Book Club

Short Stories

Agatha Christie wrote nearly 160 short stories. This includes the recently discovered and published The Capture of Cerberus and The Incident of the Dog's Ball.   She used many of the plots in later novels and plays. Here you can discuss each one.

We're pretty sure they're all here but if you notice any ommissions just let us know!

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

Christmas Adventure

Moderator1 01 Dec 09 at 9:32 a.m. GMT

Hercule Poirot's instincts are absolutely correct when he realises Evelyn Haworth is unhappy being engaged to Oscar Levering.  But what does a note slipped to him saying, 'Don't eat any plum pudding' have to do with anything?

Login or register to add posts and reply

4 replies

Reverse order

GKCfan 02 Jan 11 at 12:30 a.m. GMT

This a combination of a short story being rewritten and expanded, and different publishers imposing different titles on the stories.  "The Christmas Adventure," "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding," and "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" all have essentially the same plot and story, but publishers and critics have at times used the titles interchangeably, and there is a shorter version of the story with some different names.

Dulcie 01 Jan 11 at 6:37 p.m. GMT

Isn't he invited to the lacey's for the Egyptian Prince and the stolen ruby?

I think the film is called the theft of the royal ruby.

englishriviera 09 Nov 10 at 1:58 p.m. GMT

He is in this country house to find a rubi that was stolen in London.

When he reads the note that appears in his bedroom he does not understand how is it possible to poison him without causing harm to the others that are eating the same plum pudding. I love this story!! Very well written !!!

ratchet149 09 Nov 10 at 12:48 p.m. GMT

I remember this one.It also had this message:"Don't eat any plum pudding."

but names were different.I think it is called The Adventure of Christmas Puding.