All stories — The Agatha Christie Community Forum Archive

October's Book of the Month - The Pale Horse

Tuppence — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 16:31:25 +0000

When an elderly priest is murdered, the killer searches the victim so roughly that his already ragged cassock is torn in the process. What was the killer looking for? And what had a dying woman confided to the priest on her death bed only hours earlier?

Mark Easterbrook and his sidekick Ginger Corrigan are determined to find out. Maybe the three women who run The Pale Horse public house, and who are rumoured to practice the ‘Dark Arts’, can provide some answers?

This month we delve into one of Agatha Christie’s darkest stories, The Pale Horse. The story, published in the UK in 1961, reflects a supernatural tone which is only really evident in a few of Christie’s novels. In The Pale Horse three “witches” claim to possess the power to curse people to death, but as the plot thickens it appears that all is not as it seems.

When Agatha Christie wrote this story she had in her mind a man that she had met almost fifty years earlier. The man in question was pharmacist Mr P who instructed Christie in the preparation and dispensing of drugs during the First World War. Leave your thoughts and questions about The Pale Horse here.

Agatha Christie/Arthur Conan Doyle

Luke — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 21:33:43 +0000

I have been surprised at some of Sherlock Holmes stories are similar to some of Agatha Christie. I am reading the adventures of Sherlock Holmes at the moment, and I came across 'the man with the twisted lip' which I felt was similar to 'the disappearance of Mr Davenheim.' How many of Sherlock Holmes are similar to AC stories

Nursery Rhyme Novels

Luke — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:32:18 +0000

Not sure if this has been discussed but I find it fascinating that Christie used these Nursery Rhymes and use them in her books. What is your favourite and what don't you think work so well?

How would you describe AC's tone?

Luke — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 12:23:24 +0000

Is she a cosy read? Are some of her books dark? Whats your opinion? Also is there a difference with the later books compared to her early works?

September's Book of the Month - The Murder on the Links

Tuppence — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 10:34:12 +0000

An urgent cry for help brings Poirot to France. But he arrives too late to save his client, whose brutally stabbed body now lies face downwards in a shallow grave on a golf course.

But why is the dead man wearing his son’s overcoat? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse.

This month we're reading Agatha Christie's second Poirot novel, The Murder on the Links. Find out more here.

Leave your thoughts and questions about The Murder on the Links here. Is it one of your favourite Christie mysteries?

Book of the Month - The Thirteen Problems

Tuppence — Tue, 03 May 2016 10:10:17 +0000

This May we will be re-reading the Miss Marple short story collection, The Thirteen Problems. The Thirteen Problems was first published as a collection in the UK in 1932 and later under a different title, The Tuesday Night Murders, in the US in 1933. These were some of the first Miss Marple stories that Agatha Christie wrote, and the first in the collection, The Tuesday Night Club, was Miss Marple's debut in print when it was published in The Royal Magazine in 1927.

The original dustjacket blurb of the collection reads,'Each story is a little masterpiece of detection, clever and ingenious, with just that added twist that only Agatha Christie can give.'

Which of these short stories do you like the best?
Do you think that Miss Marple's character develops throughout the collection?
When comparing these stories to later Miss Marple novels, do you think Christie's style of writing changes or stays the same?

What is this story?

Karelle — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:02:01 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm new here, so I don't really know how it works. I came here because it's been hours since I started to search for the title of one of Agatha Christie's story, and I can't, for the life of me, remember what it is. In fact, I'm searching for an episode of the TV-movies, and I'm almost sure it was with David Suchet. It's been a long time since I've watched this episode, but I really liked it. So I thought I could describe it, and if it makes sense to one of you, it'd be great.

So, I remember that the detective (I'm pretty sure it was Poirot, but maybe I'm wrong) was invited in some kind of house in the country side, in the winter (I remembered the episode as if it were Christmas, because it seems to me one of the person there got almost electrocuted with the Christmas tree, but maybe it was just winter and I'm confused). There were a lot of people in the house (like maybe 10), and each of them found in their room a number with an object or a riddle-like phrase. They finally got snowed in because of a snow storm, and the people started to get murdered one by one in the house, in the order of the number they found in their room. I have the feeling Mrs Oliver was there, or Captain Hastings, but I'm not sure. At least, someone the detective knew and/or helped him/her to crack the case was there.

So, if anyone of you knows what story I'm talking about, please, please, I'm begging you: put me out of my misery and tell me. I can't stand not knowing and if I can't find it, I just might re-listen every Tv-movies with David Suchet (which is not so bad, but very long). Thanks in advance everyone!

M or N ?

Alex123 — Sun, 29 May 2016 06:48:11 +0000

Hi
I am the fan of Agatha Christie in Taiwan. I read the novel N or M? recently, but something confuses me. The following are my questions:
Are Anthony Marston and Tony marston the same person? If your answer is yes, why Agatha Christie did not just write Anthony Marston or just write Tony marston in this story?

Ps:
Tony marston is the colleague of Tommy and tuppence’s daughter,Debra.

fortune telling in Christie

CartoFanatic — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 06:22:14 +0000

I'm looking for a book - actually I think it's short story - that I read long ago.
Early on, some children make a card reading for a male character. That's the distinguishing feature I remember. The predictions come true so far as I recall.
Does anyone know which novel/short story this is?

Favorite Novel Featuring Superintendent Battle

P_Lombard — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 14:09:52 +0000

Which is your favorite novel featuring Superintendent Battle? Why?

Least-Favourite Novels

Ellesse — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 01:43:22 +0000

I started reading Christie approximately a year ago. I've read perhaps 30 of her works, to date. I suppose I could have started a discussion focussing on "Favourite Novels", but the difference between "favourites" and "least favourites" is similar to the idea expressed in the first line of Anna Karenina: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." It is so rare that I am truly bewildered and disappointed at the end of a Christie book, that I want to bring attention to this unique experience.

My least favourite Christie book is "Passenger to Frankfurt".

It seemed that 80% of the book was taken-up in repeating the same tirade, again and again: about terrorists trying to bring-about a "new world order". The problem is not with the theme: I thoroughly enjoyed "The Big Four", which has a similar theme. The problem is that I actually had the instinct to skip complete paragraphs and even complete pages, because I knew exactly what they would contain: another long description of the horrors about to befall us, should our heroes not solve the mystery at-hand. But although my patience was stretched to breaking-point, I did NOT skip any paragraphs: I stuck with the book, hoping for a reward, in the end. When it was all over, however... I was still disappointed. "Bewildered", as I say, is a better description. I revere Christie, but really don't know what the "point" of this novel was.

Many of her novels and stories have a "solution" at the end which could be (perhaps only after you've read 30 of them, in quick succession?) described as anti-climactic: the murderer is not someone we cared about very much; they're a minor character; the many mysteries which have been niggling at us throughout the book don't come-together in one brilliant flash: but I still ENJOYED THE BOOK. This is the main reason I name "Passenger to Frankfurt" as my least-favourite of her books: it was both anti-climactic, and also incredibly laboursome to get through.

The first look reveal of the Murder on the Orient Express cast

Tuppence — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:00:23 +0000

Today, Entertainment Weekly revealed the first look images of the ensemble Murder on the Orient Express cast! Follow the link to their website to see the magazine cover which is out on Friday: http://bit.ly/2qEKOtP
Fox have also revealed their Clues Are Everywhere website which enables people to uncover content and pictures from the upcoming film. Find out more about it here: http://bit.ly/2qEB4ji

What Agatha Christie book are you reading right now?

admin — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 17:19:13 +0000

This was a really popular topic in the last forum so we thought we'd bring it back.

What AC book are you reading right now and how far are you? I'm rereading The Moving Finger. It's my favourite. I think I like it so much because I find the relationship between Jerry and his sister so believable. I've got to the bit where Joanna goes for a walk on the moors wearing the wrong kind of shoes. I love that bit!

90 years of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Tuppence — Fri, 27 May 2016 10:35:54 +0000

This month marks 90 years since The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was first published as a full novel. It was often described as the book that changed Christie's career. What do you think it is about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd that makes it still widely read 90 years after its first publication?

Trying to find the name of an Agatha Christie short story... Please help!

rocknrollrich — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 10:21:38 +0000

Hi - I've been trying to track down the name of a short story by Agatha Christie. My wife was reading it as a teenager back in the 80s but the last few pages were missing from the book and she never did get to finish it. The story revolves around a man, his girlfriend and his jealous dog who is plotting to kill the girlfriend. Does this ring any bells for anyone, and ifo so, please can you let me know what it was called and/or which compilation it was part of?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and even bigger thanks if someone comes up with the name of the story!
Thanks in advance.
Rich

Most Underrated Christie Book?

lachy.a.w — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:58:25 +0000

For me, Crooked House is often overlooked by people trying to compile a list of their best Agatha Christie books. Which novels of hers do you think do not receive the credit they deserve?

November's Book of the Month - Third Girl

Tuppence — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 11:41:26 +0000

Three young women share a London flat. The first is a coolly efficient personal secretary; the second is an artist; and the third interrupts Hercule Poirot’s breakfast of brioche and hot chocolate insisting that she is a murderer – and then promptly disappears.

Slowly, Poirot learns of the rumours surrounding the mysterious third girl, her family – and her disappearance. Yet hard evidence is needed before the great detective can pronounce her guilty, innocent or insane…

This November we’re reading Agatha Christie’s novel Third Girl which was first published in the UK 50 years ago this month. Written towards the end of Agatha Christie’s career, Third Girl is the thirtieth full length novel to feature her famous Belgian detective, and is notable for being one of Christie’s first novels in many years where Poirot is present from the very beginning to the end. Whilst Third Girl isn’t seen as one of Christie’s greatest accomplishments, the story gives readers an insight into how Agatha Christie viewed the swinging sixties.

Leave your thoughts and questions about this story below. Did you enjoy it? Or will you be reading it for the first time this month?

October 2015 Book of the Month - The Murder at the Vicarage

Tuppence — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:46:58 +0000

The Murder at the Vicarage was first published 85 years ago this October, making it the perfect fit for our October Book of the Month. It was the first full length book to feature Miss Marple. In Christie's autobiography, she reflects on the story and states that there were 'far too many characters, and too many sub-plots' and that she was not so pleased with it as she was when she wrote it.

Do you agree with Christie's own criticisms on The Murder at the Vicarage?

Leave your thoughts and theories about the book below.

WHICH BOOK WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE??

glalonzo0408 — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:28:36 +0000

Am interested to see which AC book you read is your least favorite......

BOOK OF THE MONTH MARCH 2015 - FIVE LITTLE PIGS

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 11:54:50 +0000

This month we have chosen Five Little Pigs as our Book of the Month as Agatha Christie's former holiday home, Greenway Estate, is opening its doors for the season this week.

Whether you are reading the book for the first time or re-reading, share your thoughts on it here with other readers.

The Hollow -- Question about A Particular Scene (will contain "Spoilers")

ChristieFanForLife — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 04:13:03 +0000

In Chapter 29 of the book, we find out that Gerda killed her husband John Christow:

Gerda said, "But you can't know… John wasn't-he wasn't-" She stood there, dumb and strangely pathetic. She raised her eyes suddenly to Henrietta's face. "It was all a lie --everything! All the things I thought he was! I saw his face when he followed that woman out that evening. Veronica Cray! I knew he'd cared for her, of course, years ago, before he married me, but I thought it was all over."

Henrietta said gently:

"But it was all over."

Gerda shook her head.

"No. She came there and pretended that she hadn't seen John for years but I saw John's face… He went out with her. I went up to bed. I lay there trying to read-I tried to read that detective story that John was reading. And John didn't come. And at last, I went out…"

Her eyes seemed to be turning inwards seeing the scene.

"It was moonlight. I went along the path to the swimming pool. There was a light in the pavilion. They were there --John and that woman…"

Henrietta made a faint sound.

Gerda's face had changed --it had none of its usual slightly vacant amiability. It was remorseless, implacable.

"I'd trusted John. I'd believed in him- as though he were God. I thought he was the noblest man in the world-I thought he was everything that was fine and noble… And it was all a lie! I was left with nothing-nothing at all. I-I'd worshipped John!"

Henrietta was gazing at her fascinated.

For here, before her eyes, was what she had guessed at and brought to life, carving it out of wood. Here was The Worshipper-blind devotion thrown back on itself, disillusioned-dangerous. …

Gerda said, "I couldn't bear it! I had to kill him! I had to --you do see that, Henrietta?"

But the question I have is when Gerda heads towards the pavilion and finds her husband there with Veronica Cray, what is that she sees in there that makes her decide to kill him? What is John and Veronica doing in there? In the film, the scriptwriter thought it appropriate to have John and Veronica in a "compromising, sensual" position and I don't think this is what Agatha Christie envisioned in her mind when Gerda saw them both in there.. . or did she? What do you think John Christow and Veronica Cray were doing? Agatha Christie doesn't go into any detail at all. All she says through Gerda's lips are: "It was moonlight. I went along the path to the swimming pool. There was a light in the pavilion. They were there --John and that woman." That's it. Anyways, it's a question that's been on my mind for quite some time now and I wanted to hear what you all think.

January 2015 Book of the Month: The Secret Adversary

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 09:38:44 +0000

Welcoming in the New Year with our January Book of the Month, The Secret Adversary will be the first of the Tommy and Tuppence books of the year.

If there was to be a new big screen film version of one of her books, which one?

Luke — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 18:40:52 +0000

We have seen a great many AC dramas on tv, and a few on film, but which books should have the glory of major film?

Have Television adaptions encouraged more book reading ?

MarcWatson-Gray — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:23:38 +0000

Is there any evidence around to show that the Poirot/Marple television adaptations may have encouraged more people to read the books ?

Or are there clear divisions of Book Readers/T.V.Watchers ?

I personally do both (Although book reading is my first love)and i find that having watched a television adaptation,i can't help (when reading the book version) picturing the character with the face of the T.V.character......For example...i always " see" Ariadne Oliver (In a book ) with Zoe Wanamaker's face !!!!!

Any thoughts ?

Book of the month

LukeMcLAren — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:55:10 +0000

What do you think about After the Funeral?

June's Book of the Month: After the Funeral

Tuppence — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 08:55:44 +0000

This month we are reading After the Funeral. Often described as typical Christie territory, After the Funeral focuses on a wealthy, yet complicated, family who are attending a relatives funeral and waiting for the reading of the will. How would you describe After the Funeral?

Leave your thoughts, theories, questions and queries about the story below.

While the Light Lasts

LukeMcLAren — Wed, 11 May 2016 05:37:23 +0000

I don't know if this has been mentioned here, but I haven't seen it anywhere. I think it was very good since it contained non mystery stories and very old ones too! I really think you should read it. My favourite story was The Little God which was about a couple who met beacause of their common interest in the museum. What did you think about the book?

The Sittaford Mystery

Anna Ignatenko — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 20:56:20 +0000

Hello to all fans of Agatha Christie!)
I'd like to know what do you think about my guess
I think a prototype of the Pixie's Cave in "The Sittaford Mystery" might be Kents Cavern (which one is situated nearby the Torquay, Dartmoor and Exceter)
="You're right, Miss, and there is a hiding place there, the Pixie's Cave they call it. As narrow an opening between two rocks as you could find, but it widens out inside. They say one of King Charles's men hid there once for a fortnight with a serving maid from a farm bringing him food."=
I'd like to find out something more what can be used as a proof for that hypothesis: I'd you to help me a little bit with it
Thank you in advance!))

How many Christie stories are set around Devon?

Luke — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 11:47:56 +0000

How many stories are set around Devon? I know a few of Poiort, but not allot of the others

NOVEMBER 2015 BOOK OF THE MONTH - THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD

Tuppence — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 15:09:44 +0000

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is often referred to as the book that changed Agatha Christie's career. It was her first novel published by William Collins, who remained her publishers throughout her life. This November the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) are celebrating 80 years of the Talking Book. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was one of the very first books to be adapted and recorded as a Talking Book in 1935.

Find out more about the story here.

Share your thoughts and comments about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd below.