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

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

Pghfan is in DC at a work conference, but wanted to finish our discussion with the final thread. We have a great seance scene with Miss Climpson and Miss Booth where we try to find Mrs. Wrayburn's will. We know midway through the likely culprit but not yet the "how" of the thing. Ingenious, and I think, a device copied in later books by later writers. One big change from the book to the TV version is the very end, after Harriet's aquittal. Vis a vis Lord Peter. Quite opposite, in fact.

Whew. The final idea is that we use the book with the most votes and the proposer of said book is the host? If so, I'm in.

Another funny line I love (and didn't get right away.). When Bunter is talking with Mrs. Pettican, she says of Mrs. Wrayburn "rich as sneezes, she is!" (The expression is "rich as Croesis." ( a famous Ancient Greek.). At the same conversation, she calls Mrs. W a tiresome old lady who's always dyin' but never dies.

A bit of a side comment. This second section closes out with Miss Climpson striking up a relationship with the nurse who looks after Mrs. Wrayburn (in the hopes of getting in to find the real will.) In the DVD version, the role of the nurse is played by Judy Cornwell, the actress who was Daisy, the sister of Hyacinth in "Keeping Up Appearances." Another piece of trivia: in the BBC radio version of this book, the nurse is voiced by none other than [wait for it]


Joan Hickson, of Miss Marple fame!

I agree with the host picking (or at least making the final choice from the suggestions.)

Actually, I like Baggage (sounds different), White Cottage (which I already have on kindle) and Diva (which I enjoyed in the past.) Since I hosted the last two, I will sit back on the decision here (but will probably join in on the discussion!)

Well, here is part 2 of our discussion. It begins with Bunter meeting up with two of Mr. Urquhart's servants, to discuss Phillip Boyes' last meal. Stunningly careful was Mr. U in documenting everything that happened.

Meanwhile, we move on to investigating what Boyes did in the ten minutes after leaving Harriet's flat and getting into the taxi, terribly sick. Also, Wimsey visits Mr. U himself to explore the suicide theory.

Most of this middle section involves the investigation and lots of the clues are presented here.

The fact that Wimsey did not take sugar in his coffee seemed to be a point in his favor among the women in the Bohemian set!

I just started on chapter 9 and will begin that discussion on Monday.

Actually, the scene with Harriet's two friends in the modeling studio is different in the book as well. No nudes, though. The man-hating Eilnuid (not sure of that name) and Sylvia are at Sylvia's house in the book and Sylvia is laid up with a bad leg.

We used to have two here, but are down to one. Ours was the very first PBS station in the country, I understand.

Please let me know when you are ready to move on to the next section. As we get into Chapter 8, Lord Peter is continuing his investigation, stopping in to see the various parties in the case. His friend Marjorie Phelps coordinates an introduction to Ryland Vaughan, Boyes' friend (perhaps his only one.) This takes place in a very odd Bohemian sort of club. This is quite different from the meeting that is used in the TV version. Poor Marjorie; she has the hots for Lord Peter and he is simply using her shamelessly. (She appeared in an earlier book, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, where she performed much the same purpose--introducing Lord P to people he might not get to meet otherwise.)

I didn't realize that these aired in the US. We don't get them in Pittsburgh...

Well, here we go! Strong Poison is the first of the Lord Peter mysteries that feature Harriet Vane. Like Christie's Ariadne Oliver, Harriet is believed to be a disguised version of Sayers herself, in that Harriet is a successful detective story novelist. The Dowager Duchess (Peter's Mother) says the books are clever and well written.) Unlike Sayers, though, we find right off the bat that Harriet is on trial for the murder of her former lover Philip Boyes. The first few chapters describe the trial that has just taken place, and the reader is brought up to speed with the Judge's summing up of the case, which is pretty watertight. Fortunately, Peter's Miss Climpson, who runs his "secretary pool" (more on that later) is on the jury. Thanks to Miss C, there is a hung jury and a new trial is ordered. Peter, who is just now involved, believes Harriet is innocent and sets out to prove it.

I admit the summing up by the judge is a teensy bit tedious, but it is worth it to get caught up properly, when the actual investigation begins. as I noted before, there are large sections of the book that are transferred directly to the TV adaptation. My favorite occurs when, after the first interview with Peter and Harriet, Peter inquires whether he can come again. Harriet replies "I'll give the footman orders to admit you. You will always find me at home." This convinces Peter of a great sense of humor and he further decides marrying her would be a great idea.

Great! I've already started the book and it is quite similar to the TV version, as least so far. A lot of the dialogue in the TV version is verbatim from the book. See y'all on Monday with a new discussion. And have a happy and safe Independence Day. Watch out for the loud noises if you have a dog.

I will be ready to start the book whenever you are. Perhaps next Monday, the 6th? Let me know when you will be on board. I have the DVD version and will give it a re-watch and I also have a BBC radio drama version which I am listening to. I've not read the book before, though, and am anxious to see how they all compare.

Allison, I am totally with you on the "paid by the word" authors. I'm not sure whether the point is to obfuscate us with irrelevant details or just that they can't say what they need in clear, crisp prose. Fortunately, Strong Poison, in my paperback edition, is only about 210 pages. Just right for a mystery.

Mrs. McCarthy, secretary is indeed a pain in the gossip and self-righteous department, but underneath there is a bit of heart. Lady Felicia is a hoot for sure, and I love how she is a good foil for Mrs. McC.

It sounds like you are watching the first season, as that is the only one with the Polish girl housekeeper. There is also a different police inspector in the second season.

I just have a hard time believing the premise, especially with these Father brown's.

The brief discussion we've had on the Father Brown mysteries brings up an on-going beef I have with a lot of amateur detective stories. If they go on for several cases/episodes, how is it that the police still scorn the intrusion by the amateur when, by that point, they have solved many, many cases that the police themselves couldn't. Wouldn't the inspector know by now that Father Brown is a tremendous asset? Why does he still act like he doesn't know this?

I got the new Father Brown's (second season) but am not through them all yet. I think I'm liking them a little less. It seems the pattern is becoming to routine and Father is in danger now most episodes. It will be great to discuss the Strong Poison DVD at the same time!

It looks back and forth on this. I am certainly in favor of Strong Poison, as I've been meaning to read it for some time. I watched the BBC adaptation many times so I'm familiar with the plot. As far as a promise to me in exchange for hosting the [wonderful] June title, I don't think it was quite that definite.

If we go ahead with Strong Poison, I am definitely in. I can even host again, if you'd like. If not, I'm still going to read it!