Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

No problem, the door stopper it is.

I think I'll read this one, that I've always been meaning to read but somehow haven't. Ticks lots of boxes.. . Hopefully the letters fit!

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?

This is the prototype for many reveals of whodunnit's still written today. Even if it feels slightly clunky and probably there are holes in the logic who may us as mere readers dare to criticize the master, Agatha Christie.😁 I read it in this spirit, and yes I do enjoy reading and trying to piece together whodunnits very much.

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?

I sort of knew there would be a man and woman involved but I just picked the wrong two!!

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

See my answer to question 14. It does seem a bit trite and systematic and not as sophisticated as some more modern novels perhaps but there is definitely the respect aspect for me. I wonder how many modern novels of our time people will still be reading and enjoying in 100 years!

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

Sure, especially if they are BOM's!

I've just about finished the last book for my quota. I probably should have upped it a bit but because I was travelling at the start of the challenge I wasn't sure how many I could get done.

So if someone else in the group is below their quota, can i read one more to balance it out or should I just look for a door stopper to read and get a start on next round?

PS -I actually think the quota is a great idea and balances out the teams more fairly. I'll just add a couple more books per round for next challenge.

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOOK TOKEN CREDITS

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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 thought Lawrence was a good candidate for being the murderer, but maybe not. Or maybe it's a trick by Poirot to draw him out. We will see..

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?

Very interesting question. I have noticed some fairly questionable language in the book regarding racism but I think of it as being par for the course for British literature of this period. Definitely is should not be censored. I really hate how books/culture/history is judged by today's sensibilities. Much better as a point for discussion and education.

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?
That was surprising. I don't see John as the murderer maybe he is being framed.

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

He really is a bit of a pratt, isn't he, LOL. It's been ages since I've read Christie but apparently this is what he does. It sort of provides comic relief that in the middle of a murder investigation he proposes marriage to a girl he hardly knows. Priceless.

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”?

Mmmm, I'm not sure about this as the poison wouldn't have been in her coffee so what would it matter if it had sugar in it or not? I agree with Diane though, Cynthia sleeping through everything seems to suggest she was drugged so she would oblivious to what was going on.

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?

Yep, is seems fairly clear that someone is trying to see Alfred I up.

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?

Lawrence's evidence about his step mother taking a tonic seems fairly ridiculous, I'm thinking he has something to do with it. He was probably the one who dressed up as Alfred I. I'm thinking that Lawrence and Mary are in cohoots because of the contents of the Will.

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'm always trying to work out whodunnit. I love it actually when I'm wrong and the author out smarts the reader. Nothing worse than a predictable outcome.

Melindam wrote: "I hope it works for that one, Lisa. :))"

Pretty sure it will, there is already mention of Wills and burnt fragments of letters so it sounds promising.

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?

One of the things I love about Agatha Christie is the cast of characters, any one of which could have "whodunnit". Alfred is the too obvious prime suspect but yes, all of the inhabitants of Styles could have had motive and opportunity to be the murderer. The plot thickens..

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?

My money is on Mary Cavendish, probably peeved that her husband has been done over in regards to the Will. I'm pretty sure that the Will is the cause of the murder at this stage.

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?

See previous answer, I don't think it was Mr Inglethorp, in fact I'm not sure it was a man at all. And the Estate is probably the cause of the argument although knowing AC it could be a red herring.

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

The Will!

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.

Despite the subject, Murder Most Foul, it's a fun read. I can't remember if I've actually read it many moons ago, I did go through a stage in my late teens when I read nearly all of AC's books. It will be interesting if anything twiggs as I read along.

I've also just started the BOM so can take the task about the paperwork solving the crime.

Melindam wrote: "Lisa,

if you don't mind, I would use Kat's Crawdad book for Southern Gothic tag and then we could restart the Feeding Mini right away and could use yours again for Southern Gothic."

No problem, I've only just started it.

Hey, Gabe the Babe (and friends) have been nominated in this year's Goodreads Choice Awards in the Fantasy category.

So make sure they are feeling the love and vote! It's probably the only category that I got excited about.

Finished the final book for the office mini!

Another monster bites the dust (Reacher Gilt)

Back to Dr Who with Clockwork Droids.

Melindam wrote: "

A little overview on the Minis to see where we are.


Admin Mini: All tasks are claimed - 3 are pending

🎨 typical administrative material on the cover - Lisa
🎨 the plot revolves around white-c..."

I'll be finishing my white collar crime in about an hour and then I'll go straight to the administrative material which should be a quickie. So should be getting that mini off the books.. soon.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "On the plus side the book I got for Hawaii has lobster which made me very happy 🤣"

Lobster (roll) in Hawaii, sounds all sort of good to me. 😉

I know what you mean Elisabeth. My last book had a quilt, but no pianos or violins so couldn't use it as it was in the wrong section. 😒

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "That's fantastic team. 😍

Trying not to get tooo excited. I don't think I've ever been on a winning team yet at NBRC."

Hang on.. I have to take that back. Apparently I was on a winning team in 2014 Team Nautilus. Book Buffs Battleship. Don't want to jinx anything.. but ten years is quite a gap. 😊

That's fantastic team. 😍

Trying not to get tooo excited. I don't think I've ever been on a winning team yet at NBRC.

Great. I’ll read for that one . The white collar crime is part of the plot. There’s a p character., so it fits! I’ll add to the spreadsheet tomorrow when I’m back home with my laptop.

Keely wrote: "It can't have been two years!?!"

Yep, we started in January 2023!