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

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

Sounds fine. If anyone can get the book, the title is Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries. Let us know if you are in.

Given our start date for Blue Train, I have been trying in the new year to tackle some other books. I just finished The Cheltenham Square Murders, by John Bude, and am looking to start one of Martin Edward's great collections of golden age short stories, all centered around a theme. This one is Christmas.

I watched the DVD last night and was reminded of how greatly different it was from the book. I'll leave further discussion for the new thread!

I was thinking Miss Short, but I expect that is what the author wanted us to think! After Georgie suggested the "trap" to Darcy, I was surprised it happened so quickly.

I just started a re-read of the book via audio by Hugh Fraser. I'll probably watch the TV version this weekend, so I'll be all ready.

I was also surprised at the culprit--I'm not sure that the character throughout most of the book would have turned so sharply at the end. (I hope I'm wording that correctly--trying not to spoil.) Anyone else think that way?

I'll be happy to join in on The Blue Train!

So sorry to hear of this, Tina. You both have my sympathy.

She would NEVER become queen. Just like Camilla won't either. She'll be her Dutchess self is all.

Finished the book last night.

I am well into this section--I've been catching up quite quickly, now. Both the Major and Miss Short seem to be the likely culprits now, perhaps in collusion with each other?? Given that they are Georgie's (and Darcy's) picks make me wonder whether that is all to deceive us? Perhaps Wallis' friends from America are behind the whole thing?

I am well past this section now. There is finally a death, as you've noted. Sad one too, and it seems too close to a previous one to be coincidence. I am wondering what the attempt on the life of David has to do with the other. Did he escape death the previous attempt as well?

And Wallis doesn't seem to be portrayed favorably here, undoubtedly accurate to her personality, though.

I am loving the book, I must say. Georgie's "IN" with the royals is fascinating to me.

Merry Christmas, Nicole, and all of us! Your plan for the holidays sounds wonderful!

Tina, Your meal sounds great. Too bad I already have an invitation for the day!!

Whew. It's finally over, though 5 trips through the dishwasher was not enough to take care of the clean-up. At least one more.

Menu was: Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Baked Ham with Cherry Sauce, Green Beans with Dried Cranberries and Almonds, Succotash, and three cupcakes: Chocolate, with Chocolate Buttercream, Almond with Almond Buttercream, and Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Icing.

There was no room for another human being in the house!

I am pretty familiar with the story, though I don't remember thinking much about the bullet count. I agree that certainly no one shot at Nick in the beginning, though she may have earlier shot through her hat to produce the hole noted, and then tossed the spent bullet when Poirot was near.

Certainly a shot was fired to do the murder, though.

And LovesMysteries, it is great to have you stop by!!

Nearly through the second section. Despite prepping today for a 5 PM (it's now 2:45) Christmas dinner for 17 people!

I agree with the outer blurb, which talked about things wwaayyy in the future of the book. Where I'm at right now, Georgie has just arrived at Sandringham and is chatting with Queen Mary.

I'm liking the book so far. Georgie is a fun character and obviously smitten with her new husband. There are a lot of family connections that are a bit complicated to follow, though.

ANd I do enjoy her connection to the royal family, which we are reminded that she is a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

I'm about to chapter 12 already (see, I am speeding to catch up!) and we see she is chummy with Queen Mary.

Mostly through this first section, trying to keep up with you all. Much is going on, royalty wise as much as anything. And so many repeated changes of plan for Christmas!