy, and son of a friend of Poirot (indications are it might be Superintendent Battle) and Detective Inspector Hardcastle, Lamb's friend and the main investigator. Poirot is invited to assist by Lamb, as he feels Poirot is bored with his life. Poirot for the most part provides questions and information but from the comfort of his apartment.

Sheila Webb works for a typing agency and she is sent (after being asked for by name) to provide typing services for Miss Pebmarsh, a blind woman. What she finds when she arrives at Miss Pebmarsh's house instead is the dead body of a man. Miss Pebmarsh arrives shortly after and Sheila runs from the home screaming, crashing into Colin Lamb, who is wandering up and down the street looking for a specific house. This brings along DI Hardcastle.

It turns out that the body is unidentifiable and that Miss Pebmarsh didn't ask for secretarial assistance. Lamb and Hardcastle investigate. Lamb also is looking for an enemy spy and his investigation might cross into the murder investigation. Lamb continues to provide information to Poirot and also travels to the continent as part of his spy investigation. There are many interesting aspects to the investigation, especially the 4 additional clocks that sit on the mantle-piece in Miss Pebmarsh's house.

It's a nice, light, interesting mystery. The characters are all well created, especially Lamb and Hardcastle and the possible suspects are all entertaining. For some reason, I found this story particularly clear and logically formatted. It moves along smoothly step by step to the end, when Monsieur Poirot comes in to provide the links for the solution. I also enjoyed the portion where Poirot, who has taken up reading mysteries to ease his boredom, provides an analysis of various other mysteries, especially some that I've read. One of the most enjoyable I've read so far. (4.5 stars)"

Song 18

Desireless

Voyage Voyage by Desireless

Desireless was a French musician, Claudia Fritsch-Mentrop. Voyage Voyage was the first single off her debut album in 1986. Even though the song was sung in French, it was a hit in many countries across Europe. It's a great song.

Have a great Sunday!