I feel a rant coming on (but I'll have to be brief as I don't have much time at the moment)... This was one of the most brilliant books I've ever read. A basic knowledge of bridge will do, but you can still appreciate this book without having ever heard of the game before (I knew nothing about it when I first read it other than that it existed). This is a brilliant locked-room murder, because instead of baffling readers with which of the people did it, AC baffles the reader with which of them DIDN'T do it! The locked room narrows down the suspects, and everyone could've done it under the right set of circumstances.

True, we don't get mysterious slant-eyed adventuresses whispering "Two o'clock- the old pier" in shadowy alleys to young, dashing heroes (although, IMO, AC was never too great at adventure novels); but in all honesty, COTT doesn't get dull. It provides an interesting commentary on justice (a topic very much appreciated in mysteries), and, out of necessity, has memorable characteres. Because the solution is entirely psychological, the characters simply must be well-drawn out for the book to be any good. They are.

I agree with you go_leafs COTT is Brilliant, I have read it 3 times I loved the Cocept, the Characters, everything about this Magnificent book, It is such a shame ITV decided to make a decent Adaptation of the book.

I feel I just have to dissagree with you about Agastha Christie's Adventure Novels, although the type of heroine you mention would not be right for COTT Adventure Novels have their place and although I didn't get on with Passenger to Frankfurt or They Came To Baghdad The Bundle Books aswell as Why Didn't They Ask Evans and The Man In The Brown Suit are Terrific, I haven't read Destination Unknown yet so can't comment on it but you must know by now I love the T&T Aswell.

I really liked this book!!!! I like the ending. So I won't spoil for anyone.

I thought ITV did a horrible job. At the end the motive 4 murder is because of homosexuality.

But that is not in the book...

No, Do you have the R4 Version on Audio, I think it is great.

I was somewhat unwilling to buy this book because I don't play cards and I don't understand anything about them, but, being a Poirot fan, I was unable to resist eventually. And it was worth it. Poirot explains all the points related to the game, and there's this delicious twist at the end when we are first shown a false murderer and then, when we're off our guard, she springs the real solution on us. And yes, go leafs nation, the psychological portraits are good and the characters really come alive! The presence of Ariadne Oliver is also a plus, and it's funny how she actually names the murderer right at first - her famous "woman's intuition" is at play :)

I recently decided to reread Cards on the Table and enjoyed the complex story.  Mr Shaitana hosts a dinner and during the course indirectly hints at past murders.  The story develops those past murders and juxtaposes the guests with the crimes.  It is Christie at her best - detailed and subtle, leading you down one path only to surprise and delight you with quite a different course.  Expecting an equally complex and enjoyable story development from the DVD, the viewing experience was mind boggling to say the least.  The usual gratuitous lesbianism, which has been so unpleasant with the current Miss Marple stories, was felt to be necessary to this Poirot story.  But the screenwriter incorporated more silliness - the Superintendent of Scotland Yard caught in flagrante with compromising photographs, while one of the suspect's motives turns on homosexuality.  I had hoped that David Suchet was a better champion of the quality of the Agatha Christie Poirot stories.  I was wrong....    

I watched the TV version of Cards and the table the other day. I have to confess I did enjoy it. The acting was excellent. I liked Mrs Oliver and Poirot together, the start of their friendship.

I didnt like the changes

There were alot of homosexuals in this episode. The murderer was, murderers lover, Rhoda seemed to be, the male photographer even told Poirot he thought him "handsome!!"

The photos of the inspector werent seen, so it was left to the viewers imagination! Poirot said to him "it doesnt suit you!" we know it must be racy, but no-one else was mentioned, so think it was the Inspector alone, possibly with no clothes on!!

Didnt like the fact it showed why Mrs Lorrimer murdered her husband (for purely selfish reasons). Its somehow better as a mystery. Didnt like that Mrs L was Anne's mother.

The only saving grace, was it was made up Inspctor and not Battle. Really, I don't know what they were thinking of, it didn't suit the character at all.

I love the book, so they didnt need to change anything.

Miss Quinn, you have me thinking, if they weren't going to show the Pictures why make the Inspector Bisexual, James Fox probably wasn't available (I think he was in the Theatre) so they probably thought if they bwere going to change one Character why not change 2 as Battle hasn't been cast since The Seven Dials but they could have re-cast Race, after all Race is only in 2 Poirot Books, Like you I love the book but unlike you I HATED THE ADAPTATION Thankyou Miss Quin I feel better for that

I think I must have missed something or else seen a "censored" version!! I didn't know the Inspector was bisexual. Was it said that he was? Was he having an affair with the the doctor? My minds whizzing now!

The book is much better, but as I said the acting was good and the settings looked great. I did think of Mr Shaitana as more oily and devilish. I dont think in the TV version, he should have known he would be killed.

I despised the overdone, overdramatic aspect of the final half hour of Cards on the Table. Must we sit back and listen to how so-and-so's friend is a vicious murderer who's been planning to get rid of so-and-so, the sweet innocent young lamb who's fallen in love with the major? Geez, it's like an awful soap opera- the random character switch simply doesn't work. Plus, Anne is still a kleptomaniac, and suddenly being made out as such an innocent young girl feels random. The final half hour feels completely disjointed from the first hour; the jarring transition occurs when Major Despard tells his (revised, and rather silly) story of his 'murder'.

Alexander Siddig was the ideal Shaitana, though. Perfectly dramatic and mysterious.

And it's never said outright, but it's heavily implied that the inspector is homosexual, when Poirot tells him that The Photos (that magical phrase again) are of him.

I have no idea how to play bridge so I was baffled in this one. But a mahjong mystery... now I would be in my element. >_<

just reading what you've all written about the book - interests me, i have seen the television adaptation and don't think it's one of the best - but i definately want to read the book next - i'm just finishing a compelation of AC's short stories, and Cards on the Table will be next on my list !!!

You are right, the Adaptation is the WORST Poirot sofar!!! The Book is one of my favourites so enjoy it.

Thanks for the warnings, this episode is coming up soon on TV but I'm not going to watch it so as not to spoil the impression left by the book.

I don't mind being the only to have enjoyed Cards on the table on TV! But I have to tell myself, whatever weird and shocking things happen in adaptations, the books will always be the same and just as brilliant.

       On another subject, I would like there too be a Poirot smiley! On with a moustache!

Miss Quinn, please don't misunderstand me, I respect your Opinion but what do you like about the Adaptation?

Well Tommy,  I can see all these good points about it, as well as the bad.

I didn't approve of changing the murderers round or adding plots that werent in the book. But all the acting was very good. Mrs Lorrimer was really convincing, someone just tired of life and not being able to change their past. I liked Zoe Wannamaker as Mrs Oliver, her friendship with Poirot, the way she delivered the line "if a woman was in charge at Scotland yard..". She spoke it the way I had pictured Mrs O saying it in the book. The actor who played the main killer was excellent, not how I pictured him in the book, but still charismatic.

I thought the casting was excellent. I thought it would have been better if Anne and Rhoda hadnt been switched. Honeysuckle Weeks would have been good as Anne.

I loved Shaitana's house, it was elegant, but seemed almost sinister with daggers lying around.. All the details looked great, the scenery, the costumes. 

But I can see reasons why you didn't like it Tommy. There was so many changes which werent needed. I just think if they hadn't dabbled with the plot it would be more universally liked. I think there are much worse episodes of Poirot, ones with OTT acting, melodrama and unlikeable people. I just enjoyed Cards on the table, its escapism, it was much better than any other rubbish on TV at the moment.

Fair enough, I just thought I would ask, Hope you don't mind, personally I like Xoe Wanamaker as Ariadne but always thought Barbara Flynn would have been better, It is ages since I read it so don't know about Honeysuckle Weeks as as Ann or the Actor who played the Murderer, personally and this is only my view, I woulkd rather have over acting to Changesw to Characters sexualities or the other changes, I don't think there is another Poirot Episode half as bad as Cards On The Table, If I owned it I would quite happily sell or swap it or even just give it away. By tghe way, how do you make some of your words a different colour to others?

Ooh, a Poirot smiley would be excellent~

I like Zoe Wanamaker, she is quite funny.

 the mystery is astounding and the end unexpected. i had really thought while reading it that i knew the murder before hand but i was wrong like always!