I'm reading 13 For Luck.

What is 13 For luck? I have never heard of it.

13 for luck is a selection of mystery stories for young readers by AC.

I have just ordered a second hand copy from Amazon for 2 pounds,i may not be young but i am sure i will enjoy it!!

And it will go graet with my ever growing AC Collection.

As soon as the classified section is up an running I will offer my copy for trade.

So far it's proving to be rather good.  It has stories fearuring Poirot, Marple, Harley Quinn, Parker Pyne, Inspector Evans, Tommy and Tuppence. 

It sounds Great, Who is Inspector Evans? Is he insted of Japp?

Inspector Evans is another AC character.  Many stories about him are found in "Why didn't they ask Evans," and "Witness for the Prosecution."

Thankyou Number3, I should have known that as I have read "Why Didn't They ask Evasns' and Enjoyed it.

I am just about to start 'The Seven Dials Mystery'

Yea! I hope you enjoy the book winne. It is my favorite AC book, & one of my favorite books ever! Bundle is so witty & funny in this one & the rest of the characters are a great treat to read, also!

Moley I know who the Culprit is I have the Video.

As I've already mentioned in another thread that my computer had crashed about three weeks ago and also I had a pretty nasty cold. As a reasult I finished re-reading two Poirot books and three non-series books. Among the non-series books I read are The Pale Horse, Parker Pyne Investigates and Problem at Pollensa Bay. It took me three days to finish all of them. Must say that even after reading them so many times the Parker Pyne mysteries still bring a smile to my face. These are probably the most simplest and yet the most sweetest stories Agatha Christie wrote. The first time I read The Pale Horse it managed to leave me thrilled. The subsequent readings I must say have diminished it's charm a bit. But it still remains one of my favorites as one of my most favorite characters from Miss Marple's stories, Mrs Dane Calthrop, reappears in it.

WINNEBAGO1901

Moley I know who the Culprit is I have the Video.

Oh! I have it too. That's too bad that you already know who did it.

Thank you Mole. I try to take my time to savor the stories. But I always end up speeding towards the end as I go along. Seems like I do not know how to slow down. It's a bit of a problem with me.

I'm new to this site and love reading  comments  about the AC books- out of about 89 of her works, I have read all but a dozen I am sure- just didn't keep an accurate count!  I just finished " The Pale Horse" and enjoyed the twist at the end.. I actually found myself gasping when I found out who the culprit was...almost every AC book I read teaches me something- poisons and chemicals that I knew nothing about until Aunt Agatha explained... what a good topic for a blog- "Most surprising /interesting poison".

Mole if I only read books I haven't seen the Adaptations too I wouldn't read as many as I have, I would have stopped reading Miss Marple books years ago, the only 1 I read before I bought the JH Video's was 4.50 From Paddington and have The Thirteen Problems on Audio Cassette, The Poirot's are on Sundays at the moment, I make it a rule not to re-watch them until I read them as I have forgotten who the Murderer is in some that Messer Suchet have done which I haven't read and there are often bits in the Books which weren't in the Adapts and in 7 Dials Jimmy Thesiger has fair hair but James Warwick has dark hair but I love Lord Caterham's description of Lord Coote 'The Kind of Man you'd get if a steam-roller was turned into a Human Being' Brilliant 

right now i'm re-reading dorothy sayers' peter wimsey. i'm also revisiting jill churchill.

I just finished Giant's Bread and I'm on The Sittaford Mystery.

i'll admit, i'm re-reading dorothy sayers' "have his carcase" agatha? i can knock those out in a day, so it's pointless for me to post those that i'm reading, i've read them all. (not that she's easy, just that i go on a reading jag with the good dame and i don't stop til the book's done) i'm also reading the encyclopedia britannia about cromwell. just trying to get a handle on that guy, the "lord protector" and THAT'S heavy going! i just don't "get it" so i go back and re-read and etc.

I'm reading the Peter Wimsey books for the first time at the moment and I love them! I also adore Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series set in 1920's Melbourne, Australia. They are a great read and everyone I've introduced to them just loves them. I'm not sure if they are available in the USA though.

As for AC, I'm being a bit of a nerd. They are re-running the very first Poirot series once a week here, the old ones based on the short stories with Japp, Hastings and Miss Lemon. So I'm watching the episode and then re-reading the short story afterwards to see how faithful the adaptation is. My husband thinks I am a bit crazy. ;-)

Just finished Peril at end house and The Thirteen problems.

3rdGirl

I'm reading the Peter Wimsey books for the first time at the moment and I love them!

Which Lord Peter book? I'm reading Strong Poison. It's like the only one of Dorothy L. Sayers mystery books that I haven't read.

To N umber3: Which one did you like better: Peril at End House or Thirteen Problems?

When I have finished 'The Labours of Herculees I am going to read Lord Peter Views The Body.

I have just started They Came To Basghdad, I will see for myself If I think it is AWESOME!

They Came to Baghdad is a wonderfully exciting, charming, witty, adventuress, fast paced and fun loving book! I hope you enjoy it Tommy! I wish that I was just reading it for the first time!

I didn't read They came to Baghdad until I a few years ago. I had bought it long before but thought it sounded dull from the blurb on the back. But when I finally got round to trying it, I was delighted by it! I found it (as Bundle did) fun with a appealing heroine and wonderful locations. Victoria Jones is one of AC's most human characters, full of faults but brave and feisty. Interesting points it makes about power and ideology, too.

Have fun reading it, Tommy, and let us know what you think.

Thankyou Bundle and Puffinjill, I have only read the first four Chapters but love Victoria Jones, and I love the idea that she just decided to go to Baghdad, I love the way it mentions how much she has (Minus Ninepence), in an odd way although I haven't read much yet it reminds me of how happy I was when I read The Man In The Brown Suit In a tiny way it also reminds me of when My Mum bundled my little sister and me into the car and followed my sister to Liecester as it was her 1st long journey on a Moped, she was visiting my Aunt and when we arrived she was really cross, I think we arrived before her.

I will be sure and tell you what I think of the book.

What a lovely story!! It made me smile! I'm back on the short stoies as I am (slightly unseasonally) reading The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. I should get Hallowe'en Party out ready for the next few weeks!

Thankyou Puffinjill, It was a lovely experience I have just told my Mum that you liked thge story and she reminded me that that wa the last time we saw my Grand dad on my Father's side, she also reminded me that the more we didn't see my sis the more excited I got as it seemed more of An Adventure! I saw somewhere that you love Edinburgh, I have relatives in Scotland and when I was young we had a Holiday in Findhorn, I didn't want to go but by half way tthrough the week I wished we were staying for longer, I know Findhorn is a long way from Edinburgh but thought you would still like to hear the story.

Thank you, Tommy, for sharing that with me!! Yes, I do adore Scotland, but it's very rare that I can get to visit there as I'm not lucky enough to have an relatives there!! I shall have to look up Findhorn on a map!

Hope you are getting on well with the book!

I am struggling through Chapter SIX, It is hard going bt Victoria Jones appears in the 1st Paragraph of Chapter SEVEN, Is it a book of exxtremmes? The Good bits are brilliant but the boring bits are very boring filled with words I don't understand like Keffyah, Agal, Baksheek etc or Characters who will no mdoubt become important having Fights with natives, but I am keeping in mind what it said on wiki and looking forward to the rest of the Book.

Keep going!! It's worth it! Well, I thought it was and I hope you do too. Don't worry about not understanding some of the terms used, it all just adds to the mystery of the east and the feeling of how alien that part of the world can feel to someone who has never been there before.

I won't say any more as I don't want to give anything away!

I think the majority of the storyline, in They Came to Baghdad, is romantic!

But keep reading, Tommy. Just bookmark the pages you got stuck on and continue reading, and at your leisure go back and re-read the pages that you  bookmarked.

Thankyou Puffinjill and Bundle, I will definitely carry on with which is up to now Excellent, I have started to wonder aout someone and will explain what I mean when I finish thge Book, I will do as you suggest Bundle, I hope it is more than romantic though as that side of things always bores me, I hope it is justv a side story like in The Man In The Brown Suit - Have you read it Puffinjill? I love that book.

I would like to think that in Baghdad or somewhere like that there is a Crime Writer writing a Caper story where people flock to somewhere like Hampshire or Wiltshire or maybe even somewhere in Scotland, I would read books like that, even if the Writer was British would be great, Does anyone know of a book like The Man In The Brown Coat or They Came To Baghdad but set in Britain?

Oh, yes Tommy. I've read and read and read The Man in the Brown Suit! I imagine from that you can see I like it alot!! I thought the romantic side of a book might appeal to a sensitive soul like you, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the action. Bit of romance never hurts, I always think, as long as it isn't the reason for the book. After all, it's the mystery side of it that makes us want to read it in the first place. I've never cared for romantic novels in there own right (I'd sooner pull my own teeth!), but a good murder will always capture my attention. Always was odd.

Trying to think of a caper/crime novel of a similar type set in this country. Struggling to come up with something at the moment (I'm sure plenty of others will show me up) but did think of The 39 Steps by John Buchan. It's not particularly light-hearted, but it's a ripping yarn and includes the hero hiding out in my beloved Scottish highlands. The BBC had a new dramatisation of it last christmas, perhaps you caught it?

Puffinjill

I've never cared for romantic novels in there own right (I'd sooner pull my own teeth!), but a good murder will always capture my attention. Always was odd.

To think that I was going to as you if you liked Jane Austens novels! I must say that I am surprised!

Now you mentioning The 39 Steps makes me remember The Killing Joke by Anthony Horowitz (Foyles War and sometimes writer on Poirot) It is about an Actor who hears a Joke which mentions ther Mother who had him adopted and who jas recedntly been killed and he tries to complain to a man in the Pub who is telling it to his mates in a Pub, the man hits him anbd so he can't work on the Film he is supposed to be making (A re-make of The 39 Steps) so as he is not able to work due to the fact he came of worse he decides to find the root of the Joke, I loved the book and I wonder if it is a sort of re-working of The 39 Steps, I have seen 3 Adaptations of it and I have the 4th somewhere, I will have to watch it sometime, I have the book somewhere too.

I agree as long as the romance doesn't become more important than the Mystery it isn't too bad, I wonder if I have rose tinted spectacles when it comes to The Man In The Brown Suit as occassionbally (only occassionally I thought it was slow but I suppose that is the same with all books. I have the Film somewhere I recorded it, that and Murder Is Easy sadly MIE is fierst on the Tape and I don't like that as much so I can't wipe over it inczase I wipe over The Man In The Brown Suit, I thought the Casting was Excellent, sadly I saw it well before reading it but thought Edward Woodward, Stephanie Zimbalist, Nicholas Grace, Rue McLanahan and Tony Randall were Perfect for the parts.

Oh, Bundle, PLEASE don't misunderstand me. There's romantic novels and then there is Jane Austin. Perhaps it's just me, but because they are considered 'Great Literature', I never class them as purely romantic. Same goes for the Bronte sisters. But you are right and have caught me out, I'm just a softy at heart and a brooding hero in britches will always fire up my imagination!! Recently reread Jane Eyre - now you can hardly beat Mr Rochester as the archetypal mean and moody hero! By the way, I live quite close to Bath (setting of so much Jane Austin) and spent a wet weekend there last year. They have a guy dressed as Mr Darcy outside the Jane Austin Centre welcoming you in. I kept walking backwards and forwards past him for some time...

Tommy, I've not read any Anthony Horowitz but my nephew has his books so I will try to borrow it.

Puffinjill

I live quite close to Bath (setting of so much Jane Austin) and spent a wet weekend there last year. They have a guy dressed as Mr Darcy outside the Jane Austin Centre welcoming you in. I kept walking backwards and forwards past him for some time...

Hahaha!! You're hilarious! BTW was he attractive like the "real" Mr Darcy?

Recently reread Jane Eyre - now you can hardly beat Mr Rochester as the archetypal mean and moody hero!

I love Jane Eyre! I have never read the book though, but that's because I have seen the adaptation it so many times. Generally I don't rush to read books that I already know the plot and ending too.

BTW have you seen the Toby Stephens adapt of Jane Eyre!? I'm a huge fan of his!

No, I wouldn't say he QUITE lived up to the Mr Darcy image. His name was Martin (no, I didn't ask!) and he was a bit shorter and stouter than I beleive the character is normally protrayed. But he was very jolly and obviously having a whale of a time!!

And, yes, seen it. Very well done and a very menacing Rochester. Just right.

Puffinjill

No, I wouldn't say he QUITE lived up to the Mr Darcy image. His name was Martin (no, I didn't ask!) and he was a bit shorter and stouter than I beleive the character is normally protrayed. But he was very jolly and obviously having a whale of a time!!

That is quite the funniest thing I've ever read on this site!

I've just recently finished 'The Eyre Affair' byt Jasper Fjorde which is not the sort of book I normally read but I loved it. It's really zany and set in an England where literature reigns and you can be put in jail for misquoting Wordsworth. Someone is kidnapping characters from books and Jayne Eyre dissapears from the pages. I recommend it for something completely different. It's just so, so clever and amusing.

I read J'ayne Eyre' for the first time when I was 10, and I still love Mr Rochester.

I absolutely hate 'Wuthering Heights' though. Heathcliff is just a horrible, horrible bully. I really don't get the obsession people have with this book, but each to their own.

Tommy, there's a new adaptation of the 39 Steps being shown here this week. I wonder if this is the same one?

I'm currently reading 'Strong Poison' by Ms Sayers as well as Oscar Wilde's 'The Happy Prince and other fairy stories.' I had NO idea OW had written children's stories and happily found it in the new puffin classics range.

Goodness, I have been wittering on a bit tonight! ;-)

To Puffinjill Anthony Horowitz writes different kinds of books, some are children's books and some aren't, The Kil;ling Joke is one of those.

To 3rd Girl I have seen the Robat Donat Version, The Robert Powell version and the BBC version with Rupert Penry-Jones (Sad Cypress)undle it all depends what way you use the word Romantic, there is the lovey-dovey way and there is the romance of excitement andQuests and Adventure, The former Definition is fine in Crime Fiction when used subtlely and extremely rarely like the mention in Poirot books of Homosexuality and swear words.

You always find the most interesting books to read 3rdGirl! I shall put "The Eyre Affair" on my must read book list.

And I never read Wuthering Heights, I want too though, but I've seen the newest adaptation for it w/ Tom Hardy as Heathcliff and I loved it! Have you seen it 3rdGirl?

Tommy, the actual book of The 39 Steps doesn't actually contain all the romance that the subsequent films and TV versions have put in. It just concentrates Hannay and his race to discover the truth behind the clue he holds while escaping the clutches of the baddies. Thats not the EXACT blurb from the book, but I think it gives a rough outline!

3rdGirl, you should have been there!! Grown women all turned to jelly and giggled like schoolgirls when he smiled at them and let them into the building!! I didn't go in as I was a bit strapped for cash (plus I didn't want to show myself up by nervously dribbling over a man in tight trousers ans a top hat with a brim full of water) and I am actually a shy wee thing but the sight of him cheered me up no end. easily pleased, I am!

Every year they hold a walk through Bath in regency dress and anyone (providing you buy a ticket) can enter. I would love to go, but fear I would not be safe!!!

I will have to read it Puffinjill, I have a copy I think somewhere but from memory it is quite slim and perhaps it is an abridged version. I had another version which was a Ladybird or Puffin version (Might be other brand) and that looked like it was a rough outline copy, Do you know how many Pages the Book has if I find my copy or another one?

No, it is a thin little volume and (from memory) I've seen it published by Puffin. I don't have a copy so I can't tell you exactly how many pages but it won't take long to read!!

Puffinjill

No, I wouldn't say he QUITE lived up to the Mr Darcy image. His name was Martin (no, I didn't ask!) and he was a bit shorter and stouter than I beleive the character is normally protrayed. But he was very jolly and obviously having a whale of a time!!

Mmmm...he was short, stout, jolly and having a whale of a time...He sounds more like Santa Claus than Mr. Darcy! LOL!!

I think it's the new BBC version of the 39 Steps with Rupert Penry-Jones and funnily enough Bundles, Wuthering Heights is on this Sunday. We're always about 10 months behind the Uk with our programmes. Better late than never.

Jill, I'd be quite chuffed to find a faux Mr Darcy strutting his stuff in my neighbourhood as well!

Bundle, I'm not sure what present he might bring you!! He looked as if he would have been more at home in the pages of Dickens and not Austen!! But, bless him, I smile every time I think of him!

Would it have been so hard for them to find a good looking Mr Darcy!? Geesh!

I woudn't be worried about how long I would take to read it, I would be more concerned that I didn't read a copy where chunks were left out.

Tommy, if your copy was a thin one then it probably was the whole text. Do you still have it now? It should say if it is abridged.

Bundle, believe me, around here, it is!! But bless Martin,he was doing the best he could with what he had!!

Thankyou Puffinjill

Puffinjill

Bundle, believe me, around here, it is!! But bless Martin,he was doing the best he could with what he had!!

Yes, Bless him. I don't doubt you, but I'm so surprised to hear that it would be hard to find a good looking Englishman...especially around Bath! I would think that there would be a ton of them!

I wouldn't say a word against my countrymen - no, no - but I doubt many (good looking or not) would relish the idea of doing his job. Entertaining the ladies might appeal but dressing up doesn't come natural to our average West Country local.

I see you hail from the other side of the pond! I imagine it may be a little different down your way. Our wet climate doesn't lend itself to top hats and tailcoats. More like brollies and raincoats...

You are very welcome Tommy. Do you still have it? I must get myself a copy sometime soon. After so many adaptations, you tend to forget what was in the book and what wasn't! I'm still trying to think of any others that might fit in the sort of catagory you suggested. Have you thought of any?

Yes I still have a copy Puffinjill, I haven't been able to think of other books in that Catagory I can think of a couple of Television Dramas though, Have you seen The Biederberck Trilogy by Alan Plater, The last of the Trilogy was made into a book by the Author though, and he also wrote a Drama called Oliver's Travels which was excellent, well worth watching but nI am still thinking of Books like that.

I do remember The Biederbeck Triolgy being on TV (in fact I think it may have been repeated on ITV3 last year) but I have to say I've never seen it. I'm afraid I've not been much of a watcher of the television in the past but I do watch a little now and always look out for a good drama. I'll keep my eyes peeled in case it comes up again. I'm still wracking my (small) brain for any other books that would be similar. There must be many and I'm just being dense!! SURELY I must have read something like it, the amount of books I get through!! I'll check my shelves and see what there is..

Yes it has been on ITV afew times, and my sister bought me the DVDs for christmas, with it came Music from the series by Kenny Ball and an interview with The Writer (He was being interviewed By Richard Whiteley) and also a series I can't remember the name of which was a precurser to The Biederbeck Trilogy, in fact it starred Alun Armstrong who stars with James Blam on 'New Tricks' the series with him was a one oiff but when they wanted to do a series Alun Armstrong wasn't available so James Bolam did it, Interviews withthe cast are alsoo in the set.

Just to diverge off topic a bit. I'm thinking of reading 'The Man in the Brrown Suit' next.  Is this a good one? It seems to have a keen following on this forum.

I just finished 'Strong Poison' by Ms Sayers and loved it.

The next Poirot on my list is 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas', but I want to read that at Christmas time on holidays. (I know, I'm a nerd!)

I think it is. I'm sure it has its detracters but I think its fun, fast paced, full of adventure, and romance! Some of the characters still feature amongst my favourties - Anne Beddingfeld is a fantastic heroine. AC (as I expect you know) wrote this book after her (she may even have started it during, my memory lets me down) year travelling with Archie because of his work. I think you can feel her own excitement at this experience on every page and the tone is very youthful; after all it's written by a young woman in love with life, in love with her husband and seeing the world. Great inspiration!

3rd Girl, you areen't a Nerd, I read some of The Mystery of |The Blue Train on a Train, The Man In The Brown Suit is an excellent Book and definitely on my read again List

To Puffinjill, I have thought of another Book of the type we were tralking about, "The Lady Vanishes" I remember after seeing a version I looked it up on wiki and it is a book by Ethel Lina White, I have seen both versions and Love them both but prefer the First one. 

Thats a good one! I'm very familiar with the Alfred Hitchcock film starring Margaret Lockwood, but I've never read the book. I'll try to lay my hands on a copy sometime.

What's your favorite Hitchcock film, Jill?

I am on the last Chapter of They Came To Baghdad I am undecided if it is a Great Book or not, I think The Man In The Brown Suit is better, I think wiki spoiled the book, I went on there because I wanted a Thum-nail sketch to help me get a feel of what the book is about and in the first Paragraph or 2 it spoils it, which I didn't think it would do, newxt time I will do the other thing I do and type in the name of a shop and then type in the name of the book but even so I think it is like looking at 2 Football matches one where alot of people attend and the other where alot less attend, sometimes there was alot to take in in the book and other times just in my view pointless waffle (That's how it seemed to me) perhaps I just don't like Spy Novels but I do like the Tommy and Tuppence Books, I did like the Chasracters (Especially Victoria Jones. Richard Baker and the Legubrious Paucefort Jones), Perhaps I just expected too much, I wouldn't describe iut as Awesome but I thought it was better than Endless Night, Sparkling Cyanide and Death Comes As The End. Perhaps this is a book that might have been improved by Colonel Race

Sparkling Cyanide, Endless Night, Death Comes As The End and They Came to Baghdad are some of my favorite AC books. I think that they are clever and well written.

I disliked They Came to Baghdad. I found the characters annoyingly stupid, and the villain's identity is not secret in the least. However, Tommy, I highly disagree with your opinion of Death Comes as the End. I liked it very much: a fusion of history and mystery. Apart from the confusing family tree and names (which were trimmed down rapidly anyhow), what could go wrong? The answer: not much.

I know you do Bundle but I think They Came To Baghdad was Unnecessarily complicated, Sparkling Cyanide had a good plot but sadly Characters I wouldn't pull out of a Burning building or save if they were drowning, and apart from the fact that Endless Night had a plot I didn't care about and Characters who like Sparkling Cyanide I wouldn't save either from a Fire or if they were drowning I didn't think the Conclusion was fair to the reader. I admired the fact Agatha Christie set a book in ancient Egypt but found the book silly and like others I didn't warm to the Characters In fact it reminded me of And Then There Were None slightly, as I said I applauded what AC tried to do but wish she had added a Family Tree like in After The Funeral or perhaps the Publishers should always add a list of Characters to help readers at least when the names of Characters are difficult or with books like They Came To Baghdad when the roles of Characters in the book are confusing.  

Tommy_A_Jones

I know you do Bundle but I think They Came To Baghdad was Unnecessarily complicated, Sparkling Cyanide had a good plot but sadly Characters I wouldn't pull out of a Burning building or save if they were drowning, and apart from the fact that Endless Night had a plot I didn't care about and Characters who like Sparkling Cyanide I wouldn't save either from a Fire or if they were drowning I didn't think the Conclusion was fair to the reader. I admired the fact Agatha Christie set a book in ancient Egypt but found the book silly and like others I didn't warm to the Characters In fact it reminded me of And Then There Were None slightly, as I said I applauded what AC tried to do but wish she had added a Family Tree like in After The Funeral or perhaps the Publishers should always add a list of Characters to help readers at least when the names of Characters are difficult or with books like They Came To Baghdad when the roles of Characters in the book are confusing. I am giving this book 4/10, more than Passenger To Frankfurt (3), Death Comes As The End (3), Sparkling Cyanide (3) and Endless Night (2)

Sorry, I didn't mean to reapeat my post or cover the Repeat but I don't know how to remove it

Going back to your earlier post, Tommy, I think (and remember that I have trouble with firm decisions!) that Rear Window is my favourite Alfred Hitchcock film. I'm a huge James Stewart fan (he features in many of my favourite films) and I'm sure the majority of us females would clamber over burning coals to be Grace Kelly!!!

Having said that, I like alot of his films. Rebecca, Strangers on a Train and Shadow of a Doubt in particular. What about you?

What are you going to read next?

Rear Window is my favorite too! Followed by The Birds.

I haven't seen that many Hitchcock films in full, only The Lady Vanishes and The Thirty-Nine Steps, I remember seeing most of one where Stewart Granger is in a Wheelchair and he sees Raymond Burr Commit a Murder but can't remember what it is called and I have seen most of one with (I think) Carry Grant and Grace Kelly where Cary plays a thief who tries to find who is copying him but I can't remember what that one is called either, shame because I would love to see them again, I also remember seeing one where all the Action takes place in 1 or 2 rooms, I liked that one too but again I can't remember what it is called, I would love to see North By Northwest asI saw a Documentary of how Alfred Hitchcock got the idea.

You will be glad to know Bundler and Puffin and anyone else who likes it that overnight I have decided to raise my score of They Came To Baghdad from 4 to 6 as after all I liked all but one of the Characters and I would probably read it again, I haven't got a copy of the 1952 version of They Came To Baghdad so later I am going to watch The Man In The Brown Suit Brilliant.

Puffin I have just started "Narrow Dog To Carcassonne by Terry Darlington, it's about his Trip To Carcassone in a Barge, on the journey is his wife and they're Greyhound Jim, Another type of book I like are Books where there are Journeys involvedc likt the Mark Wallington Books. 

It's James Stewart in the wheelchair and the film is Rear Window. The film with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant that you describe is To Catch a Thief. I'd love a Hitchcock season on TV as there are so many I haven't seen in a long time and would love to watch again.

I used to read lots of travel biographies when I was ill for some time and couldn't work. It was the only way I got to go anywhere - at least I could travel in my mind. I don't read so much of them now but I do have a few old favourites I occasionally trot out. I'm just about to finish Murder On The Links tonight but will then probably read Execution Dock by Anne Perry. I love her Monk novels (more than her Inspector Pitt books, however I still collect them!) as the Victorian era fascinates me. Have you ever read any?

We recently had a Hitchcock season on TV, but the only one I managed to catch was Rear Window. Grace Kelly was just so beautiful. I really loved it.

Just to throw my two cents in, I wasn't a fan of They Came to Baghdad either Tommy. In spite of my love of the books AC set abroad, this one seemed a bit silly to me.

I saw those Hitchcock films during a Hitchcock season but can't remember when, I haven't read any Ann Perry books but nearly bought an Audio Cassette

I'm finding the latest one a little heavy going. The plots seem to be getting a bit ponderous but I shall keep going as I enjoyed the earlier ones.

I have just started And Then There Were None and am quite enjoying it, I have just finshed The Saltmarsh Murders one of Gladys Mitchell's Mrs Bradley Mysteries and loved it even though I nearly fell off my chair when I read the description of Mrs B, not a bit like Diana Rigg in th TV adaptation. She is said to resemble a small yellow shrunken pterodactyl with claw like hands and a piercing laugh. She is also described as an 'old lady' and considering someone on another forum worked out that she was 57 in the first book, I feel positively ancient.

I loved the Mrs Bradley Series, I have only read 1 short story

I'm currently reading a wonderful book called The Winter Garden Mystery!!

Who wrote it?

An author named Carola Dunn. Her main detective is the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple and she works for a living as a writer for the magazine "Town and Country". What I love most about the book is that it is set in the early 1920's, and Daisy (who is a flapper) reminds me of Bundle. I started reading it yesterday and already I'm on page 100! It's such an interesting book; I just had to tell you all about it especially because I think you, Tommy, and you Jill, would like it.

Now for the synopsis of The Winter Garden Mystery:

Daisy has gone on an assignment for "Town and Country" magazine to take pictures and write about Occles Hall (located in Occleswich) an estate that is run by a very overbearing and nasty woman named Lady Valeria; living in the house w/ her is her son Sebastian who is terribly handsome but is under his mother's lock and key, Bobbie his unattractive sister who used to go to school w/ Daisy, their father Sir Reginald, a man who owns a dairy, and Ben Goodman, Sir Reginald's secretary, and of course they have maids and a butler named Moody.

One day, as a young gardner (Owen) shows Daisy around the Winter garden they soon discover a body is buried in there: that of Owen's sweet heart  Grace Moss (who worked as a parlomaid at Occles Hall) w/ whom he and Grace's father (Stan Moss) thought ran off w/ another man two months ago...

I've read quite a few Carola Dunn books featuring Daisy Dalrymple. I think they are fun. I wouldn't like to examine one of her plots too carefully as I think they lack depth but they are perfect for those times you just want to lose yourself in something safe and undemanding. The Winter Garden Mystery is one I haven't read so I'll have to see if I can order it from my library. Her books are difficult to find if you want to buy them, I've always found (hence I own precisely nil - unusual for me because if I find a writer I like I HAVE to buy the books if I have any money at all. Little OCD trait, I'm afraid!), because I think they are published in the USA. I know Carola Dunn was born over here but she has lived and written in the US for many years.

Yes, her book is an easy read. It's not "demanding" like DLS's books are. But I think you'd enjoy The Winter Garden Mystery, and you would like Sebastian he is very handsome! I'll be upset though if he turns out to be the culprit.

BTW when I went into the book store they had a ton of Carola Dunn books, I believe they are published in the US. I am looking forward to reading more of her books w/ Daisy. Which one was your favorite, Jill?

Thats a difficult one! It involves a decision, you know, and I'm a bit rubbish at them (and everything else too!). But, without thinking about it too much, I would say I enjoyed The Bloody Tower. It's set (if you don't know) at the Tower of London which has a one tower named this (I'm sure you know its history, I think most Americans know and care about our history more than we do!) and it bought back fond memories of when I visited it once with my Mum and Dad when I was little.

Actually, I'm still little now, maybe I should say younger!

I heard a great way of making a decision some one says to the person wanting to make a deciussion thinks like Marmalade, Marmite?, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?, Wisky or Brandy?, Scifi or Derective Fiction? Dogs or Cats? (These are just examples ) in a quickfire way and suddenly they use the thing you are p[ondering about - I'm sure you can do it with more thn 2 things - and the first thing you say ids obviously how you reallly feel

Oh, but i will still dither about and not be sure!! I'm just that kind of person! I think the term for it is pathetic.....

But thank you so much for the suggestion, Tommy, I need to sort myself out.

BUT have decided I am not really (see, not very definate!) enjoying the newest Anne Perry. Bit disappointed as I've recommended her to others and feel if anyone reads this one, they will wonder what on earth I am going on about! But her earlier Monk books are great.

But That's is due to people having different tastes isn't it? Like Bundle saying that They Came To Baghdad is Awesome and Go_leafs and I not agreeing with her, all you can do if someone asks for a recommendation is name a book you like or name a book which is like one they have liked and hope for the best, I know not to reccomend Spy Novels to Go_leafs and to reccomend Romantic Books or books where nothing really seems to happen alot of the time to Bundle (No offence meant)

Thanks for the recommendation, Jill!

I finished The Winter Garden Mystery. On a scale from 1 to 10 I'd give it a 7. I think that the plot was interesting, there were quite a few exciting parts in it, it had very vivid characters, and the author did play fair. I will read more of Carola Dunn's books in future.

I'm just a little dissappointed w/ who the culprit(s) is/are (I'm not saying it is or isn't Sebastian although he's another story altogether). *Somewhat SPOILERS ahead* I think the solution was far too easy for the in-depth investigation that took place. *End of SPOILERS*

But Jill you are right that the books aren't to be taken all that seriously but I found out when I kept reading on that it wasn't one of those fluffy type of mysteries either.

I will be ordering some library books online tonight so I will see if there is a copy of The Winter Garden Mystery around that I can borrow. It's a couple of months since I read any of her work and I wouldn't mind reading some more, so thanks for the tip about that one, Bundle!

I'm currently rereading The Man in the Brown Suit as I have been feeling a little low the past few days and need something to cheer me up. It's my literary equivalent of a comfort blanket and has seen me through lots of not so great times. In fact, any AC book helps me when things aren't so cheerful. I know it's not a book you love, Bundle, but a dash of intrigue, colourful surroundings and a dash of romance all wrapped up in a mystery story helps keep those blues at bay!

I shall soon be back to my cheerful little self!

I hope you feel better soon, Jill! *Hugs*

Ta ever so!! I'm just being a miserable cow, I expect, so thank you for your kind thoughts and hugs, but I probably just need a good shake!

Just tried to order that Carola Dunn book from my library service. They've never heard of it. Bless them.

Tommy, are you still reading the Terry Darlington book? How is it?

I went to the library yesterday and got out The Winter Garden. It's the only Carola Dunn book they have. It looks great Bundles. I'll let you know what I think. I also got the two Robin Page books they had.

I think I'll read The Man in the Brown Suit this weekend though in my attempt to read more 'non-series' AC books.

I hope you're feeling better Jill. Whenever I need to be cheered up I read Jane Austen's Emma. I just think it's so funny.

Hi Puffin , Yes, I am still reading the Terry Darlington Book, It is good, I thought it was written from the viewpoint of the Dog but I think I had got things wrong, I heard about the book from a Programme presented by Timothy West called Waterworld about Narrow Boats, The History of them and the people who Own them, it was on the 7.30 Regional Programme Slot before the Credit crunch and it weas replaced by a programme presented by Paul Heiney, Anyway  I like the Book although it took a bit of getting used to and IMHO not as good as Mark Walllington Books.

Good Choice Third Girl, It is great, I watched the Film on Sunday, I loved it.

I've always fancied a holiday on a barge - as long as someone would help with the locks!! Sounds interesting, Tommy, I'll look out for it.

Whats next on your reading list?

Yea! Enjoy The Winter Garden Mystery, 3rdGirl, I think it is a book you will like too. And what a coincidence that that was the only Carola Dunn book they had! And enjoy the Robin Paige books too, which ones did you get btw?

Now that my homework assignments have simmered down I can relax a little and read more books. I was going to read Black Coffee next but I think I'll read Passage to India by E.M. Forster as I have wanted to read it for a loooong time. Has anyone ever read it?

I am going to re-read Halloween Party, I read it about 20 years ago but can't remember much about it and am going to hopefully get to read it before it appears on Television, I don't know when that is though do you?

I have just remembered Puffin, Did you see The 39 Steps last night, I wasn't able to watch it or record it but managed to see a bit of the Documentary before hand, It reminded me of another Hitchcock film, The Man Who Knew To Much

WHAT? Was it on? I had no idea!! Oh, (swear word), I wish I had known. That will teach me to look at the TV listings, won't it! If you see any others coming up for broadcast, let me know!

Good choice in Hallowe'en Party. Very seasonal! I love the book but don't know when the new adaptation is due to be aired. I'm not even sure they have finished filming yet, but I'm sure someone out there will know more than me.

Bundle, I have read Passage to India but it was quite a while ago. Probably around the time the film came out (God, that dates me!!) and I did enjoy it. Read quite a few of Forster's books after that. But, don't ask me which I liked best because my small pea shaped brain has not retained that information!

But (being a little bit of a romantic on the side), I did love A Room with a View.

Hi Puffin, it was on Thursday, the Documentary presented by Paul Merton was on at 11.20 (I think) and the Robert Donat film onn at 12.20, perhaps it is on BBC Iplayer, I saw the film once but prefer the Robert Powell version, btw, I think the girl who played the love interest in the Rupert Penry-Jones version could play Bundle Brilliantly.

Oh yes, Tommy, I think she could too! I enjoyed that version (again, different from the book, but well done) and I have to say I am a Rupert Pendry-Jones fan!! So that probably helped!!

Still sooner watch the original Hitchcock film. Much more atmospheric. And I love black and white films! If you hear of any more coming up, Tommy, let me know as I don't want to miss them! Thank you, my good friend!!

I finished The Man in the Brown Suit last night and this morning I feel like crying. Normally this book captures my imagination and cheers me up with its youth, its romance and its exotic locations. This time it left me flat. I do so hope I haven't fallen out of love with it. I expect its just my current bout of almost-winter blues. Snap out of it girl!!

I like Black and White films too Puffin and old films in Colour, I don't remember much about the Original 39 Steps but I remember thinking it ended abruptly so I felt short-changed but maybe the book is like that I will have to read it and see, btw, I must have been wrong about having the book as I can't find it and my brothewr went round the house looking for it and he couldn't find it, te book I thought was itr was 3  Men in A Boat.

I am sorry The Man In The Brown Suit left you unhappy, I can understand why, as the Head Villain was only unmasked when Anne and Co were Kidnapped so that left me flat at first but in time I changed my mind and more so than when I read They Came To Baghdad, I hope you cheer up soon.

Yes of ofcourse I will let you know when an Alfred Hitchcock film is going to be shown and I am sure you will do the same for me, there are afew films I love which I miss because I don't realise they are on, there was one one afternoon last week but can't now remember what it was.

I found a website that had informnation about the play Cards On The Table and think I know who played Ariadne and Battle, Margaret Courtney and Gordon Jackson were mentioned so I assume it was them.    

Oh, I am glad you have found some information about that production! I remember watching Gordon Jackson in Upstairs, Downstairs when I was small. Whatever happened to good TV? Used to watch alot of lovely things with my Mum and Dad, all curled up and comfy on the sofa. I can well remember the happy feeling those evenings gave me, and I miss that. Now it all seems to be dancing or celebrity programmes that hold absolutely no interest for me at all. I'm ranting, I know. Sorry.

We'll keep an eye out for each other, Tommy, if there are any good films going! Can't find anything on tonight so it might be a curl-up-with-a-DVD evening. Trick or Treaters permitting!!

Puffinjill

But (being a little bit of a romantic on the side), I did love A Room with a View.

Did you see the adaptation of it  w/ Julian Sands? He is so handsome!

And Happy Halloween everyone!

The Merchant/Ivory film? With Helena Bonham-Carter? Yes, many, many times!

Glad the homework has eased off for you (By the way, what are you studying?) and you now have a little more reading time. Have you started Pasage to India yet? I'm rereading one of my (few!) John Dickson Carr's books - Till Death do us Part, the first I ever read. Needless to say, it;s as good as I remembered it to be. I must lay my hands on more of this mans' work.

You are so right about what happened to good Television Programmes, I didn't think there was anything on last night after Merlin but My Mumreminded me the Film Land Girls was on which I had been intending to watch so we watched that and enjoyed it, by the way I have got a couple of things wrong, Firstly the Dog in the Book I am reading is a Whippet not a Greyhound, Secondly, I don'ty have a copy of The 39 Steps it is 3 Men and a Dog.

I am almost sure Margaret Courtney and Gordson Jackson played Ariadne and Battle but the site just advertised it for sale but they look right - Well Masrgaret Courtney does anyway and as Battle has only been played once so far why shouldn't Gordon Jackson have played Battle.

I'm a Pre-Med student, Jill.

And I'm going to start reading A Passage to India today :0).

Oh, thats mighty brainy! I feel rather dense now.

But, seriously, what a fantastic thing to be doing! All the luck in the world to you, my dear friend. How many years will it take you to qualify?

And I hope you enjoy the book. I've already finished my John Dickson Carr book (long wet and windy bus ride today) so will now peruse my bookshelf for something else.

And Tommy, nearly bought the DVD of Rear Window today but had to choose between that and putting the money towards a better Christmas present for my Dad, so the DVD lost out! Next time, maybe!

Puffinjill, I don't know where you live, but if you search abebooks.com for Carr's books, you can narrow down by country; you might find a seller near you and save on postage. It's what I did for approx. 10 of the books I now own.

I'm eternally gratefull to you, my friend go leafs, and owe you a debt til my dying day! I've already had a look and there seems to be a bookseller in Wiltshire which isn't too far away from where I live (I'm in little old England - not lucky enough to live somewhere like Canada as you do!) so I will be how the money stretches over the Christmas period and, if any left, I may be making a few purchases!

Thanks again! Good luck when you go off on your shopping trip for some more - isn't that coming up in a day or so?

Yes, it's coming up on Friday, which is a day off school for me. I sat down yesterday and came up with my list of books that I want to buy this time around (since I reserve them beforehand). I had to sacrifice And So To Murder (which I read at any rate, but really liked), and am left with 7 other titles, of which I read just one (The Reader is Warned- but I love it too much to leave it lying around in a store). I saved up for about two months, which is why I can actually buy several at the same time.

And so to Murder is one I actually own but, as you know, I am way, way behind you in collecting JDC's works. Enjoy your day on friday, my friend, and let us know what you buy! I, for one, will be seething with jealousy!!

I don't mind buying things over the internet, especially if there is no other way of getting hold of what you want, but I don't think you can beat a day out, poking around in book shops and coming home, happily gripping a new treasure. Thats one of the things in this life that can make me very happy with the world and all those in it!

Puffinjill

I don't mind buying things over the internet, especially if there is no other way of getting hold of what you want, but I don't think you can beat a day out, poking around in book shops and coming home, happily gripping a new treasure.

Agreed. Incidentally, I'll be getting a hold of: The Red Widow Murders, The Punch and Judy Murders. The Reader is Warned, My Late Wives, The Bride of Newgate, and Poison in Jest. I might or might not add The Problem of the Wire Cage (which I read) to that. I also just yesterday got a copy of Carr's bioraphy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which has me excited. Carr writing about Holmes' creator? Why yes, sign me up now!

Go on, pile it on!!!! You know I am now sat here quickly turning a brighter shade of green with envy! I don't own ANY of those at all and haven't read any of them either. You are one lucky, lucky blighter, go leafs!

And, do you know, I had completely forgotten John Dickson Carr had written that biography of Conan Doyle. I would trample starving children to get my little mitts on a copy of that book! Go leafs, I would like you to know that I am a very deserving charity and if you ever feel the urge to donate your complete collection to me, then it will be most gratefully received.

I am going away now to weep in private...

In all fairness, I must point out that my collection was at only around 12 books at the start of July. I've just had a tremendous run of luck lately (a lucky search of local bookstores unveiled the cornucopia of Carrs I'd been looking for on one's online catalogue), and it's grown exponentially.

I never seem to encounter that kind of luck! But I shall keep looking out for any of Carrs work and, who knows, one day, I may have a collection to rival yours!!

Mind you, I doubt it, but I can dream...

Puffinjill

But, seriously, what a fantastic thing to be doing! All the luck in the world to you, my dear friend. How many years will it take you to qualify?

It really all depends how many classes I take per semester, right now I am taking 2, next semester I'll probably take 4. But if I had to give a certain number I'd say I have about 9 years left..oh and add another few years for when I intern...

BLIMEY!!!! In for the long haul then! I hope we still have the very great pleasure of your company on this site when you take more classes! I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the American education system at all but it sounds a much longer process (for medical students, at any rate) than the one we have here. But, as I've said before, you have all my admiration and best wishes for much success!

And if I develop any strange symptoms at any time, I now know who to ask...

Yes, I try not to think about how long it takes bc it's an overwhelming thought...

So a thousand Thank yous for your well wishes, Jill!

And well wishes to you too!

How is it going with A Passage to India, Bundle?

You would be proud of me - to try to shake off my recent bout of down-in-the-dumps, I am rereading The Secret of Chimneys. If this book doesn't cheer me up, there will be no hope for me...

It's a corker. You'll be in the pink again in no time Jill!

This is an EXCELLENT book Puffin and in my view the better of the 2 Bundle books, I do hope you enjoy re-reading this book

Thanks for asking, Jill. The book is going well and I like it. The only thing is is that it has a lot of foreign lingo that I have had to look up which can be a bit tiring but very educational as well.

And you should read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, Jill. I read it about a year and some months ago and it's such a cute book. Catherine Morland's (the main character) adventures would put a smile on your face.

I've finished The Secret of Chimneys and am thankful to say it cheered me up no end. Wonderful characters and dialogue that leaves me desperately wanting more! I was so disappointed when I had finished rereading The Man in the Brown Suit as that book had always been one that could lift my spirits, no matter what but this time it failed. What IS a girl to do? Turn to the ever-reliable, every-page-a-gem Chimneys and those cold autumn days are a million miles away!! And that isn't solely due to the irresitable charms of Anthony Cade...

Keep going with A Passage to India if you can, Bundle. I didn't find it the easiest of Forster's books, but did enjoy it. And I was there before you, my friend, with Northanger Abbey! It was one of the first Jane Austen's I read and found it so accessable. I LOVE it's gothic atmosphere! But thanks for reminding me of it and the pleasure it gave me. Bet you can't guess what I am reading now - my local Library finally unearthed another Carola Dunn from God knows where so I am reading Death at Wentwater Court, the first Daisy Dalrymple book. Now I'm feeling chirpier, it should provide a little light amusement on a dull, rainy night!

I am pleased The Secret of Chimneys cheered you up Puffin, It is such a good book isn't it? Could you tell me again the name of that book that could have helped me with They Came To Baghdad? as I looked it up yesterday and couldn't find it so perhaps I got the title wrong Thanks.

Of course Tommy! It's called Agatha Christie A to Z and it's written by Dawn Sova. For the life of me, I can't tell you when or when I bought it - actually, saying that, I must of got it in the last five years as I lived in another part of Somerset then and I'm fairly sure, when I came across it again recently, it was in an old box I had stored at my Dad's for quite some time. I hope you are able to track it down as I think it might be a big help to you!

And, yes, I'm feeling a little less down in the dumps now! Taken off my miserable head and replaced it with one that doesn't feel so sorry for itself. I'm always a little blue this time of year as the shortening days and the cold affect. Never mind, I can always curl up and read a good book, regardless of the weather! Not tonight though, off to a big firework display...Bbbrrrrrrrrrr......

Hopefully no paintings have fallen down onto your bed lately? ;-)

Ha ha ha!!!! Thankfully no! And I won't be wearing a wonderful old chinese shawl bought back by Great-Uncle Timothy or anyone else! I shall be the one who looks like a collection of old clothes as I shall be wrapped up in many layers topped off by a woolly hat! Glamorous, me? You have no idea!!! I don't think I fit the bill as a tragic heroine - or a would-be murderer, thank you very much!!!

But I will watch out for stray bullets in Hotel gardens and boulders that crash past me on cliff paths.......

I have found it Puffin and have put it on my list of books to buy, Thankyou Puffin Thankyou.

Northanger Abbey was my first Jane Austen book. I loved it. It still remains as one of my favorite books.

I have no plans to stop reading A Passage to India, it's a good book :0)

And I hope you'll enjoy all the beautiful fireworks, Jill. You deserve a fun day!

Finished Death at Wentwater Court. Quite a nice little read, the first one in the series so always interesting to see how everything began. I will badger my library to see if there is any chance they can discover any more tucked away in a dusty backroom. Good period escapism on a gloomy day! But I think trying to extract any John Dickson Carr books from them seems unlikely as the staff just look at me blankly when I ask. It's a disappointing world...

Now I'm reading Where Roses Fade by Andrew Taylor, one of his Lydmouth series. Very well written, set in the post-war 50's and capture their atmosphere well (and, no, I am NOT old enough to know first-hand!!). His latest (but not part of the Lydmouth series), Bleeding Heart Square, was fantastic.

Fireworks were lovely. Well, as lovely as anything can be after a delay of over an hour because the technical experts (?) couldn't press the right button. By the time they started, I was longing to go home...

Oh, and glad you've found it Tommy. What were the two books you had on Christie? Could you let me know titles and authors so I could see if I can get hold of them? You are a friend!!

They are called Agatha Christie in Four Acts by Peter Haining and Agatha Christie's Poirot by the same Author, I hope you can find them.

Thank you Tommy. I've been searching on the internet and see that there are some secondhand copies for sale so I will see what I can afford once Christmas is over. Have you found them interesting? Have you read any books about her life as well as about her work? I've got the Laura Thompson biography and have The Secret Notebooks high on my Christmas wish list. By the way, what are you reading now?

I've finished Where Roses Fade. As good as all his work. Now I can't seem to settle to any book. I have a few on order from the Library (they hopefully can cough up two more Carola Dunn's and think they have one Robin Paige but I'm not holding my breath!) but these have still to arrive. So I've turned back to AC, yet again, and (I'm going to reread everything in order this time) find it is the turn of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. This book has never delighted and amazed me as it has many other readers, mainly due to the fact that I was aware of the ending before I read it for the first time so I think I have always read it from the point of view of trying to find the flaws in it. Not really in the right spirit, that.

Roger Ackroyd was spoiled for me too, but I really enjoyed reading it; the book is AC"s piece of work most reminiscient of Watson's narratives. Indeed, I think it may very well be a tribute to Watson, with Dr. Sheppard a) narrating b) being a doctor c) being confounded by Poirot's reasoning until it's explained.

I liked The Murder of Roger Ackryod.

And the adaptation of it was good... but towards the end it was dreadful! The cast wasn't that well picked either, except for Suchet and Jackson of course.

No, it was simply dreadful all the way. Introducing Japp completely ruined the tribute to Watson through Dr. Sheppard. And the characters were 100 times more distances from the viewer than they were from the reader.

Plus, there's only, what, 4 suspects in the book? Did they have to go and reduce that number by killing one off with (a terribly cheesy) hit-and-run and deleting another?

I didn't like the fact that Japp was introduced. I also didn't like who they got as Doctor Sheppard he looked nothing like AC had described him...or at least how I imagined him. That aspect partialy ruined it. On scale from 1 to 10 I'd give it a 4.5. But the beginning really wasn't all that bad, it did look promising then it went downhill.

When I have read all the books I am either going to re-read them in order or just read the ones I can't remember much about and my favourites but I finished Narrow Dog To Carcassonne yesterday and am now re-reading Halloween Party as I can't remember much about it and it will be on Television, I think Ariadne and Spence are Great.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyed wasn't spoilt for me but I didn't like it but will re-read it sometime to see if I like it up until the denoumont.

I'm rereading them sporadically as I am alternating between AC and then something else. It's amazing how much you forget if you haven't read them for a while! The Murder of Roger Ackroyd does remind me of Holmes and Watson too. I think AC was clever in the way she took a character as narrator who audiences would accept without thinking due to the familiarity of a doctor in this role and added an unsuspected twist. However, once this is known, the book loses it's impact in my view. I admire it rather than really like it as I can see how groundbreaking it was at it's time but I think AC went on the write much better books with subtler, but much more satisfactory, denouments.

I'm a couple of pages away from the end on The Murder of Roger Ackoyd and then I am going to read a couple of library books that I ordered. More Carola Dunn. I think these are the last couple I can get from them so God knows if I will ever find any more! This is a big problem I have with living in a rural area - the library seems to think nobody reads more than a couple of books a year (mostly romance and in large print) so they don't seem to refresh their selection very often (I'm wingeing again so everyone ignore me). Then my next AC will be The Big Four, another I have never really taken to.

How's Hallowe'en Party going, Tommy?

Fine, I am Chapter 11, I stupidly started to read a topic about the post and stopped myself when I realised it would have things I didn't want to read, I am going to write the list of people at the Party and see if I can solve it, it will be only the 2nd time I have tried to solve one by writing down suspects methodically, I don't know why Battle is more well-known than Spence, probably because Spence isn't in Books that Poirot isn't in.

I have mixed feelings about The Big Four I wasn't sure if it was a Novel or a Book of short stories, I wonder what go_leafs thinks about it, I assume fvrom what you say you have read it before, If you have tell me and I will tel you what else I don't like about it.

Good luck at that! For all it's faults, I am really fond of this book. It's one of my favourite Audiobooks too, as it is read so well by Hugh Fraser. sadly, I only have it on tape and am now frightened of playing it because it has got chewed a few times. Next time I see it on CD, I will pounce on it and gleefully take it home.

Anyway, all that is beside the point!! I like Spence too, but he isn't as rounded a character as Battle because we only get to meet him a few times. Battle was familiar to us before he worked with Poirot and was never ther simply to provide Poirot's link with the official Police.

Thankyou, I am sure there is a Dramatized version, I can sort of see Hugh Frazer reading it, perhaps Poirot dictated some of his Adventures for Hastings to record for Prosperity, I know what you mean about Spence, I imagine him sounding like Lestrade in the Sherlock Holmes Films with Basil Rathbone. Do you know if Richard Hope is Reprising his role as Spence for Halloween Party? I hope so, he is a great Actor.

I don't, actually. It doesn't mention him in the list of cast members I have seen. But I actually haven't seen him as Spence as Mrs McGinty's Dead is one of the adaptations I have yet to see.

I've also got the BBC Radio dramatisation of Hallowe'en Party with John Moffatt as Poirot and Stephanie Cole as Mrs Oliver. Never been very fond of Moffatt's performances as Poirot. I just prefer the whole book read to me by a fine actor (a la Hugh Fraser).

Oh I think he is excellent as Poirot, On the Cassdettes he is dressed up as Poirot and I think he looks great, I prefer the Dramatisdations as they are another persons view on who should play Poirot which I always think is interesting, I have quite alot, I wouldn't be without my Collection of Audio Cassettes which are readings but sometimes Books are read by people who just shouldn't read them, Hugh Fraser reads The Unexpected Guest and to me it just sounds wrong, aparently he reads And Then There Were None and I can't see that either, I think they should be someone who you van imagine playing a part although I suppose he could play Dr Armstrong. I don't think I have listened to the BBC version of Halloween Party, who played Spence? George Baker (Davy in Joan Hickson's version of 4.50 From Paddington plays him in Mrs McGinty's Dead

I just think Hugh Fraser has a fantastic voice (he could read me the telephone directory and I would be hooked) and he has a respect and understanding of the text, too. I don't own The Unexpected Guest so I can't comment on that one! I even prefer Fraser's readings to the David Suchet ones - don't all stand up and shout ay me!!!!! Suchet is a great actor and he works brilliantly as Poirot on screen, but his readings don't live up to that, in my humble opinion.Can't really say why, as he understands the role of Poirot inside out, perhaps they sound a little more 'acted' rather than read (isn't it difficult trying to explain things!!) I don't dislike them (or the Moffatt dramatisation), I would just plump for Hugh each time, but I still collect the others. Same with the Miss Marples. The ones read by Joan Hickson are wonderful and those read by Stephanie Cole are good but lack the knowledge of the character Hickson brings to them.

By the way, someone called James Taylor plays Spence in thr Radio version of Hallowe'en Party. I'm not good on actors and who's who so I'm not sure who he is. I expect you know more about that kind of thing than me, Tommy. Anyway, off to Bristol shopping today and might see if I can add another Audio CD to my collection and come home with a HUGE smile on my little face...

I do like Hugh Fraser's portrayal of Hastings (even though I first came across him in books before I started watching the series and pictured Simon Williams in the role but I just prefer David Suchet reading the stories, I have 2 Poirot stories read by him, one is The Triangle At Rhodes, I should listen to them again, perhaps I don't like the Stories but his voice doesn't have enough VOOMPH! for me if nthat makes sence, probably not as I have an odd way of looking at things, I have never heard of James Taylor so I shall have to look him up

So Stephanie Cole reads soime Miss Marple Stories does she, I haven't got any I bet they are excellent, I can picture her as Miss Marple, she is a Brilliant Actress, I also love the Dramatizations with June Whitfield as Miss Marple, When you read this you will be back from Bristol, I hope you had a good time and Managed to get More CDs, I remember having that smiled when I came home with Books and Audio Cassettes in fact I have the smile when I watch one of my Christie Video's or DVDs

Tommy_A_Jones

I have mixed feelings about The Big Four I wasn't sure if it was a Novel or a Book of short stories, I wonder what go_leafs thinks about it, I assume fvrom what you say you have read it before, If you have tell me and I will tel you what else I don't like about it.

Maybe I'm insane, but I actually LIKED The Big Four! Despite its cheesiness, and how hastily put-together it was, I loved how it was a tribute to Holmes and his perpetual struggles with Moriarty (including Ac's version of Mycroft in a cameo). It's ridiculous at times (might I have a cigarette?), and since AC wrote this during a difficult time in her life, it's not difficult to see why. But I can't help guiltily smiling as I turn the pages over.

By the way, the audiobook for this one is one of the best I've heard. Period.

Stephanie Cole reads them very well (I have Sleeping Murder and At Bertrams Hotel read by her) but I do prefer Joan Hickson. I think she may have died, sadly, before they completed the Marple Audio books otherwise I think she would have read them all.

And I'm not wearing my happy-to-be-home-clasping-my-new-CD smile. The only one in the bookshop had a damaged case, with no listings (as it had no wrapping either) and looked as if it had been returned. I thought I might buy it if the assistant reduced the price for me but she wasn't able to do that. So here I am, empty handed and very disappointed. Never mind, I'm listening to Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (brilliantly read by Emilia Fox) so life isn't all bad!! And I do the same, Tommy, when I watch my DVD's or buy new books. I'm a simple soul - don't need expensive things, just need books and my world is a happier place.

Puffinjill

 Never mind, I'm listening to Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (brilliantly read by Emilia Fox)

Sorry to be negative, but I don't like Fox's reading. Especially during The 7 Dials Mystery, she sounds like a bunch of little girls getting ready for a sleepover.

Well, I like it! I no longer have a copy of Seven Dials Mystery as my tape snapped so it's a while since I heard it. I think her youthful tone is right for these earlier books of AC where the tone IS more lighthearted and the protaganists are young and mostly 'bright young things'. Not sure if she has recorded many of the later books. I do have They Came To Baghdad read by her and, because I love the book, I'm probably biased!!

The Big Four is one Audiobook I've never owned in any form; tape, CD, abridged or unabridged. I will heed your advice, go leafs, and add it to my wish list. I have found at times some of the books I've not been to fond of can work really well as an Audiobook and I then can reread the original text with a new appreciation of it. However, this doesn't always work, well it didn't with Elephants Can Remember! And Suchets reading of Dead Man's Folly made me not want to read it again for quite a while!!

But still no one beats Fraser in my mind. His voice is understated and the words become the important thing NOT his interpretation. Plus his Mrs Oliver is a scream!

I am sorry your escapade wasn't too successful Puffin, I am a simple soul also, all i need is my Christie Books or Audio Books, video's and DVDs and I am happy, Oh anbd the website and MSW, Fraser, and my Puxzzle Books, I am also happy if I am writing Cast lists, being an Armchair Casting Director/Producer. I found my Audio Cassette of Halloween Party today, It is on a set with Five Little Pigs and no cast list, I will have to listen to it when I have finished the book, I hope it doersn't break, If it does it might mean I need a new Machine.

Thinking about it now it fiots about The Big Four being a tribute to Holmes, The book had its good bits but it is still one of my least favourites

I can'ty imagine Emilia Fox reading the ones you mentioned, I I will have to see if I can buy them. 

Thats the one I meant, Tommy. Mine is on the same tape as Five Little Pigs. Enjoy ot when you have finished the book, but I don't think it does it justice at all. It's so hard to cram the whole plot into such short adaptations. I think thats why I prefer the ones that are read, as I can buy the unabridged version and WALLOW in the whole text!!

Might see if I can order a new CD on the internet to bring back my smile. Now, which one do I choose.....

I agree from memory it doesn't do Five Little Pigs justice either, I have another one that has A Pocketful of Rye and 4.50 From Paddington together (I think that's the 2 I can't get to my Collection at the Moment) Anyway which ever 2 Marples it is they aren't done well, The People playing the parts are Brilliant but the Books are just rushed.

I am thinking of buying an Ipod to put my Audio Cassettes on, I am going to try another Tape and if it does the same ask my dad to look at it and also maybe by an Ipod.

I was going to ask you, I remember watching a Hitchcocxk film once, I think it was 'To Catch A Thief and Carry Grant's Character used afew afew alias's and they came from an Author or Film, Where were they from?

If I were you I would get an Audio Cassette of a Book you have already read anyway tell me what you decide. 

Thats a bit of a poser, Tommy! It's a while since I saw any Hitchcock films and I can't remember which film it is you mention. I have seen To Catch a Thief but many moons ago and my memory isn't the greatest, I'm afraid. This question is going to bug me all day now!!! I'm really sorry I can't give you the answer straight off but I will keep thinking about it.

I'm toying with the idea of buying A Murder Is Announced, read by the incomparable Joan Hickson. Two reasons for this - 1) my tape snapped a while ago and I was desperately upset as it was my favourite reading of a Marple book, and 2) it's the cheapest I could find to buy!!! Perhaps not the best reason but when money is tight it's an important one! Haven't ordered it yet but will see if I can get round to it today.

Sorry again for not helping. If you do remember, let me know!

I don't know what I would do without my MP3. I've put my collections of short stories on there (Mysterious Mr Quin, Partners In Crime, Listerdale Mystery etc) along with many of the Radio Sherlock Holmes adaptations. Then I've always got something good to listen to, wherever I am or whatever I am doing.

Sorry to give you just a poser, I just love the idea of having lots of pseudonymns and getting them from a writers Characte.

Good News! I played an Audio Cassette and it was fine so It was probably just the Tape, I was listening to The Blue Geranium and Other Stories and realy enjoyed The Blue Geranium and The Four Suspects

I might still buy an MP3 then I can put my Agatha Christie's and P G Wodehouse's as well as the others in my Collection

I hope you enjoy A Murder Is Announced

Thank you Tommy!! I think I will order it now as I've just had THE most awful day at work and need to put a cheery smile on my face. I'm not very good at spending money on myself but because I missed out over the weekend and feel shattered after today I might persuade myself I deserve it! Glad your tapes are working OK. I would still recommend buying CD's if you can because they do just last longer. I wish I had stopped collecting the audio cassettes sooner because I would then not have to buy so many again to replace them!! You live and learn, I suppose...

Still not thought of the film, I'm afraid. Have you tried to Google it to see if you can find out on the internet? And I don't mind having something to puzzle over - keeps my brain active!! Let me know if you solve the problem!

Sorry you had a bad day at work, I hope when you read this you will have had a better one. I prefer Audio Tapes to CDs as batrteriues seem to lkast longer than with CDs but I will probably have to go on to CDs eventually, I do have one Book CD Cards On The Table which is odd becausde she played Ariadne Oliver on Radio 4 before Julia McKenzie but I haven't got any of her.

I will still buy an MP3, It wouyld ber great to be abler to listen to them just when I want to with less faffing around

I have all but finished Halloween Party I should have guessed who the Murderers were, I guessed who one was quite soomn after being introduced to him and should really of guessed who the other one was.

The Book remindeed me of other books Mrs McGinty's Dead and Dead Man's Folly as they are referred to and Body In The Library because of the way Ariadne Oliver told Poirot how she comes up withb Ideas, It reminded me of a story I heard how that book was conceived, AC was in a Hotel and one Breakfast she saw an Elderly Gentleman and 3 younger people, after Breakfast she check out of tyhe hotel before she could meet them and she could be influenced, and of course the book reminded me of A Murder Is Announced

I often wonder how much of herself AC put into Mrs Oliver! I think there are some very obvious parrallels to be drawn (eating apples, not drinking) but I do wonder if her mind worked in the same way!

Whats next on the reading list now you have finished Hallowe'en Party? I'm about to give The Big Four another go. And, yes, I've ordered my CD so I will look forward to it's arrival. My only copy of Cards On The Table is still on tape and I miss it sooooo!!!

Probably quite alot, I didn't know about AC lovingg Apples or being a Tea-Totaller, Good luck with The Big Four, I had mixed feelings about it, Tell me what you think about it.

I have just started Thge Conjurewrs Bird by Martin Davies it is going to a bit different for me, I think ther Hero is on the look-out for a rare Bird.

I have Cards On The Table on CD Ariadne Oliver is played byu Stephanie Cole and Race by Donald Sindern, I think I might listen to m y tape of Halloween Party now and maybe watch Evil Under The Sun on video 

I forgot to say I give it 7, I liked it more than 3rd Girl but not as much as Mrs McGinty's Dead   

Sounds like you are in for a fun evening Tommy!! Enjoy both Evil Under The Sun and your tape of Hallowe'en Party. I haven't heard that version but it sounds interesting. I do have a version of Death On The Nile with Donald Sinden as Race. I've got 12 dramatisations featuring John Moffatt as Poirot, all on tape, but there are loads more I still have yet to hear.

Not bad, then, if it rates a 7! I would put it about on par with Mrs McGinty's Dead and way, way above Third Girl which I have never cared for much. I've only just begun The Big Four and I really can't remember much about it as it is so long since I last read it. Adds to the surprise at the end, at least!!!

I didn't mean to suggest I was going to do all that in an evening, I might not do either of it this weekend, realistically there are other thongs I want to do so perhaps I might watch Evil Under The Sun.

It is years since I read Mrs McGinty's Dead but from memory I enjoyed it and can remember more of it but perhaps that is because I have the Audio Cassette and the DS version was relatively recent, sometimes I think I have rose-tintes spectacles about some books, The only thing I had remembered about Halloween Party is that Ariadne Oliver was put of Apples and the Gender(s) of the Murderer(s) so I was pleased about that.

Well, enjoy whatever you do!!!

I sometimes have faulty memories about certain books, too. Or perhaps I just view them differently the next time I read them due to me changing or personal experiences. Rarely have I reread a book that I did like only to find it no longer appealled to me but I have grown to like lots that, on first read, didn't make a favourable impression.

Yes I remember not likeing Halloween Party first time round but liked it this time someone said somewhere that the truth about the will wasn't explained but I didn't find that but I did think it sad one of the Deaths on the list Spence gave to Poirot wasn't explained as for everything else Poirot wasn't there when they were actually happening so he can only guess how things went but that is the same with a few books, what really happened is only conjecture

Currently reading Gladys Mitchell's When last I Died, featuring her wonderful creation, Mrs Adela Bradley. I've read a few before but this is the first one I have enjoyed thoroughly! Mrs Bradley, herself, has always appealed to me as a character and in this one she is on fine form. Nearing the end already!! Over too soon!!

Oh, and how was The Big Four? Well, I'm afraid I still find it too busy, too sensational and without any real cohesion throughout. I WANT to like it, and I can see how certain episodes in the book would make great short stories (as I beleive they were originally to be) but stuck together in this way, they lose their impact and their appeal. So I'm still struggling to take this book to my heart but I admire AC for being able to put it together at all during such a difficult time in her life.

It's a guilty pleasure of mine. I emphasized the 'guilty' aspect, because it IS hastily put-together, and rather silly at times. I just like it, though.

I started to listen to Hugh Fraser read The Pale Horse, and- I don't know, something about it was a little off for me. Yes, his Mrs. Oliver is "a scream". But his voice simply keeps reminding me of Captain Hastings... I stopped after about 20 minutes, not because it was bad, but because I simply can't listen to the entire thing for now.

Now thats a real shame! Perhaps Hugh fraser has the affect on you that David Suchet has on me when listening to the Audio books! I LOVE my CD's of The Pale Horse and, for me, NO ONE does them better than Hugh. I hope you can give it another go again soon.I am currently listening to Mrs McGinty's Dead and loving it!

Nothing wrong with liking The Big Four! (I'm sure I like plenty of things you would find ridiculous! However, I will not mention them now!!!)

No argument there on Mrs. McGinty's Dead. Fraser wins that one hands-down. It's one of my favourite audiobooks.

Yes, complete agreement at last!!! I'm just nearing the end and loving every single second as I've been without a copy until I recently managed to get it an MP3 version (I am not at liberty to say how). Next up for my listening delight......probably my new (yes, new, I treated myself) copy of A Murder Is Announced on CD!!

Finished When last I Died and am now trying to lay my hands on some more Gladys Mitchell's. It's taken me a few books to get to appreciate her and Mrs Bradley but I found this one gripped me from page one. now I'm reading A Man's head, by another all-time favourite of mine, Georges Simenon. I only discovered Maigret about 18 months ago and haven't read a bad on yet.

I just started reading Black Coffee. I won't give my opinion of it yet as I tend to like all AC books when I first start reading it -- (except for After the Funeral and Elephants Can Remember) I think it's the excitement of reading another Christie book -- anyway, after I've finished reading sometimes I realize that I didn't like some aspect(s) of it.

Can I ask, what was it about After The Funeral that you didn't like, even on your first read? I agree with you about Elelphants Can Remember, as it's a book I've always found to be rather muddled with the solution glaringly obvious from the word go. And, although it had both Poirot and Mrs Oliver, I found the rest of the characters tedious and found myself not being able to empathise with any of them. Shame really, as I always try hard to like all AC's works but, for each of us, there are always some that don't quite hit the mark.

I didn't like ATF because I found the characters, especially Mr. Goby, extremely dull, and I found the family tree confusing, and the solution and plot wasn't nearly interesting or clever enough; on top of that, I found it too gory.

I know it's a fan favorite but I've never quite comprehended why...

I disagree strongly. If I succeed in finding my many written pages on the book for an assignment two years ago (I got a very good mark), I may post bits and pieces there. All the elements work together to create a fascinating read. Nuns popping up all over the place, silly behaviour saving intended victims' lives, a gruesome murder, and insane killer... what more could you ask?

I've finished reading Black Coffee...Nowadays I seem to be a speed reader w/ AC's books.

And your verdict Bundle?

(Belated Happy Thanksgiving, by the way! Hope you had a good time!)

I had a great Thanksgiving! Thank you, JA! *Hugs*

As for Black Coffee the concept was genius, I liked how it was truly a locked room mystery, and unlike ATF the characters were not a bore, the clues were given fairly, and it was an easy and fun read.

I hate to say this though but I was disappointed in the solution because  I was expecting a more complex reason why Edward Raynor did it - I mean of course I knew it was all about the secret formula but I thought perhaps there would be another reason why he did what he did. I also thought that he was the most obvious choice. I even tried not to suspect him even though it clearly stared the reader right in the face w/ the fact that he was the next to last to hand Mr. Amory his coffee and also the fact that he didn't ask Lucia Amory what she was doing with the poison and that it was mentioned that he actually "sprinkled in something in the coffee cup". When halfway through the book his actions were not mentioned by anyone I knew that he did it. Overall the solution seemed a little elementary.

I would give the book a 7/10

What did you think of the book, JA?

It's right up there on the list to be read again, Bundle, as I'm going through them in chronological order at the moment (sandwiched between reading other things so as not to overdose on AC, if that is possible!). I've got about five more to go before I get to Black Coffee again.

I've only actuaaly read it once and that was when I was ill, so my memories of reading it are a bit hazy. I think (I know that sounds pathetic!) I liked it, but I'm not overly crazy about the novelisations of the plays. Chances are, I'll really enjoy it when I get to it this time, though. I will let you know.

Whats next on the list for you now, Bundle? I've got my mitts on another Gladys Mitchell which I'm pleased about as I so enjoyed the last one. So it's me, curled up on the sofa with my book tonight! Saturday nights are non-stop action in my house!!

Well, I've got to hit the text books for final exams. I wish they were as entertaining as novels! But I digress.

After that I plan on reading some romantic novels for a change. Georgette Heyer is first on my list, I've never read her books before but when I researched some of them they looked interesting. Have you read any of her work?

And I've never heard of Gladys Mitchell. She's a mystery writer I presume.

Oh, No!!! Sounds as if you are in for some long days full of pouring over heavy books! I sympathise, my friend, and wish you much luck with it all.

The only Georgette Heuer books I have read have been her murder mystery ones. I haven't read them all yet (even though there aren't that many) but I've really enjoyed everyone of them. I've never really had much interest in her romances. But she writes very well so I can imagine you will enjoy them. There has been so little romance in my life that I find reading about it a bit depressing!! Oh, poor little me....

Gladys Mitchell was the writer of the Mrs Adela Bradley books. The BBC did dramamtise some of them (rather badly) a good few years ago starring Diana Rigg as a too-glamourous Mrs B. I think you would love the books so try find one when you've had your fill of handsome rogues/beautiful heroines/fluttering hearts! (Perhaps your life is full of these things. If so, lucky girl, and can I come and stay with you?)

Now, get back to those text books.

Thanks for the encouraging words, JA. And I shall get back to the text books very soon.

But I remember Gladys Mitchelle now! I liked the Mrs. Adela Bradley mysteries! They were fun to watch: I liked all the glamour, and the mysteries were intriguing and intricate...if I remember correctly. But of course I shall have to read some of her books.

Do. The books are very different to the TV series. I only saw one of them and it was a while ago, but the Mrs Bradley on screen bore NO resemblence to the Mrs Bradley Gladys Mitchell wrote about. I wouldn't mind seeing the whole of the TV series as I rather liked the one I saw but the books are fantastic and I would urge you to run screaming to your nearest bookshop/library and demand some instantly.

(Are you still on holiday for Thanksgiving? I'm afraid my knowledge of your holidays is very sketchy. I'm getting excited now as the run up to Christmas is well and truly underway here - I'm SUCH a child still -and can't wait for my (miserable, pathetic) four days off work over the festive season)

Good luck on your exams, Bundle!

Thank you very much, GKC!

And my classes officialy start tomorrow, Jill :-(

Hi! the book I am actually reading is "They came to Bagdad" It is a wonderful story, for those who like romantic stories, this is a good choice, mistery cannot be avoid. This book is one of my favourites.

One of mine, too, Dianala! I love the wonderfully evocative atmoshpere AC creates of her much-beloved East. And Victoria Jones is one of her most human 'heroines' - a bit further down the social scale than most in her books (I find this a little surprising as it was written in 1951 and, although society was changing after the War, AC still tended to write about those from the class she knew best) and an accomplished liar!!

This Morning I started Destination Unknown

I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice for my Brit Lit class. The other Austen books I've read are: Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. I hadn't read P&P before because I had seen the adapts of it so many times that I figured why should I when I already know the story. But I find that I really am enjoying it, especially in comparing how different or similar the adapts are to the book.

What's everyone else reading at the moment?

I have just stared GOLD by Dan Rhodes

Hi, Tommy! How are you? BTW What's the book about?

i Bundle, Don't know yet still on 1st Chaptewr, Terll you tomorrow.

I'm reading Spider Webs.....

Bundle, you have a 'Brit Lit' class?! How fantastic is that!!!! Thinking about it, when I studied A level Literature my main texts were American. To this day, The Great Gatsby remains the most beautifully written book I have ever read.

And I've just started Bright Hair About The Bone by Barbara Cleverly. I'm read all of her Joe Sandiland series of books (really enjoyed them - especially Tug Of War) and this one is the second in a new series featuring a young woman archaeologist, Laetitia Talbot. I read the first one about 6 months ago (The Tomb Of Zeus) and have been looking forward to this one being published. I have a brand spanking new copy ordered from my local Library and I hope it lives up to my expectations.

That sounds like a very interesting book! Enjoy, Tommy!

Puffinjill

Bundle, you have a 'Brit Lit' class?! How fantastic is that!!!! Thinking about it, when I studied A level Literature my main texts were American. To this day, The Great Gatsby remains the most beautifully written book I have ever read.

Yes! It's such a fun class - which is a nice change! I feel right at home in this class! And guess what? We even got to watch a few minutes of the Keira Knightely version of Pride and Prejudice!

And when we had to mention who some of our favorite authors are I mentioned Jane Austen, Wilkie Collins, Georgette Heyer and of course, last but not least, I said my absolute favorite author is Agatha Christie!!

Well done you!! And I can watch that version of Pride And Prejudice anytime - wonderful adaptation (especially Mr Bennet)....but perhaps it has more to do with the lovely Mr Matthew Macfayden as Mr Darcy!!!

By the way, very sad to see on last night's news about the death of J.D. Salinger. His beautiful Catcher In The Rye has haunted me for many years, another book I could never recommend enough.

I am ALWAYS  reading a book! If I posted all the books I read last year it would run into pages of posts!

Puffinjill

Well done you!! And I can watch that version of Pride And Prejudice anytime - wonderful adaptation (especially Mr Bennet)....but perhaps it has more to do with the lovely Mr Matthew Macfayden as Mr Darcy!!

We're going to watch a few minutes of the Colin Firth P&P next week. That's my favorite version!

I love Jane Austen books and adaptations, I could fill pages with all my thoughts about them. But I will restrain myself! I actually prefer Mr Wickham to Mr Darcy in the 1996? version! It's nice to be different!

Willoughby played by Greg Wise in Sense and Sensibilty is really my all time favourite Austen romantic figure. As you can see, I'm prefering the rather more rougish characters!

Detective Conan manga, the Shining, Ordeal by Innocence. My current 3.

This is the 200th reply here! Go me!

Sorry to sound like the spoilsport around here, but I positively hated The Catcher in the Rye. It was a book that was poorly written, with profanity used as every other word, and where not much happens. The character spends a few hundred pages walking around New York, getting "the hell depressed out of me", and calling everyone he meets a phony. I despised it, to put the matter shortly. There, I'm done.

On another note, has anyone here read John Sladek's Black Aura? It is a book I recently heard of, and is apparently a very good impossible mystery.

That's not being a spoilsport, go leafs, it's just called having a different opinion! We can't all be the same or like the same things. I think I read Catcher In The Rye when I was going through quite a low period in my life and Holden Caulfield struck a particular note with me. I hope, my friend, your life, and everyone elses out there, never holds such low spots and you never get to understand depression or mental break down first hand.

In answer to your other question, I've not heard of John Sladek or his book Black Aura before. More details please...

"The story centers on a group of spiritualists living with their medium. Thackerey Phin, an American enthusiast of classic mysteries living in London, attempts to debunk them, but soon things start to happen in the house that should only happen between the pages of a John Dickson Carr novel, including a seemingly impossible disappearance from a locked lavatory and the impalement of a man on a fence after apparently levitating in mid-air! Both impossibilities have a satisfying solution."

MMmmmmmm, interesting.....I will look out for this one. Thanks for the tip. I'm just starting Dandy Gilver And The Proper Treatment Of Blood Stains by Catriona McPherson. I've read all her other books featuring Dandy Gilver and have loved them. Set in Scotland (my favourite country) in the 1920's (one of my favourite eras), so they hit the mark for me!!

my first book was they came to Baghdad and i loved it! i was like 12 and i had only read silly books for kids! now im almost 20 and i ve read like 60 novels! i prefer the ones that have Marple or Poirot but this one was actually good, also taken at the flood its a good one.

I'm reading The Pale Horse. I had trouble putting it down, but I know I musnt read it before I go to sleep! My brain would be working overtime.

Just started The Listerdale Mystery

I'm reading a collection of Poems by different poets for my Brit Lit class. I just love Blake's London, and The Lilly.

BTW where is Puffinjill?!

I'm still here, Bundle. Just been a wee bit busy but I'm still around - thanks for remembering me!!

I'm rereading Partners In Crime , the next in my bid to read all AC's workd chronologically (which I know almost off by heart as it's a firm favourite of mine on my MP3 for when I run), and also reading Catriona McPherson's The Winter Ground for the second time. I do love a bit of Dandy Gilver!

Hi Jill, Tommy and Bundles! It's been too long. I've been frantic now I'm back at work and am promptly passing out at 9pm after 20 minutes of reading each night. How are you all??

I love Dandy Gilver as well Jill! I just finished reading The Shifting Fog by Kate Moreton. I think it's released under The House at Riverton in the UK. What a saga! Set in the 1920's and is a long, gothic mystery with the upstairs and downstairs of a great house all included. I loved it.

I think I need to get a bit of AC into me...I'm ashamed to say that I've read no AC since Hercule Poirot's Christmas as Christmas - which seems like so long ago!

Welcome back, 3rdGirl! It's not been the same without you!!!

Inspired by Partners In Crime, I've just read Dr Thorndyke Intervenes, by R. Austin Freeman, and am now halfway through The Old Man In The Corner by Baroness Orczy. Shame it's such a slim volume (12 very short stories) as I'm enjoying every single word and it will soon be finished!

Welcome back 3rd Girl

I've listened to the Old Man in the Corner on BBC Radio 4 though the internet Jill! They are really sweet.