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Three-Act Tragedy

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Sep 09 at 1:56 p.m. GMT

I thought there was already a Tread for this Book but I can't find it, I have just finished this book, I liked it, I liked Satterthwaite and the plot, Have enjoyed other books; Death In The Clouds, Evil Under The Sun, ABC Murders, The Clocks  and Cards On The Table but thought it was better than Lord Edgware, The Big Four and The Big Four I give it 6/10 

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Bundle_ 20 Sep 09 at 12:24 a.m. GMT

I started the other thread, Tommy :0). I'll try to find it and bump up the topic so you can read all posts relating to it.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Sep 09 at 11:16 a.m. GMT

Thankyou Bundle, I thought it was you, I started going thgrough the pages but then gave up, the topic obviously started a big discussion.

Bundle_ 20 Sep 09 at 11:50 a.m. GMT

You're welcome. Have you seen it yet? I put up some of the cast list for the Three Act Tragedy adaptation.

Bundle_ 20 Sep 09 at 11:59 a.m. GMT

It's confusing, I know. It took me a while to navigate through the new website. But go to the Have Your Say link and then click on the Poirot link and you'll see your Three Act Tragedy topic at the top and right under it will be my Three Act Tragedy topic.

Puffinjill 20 Sep 09 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

I agree with you, Tommy, I love the book too. And I think Satterthwaite is a wonderful character. Have you read The Mysterious Mr Quin yet? Do, if you haven't, as it puts Satterthwaite in the centre of each story.

As for the adaptation, I haven't seen it. Has it been aired in the UK or are we still waiting for it? The Poirots tend to be a little more faithful (most of the time) and I should be interested to have a peek.

Shame Satterthwaite only features so fleetingly in AC's books.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Sep 09 at 10:42 a.m. GMT

When I was in Hospital in 2001 My Mum read to me The Mysterious Mr Quinn but she didn't want to read the final story because she said it was sad but I will get round to read the whole book to myself sometime, that is why I don't really have an idea as to what they should look like but I agree I think it is a pity he isn't in more books, I feel that about Colonel Carbury when I read Appointment With Death although I am not sure if he is in other books.

Puffinjill 21 Sep 09 at 12:50 p.m. GMT

No, he isn't, but he was a great character and I would have loved to have read more of him. In his personal habits, he represents all Poirot so dislikes (perpetually in a mess) but poirot can appreciate the mind behind all of that. Anyway, I may be biased as Appointment with Death is, possibly, my favorite book.

I think I've gone off topic a bit. Sorry!!

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Sep 09 at 1:54 p.m. GMT

I like the fact that Colonel Carbury is a Murder Mystery Fan as mentioned in the Book, I thought he might be in a short story but that was a Major, Don't apologise for going off Topic as I love the book also, it is one of the few books set abroad (I am in Britain) that I like, I get on better with Ennglish settings apart from A Carribean Mystery, Murder On The Orient Express and Appointment With Death, reading that book made me buy the DVD.

Bundle_ 21 Sep 09 at 2:03 p.m. GMT

I like the English settings better too, Tommy.

And I respect everyone's opinion, but I would really like to know why you all like Mr. Sattherwaite. I found him a very bland, and one-dimensional character who for all his intuitiveness he didn't really contribute anything to solving the crime in Three Act Tragedy.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Sep 09 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

I can understand you saying that Bundle but he is no less bland than Hastings and he contributes more than Colonel Race, I think he is Hastings and Colonel Carbury put together, he is a perfect replacement for Good old solid Hastings and he has a zest for Murder Mysteries like Carbury and he is as fun as the 2 putr together, If someone said to me I could get rid of one of ACs Characters and have more of another I would get rid of Race but then wouldn't know if I wanted more of Satterthwaite or Colonel Carbury, perhaps Satterthwaite as I could see him replacing Race in Sparkling Cyanide but Carbury could replace Race in The Man In The Brown Suit. 

Puffinjill 21 Sep 09 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

I can't imagine Colonel Carbury proposing to Anne in The Man In The Brown Suit!! But Satterthwaite in other books?..I can picture him in Cards on the Table, trying his hand at finding out about peoples pasts but who he could replace I'm not sure. Mind you, he's SUCH a snob I can't see him wanting to look at the lives of DrRoberts or Ann Meredith.

And thats why I think I like him so much.. his snobbish attitude, social awareness and his own awareness of this weakness. Being English, but not a snob I hasten to add, I can recognise this trait. Also, I love his fondness of the young and romance. Don't we all!

Bundle_ 21 Sep 09 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Those are good reasons to like Mr. Sattherwaite, Puffinjill.

To Tommy: I don't think dear Hastings is bland. I think he has a kind nature and a trusting heart. And he is so polite. He may not be the brightest bulb in the lamp but he has this charming wide-eyed innocence about him that makes up for it. He is a great side kick for Poirot because they are both so different that it works.

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Sep 09 at 11:09 a.m. GMT

Of course the Book would have to be re-written slightly to have Colonel Carbury in The Man In The Brown Suit, but I thought Race Proposed to Suzie Blaire and I could see Carbury Proposing to her, I agree with you Bundle about Hastings he like Satterthwaite isn't bland just reserved and maybe with the saame zest for adventure as Satterthwaite and I too could see Satterthwaite in Cards On The Table If hed had been Race's Replacement in the Adapt that would have been great  

Puffinjill 22 Sep 09 at 12:11 p.m. GMT

I'm guessing you aren't too fond of Race, Tommy!

Bundle_ 22 Sep 09 at 12:22 p.m. GMT

I could see Mr. Sattherwaite replacing Race in Cards on the Table -- though it really wouldn't have made much difference seeings as they are both run-of-the-mill characters.

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Sep 09 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

In Cards On The Table didn't he have to go before Poirot solved the Murder and in Sparkling Cyanide his arrival is prepared for and talked about but when he arrives he doesn't do anything, someone else solves the Murders and in The Man in The Brown Suit all he does is rescue Ann and John, I haven't read Death On The Nile yet, Battle another of Poirot's Companions solves the Murders in books he is in without Poirot and although Hastings doesn't he is a more interesting Character, I haven't read Pale Horse yet so can't comment on Ariadne's involvement in that book but all Poirot's Companions have a purpose except Race so no I don't like him

To Bundle Mr Satterthwaite and Race aren't run-of-the mill Characters because they are never suspects 

go_leafs_nation 23 Sep 09 at 11:31 a.m. GMT

Colonel Race is a rather interesting character. He is cool, confident, intelligent, and that's what I like about him. Mr. Satterthwaite has the misfortune of falling into the Mr. Quin stories (which are horrid to say the least), where he is rather bland. In Three-Act Tragedy, however, he was a rather interesting character. However, of the two, I infinitely prefer Race. Seeing as he wasn't in the Cards on the Table adapt either way (replaced by a very different Colonel Hughes), I'd have rioted if Mr. Satterthwaite was thrown in. Satterthwaite is just dull and gets flashes of inspiration around (the far worse) Mr. Quin; Race is the more intelligent one.

Puffinjill 23 Sep 09 at 12:03 p.m. GMT

I hope Race is more intellegent as he was part of the Secret Service!!! But Mr Satterthwaite judges character well due to his many, many years of observing them. He has a good instinct of how people will behave. Sorry that you feel he's dull (and the Mr Quin stories horrid). How do you feel about him in Three Act Tragedy?

go_leafs_nation 23 Sep 09 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

Like I said, Satterthwaite is the only good character in the Mr. Quin stories, although that's not much to talk about- there, he's at best marginally interesting. In Three-Act Tragedy, however, he is a rather interesting character and doesn't act as pathetically as he does in the Quin stories.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Sep 09 at 12:44 p.m. GMT

Sorry go_leafs, I respect your opinion and always enjoy reading your posts but I totally disagree with you when it comes to Race - who I think is boring and never does anything of either interest or use and Sattewrthwaite who although he isn't the most interesting of Characters is fun