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Non-Series Novels & Stories

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

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Parker Pyne Investigates

Jemma 05 Sep 09 at 11:45 a.m. GMT

Parker Pyne, is a truly unconventional detective. With his unusual approach to life, could Christie have created a memorable character that could have held centre stage for an entire novel rather than the short stories she wrote about him?

What are the links between the stories and how do they compare? Where are the strengths and weaknesses?

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38 replies

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Frndorfoe 06 Sep 09 at 4:30 a.m. GMT

It's such a pity that no one seems to care for the Parker Pyne stories. They are some of the sweetest Agatha Christie stories that I've ever read. I've read Parker Pyne Investigates and also the stories in Problem at Pollensa Bay. I think I've read all of the Parker Pyne stories. My favorites are The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife, The Case of the City Clerk, The House of Shiraz, The Oracle of Delphi and last but not the least, Problem at Pollensa Bay. He is one of the most unusual detectives ever. He looks nothing like a detective. But with his bald head and thick glasses hiding twinkling eyes, he sure has a reassuring presence. Another thing that makes him unique is his way of advertising himself, "Are you happy? If not consult Mr Parker Pyne, 17 Richmond Street." He doesn't specialize in murder or other crimes. He helps people regain their happiness. And this is the common thread between the Parker Pyne stories, the themes of discontentment and the cure for the discontentment. I for one am a staunch supporter of Mr. Parker Pyne and would love to have read more of his stories.

Read more about this story: Parker Pyne Investigates

Puffinjill 21 Sep 09 at 1:15 p.m. GMT

I care! I expect most readers of his stories are expecting simply another detective a la Poirot or Miss Marple, feel disappointed and don't give them the attention they deserve. He may not deal with murder, but he helps deliver people from unhappiness, which, I think, saves them from a living death.

Plus, through Parker Pyne, we first meet the epitome of secretarial help, Miss Lemon. Though how she left him and found emplyment with Poirot would make interesting reading.....

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Sep 09 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

I can't remember which story it is but in one Parker Pyne Did deal with Murder I like the stories although apart from the one I have just mentioned I prefer the ones with Ariadne Oliver

Puffinjill 21 Sep 09 at 4:58 p.m. GMT

He did, you are right, Tommy. It was in The Gate Of Baghdad. I'd forgotten that one. Shouldn't of, because its one of my favorite stories.

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Oct 09 at 4:36 p.m. GMT

It was one of my favourites too Puffinjill, I prefer the Christie's which are plain Murder Mysteries although I do like the Capers like The Man In The Brown Suit.

Puffinjill 04 Oct 09 at 1:45 p.m. GMT

I guess we all read AC because we love a good murder!! But Parker Pyne is such a well drawn character that the stories have a charm of their own.

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Oct 09 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

That is indeed why I read Christie Books, I can't say Parker Pyne is one of my favourite Characters but he was enjoyable enough for 1 book although I am sorry he didn't appear with Poirot at least once like Satterthwaite.

Frndorfoe 04 Oct 09 at 8:23 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I guess we all read AC because we love a good murder!! But Parker Pyne is such a well drawn character that the stories have a charm of their own.

I totally agree with you, Puffinjill! That is at least one of the reasons that I read AC. And the Parker Pyne stories do have a charm of their own. It's a pity that there aren't any more of his stories.

Tommy_A_Jones

That is indeed why I read Christie Books, I can't say Parker Pyne is one of my favourite Characters but he was enjoyable enough for 1 book although I am sorry he didn't appear with Poirot at least once like Satterthwaite.

But unlike Mr. Satterwaite Parker Pyne is a full fledged detective in his own right. Why would he appear with Poirot who is another detective? Mr. Satterwaite only works as a sort of a medium for the ever mysterious Mr. Quin. He's not a full fledged detective. He never works alone. So, while Mr. Satterwaite appears with Poirot, I don't think that Parker Pyne could have appeared with Poirot.

Puffinjill 05 Oct 09 at 6:56 p.m. GMT

No, I can't see Parker Pyne with Poirot myself. Mr Satterthwaite needs a spur to help him along as he is an amateur in detection (although well-versed in observation) and Parker Pyne is a professional in his own field.

Now, Parker Pyne AND Satterthwaite together might have been interesting....

Frndorfoe 06 Oct 09 at 8:35 a.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Now, Parker Pyne AND Satterthwaite together might have been interesting....

That’s a great thought, puffinjill! Mr. Satterwaite who has worked with Mr. Quin (who is particularly sensitive towards the needs of lovers) and Mr. Pyne who helps unhappy people would make the perfect pair. Because most unhappiness does stem from a lack of love and intimacy in one’s life.

Puffinjill 06 Oct 09 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

Shall we write it, Frndorfoe?

Frndorfoe 06 Oct 09 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

Oh my, I don't think I'm capable of writing a story or anything like that! I'm terrible at creative writing. But I believe you can do it. Go ahead, Puffinjill! And I'll be the first one to give your effort a thumbs up!

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

Well, I'm a little out of practice myself you know! But it's a lovely dream!

susandiane 21 Oct 09 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

Parker Pyne is very interesting in that he was probably a precursor of "typing" criminals, you know, a psycological profile. Can one really "type" crimes or needs that easily? It does make sense the way Dame Agatha explains it. It's sad though, to think that everyone comes down to just "statistics". I guess that's what Isaac Asimov was getting at with "psychohistory" 

Puffinjill 21 Oct 09 at 3:08 p.m. GMT

Didn't Miss Marple do the same, in a way? She was able to classify people due to her long life experience, observation and village parrallels. Parker Pyne did it by statistics. Today we look at psychological profiles, but a in another era we would have felt bumps on peoples heads! I think, as humans, we feel a need to classify and identify what makes a person a criminal. I doubt any system will ever really be able to do this successfully.

susandiane 21 Oct 09 at 4:07 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill, oddly enough i don't equate phrenology with psychological typing. there does seem to be a truism that 30 something white males are more likely to be the sexual predatorial serial killers. prostitutes are more likely to have been sexually abused as children (both male and female) but what's weird about parker pyne is the idea that all our happiness boils down to however many points he said (i forget what number or the exact wording) but there is the truth to we all want companionship etc.

Puffinjill 21 Oct 09 at 7:12 p.m. GMT

Paker Pyne thought unhappiness could be classified under only five different headings. And I think the deep down longing for companionship, for someone to belong to, is very true.

Today, we wouldn't even think of phrenology (thank you for remembering the name for me, my mind had gone blank!!) as a worthwhile 'science' but in its time many belived in the conclusions drawn from it. As you say, psychology now gives up an indepth look into individuals and their experiences, and allows profilers to analyse behaviour. I wasn't saying they should both be treated as equal in what they can reveal to us, I was just trying to show how, as a human race, we feel the need to find a 'scientific' way of labelling crime and those who commit it, whatever age we live in.

drwatson 30 Jan 10 at 12:28 a.m. GMT

I have read Parker Pyne and thought he was different and that was a good thing.  I saw Parker Pyne on the Agatha Chrisite Hour on A&E and if they decide to redo them I hope they don't feel that they have to make Pyne an also ran in his own stories.

MissQuin 23 Feb 10 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

I love mr Quin so would I like parker Pyne I wonder? Is it a light hearted style?

InspectorGrant 07 Jul 10 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

I love mr Quin so would I like parker Pyne I wonder? Is it a light hearted style?

Yes, MissQuin, the Parker Pyne stories are mostly charming and very light hearted indeed.  I am sure that you would enjoy them - he is a very interesting character in his own right, and of course it is he who first employed the ubiquitous Miss Lemon!