October 2014: They Do It With Mirrors

[Mark Pghfan]

An excellent Marple story. I remember that the first time I read this book, I read the entire thing on an airplane flight! Multiple re-reads later, it is still enjoyable and a very nice twist on the locked-room type of puzzle.

Question for the group: Does anyone know which novel was Poirot's most famous "locked-room" puzzle?

[Malcolm]

Lauren wrote: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd?"

HP's Xmas or Murder in the Mews?

[Mark Pghfan]

I was thinking of HP's Christmas, but Ackroyd is certainly a good answer as is "Mews." Thanks for the responses!

[Reija]

I was reading couple other books but have to start this too because of those are way too depressing.. I liked how long it take before we get murder. I really like Marple.

[C. J.]

Hope I get to find this one later. I am kind of caught up in some stuff (books that have NOT been finished yet) and may read some other Christie and hope I have some time to tackle this one as well.

This one has intrigued me (especially the title!).

[Sarah. B]

Just managed to pick up a copy from the library. Looking forward to starting it

[Mark Pghfan]

In addition to the book, there are no less than three TV adaptations made from this story, one with Helen Hayes as Miss M, one with Julia McKenzie and the great one with Joan Hickson. All a bit different from the book, but more or less the same plot device for the deaths.

[C. J.]

I'm going to get this book at the library, read a good portion of it, and then come with at least a discussion question to get all of us chatting... I hope I do so anyway. :)

[C. J.]

Just got it from the library yesterday. Can't wait!

[C. J.]

Does anyone find the "mirror" a great set-piece or more further a great symbol to the story?

I mean I haven't got to the magician aspect of it but I noticed its impact on people. To a magician a perfect deceptive device, to a female it is something to almost obsess over and makes one feel like they have problems physically in their supposed flaws. That counts as deception to, does it?

[C. J.]

Yes I do, hehe! She is enjoyable as well as useful as any good sleuth.

And I have to set page goals because I have gone off to a slow start and am not reading as often as I usually am.

[C. J.]

A question. What does this mean? It says Inspector Curry adds some "out-sized whiskers to one of the cats on his blotting pad."

I guess it just means he was taking notes. Still I had trouble imagining any of that. Anybody get this slang phrase?

[Malcolm]

Lauren wrote: "CJ wrote: "A question. What does this mean? It says Inspector Curry adds some "out-sized whiskers to one of the cats on his blotting pad."

I guess it just means he was taking notes. Still I had tr..."
He was doodling on his blotting pad, drew a cat and added some whiskers ..... or fed up with next door's tabby he ..... !

[Sarah. B]

lol that`s what I thought. He was doodling a picture of a cat and then elaborately drew in the whiskers

[Ecem]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I guessed the murderer but obviously not the whole story.

[C. J.]

Hmm... okay that makes so much sense now! Haha.

So Inspector Curry was doodling. Okay.

To Lauren on: "How are you enjoying this one? I'm not sure if you've finished it yet, but if not, who do you suspect?" End Quote

I don't quite know. I found a near-spoiler looking at the quotes on the page where this book can be found. At first I suspected Gina but also a couple others. One person I will keep under wraps (I wonder if there are others who are curious about this one. Did you guys read it yet? I'll check the thing on this group).

I suspect a small number but Christie at her craft likes to make anyone if not everyone a suspect to this murder. I also got to the "mirrors" speech. Don't know how that plays in but I'll read on and see...

[C. J.]

Okay I finished it.

I briefly suspected that person but was not what I expected as I read to the end.

Not a bad book overall. Kind of more okay though.