I recently read an article about what a boon the self-driving car will be to all of us who like to multi-task as we travel. “Driving is the biggest waste of time,” the proposers of this dubious technology cry, “because the only thing you accomplish is getting from one point to another!” I only hope … Continue reading THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GORY: Christie and Hitchcock Ride the Rails
Agatha Christie
IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
Has anyone ever seen the 1969 comedy, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, about the misadventures of a group of tourists on a 19-day trip through Europe? It certainly put me off the concept of conducted tours, and it reminded me that no matter how hard you may try, even the best-laid plans for … Continue reading IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE: Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide
People accuse Agatha Christie of creating shallow characters all the time. Truth to tell, she often worked with character “types,” and one could find variations on the same rakish ex-soldier, hearty doctor, dry solicitor, club bore, self-serving vixen, dimwitted serving girl (usually named Gladys), dithery or incompetent mother, and so on, in many of her … Continue reading ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE: Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide
SO MUCH BLOOD: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
My buddy JJ over at The Invisible Event unfortunately has to go on a short hiatus. I will miss his erudite excursions into mystery fiction, particularly the joy with which he tackles those classic impossible crime stories he so relishes! I thought I would salute JJ with my view on one of Agatha Christie’s rare … Continue reading SO MUCH BLOOD: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
“’Do you mean that you’ve had no sexual experience at ALL?’ demanded the young man incredulously. ‘At nineteen? But you must. It’s vital.’ “The girl hung her head unhappily, her straight greasy hair fell forward over her face. “‘I know,’ she muttered. ‘I know.’ “He looked at her, stained old jersey, the bare feet, the … Continue reading A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
POIROT ON THE TRAIL: Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
This post is part of the celebration of all mysterious books and movies in 1933 going on here at Rich’s blog, Past Offenses. Ironically, I thought I would take a look at this 1933 novel in context with Hercule Poirot novels form other years, including the one I most recently read:1963’s The Clocks. … Continue reading POIROT ON THE TRAIL: Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
TWO VILLAGE MYSTERIES FROM 1950
Over at Past Offenses, Rich is gathering mystery fans from far and wide to honor the year 1950. It just so happens that during this year, two of my favorite authors published mysteries set in small villages. Agatha Christie, writing her fiftieth novel, created a masterpiece. Ellery Queen, however, wrote a lesser Wrightsville tale that, … Continue reading TWO VILLAGE MYSTERIES FROM 1950
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE PALE HORSE
“Of course I often have a master criminal in my stories – people like it – but really he gets harder and harder to do. So long as one doesn’t know who he is, I can keep him impressive. But when it all comes out, he seems, somehow, so inadequate. A kind of anticlimax. It’s … Continue reading AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE PALE HORSE
THE TWELVE FAMILIES OF CHRISTIE-MAS – PART II
Continuing my investigation of the twelve family tales one finds scattered throughout Agatha Christie’s novels, today I examine the second half dozen: On the seventh day of Christie-mas my true love sent to me: Seven family members strapped for cash. 1948’s Taken at … Continue reading THE TWELVE FAMILIES OF CHRISTIE-MAS – PART II
THE TWELVE FAMILIES OF CHRISTIE-MAS – PART I
Ah, the holidays! A time when families come together to decorate the tree, light the candles, exchange gifts, and spike the eggnog with just enough cyanide to ensure the reading of the will by New Year’s Eve! Well, that’s the way it is if your clan is featured in an Agatha Christie novel. Actually, out … Continue reading THE TWELVE FAMILIES OF CHRISTIE-MAS – PART I
Ah Sweet Mystery! 