Mark Pghfan’s Comments (group member since Mar 06, 2014)

Mark Pghfan’s comments from the The Parlor PI's group.

The Misses Tripp are a wonderful addition to the story! Spiritualism pops up in a number of Christies, as I think it was quite a fad in England for a good length of time.

Somehow, Charles and Theresa aren't quite what I pictured from the book, in the TV version. Though it is quite enjoyable!

NicoleG: Please stay safe at work. And thank you!

Fortunately, Poirot acts on Bob's behalf!

I remember the book very well, but not exactly what comes in each section of the discussion. Do we meet the Tripp sisters yet?

I, too, have watched the TV version more times than I could count, and though there are many differences, it is basically a true adaptation. The book is wonderful as well, and I've read it more recently than you!!

The ménage in the house reminds me very much of A Murder is Announced: Sharp older single woman running the house, mousey companion, male and female younger relative in the picture. But Bob makes it special!! Poor boy getting blamed for his master's "accident"!

Sounds fine to me!

Many, many things closed and/or cancelled here in Pittsburgh. I am probably of the "age to be concerned", but I am doing what is recommended to stay safe. We'll just have to wait and see how this works out.

There is a start to the possibility of on-line classes. We'll see where that goes!

Very disappointing news about my two classes. ALL of the classes in this group were cancelled effective immediately last night, due to the belief that the university where they are held is ripe for a corona virus siege. Rats--I've spend hours planning and preparing. Oh, well, the Golden Age Mystery class is scheduled for a repeat beginning the end of June. Hopefully, corona will be gone by then.

Nicole: No required reading for the class. There really isn't enough time between sessions to read a novel. On the other hand, throughout the class, I make recommendations of books to start with, if they aren't familiar with Christie.

For my Golden Age Mystery class, I go over lots of other authors and make recommendations, including anthologies of short stories so they can get a taste of a number of different authors.

If it is a Christie, I will join in, since I've already read them all. By the way, both the Christie and the Golden Age Mystery classes I'm teaching started out really well!

I'll join in for the discussion as I've read this multiple times! (Still working on other reading for my class!)

Thanks for allowing me an opt-out for the month! I had my first Christie class yesterday and it went VERY well! My golden age mystery writers class starts Thursday, and I'll keep you posted on that. Busy, busy time.

Nicole: I do that too! Especially with the Hinch business.

Actually, you are giving us a wonderful summary of where we are! I love this book for many reasons, but a lot has to do with this latter section where all the clues are given and we are challenged to solve the problem. Very few of us do!

I think I will need to sit out March--I am doing my Golden Age Mystery class and I have a lot of reading to do in advance of it. Just finished a Perry Mason and currently an Ellery Queen. Then John Dickson Carr. (I've caught up on the Brits and am now doing the Americans)

The cake will be very dense with no flour and only ground almonds. And very rich as well!

It is a dense chocolate cake, with raisins. And a chocolate glaze on top.

On some Facebook page or other there was once a recipe for Delicious Death. I'll see if I can find it. (I've never made it and wondered about the raisins as well. It must be a central European thing, I guess.)

I guess she knew that people would be coming by regardless, and that there was nothing at that point she could do to stop them. Best be prepared, just in case.

I have to say I liked Mitzi the best. Wild and out of place in the village, self-important but came through in the end with something difficult and dangerous!