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Christie Week 2009

Jemma 03 Aug 09 at 8:44 a.m. GMT

What will you be doing to celebrate Christie Week this year?  We've added the list of events we've organised to the website.  It would be lovely to hear from any fans who will be going along or hear your ideas on what we could be doing next year.

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Puffinjill 13 Jan 10 at 10:29 a.m. GMT

I would love more details too! I'd like to look into how feasible it would be for me to attend, although I doubt very much I will be able to get there. Still, miracles (apparently) happen, so the more information I can get my grubby mitts on, the more chance I stand of getting there.

Nofret 12 Jan 10 at 12:36 p.m. GMT

AGATHA CHRISTIE FESTIVAL 2010 - Anyone going?

I'd love to attend this event and hope to be able to book myself in to a hotel in Torquay (hopefully not THAT ONE!) But where would I be able to book for all the other events, the plays, murder games etc? Or haven't the details been released yet - have searched the web and looked on Devon Tourist sites and can't find any concrete details.

Those lucky people who went last year - do you know if I'll have any difficulty getting a single room?

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Dec 09 at 3:39 p.m. GMT

IMHO you aren't missing much.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 5:02 p.m. GMT

I'm afraid I never get to watch Buzzocks either, so you have the advantage over me there!

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Dec 09 at 4:52 p.m. GMT

I know someone in The Mighty Boosh is now a Team Captain on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, I think if work dried up he could get work as Mick Jagger or ASlice Cooper Tribute Person perhaps he could morph them into 1. BTW I will tell ypu how I get on, after I finish it I will read At Bertram's Hotel and that will be all the MM Noivels and then I will know which is my least favourite -I am not counting the Short story books as to me that is a different Catagory.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

Do let me know, Tommy. I must dust off my Sherlock Holmes books and remind myself of how much I enjoyed the original texts. In recent years I've tended to listen to the dramas rather than reading the books again and I've probably forgotten much about them by now.

By the way, Divine Comedy was a group from Northern Ireland that had quite a few hits in the 90's (that sounds like something my Dad would say - must be getting old!). The Mighty Boosh was a comedy programme that, like you Tommy, has passed me by as I've not seen it either!

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Dec 09 at 3:54 p.m. GMT

I am truly sorry Go_leafs, I meant to but it seems by the end of my post I had forgotten to put a spoiler, I thought I had but that must haver been a different post or I just forgot sorry.

Puffinjil my griend all I know is that afew years ago there was a 3-part Series about Crime writers Presented by Nigel Williams and he quoted it when Referring to Agatha Christie, I don't know what the Devine Comedy is, It is lkike Thew Mighty Boosch I don't know what that or they are either. I have started The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes carrying on my habit of when finishing an AC book tyhen reading one sort of similar, I am really benjoyuing the book, I am reading the storiues in order and am now on The Red-headed League I will tell you how I get on.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 9:29 a.m. GMT

I think the England we read of in AC's books DID exist for those of her class but for the majority of people it simply represented a world in which they did not live but might aspire to. For English people today, it's as much of a 'foreign' country as anywhere in the world might be. I am currently in Devon on a few days break and I think AC would struggle to recognise her own beloved county. Still, as I said before, with the aid of AC, we still have a window on this world and escape from the modern one which lacks the atmosphere of those bygone days.

Tommy, my dear friend, I think I know the quotation you mention. Is it the one from Hamlet about something being rotten in the state of Denmark? I remember the song by Divine Comedy about something in the woodshed. (Used to like them, wonder what happened to them?) I'm glad that you like Appointment With Death, even though it is set abroad. You didn't say which book you are reading next now you have finished Poirot Investigates?

go_leafs_nation 15 Dec 09 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Also, I love the nostalgic feelings her books create in me for an England that I never knew and has changed (in my opinion) for the worst. Perhaps it never existed, but ay least I can live in it for a short while when reading her books.

That applies for me too, and it might explain my attraction to Carr, who had a romantic view of England that never really was.

go_leafs_nation 15 Dec 09 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

I contend that not only is this fair (you should've put up spoiler warnings), it is a fantastic twist to think up and pull off in the first place. It's the reader's business to suspect everyone, and upon rereading, every clue simply jumps to the eyes, with its meaning now clear. It isn't a case of making the killer Lord Biggersworth simply because a real nobleman would never wear silver cufflinks. It's one of AC's finest cases of misdirection and ingenuity, while remaining perfectly fair. It's not like Poirot withheld clues. All the evidence was presented fairly, and after that is done, few things are not permissible. (The things I'm against is a huge use of secret passages and mysterious poisons unkown to science, for obvious reasons.)

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Dec 09 at 1:23 p.m. GMT

Yes you're right again Puffinjill, perhaps I just have to think British Paralells to keep me interewsted, I am glad you used Appointment With Death as an example as that is one I do like even though The Murderer's past misdemeanour was never revealed, the end of your first Paragraph reminds me of a saying which I think comes from Shakespeare 'There's Something nasty in the Wood shed' (Or something like that).

To Go_leafs for me just the fact that the Murderer is The Narrator or the person who asks for Poirot's help I think is 'Unfair and not being 'Fair' to the readers, I have only tried to solve one of ACs books and failed, I nevcer notice clues I just get swept up by the story although the more |I read the more I am learning to be cautious about what we find out. Ironcally I can solve some more modern Murder Mysteries quitew oftren, Perhaps they just don't write 'em the way they used to.

Puffinjill 15 Dec 09 at 8:49 a.m. GMT

Going back to the subject of foreign locations, most of them weren't completely 'foreign' as most of the time AC had a good smattering of English characters to ensure her reading audience could connect with the novel. There is some feeling of fish-out-of-water but it is balanced by introducing more familiar touches. I do like her books set in the more exotic locations - my favourite AC book is Appointment With Death, after all!! - but I think her strength lies in taking a very familiar and comfortable situation and setting, then weaving a story full of murder and mystery that strips away all those comfortable feelings one may have.

Also, I love the nostalgic feelings her books create in me for an England that I never knew and has changed (in my opinion) for the worst. Perhaps it never existed, but ay least I can live in it for a short while when reading her books.

go_leafs_nation 14 Dec 09 at 6:14 p.m. GMT

When you say a book's solution is "unfair", most of the time, not all the pieces of the puzzle have been given to the reader. Lord Edgware Dies is certainly fair, and pretty obvious, when you think of it. (I don't count it as one I solved because, although I was on the right track from the get-go, it was spoiled for me midway through.) But there are plenty of great clues that point to the killer; why you consider it unfair is beyond me.

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Dec 09 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

I nreally agree with you Puffinjill, I lovewd the early Adaptations and I really wish sometimes the Adaptations were done the same way, I miss the Music and Opening Graphics and as I said I like the changes in those (The ones I noticed anyway), With the foreign ones all the Men-ha-ra stuff and the names of places and peoplke and titles, I think you might be right, it Might be because I have not been abroad much but I don't find the idea of places like Egypt exotic at all, however I do find the idea of Islands, Stately Homes and Villages Exotic and Romantic but we are all different and I just find the ones with Island, Stately Homes, Villages, Secret Papers and last words and all the 'Who is X' Stuff exciting, I did like somew foreign ones like A Carribean Mystery, MOTOE and Apointment with Death but not that story.

Puffinjill 14 Dec 09 at 4:56 p.m. GMT

WOW! That's a pretty comprehensive run down! Glad you enjoyed it so. The beauty of the TV adaptation of these stories is that they were done fairly early on and were a little more low key. Any changes or embellishments that were added were not done for shock value (as I feel most of the later ones were) and feel more in tune with AC and the spirit of her work.

May I just ask one question? Why do you struggle with some of the stories set abroad? Do you find it hard to imagine the locations or characters from different countries? Not having travelled much myself (and, oh! how I would love too!!), I find the more exotic and unusual locations interesting. I know AC is considered 'quintessentially' English - is it that you feel she is at her best in her own country?

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Dec 09 at 3:20 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill I have finished it, this is what I feel about the Book;

The Adventure of The Western Star; I enjoyed it but but I thought it wasn't as good as others.

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor; I was probably expecting too much as I loved the side story with the Inn Keeper's Manuscript, without it I think the Story was a little flat.

The Cheap Flat; I found it enjoyable and moreso than The Wedstern Star.

The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge; I thought it was very Good, I love the way Poirot solved it without being on the spot.

The Billion Dollar Bond Robbery; Again very good better than some and not as good as others.

The Adventure of The Egyption Tomb; I have difficulty with some stories set abroard and this was no exception

The Jewel Robbery At The Grand Metropoliton; Again I like it and I love the fact that it proved that a Case which was not Murder could be so good.

The Kidnapped Prime Minister; I liked this one also and better than some.

The Dissapearance of Mr Davenheim; I loved the deal Poirot and Japp made and the way again Poirot was solving it without eing on the spot.

The Adventure of The Italian Nobleman; I liked this one also and didn't think it was bettered by The Television Adaptation.

The Case of The Missing Will; I think this one was my favourite, I was so sorry it was so short, It just flew by, I loved the Concept, I know that there was a Miss Marple story like this but it doesn't take away what a wonderful idea it was.

Well that's it thgat is my feelings aboutn the book and very enjoyable it was too.

Puffinjill 14 Dec 09 at 8:50 a.m. GMT

I think I'm a walking mistake, Tommy, but thank you for your patience!! Enjoy that last story!

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Dec 09 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

I make the same sort of mistakes (I often refer to one book whenm I mean another so don't worry Puffin, I have not finished Poirot Investigates, I have one Story left then will write in long hand what I thought of the book so I can give a full apraisal.

Puffinjill 12 Dec 09 at 7:07 p.m. GMT

Oh, Tommy, I'm such a fool!!! Yes, of course I meant to say 120 years since AC's birth!! what must everyone think of me. Thank you for putting me right, my friend, and not pointing out how stupid I am. I should crawl into a corner and hide.

The Disappearance Of Mr Davenheim happens to be a favourite of mine from Poirot Investigates, too. Glad you are enjoying the book so much! I'm intrigued as to the reason why this is and why you can't explain now!!! Sounds mysterious and I wait with baited breath until all is made clear....

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Dec 09 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

Ofcourse Puffin you mean it is 33 years since ACs death and 120 years sinbce her birth don't you? BTW am loving Poirot Investigates will explain more when I have finished the stories, I have just started The Dissapearance of Mr Davenheim whenm I listened to this story on Audio Cassette I loved contemplating ew=wether it was possible and am doing the same now, sadly events in the News recently make me think it is.