The Monogram Murders, Chapters 9 thru 15. Starts Anytime!

[Tina]

No hurry, PI's. With the world going 24/7, I know we're all at different areas in the book. The beauty of these chats is that we can participate on our own schedule. I'll pipe in more near end of weekend.

A non-spoiler comment for now: I always romanticized about those quaint and cozy UK villages but through my armchair mystery tours (via a good Brit mystery), I come to think they're capable of being as Vicious as a rough and tumble 'hood in NYC or the like. lol Those villagers could take down the toughest gang member and later rejoice round pints at the nearest village pub. Don't underestimate the guarding of the small and cozy 'hood. Good on them! ;-)

[James]

I will comment more later on chapters 9-15. Tina mentioned the English village. I think a huge plus for this novel is the inclusion of a quiet English village. This is, so far, my favorite part of the book. I think Sophie Hannah did a good thing for herself by including a village in this story. And so far, the village feels like one that Dame Agatha could've created. I even like the name of it: Great Holling. I'm just really excited for a village to pop up in this book.

I'm thinking now, tho, if it was wise to keep Poirot out of the town and just have Catchpool go. Sure, Poirot's gone to small towns before (Mrs. McGinty's Dead comes to my mind). Poirot has other business in London and, (sure) Catchpool is doing "police work" in Great Holling. I'm just wondering if it was a good decision by Sophie Hannah to have the policeman go to the village and not Poirot. I think it's working out for the best. What do you all think, hmmm?

[Tina]

James, I too love the English Village setting. Always wanted to visit the Cotswolds or "Midsomer Parva." But I also love the glam of the Bloxham. Two of my favorite whodunit settings. Yes, Ms. Hannah does herself proud by including both in this novel. Add a coffee house or tea room and Be Still My heart!"

[Tina]

I'm not sure I'd have stayed at the King's Head after that frosty reception from Mr. Meakin but then it seems that was the only game in town. Didn't take Meakin long to spill the beans but I suppose that would be expected in a tight knit village such as Great Holling...or perhaps anywhere. People talk. Think I'd have stayed up the night or moved a dresser in front of the door. lol

The chat? with the "old gnome" was interesting. For a small village, Catchpool's managed quite a few interesting encounters already.

Yes, James, I think HP should've gone with CP to Great Holling.

[Anastasia]

I would have thought that there would have been a local policeman in the village or even nearby. Someone who would have have known of the local gossip and villagers and would have assisted Catchpool and introduced him to the right people to speak to.

[James]

Anastasia is right, you know. Of course Catchpool could've gone to the local police in Great Holling and gotten assistance. Poirot has always gotten assistance from the local constabulary.

I was thinking as I'm reading the book that the village seems not to be a kind one. Lots of hatred and ill-will. Maybe Catchpool didn't go to the local police because 1) he didn't want to bring attention to himself and 2) he didn't know how the local police would react to his presence. Perhaps the police there are not nice people either. I'm not saying the police force is corrupt, but maybe unforgiving and prejudiced.

[Anastasia]

The police are supposed to work together and it doesn't make sense that local knowledge is not obtained even if it is unhelpful or prejudiced.

[Tina]

Good points, Anastasia and James! I got the impression that it was 1) he didn't want to bring attention to himself and possibly a hint of 2). But yes, the police are suppose to work together. However, in many plots, the townsfolk and local police don't cotton to the idea of outsiders poking around their village biz. Then there's the corrupt law enforcement angle. Not sure if that's a storyteller's tool or if a bit of both.

Enjoying the discussion, PI's! Thank you!

[Tina]

Such a life. Sitting, watching a graveyard all waking hours.



Mini spoiler -







I was wondering why Margaret chose to hold back the full account of her story. I was thinking, "Just say it already, woman!" lol But Catchpool was patient. Maybe that's where his more laid back personality comes in handy in his investigations.

[Allison]

Tina - I also wondered why Margaret held back the info, I mean does she want Catchpool to be able to help or not?

I loved the inclusion of the village but man, those are some nasty people, I'm glad I don't live there.

I do love the idea of the Bloxham Hotel...sounds so elegant to me. I kind of pictured The Empress Hotel from Victoria B.C. as my mental version of the Bloxham. Without the dead people of course but the tea would be great.

[Tina]

They sure are, Allison. Some diners, bars, neighborhood gathering spots are like that. They have their regulars and eye daggers at any new patrons that come in. New people are a threat to these tight knot groups.

The Bloxham Hotel has a website. Have you seen it? All Art Deco in Black, gold, white. So elegant. It should be on Google if you haven't been yet. They had a big promo event for the release of Monogram Murders. Visit when you have a chance.

[Tina]

Twitter has a great Bloxham page. I don't believe you need an acct. to view pics, videos. Oh, to have been there on Monogram's opening night. The actor who plays Lazzaro is a hoot and the talent who plays HP is familiar. He's a pretty good likeness but not our Suchet. Check it out.

[Tina]

Samuel Kidd did not earn any points by parroting HP. To imply that he was a relative of Poirot's was beyond the pale.

[Mark Pghfan]

I think it would have been most interesting if Poirot had gone to Great Holling himself. It is a very common thread throughout Christie that Miss M and Poirot generally got more information from the leery people in a small village, since they were far less "threatening" to the populace than the police are. It seems that the worst thing Catchpool could have done was announce himself as a policeman, and from London, worse yet!

And I agree, why wouldn't Margaret tell all in the first meeting? This is about all the further I am at this point and I am expecting that either Margaret has to check with somebody before revealing, or, more likely, she will be killed before she can reveal what she knows!

[Mark Pghfan]

By the way, there is a graveyard that abuts my backyard. I hardly ever just sit and watch it, though.

[Tina]

LOL, Pghfan. But then you have a life. BTW, does the graveyard ever creep you? Any good stories you have to share?

I have a few cemetery, graveyard stories I'll have to share sometime but they may lose a little in the narration.

[Tina]

Could it be that Poirot is slowing down a bit and would rather hang at the coffeehouse than running...waddling hither, dither to chase down clues?

Pghfan wrote: "I think it would have been most interesting if Poirot had gone to Great Holling himself. It is a very common thread throughout Christie that Miss M and Poirot generally got more information from t..."

[Mark Pghfan]

I don't know, Tina. Apparently the year is 1929, so he is not even half way through his career as a private detective! Most of his great cases are still ahead of him.

[Tina]

True that, Pghfan. Or it could be that he's allowing Catchpool to hone his crime solving skills and put his gray matter to the test. Afterall, Poirot won't be able to hold his hand throughout the rest of his career.

The author's input would be interesting here.

[Mark Pghfan]

Well we do have the back story on the business at Great Holling, and we have identified Jennie. But where is she? And Nancy Ducane sounds like a very strange person indeed.

[Anastasia]

It seems to have taken a long time to get to this point. Half way through and we are only now being introduced to the main suspects

[Tina]

Good points, Pghfan and Anastasia. Nancy Ducane is an odd babe. So, do we chalk this up to the creative stero type or is she up to something, tripping over herself to keep things under wraps and not be outed as guilty?

Anastasia, it did take a while to be introduced to main suspects. I agree, that should've happened earlier in story.

Now this is where things get tricky. Like a Christie, this story is multi-layered -- good thing. But now, for me at least, things get a bit confusing with the plot, tying loose ends. However, if it's a choice 'tween thin, one dimensional plot vs. layers that are a task to keep straight, I'll take the latter. Def. not boring.