Erika’s Comments (group member since Nov 26, 2019)

Erika’s comments from the #ClassicsCommunity 2021 Reading Challenge group.

@Shannon I agree that Emily could probably give Miss Marple a run for her money! I love how Christie makes her characters full of personality, and so determined.

1. Honestly, I am a bit torn about wanting to live at Sittaford or Exhampton. On the one hand, from Christie's description of the country side it seems like a gorgeous, picturesque place to live. I was really enjoying imagining what it would look like around Christmas with tons of snow. On the other, nosey village people would quickly get on my nerves!
2. When Emily showed up before Jim gets arrested I was intrigued. While reading her first appearance in the chapter I thought it would be interesting if she worked with the police, as she seemed like a clever character. I was pleasantly surprised that she goes off on her own to investigate. She is quick, funny, and determined, so I love her! It would have been very cool had she been a recurring character in other books occasionally.
3. I did think it odd that the Willetts had randomly chosen Sittaford to rent. I also found it odd how Trevelyan simply moved over to the village to accommodate them. Obviously there was an exchange of money, but I thought that a man like him would have felt extremely inconvenienced by doing so.
And the chapter where the inspector interviewed the Willetts only proved that there is some other motive for renting out Sittaford.
4. I have absolutely no idea at this point. The only thing I think is that it must have been orchestrated by someone who was present at the table turning.

I am really enjoying this one so far. The chapters fly by, and I enjoy reading about almost all of the characters (Emily is obviously great, and I actually really like the inspector).

I vote for....Sparkling Cyanide.

I believe I'll also be able to finish those chapters by next Saturday (my copy finally came in the mail this week). As for a suggestion for the next pick... perhaps Murder at the Vicarage? I haven't read Marple in a long time.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans and Sparkling Cyanide are also really great suggestions!

I will be as well. Just waiting for my copy to come in the mail ☺️

Sorry, I'm a day late, yesterday was very busy!
1. My edition did not have the original chapter 12, but I wish it had. What are the major differences?
2. The possibility of Cynthia being drugged did actually cross my mind, but I wasn't absolutely certain. @Nada I also started to think that she might have been faking at one point.
3. Mr. Inglethorp is definitely this book's red herring! The whole time I was thinking that because Poirot was leading away from him that he had to be innocent (at least, innocent of the murder. Like I said last week, I still suspected that there was something else going on with him.). I was also not expecting him and Miss Howard to be in on it together at all.
4. No! I was completely surprised. Which happens a lot while reading her books. I also need to work on my sleuthing skills, they are obviously subpar lol.
Overall I really liked this book. It's a little shorter in length, and I think that makes it a great introduction to Poirot and his mysteries. And I'm so glad I found others to read along with. Looking forward to the Sittaford Mystery!

@Nada I have had the urge to binge read it and simply finish it as well, so now I don't feel as bad for that thought haha. Super excited to get to the end and discuss too!!

@Shannon that's a really interesting point. And if that were the case I'd definitely suspect John Cavendish (or maybe Mary or his brother...?) as I'd assume the money would then go to him, per the last will before the stepmother's marriage. @Nada yeah I don't understand why that fascination with Mary is commented on or part of the story, honestly. My thought process is, "that's your friend's wife....?????" haha. Plus she seems to be hiding something.

1. This isn't my first Christie novel, I've actually read many (including Poirot, Marple, Tommy and Tuppence, etc). Surprisingly I never got to Affair at Styles, which I find funny as it's Poirot's debut!
2. #4 also stuck out to me, but I have a feeling each point will turn out to be equally important. I think Christie has a way of making even the smallest details tie in nicely to the mystery.
3. I agree with Nada: I think Poirot is correct in assuming he's innocent, but there's something off here. This feeling intensified for me during the inquest (he can't remember? He thinks he was out walking? etc)
4. Not at this point. There's a lot of suspicious behavior and reactions, but from quite a few people, so I haven't narrowed it down yet.

I'm voting for "The Sittaford Mystery" as the next read

Oh, how annoying! Glad you were able to sort it out and restart your account, though. I've got my copy of the book all ready to go on my nightstand haha ☺️. So excited to start it (whenever everyone is ready as well)!

Starting at a later date is totally fine with me as well

Hi Sue ☺️, welcome!

I think the discussions in between certain chapters is a very good idea, rather than reading the whole book and then starting a discussion. But I'm flexible if others prefer to do the latter.

Gidget's wrote: "I'm good with that. Should we start January 6th? Does that work for anyone who wants to read it??"

The 6th is good for me :)

I would love to join in on an Agatha Christie buddy read, if there's room. She's one of my favorite authors, and I've read most of her work (and always enjoy a reread). I think The Mysterious Affair at Styles is one that I have not gotten to, though, so that would be a great buddy read!

@Brenda and @Lindy, does starting The Trumpet Major in February or March work? If not, I'm not opposed to starting it now for this month's read.

Brenda wrote: "Anyone up for Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, The Trumpet Major by Hardy or The Prime Minister by Trollope?"

I'm interested in reading The Trumpet Major!

Love both the buddy read and personal challenge page ideas

Hi everyone, my name is Erika, I am 26, and I'm from the U.S. Although I used to read many classics when I was younger (I really loved books such as Animal Farm, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne of Green Gables, The Hound of the Baskervilles, etc), I have not had the opportunity to read any in recent years (apart from rereading Animal Farm last year, as it's one of my absolute favorites). I thought that taking part in this challenge would be perfect for me, and I'm very excited. It's the first online book challenge/group I've ever joined, so I'm hoping it goes well!