Jessica-sim’s Comments (group member since Jan 01, 2016)

Jessica-sim’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

For those of you intrigued by hydrotherapy and interested in podcasts... By coincidence one of the podcasts I like to listed to recently posted an episode on Hydrotherapy. The podcast is called Sawbones and looks at old weird cures for illnesses and debunks them. It's equally funny and informative (I must admit I work in Healthcare though...) https://pca.st/vhbseont

I agree with everyone here! Indeed the allknowing narration was jarring, especially as it gets you nowhere. I found it supremely weird that Pall just laid low in lue of making progress. And though I wondered about the point of the sudden introduction of the children and their running around the premise, I thought they would stumble upon a clue rather than becoming one. And the poor mother gets no respite whatsoever!
The last 10% of this book was dedicated to plot explanation. That that was a necessity is very telling of plot quality.

But despite all my grievances, I did actually like reading it haha I did actually really enjoy the book, the setting is just perfect for me. Old tattered hotel/ spa, strange collection of eccentric guests, interesting first murder. But then things become too annoying.

Really enjoyed it, was a little disappointed with the last chapters though. Will head over to spoiler section now :-)

I feel you! But am also not cheating with difficulty haha

Susan in NC wrote: "But I honestly can’t remember who the murderer was.."

Glad you're enjoying it so much Susan! I also always seem to forget who the murderer was or get so thrown off track again that I get very unsure of the memory.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters in the first chapter! Already love the (ridiculous) setting though, and need to do some research into hydrotherapy...

Yes I'm planning to read along this time! Downloaded it this morning.

Welcome to the spoiler thread! If you haven't finished the book yet, please proceed with caution...

It's September and we have a new book ahead of us!

First published in 1938, it is another one of her books set in the Middle East, so I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks, I added both to my TBR list.

I liked the movie, they took so many liberties with the story that it was still interesting ;-)

No you're right Rosina, this book doesn't actively transport you to Egypt. The impressive sights are mentioned but not really used, the boat could have been anywhere. Yet it is possible to actively think yourself to Egypt in that period and that gives the mental colour locale (for me)
I'm very tired this Sunday afternoon and decided to treat myself to the movie version that Netflix offers. Indeed with Ustinov, curious to see how that will be. Also saw Angela Lansbury on the title roll. I know people are always very divided on her but I love her! (usually haha, let's see what this movie will be like)

Susan in NC wrote: "That’s the one I kept picturing- now I want to see it again! Kept imagining David Niven as Colonel Race, but Suchet, in narration, made him sound all gruff country squire, didn’t really work for me..."

I had the same experience. I admired every other narration interpretation Suchet did but Colonel Race... just grating to the ears.

Regarding Poirot's feelings towards Jackie. Maybe there is also a hint of remorse, knowing that things might go awary but nothing being able to stop it.

Annabel wrote: "This is one of my favourite Christies and I too prefer the Ustinov film version. For someone who looks NOTHING like Poirot, he plays the part very well and i think the character conflations work we..."

I also took this book with me on my travels to Egypt in my twenties! And I still have a very soft spot for any Agatha Christie book set in Egypt or on archealogic digs.

I loved this book! I did get a bit lost with all the different characters and paused the audiobook halfway through to browse the internet for a character list, very helpful. Then I returned to the paperback and finished it in one sitting.

20 minutes in and already happy ;_) my version is narrated by David Suchet and I almost didn't believe it was him.. Till Poirot entered the scene..

Ohhh I give up... I so prefer reading from paper. Sitting down, getting lost... But life doesn't allow me to do that the last 2 months and I can't fall behind two books on my own challenge haha so I'm going with the audiobook version on this one

Thank you Judy! I'm shocked it's already August...

Thank you! August snuck up on me...

Go ahead and enjoy your spoilers here.

This is a very very rare occasion where I actually remember both the murderer and the motive... hmm l wonder if it turns out to be a correct memory at all haha

A new month a new Poirot! But please don't worry, you can read the books and join the discussions at your own leisure.

Here we have Poirot's endearing adventure with the terrier. At least, I think it is endearing as I know the TV-episode very well and think it's lovely. Never read the book though, and the book is probably even better! So enjoy :-)

I just finished the 3rd story. I really like how it doesn't feel rushed even 's a short story. We get a whole page of Poirot sleeping over and dressing himself to go out sleuthing as only the world's best detective could haha