Agatha Christie is more than the most popular mystery writer of all time. In a career that spans over half a century, her name is synonymous with b...
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Mar 15, 2010
Yngvild
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There is something very appealing about murder mysteries set in remote English villages under heavy snow. It is more than the Christmas card prettiness and the excuse for roaring fires. There is an expectation that something interesting will happen, like the murder of a rich old Scrooge.
The Sittaford Mystery is an absolute Agatha Christie classic. It has an interesting mix of characters, young and old, plenty of red herrings, and a clever riddle at its heart. The surprising item here More...
The Sittaford Mystery is an absolute Agatha Christie classic. It has an interesting mix of characters, young and old, plenty of red herrings, and a clever riddle at its heart. The surprising item here More...
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Jan 11, 2010
Laurel
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Just for maximum confusion, many of Christie's novels have different titles in the British vs. American editions. What I actually read was entitled Murder at Hazelmoor, but it is aka The Sittaford Mystery. Whatever one calls it, this novel typifies why Dame Agatha is the Mystery Goddess to me. I love many of her contemporaries--Sayers, Marsh, Tay, Wentworth, and esp. Rinehart--but it is rare for them to stump me. I've just been at this game too long; I usually have the solution figured out by th
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Oct 21, 2009
Laurie
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It's easy to kill if no one suspects you, and in the situation Luke Fitzwilliam has wandered into, that seems to be the case. A series of deaths has mostly gone unnoticed-- unfortunate accidents, they seemed, ut not to everyone. Lavinia Fullerton has suspicions and premonitions, but she is run down on her way to alert the authorities. After hearing Lavinia's story retired police office Luke Fitzwilliam decides to do a bit of investigating of his own. He finds a small town with a variety of eccen
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Aug 21, 2010
Mmyoung
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The Sittaford Mystery, like The Murder at the Vicarage seems to reflect Christie looking for, if a not a new pattern for writing her books, at least the introduction of a new variation within the mix. Once again, as in several earlier books, the most proactive of the characters is a young woman although the point of view is not hers. The mystery itself is less ornately planned than many of the earlier Christies and is a rare example of a believeable “aha” moment of detection. All the information
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Mar 09, 2011
Philip
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First read in 1976 under its US title, MURDER AT HAZELMOOR. I've a pretty good idea that I remember 'whodunnit,' though not the why or the how of it. I'm reading the 2010 HarperCollins UK 'Facsimile Edition' of the original 1931 Collins Crime Club edition.
3/09/11: I did indeed "remember 'whodunnit,' though not the why or the how of it." This early Christie has nice atmosphere (Sherlock Holmes readers will be quick to notice the influence of HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, as More...
3/09/11: I did indeed "remember 'whodunnit,' though not the why or the how of it." This early Christie has nice atmosphere (Sherlock Holmes readers will be quick to notice the influence of HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, as More...
Jan 18, 2012
Bookworm *aka Cobra*
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Book Description:
A blizzard has hit England. In the tiny village of Sittaford, on the fringes of Dartmoor, a party of six is gathered in Sittaford House, home of Captain Trevelyan. He has rented the house out for the winter and is staying in a nearby village. As evening draws in, a séance is proposed. But it reveals more than they had anticipated - TREVELYAN DEAD, spells out the board. Slowly the table begins to rock again, spelling out the word M-U-R-D-E-R. Is it true? And who would kill More...
A blizzard has hit England. In the tiny village of Sittaford, on the fringes of Dartmoor, a party of six is gathered in Sittaford House, home of Captain Trevelyan. He has rented the house out for the winter and is staying in a nearby village. As evening draws in, a séance is proposed. But it reveals more than they had anticipated - TREVELYAN DEAD, spells out the board. Slowly the table begins to rock again, spelling out the word M-U-R-D-E-R. Is it true? And who would kill More...
May 29, 2010
Surreysmum
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[These notes were made in 1982:]. An Agatha Christie I didn't devour in my teens - amazing! One of the reasons is probably that this one doesn't star the inimitable Poirot. Still, it is a pleasant enough little yarn, tho' I regret to say I had the murderer pegged right from the start. The method he used, tho', hadn't occurred to me. After the Sayers stories, I find Agatha Christie rather bleak and plastic. Not that the Sayers characters aren't often caricatures, but they do sometimes have a
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Oct 23, 2011
Faa
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I like the fact that readers need to guess who murdered Capt. Trevelyan. I made the right guess when I first read the book, I thought of the possibility of 'that person' murdered him. It just that, like Emily Trefusis, I cannot find any reason as to why 'that person' murdered Capt. Trevelyan. No reason at all!
As I read further however, I've changed my suspicious persons list and struck out 'that person' name entirely. How unsuccessful I was as a detective!
Still, AC manage More...
As I read further however, I've changed my suspicious persons list and struck out 'that person' name entirely. How unsuccessful I was as a detective!
Still, AC manage More...
Jun 24, 2011
Nilo
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Il giallo è Agatha Christie, tutto il resto viene dopo. Lo ha praticamente inventato lei il romanzo giallo, il thriller poliziesco. Da accanito lettore onnivoro, il giallo fa parte ovviamente di quel tipo di lettura che adoro. Tuttavia mi ero accorto che Agatha Christie era "non pervenuta" nella mia lista di autori prediletti. Che strano, mi sono detto, ed allora ecco la mia prima lettura del Giallo alla Christie.
Che dire del libro. Scritto bene, semplice nella stesura e nella str More...
Che dire del libro. Scritto bene, semplice nella stesura e nella str More...
Jan 14, 2012
Ali
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I usually like the Poirot and Marple books the best, but this one with neither of the great Christie detectives on duty - is a marvelous read. I was happily curled up under a blanket most of the afternoon with this one.
In The Sittaford Mystery we have the ingredients of a truly atmospheric old whodunit. A fabulous setting - a wintry Dartmoor just before Christmas. Mysterious characters who are obviously not telling the whole truth, an escaped convict from Princetown, a feisty young woman f More...
In The Sittaford Mystery we have the ingredients of a truly atmospheric old whodunit. A fabulous setting - a wintry Dartmoor just before Christmas. Mysterious characters who are obviously not telling the whole truth, an escaped convict from Princetown, a feisty young woman f More...
Jan 30, 2011
Bookworm1858
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The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
Bantam Books, 1931
201 pages
Mystery; Cozy
3.5/5 stars
British Books; Cozy Mysteries
Source: Library
Summary: After a seance that predicts the death of Colonel Trevelyan, Major Burnaby journeys to his friend's house only to discover him dead. His nephew John Pearson is soon arrested as the most likely suspect but his fiancee Emily Trefusis is determined to solve the mystery and prove him innocent.
Thoughts: More...
Bantam Books, 1931
201 pages
Mystery; Cozy
3.5/5 stars
British Books; Cozy Mysteries
Source: Library
Summary: After a seance that predicts the death of Colonel Trevelyan, Major Burnaby journeys to his friend's house only to discover him dead. His nephew John Pearson is soon arrested as the most likely suspect but his fiancee Emily Trefusis is determined to solve the mystery and prove him innocent.
Thoughts: More...
Oct 31, 2011
Rusty
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A most enjoyable read. When Miss Emily Trefusius finds her fiance arrested for the murder of his uncle, Captain Trevelyan, a very rich man, she decides to investigate herself. Joining forces with Inspector Narracott and a determined journalist named Charles the group follows the clues to uncover the murderer. Did James Pearson, her fiance, really commit the murder or was it another member of the family - his brother, Brian, his sister, or an aunt? As the trail leads from one to another perso
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Jul 12, 2009
Lori
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This mystery from the great Christie is full of so much detail, I don't know where to begin. First, there's Miss Emily Fortescu, the "sleuth" of the story. She's the fiancee of Jim Pearson, who has been inprisoned for killing his rich uncle, a crime he did not commit. It's up to her to find out who really did kill the old man. She gets help from a news reporter, Charles, who falls for her, but is supposed to be her cousin. Of course, Emily uses her charm and his affections to her
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Oct 28, 2008
Kirsti
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A snowstorm, a seance, a murder. Jolly fun!
Also published under the title Murder at Hazelmoor.
Also published under the title Murder at Hazelmoor.
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Jun 15, 2011
Elisha
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Is there anything better than Agatha Christie for summer reading? No. No there is not.
And the thing that's amazing about Agatha Christie novels - and this will sound so contrived - but it's seriously the last person you'd suspect. It gets me everytime! And I love that. I'll even try to suspect who I think is an innocent, and I still get it wrong.
I liked this story because it had a plucky heroine who was doing most of the deducing. And the inscription in the front More...
And the thing that's amazing about Agatha Christie novels - and this will sound so contrived - but it's seriously the last person you'd suspect. It gets me everytime! And I love that. I'll even try to suspect who I think is an innocent, and I still get it wrong.
I liked this story because it had a plucky heroine who was doing most of the deducing. And the inscription in the front More...
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Oct 09, 2011
Peter
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"Agatha Christie evokes the occult in this 1931 mystery. At Sittaford House on the edge of the atmospheric moors, a party held during blizzard passes time with table turning. It's all fun and games until they receive a message from beyond that Trevalyn is dead. Everyone is discomfitted, and Maj. Burnaby tramps off 6 miles through the storm to check up on his best friend, just to be sure. When he arrives, he finds evidence of a break in and old miserly Trevalyn dead. Since it couldn't be
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Dec 30, 2010
Ryan
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This was what I needed to get out of my reading slump, a well written Agatha Christie mystery. She never totally disappoints and I'm mentally better off after I read one of her novels, even if I wouldn't put it on my favorites list. Thankfully this one is in the running for my top 10 list of her books.
The book starts off with a party held in a stately manor in the middle of nowhere. There is several feet of snow covering the ground and more is one it's way. The strange mixture of More...
The book starts off with a party held in a stately manor in the middle of nowhere. There is several feet of snow covering the ground and more is one it's way. The strange mixture of More...
Oct 24, 2009
Elizabeth
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Another find at the used book store, this one featuring a fab 1950s cover. It was one of those mysteries that you read and then immediately forget all the details. I am sure you will be surprised to learn that someone is murdered in a small English village, and then there are a bunch of suspects who are all hiding something.
Grade: B-
Recommended: Absolutely fine to pick up if you come across it while visiting an English country home while on vacation.
Grade: B-
Recommended: Absolutely fine to pick up if you come across it while visiting an English country home while on vacation.
Oct 07, 2011
Carolyn F.
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The audiobook is like a radio dramatization with different actors and sound effects included. It's different, but I'm enjoying it so far.
I was halfway through the audiobook before I realized that I had read this a long time ago. The killer was a surprise to me at this time and I think will be a surprise to almost everyone. I didn't care for the reasons Emily stayed with John, because he's hopeless without her. What kind of reason is that?
I was halfway through the audiobook before I realized that I had read this a long time ago. The killer was a surprise to me at this time and I think will be a surprise to almost everyone. I didn't care for the reasons Emily stayed with John, because he's hopeless without her. What kind of reason is that?
Apr 05, 2011
robyn
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Christie is so good at stock characters, and comfortable dialogue, and little tricks of misdirection. She succeeds with the misdirection, easily, and some of the dialogue is a lot of fun. I think I just don't care for the sleuths; I enjoy Hercule Poirot, and Miss Marple is easily one of my favorite sleuths, but the managing Emily, the insinuating reporter... not so much.
A capably managed mystery, but not the most fun to read.
A capably managed mystery, but not the most fun to read.
Nov 18, 2011
Stven
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Even without one of her star players on the stage, Agatha Christie develops an intriguing bunch of characters and delivers a fine story in her usual sprightly, amusing, and utterly English style. American editions are more likely to bear the title Murder at Hazelmoor -- just so we'll get the "moor" bit and know to imagine ourselves in England right away, I think.
Dec 16, 2011
Nemesis
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Una notte d’inverno, un paese isolato dalla neve, in mezzo alla brughiera.
A Sittaford House la signora Willett, una benestante signora sta, come sempre, tenendo salotto.
Per passare un po’ il tempo, gli ospiti decidono di inscenare una seduta spiritica, ma quello che doveva essere un innocente scherzo si trasforma ben presto in un incubo: gli spiriti evocati annunciano la morte del capitano Trevelany, il legittimo proprietario di Sittaford House, assassinato proprio in quell’istante. More...
A Sittaford House la signora Willett, una benestante signora sta, come sempre, tenendo salotto.
Per passare un po’ il tempo, gli ospiti decidono di inscenare una seduta spiritica, ma quello che doveva essere un innocente scherzo si trasforma ben presto in un incubo: gli spiriti evocati annunciano la morte del capitano Trevelany, il legittimo proprietario di Sittaford House, assassinato proprio in quell’istante. More...
Mar 19, 2011
Dolly
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I'm gradually working my way through Agatha Christie's vast bibliography. I have loved reading her books ever since I was a teenager and she will always remain the epitome of the mystery writer to me. This was a fascinating tale and I enjoyed the fact that she broke free from her most famous characters and introduced us to both Miss Emily Trefusis and Inspector Narracott. Miss Trefusis was especially entertaining as a character and I would have liked to read another book starring her or the I
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May 23, 2010
Lushbug
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Really enjoying this so far. As soon as i started readng it i was transported into agathas 1920s world. Couldnt put it down this morning and as its a very easy read im already half way through it.
Finished it today. Really enjoyed it. There were a lot fo characters and as people dont get referred to by their first names it could get confusing but apart from that very good.
Felt the ending was a little rushed and I wold have liked to understand why he did it more fully.
Finished it today. Really enjoyed it. There were a lot fo characters and as people dont get referred to by their first names it could get confusing but apart from that very good.
Felt the ending was a little rushed and I wold have liked to understand why he did it more fully.
Mar 14, 2010
Gail
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An engaging and intriguing story about a mysterious seance, the announcement of a death via Ouija board, and how it all pans out. The ususal cozy with limited suspects and an odd twist in the end, with plenty of lonely, wintry English downs atmosphere. The single drawback is that the motive for the murder is a bit weak.
Apr 30, 2011
Nancy
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The Murder at Hazelmoor, first published in 1931, has everything I expect in in Agatha Christie mystery. I like remote rural settings peopled with characters drawn to represent a certain class. Of course, which ones are who the claim to be? Is the apparent time-line correct? Plenty of red herrings. Just the tonic for my cold...
Aug 03, 2011
Distressed
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Are you afraid of ghosts? Well, you should be, if they started showing you were to find a dead body -.- This book had a nice atmosphere, nice plot that never got you bored and the classic ''reveal of the killer'' was also smart, a technique that Agatha Christie knows how to use better than anyone ;)
Jun 15, 2009
Hannah
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The character relationships are rather more complex than in some of Christie's other novels, and the overall tone is fairly dark and morbid. Certainly pulls you in, however; even though I wouldn't rate this as one of Christie's bests by far, you still won't put it down until you've finished.
Nov 26, 2007
Mary
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Agatha Christie books are like delicious little snacks. Most of them aren't particularly long, they're incredibly easy to read, and they always leave you feeling satisfied. I think that might be why I love her writing so much. The stories are just convoluted enough that you're surprised by the ending, but not enough that it's completely unbelievable.
I get the feeling that I read this story in a short story format, because a lot of the plot seemed very familiar. It's a testament t More...
I get the feeling that I read this story in a short story format, because a lot of the plot seemed very familiar. It's a testament t More...
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Jan 14, 2012
Mellen
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A quick fun read. Inspector Narracott and Emily Trefusis investigate a murder in a remote English village (is there any other kind?). Emily is the fiance of the suspected murderer, but is determined to prove him innocent with the help of a few new friends.
2012 #12
2012 #12
