ClaireB’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2014)

ClaireB’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Eldarwen wrote: "BOMs always have a page number specified by the mods. In this case, it is 174."

I thought there was a rule like that. Too bad we can't use the page number of my copy.
It's lucky the BOM was one that I owned. I've been trying to collect these massmarket paperback editions with those pretty covers. But not easy to find in Belgium. Plus I heard they are already going out of print. I almost read all the ones I own. Sad.

Eldarwen wrote: "Claire, I've grabbed your BOM links while I added my last day. No need to link them in your completion post :-)"

Damn, I was preparing the completion post when you posted yours. Well fine. haha

This was a good Poirot. I really liked it.

Completion Post


Book:The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Date Read: 22/11
Pages: 304 (unless it's the same page number for all readers? )
Rating: 4/5 stars

Bonus:
Published in 1920

Spell-Out:
A/C - author
P - Hercule Poirot
E/I -Emily Ingelthorpe
L - Lawrence

Mini:
Gardening - Blue cover ?


food:
beef 56% She is an excellent specimen of well-balanced English beef and brawn.

Salt 91% My attention was attracted by the story of Annie about some 'salt' on the tray of coco which she took every night to Mrs. Inglethorp's room.

Sugar 29% "Because Mademoiselle Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee."


BOM participation:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

DQs Day 4
Ch 11 to 13

14. How do you like Poirot's style of revealing what happened? Do you enjoy reading whodunnit mysteries?

I love it. It's a bit gimmicky, but it just works for me.
I like reading whodunnit mysteries, but only from time to time. I can't have too many of them. Just once in a while.

15. The mystery has been unraveled and we now know what happened to Mrs. Inglethorp. Have you guessed who it was or were you surprised?

In the beginning I didn't think it would be him, I have to admit. but the more we advanced in the plot the more likely it seemed to me. Still a very good reveal to me.

16. Is there anything you would have changed about the narrative? Something you didn't like? If so, here's your place to rant :)

Nope

17. If you haven't already, would you consider picking up another Hercule Poirot book or any other of Agatha Christie's works?

Not my first Poirot, neither last. I'm certainly planning to read more Christie in the future

DQs Day 3
Ch 8 to 10

10.) Any guesses about "find the extra coffee cup and you can rest in peace"? Does that fact Lawrence found it indicate guilt or innocence do you think?

I see two possible reasosn for Poirot's message. Either it is a trap to make Lawrence reveal himself, or it is to proof that someone he's trying to protect is not guilty. Knowing Poirot however, I don't think it's the former. So I'll go for innocence.

11.) With books as old as this, some language/terms just do not age well and can be jarring to randomly come across in the text. Should language like this be censored/edited to match less offensive terms of the times (though not sure there is a correct way to say a lady dressed up in blackface). Or should they be left as is and used as a point of discussion on race/sexuality/class/gender/etc?

I'm a strong believer that we should leave the text as is. Sensibilities change all the time, we can't go around and modify books to suit modern reader. I also consider books as a piece of history, a testament of how things were back then. What was seen as problematic and what wasn't. Plus also a good linguistic tool to see how language evolves. Would be a huge shame to loose this valuable source, even if we're just talking about a few words here and there.
Of course if the author makes the change that's another story. Like I read that Agatha Christie agreed to change things in And Then There Were None. It's her books, it's up to her to decide.

12.) Lots happening in the section, arrests abound! Do you think John was arrested for his step mother's murder or for some other reason like Dr. B?

Hmm, hard to say with Christie. She's always there to surprise us.

13.) What do you think about our narrator and giver or random marriage proposals, Hastings?

I really like Hastings. And he really reminds me of Watson in Sherlock Holmes.

DQs Day 2
Ch 5-7

6. Poirot is concerned because Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee and calls back to when he tasted all the coffees, but it’s never expanded upon. We later find out that the poison was likely administered in coffee and that it has a bitter taste that coffee could mask. Do you have any theories as to why Poirot put such importance on “Cynthia does not take sugar”?

I strongly suspect that the sugar has been poisoned. But somehow I don't think it's Cynthia who did it.

7. Witnesses have testified to overhearing an argument between Mr & Mrs Ingelthorp the day she was murdered — but Mr Ingelthorp claims they are mistaken. Do you believe he is truly the one who was having the argument, or do you have any other suspicions? Poirot certainly thinks he is innocent and claims to be able disprove the other claim (about him buying the poison) — does that sway you at all?

I don't think it was Mr Ingelthorp who was having the argument. We can certainly believe him on that, and trust Poirot's instinct.

8. Most people seem to believe Mr Inglethorp is guilty (ESPECIALLY Evie), while Lawrence seems to believe the death came by natural causes, and Mr. Inglethorp doesn’t seem to have any theories at all except to believe it was murder but never pointing fingers at a suspect. I have to admit, I expected more finger-pointing from this group! Have any characters’ reactions so far stood out as peculiar to you?

Maybe Laurence's reaction is a bit suspicious. Otherwise not really.

9. One of my favorite things about mysteries is trying to figure out what happened before it’s revealed. Are you trying to solve the murder, or would you prefer to be surprised by the eventual reveal? Do you feel like you’re usually good at solving the mysteries, or do they evade you?

I don't actively try to solve it like some people do. I just go with the flow of the book and I might make some guesses based on instict, but mostly just enjoying and I always love a reveal that surprises me :)

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 4


1. The first few chapters set the scene for this (first) instalment of Hercule Poirot. What do you make of the various characters we are introduced to? Especially "Alfred dearest" whom everybody seems to dislike. Do you agree with Mrs Howard that they're all only interested in the money? Do you agree with Hastings that they're all somewhat suspicious?

I always love Agatha Christie's character. They are always so colorful and funny in a way. And it wouldn't be a Christie novel if not all the characters appeared suspicious in a way ;)

2. A murder has occurred! Anyone want to venture a guess at this stage as to who has done it? And was it really death by poison? Or is Dr. Bauerstein's expertise in the matter and the fact that Mrs. Inglethorp suffered from severe convulsions in front of practically the entire household merely a red herring?

A bit too early for me to guess. I'm still gathering clues. Because it's rarely the first one that seems suspicious. I think so at least.

3. There was an argument the day before the murder between the late Mrs. Inglethorp and an unknown person, potentially Mr. Inglethorp. What might this have been about?

My guess would be it's about the will

4. What might Mrs. Inglethorp not have wanted to show Mary Cavendish that resulted in the latter feeling somewhat peeved?

honestly no idea

5. Are you enjoying the narrative so far? I assume I don't have to ask if this is your first Christie book? It seems like most everyone has read at least one of her books, or has seen an episode or two of the tv adaptations.

I'm enjoying it. And it is not my first Christie indeed.

Claire wrote: "Completion Post


Book:Iron Widow
."

So sad to say that this was not for me.
Whilst the mecca thing was interesting and unique, I just didn't vibe with the book. And I really didn't like the main character. A bit too bloodthirsty for me, and very 'I make my own justice' kind of character. 😓

Completion Post


Book:Iron Widow
Date Read: 22/11
Pages: 417
Rating: 2.5/5

Bonus:
Published in 2021
+400 Pages book

Spell-Out:
X - author

Mini:
Gardening - Orange Cover (?)
Feeding the Family - Tagged 90x as China

Eldarwen wrote: "Claire wrote: "My next read is by Xiran Jay Zhao.
It's time I contributed with an X read"


I'm curious to see what you think of this one. I added to my TBR a coupl..."

It's been on mine since its release. I was following the author on youtube back then and wanted to support them. But somehow I never felt like reading it until now. I'll let you know what I think of it.

My next read is by Xiran Jay Zhao.
It's time I contributed with an X read

Completion Post


Book:Taxes and Tardis
Date Read: 22/11
Pages: 133

Bonus:
Published in 2012


Spell-Out:
N - author N.R. Walker
L - character Logan

Mini:
Admin - the main character works in taxes, Logan is an accountant and does Brent's Taxes
Bonus coffee table 20% He grabbed some plates and cutlery and suggested we eat in the living room, putting the plates on the coffee table.

Completion Post


Book:Broken Vow
Date Read: 21/11
Pages: 446
Rating: 4.5/5

Bonus:
Published in 2020
+400 Pages book

Spell-Out:
L - author Sophie Lark
N - character Nero
C - character Callum
A - character Aida
G - character Riona Griffin

Mini:
Admin - someone is murdered in an office (view spoiler)[At the end of the novel the bad guy is killed in his office, after attempting to murder the main character. (hide spoiler)]
bonus: quilt: p156 "The pretty blue quilt on the bed, against the white walls, makes me feel like I'm inside of a cloud, way up in the sky"

Completion Post


Book:Bloody Heart
Date Read: 20/11
Pages: 464
Rating: 5/5

Bonus:
Published in 2020
+400 Pages book

Spell-Out:
L - Author Sophie Lark
N - Character Nero
A - Character Aida
C - Character Callum
I - Character Irene
G - character Dante Gallo


Mini:
Gardening Water- 2 Os and 1 H in title
Weed - double vowels
Prune - Heart/Art

I just finished one that works for murder in the office. I’ll post my completion post tomorrow 😊

Eldarwen wrote: "Are you ready??


We have our word for Round 4.

You will be very pleased to know that it is...... SCHOOL FORMS!

Dun dun dun.... ;-)

Are you ready to read some more Os? A lot of them?? ;-)"

No U !! no Y and no X. I'm super happy with this new word

Good job everyone :)

Completion Post


Book:Can You Forgive Her?
Date Read: 18/11
Pages: 928
Rating: 4/5 stars

Bonus:
Published in 1865
+800 Pages book

Spell-Out:
A - author Anthony Trollope
C - title
P - series Palliser
G - character John Grey
F - Mr Fitzgerald


Mini:
Letters GREY in title

I'm reading one that works for letters GREY in title : Can You Forgive Her?. I'm aiming to finish it tonight.

Completion Post


Book:Alpha Queen
Date Read: 15/11
Pages: 312
Rating: 3/5 stars

Bonus:
Published in 2020


Spell-Out:
C - author Callie Rose
A - character Archer
L- character Lawson
G - character Gwen


4th in series