Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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Hallowe'en Party
2018 Monthly Challenge
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October Group Read Discussion: Hallowe'en Party
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Welcome, all you witches and monsters, to the monthly challenge for October!It’s time for shivers, scares, and thrills,
for pumpkin grins in windowsills,
for black cats in the full moon’s glow,
and a happy Halloween hello!
Our book for discussion this month is Agatha Christie’s Hallowe'en Party, published in 1969.
Discussion Schedule:
10/1/18 – Introductions
10/8/18 – Questions about Chapters 1-8
10/15/18 – Questions about Chapters 9-15
10/22/18 – Questions about Chapters 16-end of book
10/29/18 – General discussion (and preparations for Halloween celebrations)
Park your broom and come sit for a spell!
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie was born on September 15, 1890 and died January 12, 1976 at the age of 85. She published 80 books (66 novels and 14 short story collections).Week One: Introductory Questions
1. Please introduce yourself.
2. Do you often read mysteries?
3. Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
4. What are some of your Halloween traditions?
1. Please introduce yourself.I'm Teri, the discussion leader for this month. I live in Utah (USA). This has been my first year where I've taken the Popsugar challenge seriously, mostly due to discovering this group. It has been a lot of fun, and I finished the challenge a few weeks ago. I've hardly picked up a book since, so apparently I needed a little bit of a break.
2. Do you often read mysteries?
Mysteries have always been one of my favorite genres, especially those that aren't full of sex and violence and graphic descriptions. I've learned in this group that these are called cozy mysteries. I had not previously been aware of the term.
3. Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
I read several in my younger days. A few years ago I decided to read all of her books in publication order. I've only read a few each year and probably need to pick up the pace a bit if I intend to finish the list. So far I prefer the Poirot books to the others.
4. What are some of your Halloween traditions?
I am not a big fan of Halloween, to be honest. I've never liked dressing in costumes (probably due to my lack of creativity), and I dislike scary movies and haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. I'm a fraidy cat! I will attend parties on occasion, but only because I like my friends, and I love candy and all things pumpkin flavored.
1. Please introduce yourself.Hi, I'm Heather. When I realized I was going to finish the challenge in August, I decided to go ahead and read this book early because I had nothing else I wanted to read for the Halloween prompt. It's really strange reading about a Halloween party in July ...
2. Do you often read mysteries?
No, mystery is one of my least favorite genres. I think it's because I don't like information being withheld from me. I feel like the narrator is lying and that makes me dislike them. It takes me forever to finish a mystery because they put me to sleep.
3. Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
That being said, Agatha Christie is an exception. A co-worker who loves mysteries convinced me to give her a try. She said I shouldn't give up on a genre until I've read a book where it's done right. I read Death on the Nile this year. My co-worker was right. Agatha knew how to write a good mystery.
4. What are some of your Halloween traditions?
I don't really do Halloween. I love to hand out candy to the kids and talk to them about their costumes. Sadly, we don't get many where I live now.
Please introduce yourselfHi! My name is Taylor, and full disclosure, I did not vote for Hallowe'en Party. I am, however, glad that this book was chosen as it is getting me out of my normal selections and introducing me to Agatha Christie!
Do you often read mysteries?
I haven't read any typical mysteries like Christie but I have read books with mystery elementary ie. Gone Girl, The Woman in Cabin 10 etc.
Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
I have not but I have seen the new Murder on the Orient Express movie. I have also heard really great things about the audiobook of Murder so I may have to check that out some day.
What are some of your Halloween traditions?
The last few years for Halloween I have worn the same Batman shirt with a cape, handed out candy (I LOVE seeing everyone's costumes, especially babies!), and made one of the pumpkin shaped pizzas from Papa Murphy's.
Mod
1. Yes I have always loved mysteries! When I was a kid my favorite series was The Three Investigators mysteries (endorsed somehow by Hitchcock but written by various authors, which was very confusing to Young Me. I thought Hitchcock was the author). I do not generally enjoy cozy mysteries, however. It's not that I like violence, but I don't like when murder is "cozied" - murder IS violent, and I like my stories to be a little gritty.
2. I have only read two Agatha Christie books (And Then There Were None and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd), but I really liked both of them and plan to read more.
3. I like to carve jack-o-lanterns. I'm not a HUGE Halloween fan, but I live in the US so I do the usual: hand out candy. When my kids were little I enjoyed walking around the neighborhood with them. I usually dig out an old Misfits or Danzig T shirt to wear - it's the one time of year when my old punk Ts are "socially acceptable" among small children! This year I ordered Mutant Enemy (grrr argh) T shirts for the three of us :-) I hope they arrive in the mail soon.
Questions for this week are coming in the next hour or so. I was out of town for the weekend and came home ill so didn't get it done yesterday.
Week Two: Questions for Chapters 1-81. Do you find the dialog in the story realistic?
2. Does the fact that (view spoiler) bother you more than it if was (view spoiler)?
3. At this point in the story, it seems obvious that Joyce was killed because she had said she had witnessed a murder. Do you think she really did witness one? Or do you think she was just trying to get attention as seemed to be her usual behavior?
4. Some of the language is obviously quite dated. Did you find any words or phrases that you didn't understand?
5. Do you like to make guesses about the identity of the murderer and the reasons for the murder as you read a mystery, or do you like to see how it develops without making guesses?
Mod
1. Do you find the dialog in the story realistic?For the most part. I was annoyed with the haphazard way that Mrs. Oliver was telling Poirot about the murder. But since I’ve never been that close to a murder (knock on wood), I have no idea how I would respond.
And I got a kick out of the way the older generation complains about how bad and irresponsible and sinful the younger generation is, and how the world is rapidly declining in morals and common sense, which is apparently what every older generation does and has always done.
2. Does the fact that (view spoiler) bother you more than it if was (view spoiler)?
Yes, to a certain extent. This is such a non-gory murder to an unpleasant person that it doesn't seem as awful as it should, however, which I feel a bit bad about.
3. At this point in the story, it seems obvious that Joyce was killed because she had said she had witnessed a murder. Do you think she really did witness one? Or do you think she was just trying to get attention as seemed to be her usual behavior?
My thoughts were similar to Elspeth McKay's that this is likely a "boy who cried wolf" story, which is why no one believed her.
4. Some of the language is obviously quite dated. Did you find any words or phrases that you didn't understand?
I had to look up the following:
Vegetable marrows (which has been mentioned at times in other Poirot stories). They don't look anything like pumpkins, so I don't understand the confusion.
Snapdragon (the game at the end of the party). I still don't understand the appeal of burning raisins.
Catarrhal cold (basically a common cold with a lot of mucous)
I find the term "spinster" hilarious for some reason. Maybe because I am one?
5. Do you like to make guesses about the identity of the murderer and the reasons for the murder as you read a mystery, or do you like to see how it develops without making guesses?
I'm probably boring, but I don't usually think too hard about it. I just like to let the story unfold as it will. It probably shows a lack of imagination (haha).
1. Do you find the dialog in the story realistic?I can't say that I noticed anything out of the ordinary about it, so I guess I do.
2. Does the fact that (view spoiler) bother you more than it if was (view spoiler)?
I didn't like that (view spoiler) No matter how unlikable a character they might be, I don't like reading about that. It happened off page, though, so I pushed through.
3. At this point in the story, it seems obvious that Joyce was killed because she had said she had witnessed a murder. Do you think she really did witness one? Or do you think she was just trying to get attention as seemed to be her usual behavior?
I didn't believe her. Her reaction didn't seem realistic. She seemed like she was gloating, which I interpreted as attention-seeking. I think someone who had really seen a murder would have been scared enough not to shout about it at a party.
4. Some of the language is obviously quite dated. Did you find any words or phrases that you didn't understand?
Actually, I didn't notice the dated language.
5. Do you like to make guesses about the identity of the murderer and the reasons for the murder as you read a mystery, or do you like to see how it develops without making guesses?
I decide how credible or trustworthy I think each suspect is, but I'm so bad at figuring out who the killer is that I don't go too far beyond that. Part of the fun is the detective's big reveal at the end of the book. I like when they surprise me.
Week Three: Questions for Chapters 9-151. It has been mentioned by several characters that Joyce was likely killed by a “mentally deranged” individual. Why do you think this is the prevailing theory by the villagers? Do you agree with it?
2. Poirot wears patent leather shoes that are too tight and make him miserable, apparently in his desire to look dapper . Which type of person are you – a fashionista or a comfortable old shoe (or something in between)?
3. At this point in the story, there have been a lot of characters introduced. Have any of them caught your eye as possibly being the murderer?
4. Not a question - but I would really love to see the Quarry Woods and the beautiful designer.
1. It has been mentioned by several characters that Joyce was likely killed by a “mentally deranged” individual. Why do you think this is the prevailing theory by the villagers? Do you agree with it?I don't think that the murder was random or by a mentally deranged person. I understand why the villagers would want to believe such a thing, because it would be hard to accept that you have a murderer among you.
2. Poirot wears patent leather shoes that are too tight and make him miserable, apparently in his desire to look dapper . Which type of person are you – a fashionista or a comfortable old shoe (or something in between)?
I'm definitely in the category of a comfortable old shoe. I've never cared about fashion much. I just want to wear something appropriate for whatever I'm doing, but something that I can then ignore. I dislike worrying about my clothes.
3. At this point in the story, there have been a lot of characters introduced. Have any of them caught your eye as possibly being the murderer?
The disappearance of the au pair girl seems like an intriguing possibility. But there have been so many other dead or missing characters that it is impossible to say at this point.
1. It has been mentioned by several characters that Joyce was likely killed by a “mentally deranged” individual. Why do you think this is the prevailing theory by the villagers? Do you agree with it?No. I think it's clear Joyce is killed because she said she saw a murder. A stranger wouldn't have been able to overhear or hear about her story. The villagers don't want to accept there is a murderer among the people they know, so they're drawn to this theory.
2. Poirot wears patent leather shoes that are too tight and make him miserable, apparently in his desire to look dapper . Which type of person are you – a fashionista or a comfortable old shoe (or something in between)?
That part bothered me so much! I can't imagine wearing uncomfortable shoes. I like my clothes to look nice - neat, clean, appropriate for the setting, somewhat stylish and flattering - but they also absolutely must be comfortable. I spend a lot of time shopping and spend a lot of money to find these clothes. I suppose that puts me somewhere in the middle?
3. At this point in the story, there have been a lot of characters introduced. Have any of them caught your eye as possibly being the murderer?
At this point, I have a really strong belief there's a secret lesbian romance involved. Realistically, I know there will not be a lesbian romance in this book. But it's also the only thing I see in the clues. Seriously, I'm so bad at figuring out what's going on!
4. Not a question - but I would really love to see the Quarry Woods and the beautiful designer.
Me too! The descriptions reminded me of an outdoor botanical garden about 2 hours from where I live, and I'm inspired to go back and see all the same flowers and fountains again despite the drive.
The secret lesbian thing is always a possibility, but it does seem unlikely. But you never know, since it has already been hinted at. I've only read her earlier stuff, and it has been funny to me to see a more modern sensibility (more talk about "sex stuff," etc), but homosexuality figuring in the outcome in a 1969 Christie book seems like a stretch.
I'm not the only one who saw that!? I'll admit, I don't remember the details of what I read very clearly. I'm definitely a person who sees a forest, not the trees. Come to think of it, that probably explains why I'm terrible at figuring out the killer. When I got to Poirot's monologue in this book, I kept asking myself (view spoiler)
Mod
..."
I'm only up to Chapter 9, so I can only tackle these questions right now:
1. Do you find the dialog in the story realistic? Yes.
2. Does the fact that (view spoiler) bother you more than it if was (view spoiler)? I thought it would when I saw the synopsis, but it happens "off-stage" so it didn't bother me any more than any other murder in a murder mystery.
3. At this point in the story, it seems obvious that Joyce was killed because she had said she had witnessed a murder. Do you think she really did witness one? Or do you think she was just trying to get attention as seemed to be her usual behavior? Yes I think she really did witness one and that was the cause of her own murder. But I also know that Christie has fooled me before, so I'm prepared for anything right now!
4. Some of the language is obviously quite dated. Did you find any words or phrases that you didn't understand? Not dated at all, just very British. Thanks to Mrs Oliver's bizarre comparison of a marrow and a pumpkin, I finally figured out that vegetable marrows are NOT like celery or cardoons!! That's a real mystery solved! It looks like they are ... zucchini? So now I don't understand the difference between a "vegetable marrow" and a courgette / zucchini. But this isn't a cookbook so that doesn't matter.
And yes I definitely had to google "snapdragon" - what the heck??? having children dive into flames for hot raisins was a popular children's party game???? WHY?
I AM getting really REALLY annoyed with all of Christie's annoying asides about how annoying kids these days are, what with their annoying dating and annoyingly crazy attitudes. And the bizarre frequency of talking about sexual deviants in the neighborhood and whether Joyce was sexually assaulted is getting on my nerves. Why does she keep mentioning that????
5. Do you like to make guesses about the identity of the murderer and the reasons for the murder as you read a mystery, or do you like to see how it develops without making guesses? Yes! Especially in mysteries like this, where I know she is giving us a full list of suspects and all the clues needed to solve it. I made a list of everyone mentioned who was in the room with Joyce.
Nadine wrote: "I AM getting really REALLY annoyed with all of Christie's annoying asides about how annoying kids these days are, what with their annoying dating and annoyingly crazy attitudes. And the bizarre frequency of talking about sexual deviants in the neighborhood and whether Joyce was sexually assaulted is getting on my nerves. Why does she keep mentioning that????"I have to agree. My only explanation is that she was getting old and had just lived through the sexual revolution of the 1960's, and she just couldn't let go of her horror of the deviant behavior of "kids these days." She also seemed to be obsessed with mentally disturbed people as well. It is certainly a lot different than her earlier books (the only ones I've read previously).
Mod
I'm finally all caught up and can tackle these questions now!
1. It has been mentioned by several characters that Joyce was likely killed by a “mentally deranged” individual. Why do you think this is the prevailing theory by the villagers? Do you agree with it?.
This has been very annoying to me, and I've started highlighting each instance of someone referencing mentally deranged people.
I think Christie was struggling w dementia herself and is therefore a little obsessed with mental health issues, and angry that it is happening to her, and that's why she keeps having her characters talk about it. And after I came up w this theory, based on all these mentions in this book, I googled and found that many people think she had dementia starting around the late 60s / early 70s. And this book was published 1969.
2. Poirot wears patent leather shoes that are too tight and make him miserable, apparently in his desire to look dapper . Which type of person are you – a fashionista or a comfortable old shoe (or something in between)?
Comfort ALWAYS comes first for me! I am a schlub.
3. At this point in the story, there have been a lot of characters introduced. Have any of them caught your eye as possibly being the murderer?
Oh I'm always wrong but yes right now I'm suspecting (view spoiler)
4. Not a question - but I would really love to see the Quarry Woods and the beautiful designer.
Same!!!!
Teri wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I AM getting really REALLY annoyed with all of Christie's annoying asides about how annoying kids these days are, what with their annoying dating and annoyingly crazy attitudes. And ..."Likewise. This is the first book of hers that I read that I thought was pretty awful.
Just found the group read, and since I finished the book, today, I'll jump right in and answer the questions:1. Please introduce yourself.
Mirel, I've never done a group read before, but since I had nothing which tempted my interest for Halloween, decided to go with this title, and try out the group...
2. Do you often read mysteries?
While not my favorite genre, I do read the occasional mystery.
3. Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
I haven't read any Agatha Christie in decades, but in the past, I have read and enjoyed several of her books.
4. What are some of your Halloween traditions?
Halloween is not a holiday that is observed by us, so...None. We have different holidays which we enjoy.
Questions for Chapters 1-8:
1. Do you find the dialog in the story realistic?
Not always. And I found a lot of it very repetitive. Seems like everyone in the book has to tell us about their identical take on mental institutions.
2. Does the fact that (view spoiler) bother you more than it if was (view spoiler)?
I don't think it was developed enough to make me care much. I found the beginning to be terribly boring, and although under normal circumstances it would have bothered me more, here it didn't.
3. At this point in the story, it seems obvious that Joyce was killed because she had said she had witnessed a murder. Do you think she really did witness one? Or do you think she was just trying to get attention as seemed to be her usual behavior?
Hmmm. I think I was waiting to see how that would develop before forming an opinion.
4. Some of the language is obviously quite dated. Did you find any words or phrases that you didn't understand?
Not enough to make me stop reading and check it up.
5. Do you like to make guesses about the identity of the murderer and the reasons for the murder as you read a mystery, or do you like to see how it develops without making guesses?
I generally like to see how the plot develops, but I sometimes make guesses along the way...
Questions for Chapters 9-15:
1. It has been mentioned by several characters that Joyce was likely killed by a “mentally deranged” individual. Why do you think this is the prevailing theory by the villagers? Do you agree with it?
Pretty clear that she was killed because of claiming to have seen a murder (otherwise where would the story be?), but it is obviously easier for a local to accept that it must be an outsider or someone who can be held unaccountable for his actions due to insanity than to admit the possibility of evil in one's midst.
2. Poirot wears patent leather shoes that are too tight and make him miserable, apparently in his desire to look dapper . Which type of person are you – a fashionista or a comfortable old shoe (or something in between)?
Neither, so I guess that means something in between. I like to dress nicely, and look good, but not at the expense of comfort. OTOH, I do sometimes wear heels (hey, I'm petite-sized), because they are more appropriate on certain occasions and look better with my height, but not too high, and still have to be comfortable. (My daughter wear 4-inch heels regularly, I'll stick to 1 1/2-2 at most).
3. At this point in the story, there have been a lot of characters introduced. Have any of them caught your eye as possibly being the murderer?
Most seemed dismissable, but at that point in the story I was concentrating more on the other clues and guessing which tie in to this murder. But having finished the book, I have to confess that it didn't come as much of a surprise.
4. Not a question - but I would really love to see the Quarry Woods and the beautiful designer.
Definitely with you on the Quarry Woods!
Questions will be coming tomorrow - today has been full of medical tests and such. My body is betraying me.
Week Four: Questions for Chapters 16 to the end1. What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make the plot? Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? Did you find it believable?
2. Did you feel that the author parceled out the details of the plot in a suspenseful way, or did you feel confused about what was going on?
3. What did you think of Hercule Poirot?
4. Were there parts you especially enjoyed? Parts you especially hated?
Let's get the rest of the questions for this book out now. Conclusion: Final Discussion Questions
1. Did you like the book? If so, Why? If not, why not?
2. Any comments about the way the book ended?
3. Were you glad you read the book? Would you recommend it to a friend?
4. Do you plan to read more books by Agatha Christie?
Have a Happy Halloween!
Week Four Responses1. What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make the plot? Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? Did you find it believable?
I did not find it predictable because I'm terrible at figuring out plots (view spoiler). As far as being believable, (view spoiler)
2. Did you feel that the author parceled out the details of the plot in a suspenseful way, or did you feel confused about what was going on?
When I read this book a couple of months ago, I read it in a hurry (trying to finish the PS challenge) and missed a few details, so the ending of the book didn't make a lot of sense to me. While re-reading it for this discussion, I got the idea and realized the plot was a little better than I had previously realized. She certainly introduced more characters than usual that could have developed into many different suspects and plots.
3. What did you think of Hercule Poirot?
I have definitely enjoyed him more in the previous Christie books I have read. He was a rather annoying character this time around. For example, (view spoiler)
4. Were there parts you especially enjoyed? Parts you especially hated?
I liked the descriptions of the Quarry Woods, and I liked Miranda's character. And I was amused by Ariadne Oliver. As has been mentioned before, I didn't like the focus on how terrible the world has become, and the moral decline of the younger crowd, and the obsession with the idea that the mentally disabled are all criminals.
Responses to Conclusion1. Did you like the book? If so, Why? If not, why not?
It was okay for what it was. If Nadine's information is correct and Christie was having dementia issues by this time, I can give her a break and excuse some of the weird things.
2. Any comments about the way the book ended?
The things people do for love and money, am I right? (view spoiler)
3. Were you glad you read the book? Would you recommend it to a friend?
I am always glad to read an Agatha Christie book and plan to read them all. I would recommend to a friend who loves Agatha Christie with the caveat that it isn't her best work.
4. Do you plan to read more books by Agatha Christie?
As I said, I'm planning to read them all. There is a Goodreads group called "Agatha Christie Lovers" that reads one book per month in the order written. They've already made one pass through all the books (took them more than 5 years) and recently started again. They are almost up to where I have gotten in my own in-order reading, so I plan to participate in that group more in the coming months.
1. What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make the plot? Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? Did you find it believable?This was a reread for me, so I don't know that I can answer this question well. I remembered who had done it and why. I felt like the plot development was decent, but stalled out several places when we went back again and again to the whole mental deranged murderer idea and the morals of modern kids (which had absolutely nothing to do with the plot).
2. Did you feel that the author parceled out the details of the plot in a suspenseful way, or did you feel confused about what was going on?
Again, a reread and I can't remember how I felt about this the first time around.
3. What did you think of Hercule Poirot?
I love Poirot as a reader, but I think he would drive me crazy in real life. His ego alone would send me over the edge, especially since he is really as good at what he does as he thinks he is. I really didn't feel like he was written in Hallowe'en Party as well as he usually is.
4. Were there parts you especially enjoyed? Parts you especially hated?
I loved the Quarry Woods. I also love Mrs. Oliver (I love her in all the books she is in). I got really tired of the talk of the mentally deranged and the morals of young people.
1. Did you like the book? If so, Why? If not, why not?This was not my favorite Christie. It was repetitive and the last scene was a stretch. However, she was fighting dementia and she is Christie so she gets a pass on this book.
2. Any comments about the way the book ended?
I haven't figured out the spoiler tag yet, so I'll answer this after I figure that out.
3. Were you glad you read the book? Would you recommend it to a friend?
I am always happy to read a Christie, but I wouldn't recommend this one. There are so many others that are amazing. I actually read The Hollow this week as a palate cleanser.
4. Do you plan to read more books by Agatha Christie?
First of all, how did I not know about the Agatha Christie lovers group? I am going to join them right now. I have been a huge Christie fan since I read Death on the Nile when I was in eighth grade. My goal is to read all of Christie's books.
1. Please introduce yourself.I'm Kim, from Playa del Rey, near LAX in So. Calif. I went through ALL of the Agatha Christie books I could find when I was in Junior High and High School. I always assumed I've read them all, but I may have missed some. I can't wait to check out that Agatha Christie Goodreads group that was mentioned!
2. Do you often read mysteries?
That is one of my favorite genres!
3. Have you read other books by Agatha Christie?
Yes (see above). My favorites have always been Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, both of which were made into great movies. I really loved the recent film rendition of the Orient Express, too!
4. What are some of your Halloween traditions?
My favorite things about Halloween are the traditional, vintage illustrations of Black Cats, Pumpkins, Haunted Houses, etc. I don't really get into the whimsical side of it so much. I LOVE decorating with my tea-dipped, torn cheesecloth "drapes", my cat and rat skeletons (which sit where my live cat is usually seen... the neighbors loved that last year!), and my wreath with knitted leaves and a life-like knitted fruit bat. This year, I'm going to crochet a big spider's web and put it in the bare branches by our front door. I just need to get a big, weather-proof spider! We are a neighborhood of apartment buildings and small townhome complexes (like ours), and we never get Trick or Treaters, but we like decorating along with our neighbors, just for ourselves. We don't dress up, either, but when I worked at Disney Animation Studios, the costumes were AMAZING!
Re: the book. Last week, I listened to what I thought was an audio version of the book, but it turned out to be an hour and a half BBC dramatization. I loved it, but thought, since the eBook came in from Overdrive at the same time, I would read it as well. There are a lot more details (Mrs. Oliver sure took a long time to spit out the details of the murder she wanted Hercule Poirot to look into!). I'm only half through the reading of the book, so not much to comment on yet.
I was curious about the Snapdragon ceremony or game. And the carving(?) of vegetable marrows. The landscaped quarry sounded beautiful!
Mod
1. What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make the plot? Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? Did you find it believable? I thought it was credible, but also very predictable - I called "whodunit" very early on, I just didn't get a few details (which I'm honestly not sure if it was possible to get - (view spoiler)
2. Did you feel that the author parceled out the details of the plot in a suspenseful way, or did you feel confused about what was going on? No, it wasn't very suspenseful, and there were too many irritating and obvious red herrings.
3. What did you think of Hercule Poirot? he's really annoying but I don't mind reading his books!
4. Were there parts you especially enjoyed? Parts you especially hated? The garden was a nice idea.
As I mentioned before, I REALLY hated how often Christie harped on (a) how society has changed, (b) mental insanity, (c) the possibility of sexual assault. None of that was necessary.
I just finished the book yesterday, so I will carry on to the next questions:
Conclusion: Final Discussion Questions
1. Did you like the book? If so, Why? If not, why not? Meh. It was okay. The mystery was fine, but all that insanity / sexual assault / society changing nonsense REALLY annoyed me, and once I start getting annoyed, all the fun is gone.
Also, I didn't find Mrs Oliver to be terribly interesting - I confess I skimmed her parts once I realized that she tended to natter on. Same for all of the other women who were flibbertigibbets and wouldn't just get to the POINT.
2. Any comments about the way the book ended? I wasn't loving it. (view spoiler)
3. Were you glad you read the book? Would you recommend it to a friend? Sure I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got to participate in at least one monthly read this year!!! (But I wish more people were discussing!) I don't know if I would recommend it.
4. Do you plan to read more books by Agatha Christie? Yes of course!
Mod
I haven't figured out the spoiler tag yet, so I'll answer this after I figure that out...."
You just write the word "spoiler" inside pointy brackets, like this but without the spaces: < spoiler > And then write your spoiler. And to close the spoiler, you write < / spoiler > (Again without the spaces.)
Thanks. I knew I had read those directions somewhere but couldn't come up with them.
Week Four1. What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make the plot? Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? Did you find it believable?
Like several of you have already said, there are some parts that didn't add up or make much sense. I thought the (view spoiler) came out of nowhere and seemed such a bizarre way for the killer to try and silence a witness.
2. Did you feel that the author parceled out the details of the plot in a suspenseful way, or did you feel confused about what was going on?
I didn't think it was as suspenseful as it could have been. But I'm always confused when I read mysteries!
3. What did you think of Hercule Poirot?
He didn't sound very much like the Hercule Poirot I'd read about before. In Death on the Nile, he's so compassionate and hopeful that (view spoiler) He's the same in the movie version of Murder on the Orient Express that I've seen. I didn't see very much of that in this book.
4. Were there parts you especially enjoyed? Parts you especially hated?
No, I didn't have any strong feelings about this book.
Conclusion
1. Did you like the book? If so, Why? If not, why not?
Yes, I did. Despite not being her best, Agatha Christie is always better than the majority of mysteries I've read. Most mystery novels put me to sleep. This book did not do that.
2. Any comments about the way the book ended?
I've answered that in a previous question. It was bizarre.
3. Were you glad you read the book? Would you recommend it to a friend?
I will recommend Agatha Christie, but not specifically this book.
4. Do you plan to read more books by Agatha Christie?
Yes! I'd like to read all of Agatha Christie's books. Teri, thank you for telling us about that group. I don't know that I'll read one a month, but I'd like to join in from time to time. I read The A.B.C. Murders this weekend, and I have The Murder on the Links and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd on my bookshelf.
Teri, thank you for leading our group discussion this month. When we voted this the group read, I thought the discussion leader would have a time of it coming up non-spoiler questions for a mystery. I think you did a great job.
Mod
I'm blushing!Actually, it has been kind of fun. Maybe I'll volunteer for one next year as well.
Thanks to all who participated in our book discussion this month.I wish you a spooktacular Halloween!
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Books mentioned in this topic
The A.B.C. Murders (other topics)The Murder on the Links (other topics)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (other topics)
Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
Death on the Nile (other topics)
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