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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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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?

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.

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.

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 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 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 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!

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 2:30 p.m. GMT

Shall we write it, Frndorfoe?

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.....

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