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!

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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springsparkles 21 May 11 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

I loved the stories and was a new invention by AC and we had a new tour for her and her newness is being appreciated.

springsparkles 21 May 11 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

I loved the stories and was a new invention by AC and we had a new tour for her and her newness is being appreciated.

MissQuin 21 Feb 11 at 4:38 p.m. GMT

I read this book a few weeks ago. I found it easy to read and quite enjoyable. I wouldn't say the stories were simular to the Mr Quin collection though.

The early Parker Pyne stories revolves around romance and making people happy, so they might not appeal to crime fans. Some of the later ones to involve murders or thefts.

I think my favourite was Problem at Pollensa Bay, simply because i wanted to know how the situtation would work out.

Pongo 06 Sep 10 at 4 a.m. GMT

Yes! 

SPOILERS...

He even deals with failure in a very business-like and orderly way.  However, he does not fail to surprise. 

I think that what I especially like about these mysteries is that, sometimes AC lets the reader in on the gimmick and then sometimes, AC just throws a complete surprise at the reader. 

For instance, I would say that the story about the discontented soldier and the one about the rich woman are ones that, more or less, the reader knows what is going on (that PP has somehow arranged things to occur).

However, a story like the Oracle at Delphi just completely surprised me at the end!  I closed the book with the biggest grin on my face thinking "Man, AC just did it again!!!" 

Puffinjill 05 Sep 10 at 8:28 a.m. GMT

I adore the creation of Mr Parker Pyne too. I love the way he is able, in a business-like and orderly way, to solve the problems in people's lives that cause them unhappiness. Instead of taking a sentimental view of these problems, he can immediately classify what ails them into one of five catagories and act practically to change their lives for the better. It's SUCH an interesting theory - are we all so alike as humans that our reasons for unhappiness can be anaylised and pidgeon-holed into so few catagories? Possibly!!! How wonderful to have one little man and his statistical brain alturisically providing 'happy endings' (for a fee!) for those who grasp the chance to consult him. I just wish we had more of him!!!

216816 04 Sep 10 at 8:23 p.m. GMT

I must say that I enjoyed these stories very much. Out of all of AC's characters, Parker Pyne is probably my favorite. He reminds me so much of myself! His character inspired me, as a writer, to write a story with the main protagonist to be like him. (Like him enough to bear a slight resemblance, but different enough to be my own creation) Highly reccomended to anyone who hasn't read it.

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Sep 10 at 4:47 p.m. GMT

Sadly I didn't overly like him when I read Parker Pyne Investigates but I didn't overly dislike him either, I was sought of Ambivolkent about him but vergeing towards wishing I could consult him so he could erect an adventure for me but these Posats have made me think of him more Positively. Thankyou Pongo and Littlegirl

Littlegirl 03 Sep 10 at 7:04 p.m. GMT

Yes, Parker Pyne is one of my favorite Agatha Christie characters. I've always thought that it would be cool if someone actually solved unhappiness for a living. I wonder if all of human nature can be placed in specific categories?

Pongo 03 Sep 10 at 5 p.m. GMT

To Littlegirl and Tommy, 

I love both of your posts!  There is a real elusive quality to Parker Pyne that I never quite realized until I read those posts.  He feels like he could be potentially a Colin Lamb-type.  

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Sep 10 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

I think the name changes with Despard and Joyce would have been accidental and maybe down to Human Frailty and should have been pointed out to her by the Publishers, I like to think Parker Pyne is like Colin Lamb and didn't appear under his real Name, Perhaps Christopher was his real first name and J was his Middle Initial or Visa Versa and Parker and Pyne were Maiden Names of Female Relations.  

Littlegirl 03 Sep 10 at 4:24 p.m. GMT

You're very right, Pongo. Who knows if his name is Mr. Parker Pyne? One think that I love about Agatha Christie are the names that she thinks up. I think that there are very creative.

Pongo 03 Sep 10 at 2:09 a.m. GMT

GKCfan,

Thank you very much for the explanation.  It makes sense that this would be a mistake on Dame Agatha's part. 

Assuming though that Dame Agatha did this on purpose, I suppose that my way to justify this name inconsistency of Parker Pyne is to think that "Parker Pyne" itself is a pseudonym and that, in fact, his real name is something else.  Therefore, he does not mind whether his name is "J. Parker Pyne" or "Parker Pyne" or "Christopher". 

GKCfan 02 Sep 10 at 8:46 p.m. GMT

This is one of the contradictions in the Christie canon, like Major Despard having a first name of John in Cards on the Table and Hugh in The Pale Horse, or Raymond West's wife being named both Joyce and Joan. Christie scholars have a field day trying to explain it. 

Pongo 02 Sep 10 at 4:30 a.m. GMT

Thank you Littlegirl for your reply.

I am just wondering because wikipedia.org says that his full name is "Christopher Parker Pyne".  But, then again, why is he referred to as "J. Parker Pyne"? 

Anyway, we do not even know whether or not "Parker Pyne" is indeed his real name, as we know very little concrete details about his past.  Even in his short stories, Parker Pyne is not adverse to using false names.  So, maybe it is futile to ask what his full name is. 

But, if anyone out there knows, I would appreciate being informed!! 

Littlegirl 02 Sep 10 at 4:12 a.m. GMT

I have read all of the Parker Pyne mysteries and I don't recall reading what his first name was.

Pongo 01 Sep 10 at 2:26 a.m. GMT

Mr. Jones, thanks for the post.

By the way, I am confused on one thing regarding Mr. Parker Pyne.  In the book, he is sometimes referred to as "J. Parker Pyne". 

Can anyone tell me what the "J" stands for?

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Aug 10 at 4:02 p.m. GMT

I have been meaning to re-read the last bit of one of the stories in Labours of Hercules but I haven't got round to it so don't worry Pongo

Pongo 29 Aug 10 at 1:50 p.m. GMT

I am now currently re-reading this book.  I had only read it once before, a VERY VERY long time ago, and I have forgotten all of it.  

Now, I am reading it (just finished the story about the "Distressed Lady").  And I am enjoying it very much.  Parker Pyne strikes me as an extremely intelligent, persuasive, even manipulative, detective.  

SPOILERS

I admit to having to read over the ending to "Case of the Distressed Lady" about three times in order to get exactly what Pyne was on about regarding the ring and the real identity of the girl, etc.  

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!

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?