Frances’s Comments (group member since Aug 21, 2017)

Frances’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I've read this one and also really enjoyed it, although perhaps not as much as some earlier ones. I always have to check the date of publication as the setting and personalities seem as if they could come from any time after the 50's.

I'm about half way in, and knowing the solution, it is fascinating to watch how Christie sprinkles all these clues and sets us up so beautifully to be fooled (which I always am). It also shows how a logical mind, Like Miss Marple's, could figure it out relatively easily and build her case around it. I rarely reread mysteries, but I'm really enjoying doing so with Christie.

Also, did those who are also reading the T&T mysteries notice a parallel occurrence when G&G go to the nursing home where Gwenda's father was treated, and while waiting meet an elderly woman who says Is it your poor child, my dear? and then later Behind the fireplace, but don't say I told you. I don't know if anything is made of it in this book but it just jumped out at me having just read this in our latest T&T.

I will be joining this one in another week or so. I’m not sure I’ve read it before but I’ve definitely seen the Joan Hicksonp version.

I agree Judy I really enjoyed this one as well, and don’t mind the occasionally far-fetched bits. I liked the idea of the women always being overlooked so easier to get away with stuff.

I’m also not so sure about the Max relationship, but imagine Griffiths is going to stretch out the love triangle with Edgar for a while-I also don’t think Ruby is really in love with him, or at least she is going to put career before love for sure.

I suspect griffiths has made life much easier for Emma in the book than it would have been in reality at that time-Edgar might not have been a jerk but I bet he would have treated her more like a tea-lady and someone to deal with distressed women and children than an equal colleague to Bob nonetheless-she’d even be called a WPC at that time to make the distinction.

Judy wrote: "I just came across a mention of the Brighton 'promettes' - wondered who they were, and found this 2-minute newsreel film which is definitely of its time!!
https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/36532"

Oh my goodness-that smirky dialogue-if you just heard it you’d imagine they were dressed like call girls rather than wearing full suits, hats and sensible shoes and stockings (which I imagine would be quite hot in summer!) thanks for sharing Judy because while reading I did imagine them as considerably less professional looking from the name alone.

Funny how different strokes…I’ve just finished a really enjoyed this one.

Tuppence’ drinking seems pretty tame for the era! I found this whole book delightfully bonkers, particularly when they kept referring to women in their 60’s as frail and elderly. Given that I’m one now, I certainly don’t feel that way!

I’ve just finished this one and really enjoyed it, but can’t get over that wherever Tuppence goes, someone serves her tea in bed in the morning. Albert does it at home-so what are his work hours? He has a family with small children! Anyway, loved this one and the series, and only wish someone would bring me tea in bed in the mornings!

I’ve also started this one and really enjoying it so far, but I’m a big elly Griffiths fan so no surprise!

I enjoyed this one, but agree with the above points-I just always like a Poirot-Hastings combo and went along for the ride-overdone and cliché-ridden as it was. Good point Judy about the absent vs non existent wife-did Christie regret marrying Hastings off so early?

I’ve just finished this-more thriller than murder mystery but I always love a Poirot-Hastings pairing so did enjoy the reread. Heading over to the spoiler thread now!

I’m planning to try this series-I think I’ve got an eBook already.

I also really enjoyed the characters and interactions between the various personalities, and loved the village which had been "discovered" by elites-hadn't realized that this had been going on for so long.

The twist of the ending seems a little unbelievable although I do know that this has in fact happened before. I think the hair is what I wonder about most but perhaps Lee is wearing a wig.

I'm only sorry we don't have more Inspector Grants-would he and Marta have done a Peter Wimsey/Harriet thing if given more time?

I've just finished as well and also really enjoyed it-as I said earlier, what a treat to have a new-to-me Tey!

Ellen wrote: "There is no mention of what happens to them but I feel sorry for the two boys. Megan did not appear to be terribly fond of her half brothers so I don't suppose they would take them in. Maybe they j..."

Yes Christie never seems to pay much attention to children in her novels or stories-they are very much background, but you're right they will be rather left on their own-would Megan and Jerry step up to look after them?

Ariana wrote: "I started the audiobook yesterday. In all my years of reading Agatha Christie, I managed to miss this book in the Miss Marple series. It will be my first time reading it, and I’m very excited."

Yes it's always a great pleasure to find an unread Christie!

I will be starting soon as I've just finished our Marple read. I don't think I've read this one before but have loved all the other Teys so looking forward to this one.

I'm very much enjoying the Marple series read, although so far she's had relatively small roles in a couple of the books.

I found the description of the governess quite amusing-a stunning goddess but no sex appeal-although she apparently had enough sex appeal to her boss to lead to murder.

The descriptions and evolution of Meghan were a bit much-the hero treats her like a pet puppy and she seems simple and aimless, but get the right dressmaker and hairdresser involved and she's suddenly stunning fiancée material. The romance between Griffiths and Joanna seemed much more believable.

I also really enjoyed the final denouement with Miss Barton going travelling with Aimée Griffiths-will they suit or drive each other mad before reaching Paris?

Another brilliant Christie plot I thought-playing on the stereotype of the repressed spinster poison-pen writer which a clever man uses to disguise the murder of his wife, plus the actual repressed spinster finally lashing out and almost allowing him to get away with it-if not for the wonderful Miss Marple.

I've just finished this, and really enjoyed it (although I also remembered the plot from a previous read and the Joan Hickson version). I was disappointed by how late Miss Marple appears and how small her role is, I even double checked I was reading the right thing for our Poirot/Marple series! Heading over to the spoiler section to discuss.