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Miscellaneous

Please use this area for any Topics you feel don't fit in with other areas of the forum.

Discussions continued

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 10:14 a.m. GMT

Ok, I'll carry on this post, as the other one is so slow to load. This is where we can talk about non Agatha Chrisite subjects. So feel free to waffle on!

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Number3 21 Dec 10 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

I've seen the Peter Ustinov version of 13, but so far I haven't seen any version of "And Then There Were None."  I will have to find some time to get all the versions from the library.

I did read "Rule of Three" last night.  Now I'm on the quest for "Fiddlers's Five/Three."

I hope everyone in Europe is doing ok in the snow.  My part of the States got another 4 inches last night.

MissQuin 21 Dec 10 at 11:49 a.m. GMT

That's very kind of you to say so. People I know are falling over in the snow. The whole countries grinding to a standstill just because of it.  It really is too cold for me. I plan to curl up with Chrisite adapts, were finally being shown orient Express, Chimneys, Geranuim. Plus old version of Then There Were None and 13 at dinner are on too. Anyone seen those?

That adapt of GE sounds good, I'll look out for it. Have you seen the most recent version of bleak house, that's v v good. Plus I love Jane Austen, so we have a few things in common.

How would everyone feel if I start Discussions part 3? this post is very slow to load.

Number3 19 Dec 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

I watched  the 1980's version that had Joan Hickson as Miss Havisham. 

How did everyone in Europe enjoy being smacked by the snow? 

That is a below average snow day here.  I have to say that global warming is messing up the European Jet stream.  Let's just hope it's a fluke.

I got two of the plays from "Rule of Three" from my local library.  I'm going to read those after I finish this Jane Austen biography that I'm reading.

Everybody be careful in the snow, because there are those that cause accidents because they aren't familiar with it and it ca be very tricky.

MissQuin 19 Dec 10 at 12:18 p.m. GMT

Yes I know about parkour, in the town I used to live some kid fell off a shop roof trying it!! If someone trained to do it yes, then why not.  But in the real world there's no safety nets!! silly kids.

Of course how would someone know there good at parkour until they leapt?

HarleyBarley 19 Dec 10 at 11:21 a.m. GMT

Fantasy with CGI is an entirely different matter, of course. But I agree with the latter clause.

The jumping from building to building is actually a form of parkour, but a highly dangerous and advanced stunt of it. Basic vaulting across objects, jumping across gaps, climbing ledges, &c are actually a not-unheard-of form of sport. I used to want to learn parkour, but I've abandoned the project for the busy times now.

MissQuin 19 Dec 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

If a fantasy book is brought to life on the big screen with CGI that can be great. But I feel some modern day films are rely on all style and no substance.

Also action films don't interest me as they have such ludicrously unbeliveable situations. If most people jumped from building to building they'd plummet to their death. But in a movie- well the person can leap and land perfectly without so much as a scratch! Part of my brain screams "this is so unreal!" Logic doesn't pay a part in big Hollywood blockbusters which is why I avoid them. Even the trailors are annoying. There's always that deep voice over.

HarleyBarley 18 Dec 10 at 2:37 p.m. GMT

Yes, CGI can get a bit nasty sometimes. I, too, prefer psychological implications than seeing the actual thing - one of the reasons I prefer books to films being that I can imagine everything with my own mind and not be subjected to a definite interpretation. But yes, I do tend to prefer analysing than just swallowing stories up. Even if I enjoyed it at first, I tend to think over it later and then some logic kicks in, making some point of the story odd or otherwise unpleasant, and then...

MissQuin 18 Dec 10 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Well the thing about the Innocents and turn of the Screw is... the "ghosts" may or may not be real. We only read one persons view of it. So it's defintely a pyschological book rather than sheer ghost story.

 But I'm not of a scientific sceptical mind, I'm more open ideas. So I love gothic literature. Also love the fact that all adapts Ive seen of it have never had any effects. Just plain pyschological horror and excellent writing. Which to me is worth more than any CGI but we are all different.

HarleyBarley 18 Dec 10 at 2:18 p.m. GMT

Not much time, I'm afraid. With two - no, three, though for the third I act as teacher and not dancer - routines to remember, I don't think I'll be able to read much until after Christmas.

I'm not really a fan of ghost stories, but you know that already. I just don't find them disturbing. It's a strange thing of mine: I tend to break the fourth wall a bit too often when watching films, ignoring the dramatic events to say things like "The 3D's excellent" or such like.

MissQuin 17 Dec 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

That's about all for my xmas lit. As I said before I'm not hugely into Christmas. I celebrate it but I don't go mad. I'm quite glad when it's over!

But winter is a great time to read ghost stories and watch creepy films. I watched The innocents the other night and was much disturbed by it. Ive read Henry James Turn of The Screw, but because of the way it is, it's written so anyone who reads it has their own interpretation of events. The film version gave a meaning that I hadn't dreamed of. I still shudder thinking about it.

At least we have lot's of Chrisites on here next week. Ive seen the old 1945? Great Expectations which was great. Which version did you watch Number 3? Miss Havisham is scary!

Plus I know I'll have Chrisites for Christmas- Parker Pyne book among them.

I guess you may no hav e ime to read with your dance steps to practise Harley?

HarleyBarley 16 Dec 10 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

I'm not sure about other Christmas literature. I've read Little Women as a child - an abridged version, that is - but it's only vaguely Christmas-like at the beginning.

Number3 16 Dec 10 at 2:03 p.m. GMT

I have Dickens "Great Expectations" ready to go in my DVD player this afternoon. 

I don't celebrate Christmas, so I'm not usually in the shops this time of year.

But, I do enjoy a good Dickens holiday story.  "Cricket" was a good story.

MissQuin 16 Dec 10 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

I have indeed read that one. Though many years ago. I did enjoy it and a great xmas read. I also love A Christmas Tragedy which is one of the best short Miss marple stories.  On the other hand I'm not a fan of Hercule Poirot's Christmas which I found pretty dull.

Do you have any other Xmas literature you enjoy?

HarleyBarley 16 Dec 10 at 7:03 a.m. GMT

I've been reading A Christmas Carol to help me get in the mood. It's not as if I'm not feeling Christmassy. I'm as Christmassy as one can get without the snow, Santa Claus, and decorated trees. I suppose my copy of The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding can help a bit, too. Have you read that one, Miss Quin?

MissQuin 15 Dec 10 at 9:14 a.m. GMT

I'm trying to get in the festive spirit. At least it gives me the excuse to watch Dickens DVDs and listen to Christmas folk songs, which I do enjoy. There are some good points- recieving nice cards, food, seeing people pleased with their presents and mistletoe (grins) and that's about it.

 Plus time at home too. Apart from that It'll probably snow so much it'll be hard to go out which would be pain. Or at least give me time to spend with my books and some old films. Not very exciting I know!

HarleyBarley 15 Dec 10 at 4:30 a.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: Thankfully, living in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world means less cheesy Christmas songs blared in shops for me. And yes, I will be dancing at the 21st, a small pas de deux with an old acquaintance of mine.

Mr_west 14 Dec 10 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

i wish i had that much snow here, i could read more.

i just finish Cat Among The Pigeons.

i wasn't realy surprise but I didn't realy suspect the killer, quite disappointing book, also, poirot doesn't fit to the story, as T&T it might be better.

Number3 14 Dec 10 at 1:04 p.m. GMT

Mr. West I currently live in the states and we are going through a big blast of artic air.  Today the temperature is 7 deg F. 

Where I lived as a child was worse, so for me this weather is a piece of cake.

At least being forced to stay indoors means that one has more time to read.

MissQuin 13 Dec 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

Ah the wanderer returns! I fare well thank you. I had flu but have recovered and am back to normal. As normal as I can be anyway .

I'm sick of Xmas already so I won't mention it. I don't mind xmas day but honestly, I'm tired of horrible cheesey xmas songs that get blared out in shops here. Enough to test the patience of anyone. Will you be dancing at all then Harley?

I was stuck indoors for a week because of snow! I dread to think how are Scottish folk are fairing. It was v bad weather up there I hear. Ive not heard from them, so hope thier ok and not frozen in a snow drift. My over active mind does think the worst!

HarleyBarley 13 Dec 10 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

Well, well. I'm finally back after a sudden long bout of unrestlessness. I've been uncannily busy, and since Christmas is coming, might still be busy for a while.

And by the way, how fares everyone?

Mr_west 09 Dec 10 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

wow! it's freezing out there!

where are you from? 

Number3 09 Dec 10 at 1:46 p.m. GMT

Miss Quinn thanks for the suggestion.  I did read the "Notebooks" and enjoyed it.

Mr. West enjoy your weather. As of right now outside it's 11 deg. F.  I have no idea what it is in C. 

I would rather have rain than snow.

Mr_west 09 Dec 10 at 10:14 a.m. GMT

i wish i had snow  here.

it's very rare in most of the places here, but there is a lot of rain

MissQuin 08 Dec 10 at 9:21 p.m. GMT

We are not used to it in Britian!

I don't know about out of print Chrisite books, but there's always some of the about Chrisite books. There's the secret notebooks as well.

Number3 07 Dec 10 at 12:56 p.m. GMT

Where I live it's been cold outside, but I'm used to it. 

Because I can't go outside I finished my goal that I started a year and seven months ago.  I finished all of AC's novels and short stories. Along with the Westmacott's "Come Tell Me How You Live", "Poems", "Star Over Bethlehem", and various other plays.

All I have left now to read are the autobiography and a few other plays.

Is there anything that I have might of missed that is currently not in print?

Also, I have been trying to find the radio plays, but I haven't been able to find them.  Any suggestions?

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 1:55 p.m. GMT

My friend in Scotland is up to her ankles in snow! So how are Scottish members fairing?

Also what's the weather like where you are Harley? It's snowing here, so i envy anyone with nicer weather than snow.

HarleyBarley 24 Nov 10 at 2:14 p.m. GMT

Pat hasn't said anything about writing stories, and go_leafs explicitly said he's working on something. But I suppose you can go on - go_leafs implied his tale is taking quite a while.

Yes, that's the problem with Mr Quin. He's too difficult to adapt without destroying his mystique. I suppose he should be left in the shadows as is.

TheButlerDidIT 23 Nov 10 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

My turn? I'll give my turn to somebody else that's not had a go. Pat, go leafs etc. 

MissQuin 23 Nov 10 at 2:45 p.m. GMT

Or an anime Mr Quin, our absent friend would like that.

I don't know if Mr Q will ever be remade. It was along time ago. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't, as after thinking about it, it might spoil the beauty of it. Each story is ambiguous enough for the reader to have their own outlook on events that happened. Like when Mr S saw Quin at Midsommer Eve.

But Butler it's your turn. I hope he answers the servants bell quicker this time!!

HarleyBarley 19 Nov 10 at 4:18 a.m. GMT

That's the problem with the Mr Quin tales. We've set an insurmountably high standard for them, it's practically frightening to see someone even attempt at it! I can imagine it being an animated mini-series, though - or maybe even a comic book (or graphic novel, if you prefer that term). I suppose Mr Quin will make an excellent comic book character, though not in the super-powered hero with cape sort.

Ah, yes. Not me again, preferably - the rotation needs to rest on someone else. It has been me, then Shinichi, and then you, and then - ? Butler, go_leafs, Pat - ?

MissQuin 18 Nov 10 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

 My expectations of Mr Quin are so high it would be hard to make them into an adapt that meets my standards. Plus it might become really popular instead of a select cult. Like bands who becomes too famous, too mainsteam, it takes away some of the appeal for me. But it might work. Possibly even as an sophisticated animated series.

But after Ive revealed the solution to the current Bainton and Tryphena story then it's someone elses turn to write a story!

HarleyBarley 18 Nov 10 at 7:09 a.m. GMT

You know whose stories have been done virtually the least, Butler? Miss Quin and I will be quick to point out that The Mysterious Mr Quin has nearly never been adapted. I tried translating it to Indonesian once, but I've abandoned the project since my computer lost its data some time ago.

TheButlerDidIT 17 Nov 10 at 6:26 p.m. GMT

Had an idea. I have been pretty annoyed, to say the least, about some of the more recent adaptations. I thought I could try to write a script based on a book, and stay true to said book as possible. Now, that would be a mammoth task so I've decided just to try and adapt a short story. I may try to adapt a Miss Marple story since most of the Poirot stories have been reasonably done. 

MissQuin 12 Nov 10 at 3:26 p.m. GMT

Now Butler's has been here  Ive now unveiled Bainton Gray. The weather here is gale force winds, so I'm not going anywhere and the timing is good.

I think I'll give it a week before the solution appears, if I get any guesses!

TheButlerDidIT 12 Nov 10 at 1:40 p.m. GMT

You rang m'lady? ;)

Don't worry MQ, I'm not a huge fan of Christmas either. 

MissQuin 10 Nov 10 at 2:35 p.m. GMT

Eh, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm just explaining why I don't feel like writing in Nov and December. I'm not a fan of Chrisitmas. I could list reasons why, maybe nearer the time. Of course I'd get accused of being Scrooge or The Grinch.

How do you dance with a handful of tissues Mr Barley?

I could write a v short xmassy Bainton, might be quite fun.

HarleyBarley 10 Nov 10 at 4:42 a.m. GMT

One month? Try a lifetime, Miss Quin. I've had allergies since I was a child, sneexing and generally blocking my nose in presence of cold and/or dust. By the time I was a pre-teen, it had gone to the point that my nose is never completely clear anyways. Be grateful that flu only happens once in a while to you! After all, it updates your immune system to the new sorts of viruses.

Maybe, just maybe, I'll try to write some sort of Christmas special for us. Shinichi already got a Hallowe'en special, so who knows?

MissQuin 09 Nov 10 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

I'm waiting for Butler to appear with "you rang m'lady"

I doubt I'll have any time to write more stories til next year, so just as well I have one written.

This is time of year get's so hectic. Then I somehow usually catch a cold or bug in November, which means a week of sniffing and getting little done.  I'm almost sneezeing thinking about it...

At least I have old miss M repeats to look forward to next week.

HarleyBarley 09 Nov 10 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

Well, I shall be patient. You've been longsuffering with my story, so I'll follow the example you set me.

MissQuin 09 Nov 10 at 3:43 p.m. GMT

You know Ive been ringing the servants bell for Butler and he's not appeared. Guess you will have to wait for the Bainton Story.

HarleyBarley 07 Nov 10 at 1:21 p.m. GMT

Should I wave my wand at that suggestion, Miss Quin? Though most things useful can usually be turned unfortunate, so I'll have to use it with great care...

MissQuin 06 Nov 10 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

I'm rather fearful over what you can do with that wand of yours Harley!  Well Ive not seen your first story so far.

I did hint at a story section of the forum to the powers that be... maybe an idea?

HarleyBarley 06 Nov 10 at 4:12 p.m. GMT

It was inside the old discussions page, but where exactly within it is beyond my sight. Though I might've waved the magic wand and made it disappear into oblivion...

MissQuin 06 Nov 10 at 3:55 p.m. GMT

I can't find it either.  That's rather mysterious, rather like it's been spirited away. I had a glance through "discussions part one" but didn't see it. My I can' believe the innane remarks Ive made. sigh.

http://www.agathachristie.com/forum/have-your-say/miscellaneous/murder-hunt-poison-help/?page=3

That's some of Heisei's and Butler's stories

HarleyBarley 06 Nov 10 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

Yes, they are rather scattered, and as I've said before, I seem to have misplaced Chantelle's story somewhere. I really should have titled it, to prevent calling it "Chantelle's story" all the time.

MissQuin 06 Nov 10 at 3:42 p.m. GMT

The stories are rather scattered about I'm afraid. Just have scoll through the misc catergory posts.

There's Hearts and Diamonds, but I can't find Heisei's Violet cases. Perhaps on discussions on any old thing topic. That's quite a long task going through all those!

HarleyBarley 06 Nov 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

And all the different rose colours and numbers have distinctive meanings. I once tried to decipher the language of flowers, and of fans, but they confuse me so!

Matthew...yes, he intrigues me as well.

ratchet149 06 Nov 10 at 3:23 p.m. GMT

I am rather fascinated by Agatha Christie.Her books are really interesting.You always think:"This guy has to be the killer."On the next chapter you think:"No,this guy has to be the killer." :D

It is really fascinating.She gave me inspiration for my book.And btw the White Wolf is the name of the hotel. :D

And btw on which page are those short stories that you are talking about?

MissQuin 06 Nov 10 at 3:18 p.m. GMT

No I'm not writing a book, but Ive written a short story. Some members of this forum Heisei, The Butler Did It, Harley Barley and myself have uploaded some short mysteries for members to try and work out. It's my turn shortly after Butler has had time to read the final chapter of Heisei's story. We welcome people to upload them, good fun to discuss.

Heisei's stories are under a very long post called Discussions on any old thing. He could always put them together on one post, then they'll be easy to find.  I'll suggest that to him.

I'm rather impressed at you starting a book Ratchet. You'll welcome join in with out posts and guesses anytime.

ratchet149 06 Nov 10 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

MissQuin,are you writing a book or something?

I also started writing a book.It is call The Secret of the"White Wolf". :D

MissQuin 06 Nov 10 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

I thought that too Harley, which is why I didn't post it yet.  I'm letting Heisei (deservedly) have his time in the spotlight.  

I'm quite intriqued by this new chaarcter as he didn't appear. But this was Violet's first case and she was still at school. Then later on she's a waitress, or is that part time? So this new character would be brought into now? Hold on Ive confused myself.

I'm interested in flower meanings, but they differ round the world. Plus Hawthorn can mean hop, or in a house death, but upside down despair! What a mix.

HarleyBarley 06 Nov 10 at 2:23 p.m. GMT

Well, well. Another very interesting story from our dear friend! Good job, amico. I didn't guess about the coins, but it was something to read!

Miss Quin, do go ahead with the story. However I'd advise you to wait a few days until Butler and the rest are here, and for this story to sink in.

HeiseiHolmes 05 Nov 10 at 6:06 p.m. GMT

It was on Wikipedia. I was looking to see which flower's meaning could have a name attatched to it as well, and that one seemed to work...

MissQuin 05 Nov 10 at 5:21 p.m. GMT

Don't worry Heisei your Forgiven (song reference there)

Ah, the confusing thing about flower is that they have many different meanings. They differ from country and even county. But the use of secret message was a clever one. Where did you come across the hidden flower meanings? Internet or book?

Anyway a nice little end to your story.I think Harley got the right answer. I certainly didn't!

I have my story waiting, whenever anyone's interested.

HeiseiHolmes 05 Nov 10 at 4:56 p.m. GMT

Violet stood up as the realisation of the brutal crime sunk in. She walked to the phonebox outside of the park and her shaking fingers dialled 999. Without listening to the voice of the operator, she recounted the tale in a flat voice.

"There was a murder. In the park. That woman, her name is Faith- she killed her sister. She b-beat her to death with something filled with coins. I found blood on change I got from the ice-cream shop in that park. So she disposed of the evidence, or so she thought, by buying an ice-cream with the money she used.  And the meaning of the dying message- in the language of flowers, a blue violet means "Faith". Please do something about it."

She dropped the phone and let it swing on its wire, without listening for a reply, and silently walked away.

The police were able to solve the case, "with a tip-off from an anonymous informant".

Violet walked home with Hannah, the darkened streets turning hazy in her eyes as she fought back tears. Suddenly, she jumped as something icy-cold touched her neck. She whirled round to see Hannah, holding an ice-cream she had just bought.

"You never got to finish it, you ran off so fast!" she smiled. Violet broke into a smile too, and and the streets seemed to light up again.

HeiseiHolmes 05 Nov 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

I'm sorry for my long absence... Please, forgive me! (A song reference :D)

I'll post the story's final chapter right away. m(_ _)m

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 5:17 p.m. GMT

 Miss Quin's say's so, it's time I must must go, but I will say adieu, been great chatting to you!!

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 5:10 p.m. GMT

Well, if we're going for characters, I think Vincente might leave something like:

"Hello, this is Vincente's toaster. His answering machine is out smoking a cigarette, so just leave your message with me and I'll toss it up when Vinny comes back." *beep*

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 4:54 p.m. GMT

Oh bravo Harley! very good! Ive found my equal. This rhyme thing could catch on, just don't try Sattethwaite to work with ;)

For people who visit the Gray residence and find Bainton is out, he leaves this card:

Mister Bainton Gray is away, so he leaves his card for this day, for you to read, but then not to stay!

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 4:47 p.m. GMT

Pumpkin nightmares sound interesting. To be fair, I don't nightmare often (some nightmare-ish events happen, yes, including murders, but without the fear associated with nightmares), so pumpkin nightmares will be an interesting thing to see.

The rhyme was quite funny, actually. What about: "It's Miss Quin, who came on a whim, to ask for him who she believes is within." An A-B-B-A rhyme, I think. Oh, wait...ABBA?

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 4:28 p.m. GMT

Sorry I forget, your on a different time to me. I don't advise the adapt before sleep. You could have pumpkins nightmares. ;) There's a little child dressed as Pierrot btw, right for the 30's time period.

How about Harley Barley Esquire?  when calling on a gentleman who was out:

It was Harley Barley Esquire's, desire to enquire if Sire was in this  afternoon?

Of course it's hard to rhyme all the time, but now and again is fine!

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

I don't know if it works or not - I thought it was a reading link and not a video link. And besides, not now, when it's 22:30!

I suppose I might just have a calling card which says: "Harley was here".

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

Doesn't the I player link work for the episode that I posted? I think you might enjoy it, as I know one of the characters is amongst your favourites.

It leads me thinking to what type of calling card I'd have, what message and what design.

 "Lady De Quin called and leaves her compliments" that would be fun, but only proves my over active  imagination.

Maybe a card with  "The butler told me your not at home, but I know your hiding upstairs, but I'll leave my card anyway"

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 3:39 p.m. GMT

Ah, yes. Those calling cards. I've been into that territory (reading, that is, not actually owning). They're quite interesting to think about - how a woman should have calling cards indicating her own name, and another which belongs to her husband, and so on.

Well, well. Hallowe'en Party aired? And I missed it, as usual.

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

Was just waiting for HH story....

I'll pass the time by giving more Bainton Gray story hints. It's his trickiest case yet!! But I hope it's not too long, I have appealed on here for a story blog section, as 2000 words is never enough.

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

Butler- I posted my review for Halloween party here

http://www.agathachristie.com/forum/have-your-say/television-and-film/more-poirot/?page=3

I thought we could discuss it over on that post? so not to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet.

Knotty- been fairly new you wouldn't know that my little stories are set Victorian era. I don't own any calling cards but I do have images of them.

http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=184710

Poirot Halloween party wasn't working on i player earlier, but it might be still there.

knottyceltic 28 Oct 10 at 9:51 p.m. GMT

Miss Quin, are you speaking of modern day calling cards?  Or vintage ones (memorabilia)?  Your post made me think of one of my hobbies/interests which is Victorian funerary customs.  I find the use of "Funeral cards" very interesting and always peruse Ebay looking for a good one to add to my collection of all things "dark".

TheButlerDidIT 28 Oct 10 at 8:22 p.m. GMT

Did anybody like Hallowe'en Party? I, for one, loved it. I may even go as far to say it actually improved on the original book. Few minor differences but nothing major. Mark Gatiss is now my fave television writer. He's done loads of TV work but this, by far, is the best. 

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 8:13 p.m. GMT

Ah, well if your curious. It's hard to let on but it all beguins with an address on a calling card. In Victorian times if you paid a visit to someones house, you might be shown in by the maid or butler. But the person wasn't in, so leave your card with your name. There were some lovley decorative calling cards out there. Ive been looking into them, "compliments of the season" and so forth, delightful!

HarleyBarley 28 Oct 10 at 6:03 p.m. GMT

Why, thank you. I'm not currently working on something, but I do have a little idea forming at the back of my notebook (and devouring quite a few pages of it, honestly). And yourself, Miss Quin? Any hints as to what's coming up with Bainton?

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 5 p.m. GMT

Hearts and Diamonds was very good. Do you have any projects your working on next?

HarleyBarley 28 Oct 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

And then Hastings will look away indignantly, with Japp giving him an understanding glance. Poirot will initially notice neither (or at least pretend not to notice) and continue his rants. And finally, Japp will make a stately "ahem" and carry on.

I will await Bainton patiently. You have waited for Hearts and Diamonds very patiently, and I shall follow that example.

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

It's been corrected now. I can imagine Hercule Poirot's reaction if he knew he wasn't been shown in some parts of the word:

"What? But this is impossible! I Hercule Poirot, worlds greatest detective, shunned?! Pah! An outrage!"

I hope the solution is posted today, I'm restless to find out what happens. I hope I'm still here by next week to post Bainton.

HarleyBarley 27 Oct 10 at 2:05 p.m. GMT

Well, we do all get carried away sometimes. It's not as if it's a cause for shamefacedness, though.

I've officially have no more ideas for Violet's case, so I'll just rest it on Faith, just because.

MissQuin 27 Oct 10 at 9:34 a.m. GMT

Ive reported spoiler now and I'm sorry. I got carried away!! But luckily I was at home today so Ive corrected it (looks ashamed)

ah yes i see noe Butler is IS their fault!

HarleyBarley 27 Oct 10 at 8:25 a.m. GMT

I, er, Miss Quin, you'e got spoilers in one of your previous posts. Didn't spoil anything for me, but spoilers nonetheless.

I've run out of theories for Violet's first case. Me, I prefer to sit in the corner and drop semi-rambling, vague hints as to my train of thought (mostly because I barely have a concrete idea).

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 8:44 p.m. GMT

No, STV decided they wanted the writers to change the whole format because it had to cut down budgets etc so it's actually STV's fault. I do love a good moan and a nice rant. 

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 7:24 p.m. GMT

Well if you didn't like the Taggart episode, then it would be the scriptwriters to complain to. With the TV station they'd only take notice of complaints of programmes they haven't shown. Or if you think a programmes bang out of order, then you can complain about that too.

Well all love a good moan don't we?!

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 7:12 p.m. GMT

I complained about the rubbishy episodes of Taggart a few weeks ago and the response was more or less what Miss Quin said. 

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 6:53 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

If they reply it'll probably be something on the lines of:

"Dear Sir/madam, thank you for your email we at STV are dedicated to showing quality programming. We will take note of your comments as we always strive to to our best as far as viewers are concerned! Yours Truly STV

then they delete your email and ignore it.

If you sent: "Dear STV , then followed by a series of words you shouldn't use!! Then P.S I plan to kidnap 12 of your staff and take you to a remote island with no escape signed Justice Wargrave"

You'd get this response:

"Dear Sir/Madam, thank you for your email we at STV are dedicated to showing quality programming. We will take note of your comments as we always strive to to our best as far as viewers are concerned!

They never listen do they? !  Of course it's best to be polite, because they take better notice of well mannered replies.

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 5:21 p.m. GMT

I've decided I will actually write an email to them. I want to see their stupid excuse.

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Yes, abusive....I mean, polite emails are the best.

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Wuthering Heights is easy to complain about, send a smouldering Heathcliff round to brood at the TV people sullenly and they'd be terrifed!

But I bet sending round a little fat Belguim isn't so scary.

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 5:18 p.m. GMT

Don't know about Wuthering Heights, but I'm going to make a kerfuffle about "Halloween Party", all right! I still can't see what's so great about Burke and Hare. Maybe I'll sent them an abusive... I mean, polite email.

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 5 p.m. GMT

There was some kefuffle about a programme that wasn't shown in Scotland. May have been Wuthering Heights?

It would be wonderful if the UK was all united, but clearly the tV companies want to draw the countries part.

But how come other countires get AC first? They should be shown the same day all around the world!

Your quiet Harley, any guesses on the story?

Actually Im must be off, I spent more time on here than i intended (as always)

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 4:56 p.m. GMT

Oh, right- I don't know a thing about Burke or Hare. The TV show description said "Scotland's most infamous serial killers", so I just assumed they were from here.

Yes, that STV really are getting my goat. Why should we al have to see different TV shows from the rest of the UK?! I understand about the news, but the rest is just taking the cake.

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

Well I'd like the solution asap!! I'm not from Scottland, but I do have Scottish blood and Irish, and English and who knows what else. So I'm a Anglo-Celtic girl.

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

Actually  Burke and Hare were Irish. And I didn't know Heisei was Scottish! I'm Scottish too! And I share your views about the rubbish shown on STV.

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

I like everyone's guesses so far... Once you've all made up your minds, the true solution will be revealed! Maybe tomorrow? Or do you need more time?

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:43 p.m. GMT

Indeed the The Greek word for violet is io!! Well that's gets me nowhere but I at least I did remember something.

HH- I'll bet your laughing, my suggestions are lame! Tell me when I'm getting warmer to guessing correctly?

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

Yes this site was down, but it's been working fine after all bug with the that account hassle.

coin? I forgot about that, as with the gap in reading the story then posting. I don't know! Rather puzzled.

Violets have meanings in the Greek Myths and I think they used to be worn at funerals to ward off evil. Or maybe that was another flower!  I forget.

HarleyBarley 26 Oct 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

I found the mystery new addition, by the way. Matthew the weird new boy.

I agree with Melody being the odd one out - I spotted that earlier, but forgot about it when the site crashed and refused to let me in. Actually, I wonder about the violet Hope had snatched. She didn't know about our young heroine, so she probably meant something else with it. And then there was that reflection of the coin. What had Violet seen on the coin?

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:30 p.m. GMT

People in other countries are watching the I player stuff, so it should be fine.

The last Marple was very good! The Pale horse, I prepared to bored but it wasn't boring. Amazing..

No guesses yet Butler, Harley?

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 4:28 p.m. GMT

Ugh, I hope so. But if they can't show it to a Scottish computer... well, the results won't be pretty.

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

That's just horrible! That film's trailors are so sick and in the worst possible taste. urh. I mean I might like some dark humour in Hitchcocks but there's a fine line about what's funny and what's just taking things too far. That film is too far.

I forget you get different programmes in Scotland. My friend tells me that Downton Abbey isn't on in Scotland, as Hastings woul say "Good Lord!" ! If it wasn't shown here I'd storm the TV building. ;)

you can all watch it on I player afterwards though can't you?

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 4:20 p.m. GMT

Ugh! That stupid channel STV aren't showing "Halloween Party" tomorrow! What do we get? Some claptrap about Burke and Hare! Oh, joy! What the hell, STV? I actually feel racially offended by this. Just because Burke and Hare are from Scotland, it's going to draw more viewers than the next instalment of a long-awaited drama series?!

Phew... Oh well, it might be in their website. But if it's not..

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:18 p.m. GMT

That's the nicest comment Ive had all day Butler! I'm just thinking that this is the longest Bainton story so far and people might tire of reading it. I can't take any parts out as their all part of a jigsaw of clues. But it was fun to write, which is the most important thing.  

Alot of people deserve that prize. Shame you can't be unmurdered HH!!

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

I'm looking forward to the return of dear Bainton. I'm expecting great things Miss Quin. :)

HeiseiHolmes 26 Oct 10 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

I'll be very honest with you and say there is a bit of a GC reference, but it won't affect the case in any way. Promise.

http://www.kiwi-musume.com/lyrics/garnetcrow/firstsoundscope/senijounokotobawonarabetemo.html

*Ashamed*

I totally forgot today was the announcement of the thing! I wonder, who will be the one to snatch the long-awaited prize?!

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 4:06 p.m. GMT

Yes, that's been pointed out about the pumpkins. But I'm willing to overlook it for once.

Anyway, the guess the mystery figure was meant to be announced today. I did enter, but my tie breaker was lame, so I doubt Ive won. But I'd like to know who wins to congratulate them.

I was going to suggest Melody has no ear for music and can't sing, I'm joking.  But seriously Verity means "truth" so she could be lying?

If there is a Garnet Crow reference then I'm going to be stumped!

How's your story going? mines been spell checked and is ready for when Hesesi's is finnished. His story is a hard act to follow, but I'll just have to try.

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 4:02 p.m. GMT

Maybe the translate into something in a foreign language. Like John Paul in English is Jean Pierre in French. Maybe I'm clutching at the metaphorical straws. 

And I'm fine thanks for asking, Miss Quin. I shall be recording the new Poirot. I'm sure there will be nuns carving swastika's out of pumpkins in it. Anyway, pumpkins didn't even come to Britain until a decade or so after it's supposedly set. 

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 3:54 p.m. GMT

I think he's put some work into these names, if only I could get at them. How are you Butler? Will you be recording the new Poirot this week?

TheButlerDidIT 26 Oct 10 at 3:53 p.m. GMT

Knowing Heisei the names will be from a Garnet Crow songs... ;) 

Only kidding.

MissQuin 26 Oct 10 at 3:50 p.m. GMT

Sorry to post again, it's just I hope other forum members make some guesses, as i'd like to know the end

MissQuin 25 Oct 10 at 5:28 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Hope who was supposed to be depressed. Some people actually do cut their hair off when depressed (Britney Spears famous case).

An imposter cut her hair to make it look like the sister hope was unhinged, but maybe she wasn't.

Hope

Verity

Melody

Faith

Melody's the odd one out because her name isn't a virtue. Faith is probably an aethist  But seriously Melody has a piece of paper, still pointing at melody, although I'm probably wrong.

HeiseiHolmes 25 Oct 10 at 5:23 p.m. GMT

Yes, there's an important name-meaning somewhere...

MissQuin 25 Oct 10 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

ok, so I'm still stuck. Heh as a puzzle it's puzzling!

In the names used do they have hidden meanings?

HeiseiHolmes 25 Oct 10 at 5:16 p.m. GMT

"I have a new character to introduce, too. He could become a permanent member of the gang, but if he proves unpopular, maybe I'll kill him off."

That's from the 3rd of August. Cutting the hair... that was just a reference to something else. I found it really a weird thing to do, so I worked it in for scare value... *shamefaced*

MissQuin 25 Oct 10 at 5:11 p.m. GMT

The dying message being the flower she grabbed? Violet, or maybe that's too obvious. All flowers have meanings and violet means

modesty, virtue, affection. That doesn't ring true..

The name Verity means truth...

Or is cutting her hair a secret message? am I on the right track, or waaaay off??

A new character I'd forgot about him. Can you recap me on this person?

HeiseiHolmes 25 Oct 10 at 5:03 p.m. GMT

Agh! So, so sorry that I had to go away- please, forgive me!

Okay, a clue is that I did say I'd be introducing a new character in this story- but this character isn't actually present.

Also, perhaps a certain character's actions may be little more than a reference ... and perhaps not.

Did you understand the meaning of the dying message?

MissQuin 25 Oct 10 at 4:28 p.m. GMT

Clue please! BTW I love Hannah's loyalty to Violet and her sassy attitude!

HeiseiHolmes 25 Oct 10 at 4:21 p.m. GMT

Ahh, there are some interesting guesses here! If you'd like some kind of a clue, just ask.

MissQuin 25 Oct 10 at 3:05 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

The site was down at the wekend, presmably to sort of the bugs and excess of spam.

Faith has same whiteish hair colour, yet the witch had straw coloured hair, which is a different colour.

Verity has red hair, so could have worn a straw coloured wig, but Melody's not been mentioned much, except she has a pice of paper, hich could be important?

If I was going to take a guess then I'd say Melody dressed as her sister then killed her.

MissQuin 22 Oct 10 at 7:57 a.m. GMT

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Your stories are always great fun to read, something sadly lacking in most modern crime stories.

I wonder if Matthew Cole is one of the sisters sons? It seems odd he was mentioned.

Violet's First Case

She sits, on her usual bench, unaware of the world. They stare, some of them whisper, but she takes no notice. The witch reaches into her bag, and her hands find a pair of scissors. Pale, straw-coloured locks fall to the ground and are carried away by a gentle wind. The childrens' parents are not there, for they are skipping school. The witch rises from the bench and walks somewhere else.  Slowly she leaves the childrens' field of view. A few moments later, she returns, her pale hair (now considerably different) is stained with blood. She staggers towards the children, her eyes wide and crazy. She falls and graps at the green grass, picking something up as she does so. The children scream.

Ok- so  think that it's two different people. But why? I'll read it again later.

HarleyBarley 22 Oct 10 at 6:23 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Fantastic work, my friend! I enjoyed it a good lot. Violet and Hannah, so unwavering at the face of a corpse, and everyone else oddly the same, but I suppose it's to be expected in crime stories.

Faith, Melody, Verity, Hope. Somehow, I feel like the sisters' hair colours have something to do with this. Hope clutched at that violet flower, and why? And then there was that curious mental illness thing. Schizophrenic woman on the loose, under the care of her three sisters, and a mysterious mother in hospital. Well, well.

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 7:32 p.m. GMT

Phew, it's over~~ Feel free to guess.

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 7:32 p.m. GMT

The third sister, whose name was Melody, took a mobile phone from her handbag. She dialled a number with unwavering hands. She walked out of earshot.

Faith decided to tell Violet and Hannah a little about the three sisters. "In case you're wondering what's going on, we four usually meet up in this park when we're going to visit our mother. Cutting through the park is the quickest way to the hospital she's at. Um... when you saw Hope, was she doing anything strange?"

Violet thought. "There were some children who saw her earlier. They said she had been cutting her own hair in the park."

"Oh." Faith looked upset. "You see, our sister is mentally ill. She would often do strange things like that. We thought she was getting better, but..." She didn't finish the sentence.

 Melody's clicking heels echoed around the park. "They should be here by now, for Christ's sake." She fiddled with a piece of paper in her hands. tears falling onto it. Suddenly, blue flashes illuminated the the park.

The police had arrived, along with an ambulance. There was a mournful silence as Hope's lifeless body was carried into the back. The police asked questions of Faith, Melody and Verity. It didn't seem to be anything that Violet and Hannah didn't know. They left to go to the ice-cream shop.

They ordered two vanilla ice-creams, but didn't feel like eating. Violet looked at the change in her hand, and a reflection from a coin shone in her eyes. She knew exactly which woman had killed her sister.

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 6:57 p.m. GMT

Hannah ran to the phone box outside of the park gates and caled for an ambulance and the police. When she got back, Violet was kneeling by the dead woman, looking at something in her hand.

"...It's a violet..." said Violet. Surely enough, there was a small blue flower in the woman's hand.

"... It's like she asked for you by name..." Hannah said. The park now seemed empty. But three dark shapes appeared on the footpath. Once they were close enough to see what was happening, they ran over. They were three women, who looked very similar to the dead woman. The tallest, who had bright red hair, took a swift glance at the scene and fought back tears. "What happened?! What have you done to Hope?!"

Violet wetly protested. "We never did anything... We found her like this..."

But the woman refused to listen. "You scum! What have you done to my sister?!" She raised a bony arm with which it seemed she intended to slap Violet. A hand stopped the arm in its tracks.

"Don't you touch her." Hannah's eyes were filled with a tearful rage. "You have no idea who we are! What we've done for your sister! Don't you think, if we'd done anything, that we would have left her and run ?! If anyone deserves to be slapped, it's you." She let go of the womans arm.

"Look, Verity... I believe her." The woman on Verity's right spoke now. "These girls just don't seem like the kind to do such a thing..." This woman had the same white-blonde hair as Hope had, and she held an ice-cream cone in one hand.

Verity broke into a scowl. "All right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged you like that... Faith's right. Did you call for an ambulance?"

The girls ndded, still struggling to find words.

"We're going to be late. I'll call the hospital." This was the woman on Verity's left. "Damn, Mum's going to be upset. Should I tell her?" The three sisters shared a look. It seemed to mean 'no'.

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 6:36 p.m. GMT

There was an ice-cream shop in the local park, so Hannah and Violet made their way there. But upon reaching the park gates, they heard a commotion. The truant children in the park seemed to be scared of something. Violet and Hannah ran in, only to notice a woman with a bloody head and very strangely cut hair lying motionless on the grass. Violet decided to ask the oldest of the children what had happened. He was a little boy, about eight years old, with shorts and scuffed knees.

"What's going on?!" asked Violet.

"Ding, dong, the Witch is dead." the boy replied. "That's her. The Witch." He jerked a stubby thumb towards the woman on the ground. "She's crazy. She came here just earlier and started cutting her hair. Then she walked off. Then she came back all bloody like that. She comes here a lot."

Violet left the unfeeling boy and went to check the woman for a pulse, like in the first-aid book she had read. All the children started jeering at her, presumably at the command of the oldest boy. Violet tried to ask them to be quiet, but they wouldn't. Hannah stepped in.

"Right! Shut up, the lot of you. We're calling the police about what happened here. How would you like it if we told them what you're doing here? Go, NOW." She jabbed a vicious finger at the boy in shorts. " And YOU! I know your gran. I'm telling her." Faced with this knowledge, the children left. She turned an inquisitive eye to Violet, who shook her head.

MissQuin 21 Oct 10 at 6:34 p.m. GMT

I laughed alot at the word mixed up. Looking forward to more!

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 5:29 p.m. GMT

Violet and Hannah left the school, having just finished their exam.They walked down the road together, looking for something to do.

"It's useless," moped Hannah. "I KNOW for a fact I failed."

"Really, you should have studied a bit harder. You wasted all that time watching romance dramas on TV when you could have actually put it to use."

"What?! Don't speak to me like that! Not when I know your Deadly Secret..." Hannah raised a finger and gave an all-knowing look to Violet.

"And what might that be?" Violet knew of no "Deadly Secret" that could possibly be hers.

"You have a crush on that weird new guy. Don't deny it!" The "weird new guy" in question was one Matthew Cole, who didn't speak to anyone. He was often paired with Violet in classes, though neither of them seemed to like the idea. "Really, I don't see HOW you can like him. He's all bony. Like a skeleton. He's emasculated." Hannah went on.

"The word is 'emaciated', idiot." Violet delivered this with a friendly tap to Hannah's head. "What you said means..." She whispered the rest into Hannah's ear.

"Aww, whaaaat?! I used that word in my essay! I've definitely failed..." Hannah's mood quickly worsened again.

"Cheer up. I'll buy you an ice-cream or something."

HeiseiHolmes 21 Oct 10 at 5 p.m. GMT

Agh, so sorry... I'll continue posting it.

MissQuin 21 Oct 10 at 3:49 p.m. GMT

I managed to escape!  ;) Anyway checking in to read more of HH's story, except it's not here yet..

HarleyBarley 21 Oct 10 at 12:06 p.m. GMT

Well, well. I hope Miss Quin hasn't been lured away by the masked man to his underground lair. Not that I know anything about that masked figure, no...

Resist, Butler! Or yield, do as you wish.

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 5:56 p.m. GMT

Must resist temptation to post spoilers and general info about my latest story...

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

*hums the Music of the Night melody* sings back. What's with that organ playing?!

If i'm not here tomorrow, I'm sorry in advance. I'm being stalked by a mysterious figure in a mask, wearing a cape. It's very disconcerting.  So If I'm not here I've been lured off my him in gondola.

I do have to go now, but I aasure you all it's of my own steam, not because of being taken off by a  masked maniac.  ;)

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 3:22 p.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

@Miss Quin: Perhaps I'm just being sleepy (it's one of my oddest things when I get sleepy), but I find every other comment here hilarious. Especially your request for a tune. *hums the Music of the Night melody*

@Butler: Sometimes unlikeable characters can end up being likeable anyways, and vice versa. Don't worry about it. The titular character from H. G. Wells' book The Invisible Man is pretty much a sociopath, but I somehow like him.

Alright, I'll continue writing him as a sociopath. I'll leave it up to you all to decide whether he's unlikeable or vice versa.

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: Perhaps I'm just being sleepy (it's one of my oddest things when I get sleepy), but I find every other comment here hilarious. Especially your request for a tune. *hums the Music of the Night melody*

@Butler: Sometimes unlikeable characters can end up being likeable anyways, and vice versa. Don't worry about it. The titular character from H. G. Wells' book The Invisible Man is pretty much a sociopath, but I somehow like him.

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

Now that I'm further into the story I think my detective is pretty unlikeable. Chester's a nice character, I hope.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

Please play a tune for MissQuin!! We'll wait til tomorrow

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

No worries, Shinichi. We have all the time in the world!

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

I'll forgive you. Hope you enjoy the piano lessons.

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:57 p.m. GMT

Unexpectedly, I'm going to have to go. Promise to finish tomorrow, though. Please, forgive me!

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:52 p.m. GMT

Wow. That's rather more than I guessed.

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

There were over 800 posts, so that makes at least 40 pages, I think. Should I copy-paste the story's beginning to a new post?

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:49 p.m. GMT

How many pages were there on the other one before we decided it was too slow to load? Maybe 25 at a guess.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 2:47 p.m. GMT

That's ok, there's only 19 pages on this topic

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:45 p.m. GMT

Oh, dear- didn't see the request to post it somewhere else, sorry...

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

Violet's First Case

She sits, on her usual bench, unaware of the world. They stare, some of them whisper, but she takes no notice. The witch reaches into her bag, and her hands find a pair of scissors. Pale, straw-coloured locks fall to the ground and are carried away by a gentle wind. The childrens' parents are not there, for they are skipping school. The witch rises from the bench and walks somewhere else.  Slowly she leaves the childrens' field of view. A few moments later, she returns, her pale hair (now considerably different) is stained with blood. She staggers towards the children, her eyes wide and crazy. She falls and graps at the green grass, picking something up as she does so. The children scream.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 2:41 p.m. GMT

I had a moment then when I couldn't post, the opition had disappeared. I suppose I might vanish.

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:35 p.m. GMT

Nye is very impatient. He not nasty but is easily bored. He's not happy unless he's showing off his skills or knowledge. His companion is an average sort of person. He's not extremly vain at all. Happily married etc.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

On a different post please, so we can access it with ease?

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

Anyway, I'll post the story now, so as to leave some time for last-minute practice. Get ready! Focus your minds!

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

Do you think his parents were having some kind of joke? :D It sounds like a character from some old comedy programme that would be played every Thursday on some unknown TV channel at 3 A.M. ^____^

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

If I were a Benedict, I might indeed keep myself known as Ben, simply because Benedict is quite a mouthful!

Cumbersome batches of names, the end being Nye...we're making name puns here! It's quite amusing.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

Aww, I won't hurry you. Not at all, not after that tale of cold hands. You sound like a musical Oliver Twist! You know our fellow members should all save up to buy you a portable heater.

Bainton can wait, he's very patient.

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

His full name is actually Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch. That's a mouthful.

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:26 p.m. GMT

Story? I could post it today, I think :))

Although I have a keyboard lesson in a few hours, so it might be a bit rushed. And my hands are cold, so I imagine it'll end up being full of spelling errors- I can't type or play keyboard at all well with cold hands...

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 2:21 p.m. GMT

Ben would be ok, as a nickname.

Benedict Cumberbatch that's it! Yes, rather a mouthful. It has  a rather ecclesiastical sound.

No i don't fancy him. Ive nothing against the current Sherlock. I just don't like Sherlock Holmes full stop! Sorry you guys! I read some of the stories and found them so slow.

HH, will your story be ready soon??

if you were called Nye and you were... not long for this world, you could say the end is Nye ;) sorry!

TheButlerDidIT 20 Oct 10 at 2:20 p.m. GMT

I've been having problems with the signing in thing. It even logged me in as Heisei but as I'm an honest person I logged out. Eventually I was able to log in as myself. This really should get fixed.

Miss Quinn. The modern day Sherlock is actually more accurate than any other adaption. The historical setting is not important. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is, and the show really focuses on that whilst staying true to Conan Doyles stories. I've had a few people say to me that Benedict is rather dishy.

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 2:12 p.m. GMT

If I was that guy, I'd change my name to something really short. Like something with three letters. One punchy, short syllable. Like "Nye"~ Wait, that sounds familiar... ¬_¬

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 2:08 p.m. GMT

Forgive the pun, but the first thing that came into mind upon reading his name was thinking how cumbersome it is. Benedict whose name is a cumbersome batch.

HeiseiHolmes 20 Oct 10 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

It's "Benedict Cumberbatch", or something equally long. He was in that "Crime Thriler Award" show, I think.

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

Oh, the modern-day Sherlock. I thought you meant the relatively new Sherlock Holmes film, which confused me, because I thought the lead actor's name was something with a Robert in it (and Robert Benedict or Benedict Robert just wasn't it).

Perhaps it was St Benedict I was thinking about, but the current Pope is also named Benedict.

MissQuin 20 Oct 10 at 1:23 p.m. GMT

TheButlerDidIT

How can Harley uncover the secret to your story if he's not read it?

As clever as Harley is I'm aware he can't figure it out til Ive posted it!

 Benedict was actually a saint. Order of St Benedict refers to an order monks. I always think of monks when I hear the name Benedict.

The modern day Sherlock (2010) (Ive not watched nor want to) actor is called Benedict.. something. I forget.

HarleyBarley 20 Oct 10 at 12:42 p.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: I was talking about the secrets behind Bainton's name.

Benedict is a Sherlock actor? I don't know that part. I certainly found the name Benedict rather reminiscent of Popes and clergy, to be honest. But it suits the figure of a detective just as well.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

Yeah I was even going to call his sidekick Chester Wyatt but I thought Wyatt and Watson would be too similar.

How can Harley uncover the secret to your story if he's not read it?

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

Benedict being the Sherlock actor whose popular atm

" @Miss Quin: Eh, even if you won't tell me I'll uncover it anyway...

Oh really?! I'd like to know your theories on my new story then.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

Thanks Harley. It did take me a while to find names I was happy with. As I said, I'll wait until Ms Quinn's (or whoever's turn it is) story is posted and solution revealed before posting my own.

HarleyBarley 19 Oct 10 at 3:17 p.m. GMT

Interesting! Will wait with great anticipation, Butler.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

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The name of my new detective is..... Benedict Nye. His companion? Chester Ellis.

I like the names. Benedict was a rather unusual name but now it's gradually becoming more popular. Chester, however, was popular then but not so now.

I'm not going to give any more information (unless there are large sums of money ;) until nearer the time. I'll wait my turn to post it.

HarleyBarley 19 Oct 10 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

Norris, Norrick, North, Nobbs, Nelson, Nichols, Nicholson...Mind you, Butler, an unusual first name and an unusual last name can make for a really odd name. I admit that Vincente Jarvis' name is indeed odd (first name a less usual Italian version of Vincent, last name English).

@Miss Quin: Eh, even if you won't tell me I'll uncover it anyway...and while Vincente's not a James Bond either, he's not above some pragmatic manipulation either.

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 2:53 p.m. GMT

Ho about Shelby Newton!

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 2:45 p.m. GMT

A few very strange names. Rocco, Shelby, Israel, Avery. Very strange names for males. Right just need a surname, quite unusual, beginning with the lether "N".

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 2:24 p.m. GMT

You wouldn't believe some of the weird names around 1890's and 1900's. We think of them having Elizabeth, Mary, John and Thomas. But there were babies baptised as Neptune, Titus (I used that in my story), King, Lord, Baron, and Squire as first names. Worst still their only poor folk, presumably with delusions of grandeur!

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

I'm looking at a list of names. A few that jump out but I need to get this right. If I enjoy writing for him, I could always write a few more but his name is a matter of great importance to me.

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 2:12 p.m. GMT

He uses his charm in a nice resepectful way, suitable for his time period. I know this as I wrote it so. He's not like James Bond, I can't say I like his methods!

Name expert Harley? I make up the character then the name. The names in my stories nearly always have hidden meanings. I won't list them as I'm spending too much time talking about BG, which seems egotistical! Anyway it's better if people can work it out for themselves.

Late Victorian eh? well I'm not saying which decade Bainton lives. It would restrict certain events. But I have given a clue in the current story.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 2:09 p.m. GMT

I have the side kick's name but I can't find any unusual names for my protagonist that catch my attention.

HarleyBarley 19 Oct 10 at 2:02 p.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: When you mentioned Bainton using his charm to get information from the ladies, it reminds me of someone from the story I've just posted. Of course the name won't be mentioned, lest I spoil anyone's fun. But I think Vincente's not above that either (he's sort of pragmatic).

@Butler: If you need names, I'm all ears. I suppose one can term me a name-nerd.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

If I said late Victorian, early Edwardian you'd have a pretty good idea of the setting. I am a fast typer but I'm never 100% happy with anything I write.  My detective will have a side kick but not as naive as Hastings.

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

Wht era will the new story be set?? How long does it take you to write? I'm a really fast typer. My only trouble is my apalling spelling! I have a flood of ideas that lal come at the same time. I have an idea for another story. Ive thought up the start and end. But I need a middle and an idea for a crime.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 1:36 p.m. GMT

I'm having trouble naming my *new* detective. I haven't got bored of Madoc, who has only appeared in my discontinued story but since this is not set in the present I need a new detective. I'm in no hurry to post it so I'll happily wait my turn.

MissQuin 19 Oct 10 at 1:26 p.m. GMT

I didn't think that PG James was gruesome. but then Ive never read her work. I think the stories are based on the upper classes. True confession; I'm not a massive crime fan! Apart from AC.

yes Ive read 2 Georgette Heyer crimes. Death In Stocks was good. But A Blunt Intrument I hated and I worked out who did on page 2 which is NOT good!! I have about 10 of her books left to read.

Bainton- Well I wrote it so he kicked someone up the bum! That was fun to write ;) Well they were mistreating a dog, so it gave the character more dimension. But no, he's never going to end up an alcholic. He may develop an addiction to buying snuff boxes. (not really!) But apart from that no major vices except he does use his charm and good looks on the ladies, to get infomation.

I sometimes wish more people loved classic literature. I even tend to group people into "book lovers" and not book lovers" But I suppose I'm quite content to be part of a more eleite group, up to my eyes in books and poetry.

I think Heisei's turn for a story, then I post mine after his.

dinagoj 19 Oct 10 at 1:17 p.m. GMT

P.D. James is AC's great rival. their ideas sometimes overlapped although P.D. James didn't have a very high opinion of AC on the whole and always strove to ephasise that her work was very different to AC's. For example P.D. James often said that AC's style was rather prescriptive, her characters two-dimensional and her stories often a theme with variations ( note: these are not necessarily untrue but James thought they were disadvantages rather than advantanges of AC's work).

As for their overlapping ideas, for example "Sleeping murder" by AC was initially to be called "Cover her face" but just as AS was about to publish it under that name P.D.James published a book under the exact same title! fancy that!!

I am personally not a huge fan of P.D. James i think she is rather broad and dwells on stuff a bit too much for a good whodunnit..

that;s all i know of P.D. James really..

TheButlerDidIT 19 Oct 10 at 12:07 p.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

Hello, dinagoj! Please, do join in. We're all glad to have one more person join the discussions, and on that thing I dare vouch for the others.

To answer your question: I haven't read P. D. James. What does (s)he write?

She looks like a cutesy old lady but she writes thrillers and pretty gruesome muder mysteries. I think....but you know what I'm like, I'll be thinking of the wrong person.

HarleyBarley 19 Oct 10 at 8:33 a.m. GMT

Hello, dinagoj! Please, do join in. We're all glad to have one more person join the discussions, and on that thing I dare vouch for the others.

To answer your question: I haven't read P. D. James. What does (s)he write?

dinagoj 19 Oct 10 at 7:59 a.m. GMT

Dear all. Is it ok if i join your conversation somewhat belatedly??

I read some of the posts and i simply had to write something back to you. Some of you mentioned reading Georgette Hayer's detective novels and to be honest i was really stunned because I never knew anyone else who even knew of Heyer except myself let alone liked her...I read a lot of her stuff and i almost always enjoy it but i  thought she was purely a historical romance novelist? Any good detective novels I should read??

Also JAne Austin and Dickens were mentioned and to me it is really nice to know that there are others there with combined love and appreciation for all these authors.

I do apologise if i sound all soppy but i am really happy that i discovered this forum.

Can i also add to this that i am a big fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and that Jeremy Brett to me is the epitome of Sherlock Holmes as i imagined him.

Also does anyone here read P.D. James?

HarleyBarley 19 Oct 10 at 6:38 a.m. GMT

It's perfectly normal to like one's own characters, I gather. Lots of people do that, even with usualy unlikeable characters.

It's good to know we're having more tales coming up in the future!

TheButlerDidIT 18 Oct 10 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

I can see why you love him so much. He's a great character. Not flawed but intresting enough. I do hate writers that make their detectives alkies or have violent tempers, with the exception of Rebus, of course.

I had a sudden flash of inspiration earlier today. I would have to invent  detective. The detective in my discontinued story wasn't that good really.

MissQuin 18 Oct 10 at 3:49 p.m. GMT

Is it ok to conjure Helen Of Troy for you Butler?  Actually this has turned in Faust!!

Yes it's my beloved Bainton Gray. I know I shouldn't like my own creation! But once I start writing it feels like he belongs to someone else.

TheButlerDidIT 18 Oct 10 at 2:24 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

Yes it is vile.

HarleyBarley

Hello, Butler! We have been wondering where you went, and there you appeared! It seems like we should adopt the habit of referring to missing people so they appear...

I will try to conjure Bundle, I have a cute actor to tell her about! Anyway, moving on. I'm working on my story. It's all typed up but needs tweaking. My friend is reading it atm, correcting spelling mistakes. No she doesn't get paid. She should though!

And while your doing that maybe you can rustle up a pretty young thing for me? I'm looking forward to you story? Does it have dear Bainton in it?

MissQuin 18 Oct 10 at 1:57 p.m. GMT

Yes it is vile.

HarleyBarley

Hello, Butler! We have been wondering where you went, and there you appeared! It seems like we should adopt the habit of referring to missing people so they appear...

I will try to conjure Bundle, I have a cute actor to tell her about! Anyway, moving on. I'm working on my story. It's all typed up but needs tweaking. My friend is reading it atm, correcting spelling mistakes. No she doesn't get paid. She should though!

TheButlerDidIT 18 Oct 10 at 10:52 a.m. GMT

It's a shame there is somebody posting vile spam on our lovely forum.

I may put my "secret" project on hold to write another forum tale. I'll just have to wait for that flash of inspiration.

HarleyBarley 18 Oct 10 at 3:53 a.m. GMT

Yes, I've read your mystery of the misplaced corpse. And sometimes indeed the most difficult solution is one that lies right there in front of one's eyes!

Fan fiction? I'm not really a fan fiction sort of person, but sometimes there are fan fictions which do end up being good stories.

TheButlerDidIT 17 Oct 10 at 4:21 p.m. GMT

Well it's not really a forum tale. I'm quite glad that I was the first to post a little puzzle to well...puzzle everybody. Conan was able to work it out though. The reason it was hard was because it was very easy, if you know what I mean. I love a good puzzle. But I'm afraid it's not another forum puzzle. More like fan fiction. And it's not Who fan fiction. That's all I'm gonna say....

HarleyBarley 17 Oct 10 at 1:24 p.m. GMT

Secret project? Now, now, Butler, seems like the Hallowe'en mood is getting to you! Is it another forum tale? The forum frequenters are in need of another one - me included.

TheButlerDidIT 17 Oct 10 at 12:47 p.m. GMT

Well, it seems to work.

 I've missed our conversations. Been working on a few different things. Finished my novella only yesterday. I've been busy working on a "secret" project.

HarleyBarley 17 Oct 10 at 11:27 a.m. GMT

Hello, Butler! We have been wondering where you went, and there you appeared! It seems like we should adopt the habit of referring to missing people so they appear...

TheButlerDidIT 16 Oct 10 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

I'm back! Finally I was rescued from the Chilean mine....

Sorry I haven't been here for a while but it looks like you were all having fun without me. Right. Now I need to go and read Harley's story.

HarleyBarley 16 Oct 10 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

That's funny, I was just about to take my leave from you again. Oh, well. The cycle is repeating, it seems. Best wishes, Miss Quin, and I hope you needn't bash Hallowe'eners over the head with a broom (or a vacuum cleaner. Or a mop. Or a bucket. Or...).

MissQuin 16 Oct 10 at 3:03 p.m. GMT

You know I'm old fashioned Harley, the Victorian witch does not ride a Dyson. Anyway, brooms are handy, I can hit someone with a broom, but a vacuum cleaner! No that I'm usally voilent, but you know how high spirited Halloweeners are.

And now I must go!

HarleyBarley 16 Oct 10 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

Why broomsticks? No witches ride on broomsticks nowadays. It's the modern era, girl, they use vacuum cleaners.

Conan, I think. A cat is a bit difficult to pinpoint perfectly.

MissQuin 16 Oct 10 at 2:41 p.m. GMT

Are you calling me a drunken witch?! Careful fella, I own a cauldron and a book of spells! Ok, seriously, I'd just go as a witch with a Victorian twist. Lot's of jet buttons and jewelery. No booze, I need a clear head for steering the broomstick, ok?

I expect Heisei might go as a cat? or Conan?

HarleyBarley 16 Oct 10 at 12:58 p.m. GMT

Maybe you can be a different sort of witch. A drunk witch with a bottle of red rum? No, that's unlike you. What about Snow White's evil stepmother? Witch-like enough, but somewhat darkly elegant in her own right.

Harley Quin will be a bit difficult to pinpoint, though. Maybe I should just go with the Harlequin. Or a scarecrow.

MissQuin 16 Oct 10 at 12:43 p.m. GMT

Yes, I did wonder if you were going as Harley Quin. I don't bother, but If I did I'd go as a witch. I mean I don't see what's eerie about someone going as a fairy. On the other hand witch isn't usual, but I'd come up with something unsual.

HarleyBarley 16 Oct 10 at 12:04 p.m. GMT

I don't bother with Hallowe'en myself. Of course to ask me what costume I will come up with is a rather pointless question, though. Yourself, Miss Quin?

I hope someone will come up with a story. We're in need of it!

MissQuin 16 Oct 10 at 8:35 a.m. GMT

That story sounds good, willl it be ready soon? I remember HH came up with the idea ages ago, long before Halloween.

I don't bother with Halloween, but if you did which costume would you choose now?

HarleyBarley 16 Oct 10 at 2:10 a.m. GMT

Hurm...interesting premise, Shinichi. Witches? Is it Hallowe'en?

Oh, and by the way, do you mind if I call you Shinichi? I've ben calling you such for so long, but I realise I've never asked your opinion of it. If you mind it, I'll just call you Heisei or HH as before.

HeiseiHolmes 15 Oct 10 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

Oh, gah! I just worked out the details of the aforementioned troublesome story, one that I gave away a few details of months ago.

I should probably remind you all of it, so here goes...

A case ten years ago, a murder in a park on a sunny day... What is the secret of the witch? A family full of deceit, a hidden message... and a school-student detective?

"... ... It's like she asked for you by name.."

HeiseiHolmes 15 Oct 10 at 5:55 p.m. GMT

I had a few ideas for stories, some of which are better than others. One of them is almost perfectly worked out, but would, chronologically, have to come after one that's giving me a lot of trouble.

HarleyBarley 14 Oct 10 at 2:49 p.m. GMT

Funnily enough, most video games I play have little violence, running away, spies, and the like. Let's see...a motorcycle racing game (how surprising.), a game based off a French comic book franchise, a pet simulation game...no, no violence.

Lucid dreams (dreams where one realises that one is mearly dreaming) happen to me every once in a while, and sometimes I manipulate that fact. I remember dreaming going home and forgetting to bring my house key, only to tell myself "It's a dream! I will it, and the key will appear!" And sure enough, the key magically appears when I open the door.

Well, if you're busy and I've just done mine...what about Pat? Shinichi is a bit lurking, lately, and Butler's gone into oblivion.

MissQuin 14 Oct 10 at 1:43 p.m. GMT

(jokey stern voice) It's those computer games you play! On the run, violence, spies and such. But I think running away is a very common dream, I have it others I know do. Of course some dreams can be controlled, but I forget what the process is called. I don't think that everyone can, but I have managed to.

Ive always found that painting disturbing, but once I read about it.... I find it even more disturbing!  

But now who wants to write a story (please don't look at me!) Ive had no time to write, despite having two ideas.

HarleyBarley 14 Oct 10 at 6:59 a.m. GMT

No, I don't know of that painting. Will find out some time.

Funnily enough, I tend to have more "neutral" dreams - i.e., neither particularly pleasant nor unpleasant. Most of my dreams have me escaping from something or someone (escaping a gaol, infriltrating a place to sneak someone out, being in the run...), which might be a normally nightmareish idea, but I've never actually been bothered with my running away. It is the rare moments which I turn back on my pursuer that tend to be more...graphically violent.

MissQuin 12 Oct 10 at 1:30 p.m. GMT

I remember my nightmares more than my dreams. They tend to be more vivid and rather scary. I often can't remember what I dreamt. I have had some nice onces. Last Night I dreamt That Somebody Somebody Loved Me...

Do you know that painting The Night Mare? that is very frightening.

Anyway once I had a nightmare about a scary Pierrot. Warning to clown phobia sufferers!!

 He had haevy black eye make-up. But the eye make up ran and his eyes looked like holes. And the holes got larger and he had a horrible leer.. *shudders* I sound neurotic now! But everyone has bad dreams don't they?

HarleyBarley 10 Oct 10 at 12:37 p.m. GMT

Me, I'm a bit sceptical about premonition dreams. If the dreams are related to my subconscious, people appearing to "represent" specific ideas or qualities I associate with them, fine, I can bear with that. But premonitions are a bit difficult to swallow. That said, my "psychic link" with MotoGP springs up every once in a time and I dream (somewhat accurately!) how an incoming race will happen. Yes, self-contradictory.

Do you remember your dreams often, Miss Quin? Or your nightmares?

MissQuin 10 Oct 10 at 11:04 a.m. GMT

Ive posted the shrimp story. No it's not good, but I tried!

My dreams are awful! I must never watch Hitchcock films before sleep either. It would be nice if I only dreamt of attractive actors  But instead I get the worst people ever in them.

Of course dream meaning can be useful to look up. Hidden warnings and such all exposed.

HarleyBarley 10 Oct 10 at 8:38 a.m. GMT

My dreams tend to have a plotline which is at least vaguely coherent (even if some details are outlandish or outright forgotten), and the characters I usually carry over into my writing. My mother's dreams, though, are comically abstract.

The Gill of Pickled Shrimps sounds interesting. You might want to try it.

MissQuin 09 Oct 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

I had an idea for a story from a dream once. Very handy, it was then turned into The Next Big Thing.

Two storie idea at once, Bainton and a modern one,  oh Puffinjill has suggested a piece of The gill of Picked Shrimps!! My my, my hands will be busy typing..

HarleyBarley 09 Oct 10 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

No particular reason, just that some of my companions lapsed into a Twilight bout and I was asked for opinion. I swiftly decided to enter my own monologue about plot holes and the like (what exactly it was I've forgotten). They were confused that I know about the events in the second book/film before the film was released and asked if I read the books. No, but I read the Wiki.

Keep it up, Miss Quin! Jot them down somewhere so as not to forget them. I have a small, old notebook for exactly that moment, which I keep in my bedroom - ideas tend to come clearly when I am half-asleep.

MissQuin 07 Oct 10 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

Any reason why you want to mix with Twilight fans? Do you like vampires?

Mr Goby would be a useful person to know, I'll concede that. Rather like Jeeves in the Jeeves PG Wodehouse stories. He always knows the answers.

I do read about X factor, despite really loathing it and not watching!! Besically, it's the negative tales I read, as ammunation against it, that's what I look for. Then I can point out all it's shortcomings to people I know. Not that I'm a spoilsport. It's just... well there's a loooong list of reasons- I dislike maunfactured pop music. Ive even written a story about it. I could rant for hours. I musn't start.

Speaking of stories, I have an idea for not one, but two short stories! Yet the tragic thing is I won't even have time to write them up, for who knows how long.

HarleyBarley 07 Oct 10 at 7:05 a.m. GMT

Sometimes, there are pieces of work which I either doubt or flat-out know I might never get my hands on. When I am certain that it's worth it, I go and dig my information. It helps me blend in with the Twilight fans, debate a bit on topics I've never personally breached, and know the endings of films/books I won't be able to finish till the end (either by time constraints or sheer boredom). But being a troper (check tvtropes.org for that), I can usually guess my way around anyway.

Love Never Dies is not something I think I'll be able to get my hands on, and thus I've considered Mr Goby-ing it. But I'm not certain I'll actually want to watch it - I like PotO's ambiguosity, but LND spoils the intrigue of it. Plus, it's a gigantic fan-fiction, but I won't go into details as to why I call it so, lest I spoil your experience.

Mr Goby interests me because he is the "normal" informant. While Mr Quin sounds unearthily omniscient, Mr Goby is a perfectly nondescript and average person (who can use those facts to help him know things), and his method to digging up information is perfectly logical and usual.

MissQuin 06 Oct 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

I know how you like to read up on things, but reading the endings of books/films you haven't read?! Don't you like surprises?

I have to say the LeRoux edning is very complete, whereas the film version is so ambigous it's good, but frustrating. Of course the point was to have the sequal. I doubt that Love Never Dies will ever be made into a film. I would like to see it. I know the reviews are terrible, but I'd make my own mind. ive never trust any one elses word!

You know, even though I'd read books with Mr Goby, I'd never paid him any attention. When I stated using this forum, I noticed him being mentioned. I still don't know what it is that makes him so popular! I thought he was quite nondescipt and uninteresting, particually compared to other "all knowng" characters ie Mr Quin.

HarleyBarley 06 Oct 10 at 5:54 a.m. GMT

Maybe it is indeed the escapism. I have yet to read Gaston Leroux's original version, but I know the basic plotline (like Mr Goby, it is my job to know things). There's a myriad of differences between the Leroux and the Lloyd Webber! For example, the missing Turk - his title escapes me - and most notably, the ending. Three different endings in three different versions (Leroux, musical, and film)!

Doing finishing touches on my story. The Leonardo da Vinci excuse is wearing out, so I'll do it without further procastrination.

MissQuin 05 Oct 10 at 1:42 p.m. GMT

I kind of hope Butler and Hesiei will read your story and other members besides me of course. I will wait patiently for your story, I could do with reading a good mystery.

I had The Fourth Man is set of AC short stories along with Witness For The Prosecution and others. I like the supernatural stories. the Fourth man is science and proven fact VS the unexplained.

I think POTO appeals because of it's escapism. The Andrew Llyod Webber story makes little sense when looked at closely. The LeRoux version has more explanation, although some things are left a mystery.

HarleyBarley 05 Oct 10 at 6:36 a.m. GMT

Don't worry, at least I've seen the film, so I can catch up a bit with you regarding PotO. I realise there are differences between the film and the musical in some places, such as the very ending or the Masquerade/Why So Silent scene.

My apologies for keeping you waiting, Miss Quin. I promise you I shall finish this as soon as possible.

The Fourth Man, is it? I'll see if it's around. Last time, the bookshelves haven't restocked.

MissQuin 04 Oct 10 at 1:36 p.m. GMT

I was thinking of The Phantonm musical rather than the film, as the songs vary rather. But no it's not pure opera. But I'd consider it a cut above any other musicals, with it's darkly fascinating lead character.

Oh and there's the Nightwish cover of The Phatonn, that is good rock!! Tarja does excellent voclas. Thought it's actually really quite scary at the end of the song.. that demented screaming.  

Anyway, why I drift onto the POTO subject so much, I don't know..

I hope your stories ready soon..

It's a shame you don't have more access to Chrisite stories, Harley. There's a good one called The Fourth Man. It's style is rather like Mr Qin, a mystery is put forward to 4 men, it concerns an opera singer and a bizarre claim made by a stranger.

HarleyBarley 02 Oct 10 at 12:20 p.m. GMT

Well, in TvTropes we have Talking is a Free Action, which basically describes the all-too-long death scenes. When the death is a slow one of consumption, one wonders how the character does not suffocate. When the death is by a blade embedded in the body, one wonders even more.

Phantom of the Opera is not what I'd consider an opera-styled musical. It does sound opera from time to time, but it's overall quite modern. The titular song is in rock, and Don Juan Triumphant is composed in a radically...interesting style, although one might say that Erik's ingenuity prompts such music.

MissQuin 01 Oct 10 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

Am I distracting you from your writing Harley?  Don't worry, I'll be off now! I like opera mixed with metal, but that's very different. They are usually sung in English! Plus they don't run on for hours. Plus there's that old joke about people in operas dying for over 10 minutes whilst managing to sing songs..

Oh and  you know I love The Phantom Of The Opera, but is sung in English.

HarleyBarley 01 Oct 10 at 1:59 p.m. GMT

Unlifting songs? I don't think I recall any particular one. But it might have something to do with having some task (and writing) to do...

To be honest, I've never actually watched opera. They're ridiculously hard to find in Indonesia! It's something of the other way round, though - I've been an Italophile since I was about twelve or thirteen, and one of my favourite things about Italy is Commedia dell'Arte. Of the Commedia characters, I am particularly drawn to Arlecchino/Harlequin, and when a Christie book starring a Harley Quin (or maybe the Harlequin) showed up, I can't resist.

MissQuin 01 Oct 10 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

That's a good idea Harley. That's why Ive posted my recent Bainton stories on seperate posts, so people I know can find them.

Maybe I should do a cheerful playlist! mmm, that's hard! Musicians I like don't do cheerful! Eh, thinking about it, I keep my internet posts and emails quite bright and breezey most of the time. I take a situation which may have been mundane or hideous, then make it comical.

There's this song I like atm called Wonderful life. It say's "don't give up it's such a wonderful life" although it's not sung in a way that sounds really happy! The video is rather odd, but quite artisic. Plus the duo are called Hurts...

your unlifting songs?

Pagliacci I know a vauge outline of the story. I can see why it would interest you Harley... Your an opera fan?  Italy and Harlequin, what a combonation. Did your interest in all things Italian come from Mr Quin, or the other way around?

HarleyBarley 01 Oct 10 at 12:33 p.m. GMT

I might post on a different thread, to avoid losing my writing like I did last time. I had to dig deep within just to show my cousin what I wrote.

Sad songs, hurm...What do I consider sad songs? Maybe something which isn't actually all too sad. Charlie Chaplin's Smile I consider particularly moving. I suppose it's the thought of Pagliacci running at the back of my mind - how one is deeply grieved by one cause or another, but the pressures of the tasks at hand requires one to maintain the facade of a smile. It's something I can partiularly relate to.

MissQuin 01 Oct 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

Oh, I like my music gritty, but not my literature! I'll read Middlemarch next. Never read it before, but I think it'll have more substance to it than Blunt Instrument. Ive seen Middlemarch adapt, that was rather bland in parts. But it got better. Jonathan Firth was very good in it and I promise not to start drooling, with great difficulty I may add!! The scene where he has the fever was excellent.

But I could never have liked BI no matter what mood I was in. Enough of those Bright Young Drips, who should be sentenced to hard labour!! I have read G Heyer's romances and they had characters with intelligence and depth.

The simularites with BI and Death In The Stocks is stratling- both victims seemingly resectable men. Both men turn out to have dark secrets (mistresses!). There are some careless artistic types mincing about, making mocking remarks about murder. Some brusque young women looking on uncaringly. I can't belive I guessed the killer on page 2!!!!!!! Ive never done that with Chrisite..

 Well Ive bought the rest of those Heyer books, so I will read them! But not now, some months later. Maybe when I have ran out of reading matter.

As for the sad songs, I won't listen to all those on one day! Anyway, that's among my usual listening material and I'm perky enough aren't I?! lol

Are you posting on a different thread Harley? it would be easier to access.

Puffinjill 30 Sep 10 at 8:06 p.m. GMT

Oh dear, MissQuin, what a shame A Blunt Instrument has disappointed you! I hope it doesn't completely put you off reading the rest of her detective novels. Why not put them to one side and come back to them another time? I agree some of the 'bright and witty young things' would be better of as victims but not all her characters are completely one dimensional, surely?! Perhaps if you are thinking of sad songs, you aren't really in the mood for Georgette Heyer - maybe something more gritty would fit the bill!!

MissQuin 30 Sep 10 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

I wonder where Miss_Eylesbarrow has been? Her prescene on the Chisite games is missed. She did join in this topic briefly.

I couldn't get to the end of A Blunt Instrument. I was finding everyone so hideously annoying! After over 7 chapters, went to the end and I had guessed the killer right! But sadly those Bright young Pillocks hadn't been killed. What a pity. It's hard when everyone is utterly obnoxious you can't like them. Plus it was like clone of Death In The Stocks. I have 7 more  Heyer's left to read

I am really looking forward to your story Harley. Ive been reading Bronte's poems, I'll post some extracts here, if anyones interested!?!

I saw a survey of sad songs online. Everybody Hurts by R.E,M was voted the saddest. Do you think it is? I made my own  sad songs poll:

1. The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve- I love it, it's very powerful.

2. Alfred (Haunted) Hungry Lucy Tells a little story, with a tragic outcome

3. Rosemary Lane - traditional or All Things Are Quite Silent- a tragic tale of pressganging!

4. Last Exit Radiohead- so miserable, it can wipe the smile of any face in seconds!

5.) My immortal- Evansecene Very simular to Alfred actually, butm oving.

I find Everybody hurts quite uplifting compared to these songs!

HarleyBarley 29 Sep 10 at 2:23 p.m. GMT

More Georgette Heyers? Please do tell us about how it fares at the end! That is to say, if it is up to par with the one(s) you read before, not the ending.

To further stall time, here's a teaser:

Art and Nina Dyers, cousins, spend the summer at their aunt Ida's house. Strangely, mysterious notes addressed to Nina keep on appearing out of nowhere. Could it have been a secret admirer, or something far more sinister?

MissQuin 28 Sep 10 at 1:45 p.m. GMT

I'm doing fine, I'm reading another Georgette Heyer A Blunt Insrtument. I'm finding it a little tiresome, as it's too much like Death In The Stocks. Another supposedly respectable man with a bevy of mistresses. A bunch of obnoxiously spoilt bright young things languishing about, enjoying being suspects! Someone, please poison their cocktails!

Autumn very much so here. I could quote Keats "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" but that's doesn't sum up how freezing and horribly damp it is now.

I looking forward to your story though Harley. I don't feel like writing, only hibernating.  let's hope there's some people here to read it, apart from moi.

HarleyBarley 28 Sep 10 at 7:57 a.m. GMT

I'm finally back. The computer predicament took longer than expected, but at least I have the Hearts and Diamonds ready. Just give me a bit of time, I pray you, to make sure it'll be an "honest" mystery with actual clues and not something entirely rambling.

By and by, how is everyone doing? Autumn setting in well up north?

MissQuin 27 Sep 10 at 2:02 p.m. GMT

Sorry, Ive not been able to log into that site. It's had so many errors now. I will try a different Austen site, then let you know which is a good one. Or we can talk about it on here.

Mr_west 26 Sep 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

hey everybody!

missquin i login to the jane austen site but there is nobody there!

MissQuin 25 Sep 10 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

I'm back!! Quiet on this topic, good to see you Butler and hope nothings been too hard for you.

Maybe we could have this story of yours soon then Harley (big hint!)

TheButlerDidIT 23 Sep 10 at 5:34 p.m. GMT

A few unfortunate things have happened to me recently and that's my exuse for not being here.

MissQuin 15 Sep 10 at 5:23 p.m. GMT

Thanks I hope the weather nice next week :) yes it's slow on here atm.

Hearts and Diamonds sounds good. Will give me something to look foraward when I return back.

How's the cake making going Heisei?

HeiseiHolmes 15 Sep 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

I'm sorry I commented three times!! This morning, the site was quite slow (maybe due to a tide of Christie Week Visitors.) so I clicked the button three times by accident, I think...

HeiseiHolmes 15 Sep 10 at 8:18 a.m. GMT

Have a nice time, MQ!

Hearts and Diamonds... Already, I'm thinking furiously. That's a good title!!

HeiseiHolmes 15 Sep 10 at 8:17 a.m. GMT

Have a nice time, MQ!

Hearts and Diamonds... Already, I'm thinking furiously. That's a good title!!

HeiseiHolmes 15 Sep 10 at 8:17 a.m. GMT

Have a nice time, MQ!

Hearts and Diamonds... Already, I'm thinking furiously. That's a good title!!

MissQuin 14 Sep 10 at 2:20 p.m. GMT

Sounds a good title. I'm going away friday for over a week, so I'll tell you of my absence now, or you might wonder where I am :)

HarleyBarley 14 Sep 10 at 10:12 a.m. GMT

My sincere apologies, but apparently the inconvenience is still unfinished. As a recompense, I'll reveal the title of the upcoming mystery: Hearts and Diamonds.

MissQuin 11 Sep 10 at 8:33 p.m. GMT

I  hope it's fixed soon. Pongo and I were having a Mr Quin discussion and your opinion would be welcomed!

HarleyBarley 11 Sep 10 at 6:34 p.m. GMT

Apologies for vanishing without taking my leave, but my computer has broken (this message is courtesy of my mobile phone). I promise to be back with a story, though.

MissQuin 07 Sep 10 at 5:16 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Feel better soon, MissQuin!!

Ah thanks jill!Ive not flet great, but I managed to get online today

Wives and daughters- Harley you might be interested to know, Harlequin was mentioned as well as Columbine!

HarleyBarley 05 Sep 10 at 10:54 a.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: The story's not quite done yet. Terrible procastrinating of me, but I've been a bit busier lately. I hope to have it finished as soon as can be, perhaps circa after Seventh Clue.

@Pat: Look here, you, you don't have any limbs left!

Puffinjill 05 Sep 10 at 8:31 a.m. GMT

Feel better soon, MissQuin!!

Pat_september 04 Sep 10 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

To the lighter topics: do you suggest the nuns use herrings instead of spears?

sorry to budge in, but couldn't help myself..  

oh, that? that's just a drop of blood, come here, I'll bite your legs off!    

MissQuin 04 Sep 10 at 4:28 p.m. GMT

Just tired and feel sick. I'm a bit better now. Better not be flu. Ive not seen anyone with flu atm.

How is your story coming along? I hope someone posts one soon, as the mystery games nearly over. I need puzzles to work out.

HarleyBarley 04 Sep 10 at 12:44 p.m. GMT

I don't know, really. Maybe just for those two riders, but there's been somethng rum with my ribcage and I don't think either of them had anything. I'll have to check on them (how ridiculous it made me sound!).

Camille tea will certainly help. What is it that you feel, exactly? A flu coming up?

MissQuin 04 Sep 10 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

No I didn't. Sorry Ive not thought of anything to say. Ive felt ill since yesterday. I think I'll go lie down with a cup of camille tea.

Still reading W&D normally read it by now. I spent too much time online that I could spend reading :)

I still go online if I'm slightly unwell. I can't spend germs via emails and forums  Myabe you'll feel ill now Harley, or is it just your empathy is reserved for the riders?

HarleyBarley 03 Sep 10 at 6:22 a.m. GMT

I don't roleplay. Apologies if I confused you, Miss Quin - the herring was a reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, something I like to point to just to see who recognises it and who does not.

MissQuin 02 Sep 10 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

Mmm, your not mixing your role playing sites with this board Harley?

It's it a shame you can't earn a degree in Garnet Crow Hesiei?! I like to earn a degree in alternative music :) I like your blog too.

HarleyBarley 02 Sep 10 at 4:41 p.m. GMT

Which is why I chose to do the dirty work for you, Miss Quin. If this Mystery Figure were indeed a real-life murderer, why, I would have sentenced shir to death! Shir has ruthlessly killed countless victims, treating them as nothing but playthings, and one of said victims is my own friend. Well, Miss Quin, that is enough cause for me to assassinate the murderer. At least I can promise that death by my blade will be quick and (relatively) painless.

To the lighter topics: do you suggest the nuns use herrings instead of spears?

MissQuin 02 Sep 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

Madonna Quin indeed! Yes, I like cheese as a food, but not elsewhere! If you saw nuns killing people with spears and hokey looking coach tours, that you can tell is fake, well that's cheesey isn't it?

I'm not killing anyone, sorry to disapoint you and your current assasian preocupation Harley! Justice has many ways not just death.

HarleyBarley 02 Sep 10 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

He did? Well, avenging angel, take your vow and unmask the murderer, the haughty shedder of innocent blood. And I, I work in the dark, for the light: I am the assassin. *cue sudden chiaroscuro and creepy piano music*

No cheese? Doth Madonna Quin loathe the product of milk which is yellowish and salty?

MissQuin 02 Sep 10 at 4:20 p.m. GMT

Butler told me he gave up searching! So it's just me, the lone avenging angel!

Yes, I said on the murder post, what a horrible thing to say about poor Heisei! I'm looking forward to this villian (I know who it is but can't  say) being unmasked! He'll rue the day he meddled with Miss Quin!

I don't want to think about Jack The Ripper, I did see extracts what he (or she!) wrote. Horrible..

I had a look at the blog, I liked the Ophelia refrence. That is my favourite painting by Millias. So tragic. Must stop talking of gloomy things!

I watched The Pale horse adapt the other day and it as GOOD!! I'm not jsut saying that because of JJ Feild, I mean the acting was excellent. There wasn't any cheese or mad nuns..can you believe it?!

HarleyBarley 02 Sep 10 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

Shinichi, back at last! Have you seen what the Mystery Figure said about you? Lies and slander indeed! Miss Quin and Butler are actively searching for your murderer, but relax my friend, once your murderer is found I promise to assassinate shir personally (what's this talk of assassins lately, anyway?).

HeiseiHolmes 02 Sep 10 at 3:48 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

So Garnet Crow rely on fantasy/legends alot in their songs then? I love legends and myths, very interesting.

Well, the lyric inspirations often come from a lot of different places. There are a few that are heavily based in myths and fantasy, the one that comes to mind now is "Marionette Fantasia". I made a list of references in lyrics on my blog, you can see it here: http://garnetscope.blogspot.com/2010/06/art-literature-religion-and-gc-lyrics.html

I remember typing all that! It took a lot of study. I'm sorry for not having been so active lately. School has suddenly jumped up a level, and I've become addicted to Facebook, which doesn't help. Also, I spent a while translating a song into English...

That letter.. Well, it's so sinister!! I don't like the thought of beong nought but bones. Makes me shiver >______<

HarleyBarley 02 Sep 10 at 9:53 a.m. GMT

The seventh one, you mean? I just logged in to find it pasted all over the forum. I shall have to study it for a moment. Still, I am reminded of Jack the Ripper's infamous From Hell letter, except Jack's letter has terrible penmanship and is not in rhyme.

MissQuin 01 Sep 10 at 12:59 p.m. GMT

How are you getting on with the final clue Harley?

HarleyBarley 01 Sep 10 at 8:01 a.m. GMT

Really? But all this talk about assassins is making me feel...well, what? I don't know. Gives me the urge to suddenly be silent but fast, since that is my impression of assassins.

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Aug 10 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

Actually I can think of 3 books whicould be said to be done by Assassins and or for Payment.

HarleyBarley 31 Aug 10 at 4:43 p.m. GMT

I can't say whether there be much paid (or otherwise given "payment" for doing the deed) assassins or not, since I've not read all of AC's works yet, but so far I have not met any. Or maybe I have, and I forgot.

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Aug 10 at 3:58 p.m. GMT

I am pleased that isn't always the case, It would make the books boring, btw, There aren't any Paid Assassin's are there? Well only 1

HarleyBarley 31 Aug 10 at 3:49 p.m. GMT

May I barge in?

Some people think that AC's murderers are either: (a) the doctor in the story, (b) some jealous lover, or (c) a paid assassin. Thankfully that's not the case.

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

I'm not into vampires or even Twilight! Is that shocking?! :)

I know Stephen Fry loves Heyer and he's a genuis, so if he thinks thyre great why not? I hate people judging books theyve never read! I have that with AC, people saying their just poshos who murder for money!!

Can you imagine how many attractive actors could be cast in Heyer adapts?!

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

Did I recommend GH to you once? I want to say I did, but I can't remember.....

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 3:22 p.m. GMT

Yes, I saw Twilight 3. It was awesome! Did you see it?

I read once that they didn't like to make GH novels into films because her books are considered just cheap romance novels. I know, shocking! It really is a shame as I disagree w/ that.

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 3:20 p.m. GMT

Ive read most of AC, so looking for more authors. I looked up reviews for GH and they were good. I read some of her Regency stories, which was alot like J Austen. So I tried the crime ones, I got a bundle (no pun intended!) for a good price.

I like my crime books very light and not gritty.

Why don't they make Georgette Heyer's into films? Instead of remaking Austen every year? I mean, no has bettered Pride and Predudice serries, in my eyes. Or adding vampires and zombies to JA (shudder)

Did you see Twilight 3?

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 3:14 p.m. GMT

What made you get GH's mysteries?

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

I haven't read any GH books in a while. I just read The Scarlet Letter, though.

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 3:10 p.m. GMT

No, I'd like to read more. There's few Ive not read, but they are very hard to get second hand. yes, I buy mine second hand shops. I mean £6.99 for  a poor student, that's alot of money!!

I have about 6 Gergette Heyer's crime books to read. I read death in the stocks, very good! Have you read those?

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

Have fun w/ your book club!

btw I've read 1 AC book since I've been on here last: The Unexpected Guest. Have you read that?

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 3 p.m. GMT

I like to know which are good ones. I did join one forum, but the people on there acted as if outsiders aren't welcome!  You's think book lovers would be a better bunch wouldn't you? but no!! I'll avoid it now anyways.

I have spare time atm, but not as much when sept comes. Might not get story writing time, but I'll have my book group to go to, whay! I hope there's nice people there.

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

No, I don't chat on any forums nowadays. Got too busy. And remember when I told you I was moving? Well it took longer than expected and my family and I had to stay put for a while but we're getting ready to move for good this time!

But why do you ask about other forums, my friend?

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

I will, I recorded it, so I can rewind my fave scenes with JJ..  I will wrte a review on here, if it's any good or not.

Do you use other book forums? I use a couple. I have two Austen ones I look at, one was what you told me about but it stopped and now it's back again, if you knew?

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 2:48 p.m. GMT

Wow! You get to see the Pale Horse! Haven't seen it yet. And not sure when it will show in the US. But enjoy it, MQ!

MissQuin 31 Aug 10 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

What Ho Bundle! Long time eh? Delighted to see you

I have The pale Horse to watch tonight, I'm looking forward to it, for reasons pretty obvious. Have you seen it yet?

Harley- I use a simular excuse that genusises are untidy!

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Depends on what you mean by unbundled.

HarleyBarley 31 Aug 10 at 2:34 p.m. GMT

Well, hello, Bundle! It's been a long time! Have you been unbundled lately?

Bundle_ 31 Aug 10 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

Just wanted to stop by and say Hi to everyone.

HarleyBarley 30 Aug 10 at 5:51 p.m. GMT

It's been planned for ages, but the procastrinator in me would do nothing, insisting that even Leonardo da Vinci procastrinates.

MissQuin 30 Aug 10 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

I see Mr Quin in smart suits of very dark blue, almost black, but then the rainbow light shines on them, making them a dulled red and blue. Sorry I didn't make it clear

Although I don't normally like bright rainbow colours altogther, it seems right for Mr Quin in my mind. During that time period 20-30's people wore alot of black, browns and greys. Cocktail dresses might vary more, but for day wear there wasn't as much colour back then.

So to suddenly see a rainbow of bright colours, it would be something special.

It's nice to have fellow Quin enthusiast on here!

How is your story coming along?

HarleyBarley 30 Aug 10 at 6:02 a.m. GMT

Quite interesting, Miss Quin. Although personally I tend to see Mr Quin as dressed in black, white, or grey, and only "receiving" colours via stained glass windows or the like. He doesn't really stand out as an eccentric, which he might were he dressed colourfully.

MissQuin 29 Aug 10 at 5:22 p.m. GMT

lol Ok, your own personal view of Mr S. Mine is that he'd be short, but not fat, not thin. Grey hair, grey eyes. Average complexion. Overall very colourless, so he fades into the background. Always wears a greay suit, inpeccably tailored :) In contrast to the rainbow colours of Mr Quin. How's that sound?

HarleyBarley 29 Aug 10 at 4 p.m. GMT

A mental image of Mr Satterthwaite, you mean? I fancy him a short, somewhat stoutish man, reminiscent of a bird fluffing its feathers in winter to conserve heat. Impeccable manners, jolly smile, and general pleasantness. Of course, an actual image (.gif, .jpg, &c), I don't have.

I rarely have routines, but there are certain things done always the same way. For example, when playing the Rubik's cube, I must always use the blue face as the top face, or else I cannot solve the cube.

MissQuin 29 Aug 10 at 10:24 a.m. GMT

I had simular problems this week, which why my story solution was a little later thatn planned.

I don't have any routine and certainly not a Poirot style regime! All my books are all over the palce, in no order :)

Ive no idea where superstitions start. But sailors and seafaring folk were very much so. It was unkucky for women to go on some ships. Don't ask em why, they clearly thought women cause trouble! Or some lady went on a ship, there was a bad storm, someone got washed overboard. So now let's blame women for everything!

The number 13 is thought unlucky, where goes way back. Of course that was used in Three Act tragedy if you remember?

Speaking of which, do you ahve am image of Mr Sattertwthaite? I'm curious to know.

HarleyBarley 28 Aug 10 at 4:40 p.m. GMT

Sorry about the dreadfully late reply. My browser refused to load the page properly, cutting it off somewhere in the middle instead.

I was interested in Hermes. Apparently, I've stopped now, since I've already learnt what I thought was enough. And about the ill omens, indeed everything seems to bring bad luck. I wonder what can create such superstitions? I am not really superstitious, although there are things I always do the same way out of habit.

MissQuin 27 Aug 10 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

Sorry, didn't check my spelling.  Hermes, I thought you might be interested in him.

What mad things people believed.  Then there was bottles where people wrote down messages and bricked them up in walls. It was said to ward off disease.

Did you know in Victorian times there was murderer who got away with killing his wife? The reason he gave was that she was a changleing or a foundling!!! That she's switched herself with his real life. It's madness. I reckon if a woman said that about her husband, she wouldn't have been believed.

There was a rumour that if you carry a badgers tooth it's good luck. Where you'll find that I don't know. Peacock feathers were said to be unlucky. Fog or mist could be an ill omen. In fact all sorts of things were ill omens like comets.

HarleyBarley 27 Aug 10 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

That sort of "trial" actually comes from ancient Arabia, if I remember correctly, except back then they were required to hold a mule's tail. The rest is the same - darkened area, soot on the object they are to hold, threats that the animal will know the culprit, &c.

Miss Quin: Did you mean you thought I like Hermes, or that I am like Hermes?

TheButlerDidIT 27 Aug 10 at 1:18 p.m. GMT

I can tell you all a funny but true story.

In the Victorian times there was this gentleman who was extremly wealthy but he suspected one of his maids or butlers was stealing from him so he asked them all to go in a pitch black room and stroke a bird (has the same name as a rude word so it wouldn't let me type it....). He said before they stroked the bird, that the bird could tell who was the thief. Actually the bird was covered in soot and everybody apart from the guilty party had stroked it. The gentlemen then saw that one of his maids' hands was clean when the other's hands were black from the suit! The main was then fired on the spot.

Silly what some people will belive!

MissQuin 27 Aug 10 at 10:29 a.m. GMT

I thought you's like Hermes, Harley.

"Drink, debauchery, incest, rape, loot, homicide and chicanery. No decent family life, no order, no method!" That's how Poirot summed up the Greek myths. I agree actually.

The county I live has many legends which have clearly captured people's  imaginations. Giants, mermaids, ghosts, evil pixies, creatures down mines, seagulls being the spirits of dead sailors. It's fascinating how fertile people's imaginations were. I think that people are becoming more sceptical, so it's good that there's still myths left, like Tristan and Isode. That one must be very well known. Then there's the King Arthur legends, despite him not being from here actually. I expect these folk stories appeal to my romantic nature.

The world would be very boring without all the legends gone before. TV, films and books rely heavily on past influences don't they?

Of course there's the Harlequin legend, which you and I are so fond of!

HarleyBarley 26 Aug 10 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Some myths are rather unpleasant, but some others are rather amusing. What do you do to rid the world of a monster with a ridiculously large amount of eyes? Why, bore it to sleep and then kill it! (courtesy of Hermes)

Well, I suppose you don't need to remove the Bleeding Effect. As I said, if it helps me find objects, by all means, go ahead! However, I do notice that sometimes, even with my eyes closed, ears not listening, &c, I can always know when someone enters/leaves/moves about in the room. No explanation why, besides me being fanciful, but it is rather intriguing.

MissQuin 26 Aug 10 at 4:47 p.m. GMT

Ive always found some of the myths pretty disgusting. Peoples livers and things..

 Yes, there's quite a few references in Chrisite. Mainly The Labours Of Hercules, which is a book I love. The Death in The Nile Suchet version has a character with a Oedipus complex!!  Not in the book, urghhh!!

But I like the names. Although I get Roman and Greek mixed up.  

I'm reading Gaksell and there's been Faerie Queen references, poetry, history, Shakespeare and aesops fables.

Just as well I don't play anyvideo games, what can I do to drive colours  from thine eyes Harley?! Keats, misquoted there.

I suppose my health hazard is my ipod. I will probably go death, too much symphonic metal for sure.

HarleyBarley 26 Aug 10 at 4:34 p.m. GMT

No, Miss Quin, the mysterious bruises have so far ceased - both riders are in good shape, I presume. But now I think I've played too much computer games - I'm experiencing the Bleeding Effect! That is to say, sometimes when I close my eyes, I fancy silhouettes of various colours (from red, white, blue, to gold). Funnily enough, I was looking for a few objects today, and when I close my eyes and see gold, lo and behold, there the object I am looking for is, exactly where the gold silhouette is!

I hope it's permanent - no more losing objects for me!

I'm quite a bit interested in Greek mythology. It helps a lot when reading AC, since I get the various references, from Undine to the famous Hercules.

MissQuin 26 Aug 10 at 1:18 p.m. GMT

Ive reading Gaskell atm, very good book. Then I have Georgette Heyer crime book to read.

So Garnet Crow rely on fantasy/legends alot in their songs then? I love legends and myths, very interesting. That's why I love Tennyson poems so much.

How have you been Harley? Still brusied?!

Butler has been awfuly quite. Butler where art thou?

HeiseiHolmes 20 Aug 10 at 4:38 p.m. GMT

I read the book "The Sailor From Gibraltar", but apart from that, I've been busy... And now that I've returned to school, we're reading "Sonnet 65", by Shakespeare. It's okay, I think. So, not much reading, really...

MissQuin 20 Aug 10 at 4:29 p.m. GMT

Ok, there was a song that sounds like "go and get stuffed". It's going get's tough! There's more, but I can't remember them right now.

Have you read much lately HH?

HeiseiHolmes 20 Aug 10 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

Oh! Tea that tastes like the Thames... Gah, I couldn't drink such a thing. GARNET CROW's song "Mizu no nai Hareta umi e" (To the Sunny Waterless Sea) is another song that tells a story. From it, I like "To the sunny, waterless sea, the white mermaid headed. Her dream of heaven on earth was merely silence, silence, silence..." And later on, there's a similar part "To the empty, sunny sky, the white mermaid climbed. To part with the wind, she held out her hands in silence, silence, silence..." In my opinion, that mermaid gets a raw deal.

The song "Stay", which I think is inspired by Duras' book "Moderato Cantabile", has a nice chorus part which goes "Stay, from the sky the sun shines on this town, But it doesn't even have the heat to burn it down..."

As for misheard lyrics, "Wish★" has a section written in not-very-good English. Part of this was "Catch, for your real term", which I heard as "Catch, or you will die". At the time, I thought to myself "What on earth are we supposed to catch here?!"

MissQuin 20 Aug 10 at 3:55 p.m. GMT

The whole of white lies Unfinnished Business is brilliant. It tells of a story of man and there's something rather odd... There's subtle refrences- the sand in the hourglass is running low, the requiem played, the cypress tree. Those are all symbols of death. eie Sad Cypress meant death. The man in the song is ghost. It's like a small, sad story.

Also morrissey Every day is like Sunday- "come, come nuclear war!" and another song Come Back To Camden say's "drinking tea that tastes like the Thames!" He can be very funny and people don't realise the irony in the lyrics and think his songs are doom and gloom.

Your lyric choices are more cheerful that mine HH! :)

Have you ever misheard a lyric?

HeiseiHolmes 20 Aug 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

But if it's brilliant, you really should write it!! Otherwise, you'll end up forgetting, and kicking yourself for not writing it up.

As for song quotes, there are two I can think of right now. One is "We are material, floating in the sky / Chained to the earth by avarice and ambition", from GARNET CROW's "wish★". The song itself isn't that great, it's a bit dance music-y. But it is fun in the live concerts. The second quote is "If I had wings to fly across the seven seas / I'd take you with me / And become a star in the sky..." from "Sky". If I think of any others I'll post them.

TheButlerDidIT 20 Aug 10 at 2:35 p.m. GMT

I've had a frankly brilliant idea for a mystery. I'm not sure whether I'm actually going to write it though.

MissQuin 19 Aug 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

To Harley- Bainton Gray- The musical! Scary thought, unless it was like phantonm of the opera, the only musical I like. I consider it more a more operetta musical.

Ive posted Bainton Gray story, so brace yourselves for chapter one!

mr West Um, I'll politely opt out of that one! I don't know anything about high schools so I don't knowI'm sure Elizabeth would want to futher her education, being clever and that's about it.

(Jane Austen spoilers) What about which Austen character would you want to marry?  I like Mr Wickham and Willoughby, but their both bad! So Colonel Brandon or Dr Darcy would be great husbands.

Mr West Are you a member of any austen forums? We could chat there too. I a member of one so far, (austen 4 fan) but there's only two members! So conversations dropped.

Mr_west 19 Aug 10 at 1:47 p.m. GMT

hey everybody!

I have a question for Austen's fanes.

if Jane Austen's characters were in high school, who will be popular and who won't be? 

make a list (from the first  to the last) of the most popular girls from Austen's novels (only main characters like Emma Woodhouse or Elizabeth Benet) 

HarleyBarley 19 Aug 10 at 10:32 a.m. GMT

Worst lyrics? That's hard...what indeed? Lots of terrible lyrics up and about.

Waiting for Bainton: a Play by Miss Quin. Sounds good?

MissQuin 19 Aug 10 at 10 a.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

Excellent! Listen, everyone, Miss Quin is coming up with yet another of her literary delights!

LOl yeah right. But I'll warn you it's not so much a mystery to solve, but more of a one where you can see what happens next. I'm tying to add a few more clues.

My poor Bainton, he'll be having grey hairs soon with all the suprises he keeps getting.

I'm very forgetful. I have to work on a story in the same week. I can't leave it and go back to it months later. I'd be hard pushed working on a proper book. I seem to remember absolute rubbish which is not any use in real life.

I hope our origanl mystery solvers Hesei and butler are here to read it, as well as all the other lovely people of this thread of course!

Oh and we'll do those song lyrics- the worst and the best. The worst I know is something like"filling walls up with cheap pollyfiller, Ive got 4 and 20 dollars to ring you!" Only it's sung "ring yer!" The tune is quite good actually, but the lyrics are so bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gvc31AVAmo

HarleyBarley 19 Aug 10 at 9:53 a.m. GMT

Excellent! Listen, everyone, Miss Quin is coming up with yet another of her literary delights!

I wish I can do something with my story ideas instead of throwing them in the inventory and letting them rot. I'm a bit of a procastrinator, not to mention a tad bit forgetful.

MissQuin 19 Aug 10 at 9:42 a.m. GMT

I have the story Bainton Gray and The Church Yard Mystery ready, but it's rather too long. It's a shame to cut parts of it out. I'll have to post in in chapters. I'll have to read through a couple of times.

HarleyBarley 19 Aug 10 at 9:38 a.m. GMT

Which actually makes my off-hand comment about being psychopomp a bit...odd.

MissQuin 18 Aug 10 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

I have Bainton idea, invloving a graveyard. But it's needs working on.

Worked on it, it is about a graveyard. :)

HarleyBarley 18 Aug 10 at 5:01 p.m. GMT

It's set in the Italian Renaissance. *sigh* It's the aforementioned Assassin's Creed, or rather, the sequel thereof. Poor Federico (the brother). I liked him.

Have fun writing, Miss Quin, while I go play psychopomp (just joking). Ciao!

MissQuin 18 Aug 10 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

What's the clue? Is it your favourite quote or something?? People getting lynched?

I'm working on a new story. When I get a few spare minutes. Might be ready by the end of the week.

I'm reading Gaskell, Wives and Daughter's very good so far. As good as Bronte's but more overlooked.

HarleyBarley 18 Aug 10 at 3:25 p.m. GMT

JANE EYRE SPOILERS!

If Tenant makes it possible that said woman leave her husband for the abuse he gives her, then by that logic Mr Rochester can easily leave Bertha once and for all, under basis of madness, or by simply refusing to acknowledge that they were married. But again, society's rules at that time forbid such separations.

SPOILERS OVER

I still can only find few clues to say. However I do know a game where the protagonist and his elder brother share a conversation while looking at the view - from the roof of a church.

Brother: "It is a good life we live."

Protagonist: "May it never change."

Brother: (embracing the protagonist) "And may it never change us."

And guess what, in the next moments of gameplay, the brother was lynched - for nothing.

MissQuin 17 Aug 10 at 4:05 p.m. GMT

The Tennant Of wildfell Hall is another brilliant book, with an even strong femine message. The book revolves around a woman's right to leave an emotional abusive husband and the socirty and laws that prevent her from a seperation.

Also although I have al ove hate relationship with Wuthering Heights the quote: Heathcliff say's something like " you said I killed you, haunt me then!" It's a terrifyingly powerful statment. It stayed in my mind whenever I hear about WH.

Puffinjill 17 Aug 10 at 7:10 a.m. GMT

Yes, that passage from Jane Eyre must have caused a few eyes to open at the time, to say the least!!! It's amazing how modern it feels and it's quite sad that it is still relevent today. Women may have much, much more freedom and independance now than in the time Charlotte Bronte was writing - she even had to publish this work under the male pen name of Currer Bell - but some peoples attitudes still view women as less capable or less important than men.

MissQuin 16 Aug 10 at 9:57 a.m. GMT

Jane Eyre.

" Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex. "

When I read this I thought what an effect it must have had at that time. I hope it had a postive effect on alot of Jane Eyre readers.

But the "automaton" speech I love too, it has a strong effect on my feelings.

 Also Rebecca By Du Maurier

"No, I'm asking you to marry me, you little fool!"

Nice proposal! I'd be so cross over that.

If you think of a book you like, then look for quotes, wiki quotes and such is handy.

We'll do song quotes after this, it'll be fun/ I know loads, the Morriseey ones are fabulous.

HarleyBarley 16 Aug 10 at 5:39 a.m. GMT

Miss Quin: do you by chance refer to the "Do you think that I am an automaton, with no feelings?" speech Jane made?

Well, what quotes can I drop? I can scarcely think of any

HeiseiHolmes 15 Aug 10 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

Oh, I can't think of any book quotes off hand, gah! There are a bundle of nice song quotes I can remember, but it's not the time for those. I bought a book today, Sagan's "Bonjour Tristesse". It's quite good, so far.

MissQuin 15 Aug 10 at 8:13 p.m. GMT

Why don't we all share our favourite book quotes  on here? If their deep, thought proking, romantic, or maybe just funny!

I'll try think of a couple. I know I love one in Jane Eyre, but it's a plot give away!

My bride is here... because my equal is here, and my likeness. (Romantic)

Or the femimist speech Jane gives is very powerful.

The opening to Pride and Predudice is deep seated in my mind:

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

Elizabeth say's "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine!"

TheButlerDidIT 15 Aug 10 at 7:19 p.m. GMT

Yes. Very famous.

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable must be the truth".

Mr_west 15 Aug 10 at 4:01 p.m. GMT

it's from sherlock holmes,from the story:"Silver Blaze"

great story 

HarleyBarley 15 Aug 10 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

That's from a Sherlock Holmes or a Poirot, I think? It feels familiar to me.

TheButlerDidIT 15 Aug 10 at 12:26 p.m. GMT

"The curious incident of the dog in the night".

"The did nothing".

"That was the curious incident".

MissQuin 15 Aug 10 at 10:13 a.m. GMT

 At least JJ Feild's in it!! I love him. You might like it but it flawed in some places. I wrote some reviews for it, but those have spoilers so I will tell you after you have seen it.

Perusation with Rupert Henry Jones is very good too.

To you like any other classic authors??

Mr_west 15 Aug 10 at 12:25 a.m. GMT

hey everybody!

I just found out, next week the version from 2007 of "northanger abbey" is going to be on TV in my country, how is it?

MissQuin 14 Aug 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

I mentined before about being a fan of the wickedly witty Wilde. Ive read The Importance of Being Earnest, which was funny. I won't be reading Dorian Gray as it's not my type of book. Too gloomy and intense. It certainly shocked when it came out because of it's permissiveness, drug use and undertones of homosexuality. Let us know what you make of it then Mr West!

I have An Ideal Husband to watch yet, with a young (and very handsome) Rupert Everett. lucky me:)

Matthew MacFayden had a large feamle fan base, but althiugh he seems nice I don't fancy him. On the little dorrit Making of the crew said he's the nicest man ever,so a good catch! Ive not read Dickens yet. I might one day. Not Bleak house though, as it's Ok for the people who are fulent in legal Latin terms! Not me.

Mr_west 13 Aug 10 at 7:18 p.m. GMT

hello butler! how are you?

which Oscar Wilde have you read? i have only one and i havn't read him yet: "the picture of Dorian Gray"

TheButlerDidIT 13 Aug 10 at 7:02 p.m. GMT

Hello all. It's me!

The works of Oscar Wilde are so inspiring. Very witty chap too.

Mr_west 13 Aug 10 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

clueless is not exactly like emma, the characters are more shllow and "emma" or in her name in the movie "cher" is completley stupid!

there are a few characters that are not apper in the book like cher best friend.

i havn't see the movie version so i can't tell you what i think.

Puffinjill 13 Aug 10 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

Yes, I wasn't too keen on Becoming Jane either. But I did like the 2005 film version of Pride And Prejudice but mostly because I love Matthew Macfayden as Mr Darcy. Of course the text had to be trimmed a fair amount to make a film of about 2 hours rather than a TV series that stretched over weeks but it was faithfully done and enjoyable to watch.

The film version of Emma wa great too with Jeremy Northam as a wonderfully handsome Mr Knightley. I've never been interested in seeing Clueless so I can't comment on that one.

Mr_west 13 Aug 10 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

i saw "Emma" from 2009

"clueless" but it's doesn't count 

sense and sensbility, not the movie i saw a series of 4 episods

"pride and prejudice" i saw three: Bridget Jones's Diary, something from india "bride and prejudice" and "Pride and Prejudice" in a modren version from 2003 i think.

i saw "becoming jane" and i hate that movie.

MissQuin 13 Aug 10 at 12:15 p.m. GMT

Jennifer Ehle played Lizzie Bennet perfectly. She's lively and witty and the chemistry between her and Mr Darcy is tangible. It's probably the best known version ever. Anyone in Britian will tell you, it caused a huge stir when it was on TV!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112130/

I like to put my feet when watching Austens and costume adapts, so I won't watch it on youtube. No doubt it'll be repeated.

I just didn't like Clueless, I watched it when I was about 10 years old and never realised it had any connection to Austen. It was too childish for me then, let alone now. I just hate the way every character is so spoilt, the way they talk is shallow and silly. I love Sense and Sensbility the film. Greg Wise as Willoughby, he will always be my favourite.

Which Austen adapts have you seen?

Mr_west 13 Aug 10 at 11:13 a.m. GMT

the 2009 adapt is on youtube if you want to watch right now, i think the actress of Emma did a great job and Mr. Knightley actor too.

you didn't like clueless? i can understand you, it's a very free and not very Accurate version of Emma and i don't think that the movie is spouse to be like Emma, after all it's a teenagers movie.

i havn't seen the Colin Firth version, who plays Elizabeth there?

MissQuin 13 Aug 10 at 9:53 a.m. GMT

I had read mixed reviews about thr recent Emma, but I'd still like to see it to decide for myself. One critic said the text had been dumbed down.

Which seems to have been the case with the 2005 P&P Keria Knightley version. I haven't liked any of the bits Ive seen of that version of P&P.

I love the Paltrow version of Emma. Jeremey Northen is a fantastic as Mr Knightley.  Any one else seen that one? I don't like the TV version with Kate Beckingdale. Lot's of it was wrong. I hate the modern day version Clueless. I'm quite fussy.

My fave Austen version is the Colin Firth adapt. It's just timeless, spot on and faithful to the true story.

So many Austen posts, on a Agatha Christie forum!

Puffinjill 13 Aug 10 at 7:06 a.m. GMT

MissQuin, I found the recent BBC adaptation of Emma to be a huge disappointment! Romola Garai made a reasonable Emma but, oh!, what a terribly miscast Mr Knightley!!!! Jonny Lee Miller, an actor I have loved in other roles, just did not fit this part at all!!! Aside form his portrayal - and he tried really hard - he was just too short for the role!!!! I looked forward to this adaptation with such anticipation and it really did not live up to my expectations. Sorry to sound really negative - I'm not trying to put you off - but, in my opinion, there have been much better versions thatn this.

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 5:48 p.m. GMT

still not, i need to read a few more and i havn't read much austen's now.

but what lucky next week i'll get a copy of sense and sensibility

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Yes, there certainly many titles  on here Mr, Miss, Ms. I seeem to remember a Ms Lemon member. Harks back to days of more formal ways of adress.

No Esquire though. Might be a Lord Edgware?

Have you read all the Austen's now Mr West?

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 5:15 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

SPOILERS FOR MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA!!!!!

so do I, there are even some clues that fit to him.

i suspect him and the Dr. because they two have an alibi

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

Forgive my spelling mistakes!! Handsome men

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 5:09 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Murder In Mesopotamima SPOILERS!!!

I though maybe Bill as he seemed so innocent!

I really like Murder Is Mespotamia and it's one of my favourites. I love the narrator Nurse Amy, as the way she tells the story in a warm, gosspiy way.

The victim is a complex character too. Based on a real person AC knew.I also love the Keats- La Belle Dame Sans Merci quotation. It's sums up Louises' character. I loved that poem and was delighted to find it quoted in the story.

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 5:09 p.m. GMT

ok next post spoilers for murder in Mes

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 4:10 p.m. GMT

i guess knightley is hansom:)

i hate elton but his looking good and harriet is nothing like i imgine.

i wish i hadn't guess the ending, but still this book was great.

who did you think is the murderer?

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 3:51 p.m. GMT

Ive not seen that Emma adapt yet. Would love to know more about it. I hope there's hansom men in it :)

I didn't guess the end to Murder in mes. I did find out the end though, before I read it. I still found it great and I woulnd't haveguessd it. My moey would be on someone else a male character.

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 3:27 p.m. GMT

Miss Quin i see the adaptation from 2009 with romola garai, they did a very good job.

did you guess the ending of "murder in mesopotamia"?

i think i'll read "the hound of death", everything in this book is supernatural.

HarleyBarley 12 Aug 10 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

Twittering does not sound like something I'd love. I prefer Facebook, if only for the games.

Never mind the ideas, Miss Quin - people get them all the time. I think I once made an expy of sorts of someone I dislike as an antagonist in a story, but then I decided the story will work much better without any antagonist at all. Jorge, you are spared.

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 2:21 p.m. GMT

Which adaptation of Emma was it? I posted my thoughts on a Austen forum here:

http://austen.4fan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=22

If it doesn't work I copy/paste it. I'd love to know what you think when you see them.

I really adore Murder in Mesopotamia.

Maybe try reading AC's supernatural stories? As those have unexpected endings and I enjoyed them alot.

Also have to say I feel guilty about putting ideas in HH's head, about bumping off people in stories. Warping a young mind.  I was joking of course. I have to add that working in a school must be a rather stressful job musn't it?

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 12:18 p.m. GMT

thanks for helping me Miss Quin and Harley!

i enjoy from "murder in mesopotamia" but it was kind of obvious who the murderer is because he was the only one with a perfect alibi.

i offer you to stop twittering  it's addictive, i re-read Emma just for prepare my self for the adapation ( i havn't saw that until now).

i hope i will surprise when i'l read the next AC book (i just start "Cat Among The Pigeons").

HarleyBarley 12 Aug 10 at 10:06 a.m. GMT

Hello! It seems like I just missed Shinichi...and Mr West, good to see you. It seems like now we have a Mr West, a Miss Quin, and a Miss Eylsebarrow! There was once a Mr Satterthwaite, but I wonder what became of him.

I agree with Miss Quin regarding the books - being able to guess through her books is most certainly not a bad sign. It means that you have developed a keener eye and mind to Christie's literature! But then again, she has so many tricks up her sleeve - using a trope, subverting it, averting it entirely, and so forth.

MissQuin 12 Aug 10 at 9:59 a.m. GMT

Nice to see you Mr West. Your AC game is certianly popular!

Well Ive guessed quite a few Chrities but I still enjoyed them. Just hwen you think you might know the fomula, Chritistie will suprise you.

Have you read any more books? ive not, Ive spent too much time twittering

Mr_west 12 Aug 10 at 12:50 a.m. GMT

hello everybody!

i'm realy depressed, i just finish "murder in mesopotamia".

i'm not sad because i finish it, i'm sad because i solve some of the mystery a lot before the ending.

it's makes no sense but i like do be surprise when the detective give the solution and Although i have some other suspects i can say that the identity of the murderer wasn't so shocking. 

and it happen before when i read "the hollow" it also wasn't surprisnig.

is that a bad sign?

HeiseiHolmes 11 Aug 10 at 5:59 p.m. GMT

I've been having a lot of fun lately with that new CD. At the moment, I really like the song "Koufuku na Pet" (幸福なペット), which means "Happy Pet". It's about love both in the romantic way, and also as a dog would love its owner, always wanting to go somewhere or do something. I can't actually tell if the song is written from the point of view of a dog, or from a normal person comparing themself to a dog. There's a line in it which says "wagging my tail..." I can't decide if it's real, or a metaphor for happiness. But part of GARNET CROW's lyrics are that you can put your own interpretation into them.

 Heh, I could kill off that receptionist in a murder set in a school! That actually sounds like a good idea.

MissQuin 11 Aug 10 at 5:51 p.m. GMT

Ah well that explains it. Exams are horrible. Ive heard of people fainting during exams, but luckily it didn't happen to me.

Receptionist sounds so rude! How about Writing her into one of your stories? you decide her fate... (sinister thunder crash)

HeiseiHolmes 11 Aug 10 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

I arrived late because between the two parts of the exam, I ran home for lunch. The clock was a few minutes off, and so I arrived a little late for the exam. I was waiting at the school office for someone to help me, but there were other peoiple in front of me, and after seeing to them the receptionist just walked away! That was so rude. I went downstairs to see if anyone could help me and I came across one of my friends who wasn't sitting the exam. I explained my predicament to him and he started marching me to the exam hall. I was like "I can't just go in! They'll ban me from doing the exam!!" But he was adamant that I should get as much time in the exam as possible. He practically shoved me into the room and then left! But in the end I was able to sit it, and got a good mark.

Basically, I owe my whole success to that guy.

MissQuin 11 Aug 10 at 5:33 p.m. GMT

Late for your exam? What happened or was it you wanted a dramatic entrance? Actually, that's sounds quite stylish.

Hesesi Holmes- too cool for exams arrives fashionably late and sits nonchantly at the exam table, like he doesn't care.

Just kidding of course.

I can see an idea that one song might be about a partner, another about love of a friend,  relative, actor, so forth. Or maybe different types of love affairs- good ones, bad ones, obsessive stalker love, AC romance that turned to murder for love. So forth. Or I have a Overactive imagination.

How's your story? Butler's in no hurry to finnish his, if ever (joke).

HeiseiHolmes 11 Aug 10 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

The concept, according to the CD box, is "The shape of Love", or something like that. (I don't know what that means!) The GC website was a little clearer. It's something like "Songs written with loved ones in mind; songs you would listen to with loved ones." But two of them don't fit that at all! Still, it's a good album, and it's got some rare or hard-to-find songs on it.

I got the best grade possible for English, which surprised me, since I was late for the exam! But it worked out in the end :)

MissQuin 11 Aug 10 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Thank goodness your here. We are stagnating! Partying away, but find time for Chrisite I hope  Congrats on your exmas. Bet your English was a good grade.

What's the concept to All lovers? Or is that a silly question?! I love theme albums. I can think of lot's I like.

There's one which is childhood and the person develops into an old man looking back on life. I forget the title.

Assassin's Creed- never heard of it I'm afraid.

HeiseiHolmes 11 Aug 10 at 5:15 p.m. GMT

Hello, I'm back! Sorry I've been away for so long, I have been somewhat busy celebrating my exam results (Passed everything at a good grade, even maths!!) , enjoying GARNET CROW's new concept album "All Lovers", reading, and being lazy. But it's great to be back!

HarleyBarley 11 Aug 10 at 3:01 p.m. GMT

Ah, yes. The "did-something-odd-and-got-dropped-in-timeline" thing was obnoxious. I've found fanfiction where a teenage girl kicks her video game console, finds herself transported into the game she was playing (in 12th century Jerusalem!), and gets romantically entangled (later in the story, literally) with a cold, arrogant Hashashin who she somehow manages to transform into the perfect lover, all the while training to become an assassin herself. *facepalms*

Sorry, I love talking about Assassin's Creed!

I really hope someone posts a story soon, too. I've not written much, since I've been rather...disappearing.

MissQuin 11 Aug 10 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

Miss Quin: I've always thought what Jane Eyre fanfiction will depict. Adele's daily lessons with Mademoiselle Jeannette? A walk in the gardens with Mr Rochester? Or maybe someone "ships" Mr Rochester with Blanche Ingram instead, and Jane with St John?

Back already eh Harley? It's very quiet here. no extra murders and no chatting on this topic. sigh

Sorry I missed the above post. Ive never really read any fan fiction because no one can better Charlottle Bronte, or whoever's the author. I suppose there might be some silly lost in Austen type thing where someone except with Jane Eyre.

Or adding vampires or zombies is another thing people like to do. Why? I have no idea. Ive already patented the Miss Marple- vampire hunter idea

 Or making them younger or older. Example young Shelock Holmes. Or putting them in modern day. I can't see Jane Eyre working in modern day at all, considering that it has the plot revolving around the possiblity of divorce being impossible at that time period.

Someone has written a book about Adelle when she's older, Ive never read it. Also there's a prequeal Wide Sargaso Sea, which I'm looking for to read. Sorry, I love talking about Jane Eyre!

I hope there's a new story soon. Ive not written anything so far!

HarleyBarley 11 Aug 10 at 1:18 p.m. GMT

And I am back. But where is everybody?

MissQuin 08 Aug 10 at 10:30 a.m. GMT

I'll miss you Harley! I think weve had some interesting chats. Very mysterious. I hope your back in time to see the Mystery Murder unvelied. Anyway, farewell for now.

I hope Hesei and Butler and the other come back, or I'll be all alone!!!

HarleyBarley 07 Aug 10 at 4:38 p.m. GMT

I've never been to Venezia, but I, too want to go there someday. It's funny, but I've always dreamt of doing parkour at the rooftops of Venice, culminating in a plunge into one of the canals. I'll probably get arrested for it, though, and besides parkour is still but a dream to me.

The Phantom...I wonder why the mystique makes lots of ladies prefer him over the more clean-cut, honest Raoul. I for one agree that Christine go with Raoul at the end. Being with Erik might just torment her and Raoul in such degrees, and while being with Raoul torments Christine and Erik too, at least (in the film) we get to see the Phantom's uttermost devotion to his one and only love.

Miss Quin, I do not know for certain when I shall leave to-night, but when I do, I shall be gone for quite a while. Not a few moments, not a few hours, but longer than that. Once my business here is done, the time comes for me to vanish, and I would prefer to tell at least you of that. Don't worry, I'll eventually reappear.

MissQuin 07 Aug 10 at 3:58 p.m. GMT

I love The POTO. I love the film and the book even though they are quite different. The Phantom has me enchanted too. A cape, a mask and odd clothes, it's a wonder why he's so attaractive! I certainly DO NOT have Gerad Butler on my hotties list! So it must be the whole gamour of his chaarcter, he skill with music, the beautful voice. His theatrcics and he's way of turning up so mysteriously (like another chaarcter we know and love). Although stalking young opera girls is wrong, killing people is wrong too. Breaking that beautful chandiler, wrong too!!  But we do see why he became like he did.

I love the Masquerade scene, one of the best in the film. Oh and the rooftop scene too. The gondala is great, very romantic. Someone take me to Vencie. Ive always wanted to go! Has anyone been here?

I also love the nightwish version of the phatomn Of The Opera theme, (angel of music) metal mixed with opera! I love it!

HarleyBarley 07 Aug 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

I'm loading the video as we speak. I shall review later.

I saw the film, but missed that Masquerade part. I've made it up with the wonder we call YouTube, though. I rather liked PotO - there's something enchantingly queer about The Music of the Night. I suppose it worked on me as well as Christine.

MissQuin 07 Aug 10 at 3:10 p.m. GMT

In the movie, the Ghost dresses as Mephisto for the costume ball. He wears devil horns and red leather. I don't think there's a connection to the Edgar Allen Poe story. It's just to show he's rather wicked, but has this almost unearthly kind of power over Christie. He enchnahts her and bewicthes her in the same wear the Devil would in Faust.

Do any of you know of the Poe taster? it's so strange! It's on wiki I think, but I saw a programe about it.

Music: I have a Hurts addiction! Ive listened to the song so much. The video makes me laugh as the dancing is so odd! Your a dancer Harley, so let me know what you make of it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_889449&v=PIJXqOvXb1A

HarleyBarley 06 Aug 10 at 7:17 a.m. GMT

Mephisto? I thought that the Opera Ghost (for lack of an actual name, as you said) is supposed to be a character from The Red Death, or some sort of title similar to that.

I Write Like is not entirely accurate, of course. I've yet to feed it AC and see what results it yields.

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 5:43 p.m. GMT

Actually Erik (sorry not Eric) doesn't have the same mask as the musical Phantom ghost. Anyway subject closed, as you are not The Opera Ghost, Harley. Although glued on mask sounds like the film.

The book and movie had Pierrot costumes worn by Christine and Raoul I think, during the "Masquerade" sequence. Just a bit of Commedia dell'arte info for you Harley! Whereas The Opera Ghost (who goes nameless in the musical/film) is a red leather clad Mephisto.

The plot does have Pierrot/Harlequin/Columbine simulatries too, which must be where LeRoux had his idea from.

I think the I write like site has some words and phrases connecting to authors right. But overall it's not entriely accurate as I got people I know to test it. Well it was quite fun though!

I'm neglectling my reading, instead being on the internet. Too bad of me.

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 9:20 a.m. GMT

It helps to write stories around ths same time. If you leave them for long periods of time, then it doesn't work so well.

I won't have time to today to write mine. I still have the ideas.

TheButlerDidIT 04 Aug 10 at 11:37 a.m. GMT

Possibly the worst case of writer's block I've ever had.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

Oh, well. There goes anyone. I still haven't ruminated enough.

Writer's Block, much, Butler?

TheButlerDidIT 03 Aug 10 at 4:53 p.m. GMT

I don't want you all to have to wait any longer. You must all be very hungry for stories so anybody can post their stories.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:43 p.m. GMT

Interesting. I wonder who gets to post a story first: will Butler finish his, Miss Quin post hers, or Shinichi gets his up first? We'll see after the break. (Apologies, I'm particularly prone to heesy puns lately, and I blame it on the boogie.)

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

"a discovery. A secret in the churchyard... " That's all for now!

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:28 p.m. GMT

Then I suppose everyone's missing two front teeth then? Well, maybe someone had fangs, so that Bainton can discover that eir is really going on a fancy dress party...

Well then, what does the graveyard do? Oh, wait a moment, graveyards can't do anything, they just sit around and be.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

Fangs but no fangs. No fanged people. This is Bainton Gray. It's a detective whodunnit. I did add ghosts once, but only because...I feel that they make up an important part of Victorian literature. A Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, Wuthering heights, Gaskell's gothic tales, The Turn of The Screw...

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:19 p.m. GMT

I apologise beforehand, Miss Quin, but the dog-ate-homework story made me actually "LOL", as they call it! If I had the chance, I might have "ROFL"d instead!

Involving a graveyard? Interesting. Do any caped, fanged, pale people appear?

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 4:11 p.m. GMT

But I hope HH is ok reading this, as he has a dog phobia. If so look away now HH!

A dog once ate my homework. It actually happened. it wasn't even my dog, It was a strangers dog. It's the oldest cliche ever.  I told my teacher and her expression was a picture. She turned to the teaching assitant and they just looked at each other. I did show what was left (chew marks and dampness) and I wasn't told off. A friend of mines homework was nibbled by a hamster. You couldn't make up anything so odd. It (the hamster) used the bits of paper for bedding in it's little bed.

You can read now Hesei!

I have Bainton idea, invloving a graveyard. But it's needs working on.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 4:02 p.m. GMT

Ooh, hear, hear! Miss Quin has a storyline idea!

I wonder what happened to my one and a half children story. I suppose I wrote a draft somewhere, then it got eaten by my dog or something equally ridiculous.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 3:59 p.m. GMT

Yes, I wasn't going to chnage his name, because it would be wrong to. Everytime I, or someoneone else read it, it would sound wrong. I'd type it automatically. So he will be Bainton Gray forever. But I have got a storyline idea...

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

Why would Bainton change his name? What motive does he have? If so, why does he change his surname, his link to his family, and not his first name? Unless these questions can be provided with satisfactory answers, I vote keep the name Bainton Gray.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 3:41 p.m. GMT

Have a vote on it.

I suppose BG could change his name. Like in Great Expectations, "you must always be known as Pip" sort of thing. People used to sometimes inherit first names and surnames. Semms strange now doen't it?

I like the name Bainton as it's unusal and the way I came across it is a story in itself.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 3:40 p.m. GMT

It's fine for me that Bainton has a more usual name. Perhaps with the surname Gray, his parents just decided he needed a more unusual first name and called him Bainton after someone. I've certainly had a backstory for Vincente Jarvis' odd name (first name Italian, last name English). And another one for Chantelle Fortier, actually.

Used for comedy? Oh, my!

HeiseiHolmes 03 Aug 10 at 3:28 p.m. GMT

Yeah- it's up to you to decide his fate. I don't think he'll be a love interest in the main stories, but I'm using him for comedy in Violet's First Case. I guess we'll see where it goes from there...

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

LOL. For those who are new I write about a hat seller called Bainton Gray. Anyway, if I ever tire of him, I'd skip 60 years ahead so he dies peacefully in his sleep.

At the moment I'm happy with him and can't imagine ever wanting to get rid of him!! Although I wish I hadn't called him Gray. I wish now I'd called him another surname. Gray's too common place. There's another sleuth called Gray, who I wasn't aware of when I wrote my story. Then again, maybe I'm being to nick picking? I'm very critical of what I write and a modern day murder mystery stories already gone in the computers recycle bin! Shame, cos it had some possiblites.

Ok, so this character will either get the thumbs up or down, like the Roman arena?!

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

Send him off to his uncle in Sicily who wants him to join the family "business"...cheese-making, that is.

If he proves popular, will he become Violet's *ahem* love interest?

Miss Quin: I've always thought what Jane Eyre fanfiction will depict. Adele's daily lessons with Mademoiselle Jeannette? A walk in the gardens with Mr Rochester? Or maybe someone "ships" Mr Rochester with Blanche Ingram instead, and Jane with St John?

HeiseiHolmes 03 Aug 10 at 2:56 p.m. GMT

It's a new friend for Violet, yes... But, like I said, he might have to be killed off if he's no good. Well, maybe not killed. I could send him to live with some elderly aunt in the Swiss Alps or something equally ridiculous.

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 2:55 p.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

May I? Miss Quin, why would the Doctor joust? What situation leads him to it? Who knows, if you can flesh out the idea, you can post something on fanfcition.net. Or even more than that!

I don't know. Dr Who is so full of techno babble which I loathe. But Matt's quite inspiring!

If I wrote fan faction it would be Bronte or Austen certainly.

Hello HH. Do you mean someone in the Violet storis or a new tale?

HeiseiHolmes 03 Aug 10 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

I have a new character to introduce, too. He could become a permanent member of the gang, but if he proves unpopular, maybe I'll kill him off.

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

Hello to you too, old friend! I suppose I do have a few stories in the works, although they, too, need some work before I'll dare present them.

HeiseiHolmes 03 Aug 10 at 1:01 p.m. GMT

Good evening/afternoon/morning, everyone... You know, I've got three new stories waiting in the wings? I think I'll get the details sorted out before posting them, but it's just to let you know~

HarleyBarley 03 Aug 10 at 12:47 p.m. GMT

May I? Miss Quin, why would the Doctor joust? What situation leads him to it? Who knows, if you can flesh out the idea, you can post something on fanfcition.net. Or even more than that!

MissQuin 03 Aug 10 at 11:59 a.m. GMT

I have a hazy Dr who idea. The idea is that he goes back in time, olde England, does jousting. Matt as a knight in shining armor.

Or he meets another famous author/poet/ artist. He's met Dicken s, Chrisite, Van Gough etc.

TheButlerDidIT 03 Aug 10 at 11:18 a.m. GMT

Yeah, I am seriously thinking of becoming a script writer or author in the future. Ideally, I'd write an episode of Doctor Who! Is that sad?......

MissQuin 02 Aug 10 at 8 p.m. GMT

Yeah I know, I said in Blakey voice!

Wise to not give up. I mean if you were seriously thinking of becoming a professional writer, you'd have to apply yourself.

TheButlerDidIT 02 Aug 10 at 5:31 p.m. GMT

Sorry I read your post but could only think of Blakey from On The Buses!

I don't wish to annoy you and maybe one day, I'll have enough time to finish it so I shan't tell you who the killer was.

MissQuin 02 Aug 10 at 12:25 p.m. GMT

BUTLER!!!!! You shouldn't start things your not going to finnish. It's v unfair. Unless you want to annoy me forever- I think you should at least tell us who the killer was. The old lday or the BF?

TheButlerDidIT 02 Aug 10 at 10:50 a.m. GMT

My story? I've more or less gave up on it. I thought I had a good plot and decent enough characters but decided I wouldn't continue it.

I'm more inclinded to write fan fiction at the moment. It used to annoy me that people wrote ridiculous fan fiction pieces like Doctor Who and Harry Potter crossovers and such. I've created my own series that shall be posted on a Who website that I am a member of.

MissQuin 02 Aug 10 at 9:39 a.m. GMT

I did try a writing like Jane Austen on the analyzer and it did come up with JA. So some of it does work.

One of tha famous Wilde quotes is "Art for Arts sake". I hear that alot. But Lawrence Durrell amusingly requoted it as "Art for money's sake!" I knew the enemies quote. It's amusing. We could fill a whole board with them.

Miss Marple meet Oscar Wilde?! My goodness, what a personality clash. Miss M drinking tea and Wilde drinking absinthe, which he was so fond of!

Anyway, Butler how's your story coming along? (hints)..

HarleyBarley 02 Aug 10 at 4:59 a.m. GMT

I know that one too. Apparently Oscar Wilde has many witty wordings to share. I'd like to see Miss Marple outwit him sometime with her decorous manner of speaking!

No, it's not that accurate. The analyser loves James Joyce so much, it's practically the most common result. Second most common is Dan Brown. Third most common is Stephenie Meyer (sigh).

TheButlerDidIT 01 Aug 10 at 5:54 p.m. GMT

I'm not sure that analyzer is accurate....

For one, I'm not any where near a great author like Conan Doyle and secondly, I'm not a famous feminist! Thirdly HH's bog entry was completely diiferent to any of SK's works....

I could go on but I shan't. I'll leave you with a witty quote from Oscar Wilde.

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much"

HarleyBarley 01 Aug 10 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

I tried again and again, and I got many different results, due to many different styles I use in writing. In absurdist humour, I got Stephen King. In suspense/conspiracy, I got Mark Twain. In parody of "perfect" characters, I got J. K. Rowling. It seems like the analyser just hurled random people at me!

I think I can get up trees. Getting down is a different story, though.

MissQuin 01 Aug 10 at 3:42 p.m. GMT

My knight-errant. So chivalrous Harley! If you can get up the tree of course.

I could play with that I write like site all day. I would have like to have Bronte's in style, but Ive not wrote anything remotely like that so far, nor ever be anywhere near so good.

HarleyBarley 01 Aug 10 at 3:32 p.m. GMT

I know the temptation quote, from somewhere. And rescuing your scarf from a tree will be a great temptation, if only I know how to climb a tree. I've been active as a child, but there were not enough sturdy trees around my house back then. By the time we moved to a more tree-full location, I was much more obsessed with riding my bicycle, alone, round and round the area, sometimes for two or more hours straight!

I want to try the I-Write-Like again, but I'm still looking for more samples to feed it.

MissQuin 01 Aug 10 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

Ah nice to know your ok after your fall butler. There's an entire book of witty quotes from Wilde. I love "I can resist everything except temptation"

even Oscar was outwitted once. He replied "I wish I thought of that" to which the person said "you will Oscar, you will." which is quite famous and ive read it a couple of times.

Would you actually rescue my scarf from a tree then Harley?  Jesting.

Well I looked up your author, she was a famous feminist. I'm very impressed Butler!

HarleyBarley 01 Aug 10 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, and Dan Brown we are. Except Dickens seems to be shared between Miss Quin and me. Oh, well.

I simply can't resist rephrasing Miss Quin's quote:

"Don't be scared, me pretty bird. I'll gets yer scarf from that there tree in a flash, as a favour for you."

TheButlerDidIT 01 Aug 10 at 12:48 p.m. GMT

Some Oscar Wilde quotes for you Miss Quinn.

"I'm not young enough to know everything".

"Golf is simply a good walk spoiled".

I'm not sure if the second one is perfect word for word though.

I tried the writing analyzer thing and was quite pleased at my results. I tried it twice. Once I tried with my relaxed writing style and the result was Margret Atwood. And I've never even heard of her! The second time I used my detailed style and the result was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! I was very pleased.

MissQuin 01 Aug 10 at 10:23 a.m. GMT

Is this an extract from your blog/diary? Well it's nothing like Stephen King, so there must be a glitch. King's characters don't wear shiny plastic pants do they!? At least it wasn't DH Lawrence.

To test if it worked I wrote this ungrammacal nonsense:

"Fear, not my fair maiden. I shall resuce thous scarf, from thus tree post haste, as a favour to thee!"

Well it came up with Shakespeare alright! So it must scan for words simply that a authur uses.

You know I I couldn't stop laughing reading you post. I'm not sure why. It was the antlers. I didn't know liked football. I think those vuvuzelas are incredably annoying. That's putting it mildy. I don't watch the footie, but a neighbour has one. argh! why don't they ban them?

I had a quote book, but I lost it. I like Oscar Wilde quotes.

HeiseiHolmes 31 Jul 10 at 6:51 p.m. GMT

It's officially official that I write like Dan Brown, by the way. I tested it with an entry from my blog and again, I got him. However, my review of the album LOCKS yields the result of Cory Doctorow. I think that's because I chose such an informal style to write in for that...

Seems when I write informally, I'm Cory Doctorow, and my formal writing style is Dan Brown. How bizarre! But I did get Stephen King once, with the text: "Today I saw a man walking down the street with a pair of antlers mounted onto a shield looking thingy... The strange thing was that he looked so casual! As if to say "Hi! I've got antlers here, but that's normal for me." I hate those stupid vuvuzelas!! They make watching the World Cup pretty unbearable. They sound like angry bees, and they won't even ban them... The only solution, I find, is to mute my television and play GARNET songs on shuffle. You know when someone says something great, but then it just gets forgotten? I hate that, so I started keeping a "Quotes Book". It's fairly empty at the moment, but when it fills up I could be persuaded to share some gems with you... I ordered STAY ~Yoake no Soul~ and ARE YOU READY TO LOCK ON?! ~livescope at the JCB hall~ recently. Annoyingly STAY arrived while I was out of the house and it's been sent to the postal thingy. I hope Yuri dresses better in LOCK ON?!, since her outfit in Livescope of THE TWILIGHT VALLEY made me want to cry. I had to look only at Nana, who seemed much better dressed for the occasion... Those shiny plastic pants should be forever consigned to the Binscope. (lol~)"

I don't see what's Stephen King-ish about that!!

HeiseiHolmes 31 Jul 10 at 5:22 p.m. GMT

Song references, eh? All right, here's a goodbye song from me:

If I stretch out this hand, I can reach you- but

You have already seen tomorrow with those eyes

And the day of the last traces of spring...

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

Shinichi! Hello! Good to know you've been doing quite well. Do try the link Miss Quin was using there - maybe you'l end up with Charles Dickens, and it will be all three of us!

And - I am leaving again. It's close to midnight. /song reference

HeiseiHolmes 31 Jul 10 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

My gran is a really big fan of Stephen King. I was really surprised when she told me that, because I wouldn't even think of her (a little old lady) and him (a creepy horror writer) at the same time!

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 5:11 p.m. GMT

Ah good luck. The waiting is very hard. I would have thought your English grade was very good.

That's tough doing homework during school time.

I'm still reeling from the shock of the Stephen King comparsion. I'm scared of clowns like IT!! In fact everything about SK is scary. I also have been told Stephanie Meyer. Odd there wasn't any vampires in there, only a cute hat seller.

eh Harley and I must have alot in common with our literary styles and tastes.

anyway must be off now. Nice to see you HH!

HeiseiHolmes 31 Jul 10 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

I've been doing lots of reading, but I haven't had much time to do writing. I had a good idea for a story, but it's a little far-fetched. I'm a bit annoyed, actually, because my English teacher told me to write over the holidays. (But, to be fair, it is the holidays. Who'd be doing homework at this time?!)

Nervously awaiting my exam results at the moment. I can't help but feel I've done really badly!! (I'm certain, however, that I passed French very easily.)

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

ROFL!! oh my I put:

Bainton slept very little, his mind was disturbed by recent events. He decided to talk to Anthony. Bainton headed to the library and guessed that Anthony could be found there. Bainton sat down and wondered how to phrase the question.

“Anthony, I heard you coughing again. I know your not well. I’ve asked Jonathan, your mother died of tuberculosis and you have it in the early stages too. I realised what you meant, when you said you identified yourself with Keats. I know this is unpleasant, but imagine Sir Charles died, but Crispin was dead, You’d inherit the money wouldn’t you? Well, what about, when you…aren’t here. Who would inherit your fortune?”

Anthony replied that Jonathan Pendragon would. Bainton remembered how the Cunninghams were all so unsurprised by the fact Crispin had gone away. He thought about, when he’d questioned the maid. She had told him the port was a new bottle, but what if it wasn’t? The maid was definitely up to something."

STEPHEN KING!!! How can I be SK? I mean, I get scared watching really tame stuff. My writings nothing like his surely? I thnik the word disturbed, died, unpleasant must have triggered it.

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

Very well thank you. I hated that paperclip!!! When I got my new computer it wasn't on ther thankfully. We had him on the windows 2000. You can hide him so he doesn't crop up. How would Yuri feel I wonder?

I tried some more and it said I wrote like Corey Doctorow someone. Who????!! urg! I just looked him up. I can't beleive it. I think it's becuase I put in Guy's rant about X factor shows fro mmy story.

Have yo had much reading/writing time HH?

HeiseiHolmes 31 Jul 10 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

I tried it too, and it seems I write like Dan Brown. I don't know if I should be happy or sad- he is a bestselling author, after all, but loads of people I know say they detested the Da Vinci Code. I opened Microsoft Word at the same time I was watching a music video, and that stupid paperclip came up right over Yuri's face at the climax of Stay. Ruined it, much?

Anyway, how are you all doing?

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

What! Forgive my surprise, Miss Quin, but I copied and pasted a large section of my writing, and I got Charles Dickens too! It never occured to me that we write similarly!

And a toodle-oo to you too, Miss Quin! Until next time...

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

I write like Charles Dickens!!! I put:

While Jonathan argued with his Uncle, Bainton felt embarrassed. Even the paintings in the Great Hall seemed to frown down upon at him. In the end Sir Charles regally dismissed him. Bainton asked Jonathan dryly, if Sir Charles was always this welcoming? His friend laughed. He asked about the hats. Bainton explained that Lady Cunningham was once his best customer. She invited him round regularly. What Bainton didn’t tell Jonathan, was how discomforted he was in the amount of time she spent gazing at him, rather than his hats!

Wow, although I don't like being told my writings are masuline, Dickens is pretty great. Ive gone to play some more.

Even though i put int extracts from the next Big Thing, set modern day- it still says James Joyce! ive never read James Joyce nad now this man is linked to me. Well that's very interesting. Ive gone to tell my friends  now!! Thatnks for linking it to me Harley!!

Anyone else used the site?? I'd love to know which authors everyone got.

For a joke I put in:

What ho! He cried, "What are you bally well doing?" Cried Peter. Giles looked at him in amzement. "Playing golf of course"

Giles carried on, he took a swing and sent the ball flying through the upper manor house window. "Good heavens!" he said"

Oh of course it came up with PG Wodehouse. This site is well on par!!

Toodle pip for now Harley old chap!

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 2:56 p.m. GMT

It's altogether quite interesting. I found it on another of the boards I frequent. Lots of teenage girls were overjoyed to find that they write like Stephenie Meyer, and a few got Dan Brown. Someone nailed H. G. Wells too.

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 2:48 p.m. GMT

I write like James Joyce!! who? I put in Barnaby Hall BTW

oh looked him up. es, I do know him. Irish, heheheh. I have the Irish blood too. I didn't expect I wrote like a man though!!

I'm off to put in different stories, see what it comes up with

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 2:46 p.m. GMT

Ive not tired it, does it work ok? No weird pop ups

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

Yes, mostly just for fun. I suppose if I ever become a private detective, I'll do it for the fun of it. Not as if I am sharp enough to be one, that is.

Miss Quin, have you tried this: http://.iwl.me ? The site analyses who you write like using a sample of your writing. It's quite interesting.

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 2:05 p.m. GMT

Yes it would be great if the four forerunners of the rambling topics beguining were united at the same time.

yes, it's a problem if you haven't read the books, to know who. BUT I think that if you look at the books descriptions on this site of methods of killing, then you might have some clues. At least you know it's male.

I guess you must have just found the clues for fun then??

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 1:58 p.m. GMT

A chaperone or two might be pleasant. Especially if the chaperones in question are Shinichi, Butler, Puffinjill, Lucid...

I still haven't submitted anything. It seems like I haven't read enough Christie to know who it might be.

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 1:52 p.m. GMT

Yes... we have to stop meeting like this Harley.  We really need a chaperone!  I'll stop ribbing you now.

Ive submitted my answer for the Mystery Murder. I don't know if it was correct. I did go through all the books, so I believed it was the one. Of course I'm no good at tiebreakers. I just worte how much I love Chrisite. I mean, the amount of time I sepnd here, I think people must know that already eh?

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

The sixth clue? Not much progress, since I wasn't online for almost all of yesterday, and only recently realised there's a new clue. I'm trying to catch up, to avenge Shinichi!

I prefer to try and work it out. The proud satisfaction of having worked out, not any mystery, but an Agatha Christie, is next to none. Still, she has stumped me, deceived me, and put me in a state of shock again and again, leaving me cursing my blindness over the clues she has perfectly hidden.

Well, well. Now we are the only ones online?

MissQuin 31 Jul 10 at 10:42 a.m. GMT

HarleyBarley

Well, it would not be awkward for us to meet, but for us to converse at long lengths tete-a-tete, with no-one else around. At least it feels somewhat peculiar to me.

Only if you keeping winking at me again Harley!  I'm only joking, yes I know you were pointing my attention to Mr Quin. Yes I remember the cover in your story. I like little literary refrences too. How are you getting on with the 6th clue?

I watched the adapt of One Two Buckle my shoe. I worked it out BUT I wouldn't have worked out the book. I think I may have worked out Dumb Witness, if I hadn't read the book, but saw the adapt.

Of course, some people like to work it out, some like to have a suprised. Which do you AC fans prefer? I liek both.  feel pleased when I have worked them out mostly (apart from Hickory). But I like to be completley knocked over (TTWN)

HarleyBarley 31 Jul 10 at 5:36 a.m. GMT

Well, it would not be awkward for us to meet, but for us to converse at long lengths tete-a-tete, with no-one else around. At least it feels somewhat peculiar to me.

I've guessed: Appointment with Death, Evil Under the Sun in part, Hallowe'en Party in part, Death on the Nile from the adaptation. I think there were a few short stories around, but I forgot which. I haven't read much of Christie's portfolio, you see.

Puffin, I got Curtain spoiled too, by reading an article on Poirot. My mother, upon introducing me to mystery, mentioned a vital twist in ATTWN, but thankfully she didn't remember the murderer and thus did not spoil it all, but rather lent me more confusion. Funnily enough, with all the fuss about Roger Ackroyd I mentioned in my old story (anyone remembers Vincente's book with the "old telephone cover"?), I never read it.

MissQuin 30 Jul 10 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

What Ho Miss E! Your welcome to talk about non Chritie subjects too. As is anyone else.

Whose guessed right? It's hard as don't remember all of them, Sometime there's two murderers and Ive guessed one right.

I found out Styles and ABC, murder is Mes by reading about the TV adapts. I found out about Crooked House on this forum!!

I guessed Death In The Clouds (but not how it was done), Death On the Nile, Appt with Death partly, Evil Under The Sun, Hickory Dickory, Dead man's Folly, Elephants, Mirror Crak'd, Bertrams, Sleeping Murder, Death Comes as the End, Sparkling Cyanide and The Pale Horse. wow, that's seems quiet good, I'm proud of myself!

Then there's the short stories, but it would take ages to list those too! But I was always suprised by The Mr Quin one's, they had more of a twist. Apart from the seance one about the supposedly haunted house.

 I'd love to know the orginal ending for Death Comes As The End.

I had Card dropped and saw the words "let's kill Poirot" or something. That alarmed me! I found out it  was said as a joke of course!

Ive not read a couple still.

Why would you be awkward if we met Harley? Simply becuase we'd have ran out of conversation? Or other reason? I'm quite shy, but if someone mentions music or books I can jabber away happily!

Puffinjill 30 Jul 10 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

I'll jump in too if you are looking for others to join you! For me, the only one I can think (off the top of my head) that was ruined for me was Curtain. And I expect you can all guess the bit I found out about before I read it! Oh, and when I think about it, I also knew the surprise ending to The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd as I read the solution in an article on AC. As a consequence, that book has never quite had the impact on me as it has had on most AC fans. I'm sure there are plenty more but my brain is frazzled today!!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 30 Jul 10 at 11:34 a.m. GMT

Hi Harley & Miss Q,  seeing as you are asking for another AC fan to join in I thought I'd oblige.  As for topic, hmmm.....I think most have been covered already. 

Okay, how about this, have you read any AC books which either you guessed right or were spoiled for you?  I don't think I've ever guessed a full length novel, although I've come close once or twice (notably with 'Death Comes as the End').  I frequently fell into ACs traps, when she gets to almost the last page with one person and it turns out to be another right at the very end. 

I did have 'Appointment with Death' spoiled by accidentally dropping the book one day and losing my place.  As I tried to find where I was, my eye caught a certain piece of information which gave the killer away. 

HarleyBarley 30 Jul 10 at 5:24 a.m. GMT

Back again, and still no-one else but you and me. I am thankful this is an internet forum - if this were a real life situation, I would have felt a bit awkward. Nothing about talking to you, Miss Quin, but the fact that we are conversing tete-a-tete here.

We need a new topic to breach upon.

MissQuin 29 Jul 10 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

That subjects more Hitchcock's forte then Agatha Christie. Moving away from that unpleasant topic...!

I don't know where is everyone? It's just you and me again! Not that I don't enjoy talking to you, but it would be nice if the others were here as well.

HarleyBarley 29 Jul 10 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

I'm back (and so are you, apparently).

Voyeurism from the viewers, eh? I didn't notice that. I was more concerned with making some offhand remark about it to appease my cousin, to keep her from raising an eyebrow. My mother was quiet, though - she had seen the adapt. before and was challenging us to guess the culprit.

On a somewhat unrelated note, where's everyone else?

MissQuin 29 Jul 10 at 11:29 a.m. GMT

 Some of the AC scenes in the adapts have been given the 21 century treatment, which belies the whole point of a period adaptation. it's meant to be set in the past. The Death in the nile scene i find somewhat unsettling, because it's being shown through a window, looking down on them. It's feel like the viewers sying on them in bed. Not very tasteful!

on one hand some of the adpats have given me much pleasure, in particular the early Poirots, which have warmth and humour.

On the other hand, some of the adpts, (marple top offender) may have caused me real annoyance.

adieu Harley!

HarleyBarley 29 Jul 10 at 11:04 a.m. GMT

I thought so myself. When the opening scene came on, I pondered that Christie never writes such scenes. Turns out I was right. It's still the only adaptation I've ever seen, though.

Oh, my. My turn to take leave first. Arrivederci, Signorina Quin!

MissQuin 29 Jul 10 at 10:43 a.m. GMT

Amazing. My mother read just the one, then gave me the copy to read! (Ackroyd) So it's thanks to mum! Now Ive read much more Chrisites than she has.

I had been curious to read them for a while before I read them. But I knew nothing about them. A good thing too, as the spoilers can be found out so easily.

We don't have long Christie chats though, as she is too busy to read them. We sometimes  talk about the TV serires. But because I'm a purist, I find fault with things. In fact I don't think we can ever watch an episode together again. lol

I pause it, to point out things I think are annoying! We watched Death In The Nile (Suchet together). The famous opening scene unravled of Jackie and Simon in bed!! I said "THAT WASN'T IN THE BOOK!!!!" I calmed down, only because once I could see Simon's face, I realised this man is amazingly handsome! Oh and wanted to poke Tim Allerton in the eye. Or fast forward the scene with him in.

So I read most of the books first, then watched the adapts. Here the UK there is an Agatha christie adpt on every day!! Of course I don't watch them everyday. Ive seen most episodes about once, death on the nile 2 and a half times.

HarleyBarley 29 Jul 10 at 10:27 a.m. GMT

The Stairstumblers? Slippery Stairs? Stumbling Down? I think I like The Stumblers though.

I think it was my mother who first introduced me to Christie. She's a mystery fan also, and her mother before her. She introduced me to the Tintin comic books and the Famous Five series as a child, and as I grew up, my interest in AC was fueled by her tales of the interesting stories (it's a good thing she doesn't remember everything, so nothing got spoiled for me). Then, at about my thirteenth birthday, my grandmother game me Elephants Can Remember, and the rest is history.

How about yourself, Miss Quin? How did you find AC?

MissQuin 29 Jul 10 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

Well I'll play the tambourine! It's what Columbine does ;)

heh those are good band names.  I think The Fallen might be already band.

What drew you to Chrisite then Harley? Was it Mr Quin?

4 pages of ramblings already!

Not to sound impatient, but hope some of butler's story comes soon. I'm hoping to write my own story too soon you see.

HarleyBarley 29 Jul 10 at 7:52 a.m. GMT

I play a bit of the piano, and a little guitar, though the latter's mostly self-taught. If circumstances force me to, I can try a smattering of bass guitar. None of those in which I am particularly brilliant in, though.

The Stumblers? The Fallen? Staircase Mayhem?

MissQuin 28 Jul 10 at 5 p.m. GMT

Heh, I wont say if my name is Quin. It'll be a mystery  

Read a bit more of Baghdad. A man just stumbled into the herorines room and died. That happens to me all the time (joking)

We'll all form a band called The Stumblers. Unless that's already a group? I'll sing, Heseis on keyboards, not sure about the others. Do you paly any instruments Harley?

HarleyBarley 28 Jul 10 at 1:12 p.m. GMT

I know you don't mind being called any of those (except for Quinney), but it's simply that something in my mind insists that it's improper to call someone such. I've truly come to think that Quin is your surname.

For extra creepiness, have one of the GP riders tumble down stairs too!

MissQuin 28 Jul 10 at 10:43 a.m. GMT

I don't mind being called Miss Quin, MQ or Miss Q. Quinney doesn't have the same ring to it! I'm glad I didn't choose Columbine. I do think she was unfair to poor Pierrot, even if he is a clown!

It would be scary if you, me, Hesei and Butler fell down the stairs on the same day. * Shudders.* jokily "Supernatural forces at work"

Shame no one new had joined in the discussions recently.

HarleyBarley 28 Jul 10 at 8:07 a.m. GMT

Always so shrewd, Miss Quin. Lucid and Shinichi were apparently more to the front with their guesses (you corrected Shinichi on it - the other Discussions, I think - and Lucid posted in on fifth clue).

What are we like, Miss Quin? You, for one, I think as having Quin as a proper surname, and that I am simply addressing you Miss Quin as I would Monsieur Poirot. It's embedded in my head such that calling you Miss Q or MQ is unthinkable!

MissQuin 27 Jul 10 at 6:07 p.m. GMT

Well, I thought you were male, but I wasn't going to risk saying so. You may have been female, then I'd have put my foot in it!

We await the next chapter to Butler's story. Then I might write my own little one. Although I'm stuck for ideas for clever crimes atm, that a hatseller can solve.

I know Heisei fell down the stairs once. He told me so on a Miss Marple Vicarage post. Now poor Butler, me and you Harley. What are we like?!

HarleyBarley 27 Jul 10 at 5:41 p.m. GMT

Love the excerpt, Miss Quin! Sounded quite a good lot like me, and it seems like you've all figured out which pronoun to use for me, aheheh...I still remember the time I am "they".

I do glide up and down stairs everyday, but crashing comes less, fortunately.

MissQuin 27 Jul 10 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

How often do you gallop up and down the stairs?

or maybe I shouldn't say gallop. Maybe a more graceful word like... glide, more Mr Quin like!  "Harley glided noiselessly down the stairs. He slinked furtively outside. He glanced in all directions and then donned his motely patterned mask. He had transformed himself into a Harlequin for Lady De Quin's masquerade."

There. I should really write another sotry. I have an over active imagination, which needs a creative outlet.

Still havent read anymore of They Came to... sigh.

HarleyBarley 27 Jul 10 at 11:58 a.m. GMT

Maybe it is indeed sympathy. Or empathy, since empathy involves "feeling the pain".

The story was actually just half the tale. The same day by scar vanished, the mysterious bruise I mentioned above appeared on my other shin. I was quite suspicious by then, but then at the race, my other favourite rider crashed, again corresponding to the bruise. Gladly the next race is in three weeks, so I hope the mutual bruise will be gone by then...

My upstairs fall was caused, more probably than not, by my own insistence on running up and down stairs. I like to think that I am agile, but sometimes my confidence backfires.

MissQuin 27 Jul 10 at 10:54 a.m. GMT

 sympathy for the GP riders?!  It would be funny if you'd had your a diagnoses from an Agatha Christie forum

Well the falling up the stairs was my caused by my sparkly backless pink sandals. Ive learnt my lesson, take them off before going up/down stairs.

HarleyBarley 27 Jul 10 at 10:41 a.m. GMT

Oh, truly? I've had muscle aches for no reason, too, but mostly it's bone aches instead of muscle aches. The queer thing is, a good lot of the mysterious injuries correspond to injuries suffered by other people. Seven weeks ago, I had a large scratch across my right shin. The very same weekend, one of my favourite MotoGP riders broke his leg in the exact same place. The funny thing is, my scar refused to leave until the rider recovered, at which point the scar simply vanished.

Don't worry about falling up stairs. I think I've had that before...

MissQuin 27 Jul 10 at 10:25 a.m. GMT

Ive fell up the stairs! Don't ask how.

I'd like to lanquish around, watching TV and writing. Sadly I have very mundane things to do, like housework and such.

Dr Quin says....Mysterious bruises could be fibromyalgia Harley! Only if you have muscle aches for no reason though. Plus it can cause tiredness...

What did you think of Sherlock? Ive read reviews and it's very mixed. It's love or hate.

HarleyBarley 27 Jul 10 at 8:39 a.m. GMT

Tumbling down the stairs is not something I'd like to try, although I've gotten close to it a few times. I do have this mysterious bruise appear on my left shin yesterday, and I have no clue where or why from! It's rather common for me since I was a child.

How's the story going, Butler? I try not to pester you, but I can't help but grow curious...

TheButlerDidIT 26 Jul 10 at 8:30 p.m. GMT

What a day I've had! I watched some classic Who which was amazing mainly due to Tom Baker's acting. I did some writng and I fell down the stairs. It hurt like a word I shouldn't use on a family forum but you get the picture.

HarleyBarley 26 Jul 10 at 5:08 a.m. GMT

And I've done others stuff too: watching a pear-shaped race, writing random scribbles on my notebook, brushing up on my Italian and Spanish and trying not to muddle one language with another, being a friend of lovers, dropping subtle hints to sleuths (well, I made the last two up, but you get the idea).

On the other hand, I wish I can learn how to play bridge. I still have no idea how to play it, so right now it's still solitaire, blackjack, forty-one, and scopa for me. Mmm, scopa...

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 5:01 p.m. GMT

Waiting For Butler. Sounds like a play doesn't it?

Oh Ive done other stuff in real life, shopping, trips out, social visits, cocktail parties, bridge games, solving crimes, well I made the last two up, but you get the idea.

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

I'm pretty much the ditto of Miss Quin's post. Except I haven't been reading, just writing random pieces as prompted in another board I frequent. But mostly the same: looking for clues, waiting for Butler, and researching for future tales.

Shinichi, you know what, you've stopped calling me Heiji but I can't get Shinichi off my tongue (fingertips?)!

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 4:38 p.m. GMT

Well Ive been doing some reading. Heyer and Christie. But apart from that, looking for clues. Ive not done any writing.

We'll still waiting for the next instalment of Butlers story. Ive been thinking of ideas and doing some research for a futre Bainton Gray. That's all.

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

'Ello, mate, what cheer? Now, I've decided to pop out my "accent".

The youngest party member guessed it? How amusing!

HeiseiHolmes 25 Jul 10 at 4:29 p.m. GMT

Yes, I'm slightly bored. I have been doing a lot of reading, butapart from that I haven't really been up to much.

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

What Ho my good fellows! Now ive decided to talk like Bertie Wooster, only a female version :)

Need to get back to school?! I expect you'll be bored already then.

HeiseiHolmes 25 Jul 10 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

Well, I'm feeling really lazy as of late... I need to get back to school, to restore my normal life!! The mystery game went very well, with the solution being correctly guessed by the youngest member of the party~

TheButlerDidIT 25 Jul 10 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

Hello HH! How the devil are you my old chum? Sorry I've decided to talk like Hastings for the day. I should have warned you...

How are you getting on with your murder mystery hunt? We'd like to hear all about it!

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 3:22 p.m. GMT

I might, but I have no true suspect so far. It appears that I haven't read enough Christie to give an answer. *sighs*

It seems like I might have to abruptly disappear any time now. It might range from after this post to an hour from now, but just in case I shall vanish impromptu, please do not miss me.

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 3:17 p.m. GMT

But the competions not closed yet. Ifi t was a good prize would you enter?

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

No, it's fine, Miss Quin. I'd like to try and picture a modern-day Poirot, but many of the solutions won't work since science marches on after AC's era.

The prize will most certainly not be mine. I didn't submit any answer.

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

No, characters always belong in the time they were set. put into modern day and it's not what the creator of had in mind. It's  just a way of making money! So I joked "let's come up with modern Poirot"

Sparkling cyandide was modern day. It didnt work. Other modern day adapts have fallen flat as well.

I think there will be more clues. I think the prize is announced this week. I wonder what it is? Seeing how hard some of it is then it should be something good!

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

Shinichi! Hello again!

There has been five clues so far. Might be more, since the game is still a few months away from finishing. How have you been doing, mon ami?

HeiseiHolmes 25 Jul 10 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

I don't think Modern Poirot would work, and this is the first time I heard about the modern Sherlock Holmes thing. If people want to have a modern detective, they should just make up their own!

When you say "all 5 clues", does that mean there won't be any more? Or will there be some more, but that's all there are now? (I just confused myself...)

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 2:46 p.m. GMT

Hello HH! We had to start a new topic as the old one was so full and slow to load! Yes, we all misssed you.

Ive found all 5 clues ,so I hpe I'm getting closer. But I have no idea who the mystery man is. I'm puzzled by it. I'm suspcting it could be a book I havent read, or maybe even a play!

My joke about modrn poirot. But if people can make up modern Holmes then why not? But it's v hard to imagine Poirot without art deco and neat little suits.

HeiseiHolmes 25 Jul 10 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Hello, everyone! It's been such a long time... How are you all doing? I've been very busy as of late, so I haven't had much time to talk with you all.

Any closer to my vengeance? The mystery game really has been fast-paced as of late...

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 1:59 p.m. GMT

Aheheh...don't worry with the rhyming slang, Miss Quin. One of the very few Sherlock short stories I have is very difficult to decipher, since Sherlock was undercover as a Cockney and he speaks in impenetrable (and admitterdly overdone) rhyming slang...which is then translated into my native language. The result was both hilarious and nearly indecipherable.

Modern-day Poirot? How on earth?

MissQuin 25 Jul 10 at 12:37 p.m. GMT

No I won't mention it. I will be very decourous, as I usually am.

I'm sure we'll all hear how good/bad Sherlock was. I perosnally don't think it is Sherlock.

We could come up with modern day Poirot.

Ive got futher with They came to.. got a bit better. Vicitria Jones differs fro mthe normal Chrisite herorines as she's a  poor Cockney. No she hasn't used any rhyming slang so far Harley.

HarleyBarley 25 Jul 10 at 11:46 a.m. GMT

All but me, that is. Sherlock's not airing here. Or maybe it is, and I just don't know, since I'm only planning to wake up at 0345 tomorrow morning to see a race.

Miss Quin, please don't bring the dreadful topic of Poirot's cancelled cover here! Youngsters, you see? It'll stain their minds for the rest of their lives!

MissQuin 24 Jul 10 at 3:46 p.m. GMT

As I'm not much of a crime fan (sans Chrisite, Heyer) so I wont be watching. I think Butler will enjoy it. I just think the Sherlock Holmes connection is very very thin. It's being used like a brand name. Like those repulsive celebritires who put their names to clothes and don't design them. So ACD didn't write it, the stories are modern day, the writer improvise what happnes. So how is it Sherlock?

 But anyway, he will probably take drugs. it seems to me modern police dramas have drugs. Although I confess I don't watch any myself.

I mean Conan Doyle can't argue about changes as his dead. Yes, Ive seen the trailors for the Holmes movie. It looked v bad.  The costumes aren't even accurate! Yes, I remember Luke being really bland in Murder Is Cheesey. I expect it wasn't the poor young actors fault.

I saw an adapt of Hound of The Baskervilles once. That was v good!

I stick to my costume adapts, but often those are flawed. I'm sure you wil lall let us know what you think of Sherlock! I expect they will come up with Modern Day Poirot. We have already had 21 century Sparkling Cyandide thrust upon us. That was bad!!

Puffinjill 24 Jul 10 at 2:37 p.m. GMT

Do you mean Benedict Cumberbatch? He is a great actor with a great voice. He reads some of my Ngaio Marsh audio books very nicely indeed! But, sadly, he was unfortunate enough to play Luke in ITV's travesty of Murder Is Easy. I guess you can't always be on a winner!!! I may watch tomorrow night as I'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and, if I do, will try not to compare it to the original stories or characters. My partner bought me the recent Sherlock Holmes movie on DVD and I hated it so much I couldn't even get halfway through....

TheButlerDidIT 24 Jul 10 at 1:44 p.m. GMT

It should be good. The head writer of Doctor Who is co-executive.

I'm not sure how they will deal with Holmes' drug use. They can't have him shooting up crack or popping pills. It's an importand part of Holmes as a character because it shows he is flawed. They will just miss it out all together methinks. The actor set to play him is amazing. He was in a docu-drama about Van Gogh recently and that was fantastic.

MissQuin 24 Jul 10 at 9:33 a.m. GMT

It's expensive buying tickets, which is why I don't go more often.

I will have to see what I make of Blue Train. I haven't got much further with They Came To... I haven't had time. But I know I should spend less time chatting about the probabity of nude Poirot on the books covers.

Shame about Harlequinade as you don't get to dress as HQ.

Any of you a Sherlock Holmes fan? I can't believe they have a modern day version on tV tommrorow. It sounds pretty awful. Holmes is texting people and general unpleasantness.

HarleyBarley 23 Jul 10 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

No, actually to be honest my strength is in pop-cultural osmosis again. I've rarely ever seen any plays which are not ballets. And apropos of ballets, the group I'm dancing with decided that the excerpt from Harlequinade we had chosen was too difficult, so now we've decided on an Italian Polka. Not much of a problem for me, since I'm an Italophile.

The Blue Train is not too bad, methinks. Not as bad as they claimed it to be, although definitely not one of the best either. It's not on par with, say, Appointment with Death or Evil Under the Sun, but it's far better than Elephants Can Remember.

MissQuin 23 Jul 10 at 10:35 a.m. GMT

Well Ive not read it yet. But I'm looking for it. As I said before 90% of my books are second hand. So I have to wait to find it. Not that easy to find Chrisite books in my area actually.

I did see some of TV version, but it was SO bad that I couldn't sit through more than 20 mins. As I watch them for pleasure, what's the point?

I don't know Waiting For Godot sadly. I'd like to. I like Importance of being Earnest and an Inspector Calls. IC is more of play about the effect people actions have on other. But there's a twist. Do you go to see plays much? There's some open air ones in my area, but I havent' had the chance to see any this year.

HarleyBarley 21 Jul 10 at 5:16 p.m. GMT

World domination does not interest me either. After we're at the top of the world, what should we do? "Nothing to be done", to quote Waiting for Godot. We'll eventually succumb to boredom, because victory gets boring rather quickly. And I can say that after winning every single race in an entire season of a MotoGP game (it was on the easiest level, which everyone must pass to earn skill points, but I can race better than that level's AI...).

By and by, what did you decide to do with Blue Train, Miss Quin?

MissQuin 21 Jul 10 at 4:21 p.m. GMT

Well I'm not really interested in world domination! I'm rather peace loving. Any being a meglomaniac is bad for one's health.  Causes grey hairs probably, so I don't want that.

Havent got very far with the TCTB yet. Mind you have to give Victoria Jones credit for such imagination.

HarleyBarley 21 Jul 10 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

Well, Miss Quin, we're making our own version of The Big Four anyways, a good version of them. I'm not an evil mastermind myself (unless coldly calculating which fictional characters suit death most count).

To be honest, I have no idea why I liked the Harley Quin stories. The bits of romance in it are found simply as "additions" by me, somehow. I find them a motive, but not a focus. I tend to focus on analysing the crimes commited - another reason why Harlequin's Lane sticks out even more to me.

MissQuin 21 Jul 10 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

Yes, we missed you Butler.  Harley and I have been having Quin discussions anyway. Hesei's on holiday.

Ah lot's of others joined in Shino, Bundle , Mr West, Go leafs, Hearty. But it's quiet now. I think alot of people are on holiday.

Well there's no way I'd be one of the Big Four.

1. I'm not evil.

2 I'm not a mastermind.

3 I'm too nice, I swear!

4. Being female I'd have to be that mad French woman. No!

I love Hastings on TV and the books. He's a charming gentleman. In the Vicotry ball he chose his costume as Regency gent, which was a perfect choice.

No a fan of romance Harley? Well the Mr quin stories are classed as romance, but I'm sure they are. Yes there is couples getting together, but surely more thatn that? I think there more mystery.

Wuthering Height gets classed as "romance" and that's dark stuff indeed.

HarleyBarley 21 Jul 10 at 5:12 a.m. GMT

Butler, my friend! Of course we did miss you! It's altogether fortunate that you decided to pop out whenever your name is mentioned. Interesting, no?

Come to think about it, the four regulars on the Discussions page (you, Miss Quin, Shinichi, and myself) seems to be some sort of The Big Four to me. The Big Four of rambling discussions, perhaps? As long as I'm Number Four, I don't mind...

TheButlerDidIT 20 Jul 10 at 7:25 p.m. GMT

I think I prefer Hugh Fraser as Hastings rather than the Hastings we see in the books and short stories. I'm not sure why that is though.

Sorry I've not been on as often as I normally am. Did you all miss me?

HarleyBarley 20 Jul 10 at 4:54 p.m. GMT

I've read a few Hastings, including Styles and a few short stories. He generally seems like an amiable man for me, although I neither particularly liked nor hated him. I suppose he's an attempt at the Watson figure, something AC finally shunned.

Usually, the bright young heroines simply make me roll my eyes and swallow the plot. The heroine in Death in the Clouds, for instance, was somewhat ignored by me. I suppose I've mentioned that I am not quite the fan of romantic fiction.

Yes, Shinichi's been missing lately, and Butler ditto. I wonder why it's just us as of late...

MissQuin 20 Jul 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

I don't think David Bowie knows what his songs or videos are about, since some were drug induced. The one with the red shoes is strange too.

Ive had the ends of films spoilt. It's really annoying . I did find out about.... the Curtain end. But luckily didn't find the rest of the details. It's still worth reading. Plus I like Hastings, although I know not everyone does (points to HH). Have you read any with hastings Harley?

Ive started read They Came to Baghdad. I'll let you know how I get on with it. Vicotrian Jones, the chaarcter is a 50's version of a bright young herorine. She'll either impress with her verve, or annoy me to the point of wishing she's fall off a train. Thtat's how it  varies for me with those women.

Wonder how Hesei's getting on with his murder mystery? I imagine them all being stumped by the fiendishly clever questions and the game going on for a week.

HarleyBarley 20 Jul 10 at 8:28 a.m. GMT

No, don't worry about me, Miss Quin. I've learnt not to spoil things for myself through the hard way. I know what happens in Curtain not because I've read it, but by reading Poirot's biographical page on Wikipedia.

David Bowie as Pierrot? I know someone who is an avid David Bowie fan. Even went so far to be a self-professed alien! No, I don't gt it either.

MissQuin 19 Jul 10 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

Ashes to Ashes video is very weird, Ive seen it. Bulldozer, padded cell, nun?, David Bowie is dressed as Pierrot.

Being stalked by a clown is many people worst nightmare! Certainly mine.

Don't find too much about the Victory Ball story Harley, or the end might be spoilt! I think it's the stories Poirot's Early cases. I remember discussing the episode on here actually.

TheButlerDidIT 19 Jul 10 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

To answer your question about Ashes to Ashes I can't remember. It was only for the first series. She was haunted by a clown dressed in a Pierrot costume which David Bowie wore for the record sleave and in the video of Ashes to Ashes. Hope this helps but I really can't remember why.

MissQuin 19 Jul 10 at 10 a.m. GMT

Which Christie character would Matt suit?. mmmm. Which character takes their top off?!  Sorry, I'm being girlish! Um, I'm being serious now.

Well the artist in The Dead Harlequin springs to mind, not sure why. Bundle, suggested Bill from Chimneys/Dials which was v good suggestion. Bill's character in Chimneys was naive, charming Wodehousian young man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgS1ctxglw

In case you don't know Wodehouse chaarcters, there's  a clip I find hysterical!

I wish I could get a copy of Seven dials now.

HarleyBarley 19 Jul 10 at 8:04 a.m. GMT

Commedia dell'Arte costumed characters? Now you got me interested. I'll try to glean what I can about it.

No, please don't worry about the video. I believe it's my connexion that made the blunder.

Miss Quin, who do you think Matt suits as? In AC, I mean.

MissQuin 17 Jul 10 at 4:53 p.m. GMT

Forgot to mention-finnished Death In The Stocks and didn't guess the murderer! I recommend the book to any Chrisite fan. V good, since I am hard to please.

Ah, I'm sorry about thr youtube vid. I didn't check it to the end as I was in a hurry. The end really picks up into a soaring ballad. argh! how frustating

Well I think Sharon Den Adel (lead singer) is trying to look like an 18th century Gothic herorine. Or one of those ladies in the hammer horror films. That's a compliment, as that looks quite popular with some people. The keyboard player looks like a rock star of now. So no they don't go. That might be her husband! She's married to one of them .I don't know or care. I'm only interested in the music and musicians personall lives are of no interest to me.

I think you'd love Victory ball as much as I do. It's a good little mystery and has the added bonus of the whole

comme dell arte costumed characters. I also really enjoyed the Suchet adapt of it. They managed to find or make the costumes from somewhere. Or and Pierrot was there of course. Plus Punch whose scary!

I actually think Matt is destined for great things. But I think he might so another serires. But he's very cute. I'd like him to appear in Chrisite.

Please tell me Butler, what was Pierrot the evil clown doing in Ashes to ashes?

TheButlerDidIT 17 Jul 10 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

I must say I have yet to read The Mysterious Mr Quinn (ducks) but I have put it high up on my never ending "To Read List".

I'm glad you made a new thread for this. The old one was slow to load. I'm quite surprised by the number of posts for a small group of people. Talking about everything from artists to cakes. But mostly Matt and his lovely assistant....

I don't know if you've heard but Matt is supposed to quit the series soon. He wants to make a name for himself in Hollywood. He hasn't actually said this but he supposedly told his friends. Which means it may not be true.

HarleyBarley 17 Jul 10 at 11:47 a.m. GMT

The Affair at the Victory Ball? I've never read that one myself, but it does sound interesting, especially since you mention costumes. I just love all the fancy dress parties - it's a shame I never have any idea what to do (since a proper motley is nigh-impossible to find nowadays).

I've tried the link, but an error was experienced midway and I only heard the beginning. It sounds rather interesting, and yes, the singer's garb truly does not match that of the pianist.

MissQuin 17 Jul 10 at 10:30 a.m. GMT

I don't know, as Columbine never appears as herself in AC stories, I havent thought so much about her. I tend to think of her as blonde, but that's because of some of the AC character masqueraded as her were so. Plus the actress playing Coco had light hair on TV.

The Affair at the victory ball-have yo read that one? I believe it was one of the first Poirots I ever read. I love it still now. The TV adapt is very good, their all in their costumes. Great fun.

I'm concious theis is becoming Harlequin topic, so moving on..

The youtube song is called Our farewell, although the last line is "This is not our farewell". ;) The group do lavish stage sets and statues and are quite theatrical.

HarleyBarley 17 Jul 10 at 8:08 a.m. GMT

If there were an AC character named Mr Pierre Gott (the closest I can get to Pierrot, although it jumbles a French and a German name together), he would be described as pale, moving in clumsy, lumbering steps, with an ever-so-gloomy look on his eyes, sad, but not subtly saturnine as Mr Quin is. He will most likely fumble with his words and cast envious glances at our dear fellow.

But if that's the train of thought, what will Columbine be like?

About the Pierrot - Columbine - Harlequin love triangle: try reading the poem When Harlequin was Young. It has a very beautiful, yet equally saturnine view of their relationships.

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 4:36 p.m. GMT

Nice work there, good image. I don't picture the hat, but sometime Mr quin had a leather jacket I think. His motoring gear, which was classically for that time period- leather brown jacket (smart), and white/cream scarf.

Pierrot is rather scary to me. Or at least looks scary. He can't actually be any one else. You'd have known if this clown turned up at your party! If the books had been written by AC as The mysterious Mr P. Eyre-Rowe. Well. It's not the same. It looks ruff at times hoho. That white ruff, black eyes lined, baggy ballon trousers. Shudder. But he's seen as either evil or just sad. One legend has it so Pierrot loves Columbine, Columbine and Harlequin love each other. That's why he cries.

But there's another version where Pierrot is little Peter and meets a saint? He's famous for black and white. How do I know this. Well I read alot! Oddly enough, all ive found out, Ive not looked ofr. Ive stumbled across it. Odd eh?

Ive come up with clever ways of saying goodbye for now Harley. So here's a song for you! Listen and smile (I hope!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6nDF9pRUPQ

HarleyBarley 16 Jul 10 at 4:19 p.m. GMT

My image of Mr Quin seems to have been pretty much summed up by yours. Well, I tend to picture him as my childhood Harlequin (which seemed to have reached celebrity status with you and Butler - remember he said we found a new religion?). Tall and thin, somewhat visible cheekbones, with eyes slightly deep-set and dark brown. The hair is wavy or nearly curly, also deep brown, he walks with a smooth, sliding gait, and is dressed almost impeccably in a way that Poirot will doubtless approve. I tend to picture him as wearing a dark suit with a fedora hat, for no reason.

Pierrot? I've tried to picture Pierrot before, with little success.

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 4:12 p.m. GMT

Part of the aftermath of the 20's Bright Young Things set.  Take nothing seriously, drink cocktails. Shown lack of convention or conviction. Not my attutude, I must say. 1935 it was published, so around that time.

Harley Quin looks like? Well I like men with dark hair-brown or black. I picture Mr Q with dark sad eyes, dark brown hair, very thick, slightly wavy. Tall... Sad but sweet smile. Very graceful (unlike me!). On a frivolous note, he looks good in diamonds. Not many men call put that look off, but Mr Quin can!

What about your image of him?

Maybe it should never been a film/TV adpat. Because my expectation level is too high.

I suddleny have a burning question for Butler! He watched Ashes to Ashes. In that I heard there was a evil Pierrot staking someone. I really want to know more! As Pierrot of course is Mr Quin's freind and love rival. I'm just curious..

HarleyBarley 16 Jul 10 at 4:03 p.m. GMT

Eccentric young people, eh? What era is it set in, if I may ask? Are we finding "Modern Girls" with their cloche hats and hatred for the standard which says women can't drink, dance, or drive?

A question I was about to ask in the Mr Quin thread but moved here: if I may ask, how exactly did you picture Mr Quin like?

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 3:56 p.m. GMT

No, the books is centred around a set of young people. Their all eccentric. One of them, a handsome male artist, openly say's he's done it! He really winds up the inspector, and myself! I usually have a real soft spot of handsome men and artists! But this one? No, he's a prat! he even misquotes Hamlet as Romeo and Juliet.

But no, it's very good. What sort of person would put a man in the stocks, then kill them? It's pervese. Plus how did they manage to get a man, with no sense of humour in the stocks?

I put someone in the stocks once. Seriously. For a joke photo. They went along with it happily. I did let them out, Eventually... I was rather an enfants terrible's. I sound so mean now, they though it was v funny!

I'm glad their banned now. It's really cruel.

it must have been some weeks since I wrote a story. The weather is v v bad where I live. My cat like rain loathing, means I stay inside. So if anyone wants me, they have to come to me. I'm not going out there in a downpour!

HarleyBarley 16 Jul 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

The body is discovered on the second page? Now, that's not how Christie usually works. Sometimes the body is found deep within the book instead.

What are your impressions of the book so far, Miss Quin? Interesting characters, any handsome young bachelors, or matrons haughtily flapping their exquisite fans?

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 10:18 a.m. GMT

I'm enjoying Georgette Heyer's Death In The Stocks so far, v good. I have my suspects. It has been v easy to get into and the body was discovered o nthe 2nd page! I'll let you know if the rest is good. You know how you can read a fantastic book, then it all goes pear shaped towards to middle-end.