Dame Christie Journey - Black Coffee

[Srividya]

Dame Christie has many fans over the world, who love her every word but are especially fond of her two genius detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Join us here as we take on the task of reading her works in chronological order, starting with the wonderful books featuring Hercule Poirot and his feats as a crime solving detective.

Books read
February- March The Mysterious Affair at Styles


March 15th - April 15th The Murder on the Links

June 1st - June 15th The Big Four

Currently Reading

June 27th - July 15th - The Mystery of the Blue Train

Do post your thoughts and comments on this book below. Do remember to use spoiler tags where required to ensure that you don't spoil the story or the mystery for our other readers.

Happy reading everyone! :)

Discussion leader: Iniya

[Shinjini]

I've read this one and am waiting to see your thoughts. Happy reading!

[Smitha]

Have read too, but planning a reread. Shall start in a couple of days.

[Amritha]

Read it a while back, planning to reread.

[Shivam]

Have read this one. It was really good.

[Smitha]

This is available for free at GoodReads ebooks site:
https://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/down...

[IShita]

Been wanting to read this one. Shall start this in Feb!

[Anirudh]

And the killer is..... ;)

[Shinjini]

Shall I tell? >:D

[Anirudh]

Shinjini wrote: "Shall I tell? >:D"

It is in this novel Christie uses the expression his eyes shine like that of a cat isn't it? The poirot here in the first book and later in the series has some differences in character.

[Shinjini]

Yes, I believe there was this description. It changes later? Why?

[Anirudh]

Shinjini wrote: "Yes, I believe there was this description. It changes later? Why?"

No not the description, his personality. Most of the time the first book is different from the rest of them.

[Shinjini]

I never realised! I have read other books but since they were so out of order, it must have gone past me. I wonder why she changed it.

[Anirudh]

Not just her pretty much everyone. Because the first book is like a pilot episode. You are unsure as to how the reader will respond. Then later you adjust your characters. Same reason she let go of Hastings.

[Amritha]

My memory is vague where this one is concerned, going to start re-reading it.

[Amritha]

Just finished it. I'd forgotten most of the plot, so, it was a pleasure to read it again.

[Vinit]

Christie's first.. A classic for sure, but not my favorite of her works. It was a fast read and I enjoyed it, but was not quite as intrigued with the story as I had hoped.. mayb coz of the similarity with the 'Holmes..

[Srividya]

Hello people! What happened to this one? No one discussing it? All those who have finished the book do post your thoughts in spoiler tags and start off the discussions! :)

I will join in some time next week, once I get back here on a full time basis! :)

[Srividya]

I just started reading this one. My initial thoughts

Chap 1

(view spoiler)[Quite liking the initial build up, which is so classically Christie in style. Introducing the various characters, setting of the plot, it feels like nothing has changed in this regard, even in her later books. One thing I felt really strong here is the playing up of the quintessential British backdrop, which despite being in most of her books, comes across pretty strongly in this one.

I loved how Hastings introduces Poirot in this one -that crazy little Belgian who is a great detective. Lol! Am still in the first chapter, yet to see Poirot actually enter the scene and can't wait for it.

Like with most Christie novels, I am already looking out for the bad guy/s or girl/s in this one. Can't wait. (hide spoiler)]

For those who have read this one or are reading it -

1. What do you think of the writing style? Does it match with her other books or do you see a difference in this one? Does this seem better or does this seem more raw?

2. What about the build up, especially in the first chapter?

3. Does the introduction of characters make you want to try and guess who the culprit is, even before knowing the victim or even the crime?

4. Overall thoughts about the beginning or Christie books in general.

[Em Lost In Books]

Will start this one once I finish both of my current reads.:)

[Srividya]

Okay :)

[Srividya]

Up to Chap 4

(view spoiler)[Mrs. Inglethorp is murdered. Okay so this was expected. Any ideas on who the killer is? I love the way Christie builds her murders, even though it may seem pretty repetitive in most cases. You have a murder, which takes place in an improbable setting, with all doors locked and yet Poirot finds his way through it and solves it.. Exciting even if it is repetitive.

I simply LOVE the exchanges between Poirot and Hastings. Hastings is like an eager little puppy while Poirot is this dignified owner. Lol! Coffee or coco, which one is it? (wonder why they spell it without an 'a' at the end.. is it my book that has it or is it the traditional spelling.. Oh forget my rambling, I tend to concentrate on weird things. But I am loving how Hastings wants to solve the case and thinks that Poirot has lost it. Somehow this attitude of his doesn't change at all, despite Poirot always solving the cases and Hastings always falling flat! (hide spoiler)]

[Srividya]

I finished this one last night. here are some thoughts. Hopefully some others who have read this will come and chat here and not make this look like it's my own personal thread, where I am chatting with myself! Although, I am quite known to do that as well in real life! :P :P

Spoilers contain end spoilers as well, so don't read unless you have finished the book.

(view spoiler)[I can't say enough about how Christie builds up her books, she is simply wonderful. However, in this one, I felt it a little too jagged and too raw for my liking. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. In fact, liked it a lot but somewhere I felt that it didn't have the magic that her later books have. I felt a lot of time was devoted on expounding the English ways and talking about other things than the mystery, which despite adding the flavour made the book a tad too long and a little dragging in between.

I don't know about the others but I always suspected Miss Howard in the whole thing. The only thing was that where initially I suspected her along with Inglethorp, I was thrown into confusion a little later and thought it was with John. That credit for putting in a red herring in a book, I will give to Christie, who keeps her readers glued till the very end and makes one suspect everyone and not be sure of who is the murderer. In that sense, I think she has maintained her style that she started here in the Poirot series.

As for Poirot - I don't know why but I found him a little less lustrous in this one. I don't know if it was deliberate on his part, to make the readers keep to the edge of their seats or if it was because he was actually flummoxed..but the Poirot of the later books shines across more brilliantly than the one in this book. Did anyone else feel that way?

Hastings and Poirot are a wonderful pair - I loved their camaraderie, their relationship as a whole and it is wonderful to see how it all began for the two of them, at least in terms of a series.

I totally enjoyed the book, just felt that it could have been a tad different in places. (hide spoiler)]

[Hajarath Prasad]

Um.. My buddy is suffering a reading slump :/ I was informed of this only yesterday and I'm already working on it :D Hopefully she'll start reading it soon :D

[Srividya]

I know about your buddy Harry and her reading slump.. which is why I am here taking her place! :) :)

Hmm as for you - well I think Rushdie uncle has captivated you and you won't get to Christie auntie before you finish Rushdie uncle! :P :P

[Hajarath Prasad]

Mumma : Yesssshhhh :D Auntie will have to wait!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

sri sri sri.. !!!!!! u r putting so many comments about the book,, I'll start today and come back.. *stomps out of the room, wonders what is meant by reading stump*

[Srividya]

Hahahahah that is to entice you into reading it Ini! Believe me, once you start, you won't put it down till you finish :)

Am waiting..come back soon :)

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

I know... I'll start today hopefully :-) :-) lets see...

[Srividya]

Okay Ini :)

[Amritha]

(view spoiler)[I agree that this one lacks the finesse of Chirstie's later books.
Maybe because Hastings often doubted Poirot's ability in this one, the reader is left doubting as well.
Poirot managed to throw me completely off-track by clearing Inglethrop initially. I'd pinned him down as the killer. Miss Howard kept reminding of the phrase"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much!" She stressed a bit too much on her hatred for Inglethrope. (hide spoiler)]

[Srividya]

Amritha - (view spoiler)[I totally agree with your evaluation of Miss Howard. She does protest too much, which is why I kind of pinned her as the murderer or at least the accomplice right from the first moment...even before the actual murder.

And I also agree with the part about Hastings doubting Poirot. It does seem too much doesn't it?

I loved that red herring on Poirot's part to throw away the reader from Inglethorp and wonder who else it could be, if not him. That's a classic Christie/Poirot twist. (hide spoiler)]

[Amritha]

(view spoiler)[I read Lonesome Dove right after this and my memory is a bit hazy right now.

Yes to Hastings doubting Poirot being a bit too much. I think its the start of their working relationship and its good in a way that Hasting's does not not blindly worship Poirot. Poirot might have ended up looking too pompous then :)
I agree about the red herring, it was typical Christie googly! (hide spoiler)]

[Smitha]

I am so engrossed in Lonesome Dove that I am neglecting all others, including this read. A big problem is the lack of free time these days, which I totally detest. Hoping to get free to read at the earliest. :/
But I will surely finish this one, if needed, in a single stretch on Feb 28.

[Srividya]

No worries Smitha. It happens. In fact, I haven't been able to read anything till now, this month! :(

Take your time and come back here when you start. Will come back to discuss it with you and hopefully others will join in as well, once Lonesome Dove is done for them :)

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

okay.. I started ... still in chapter 1 and these are my intial thoughts... (view spoiler)[ is it just my illusion or true that in a christie book that involves a big family, there always comes a character from somwhere out of town, who claims to be a distant cousin or something like that... also there comes a female character who's a single and seems too quiet... recently read A murder is announced and felt a similarity (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

completed 2 chapters (view spoiler)[ you're right sri, it always becomes our nature to suspect everyone as the culprit even before the crime happens... :-P and the way christie introduces each character, that too in Hastings way gives a little different perspective.. just had an intro of poirot and yet to see him in action (hide spoiler)]

[Em Lost In Books]

Iniya wrote: "completed 2 chapters [spoilers removed]"

reading in office? O_O

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Manju wrote: "Iniya wrote: "completed 2 chapters [spoilers removed]"

reading in office? O_O"

read during lunch :-) went home for lunch ;)

[Srividya]

Ini (view spoiler)[You are right. Most of these old time English books have a similar family set up or background. I believe it is not just with Christie but also with other authors. However, yes Christie does make use of it really nicely in her murder mysteries. (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

FInished the book... (view spoiler)[ felt there are too many unexpected twists in the book.. Agree on the point that hastings seems to think poirot as less competent and always doubt too much on his abilities.. but this does not seeem to be the start of their relationship if I'm right... this is at the later part of Poirot's carrier, as hastings talks to john about poirot being one of the greatest detectives at old times.. I think christie portrayed too many doubts on poirot's abilities attributing to his age as a factor..

I remember reading some book where hastings has been portrayed as a faithful follower of poirot and his capabilities.. and I dont see how christie justifies that in this book, especially as this is not their first case together..!!!!

regarding the plot.. I initially doubted everyone but later as the crime happened could't zero in on anybody.. I never thought miss howard and as Alfred Inglethorp was cleared intially by poirot, didnt think of him as well..!!! thats classic by christie.. completely misleading the readers and making us overlook facts..!

Regarding the abilities of Poirot, I do think that he was actually confused and not clear at some points.. and he was ofcourse less shining than in the later books... does christie really wanted to attribute this to the age or its the complexity of case, I dont know..!!!
(hide spoiler)]

[Smitha]

Poirot, here I come.....

[Anoop]

Finished this now. Was a good first book, but nothing thaaaaat great :p

[Srividya]

Anoop wrote: "Finished this now. Was a good first book, but nothing thaaaaat great :p"

I totally agree!! Although I can't bear to give an AC book anything less than a 4! (umm I have done with one but it bugs me to do that) :P :P

[Anoop]

Cheating cheating :D

[Srividya]

PSmith wrote: "Poirot, here I come....."

Yay.. can't wait to see what you think! :)

[Srividya]

Anoop wrote: "Cheating cheating :D"

Lol! Sue me! :P :P

[Smitha]

Moosier -don't remember Japp ever using this term in other Christies. I assume it to be for "monsieur ".
chapter 7-41%through. I am yet not sure who the killer is.

[Anoop]

I am sure most of us have read Christie's best works first before picking up her first Poirot mystery. But if you all have had read this one first, would you have continued along with her?

[Smitha]

How can I tell now. My objectivity is completely lost. Still, I would say I will continue. So far I find the book interesting and I am very partial to cozy country home settings where a lot of people live .