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

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

Thanks for setting things up! Only today realized it was october already ...

I know that it is commonly accepted that Christie became weary of Poirot. In the case of this book I like to think that she neared the end and thought hmm now what could make it EVEN more fun? Oh wait, I'll add Hercule!

Yes, wife and child were a surprise for me as well but I was glad that the mr Robinson turned out to be one of the good guys (I wondered, especially in the last scene with Poirot)

I enjoyed this one so much! Have to admit that once or twice I was checking if I was reading the correct book because there wasn't a hint of Poirot anywhere! That distracted me very much at some point, I wasn't paying as much attention to the clues because I just kept wondering in what way it would be at all possible that Poirot would become envolved. And really, the running away of a school girl... didn't buy it. But it was completely worth it for the fun memories of his suffering in the Summerhayes household and the pride one can have in making a good omelet. (I could use a lesson in that myself i fear haha)

I am returning to school (adult, 37, 2nd study, am quite afraid actually haha) and with all the Corona circumstances there is a whole lot of uncertainties and no one really knows what will happen. Personally I am hoping for lots of digital classes, that saves so much travelling time. Well, we'll have to wait and see.

I am now at 15% in this book and feel like all the red herrings have been firmly planted. My my, a very intricate set up. It would worry me in other detectives but I trust Agatha to tie everything up nicely!

I updated the reading order with that. Can you believe we have been reading since 2018? Thanks everyone for making this such a super fun long-term buddy read!

Oh great news. I'm glad I can escape into a next Agatha Christie Challenge, it's a relief! I indeed intend for the last Poirot to slide over to January.

Enjoy your spoilers here!

Perfect timing for the start of the new semester! Or perhaps not?

Murder is part of the curriculum at an exclusive school for girls in Agatha Christie's Cat Among the Pigeons, as the intrepid Poirot sets out to bring a stealthy killer to justice.

Thank you Judy!

I'm excited about this one. It is the book that set me on the quest of reading all Poirots. I bought a beautiful hardcover facsimile in Greenway, Agatha Christie's holiday home for many years. I bought it in 2017 (as I can see by the notes I made in it), when I was there for an Agatha Christie Festival. At that time, I had convinced myself I loved all her books EXCEPT Poirot, I didn't have the patience for Poirot, but I also never really tried to get into it.

At the festival there were many Poirot fans, some even dressed up as their favorite detective, which I found to be very affected. After a couple of days, I got used to it and then I even really enjoyed watching a costume golf match. So, I decided to give Poirot a chance and bought Dead Man's Folly at Greenway. That seemed fitting as the house and its surroundings are used in this book. In fact, the ITV filmed their adaptation there too. So, if you are wondering about the location where Agatha Christie and her family spend much of their time pay extra attention to the TV episode!
Needless to say, my attitude to Poirot shifted and then I decided to make up for my oversight and read all the books in order. Turns out, they are all so much fun!

I'll re-read, let's see how much of the story I remember... I hope you’ll all enjoy this one too!

All thought I really enjoyed this book, I do understand where all the comments stated above come form. There were indeed a lot of characters and weird plot twists, and I also didn't pick up on the family relation between Valerie and Ms Nicoletie (and also am not quite sure why it mattered?).

But besides that I really enjoyed the story. I absolutely loved the first chapters, they made the book for me. So comical and very different in tone from the preceeding book.

I kept fearing that Ms Lemon's sister would die! Even stopped reading a some point so sure was I that the next chapter would find her dead... Luckily she was spared!

There surely is!

Every time I start a new one I think to myself: 'well this one cannot possibly be just as enjoyable as the previous one which surely must be my favorite'

Seems like there is a new favorite on the way though! I really loved the first chapters. Though you often read that Agatha Christie didn't really like Poirot surely he must have grown on her, the descriptions are almost endearing. And when he comes to the 'startling realisation' that miss Lemon has the first name Felicity! Haha pure humor

Enjoy all the spoilers here at your own peril ;-)

Oh my goodness look at the plot summary for our next book:

"An outbreak of apparent kleptomania at a student hostel arouses Hercule Poirot's interest when he sees the bizarre list of stolen and vandalised items. These include a stethoscope, some lightbulbs, some old flannel trousers, a box of chocolates, a slashed rucksack, some boracic powder and a diamond ring later found in a bowl of a soup..."

And the famous miss Lemon plays as big a part here as those who watch the TV episodes are accustomed to by now.

Enjoy!

Putting this one into my bookshelves, I discover the very big problem that there is no more room on the Billy shelf dedicated to Poirot! The next books will have to move in with Miss Marple on shelf down haha

Enjoy all the spoilery secrets here after reading the book.

A wealthy man dies at home. His relatives gather after his funeral for the reading of his will, during which his sister states that he was murdered. The next day, she herself is found murdered. Poirot is called in to solve the mystery.

ooh sounds like this will be a good one! (though aren't they all?)

Really? Well perhaps that was the way to go with the TV audience.

I read this one last year and greatly enjoyed it! Didn't think I would at all, especially with the point of view of such a young main character, that preconception lead to the book being unread on my shelves for a long time... Turned out to be a favorite! Didn't go on to read the other books though