Agatha Christie Challenge

Agatha Christie Challenge

When: 2009
What: Read at least two books by or about Agatha Christie

My list:

Agatha Christie. The Murder at Hazelmoor -- finished 11/11/2009
Agatha Christie. Murder in Retrospect -- finished 12/24/2009
Agatha Christie. A Murder is Announced -- finished 12/29/2009

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie

First sentence:

"Between 7.30 and 8.30 every morning except Sundays, Johnnie Butt made the round of the village of Chipping Cleghorn on his bicycle, whistling vociferously between his teeth, and alighting at each house or cottage to shove through the letterbox such morning papers had been ordered by the occupants of the house in question from Mr Totman, stationer, of the High Street."

Description:

"A murder is announced, and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks, at 6:30 pm. . .

The ad in the local paper is a joke, of course. In bad taste, of course.

But none of Miss Blacklock's friends can resist calling on her at the appointed hour. Certainly not Miss Marple. . .

At 6:30 precisely, the lights go out. . ." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a good mystery with lots of twists. I liked how Miss Marple and the Detective Inspector Craddock gradually put together the truth surrounding the murder announcement.

Date read: 12/29/2009
Book #: 65
Challenge: Agatha Christie Challenge
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Mystery

ISBN-10: 0006165281
ISBN-13: 9780006165286
Publisher: Fontana
Year: 1990 (original: 1950)
# of pages: 237
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Murder in Retrospect by Agatha Christie

First sentence:

"Hercule Poirot looked with interest and appreciation at the young woman who was being ushered into the room."

Description:

"Amyas Crale had been famous as a painter...and infamous as a lover. His fiery wife, Caroline, had been jealous as she was devoted. So naturally it was she who was tried and convicted for his murder. Now their daughter, Carla, presents the brilliant Hercules Poirot with the greatest challenge of his career - to clear her mother's name by finding the fatal flaw in what, after sixteen years, appears to be the perfect crime!" -- from the backcover

My thoughts:

Not only can Poirot solve a recent crime, but he can solve one sixteen years later! I liked how he knew how to behave with each person, making him or her feel comfortable enough to share what they saw and believed.

Date read: 12/24/2009
Book #: 64
Challenge: Agatha Christie Challenge
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Mystery

ISBN-10: 0425093255
ISBN-13: 9780425093252
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 1985 (original: 1941)
# of pages: 216
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

The Murder at Hazelmoor by Agatha Christie

First sentence:

"Major Burnaby drew on his gum boots, buttoned his overcoat collar round his neck, took from a shelf near the door a hurricane lantern, and cautiously opened the front door of his little bungalow and peered out."

Description:

"T-R-E-V D-E-A-D M-U-R-D-E-R

It was only a parlor game intended to while away the hours on a bitter winter night. But when the psychic table turning pronounced Captain Trevelyan 'dead,' the guests at Sittaford House became nervous. And when, a few hours later, Major Burnaby discovers the body, the game becomes an eerie and baffling murder case. Inspector Narracott for the police and Miss Emily Trefusis, hoping to clear her fiancé, delve deep into the spirit world -- to find a very human murderer." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I liked this wintertime mystery. I especially liked how Emily figured out the truth behind Trevelyan's murder.

Date read: 11/11/2009
Book #: 56
Challenges: 999 Challenge, Agatha Christie Challenge
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Mystery

ISBN-10: 0425104060
ISBN-13: 9780425104064
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 1984 (original: 1931)
# of Pages: 228
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page