Book Club

Non-Series Novels & Stories

For those of you wanting to discuss Agatha Christie's standalone books, such as And Then There Were None. 

Beware spoilers and remember we'll be able to add the most insightful comments to the stories section. 

If you can't find your favourite one, don't worry, we'll be adding them in the coming weeks.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

The Man in the Brown Suit

Jemma 05 Sep 09 at 11:38 a.m. GMT

The real life "Major Belcher" persuaded Christie to portray him in this book when she sketched the plot on her travels to South Africa. Given the real life influence, is this characterisation of the Major significantly different to her portrayals of other villains?

When mild-mannered clergymen care so much about Cabin 17, this leaves Anne suspicious of her travelling companions and what they have to hide. Which one should she follow when she lands in South Africa?

Of the confusing occurances that are evident in the book does Christie push these too far? From a piece of paper on a tube station, to the yearning for adventure, love and romance overseas - is there a natural link?

Login or register to add posts and reply

109 replies

Reverse order

Tommy_A_Jones 08 Nov 11 at 1:24 p.m. GMT

I saw the Film long before reading the book, but I don't think I would have found the book as easy to read without seeing the Film first, having said that I love the book and have read it twice and will read it again, I love the film, I watched it twice in 1 day.

Epsilon14 08 Nov 11 at 7:38 a.m. GMT

I liked the book a lot but it wasn't one of those common Christie books. The book was very good for its adventure. As the book progressed it became clear that Sir Eustace was 'The Colonel'. Generally the AC books keep me mystified till the end but this one didn't keep me much gripped.

deboluccia 29 Nov 10 at 2:46 a.m. GMT

The characters are particularly vivid (and witty) in this book. Sir Eustace is a scream, the character formerly known as Harry Rayburn is a hottie (can't keep up with all the name changes though I've read the book over 20 times), and Race is also very attractive. It's true that he kind of loses his personality in subsequent books but maybe it's because his heart is broken. But the most interesting character is definitely Sir Eustace and I feel that he was right, people do tend to underestimate him. I've always wondered what became of him.

MissQuin 24 Nov 10 at 3:41 p.m. GMT

Dial_M- indeed it's the sort of image you don't want before going to sleep!! It put me off reading the book, which is a shame.

I have the blueish light cover of Ordeal by.. I think they might be called the signature editions with Ac's sig on the spines. All those tend to be in mono tones or blue. Some are good, in fact most of those are stylish. But I dislike the Mr Quin cover, as it's just a man in blue light. There was a discussion on here about covers that we wanted to improve and that was one of them.

Dial_M_for_Marple 23 Nov 10 at 9:28 p.m. GMT

ewww I found the copy you are talking about Miss Quin, & it is creepy! ew I can't get it out of my head. 

Dial_M_for_Marple 23 Nov 10 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

I don't know what cover you have.... I've never seen one like that. but my copy just has a man in a brown suit holding his hat, but I know they can be creepy because my copy of Endless Night is super creepy it's done by St Martin's Minotaur Publishing. & oooh! it gives me the willies! it has what looks like a child's nursery but it's all dusty like it hasn't been used for awhile. it has a doll set up for a tea party & another one sitting in a rocking chair. the cover was taken with like a blue-ish sort of light. I also think that the cover for Ordeal by Innocence by the same publishing company is super creepy. & so is my copy of problem at pollensa bay is creepy to >.<

MissQuin 21 Aug 10 at 8:02 p.m. GMT

My cover with a dollface is actually drawing, it is intensely creepy.  It had a woman sniffing a rose in the background. There's blood running down from it. urgh! know the one? A paperback, So I can't remove the cover. I could wrap it in paper, but who want's to do that. I assume there's more than one cover with a doll out there?

If it's Female friendships, not just ones with people who characters seen now and again, but ones that are are sisterly, loyal and completely depndable? can't think of many.

Miss Marple and the other village women, didn't seem like really good friends, or maybe just to me? They seemed to be more there to gossip with each other. I'm sure if Miss M told them a secret, it wouldn't remain so for very long! True friends wouldn't do so. I can't imagine any of them being there when they really needed each other. There seems to be alot of achness there.

Emily in Sitaford was so selfish, she'd only befriended people to glean as much as possible from them.

Dolly Bantry's comment something like "I prefer men and flowers" and women are all cat, seems to sum up the general Chrisite mood.

Julia Upjohn and Jennifer Suttcliffe were better friends, but whether they remained so we don't find out. The stongest friendships are not between women in the book, as it's been so wisely pointed out by forum members. Mrs Oliver and Poirot's is a good example, a strong one. Theyre oposites, yet I believe that they can rely on each other. Same with Hastings and Poirot.

NightRayDuck 21 Aug 10 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

"Book cover art subject": I, too, have been avoiding the current edition of By the Pricking of My Thumbs due to the scary doll face on the cover. Glad to see I am not alone in this sentiment! Personally, I would have felt a little better if the cover art had been a drawing of a doll face, rather than a photo of a doll face.

Some of my Christie books are secondhand, very old library copies.. hardcover with artwork only on a separate sheet of paper wrapped on it, if you know what I mean? So, I get the option of removing the artwork from those copies if it's too horrible.. am I being sacrilegious? 

NightRayDuck 21 Aug 10 at 6:28 p.m. GMT

"Friendship subject": I don't think it's particularly lack of female friendship or even lack of male friendship, it's more like, quite a few stories make use of the plot line "someone decides that enough is enough and must kill a long-time friend / friendly acquaintance in order to get hold of this money / whathaveyou". Consider the "friendship" between Captain Trevelyan and Major Burnaby in The Sittaford Mystery, now there's a friendship between men of the world gone very wrong, and in the same story we also get Emily striking up pretty good bonds with Mrs. Curtis and Miss Percehouse in a few days. Thus, Miss Marple and her friends have never been murderers, therefore their friendship is not disrupted.

Puffinjill 08 Aug 10 at 8:21 a.m. GMT

Good point, GKC. I never thought for a second about Miss Marple herself and the friends she has kept throughout her life. I'm not convinced about all the girls in Hickory Dickory Dock, as some of them had distinct agendas to their friendships with the others in the Hostel. However, I did overlook the friendships in Cat Among The Pigeons - especially the one between Julia Upjohn and Jennifer Suttcliffe.

GKCfan 08 Aug 10 at 3:41 a.m. GMT

There are plenty of positive female friendships- Miss Marple has many friends, like Dolly Bantry, Carrie Louise Serrocold, Lady Selina Hazy, and many more.  Mrs. Oliver has a bunch of friends, like Mrs. Butler in Hallowe'en Party.  Most of the ypung women living together in the hostel in Hickory Dickory Dock are friends.  There are lots of friendships between the girls and teachers in Cat Among the Pigeons.

Yunakitty 08 Aug 10 at 3:24 a.m. GMT

Oh, Puffinjill, I was struck by the same idea recently and bid on a copy of Ten Little Niggers on Ebay!  However I was outbid and was disinclined to pay very much for it just for what I wanted it for - to see the textual differences.  Please report on anything you find!

As for positive AC female friendships... been racking my brains and none come to mind... :/

Puffinjill 07 Aug 10 at 2:12 p.m. GMT

Exactly, MissQuin! It always seems as if the females in AC's books only form friendships with other women when they need to use them to serve their own ends. I can understand AC's mistrust of other women after the devasting breakdown of her first marriage, but I do think she portrays an unrealistic view of female friendships. But no matter how hard we look, it is very difficult to find any examples of a friendship between two females in any of her books that are genuine friendships. How about Jenny Driver and Carlotta Adams from Lord Edgware Dies? Again, not a great example as we only view the friendship AFTER Carlotta's death. At least Jenny was in no way responsible for this sad occurance! Suzanne Blair and Anne Beddingfeld from The Man In The Brown Suit is about the only one I can think of where there is no devious agenda behind their affection for each other. Anyone else think of any?

MissQuin 07 Aug 10 at 11:02 a.m. GMT

The only female friendship I can think of is Elvira and her friend Annie?. But even that just seems Elvira plotting and embroiling her friend into her wicked schemes.

Puffinjill 07 Aug 10 at 7:07 a.m. GMT

I'm going to be a real pain and COMPLETELY change the subject again (from AC's female relationships back to the covers of her books) so I can tell let you all know I have a new addition to my collection of original Penguin Crime books. This little green and white gem is a copy of Ten Little Niggers which, obviously, comes from before the change of title to And Then There Were None. I haven't read this copy yet but look forward to doing so soon to see if any of the text was deemed racist too and changed to language much more fitting and respectful.After all, AC was just referring to a rhyme that was in common usage at the time with NO intention to offend anyone at all. I'll let you know if the original differs from the one we now buy.

Interesting footnote - I bought this copy in an Oxfam bookshop but it wasn't displayed on the shelves due to it's title. They had it locked in a glass cabinet behind the counter and I only discovered it was there because I enquired about the price of the Gladys Mitchell Penguin that was in front of it! Lucky little me!!

Yunakitty 07 Aug 10 at 1:55 a.m. GMT

On the topic of the lack of good female friendships in AC books, I have to agree.  As the "female friendships" that popped to my mind were Lottie/Lettie Blacklock and Dora Bunner from Murder is Announced, as well as Cora Lansquenet and Miss Gilchrist from After the Funeral.  Which have the same relationship as many of these other female pairs we've noted... ahem *murderess/victim*...  AC truly didn't think much of her own sex, ha ha!

MissQuin 23 Jul 10 at 3:22 p.m. GMT

Some of (very dedicated) fans had a small discussion on covers. The worst of mine I think will always be that dolls head one. My books collection is a motley one. I have 90% second hand ones, from 50's onwards. I even have one whcih says "Agatha Christie currently lives in Berkshire"

http://www.agathachristie.com/forum/have-your-say/miscellaneous/your-cover-design/

I suppose it's me that should get out more. I think a "design a Chrisite book cover" competiton would be great though.

Puffinjill 23 Jul 10 at 2:50 p.m. GMT

Oh dear, Miss Eylesbarrow, that must mean I need to get out more because that's EXACTLY what I used to do when I originally bought my Fontana paperbacks!!!! I still have them all - dog eared and much loved - and I still think their covers are great. I love the recent covers but just cannot afford to buy them all again new so I shall stick to the ones I have and searching around the charity and/or second hand shops for any hardbacks or original penguins. Lucky you to be near a Waterstones!!! Nothing so cultural remotely near me.....

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Jul 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

True, but I don't get out much and any excuse is a good one!  I did have a look yesterday and I agree, they are really nice.  I used to like the old Fontana covers best though, I'd try and work out which bit of the story was depicted in the picture and look for the little 'mb' signature which was usually well hidden.  As I say, I don't get out much.....

MissQuin 23 Jul 10 at 10:28 a.m. GMT

Or just look at them on here as I have done.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Jul 10 at 11:03 a.m. GMT

Gosh, sorry Miss Quin, my memory is appalling!    I haven't been looking at the modern covers, I'll go down to Waterstones at lunchtime and have a gander....

MissQuin 21 Jul 10 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

It was actually me Miss E, that had the scary doll on the Pricking of cover. The conversation is on the Third girl topic.

I like most of the current covers. I think theyre clever.

http://www.agathachristie.com/forum/book-club/poirot-stories/third-girl/

Puffinjill 21 Jul 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

Oh, Miss Eylesbarrow, have I missed that conversation? Sorry if I have! I recently saw a particularly nasty cover for Hallowe'en Party in a second-hand book shop and could not bring myself to add it to my collection. Some of the Pan ones I have seen aren't pleasant AT ALL!!! You can't go wrong with a green and white Penguin - that's my motto!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 21 Jul 10 at 10:21 a.m. GMT

Don't get me started on book covers!  I have some real 'classics' in my collection.  I has having a converstaion with Puffinjill about 'By the Pricking of my Thumbs' and a particularly awful Pan books edition of 'Third Girl' - ugh!  It put me off getting the book for ages.

MissQuin 19 Jul 10 at 4:37 p.m. GMT

The freecycle area never has books, people are more interested in washing machines!!

I sued to but loads off ebay, amazon and the old yahoo auction, which has gone. But now the P&P is too much, so I rely on second hand/charity shops. 90% of my books are second hand.

I really shouldn't be talking about this as I have a pile of 11 unread books to read! Gaskell, Bronte, Chrisite, Heyer, James, Du Maurier. The Du Maurier is French man's Creek, which I had given to me. It sounds awful, but I'll try it...

I remember there was discussion on oAC covers. Don't laugh! We were picking the best and worst.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 3:57 p.m. GMT

Ooo how lovely.  The only original green & white Penguin one I have is 'The Labours of Hercules' and the typeface is really tiny! 

Puffinjill 19 Jul 10 at 3:28 p.m. GMT

Miss Eylesbarrow, bless you for your kind compliments!! I'm blushing!!! To have like-minded fans such as yourself agree with my comments and think I know lots about Christie makes me very happy! Thankyou!!!

MissQuin, I wait with baited breath to read your comments on The Man In The Brown Suit when you do get to read it. All my AC books are about 20 years old as I collected the Fontana paperbacks in my late teens/early twenties (oh dear, that dates me!!) but now I'm buying up all the secondhand hardbacks I can find in Charity shops and trying to collect as many of her works in my favourite clasic green and white Penguin covers.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 12:01 p.m. GMT

I should think about 50% of my copies are second-hand.  I wrote in the front when and where I bought each book, so now 20+ years later I can look back and remember.  Try Amazon, they do some 2nd hand stuff from time to time or perhaps Ebay or Freecycle?  I'd love to hear what you think of the book when do do get to read it :)

MissQuin 19 Jul 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

Thanks for that Miss E. I did read some extracts od MITBS which I did find rather cheesey, (sorry) so I was concerned it might be so. I'd never buy a new copy of this, just it case I didn't like it.  So I'll have to hope I find a second hand one somewhere.

My library has a huge long list for AC books, so that's no good!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 10:11 a.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Good for you, 3rdGirl!! I knew we would win you over! It's certainly a little cracker, isn't it? Wonderful locations, fantastic characters, a totally gorgeous hero and lots and lots of fun! Like you,I love the friendship between Anne and Suzanne. AC didn't write too many female friendships into her books and I think that was down to her own personal preferences. I remember reading in her Autobiograpy that she preferred and understood how to be friends with the male sex more than her fellow females and this comes through in much of her work. But Anne and Suzanne are a blast! If only we had more of them. And of Harry Rayburn. And of the young tall-dark-and-handsome Race. All of it, in fact!

Hi Miss Quin, I've just been looking through the posts for Brown Suit and I think that Puffinjill sums it up very neatly above (naturally! You know so much Puffinjill I'm in awe).  If you've not read the book yet I'd avoid looking through the posts as there are a number of spoilers.  My take is that although I enjoy the story and actually the audio book is great too, there are some crazy imagination-stretching coincidences which I can't quite get my head around.  Anne Beddingfield is the typical action/adventure loving early Christie heroine, and the fun she has working out the mystery with Suzanne is fab.  There are some really great well rounded characters and some which drive me to distraction - but I can't say which as that would spoil things for you!

I do prefer the later more 'classic' Christie plots - you know: family all gathered for Christmas and one is murdered, you go through the list of suspects and think it's each one in turn until AC hits you with the solution that you never though of but makes perfect sense...

Puffinjill 29 Jun 10 at 6:38 a.m. GMT

Gosh, did I write most of that?! Dear me, I think I got a trifle heated about it!! Anyway, I'm glad I haven't seen the adaptation that has been made of The Man In The Brown Suit as I am convinced the characters I would see on screen would live up to the ones in my head or on the original page.

risarah 29 Jun 10 at 2:48 a.m. GMT

Puffinjill

NOTHING is obviously going on in the heads of the casting directors AT ALL. Have they read the book, one wonders? Have they every read ANY book? Please God, never let them try to adapt The Man in the Brown Suit.

They already did! And it is GARBAGE. I watched 15 minutes of it and turned it off. I would MUCH rather see the characters as I have them in my imagination. I am so disappointed :(

Who in **** would they choose for for Eardsley/Rayburn??? I cannot even bring myself to think about it.

Pardon my language. Not the way to speak on a sunday morning. I shall try to behave now.

Puffinjill

NOTHING is obviously going on in the heads of the casting directors AT ALL. Have they read the book, one wonders? Have they every read ANY book? Please God, never let them try to adapt The Man in the Brown Suit. Who in **** would they choose for for Eardsley/Rayburn??? I cannot even bring myself to think about it.

Pardon my language. Not the way to speak on a sunday morning. I shall try to behave now.

Puffinjill 12 Nov 09 at 7:18 p.m. GMT

I know nothing about technology, so don't ask me. If something doesn't work I can either kick it or shout at it. Failling to correct the fault with these two methods, I sulk until my partner can fix it. Perhaps you could try my way.

Bundle_ 12 Nov 09 at 7:06 p.m. GMT

LOL! No.

BTW how come these smilie icons don't work!?

Puffinjill 12 Nov 09 at 7:04 p.m. GMT

Bless you my Poppet! But is this a ruse to lure me to my destruction......

Bundle_ 12 Nov 09 at 6:58 p.m. GMT

AC certainly had a "dark" way of looking at friendships.

And never! My friendship to you Jill is nothing other than what it is: I am truly genuine in being kind and polite towards you and everyone! :0)

Puffinjill 12 Nov 09 at 6:31 p.m. GMT

Volatile! That's certainly one word for it! I'm not sure the word 'friendship' is the right one either! I know AC prefered the companionships she formed with men rather than women, but I think she has rather a dark view of feminine friendships. We don't all form them to further our own devious ends, you know! Nor do we all steal each others boyfriends/husbands/inheritances. Well, I don't anyway!!

And I hope the reason you have been very kind and friendly towards me on this site isn't a sinister one, Bundle!

Bundle_ 12 Nov 09 at 12:20 p.m. GMT

Yes. You know, it seems as if  a lot of these female friendships in AC's books were volatile!

What do you think?

Puffinjill 12 Nov 09 at 6:34 a.m. GMT

Rather on the same lines as the friendships mentioned in my last post. Another one that, with hindsight, perhaps wasn't the wisest to make!

Bundle_ 11 Nov 09 at 8:04 p.m. GMT

What about Ellie and Greta from Endless Night. They were both friends.

Puffinjill 11 Nov 09 at 7:03 p.m. GMT

I'm struggling to think of many other female friendships in AC's books. I think Anne and Suzanne have the best there is. There was Rhoda Dawes and Anne Meredith in Cards on the Table but I wouldn't consider that a great example of friendship! Same goes for Linnet Ridgeway and Jacqueline de Bellefort! Perhaps her female characters were quite right in not trusting those of the same sex!

Miss Marple would have struggled to keep Mrs Bantry's mind on any investigation so I can't see her filling the Hastings role. I get the feeling that, valued as her friends were, Miss Marple would have found a 'Hastings' a bit annoying. Poirot (and his ego) seem to need an audience and someone to bounce ideas around with him so his is more indulgent towards his friend. Miss Marple has no ego to stroke and, although willing to have help, seems a more solitary character.

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Nov 09 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

No Romance in the air, she was just a friend I knew at College.

Thankyou 3rd Girl, I love letting my mind run wild and thinking of what could happen to ACs charaqcters if someone was given the task of resurrecxting her Characters like Sabastian Fauks did with James Bond -Never read it, never likely to, not a fan of JB

You are forgetting Miss Murgatroyed and Miss Hinchcliffe and of course there was Miss Marple and Mrs Bantry, pity Mrs B wasn't Miss Marples Hastings 

3rdGirl 11 Nov 09 at 9:03 a.m. GMT

Yes, is thst the scent of romance in the air Tommy??

I was thinking about the friendship between Anne and Suzanne and the only other female friendships I can think of that AC writes about is Miss Marple and Mrs McGillicuddy in 4.50 from Paddington.

Upon reflection, it's interesting that you can tell from her writing that AC prefers the company of men.

I do like all of your speculation Tommy, you've positively run wild with possibilities!

Puffinjill 10 Nov 09 at 7:05 p.m. GMT

Bless you, Tommy, but I'm not there now! That was for my summer (summer?) holiday at the end of July. And jolly wet it was too! but I did get a day out in Torquay and the sun did shine for a little while, so the world seemed a brighter place for five minutes! If I go again, I'll add you to my postcard list!

And I'm intrigued by this 'lovely lady'...

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Nov 09 at 3:01 p.m. GMT

I am so glad you enjoyed the Book 3rd Girl, it is excellent isn't it? Agatha Christie couldn't have persued the the Ann, Suzy partnership because Ann ends up in the arms of Harry and they go off into the sunset together but what Agatha Christie COULD have done was have Race marry Suzy and them appear in further books but5 the problem with that is even though there are is more than one book with eithewr a Male or female Sleuth would it have been room for more than 1 double act, There is Lady Derwent and Bobby aswell as Tommy and Tuppence but they only appear in 1 book. The Ideal solution would have been for either Harry and Ann to splity up in another book and Ann teasm up with Suzy for Crime Solving or for Harry to alweays be away on bussiness to allow Ann and Suzy to persue their Crime Solving or for Harry to be Murdered and Ann and Suzy to investigate, that would have been great as I have not heard of 2 women sleuths apart from the snoop sisters and they were in films, I am not sure if nthey are book related sleuths.

You are so lucky 3rd Girl, Australia is a Country I would love to visit.

I hope you are enjoying Exmouth Jill, I remember it fondly from when I was at College in Exeter, I had the best Chips in Exmouth and met a lovely Lady who came from there. 

Puffinjill 10 Nov 09 at 6:48 a.m. GMT

Good for you, 3rdGirl!! I knew we would win you over! It's certainly a little cracker, isn't it? Wonderful locations, fantastic characters, a totally gorgeous hero and lots and lots of fun! Like you,I love the friendship between Anne and Suzanne. AC didn't write too many female friendships into her books and I think that was down to her own personal preferences. I remember reading in her Autobiograpy that she preferred and understood how to be friends with the male sex more than her fellow females and this comes through in much of her work. But Anne and Suzanne are a blast! If only we had more of them. And of Harry Rayburn. And of the young tall-dark-and-handsome Race. All of it, in fact!

So, not only do you live in Australia (by the way, how is the temperature now? Still struggling? Poor soul!) but you have visited South Africa! I'm not jealous at all. Just makes my wet week in Exmouth this year seem a trifle dull....

3rdGirl 10 Nov 09 at 3:49 a.m. GMT

I just finished reading this book and I loved it. I think I'm becoming a convert to the non series books! The travel agent in me loved the aspects on the cruise ship and South Africa as a setting (I travelled there 5 years ago and it brought back very fond memories) and I really enjoyed Anne Beddingfield as a heroine. Her friendship with Suzanne is a highlight for me because I don't think AC explored too many female friendships in her books. Suzanne was an absolute scream as well. I thought this book was particularly humorous as well and I really enjoyed the diary entries of Sir Eustace as well. He's so naughty! It was also nice to meet a younger, sexier Colonel Race.

I think I give this one a 9 out of 10 and there are only a couple of other AC's that can claim that as well.

Puffinjill 04 Nov 09 at 6:48 p.m. GMT

I haven't heard of either of those books but I will definately look out for them. They sound interesting. Thanks Tommy!!

And I do remember now that I had read somewhere that Richard Attenborough and his wife (was it Sylvia Simms?) has played TandT at some point. But, again, I had forgotten that and can't even remember where I read it. My memory! It's shocking! Soon, all of you out there will have to remind me of my name!!

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Nov 09 at 1:01 p.m. GMT

Hi Puffin, Christie In Four Acts mentions all who have played Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence and Miss Marple, I remember reading it on my bed one day when I lived in Gloucesterr so that would have been in the 90s and so doesn't mention Geraldine McKewan or Julia McKenzie but it does mention Ian Holm and David Suchet and it mentions the fact that Richard Attenborough and his wife played Tommy and Tuppence on radio and oddly enough even though AC didn't think any Actor would beable to play Poirot properly which is why she took him out of the plays the book says Patrick Cargill played Poirot on stage and it also says Dulcie Grey played MM on stage, the other book I have is Agatha Christies Poirot. which mentions that alot of actors were auditioned for the Parts of Hastings and Japp (I would love to know who they were) 

Puffinjill 03 Nov 09 at 6:52 p.m. GMT

Is that an omnibus of her plays, by any chance, Tommy? I don't have any of the scripts at all and would love to get a copy of them. Do you know where you got that one from?

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Nov 09 at 1:46 p.m. GMT

Thankyou Puffin, I am so glad you told me, I will put it on my list of books to buy, It sounds GREAT! I have a couple, one I can't remember the name of but will tellyou what it is and the other is Christie in 4 Acts or something like that, Never be afraid to ramble on, I do it all the time, Thanks Again.

Puffinjill 02 Nov 09 at 7:12 p.m. GMT

Tommy, I forgot to say, I've got a fantastically helpful book called Agatha Christie A to Z which lists every character she ever used and a short description of who they are and why they feature. Plus it gives descriptions of each book and a simplified version of the plot WITHOUT giving away the solution. Something like this would have been very useful to you when reading They Came to Baghdad if you got a bit snowed under with who was who and what they were doing. I had forgotten I had it, as it was still in a box I hadn't fully unpacked after my house move in June (I will never, ever empty every box, there is just too much to do!) so I'm glad to see it again. It may even help me construct a few of those lists of favourites I've been trying to write.

Anyway (I'm rambling again), I just thought I would mention it!

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Oct 09 at 1:25 p.m. GMT

Yes, It would have been easier to read if at some point someone wasn't having a fight with someoneelse and as I say if the Cast had been on Wiki like with some books but on the upside the Archaeologist made me think of the Newsreader with the same name and the Explorer made me think of Alan Wicker which made things easier for me and I think Chapters 4, 5 and I think 6 were really hard going and the Murderer was revealed much too early for my liking and the Penultimate Chapter was I think largely unnecessary and is it mer or did the book start with a Character who didn't turn up again until the final Chapter? Maybe these points are just me being Awkward.

Puffinjill 25 Oct 09 at 6:50 p.m. GMT

Thats quite an improvement!

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Oct 09 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

Thankyou Puffin, I probably will re-read it one day but this time have a paper and penm with me so I can go back and look up who people are, Anyway over night I have improved my score from 4 to 6.

Puffinjill 25 Oct 09 at 1:16 p.m. GMT

Nothing odd about that, Tommy. We all have different tastes, and certain books will appeal to you that others might not appreciate as much. Thats what makes this site so interesting! You gave it a go and, if you reread it again someday, you might find it less confusing.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Oct 09 at 4:12 p.m. GMT

Thankyou Bundle, I am on the last chapter, I was asking too much Puffin, If I had been more patient I would have found some of my answers, I found the book had too much important information to take in at times and too much waffle at others, thankyou for your encouragement Puffin and sorry I didn't like this book as much as you did Bundle but that isn't odd is it.

Bundle_ 22 Oct 09 at 6:59 p.m. GMT

Uh-Oh here we go again w/ the casting list :-).

But Tommy I think Michelle Ryan would be an excellent choice for Victoria Jones! Well done, mon ami!!

Puffinjill 22 Oct 09 at 6:11 p.m. GMT

Thats a thought. Sounds an awful lot better than the previous one! How are you getting on now with the book? I feel I wasn't much help to you, but I was afraid of giving away too much of the plot.

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Oct 09 at 3:50 p.m. GMT

I know exactly what you mean Puffinjill, I too like things to be done properly, I was thinking the other day Michelle Ryan could play Victoria Jones as she is a Londoner and America knows about her now due to the 6, 000000 Man re-make.

Puffinjill 21 Oct 09 at 7:20 p.m. GMT

Mmmmm, I'm not sure. I love both books and think I might find these adaptations a bit distressing to watch!! I DO like things to be done properly!

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Oct 09 at 4:01 p.m. GMT

I think I know what you mean, Bea Arthur was an American and Victoria Jones is a Cockney so I am not sure I would want to see it either but Ann Beddingfield is a British Character but Stephanie Zimbalist is an American and after being slightly miffed at the fact the setting ewas changed (Althougfh I didn't know it until I read the book years after seeing ther film for the First time) I think the film was excellent so if they got someone like her (If they can't do a British Version) It might not be too bad.

Puffinjill 20 Oct 09 at 6:53 p.m. GMT

It's tricky, isn't it, as in these books not everyone is who or what they seem to be! But you seem to be getting to grips with it well. Keep going with it and all will become clear!

Michael Maloney sounds a good shout, but I'm not sure I would want to see that adaptation of They Came to Baghdad!

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 09 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

I have had a re-think, Michael Moloney would be better as Pagett but again I don't know why and I have found that They Came To Baghdad was made in the 1950s with Bea Arthur - Golden Girls

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 09 at 3:03 p.m. GMT

Victoria has met up with Edward, The Death of Sir Rupert has been announced and Victoria is telling Dakin how she is getting on, I suyppose I just wanted to be reminded what Richard Baker does, I realise that anyone who has a speaking part could be a baddie but they could also be a goodie, I suppose I just have to carry on reading and in the same way MM uses Village Parallells I might use paralell's for instance Mrs thingy Trench or Mrs Clayton might be Suzy Blair's opposite number if you know what I mean, same with Mrs Clayton, I suppose I will just have to see, I have an idea how important some people living or dead are, Thankyou Puffinjill.  

Puffinjill 20 Oct 09 at 2:53 p.m. GMT

Where have you got to in the book because I'm frightened I will give away some things too early and ruin the plot for you. You seem to be doing O.K. Richard Baker is an archeologist on this way to his dig. Is his character confusing you?

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 09 at 2:47 p.m. GMT

Thankyou Puffinjill, I am assumeing that The Clayton's and Mrs Cardew Trench are just wealthy people staying in Baghdad and I think Marcus is the Manager of the Hotel and Dakin is one side or the other of the law like the Victims but who is Richard Baker? If he is a spy on one side of the law or the other just say yes. I know who the others are.

Puffinjill 20 Oct 09 at 2:36 p.m. GMT

We'll work it out together Tommy!

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 09 at 1:21 p.m. GMT

Thankyou Puffinjill, I will make a little list and ask you about certain people - just the Occupations or status that the reader is supposed to think they have you understand.

To Bundle, That is a minor downside of the book.

Bundle_ 19 Oct 09 at 7:39 p.m. GMT

To Jill: I think the that The Man In The Brown Suit's concept is great and the idea of the characters looks good in theory. And normally it would be a book that I would have enjoyed reading, but I think in this case it was more about the way in which her concept and ideas were conveyed: what I mean by that is - is that everything was worded in a long, overly dramatic and complicated way.

Puffinjill 19 Oct 09 at 6:48 p.m. GMT

I've tried googling They came to Baghdad to see if I could find you a list of characters, but no go. Sorry Tommy, but can I help at all? What is it that is confusing you?

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Oct 09 at 4:03 p.m. GMT

pardon me for butting in but James Lance should play Eardsley, my reasoning is that Simon Dutton played him in the Film and James Lance played Simon Dutton's son in something on the BBC, I think John Sessions should play Guy Padgett (I don't know why other than Nicholas Grace and John Sessions remind me of each other) and Minks should be played by Stephen Fry (He looks great dressed as a Woman), Honeysuckle Weeks should play Ann Beddingfield and Lil Roughly should play Suzy Blair but Ultimately the parts of Eustace, Guy and if possible Ann should be played by the people who played them in the film.

I don't think you are over simplifying them Puffinjill as I think the same, I think those 3, the one I am reading and the Tommy aND tUPPENCE Books and Why Didn't They Ask Evans should all be adapted properly and sold as a set, I might make my list longer when I have read DU I will see. 

While I am here Can you tell me how I can find a list of the Characters in They Came To Baghdad on the Net, It might help me working out who some people are. 

Puffinjill 19 Oct 09 at 2:23 p.m. GMT

I'm so surprised!! I thought that any lover of the Chimneys/Seven Dials type of book would have adored this one! Shows you how wrong you can be!! When I say 'this type of book', I meant young, adventurous with a strong female lead (and a hero to die for). I always think of those books as similar in form and I love to read them when I'm in need of some pure escapism. Perhaps I'm just oversimplifying them by just lumping them together.

What about the other characters in the book, Bundle? Eustace Pedlar, et al? None of them help the book along for you?

Bundle_ 19 Oct 09 at 1:10 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I did start out trying to make some interesting and insightful comments about the book (perhaps not that interesting or insightful as they came from me!),

Awww! Don't say that. I find your posts interesting and insightful!

That atmosphere certainly lends an extra edge to the novel but I truly love it because it's fun, adventurous, has a great heroine and beautiful locations. Same for you Bundle?

The funyy thing is - is that The Man in the Brown Suit is one of my least favorite AC books! I found it rambling and boring, I'm afriad. But you have pointed out some good aspects of the book that I had never thought of before, Jill.

Puffinjill 19 Oct 09 at 7:53 a.m. GMT

Thats alright then. I was beginning to think I would need to get you some professional help.

We seem to have cornered this thread for ourselves! I did start out trying to make some interesting and insightful comments about the book (perhaps not that interesting or insightful as they came from me!), but one mention of the raw passion bubbling under the surface and it all went to pot!! That atmosphere certainly lends an extra edge to the novel but I truly love it because it's fun, adventurous, has a great heroine and beautiful locations. Same for you Bundle?

Bundle_ 18 Oct 09 at 7:38 p.m. GMT

I was just kidding about Edward Fox as Eardsley :-)

Puffinjill 18 Oct 09 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

Rather on the mature side, don't you think? Not that I'm ageist in any way, shape or form, but that definately wouldn't match up with the picture I've got of him in my fertile little imagination. Plus, he always comes across to me as very dry and passionless (although he is a fantastic actor) and if there is one thing Eardsley/Rayburn has, it's passion!!

I refer you back to the start of this thread if you have forgotten how I view this character and the book in general!

Bundle_ 18 Oct 09 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

They'd probably just get Edward Fox to play Eardsley! LOL

Puffinjill 18 Oct 09 at 8:46 a.m. GMT

NOTHING is obviously going on in the heads of the casting directors AT ALL. Have they read the book, one wonders? Have they every read ANY book? Please God, never let them try to adapt The Man in the Brown Suit. Who in **** would they choose for for Eardsley/Rayburn??? I cannot even bring myself to think about it.

Pardon my language. Not the way to speak on a sunday morning. I shall try to behave now.

Bundle_ 17 Oct 09 at 11:11 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I'm a little bit stupid (I've said it to save you) and don't watch much TV, so I wasn't aware of who Jonas Armstrong was. So I googled the name. Now  I know.

Hahaha! To save me??

(Prepare for rant)

You mean to say, that that child, whippersnapper, BOY from Robin Hood (which I don't watch but have seen the trailer for) will be playing Anthony Cade!!!!! NNOOOOoo! Hardly rugged man of the world (with buckets of charm) material, is he?! Oh, thats it, I'm off to bang my head against the wall as NOTHING in life now makes sense.

That was exactly my reaction when I first heard about it! I don't have anything against him, and I feel bad for saying this, but He is one of the most plainest looking actors I have ever seen!

And I would love to know what were in the minds of the casting directors!!!

Puffinjill 17 Oct 09 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

Excuse my poor spelling in previous posts. I always seem to be in a rush and never get to check them through properly before submitting. I'm hoping they make sense (but even with correct spelling I might never make sense).

I'm a little bit stupid (I've said it to save you) and don't watch much TV, so I wasn't aware of who Jonas Armstrong was. So I googled the name. Now  I know.

(Prepare for rant)

You mean to say, that that child, whippersnapper, BOY from Robin Hood (which I don't watch but have seen the trailer for) will be playing Anthony Cade!!!!! NNOOOOoo! Hardly rugged man of the world (with buckets of charm) material, is he?! Oh, thats it, I'm off to bang my head against the wall as NOTHING in life now makes sense.

Bundle_ 17 Oct 09 at 1:59 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

None of the cast matched up to how I say them in my imagination. Do you find that sometimes, too?

Oh yes, I find that is the case many times. For example Jonas Armrstrong as Anthony Cade.

Puffinjill 16 Oct 09 at 6:29 p.m. GMT

We could, it would give me an excuse to watch them all again. Like I needed an excuse!! But we will be stuck for our Anthiny Cade as it still isn't ready for sceening. And I seem to remember I was disappointed with the whole of the dramatisation of The Mystery of the Blue Train. None of the cast matched up to how I say them in my imagination. Do you find that sometimes, too?

Bundle_ 16 Oct 09 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

Oooh! We should turn our attention to the actors who played them in the adapts!

Puffinjill 16 Oct 09 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

You're not encouraging me again, Bundle, are you?! Shame on you!! I HAVE been trying to think of some more (not for my own sake, of course, why would I derive any pleasure from thinking about such characters) because you ask so nicely. But I'm struggling to think of any more right now. love your top three but I think mine might differ slightly. Not sure Charles Arundell would feature so high in mine but I can see where you are coming from!!

Bundle_ 16 Oct 09 at 2:24 p.m. GMT

Can you think of anymore, Jill?

Puffinjill 16 Oct 09 at 7:45 a.m. GMT

That was Passenger to Frankfurt, Teresa! Hope your students enjoy the book.

And welcome to the boards!

Bundle, another good choice. But don't ask me to list mine!! Me and lists....not good.

TeresaManidis 16 Oct 09 at 12:56 a.m. GMT

I'm sorry if my questions seems a non sequitur here, but this is the first time I've used a blog, so bear with me!  I am desperately trying to find the name of a particular novel for my high schooler's reading list, but all I can remember is the ending. 

The book was (like all of Christie's work) a terrific novel and a thrilling ride - and it ended with a telegram (I think) from the main male character to the main female character - something along the lines of Will-You-Marry-Me, but very well done, and romantic, and I remember something like, 'Indicate Greek Orthodox or Church of England' in the body of the telegraph. 

Again, so sorry if this doesn't fit into this particular post (I don't know how to get into the right one) but PLEASE, if any one knows the book I'm talking about, I would be SO grateful (as would be my students!) 

Teresa, Pennsylvania, USA

Bundle_ 15 Oct 09 at 12:23 p.m. GMT

Thank you Miss Scarlet.

I've read MIM but for some reason I  still don't remember Richard Carey . But he sounds dreamy....

I think my 3 favorite AC guys that we have mentioned so far are Charles Arundell, Anthony Cade and Derek Kettering! *sigh*

Oh and what about Anthony Browne (Sparkling Cyanide)!?!

Puffinjill 15 Oct 09 at 6:17 a.m. GMT

Thats the one!! Darkly handsome, brooding.......and obviously I will also be making more intellegent comments about him and his character portrail, but they seem to have gone from my mind at the moment. Just thinking handsome....brooding.....hot desert....

Adam_Scarlet 14 Oct 09 at 10:03 p.m. GMT

Richard Carey was in Murder in Mesopotamia. :)

Bundle_ 14 Oct 09 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

Which book was Richard Carey in? I don't seem to remember him.

Puffinjill 14 Oct 09 at 6:52 p.m. GMT

I always viewed him as a little dim even though he was a devoted kind of guy! Can't say I cared for his little sideline in dealing.

I'm still thinking. God, it's so STRESSFUL!! Oh, and very informative and insightful too, naturally.

Maybe, um, Charles Hayward? Perhaps a bit bland again. Oh, Oh, OH, I have it.....Richard Carey!!! Over to you!

Bundle_ 14 Oct 09 at 3:32 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I'm sure we are making insightful literary comments on this thread

Sure, talking about handsome literary characters is very insightful ;-)

But I have thought of another: George Challenger from "Peril at End House".

Puffinjill 14 Oct 09 at 6:43 a.m. GMT

NO, no!!!!! Please don't! I'm sure we are making insightful literary comments on this thread and it would be a shame to stop.

Plus it's brightened up a dull week for me, so I thank you!

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 7:29 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Oh dear, there I go again......you must be a bad influence on me Bundle!!

LOL! Okay, I'm stopping :0)

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 6:59 p.m. GMT

Well, he did come over a little pompous, but there must of been something about him or the projected future with the very lively Victoria couldn't have happened. Maybe opposites do attract!!

I'm struggling to think of anyone who fits the bill in any Miss Marple book. Craddock was as near as I could get and Neele came over very well in Pocket full of Rye, but neither of them exactly set the pulse racing!!Oh dear, there I go again......you must be a bad influence on me Bundle!!

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 5:23 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Do you mean Edward Goring, who Victoria followed to Baghdad? I'm assuming you aren't referring to Richard Baker, who she finally stays with! Edward had the glamour, certainly, but definately not a nice guy!!

Yes, that's his name Edward Goring. I had forgotten.I liked him up until a certain point...

Certianly not that Richard baker guy! Yuck!

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 2 p.m. GMT

Do you mean Edward Goring, who Victoria followed to Baghdad? I'm assuming you aren't referring to Richard Baker, who she finally stays with! Edward had the glamour, certainly, but definately not a nice guy!!

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 12:48 p.m. GMT

I find that the relationship between Anne and John/Harry is somehwat similar to Victoria's realtionship w/ Jim (I think that was his name) in They Came to Baghdad. Only John became more caring towards the end but in the begining he was less caring towards Anne. And Jim became less caring towards Victoria at the end whereas he was caring at the begining.. I liked him a lot too. What did you think of him?

As for the men characters in Marple books, I can't think of any. Most of the men seem more retiring in the MM books.

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 7:16 a.m. GMT

Back on topic and focusing on the best bit of the topic too! Have any of AC's other male characters been portrayed in such a base, masculine way as John Eardsley/Harry Rayburn? Oh, what CAN I say about the man? Almost brutish in his treatment of Anne at times, but HOW attractive that makes him. The pages fairly sizzle when the two of them are sparking off one another!!

And Race does come over well in this book. He seems to be 'Race mark 1' - AC's first mention of him, and based, I think, on older, attractive, colonial men she had met. He bares little resemblence to the Race of later books as she developed the character. But I'm glad we have this early, tantalising view of him.

By the way, can you think of any to add to the list from Marple books? Craddock is an appealing man, if not overtly attractive. Any thoughts?

Bundle_ 12 Oct 09 at 7:16 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Getting back to the original thought (come on, Bundle girl, get a grip!!)

LOL. Okay, I'm trying, only I've just remembered John Eardsley a.k.a Harry Rayburn (The Man in the Brown Suit (see, I'm staying on topic now)) *sigh*.

Even Race shows up well in the masculine role of 'strong and silent' older man. What say you?

Race? Mmmm...Well, his feelings towards Anne was touching.

Puffinjill 12 Oct 09 at 7:06 p.m. GMT

Getting back to the original thought (come on, Bundle girl, get a grip!!), I still feel The Man in the Brown Suit is simply about passion - passion for travel, passion for living and the blossoming of Anne's passion. It just feels fresh and alive. Other characters, such as Henrietta Savernake, have a more mature sexuality but Anne is youth; she acts according to that youth, and that keeps the storyline buzzing along and fresh each time I read it. As I said before, who could blame the girl? Wouldn't we all like a life like that?

(I'm still thinking, though Bundle, and I'll let you know if I think of anymore!!!)

Even Race shows up well in the masculine role of 'strong and silent' older man. What say you?

Bundle_ 12 Oct 09 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

wouldn't we all like to be devotedlt admired from afar as she was by him!

You make a good point!

I've also thought of another one: Nigel Chapman (Hickory Dickory Dock).

TAKEN AT THE FLOOD

*SPOILERS*

*SPOILERS*

*SPOILERS*

I loved David Hunter, he was full of charisma and he was attractive! I was so dissappointed when AC chose him to be the culprit! If that hadn't happened the book would have been on my 10 favorite AC list.

Puffinjill 12 Oct 09 at 7:59 a.m. GMT

Oh,DEFINATELY David Hunter! How could I of forgotten him?! Dr Lord may not be "attractive" but his personality is and the way he loves Elinor - wouldn't we all like to be devotedlt admired from afar as she was by him! So his singlemindedness in love is the reason I find him attractive. Colin Lamb... yes, well, maybe that IS just me (perhaps I'm so used to bland) and my brain really is a bit odd.

I shall spend my day giving this subject some thought and see if I can think of any more. That should get me through a dull monday!!

Bundle_ 11 Oct 09 at 10:52 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

By the way, I'm glad you see Thomas Royde in that light. I was beginning to think my brain was going soft! I'll go and lie down now.

Hahaha! I didn't think of him in that "light" until I saw Julian Sands play him in the adaptation.

As for Doctor Lord...he has a kind disposition but he isn't "attractive" looking. Colin Lamb....mmm....he's too bland.

More handsome AC characters, let's see....Bobby Jones (Evans), to a certain extent David Hunter (Taken at the Flood), also to a certain extent Simon Doyle (Death on the Nile), oh and Oliver Manders (Three Act Tragedy).

Can you think of anymore?

Puffinjill 11 Oct 09 at 6:41 p.m. GMT

You've got it girl!!! Can't you tell, there has been so little romance in my life!! I'm so glad I'm not the only one out here sublimating (if thats the right word) a real life regret with this fiction. Any others you can think of? How about Dr. Lord? Colin Lamb? I could go on...

By the way, I'm glad you see Thomas Royde in that light. I was beginning to think my brain was going soft! I'll go and lie down now.

Bundle_ 11 Oct 09 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I'm not asking for the reasons why things happen in the plot when I'm reading this book, I'm just swept along by it and loving every minute of the ride. Why can't I find a man like that....

Or ones like Anthony Cade (Chimneys), Derek Kettering (Blue Train), Charles Arundell (Dumb Witness), Adam Goodman (Cat Among the Pigeons), or Thomas Royde (Towards Zero)...*sigh*

Puffinjill 10 Oct 09 at 7:02 p.m. GMT

Having a real life template for Eustace Pedlar at hand makes, in my opinion, his characterisation more vivid. I can sense that AC thoroughly enjoyed putting him on papaer and being able to control what he does and says. Perhaps this was her only way of gaining any acendency of him as he sounds a formidable character from her descriptions in the Autobiography.

But, to me, the delight of the book is Anne. In her, AC invested her own love of travel and adventure. Plus she was gloriously in love with her own husband at the time of writing and this gives Anne and her relationship a passion that never quite appears again in any of her books.

Yes, sometimes it is a little confusing and stretches the imagination, but it full of interesting people, beautiful locations and a sexual frisson that just lures the reader on. I'm not asking for the reasons why things happen in the plot when I'm reading this book, I'm just swept along by it and loving every minute of the ride. Why can't I find a man like that....