The Parlor PI's discussion
The Monogram Murders, Chapters 1 thru 8. Welcome!
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One of the newspapers here printed a copy of a Washington Post review of this book. The reviewer gave it high marks.
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J wrote: "One of the newspapers here printed a copy of a Washington Post review of this book. The reviewer gave it high marks."
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Right off, the story opens with a Christie-esque flair and hook. If I didn't know better, I'd have sworn Dame Agatha penned this tome.
The setting of the London coffee house, the colorful, gossipy characters, Jennie's mysterious and drama filled arrival and of course, Hercule Poirot in his dapper finery. Be still my heart!
What do you think of Catchpool as a sidekick? I found him a bit like Hastings...which is great as I miss the old gang.
I love Mrs. Unsworth and her boarding house. Another layer of depth and flavor IMHO.
How about you? What are your thoughts thus far?
Mini spoiler -
One thing I wish different about the book -- which I hope is beg. of a series extension -- is that the author placed it before HP's retirement. This would have brought in Hastings, Lemon, Japp. Who knows, maybe they will return in her forthcoming AC's.
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Off yet on topic: Love the cover. It has a felt like quality to it. Many books of late are sporting that texture on their dust jackets.
Also love the cover. I saw a posting somewhere that there were several different versions of the cover.
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Three murders in three separate rooms on three different floors and he (cop) is sitting at the boarding house, fretting and waiting. But then again, he is waiting for Poirot so that makes some sense.
What's your first impression of these deaths, murders?
Started reading the book last night and found it a bit slow. Also thought it strange that Poirot would move in with his friend only a short distance away when he is so fussy and loves his place so much. Would understand it if renovations were being done but the reason given seems a bit weak and not like him. Also Poirot tends to relax by doing puzzles and building card tables and keeping occupied. I find it strange that he needs to rest his grey cells as this seems out of character. Have not got to know much of Catchpool as yet but he also sounds a bit odd.
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I took it as a sign of boredom in retirement, missing companionship of his sidekicks so he moseys over for company more than rest, remedying possible loneliness.
Will be interesting to see what Pghfan and the others have to say.
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Still plodding along with these first few chapters. The explanation for Catchpools behaviour seemed a bit longwinded. He is certainly a bit odd for a policeman. Hastings seemed to be a lot more enthusiastic whereas Poirot seems to have to push Catchpool to do anything. Puts him on top of my suspect list just for being so slow. Also I've never heard of a doctor laying out a dead person before. This is something that is left to the nurse or funeral home.
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No pressure, Pghfan but we miss you. ;-)
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Unlike some of you, I don't think the writing is much like Christie's, at least so far. The plot sounds intriguing, though, with three nearly identical corpses and one strange-acting woman Poirot desperately wants to help.
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I thought the plot intriguing. The three vics laid out the way they were, fine assortment of suspects, clues galore. Like AC's projects, there are many layers which unfold as one reads on. I'm wondering the significance of the cufflinks. Any idea on those?
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Finished the first 8 chapters last night. I agree with Pghfan that it is not written in the style of Agatha Christie. We really haven't come across many suspects as yet and are only starting to find out a little about the victims. If I compare it to an Agatha Christie book, we would have had a lot more information by now, and I would have finished the book by now. This one seems a lot more drawn out and slow going.I don't feel that Catchpool is like Hastings at all. He doesn't show the same enthusiasm and does not seem interested in carrying out his work, waiting for instructions from Poirot instead. On its own the mystery is interesting but I think you have to look at it on its own as it is not an Agatha Christie book. After reading an author you get to know their style and how to pick the clues and the murderer. This is a new author to me and I will have to continue to look at it in that way. I was expecting more similarities and have been disappointed. Even though I love Poirot, I don't think he has been captured in his true style.
As for the cufflinks it is too early to guess on their significance. We really don't know much at this stage.
You must have a different version of the book to mine, Tina. My chapter 8 ends on page 109.
I have not had any night that's free this week until now. Some of my thoughts on Catchpool and Poirot's 'taking a rest'. Firstly, I love the character of Catchpool. He is unlike Hastings and Inspector Japp. Remember, Catchpool is young. He's a little inexperienced I think in matters of murder. Maybe dealt more with other types of crimes. He's like Hastings only in the way he doesn't think things out. Poirot prods him to use his brain. I like how Poirot asks him questions to get him thinking. (And I think this is also a tactic Sophie Hannah uses to get the reader to think.) Anastasia says he's odd. I agree because he's a policeman that seems hesitant to do his work. And he's a little of a scaredy-cat!About Poirot's characterization: I again agree with Anastasia on something. I do think it's out of character for Poirot to be fatigued because of using his gray cells. Retiring to grow vegetables (like Roger Ackroyd) is one thing, but leaving comfort to go to a stranger's home to rest from thinking is totally different. Poirot would build houses of cards or go 'on holiday', but I don't recall Poirot saying, "Oh, I'm so tired of using my brain. I gotta rest my head". LOL.
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As for the Hastings' comp., it's mostly as he's a little slow in crime solving compared to the great Poirot. (As James points out, Catchpool is a little inexperienced). Both good guys, but not the sharpest. And intentional, of course, as they play well of each other. You're correct, Catchpool does lack Hastings' enthusiasm.
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Catchpool is like Hastings even if "only in the way he doesn't think things out." Quite true and plausible to his character.
As for the prodding it is a great device for HP and Ms. Hannah. It accomplishes the task of getting HP's Catchpool and Sophie's readers thinking. Fine observation.
I guess I didn't think much of Poirot's staying at a lodging house esp. as he didn't want to leave his warm apt. for Simeon Lee's that Christmas week several years ago. I chalked it up to a senior feeling a bit lonely and wanting to get out for a little excitement. Not too much you understand. lol My SO's mom is 82 and she's forever inventing reasons to have the handyman, gardener, etc. stop over. But then she's no Miss Marple. A sidekick maybe. lol
Tina wrote: "Anastasia, I do have a different version. Mine is the hard cover and its Chptr. eight ends on pg. 89.As for the Hastings' comp., it's mostly as he's a little slow in crime solving compared to th..."
Mine is also a hardcover so wonder why they are different
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And I am constantly saying to myself, as I read, "this is not how Christie would be writing this", and, "this is not what Poirot would be saying." I'll try to think of this as someone else's book and not a Christie. Perhaps that will help.
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Catchpool just seems very bland to me. Hastings had much more personality I thought. I was surprised that HP stayed across the street at a lodging house when his own house was right there and that he travels across town to a coffee shop...that seems out of character to me.
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"...I chalked it up to a senior feeling a bit lonely and wanting to get out for a little excitement. Not too much you understand. lol My SO's mom is 82 and she's forever inventing reasons to have the handyman, gardener, etc. stop over. But then she's no Miss Marple. A sidekick maybe. lol"
A time tested formula for a successful read & discuss is to run a chat in chapter sections over the period of a month or so. Starting Sept. end through Oct. will allow 3 weeks to tuck into the main course of the story, with two chapters saved for last. That is as not to spoil the reveal which typically occurs in the final pages.
Once launched, we'll start the first week with chapter one - "Runaway Jennie" through eight - "Assembling Our Thoughts." That runs to about page 89. The second section will start about the 2nd week of Oct. and so on.
Questions re: setup are welcomed. As for The Parlor rules...there are none. We are adults and don't need to be babysat. We do, however, abide by regs set up by the Goodreads admin (and I believe Amazon) as we appreciate the community they've founded for us bibliophiles.
With that, we look forward to a hearty and enjoyable discussion of The Monogram Mystery. We are glad you are at home with us in The Parlor! Thank you.