Ask an expert — The Agatha Christie Community Forum Archive

Name of the étude Vera Claythorne plays on the piano in the 1945 version of And Then There Were None

Fresia — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:04:53 +0000

Good morning, I have tried to find this piece of information on the internet but I haven't managed so far. Could someone please tell me the name of the beautiful étude Vera plays in René Clair's ATTWN? Thank you so much in advance!

When is Sleeping Murders set?

Sleeping_murders_lie — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:17:09 +0000

I'm doing a university project on Sleeping Murders where I'm creating props based off of the novel, but I'm struggling to find an exact date for when it is set. I feel that it was around the late 1930s but I wonder if anyone knows the specific year, and as a result when the original murder happened? I might just be being totally oblivious but thought someone might be able to help. Thanks!

Two different stage versions of TOWARDS ZERO ?

mstrsims2 — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:53:07 +0000

I am reading Julius Green's excellent book: Curtain Up-AC-a life in the theatre.
So the Gerald Verner version is a different play than Agatha's adaptation? I ordered a copy from Amazon and will compare them.

Agatha Christie Year Plan?

SirHenryClithering — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 22:04:13 +0000

I was wondering if there is a year-plan to reading Agatha Christie books. I want to try to read most, if not all of her books this year.

Canonical Questions on Marple and Poirot

ArnoldRoth — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 02:35:30 +0000

Do Christie scholars mirror Conan Doyle scholars in study of the Canon of Sherlock Holmes?

If so what is the agreed general birth and death date for Poirot? What year does "Styles" take place and what year "Curtain?"

For Marple? What year does "Vicarage" take place and what year Nemesis?

T and T seem to age. They do go 50 years.

Digital books

Gian — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 13:50:07 +0000

Hello! Greetings from a new member here, I wanted to inform all friends and group members that the title (digital only) is available on iTunes store and all other online stores: And * Then There Were None or Ten Little Indians. Price € 1.20

iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1454533901

https://app.publish.streetlib.com/Admin/Articoli/Edit/364682

ISBN 9788832527575 for other online stores.

* Murder on the Orient Express Price € 1.20

https://app.publish.streetlib.com/Admin/Articoli/Edit/364269

ISBN 9788832525649 for other online stores

Bantam Books Agatha Christie Collection

AlexBarry — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 15:44:05 +0000

Hello! Greetings from a new member here, looking forward to future interaction with a world-wide group of fellow aficionados. To begin, I'd like to ask a question. Some time ago I came across a large collection of the well-known Bantam imprint (black leatherette hard covers, issued to member subscriptions). Over the years I have been fortunate to acquire additional volumes here and there and have added to the original trove until I now have a total of 74 volumes. I have them proudly displayed on the top two shelves of my best bookcase, in their order of publication. Now and then I select the next unread volume in chronological order and begin a new adventure. What I seek to find out is if anyone knows the absolute, definitive, comprehensive and indisputable number of volumes published by Bantam for their collection, and what titles are represented. I have researched this matter myself, and have referred to one such list, purported to be accurate, but found that I have on my shelves no fewer than 5 titles not even included on said list (Star Over Bethlehem, Akhnaton, Three Blind Mice, Cards on the Table, and The Harlequin Teaset). On the other hand, I find many other titles named in Miss Christie's publication history (such as The Hound of Death, The Listerdale Mystery, et al) that do not seem to appear in the catalog of Bantam publications.

Thus I find myself rather confused. Of course, I wish to add to my collection until I have every volume published in the Bantam series, but I seem to need the help of an expert. If anyone in the forum here can provide me with a really, really, REALLY exhaustive and complete listing of the Bantam editions, please do let me know. Thanks SO much!

Who's interested in sharing an Agatha's Poirot private taxi tour in London with me?

NgKKhStudio — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 10:09:23 +0000

Hi everyone,

I am visiting London this week, and found this tour (https://britmovietours.com/bookings/poirot-tour-london-locations/) which takes up to 4 people on a cab ride around town, visiting locations that appeared in the TV series. I am traveling alone and wonder if anyone is in town this week and is interested in sharing this ride with me. If you're interested, kindly drop me an email at ngkkh@me.com

Thank you!

12 Radio Mysteries, BBC Radio 4 Dramatisations

FebruaryFilly — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 04:45:33 +0000

New to the forums. I read many Christie novels in my pre teen years after exhausting the library's Nancy Drew collection. Fast forward a quarter century and my library has recently acquired the majority of her works in audio format so I've undertaken the collection as my year's 'reading' goal. In trying to weed out what the library doesn't own I stumbled upon Magnolia Blossom which led me to the 12 Radio Mysteries Audiobook (Magnolia is only available via Golden Ball or this audio collection in the US if I understand correctly). I recognize all of the Radio Mystery titles except 'The Case of the Perfect Carer' and 'The £199 Adventure.' Does anyone know if these are published under other titles or can direct me to a similar conversation thread? I'd appreciate it before making the purchase knowing if these are exclusive titles or can be found elsewhere.

Maps / Floor Plan in Agatha Cristie's Novels

Bieha — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:19:15 +0000

Hi guys, I just having in love with Agatha Cristie's novel and tv shows (just watched The Mysterious Affair at Styles). I just know that there's a map or floor plan in the novels but I'm not sure which books bcs I'm still new to this. Do you guys know which books have maps or floor plan of crime scene or there's always have maps in each books? Really really want to buy the novels with that. Thank you

Which Agatha Christie novel is this?

BabyJane — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:56:16 +0000

I am German, but I have read many of Agatha Christie's novels in English too.

In the back of my mind is a novel that I must have read several years ago and which I would love to read again, but I can't remember which one it was.

what I remember:
it was set in the English countryside
I think it had Poirot in it, but not sure
the suspects were all living in some sort of chalets or cottages, not in a typical village
one of the suspects was on old millionaire, or major, he had a foreign servant (Indian, African?) and the detective commented how hot it was inside the cottage, which was probably because the servant wasn't used to the cold English climate

I know this is very vague, maybe it sounds familiar to someone.

Thank you very much for your help.

Is Agatha Christie the best author?

hxrrietdocksey — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:20:52 +0000

Hello there, I am doing a speech about Agatha Christie, as her novels are some of my absolute favourites. I was just searching for some other opinions on the matter, as several other viewpoints would improve the quality of the speech. Is Agatha the best author? If so, what is your favourite novel and why? Additionally, who do you prefer:- Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple? Personally, I find Poirot's plots more engaging and fun, however I can name many Marple classics also.

Let me know your opinions,
H xx

Murder on the orient express between the movie and the original story

DrMohsen — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 02:59:22 +0000

I saw the movie and I hated that Poriot not like what Agatha describe
and I saw the tv series and I found that David was very nervous in this episode
also there a lot of different between both the movie and the tv episode and the The original story

Is any one agree or disagree with me?

Foods in Evil Under the Sun

skeebo — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:35:13 +0000

Can anyone tell me what dessert Hercule Poirot was eating with the last fingers and strawberries in Evil Under the Sun?

A book about Agatha Christie's books?

frances — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 11:08:39 +0000

Hello, Could someone help me find a book for my partner's birthday.
It's a book actually about Agatha Christie's books and has pictures of the book covers on the front of it. My partner said they saw it on Amazon but I can't find it. I really want to get it for their birthday as a surprise!

Many thanks

Versions of Christie Books

cwhissell — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:06:11 +0000

I am looking to do an in-depth study of the language of Christie's novels, beginning with the Poirot novels. I study language, style, and emotion in plot.

I have two questions:

1. Do newer editions of the novels include new text? Did Christie's novels change with re-publication? Or can I rely on newer versions being substantially the same as original ones?

2. Does anyone know a good (and legitimate) source of the novels online that can be downloaded and studied?

Joyce/Joan

SirHenryClithering — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 23:40:25 +0000

Is Joyce Lempiere (from The Thirteen Problems) the same person as Joan? I think so, but want to clarify.

Question in The ABC Murders, 2018 BBC

einmong — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 08:57:24 +0000

'Hercule Poirot June 1921 'above it
Let me know what Poirot wrote on the menu plate.

Grammar as a clue in an Agatha Christie mystery

mirelw18 — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:27:21 +0000

Was there ever a case where it was solved by analyzing the criminal's note and realizing that the grammar usage meant that the individual was of a certain background or education?

The Agatha Christie mystery collection

wareagle0509 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 20:02:30 +0000

I have a collection of 77 books published by bantam that in wanting to sell and have know clue what they are worth..they are in like new condition.

Looking for specific UK covers of Hercule Poirot

B00Kwyrm — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 17:41:13 +0000

Hoping someone here can help me with this.

I recently ordered the Hercule Poirot boxed sets that are available on the UK market (see here for an example -- there are 3 sets with a total of 19 books). I am now seeking the editions with matching covers to complete the rest of the Hercule Poirot collection, but they are proving to be incredibly difficult to pin down, despite having been published between 2015-2017. I ordered the remaining 19 titles I needed from a big UK book retailer online, thinking I would get the covers I wanted because those were the images included with the item listings. Of the 19 items I received, only 7 were the covers I actually wanted, so I'm still searching for the remaining 12 I need. (The customer service reps for that company have told me they have no way of guaranteeing the cover I will receive, as apparently the same ISBN has been used for multiple covers of the books. According to them, if they send me the correct ISBN, it doesn't matter in their eyes what cover it has -- they've sent me the "correct" item.) Other book dealers I've contacted on eBay, abebooks, etc. tell me the same thing -- they keep big warehouses of inventory and aren't willing to verify that the item is actually the one I want before shipping it to me.

Does anyone have any ideas for how I can get the covers I'm looking for? I'm so frustrated and dismayed by this. It shouldn't be this hard to get specific editions of books that were published within the last couple of years.

(P.S. I'm in the US and these editions are only available on the UK market, so I can't just go into a bookstore and look for the covers I want myself, unfortunately.)

Essay on Miss Marple

arby — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 19:39:55 +0000

I have written an essay on Miss Marple, comparing her life in St. Mary Mead with my life growing up in Brooklyn Heights in the 1950s. Who/what do you think would be interested in this?

Unable to recall title

ibrahim52 — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 18:58:06 +0000

Hi,

I posted this on goodreads too but didn't get any response. My friend recommended one of AC best novel which he read long time ago, he said the character was a gangster trying to seduce a woman but when he is rejected then this man secretly kidnaps the daughter and eventually she ask for his help to find her daughter not knowing that he is the mastermind behind.

All that sound intrigue and I couldn't wait to look for it all over the internet with similar keywords but unfortunately haven't come across any titles which rings the bell. Hope somebody is able to provide an expert advise. Thank you.

Images

Hall — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 17:01:02 +0000

I am creating a magazine for the Burgh Island Hotel, how could I get some images of Agatha please?

First edition cover books

ajay_laxman — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:36:48 +0000

I am from Tamil Nadu, India, and I want all Agatha Christie Poirot Books with first edition cover(paperback). I can only find hardcover books. Where do I get it?

Mozart Piece in Body In The Library

Tommy_A_Jones — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 16:29:41 +0000

At The End of the Joan Hickson version of Body In The Library a Piece of Music is mentioned, what is it and is it mentioned in the Book or just the Adaptation? I want to Request it on R3.

Surnames Reused Throughout

NuclearMe — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 14:19:23 +0000

Owing to the fact that Agatha Christie was a bona fide genius at writing mysteries, and with the extensive list of surnames available to her in the Metropolitan telephone directory, alone, why did she continually reuse surnames throughout her various stories? Although examples are too numerous to mention one is the last name of Folliott/Folliat ("Murder of Roger Ackroyd" and "Dead Man's Folly." In reusing surnames was the author trying to invoke memories of past stories in her audience?

Murder on the Orient Express

azil — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 14:15:52 +0000

Please could someone tell me departing station (Istanbul?) and the final station. This is in the book.
Thanks in advance

One two buckle my shoe

kmathews15 — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:42:37 +0000

is anyone aware of “One, Two Buckle My Shoe”.
being included in the blue leatherette Bantam series?

By The Pricking of My Thumbs Question Spoilers

CrookedQuin — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 23:55:20 +0000

The murderer, Mrs. LANCASTER I was wondering if there is any explanation that she appears in so many Christie novels? She was in Sleeping Murder, Pricking of My Thumbs (where she had a prominent role and was not a cameo), and the Pale Horse. Why did Christie incorporate her into so many novels? Is there an explanation? As well, is the short story The Lamp is it the same character? Was it a kind of backstory for this killer? I always found her strange, as she was always sitting down in either a mental institution or a nursing home talking about poisoned milk.