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

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

I've read this many times, but I had forgotten a lot of the details of the story (though not the culprit!)

The background of the story is a very sad one and I assume it is loosely based on a real case which Christie was aware of.

I further understand that prior to this story and the play, this was a shorter radio play written by Christie by special request from Queen Mary (the current queen's grandmother) for her 80th birthday!

Happy fourth!

I've seen that, and it makes sense, now!

I don't thing there was a film adaptation of this story. I understand that contractually, there cannot be one until The Mousetrap closes in London (its been 67 years!) Could you be thinking of something else?

Tina, I agree. I've read this many times, but forgot some of the early detail. It is really nicely done.

Sounds like a good start! I'm in. As far as the Lord Peter stories, I am less familiar with them. Let me browse the volume and I'll make a suggestion. I think there are stories of various lengths there as well.

I have both books and two stories from each sounds like a great idea! (I've been out of town for a few days, and just getting caught up with things.)

I have the Lord Peter book as well, and would certainly be up for a discussion of some of the short stories.

The Christie sounds great. Three Blind Mice is a longish short story, but the others in the book are shorter. This will be a good choice!

Good choices!

I'm always up for a Christie. Novel or short stories.

Are any of you familiar with the short story anthologies collected by Martin Edwards? He has several collections of classic mysteries, grouped by categories: Police solving the mystery, mysteries taking place in London, Locked room mysteries, etc. If you want, check out Amazon's page for his books. https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Edwards...

I've read the book, fairly recently, though I saw the TV version a long time ago. Probably a few times!

Did any of you think the motive was a little weak?

I've not seen any of the TV Raisin's. I'm still trying to figure out why I like her when she always seems so prickly?

I know there are a whole lot of Raisins, and I doubt I'll get to them all. But I certainly will want to read another.

Since most of us are through the book (or nearly so) I thought I'd start the final section a day early.

Agatha's friend Charles has entered the picture, divorced, unlike Paul. I really thought the Agatha-Paul thing might be a, well, "thing". 'Fraid not.

I enjoyed the book and that is why it was a pretty quick read. I do think that the ultimate motive for three murders was a bit weak, though. Did you? Especially the murder of Barry Briar.

I did like the very end, though, where Agatha decides to enter in a new business!

Remembered Death or Sparkling Cyanide is a novel, without Poirot, roughly based on the Poirot story, Yellow Iris.

I am almost done with the book and will start up the final section soon. (I am currently out of town!)

Agatha and Paul are moving along in the investigation without a whole lot of success, barring finding the tunnel in the basement of the Witherspoon house. Now the police know as well, due to a rather crazy stunt pulled by Agatha. I'm anxious to see whether the police catch them up on that!

It still seems likely that Harry has the strongest motive for his mother's death, and following that, Agatha tries to break his alibi for the time of the murder. Toward that end, she finds someone at the theater who could help. Robin is quite the eccentric and sadly, must have known something. This points even stronger toward Harry, unless someone else in the theater group is guilty instead!

One character I'm liking is Mrs. Bloxley, the vicar's wife. Is she a recurring character?

I just started the next discussion thread.