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Guess That Quote

M_Hercule_Poirot 23 Sep 08 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

Well this was one of the more popular games on the old website so I decided to make a version for the new one.

"No. He had minor worries, like most men, but there was nothing of a serious nature."

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1514 replies

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Nofret 05 Feb 12 at 10:43 a.m. GMT

Is it Norton speaking to Colonel Luttrell? The Shakespeare quotation is "the fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves if we are underlings" Well the Colonel was certainly under the thumb of his missus!

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Feb 12 at 1:39 p.m. GMT

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Does Poirot say it to Norton? I know Norton is compared to Iago he has been on this site and I think in the Book.

StephenNorton 04 Feb 12 at 8:42 a.m. GMT

No its not poirot to hastings, so a little hint:

Hastings was present in the scene, but the quote wasn`t adressed to him, but the one who sais the lines, is one of the major characters and the listener is male^^

NightRayDuck 01 Feb 12 at 1:13 a.m. GMT

maybe Poirot says this quote to Hastings?

StephenNorton 24 Jan 12 at 6:26 a.m. GMT

right book but wrong characters

Nofret 24 Jan 12 at 6:24 a.m. GMT

I've got a feeling that the Shakespeare quotation was trotted out by Hastings in Curtain, possibly speaking to Elizabeth Cole, who he was trying to impress.

StephenNorton 24 Jan 12 at 4:09 a.m. GMT

Thank you ^-^ Well i have here another quote:

"Not in our stars, dear Brutus but in ourselves"

I wish you all a good guessing time^^

NightRayDuck 23 Jan 12 at 11:18 p.m. GMT

Well done, Stephen. Your turn. :-)

StephenNorton 23 Jan 12 at 4:15 a.m. GMT

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oh sorry it`s Anthony Cade (alias Prince Nicholas Obolovitch of Herzoslovakia) to Baron Lolopretjzyl.

NightRayDuck 22 Jan 12 at 9:11 p.m. GMT

Yes, Stephen, this quote is from The Secret of Chimneys. Please supply also the character who says this, and the character to whom this is spoken. ^.^

StephenNorton 22 Jan 12 at 9:26 a.m. GMT

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The secret of chimneys staring my favorite investigator superintedent Battle

NightRayDuck 22 Jan 12 at 2:59 a.m. GMT

mr_mr1983 doesn't seem to have come back yet. I'll pop in a quote to get this game going again.

"Between a Herzoslovakian nobleman and an English gentleman the terms should be easily arrange."

This should be fairly obvious.

NightRayDuck 10 Jan 12 at 6:37 a.m. GMT

We usually ask the person who gives the correct answer to set the next puzzle / quiz. If mr_mr1983 is around... congratulations, you have guessed correctly; and would you like to set the next puzzle? :-)

Mr_Graves 13 Dec 11 at 2:22 a.m. GMT

My goodness! The unassuming mr_mr1983 has guessed correctly. It is indeed Poirot talking to his young friend Colin Lamb. Unfortunately, Poirot was not so correct with his own guess...

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Dec 11 at 1:54 p.m. GMT

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I mean is it The Million Dollar Bond Robbery? Poirot talking to the Culprits

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Dec 11 at 11:16 a.m. GMT

Is it a Short story?

mr_mr1983 12 Dec 11 at 10:49 a.m. GMT

Poirot to Colin Lamb in The Clocks?

Nofret 12 Dec 11 at 4:47 a.m. GMT

Poirot to Carla Lemarchant in Five Little Pigs?

Mr_Graves 11 Dec 11 at 5:43 p.m. GMT

Not from "Death on the Nile", no...

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Dec 11 at 2:49 p.m. GMT

Poirot talking to the Doctor and his Fiance

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Dec 11 at 11:19 a.m. GMT

Death On The Nile

Mr_Graves 09 Dec 11 at 10:07 p.m. GMT

Not by any means the best adaptation, but it seems to have won me the right to make the next clue! Here it is:

"Ah! You are about to be married, is that it?"

GKCfan 02 Dec 11 at 9:44 p.m. GMT

YES!  That is correct!

Mr_Graves 02 Dec 11 at 4:10 a.m. GMT

Something tells me this is spoken by Mary Dove in "A Pocket Full of Rye", but I think perhaps the recent adaptation is corrupting me... Anyhow, that's my guess.

GKCfan 01 Dec 11 at 7:41 p.m. GMT

"I should hardly advise you to go too much by all I've told you.  I'm a malicious creature."

InspectorGrant 01 Dec 11 at 9:56 a.m. GMT

Well done, GKCfan - it is Michael from Mrs. McGinty's Dead under the circumstances which you describe.

Over to you!

GKCfan 30 Nov 11 at 9:43 p.m. GMT

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I'm 99% sure this is from Mrs. McGinty's Dead, a reference to Mrs. Upward's former protegé, said to Mrs. Oliver, but I can't remember the speaker's name, but he was one of the theatre crowd.

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Nov 11 at 2:41 p.m. GMT

Ruth Van Rydock talking to Miss Marple about Carrie-Louise

InspectorGrant 30 Nov 11 at 1:44 p.m. GMT

Thanks, CKCfan!

Here is my quote:

When she found out he was just a little East End tailor's son, she dropped him, my dear.  I mean, I do hate a snob, don't you?

GKCfan 30 Nov 11 at 3:59 a.m. GMT

Yes!  Great work!

InspectorGrant 29 Nov 11 at 5:54 a.m. GMT

The murder hunt in Dead Man's Folly?  And I think it is Capt. Warburton.

GKCfan 25 Nov 11 at 4:50 a.m. GMT

No, these weapons were not in a kitchen, and they were not part of a regular collection.  They were gathered together for a unique situation unlike any other in the Christieverse.  The showing was not inside someone's household, but they were located outside someone's household.  It was not a private collection (although the weapons were each probably owned by the household in question) or a museum.

NightRayDuck 25 Nov 11 at 2:50 a.m. GMT

The weapons-showing being in somebody's household? Private collection? Some museum?

ah, in a kitchen, perhaps? a cooking area. there would have been knives, heavy pots and pans to use as blunt instruments, fire and hot water and hot oil~~ knives, there are knives that rely on its sharp blade, and then there are knives relying on its weight, like cleaver and chopper. also there's cheesewire.

GKCfan 24 Nov 11 at 5:53 p.m. GMT

Poirot is shown the weapons, but not in a lab.  A knife is among the weapons, but it's not a buffet or dining venue.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Nov 11 at 11:35 a.m. GMT

Is it someone showing Poirot and Hastings round a Lab

Nofret 24 Nov 11 at 8:08 a.m. GMT

I've an idea that this might be someone facetiously describing knives and forks at a buffet as lethal weapons, but no idea as to who or what story?

GKCfan 20 Nov 11 at 4:07 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  Spades and picks are not among the weapons in question.

Nofret 19 Nov 11 at 8:18 p.m. GMT

Is it from Murder in Mesopotamia - there were a lot of spades. picks etc which could have been used as weapons, as well as poisons, in the expedition house? Probably said by the Wodehouse-type young man, was it Bill Coleman?

GKCfan 19 Nov 11 at 7:11 p.m. GMT

Neither of those novels, sorry.  Poison is one of the "lethal weapons," but there are others...

P_Lombard 19 Nov 11 at 12:41 p.m. GMT

Could it be Nurse Cynthia showing them around the dispensery in The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Nov 11 at 10:33 a.m. GMT

Elinor in Sad Cypress

GKCfan 19 Nov 11 at 6:44 a.m. GMT

No... not really.  The quote was used in a lighthearted, jocular tone, but it was not about the lack of murder tools, but about a copious amount of murder tools in an extraordinary location.

NightRayDuck 19 Nov 11 at 1:44 a.m. GMT

Wasn't this quote in a sarcastic sense? Something about the general lack of murder tools in an ordinary household?

GKCfan 18 Nov 11 at 6:46 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Nov 11 at 1:42 p.m. GMT

Is it Murder In Mesopotamia perhaps Amy Leatheran Talking

GKCfan 17 Nov 11 at 7:43 p.m. GMT

No, but it is a Poirot novel.

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Nov 11 at 11:35 a.m. GMT

Hastings Daughter in Curtain the leathal weapons being Poisons where she works

GKCfan 16 Nov 11 at 4:57 a.m. GMT

"Lethal weapons to your left."

Mr_Graves 15 Nov 11 at 7:04 p.m. GMT

Quite correct, GKCfan, it was the befuddled Archdeacon. Yours for the clueing, then...

GKCfan 13 Nov 11 at 7:40 p.m. GMT

Archdeacon Brabazon from Nemesis, referring to the Michael & Verity wedding that never happened.

Mr_Graves 13 Nov 11 at 5:46 p.m. GMT

Nor is it Michael Rogers. This quote does not come from a non-series novel.

Mr_west 13 Nov 11 at 3:13 a.m. GMT

 Micheal Rogers in Endless Night?

Mr_Graves 12 Nov 11 at 6:35 p.m. GMT

Not Anne Beddingfield, I'm afraid...

LauraPoirot 12 Nov 11 at 6:57 a.m. GMT

Could it be Anne Beddingfield in The man in the Brown Suite?? It's just a rough guess I didn't read it for a very long time...

Mr_Graves 11 Nov 11 at 10:30 p.m. GMT

Peril at End House again! That book certainly is full of good quotes. Probably that is why it's one of my favorites... Here's my clue:

"The day was fixed. The time, the hour and the place, and I waited."

NightRayDuck 07 Nov 11 at 9:06 p.m. GMT

Mr. Graves has got the correct book and the character discussed in this quote! Poirot asking Hastings whether Nick Buckley is attractive, in Peril at End House. Your turn, Mr. Graves!

Mr_Graves 07 Nov 11 at 5:34 p.m. GMT

I had a suspicion, which was confirmed when I flicked through the book- it is from "Peril at End House", and they are talking, of course, about the beautiful Nick Buckley...

Tommy_A_Jones 07 Nov 11 at 11:29 a.m. GMT

Poirot and Hastings talking about Thora in ABC Murders Poirot says something like "Ahastings, you have the sympathies for the Pretty Girls" and Hastings says something like "The Pretty Girl has it tough"

NightRayDuck 05 Nov 11 at 11:23 p.m. GMT

good reasoning Tommy, but it's not so for this quote.

to give a quite straightforward Hint...

Hint 2.4: This is an instance in which Poirot pleads ignorance and lack of judgment, and applies to Hastings for a proper evaluation of attractiveness of the woman in question.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Nov 11 at 11 a.m. GMT

Bella in Dumb Witness Poirot needs to ask Hasting's Opinion because she isn't as beautiful as the type of girl Hastings likes perhaps

NightRayDuck 04 Nov 11 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

They are not discussing Cynthia Murdoch or anyone from Styles, nor is the quote about Carlotta Adams, Lady Edgware, or anyone involved in the Lord Edgware case.

Consider - Poirot knows about Hastings's preferences for the looks of a woman, so why does Poirot even need to ask Hastings for an opinion?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 03 Nov 11 at 6:20 p.m. GMT

H & P talking about Carlotta Adams?

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Nov 11 at 11:25 a.m. GMT

Poirot and Hastings talking about Lady Edgware

To Brendamonks, I am more knowledgeable about the Characters in Miss Marple books than others, Having the Joan Hickson Adaptations helps.

Nofret 03 Nov 11 at 6:34 a.m. GMT

Is it H and P talking about Cynthia Murdoch from Styles?

NightRayDuck 03 Nov 11 at 12:40 a.m. GMT

they are not discussing Marthe or anyone from Murder on the Links.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 02 Nov 11 at 6:18 p.m. GMT

Are Hastings & Poirot talking about Marthe Daubreuil from Murder on the Links?

NightRayDuck 02 Nov 11 at 2:40 a.m. GMT

Miss Eylesbarrow- yes, it's Poirot talking to Hastings! Not in ABC Murders, though.

Hastings replies "One sex is sufficient, Poirot. The answer, I should say, is very much in the affirmative. Why are you so interested in the lady?"

Hope that helps~

Brenda - quotes can be from anyone. occasionally we quote also a sentence that a character *thought*, a sentence in *a letter*, and so on.

Only "guess the story" excludes detective and murderer. :-)

brendamonks 01 Nov 11 at 9:59 p.m. GMT

I thought that quotes couldn't be made by the detective or the murderer - or have I misunderstood the guidelines for this puzzle/game ?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 01 Nov 11 at 6:24 p.m. GMT

Well, it's Poirot, talking to Hastings, who replies 'just one sex is sufficient I think...'  Now the book, hmmm.....Is it the  ABC Murders?

NightRayDuck 01 Nov 11 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

Hello, unfortunately this quote was not by Cedric, nor was it spoken about Lucy or Dinah Lee.

Consider - the grammar.

brendamonks 01 Nov 11 at 4:10 p.m. GMT

Tommy - you certainly seem to know ALL the Christie characters extremely well. Your reasoning as to why it's Cedric is very impressive.

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Nov 11 at 11:35 a.m. GMT

Cedric saying it about Lucy in 4.50 From Paddington It sounds like something an artist would say

brendamonks 01 Nov 11 at 9:35 a.m. GMT

The Body in the Library ? Comment made about the wife of the guy who said he was partying in London with her on the night the body was left in the Library of the Hall but they then drove home separately. Can't recall the chracters' names - sorry - it was years ago that I read that book.

NightRayDuck 31 Oct 11 at 11:34 p.m. GMT

Thank you, Miss Eylesbarrow! I grabbed this turn mainly because I think the following quote is really entertaining:

"She is pretty - yes? She has the appeal to the sexes?"

Have fun everyone! :D

Miss_Eylesbarrow 31 Oct 11 at 7:07 p.m. GMT

I knew it was too easy!  Well done NightRay Duck, your turn

NightRayDuck 29 Oct 11 at 4:09 a.m. GMT

Virginia Revel. about her tiresome cousin George Lomax. spoken to her friend Lord Caterham, who had just been put thru some trouble b/c the Hon. George Lomax had held on Lord Caterham's jacket lapels. The Secret of Chimneys.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 28 Oct 11 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

Thanks Nofret.  I really wasn't confident on that one, but it's nice to get it right

A nice easy one: 'I'm thinking of patenting a detachable lapel'

Enjoy!

Nofret 28 Oct 11 at 6:18 a.m. GMT

Well done on all counts, Miss E, it's Caroline Peabody and Emily Arundell discussing the unfortunate Dr Donaldson (no amount of money could compensate for being married to the ghastly Teresa! But I digress....)

Over to you!

NightRayDuck 27 Oct 11 at 9:08 p.m. GMT

um... in the edition I have of the novel, there's no narrated conversation between Emily Arundell and Caroline Peabody. Is that another thing that's been cut out of the US edition?? 

or, with regard to Dr Donaldson, it might be Miss Peabody talking to Poirot "the biographer".

Miss_Eylesbarrow 27 Oct 11 at 7:19 p.m. GMT

Hang on a sec....scratch Charles Arundel, I think it's about Dr Donaldson, that Theresa is engaged to, same people, same novel.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 27 Oct 11 at 7:07 p.m. GMT

Emily Arundel in Dumb Witness talking with Miss Peabody about Charles Arundel?

Nofret 27 Oct 11 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

It's not from A Murder is Announced, and Miss M does not appesr in the book in question.

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Oct 11 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

Miss Murgatroyed and Miss Hinchcliffe talking about the young man who lives with Miss Blakelock perhaps when they are working out who killed Rudi Schertz perhaps she was talking about Rudy Scherts or the man who is very Political, anyway they all appear in A Murder is Announced.

Nofret 27 Oct 11 at 6:40 a.m. GMT

Tommy, Miss E and Duck, you're all on the right lines. Two elderly women are discussing a young man, one of the women will soon be dead.

NightRayDuck 26 Oct 11 at 5:42 p.m. GMT

or any of the older ladies about that young man who declares that he wants to shoot Lewis Serrocold, in They Do It with Mirrors?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 26 Oct 11 at 4:19 p.m. GMT

Is it Aunt Effie talking to Miss marple about Percival Fortescue in A Pocket Full of Rye?

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Oct 11 at 2:02 p.m. GMT

Mrs Dane Calthorpe talking about Jerry in Moving Finger

Nofret 26 Oct 11 at 6:55 a.m. GMT

No, but it is a woman speaking.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Oct 11 at 3:01 p.m. GMT

Miss Marple talking about Brian Eastley

Nofret 25 Oct 11 at 10:10 a.m. GMT

Think Basil Blake was quite a feisty chappie, so not him!

NightRayDuck 24 Oct 11 at 6:17 p.m. GMT

Miss Marple about Basil Blake in The Body in the Library?

Nofret 24 Oct 11 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Not Maureen Summerhayes, Tommy.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Oct 11 at 11:12 a.m. GMT

Mrs Summerhayes from Mrs McGinty's Dead

Nofret 24 Oct 11 at 6:37 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Mr G.

In my young days we'd have called him a poor stick!

Mr_Graves 23 Oct 11 at 6:19 p.m. GMT

Very well done Nofret! It is indeed Claude, who writes music and is known for his lack of table manners. So over to you now!

Nofret 23 Oct 11 at 8:33 a.m. GMT

Claude Wickham from Harlequin's Lane, talking about the Russian revolutionaries who supposedly had a famous ballerina executed.

Mr_Graves 21 Oct 11 at 8:59 p.m. GMT

Not from a play, rather a short story... And the character is not a critic. You are on the right track with theatre though, NightRayDuck.

NightRayDuck 20 Oct 11 at 11:04 p.m. GMT

a critic? literature critic or art critic or theatre critic...?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 20 Oct 11 at 6:28 p.m. GMT

So, not a novel.  Hmmm.  Perhaps a play?

Mr_Graves 20 Oct 11 at 6:25 p.m. GMT

Not Mr Peters, not from that novel. In fact, this person is not from a novel at all! He is not a journalist, and he is talking about a certain group of people.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 11 at 2:52 p.m. GMT

I think I have the name wrong, I think the man I mean is Andrew Peters. Anyway, the man I mean fell in love with Hilary Craven.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Oct 11 at 1:13 p.m. GMT

Richard Baker from Destination Unknown he is an Archaeologist so I should think he writes Reports. I hope I have the name right, he ended up with the Heroine of the book

NightRayDuck 20 Oct 11 at 2:54 a.m. GMT

journalist?

Mr_Graves 19 Oct 11 at 6:17 p.m. GMT

No, not a playwright. A hint: this character is talking about a country. Also, the way he is described as saying it refers to a nasty habit of his.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 18 Oct 11 at 7:30 p.m. GMT

Is it Robin Upwood in Mrs McGinty?

Mr_Graves 18 Oct 11 at 6:25 p.m. GMT

The person from whom I am quoting is not Raymond West- he does write, just not novels. He is not from a Miss Marple story.

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Oct 11 at 11:32 a.m. GMT

Miss Marples Nephew Raymond West who is a Crime Writer and Creative Writing comes under Arts. 

Mr_Graves 16 Oct 11 at 11:50 p.m. GMT

Somebody involved in the Arts indeed, but not paintings. A very shrewd judgement, Nofret. But not from a Poirot story.

Nofret 16 Oct 11 at 9:32 a.m. GMT

I think we're looking for someone from the Arts here, but no-one springs to mind. Possibly Mr Guthrie from After the Funeral?

Mr_Graves 15 Oct 11 at 10:44 p.m. GMT

Not Bobby, not a scientist, and not Mr Cade. I can tell you that this person is described as a genius, or is at least good at what he does. Oh, and he's a man!

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Oct 11 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

Cade from Secret of Chimneys

NightRayDuck 14 Oct 11 at 5:41 p.m. GMT

maybe one of the scary young scientists in Destination Unknown?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 14 Oct 11 at 4:44 p.m. GMT

Ooooo, 'his age', is that a clue Mr Graves??? How about Bobby from Evans?

Mr_Graves 13 Oct 11 at 4:01 a.m. GMT

I think the person who said this was young, but I don't think his age is specified. It certainly isn't Sir Stafford.

NightRayDuck 12 Oct 11 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

I don't know.. to me it sounds like Sir Staffy Nye about the Neo-Fascist shows that the conspirators put on, except I am not sure about the "apes" part. Passenger to Frankfurt.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 12 Oct 11 at 4:11 p.m. GMT

sounds like one of Ms Christie's 'bright young things', such as Bundle from Chimney's/7 Dials

Mr_Graves 11 Oct 11 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

Modest indeed! Poirot is very proud of his modesty, I should imagine.

"Fools! Madmen! Apes!"

NightRayDuck 09 Oct 11 at 1:42 a.m. GMT

Mr. Graves has got the correct Poirot story and the correct speaker of quote! Nick Buckley speaking out loud the disappointments that Poirot only hints at, in "Peril at End House". Congrats, Mr. Graves, your turn to show us the next puzzling quote~~

After all, Poirot often says "I am modest". :D

Mr_Graves 08 Oct 11 at 4:15 a.m. GMT

I am sure that this is Nick Buckley, from "Peril at End House", speaking of Poirot's faithful companion, Hastings, who is expected to sing Poirot's praises for him. I have always found this little analogy amusing.

Nofret 07 Oct 11 at 5:38 a.m. GMT

Sounds like Poirot to me - is it from The Apples of the Hesperides, where he employs detective agencies around the globe to make enquiries?

NightRayDuck 06 Oct 11 at 7 p.m. GMT

not Mrs. Boynton, Tommy.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Oct 11 at 1:44 p.m. GMT

Mrs Boynton

NightRayDuck 05 Oct 11 at 2:06 a.m. GMT

Next quote:

"One should not keep a dog and have to bark oneself."

I love the Angkatell characters..

InspectorGrant 04 Oct 11 at 10:20 a.m. GMT

Of course it is, Ray - I do like this novel and the eccentric characters in it!

Congratulations - over to you ..

NightRayDuck 03 Oct 11 at 5:34 p.m. GMT

Lady Lucy Angkatell about the butler, who always can figure out the right thing to do, in "The Hollow". the example being serving some food that's filling, yet not vulgarly lavish upon the sudden death of a houseguest, isn't it?

butler name of Gudgeon.

InspectorGrant 03 Oct 11 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Tommy.

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Oct 11 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

Victoria Jones They Came To Baghdad

InspectorGrant 03 Oct 11 at 1:57 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Tommy.  Have another go.

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Oct 11 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

Ann Beddingfield The Man In The Brown Suit

InspectorGrant 03 Oct 11 at 1:43 p.m. GMT

Thank you Nofret.  Here is mine:

[He] is wonderful.  I don't know what I should do without [him].  He always knows the right thing to do.  Some really substantial sandwiches are as good as lunch - and nothing heartless about them, if you know what I mean!

Nofret 28 Sep 11 at 8:09 p.m. GMT

Well done, Inspector, it is indeed Lord Mayfield talking about Mrs Vansittart.

Your turn now.

Tommy_A_Jones 28 Sep 11 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

Is this person a recurring Character?

InspectorGrant 28 Sep 11 at 12:33 p.m. GMT

Lord Mayfield in The Incredible Theft.

Nofret 25 Sep 11 at 7:37 a.m. GMT

Not Mr Inglethorpe - this person is not a criminal.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Sep 11 at 1:31 p.m. GMT

Mr Inglethorpe from The Mysterious Affair At Styles

Nofret 24 Sep 11 at 6:25 a.m. GMT

Not Cedric (I loved him in the Hickson version of the story!) Actually, this person's age is given as 56.

NightRayDuck 23 Sep 11 at 11:41 p.m. GMT

I think it might be Cedrick himself. his father gets quite enough amusement from staying alive and holding on to the money. Cedric himself likes to state things in a shocking manner. particularly if some clever police inspector asks how come all the beneficiaries of granddad's will are home at the same time.

Nofret 23 Sep 11 at 4:21 p.m. GMT

The speaker's not quite that old - below retirement age anyway.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Sep 11 at 1:30 p.m. GMT

What about Cedrick, Alfred and Harold's Father in 4.50 From Paddington

Nofret 23 Sep 11 at 6:14 a.m. GMT

Sounds like it could have been old Simeon talking about his sons, but it wasn't.

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Sep 11 at 1:26 p.m. GMT

Simeon Lee Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Nofret 21 Sep 11 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

Thank you, P Lombard. Try this one:

Where the carcass is, there are the vultures gathered together.

P_Lombard 21 Sep 11 at 12:09 p.m. GMT

Congratulations Nofret! You got it. It is Poirot chiding Hastings for ignoring the role of superstition in the murder. Your turn.

Nofret 21 Sep 11 at 5:23 a.m. GMT

Poirot in The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb?

NightRayDuck 21 Sep 11 at 3:54 a.m. GMT

Mr. Rycroft in "The Sittaford Mystery"?

P_Lombard 20 Sep 11 at 9:50 p.m. GMT

"You must not underrate the force of superstition."

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 7:24 p.m. GMT

Correct P_Lombard! 

It is indeed Inspector Neele (who appeared in Third girl with poirot as well as with Miss Marple) about the Fortescues. And he is right, They are all very unpleasant people!

your turn

P_Lombard 20 Sep 11 at 6:32 p.m. GMT

Inspector Neele about the Fortescue family in A Pocketful of Rye?

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 3:49 p.m. GMT

Still no Tommy.

There is a particular group of people which appeared a lot in Chrsties' novels and are very unpleasant always   

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Sep 11 at 3:26 p.m. GMT

I can only think that the answer to your question is where most of the Characters reside or gather so I will say Major Despard

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 3:18 p.m. GMT

No.

Here is another clue:

Think about what the character is saying. Where,mostly in Christie's books, there are unpleasant people?

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Sep 11 at 2:46 p.m. GMT

Ariadne Oliver

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

Still no Tommy, Rhoda Daws isn't the right answer. 

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Sep 11 at 2 p.m. GMT

The woman who married Major Despard and appeared in Cards On The Table and Pale Horse

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

Sorry Tommy but the character is not Mrs Dane Calthrope

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Sep 11 at 11:33 a.m. GMT

Is it Mrs Dane Calthorpe who appeard with Miss Marple in Moving Finger and was also in Pale Horse perhaps it is from Pale Horse 

Mr_west 20 Sep 11 at 9:27 a.m. GMT

No Nofret it's not Murder is Easy. 

I'll give you a hint:

The person in question appeared twice in Christie's books, each time with different famous detective/s. 

Nofret 20 Sep 11 at 6:21 a.m. GMT

Luke Fitzwilliam in Murder is Easy about the murderer's various victims?

Mr_west 19 Sep 11 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Both of you cameronjhw and Tommy are wrong.

It's not Paddington nor Appointment or Crooked

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Sep 11 at 1:53 p.m. GMT

Dr Quimper in 4.50 From Paddington

cameronjhw 19 Sep 11 at 1:40 p.m. GMT

Is it either Taverner or Charles in Crooked House referring to the Leonides family or Mr. Cope or Dr. Gerard from Appointment with Death

Mr_west 19 Sep 11 at 12:02 p.m. GMT

thanks InspectorGrant. 

"They are all very unpleasant people" 

InspectorGrant 19 Sep 11 at 7:10 a.m. GMT

Nice work, Mr. West - it is indeed Revd. Clements from The Murder at the Vicarage.

Your turn!

Nofret 19 Sep 11 at 7:07 a.m. GMT

Is it Susan Banks, from After the Funeral, when her husband Gregory has falsely confessed to the murders?

Mr_west 18 Sep 11 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

So perhaps the vicar in Murder At The Vicarage?

InspectorGrant 18 Sep 11 at 1:41 p.m. GMT

Sorry Mr. West  - it isn't The ABC Murders.

Mr_west 18 Sep 11 at 1:18 p.m. GMT

Hmm..

Inspector Crome in THE A.B.C Murders?

InspectorGrant 18 Sep 11 at 7:34 a.m. GMT

Thanks Mr. West.

"I believe that in all prominent murder cases, the police receive numerous letters from people accusing themselves of the crime."

Mr_west 17 Sep 11 at 3:59 p.m. GMT

Correct InspectorGrant!

your turn

Mr_west 17 Sep 11 at 3:59 p.m. GMT

Correct InspectorGrant!

your turn

InspectorGrant 17 Sep 11 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

Mrs. Lorrimer to Poirot in Cards on the Table.

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Sep 11 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

I meant Lord Edgware from Lord Edgware Dies

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Sep 11 at 11:32 a.m. GMT

Lord Edgeware from Lord Edheware Dies

Mr_west 17 Sep 11 at 6:10 a.m. GMT

Thanks Nofret 

"Dear me, Mr. Poirot, why should I send for you?"

Nofret 16 Sep 11 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

Well done, Mr. W, it is indeed Horace Blatt!

Your turn.

Mr_west 16 Sep 11 at 6:30 p.m. GMT

I have just read that phrase a few minutes ago! LOL

I think the correct answer is Mr Blatt to Christine Redfern from Evil Under The Sun. 

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Sep 11 at 1:50 p.m. GMT

Ariadne Oliver to Hastings in Halloween Party

Nofret 14 Sep 11 at 6:34 p.m. GMT

Could have been bratty Gina, but it wasn't!

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Sep 11 at 12:02 p.m. GMT

Gina To Miss Marple in They Do It With Mirrors When she picks her up to take her to the House

Nofret 14 Sep 11 at 8:54 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Inspector.

Nearly made you into strawberry jam, didn't I?

InspectorGrant 13 Sep 11 at 7:02 p.m. GMT

Nice work, Nofret - yes, it is the ghastly Elsa Greer (my least favourite character in all of Dame Agatha's works).  She is talking to Caroline Crale about how she is going to change the room once she is married to Amyas.

Over to you, Nofret...

Nofret 13 Sep 11 at 3:58 p.m. GMT

Is it the ghastly Elsa Greer from Five Little Pigs, presuming that she will marry Crale and move into the house?

InspectorGrant 13 Sep 11 at 2:03 p.m. GMT

Thanks Night Ray.  They Came to Baghdad is a lovely book - it is light hearted without being silly, wonder why it has never been filmed.

Anyway, here's my quote:

"This would be a lovely room if it was properly fixed.  It's got far too much furniture in it."

NightRayDuck 13 Sep 11 at 2:10 a.m. GMT

InspectorGrant got the correct speaker and addressee of the quote! Mr. Dakin says this after inquiring whether Victoria minds very much about the disappointment in her romantic hopes. Your turn, InspectorGrant!

Tommy- I've just read the part of 7 Dials that you mentioned. Still, Bill splutters his proposal and Bundle is agreeable to the idea.

Nofret- I'd think Enderby would be horribly upset, after his proposal gets turned down by Miss Trefusis, again mistakes something Miss Trefusis says as a proposal to him, and then again finds out it is not a proposal and Miss Trefusis isn't interested in him.. 

If you are still confused about the circumstances of this quote - It was very near the end of They Came to Baghdad, when the case was mostly concluded. It's one of the very fun scenes.

InspectorGrant 12 Sep 11 at 5:25 p.m. GMT

Mr. Dakin to Victoria in They Came to Baghdad?

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Sep 11 at 11:15 a.m. GMT

Is it Bill to Bundlein The 7 Dials Mystery? He can't believe Bundle would marry him

Nofret 12 Sep 11 at 7:36 a.m. GMT

Charles Enderby to Emily Trefusis?

NightRayDuck 12 Sep 11 at 2:53 a.m. GMT

One of the latest two answers is very close! But got the wrong character speaking the quote. As I've said several times, this proposal, or this portion of conversation that's perceived as might have been a proposal, is the opposite kind of any conventional and truly intended proposal.

What I mean is, Codders truly asked Bundle to marry him, and Enderby really thought Miss Trefusis would accept his proposal gladly. This quote came up in a relatively casual conversation.

natsimard 11 Sep 11 at 11:23 p.m. GMT

Victoria Jones in "They Came to Baghdad"

Nofret 11 Sep 11 at 6:52 a.m. GMT

Emily Trefusis to Charles Enderby in The Sittaford Mystery?

NightRayDuck 11 Sep 11 at 3:29 a.m. GMT

ah, not Bundle and Codders. Codders is indeed proposing to her, and seems unable to take the hint that she does not welcome the suggestion. I doubt there would come a moment when Bundle could calmly say to Codders that they'd resolved the misunderstanding or such.

Ask some questions if you want a hint or explanation. I also have one or two odd hints floating around in my mind but I am not sure if it's time to post them.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Sep 11 at 11:51 a.m. GMT

Bundle talking to Codders in 7 Dials Mystery

NightRayDuck 10 Sep 11 at 3:58 a.m. GMT

Not in Curtain, Murder on the Links, or 4.50 from Paddington. My knowledge of those two Poirot novels are very vague indeed, but I think the "proposal" situations in the guesses are the opposite kind from the situation in this quote. o.O

mimi25 09 Sep 11 at 5:24 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

I think of a character in 4:50 from Paddington but I don't know which one.

Nofret 09 Sep 11 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

Cinderella to Hastings in  Murder on the Links?

Tommy_A_Jones 09 Sep 11 at 11:39 a.m. GMT

Nurse Craven in Curtain

NightRayDuck 08 Sep 11 at 8:41 p.m. GMT

Thank you, InspectorGrant!

Next quote:

"I am relieved. I thought for a moment you were proposing to me."

InspectorGrant 08 Sep 11 at 9:58 a.m. GMT

You are correct, Night Ray - it is David Angkatell ;)  I like this quote - it conjures up a real image of the young, male, know-it-all adolescent.  I think Dame Agatha must have been a very keen observer.

Congrats - over to you...

NightRayDuck 08 Sep 11 at 2:40 a.m. GMT

Lady Lucy Angkatell, about her cousin young Mr. David Angkatell, at that time a student in Oxford. in the book "The Hollow" which is also known as "Murder After Hours".

..I am not absolutely sure of the young man's name..

Tommy_A_Jones 07 Sep 11 at 1:24 p.m. GMT

4.50 From Paddington, Miss Marple talking about Train Porters

InspectorGrant 07 Sep 11 at 1:16 p.m. GMT

Thanks Nofret!  Here is mine:

"One wishes they could put off being intellectual until they were rather older.  As it is, they always glower at one so and bite their nails and seem to have so many spots and sometimes an Adam's apple as well.  And either they won't speak at all or else are very loud and contradictory."

Nofret 07 Sep 11 at 7:05 a.m. GMT

A lot of good guesses, but who's right?

Well done, Inspector Grant, it is indeed Tuppence, after Tommy's Aunt Ada had accused her of being Tommy's bit on the side!

Your turn, Inspector.

NightRayDuck 06 Sep 11 at 10:54 p.m. GMT

oooh wait! Mrs. Clement in "Murder at the Vicarage"? talking about herself when Reverend Clement mentions how absolutely besotted and spinning he felt the first time he met her?

yesterday I was thinking of young Mrs. Jefferson in "Body in the Library"..

InspectorGrant 06 Sep 11 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

Is it Tuppence in 'By the Pricking of my Thumbs'?

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Sep 11 at 2:02 p.m. GMT

Mrs Easterbrook from A Murder is Announced

NightRayDuck 06 Sep 11 at 1:01 a.m. GMT

This quote is about a middle-aged lady, not very obviously attractive, I think?

mimi25 05 Sep 11 at 7:14 p.m. GMT

Eileen "Bundle" Brent in The Seven Dials Mystery.

Nofret 05 Sep 11 at 5:57 p.m. GMT

Victoria and Emily were both quite sexy ladies, but neither of them!

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Sep 11 at 11:42 a.m. GMT

Emily Trefusis

InspectorGrant 05 Sep 11 at 9:09 a.m. GMT

Victoria, from 'They Came to Baghdad?' ?

Nofret 04 Sep 11 at 7:17 p.m. GMT

Thank you, P Lombard. Try this one -

It's nice to think that you might be taken for a depraved wpman of fatal sexual charm.

P_Lombard 04 Sep 11 at 6:45 p.m. GMT

Congratulations Nofret! It is Anthony Marston from And Then There Were None. Your turn.

NightRayDuck 03 Sep 11 at 11:21 p.m. GMT

might be Hastings right before, or right after, Poirot complains that cars are nefarious devices which go way too fast and bumpily?

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Sep 11 at 2:26 p.m. GMT

Does Charles say it in Dumb Witness?

Nofret 03 Sep 11 at 1:02 p.m. GMT

ATTWN and Hooray Henry Antony Marsden.

InspectorGrant 03 Sep 11 at 1:01 p.m. GMT

Sounds like Bundle Brent -  am guessing 'Seven Dials',

P_Lombard 03 Sep 11 at 12:52 p.m. GMT

"English roads are hopeless, of course. Can't get up a decent pace on them."

mimi25 02 Sep 11 at 7:29 p.m. GMT

Good answer ! It's your turn.

P_Lombard 02 Sep 11 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

Poirot about Jacqueline de Bellefort in Death on the Nile.

mimi25 02 Sep 11 at 3:59 p.m. GMT

No, it is not Crooked House.

ivi21 02 Sep 11 at 3:50 p.m. GMT

Is it from Crooked House? Maybe Charles talking about Josephine?

mimi25 02 Sep 11 at 3:42 p.m. GMT

Maybe a little bit easy, but I haven't read many stories in English.

"She cares too much, that little one", he said to himself. "It is not safe. No, it is not safe."

mimi25 02 Sep 11 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

Thank you. Give me a few minutes.

InspectorGrant 02 Sep 11 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

You are quite right, Mimi - over to you ;)

mimi25 02 Sep 11 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

I think it's the thought of a french girl at the hotel in Casablanca in "Destination Unknown".

InspectorGrant 02 Sep 11 at 1:47 p.m. GMT

Thank you, Mr. Graves!  Here's mine:

'Tant pis pour Pierre.  Il est vraiment insupportable!  Mais le petit Jules, lui il est bien gentil.  Et son pere est tres bien place dans les affaires.  Enfin, je me decide!'

Mr_Graves 31 Aug 11 at 7:01 p.m. GMT

Inspector Grant you are correct! Superintendent says this in "Hallowe'en Party". Your turn.

InspectorGrant 31 Aug 11 at 8:22 a.m. GMT

 Superintendent Spence.

NightRayDuck 30 Aug 11 at 4:36 p.m. GMT

maybe Rowena Drake..? o.O

Mr_Graves 29 Aug 11 at 7:38 p.m. GMT

Inspector Grant is right with "Hallowe'en Party". This quote did come from that book, but who said it?

InspectorGrant 27 Aug 11 at 6:26 p.m. GMT

Hallowe'en Party?

mimi25 27 Aug 11 at 9:28 a.m. GMT

Oh it is difficult. It is very short. If only we knew if it is in literal or figurative sense ?

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Aug 11 at 11:12 a.m. GMT

"How Does Your Garden Grow"

Mr_Graves 23 Aug 11 at 5:15 a.m. GMT

Oh! So it is... I barely even realised! I didn't look to see if I was right. Well, that's a nice surprise. Now for a new quote...

"That's what I'm doing now. Applying weed killer."

NightRayDuck 17 Aug 11 at 7:12 p.m. GMT

I may be wrong, but it looks like Mr. Graves's turn to post the next quote puzzle..?

mimi25 02 Aug 11 at 10:20 a.m. GMT

Yes it's her, congratulations Mr_Graves.

Mr_Graves 01 Aug 11 at 8:26 p.m. GMT

I'm going to be very obvious and ask if it is Mrs McGillycuddy contemplating the murder she just witnessed in "4.50 from Paddington"...

mimi25 01 Aug 11 at 4:31 p.m. GMT

No, not A Murder is Announced.

Another clue : a train play a role in this story.

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Aug 11 at 3:04 p.m. GMT

A Murder is Announced

mimi25 31 Jul 11 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.

A clue : Miss Marple appear in this story.

LauraPoirot 31 Jul 11 at 4:43 p.m. GMT

is it from appointment with death?

mimi25 31 Jul 11 at 11:02 a.m. GMT

I propose :

Her mind went back to the scene she had witnessed. Horrible, quite horrible...

InspectorGrant 30 Jul 11 at 7:16 p.m. GMT

Quite right, Mimi - it is indeed Henrietta talking about Gerda in The Hollow - poor Gerda, about to face the Angkatells....!!

mimi25 30 Jul 11 at 11:57 a.m. GMT

Is it Henrietta (talking about Gerda) in The Hollow ?

InspectorGrant 30 Jul 11 at 10:07 a.m. GMT

A clue, I think.  It is from a Poirot novel.

InspectorGrant 28 Jul 11 at 2:14 p.m. GMT

Thanks, GKCfan!  Here's one from me:

"It's interesting," thought ........, one portion of whose mind was always detached, "to see exactly what a female Christian martyr's face looked like before she went into the arena."

GKCfan 27 Jul 11 at 7:05 p.m. GMT

InspectorGrant is right!  It's Mrs. Oliver at the start of Hallowe'en Party!

InspectorGrant 27 Jul 11 at 7:02 p.m. GMT

I think this is Mrs. Oliver talking or thinking about the people in 'Hallo'ween Party'.

Nofret 27 Jul 11 at 5:04 p.m. GMT

A Tommy and Tuppence book perhaps - how about N or M, Tommy talking about the people at Sans Souci?

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Jul 11 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

The Secret of Chimneys

christie_greece 27 Jul 11 at 8:31 a.m. GMT

I'm thinking of Murder on the orient express but I don't know who might have said that....

GKCfan 27 Jul 11 at 7:36 a.m. GMT

No, sorry, not Sleeping Murder.  If you want a hint, ask a yes or no question, please.

NightRayDuck 27 Jul 11 at 4:08 a.m. GMT

This quote might have been somebody's comment regarding the persons of interest that Gwenda and Giles have considered in Helen's disappearance, in Sleeping Murder?

GKCfan 26 Jul 11 at 6:53 p.m. GMT

Poirot said something about the people in the Mrs. McGinty's Dead village "all being very nice people," but the book is not Mrs. McGinty's Dead.  You are on the right track, though...  The book has at least four recurring characters in it.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Jul 11 at 1:07 p.m. GMT

Is it from a Book with No Recurring Characters?

Nofret 26 Jul 11 at 8:28 a.m. GMT

Well, wasn't it in Mrs McGinty's Dead where Poirot says something about defending a reputation for being "very nice people" could be a motive for murder?

GKCfan 25 Jul 11 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

Sorry, no.  If you have any yes or no questions that can be used for hints, please feel free to ask them.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Jul 11 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

Charles Heywood Crooked House

GKCfan 25 Jul 11 at 6:28 a.m. GMT

"They're nice people, I should think, on the whole, but who knows?"

NightRayDuck 25 Jul 11 at 2:34 a.m. GMT

Eric Pugh to Staffy Nye is correct! Well done, GKCfan. Back to you! :-)

GKCfan 25 Jul 11 at 12:33 a.m. GMT

Eric Pugh to Sir Stafford Nye in Passenger to Frankfurt.

(Not-so-random response: I love it when Poirot responds that way to retirement, too!)

NightRayDuck 24 Jul 11 at 5:59 p.m. GMT

Next quote up for guessing:

"Your sense of fun is very distorted, my boy."

Random comment: I love the way that Poirot sometimes goes "aaah retirement! peaceful!" and then sometimes goes "too bored! must take up cases again!"

GKCfan 24 Jul 11 at 7:53 a.m. GMT

Yes, NightRayDuck!  It's Peril At End House!  Hastings said it to Poirot.

NightRayDuck 24 Jul 11 at 3:23 a.m. GMT

in "Peril at End House". Poirot and Hastings sitting outdoors on vacation at St. Loo. Poirot is in the "retirement suits me fine" mood, Hastings starts sounding off newspaper items, Poirot displays a letter from the Home Secretary, and Hastings assumes that Poirot will definitely take up the Home Secretary's case. Poirot says he won't. hence Hastings surprised and arguing that in the letter, the Home Secretary says it's urgent matter.

GKCfan 24 Jul 11 at 2:43 a.m. GMT

Not "Davenheim."  The line is spoken by Hastings near the start of a novel...

Kerr52 24 Jul 11 at 2:36 a.m. GMT

mr. davenheim

NightRayDuck 23 Jul 11 at 7:10 p.m. GMT

from Hastings? probably at the beginning of a novel, when Poirot complains that there's no interesting case for him to work on?

GKCfan 23 Jul 11 at 5:04 p.m. GMT

No.  It's not a short story.

GKCfan 23 Jul 11 at 5:04 p.m. GMT

No.  It's not a short story.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 11 at 2:24 p.m. GMT

The Double Clue

GKCfan 23 Jul 11 at 6:12 a.m. GMT

Yes, it was addressed to Poirot!

NightRayDuck 23 Jul 11 at 2:47 a.m. GMT

Was this quote addressed to Poirot?

GKCfan 22 Jul 11 at 3:33 a.m. GMT

Not "Christmas Pudding," sorry, and neither of those speakers is correct.

GKCfan 22 Jul 11 at 3:33 a.m. GMT

Not "Christmas Pudding," sorry, and neither of those speakers is correct.

NightRayDuck 22 Jul 11 at 12:23 a.m. GMT

Hm... I thought for a moment that this might be said to Poirot to persuade him to take up the theft case "The Theft of the Royal Ruby / The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding". But I forgot... finally a young man in Foreign or Diplomatic came to Poirot's flat to lay the case before him, so I suppose the Home Secretary wouldn't have been mentioned?

Whichever Poirot story, speaker of quote is likely Miss Lemon or George the valet.

GKCfan 21 Jul 11 at 5:46 p.m. GMT

No.  It's a Poirot tale, though.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 11 at 2:17 p.m. GMT

"The Submarine Plans"?

GKCfan 19 Jul 11 at 3:58 a.m. GMT

No, but you're on the right track...

NightRayDuck 19 Jul 11 at 1:38 a.m. GMT

somethingy from "The Kidnapped Prime Minister"?

GKCfan 18 Jul 11 at 5:23 a.m. GMT

"But the Home Secretary says the matter is urgent."

SilverTyne 17 Jul 11 at 7:08 p.m. GMT

Very good GKCfan.

Your go!

GKCfan 17 Jul 11 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

Miss Bunner to Miss Blacklock in A Murder is Announced.

SilverTyne 17 Jul 11 at 12:54 p.m. GMT

No, sorry christie_greece.

Clue tomorrow if no one comes close.

christie_greece 17 Jul 11 at 12:22 p.m. GMT

 Mr Burton (I can't remember his first name, I think it's Peter) from The Moving Finger?

SilverTyne 16 Jul 11 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

Thanks.

Here's one for you. Who is speaking to whom?

'Yes, even if it's a joke, it seems to me it's a spiteful sort of joke'

Nofret 16 Jul 11 at 6:05 a.m. GMT

Spot on, SilverTyne! Well done, your turn now!

SilverTyne 15 Jul 11 at 10:34 p.m. GMT

Mr Satterthwaite to the Spanish lady in 'The Man from the Sea'

Nofret 15 Jul 11 at 8 p.m. GMT

No, it isn't Poirot speaking.

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jul 11 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

Is it Poirot talking to Ariadne Oliver in Dead Man's Folly?

Nofret 14 Jul 11 at 7:27 p.m. GMT

Well, Countess Rossakoff was definitely a bit of a Prima Donna, but it's not her!

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Jul 11 at 2:11 p.m. GMT

Is it Poirot talking to the lady he falls in love with in The Big Four

Nofret 13 Jul 11 at 8:14 p.m. GMT

Good guess, P Lombard, but not Dr Gerard.

P_Lombard 13 Jul 11 at 3:28 p.m. GMT

Is it Dr. Gerard speaking about Jinny Boynton in Appointment with Death?

christie_greece 13 Jul 11 at 2:52 p.m. GMT

hmmm...it is probably too soon for a clue, right? It's ok. I'll wait

christie_greece 13 Jul 11 at 2:52 p.m. GMT

hmmm...it is probably too soon for a clue, right? It's ok. I'll wait

Nofret 13 Jul 11 at 7:40 a.m. GMT

Thank you, SilverTyne.

Your place is in the centre of the stage. You will always be the Prima Donna.

SilverTyne 11 Jul 11 at 6:58 p.m. GMT

Indeed it is Nofret.  Your turn!

Nofret

Is this from The Mystery of the Spanish Chest - Poirot speaking about the murder of Mr Clayton?

Nofret 11 Jul 11 at 7:13 a.m. GMT

Is this from The Mystery of the Spanish Chest - Poirot speaking about the murder of Mr Clayton?

SilverTyne 08 Jul 11 at 11:08 a.m. GMT

Thanks! Here's one for you.

'There would have been better ways of killing ??? than following him to a flat with a manservant...'

Nofret 08 Jul 11 at 7:32 a.m. GMT

Welcome to our little games, SilverTyne, and of course you are correct, it was the sexist pig Mr Wetherby to his downtrodden stepdaughter!

Your turn to set us a puzzle.

SilverTyne 07 Jul 11 at 12:45 p.m. GMT

Mr Wetherby to Deirdre

Nofret 06 Jul 11 at 1:22 p.m. GMT

Not Dr Rendle - clue, this person did not appear in the TV version.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Jul 11 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

Dr Rendle

Nofret 05 Jul 11 at 6:29 a.m. GMT

Not Patrick - he's not in Mrs McG!

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Jul 11 at 3:42 p.m. GMT

I thought I had suggested this person but is it Patrick Simmons

NightRayDuck 27 Jun 11 at 10:31 p.m. GMT

Ah, wonderful! So, I absolutely have no idea what quote this is about. :D

..sits back with an afternoon snack, waits to watch other friends guess this quote..

About reading the books... good recommendation! However, that the HarperCollins took over publishing Christie works in the US caused another unforeseen complication - the old editions are all sold out, the new editions have only been released for about 12 novels. The next batch of new-edition releases takes place in October, I think.

Nofret 27 Jun 11 at 8:38 p.m. GMT

No, the person in question wasn't complaining about Maureen Summerhayes.

I recommend that you read Mrs Mcginty's Dead, it's one of my favourites, even though I spotted the vital clue!

NightRayDuck 27 Jun 11 at 1:57 a.m. GMT

Ah, I haven't read that book! Good to see that I am not horribly failing to remember something that I've read, then. :D

..sits back..

Wait, I read a whole lot of reviews and use in these quizzes about this book. I don't know who does the complaining, but the complaint is likely directed at Maureen Summerhayes?

Nofret 26 Jun 11 at 10:20 p.m. GMT

Yes, you've got the right book, Laura.

LauraPoirot 26 Jun 11 at 11:10 a.m. GMT

In Mrs. McGinty's Death?

Nofret 26 Jun 11 at 8:44 a.m. GMT

Not Taken at the Flood, but you're getting warm -  a certain Belgian stood out like a sore thumb in this village, too!

NightRayDuck 26 Jun 11 at 12:12 a.m. GMT

Taken at the Flood, Dr. Lionel Cloade to his easily distracted wife Kathie? I have to admit though that I am only guessing. I don't recall reading such an occurrence in that story.

Nofret 24 Jun 11 at 7:08 a.m. GMT

Not Lord Edgeware, nor anyone in Ancient Egypt - this book was written after the second World War.

NightRayDuck 24 Jun 11 at 2:55 a.m. GMT

I am going to post 2 guesses because I know that neither of them really fit the description.. but I hope that might help us guess-ers narrow it down.

Lord Edgware in "Lord Edgware Dies", but does not fit because his wife isn't staying in his house, and probably wasn't ever expected to run the household.

Anybody in "Death Comes as the End" - would have been relic of a bygone age, but I think the vocab in this quote is simply very unlike something from an ancient civilization.

..goes back to dinner..

Nofret 23 Jun 11 at 9:58 a.m. GMT

Another male chauvinist! but not nutty Gervase!

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Jun 11 at 5 p.m. GMT

Gervaise Chevenix-Gore

Nofret 22 Jun 11 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

Not Miss Blacklock, Tommy. Ray, it's not John Christow, but you're spot on with your assessment of this person's character.

NightRayDuck 15 Jun 11 at 7:29 p.m. GMT

This might have been Dr. John Christow saying to his wife Gerda Christow in The Hollow? John being rather condescending and unreasonably demanding at the same time.. resembling, perhaps, the behavior of a robustly inconsiderate Victorian gent?

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Jun 11 at 5:06 p.m. GMT

Miss Blacklock A Murder Is Announced If it isn't her can you remind me what the Quote is? As I am Totally Confused

Nofret 11 Jun 11 at 10:46 a.m. GMT

The quote is "I hate to remind you, but the task of running the household devolves on you. I should appreciate a little more punctuality."

Not Patrick Simmonds - Mitzi would have thrown a mega-tantrum!

Clue - the speaker is NOT addressing a servant.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Jun 11 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

Patrick Simmons (A MUrder Is Announced)?

NightRayDuck 09 Jun 11 at 8:48 p.m. GMT

Pardon me, but is "Who is this relic of a bygone age?" also part of the quote for guessing? I just wanted to check. Thank you.

Nofret 09 Jun 11 at 7:10 p.m. GMT

Not Mr Pye - I see him doing his own dusting dressed in a frilly pinny!

Tommy_A_Jones 08 Jun 11 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

Is it Mr Pye from The Moving Finger?

Nofret 08 Jun 11 at 7:29 a.m. GMT

Yes, the quote begins "I hate to remind you..." The paragraphing wouldn't work, neither did the facility to edit your post!  Very underwhelmed by the new format!

No, it's not Cedric - don't think he would be so ungallant!

NightRayDuck 07 Jun 11 at 9:47 p.m. GMT

um. The last three sentences in your post, Nofret; are they the quote for guessing? b/c, er, the formatting and paragraph separation either aren't loading on my puter at the moment, or had been reverted to basic-basic format when your post went up..

If that's the quote for guessing, I think it's Cedric Crackenthorpe to Lucy Eylesbarrow in "4.50 from Paddington".

Nofret 07 Jun 11 at 11:43 a.m. GMT

Thank you, GKCfan. I'll try not to get too impatient when my post doesn't appear immediately! Who is this relic of a bygone age? I hate to remind you, but the task of running the household devolves on you. I should appreciate a little more punctuality.

GKCfan 07 Jun 11 at 5:22 a.m. GMT

I agree- one guess at a time.  But it is Tressilian from Hercule Poirot's Christmas!

NightRayDuck 06 Jun 11 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

Tommy_A_Jones

I think we should be confined to ine guess at a time, none of this "Is it X or Y" business

I have to be honest that I agree with this suggestion in general. However, I am happy to see that at least Nofret's two guesses come from the same story and refer to the same incident. ;)

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Jun 11 at 5:05 p.m. GMT

I think we should be confined to ine guess at a time, none of this "Is it X or Y" business

Nofret 06 Jun 11 at 10:34 a.m. GMT

Is it either the doddery butler Tressilian, or the dodgy valet Horbury on hearing the noise from Simeon Lee's room in Hercule Poirot's Christmas?

Nofret 06 Jun 11 at 10:34 a.m. GMT

Is it either the doddery butler Tressilian, or the dodgy valet Horbury on hearing the noise from Simeon Lee's room in Hercule Poirot's Christmas?

Nofret 06 Jun 11 at 10:33 a.m. GMT

Is it either the doddery butler Tressilian, or the dodgy valet Horbury on hearing the noise from Simeon Lee's room in Hercule Poirot's Christmas?

GKCfan 04 Jun 11 at 9:59 p.m. GMT

"Good gracious!  Whatever is the master doing?  What's happening up there?"

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Jun 11 at 3:49 p.m. GMT

Hello Ray, I think if Japp had given the boy a Train set he would have been just as happy than he was being given a sixpence

NightRayDuck 03 Jun 11 at 8:54 p.m. GMT

Quite so, GKCfan! This quote is Ted's reply to one of the "smug" regular residents in the house asking him what he'd done with Kay. One of the few occasions that Mary Aldin actually feels sorry / worried about other people, I believe.

Your turn! :)

GKCfan 03 Jun 11 at 8:29 p.m. GMT

Ted Latimer in reference to Kay being "claimed" by her new husband, Neville Strange in Towards Zero.

NightRayDuck 03 Jun 11 at 6:34 p.m. GMT

Hi Tommy, this is not by Poirot, and not in Nemean Lion. I should perhaps have posted an emoticon to go with the quote.. something like this:

"She's been claimed by her legal owner."

The character is feeling bitter and frustrated at the time of speaking this quote.

I forgot the year of Dead Man's Folly, but I got an impression that Murder in the Mews occurred in the 1930s or before, while The Clocks occurred in the 1960s? The difference in the kids running about talking to the police, and the difference in reward to such kids in the different eras is what I meant. I mean, so Japp paid the kid a sixpence, whereas Colin Lamb gave the girl a little metal spoon or something..

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Jun 11 at 3:53 p.m. GMT

Did Poirot say it in The Nemean Lion?

It didn't occur to me a Girl wouldn't be able to get information helpful to the Police but SPOILER a Girk did help Poirot in The Clocks and Dead Man's Folly, Poirot must be more forward looking than Japp.

NightRayDuck 03 Jun 11 at 2:36 a.m. GMT

next puzzling quote:

"She's been claimed by her legal owner."

hmm.. back in the era of Murder in the Mews, I'd wonder if a female child would have the opportunity to get any info useful to the police, to supply it to the police, or to go out by herself to spend sixpence..

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Jun 11 at 4:52 p.m. GMT

Tommy_A_Jones

Yes, Well done he says it to a boy in Murder In The Mews who supplies him with information, I love the way people talked in those days but I do wonder what he would have said to a Girl, probably "Thankyou Miss, here is sixpence for you" which doesn't sound so atmospheric does it? your go Ray

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Jun 11 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

Yes, Well done he says it to a boy in Murder In The Mews who supplies him with information, your go Ray

NightRayDuck 02 Jun 11 at 4:40 p.m. GMT

OK! :)

I am guessing it's spoken by Inspector Japp or Inspector Slack in one of the very early stories.

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Jun 11 at 4:24 p.m. GMT

As I am not to sure what you mean by Recipient I will say this, The person this was said to was a Male Child which I suppose makes the person a Boy, Luke Fitzwilliam did not say this and the book that this was said in was not Murder Is Easy

NightRayDuck 28 May 11 at 9:01 p.m. GMT

if not Luke Fitzwilliam, I'd like to ask two questions about this quote:

Is the recepient of this quote under 16 years of age?

Is this recepient male?

b/c I thought this quote sounded rather sarcastic.. I admit tho that I don't know which amount is the more money, sixpence, or a shilling. many other detectives were in the habit of paying a shilling..

HerculeJC 28 May 11 at 4:44 p.m. GMT

Did Luke Fitzwilliam say this, in MURDER IS EASY??

Tommy_A_Jones 20 May 11 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

I love Death On The Nile it made me like Colonel Race.

I bet this on will be really Easy so sorry

'Right Well young Man you seem a bright kind of shaver. Here's sixpence for you' 

NightRayDuck 19 May 11 at 6:27 p.m. GMT

Yes, Tommy! This particular quote is said when, after several confessions by various persons, Cornelia comes and laments the horrible scandal that will result from publicising Miss Van Schuyler's kleptomanic habits. Your turn!

Tommy_A_Jones 18 May 11 at 4:07 p.m. GMT

Colonel Race said it in Death On The Nile someone had confessed to Poirot and him about something and when someone else did Race said that, I am sorry I can't be more specific and if someone else can fill in the blanks I wont be offended if you think they should set the next quote, after today I probably come on until the 20th anyway.

NightRayDuck 18 May 11 at 5:26 a.m. GMT

not Peril at End House, and not Australian lodgers.

consider several possible contexts of the phrase "hush-hush". 

HerculeJC 18 May 11 at 2:39 a.m. GMT

Is this from PERIL AT END HOUSE, spoken by one of the Australian boarders??

NightRayDuck 16 May 11 at 10:02 p.m. GMT

"That's all right. This is Hush Hush House."

HerculeJC 16 May 11 at 8:38 p.m. GMT

Good guess, Nofret.

However, NightRay is correct: the quote was from David Emmott, and it is about Louise Leidner, from Murder in Mesopotamia.

Your turn, NightRay.

NightRayDuck 16 May 11 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

might be talking about Louise Leidner in Murder in Mesopotamia..

Nofret 16 May 11 at 7:07 p.m. GMT

Could be the ghastly Mrs Boynton from Appointment with Death?

HerculeJC 16 May 11 at 3:34 p.m. GMT

No it is not from Hallowe'en Party. 

But you're right about the person speaking about a murder victim.

Mr_Graves 16 May 11 at 12:18 a.m. GMT

Somebody talking about Joyce, from "Hallowe'en Party", perhaps.

HerculeJC 15 May 11 at 5:58 a.m. GMT

Okay, here is the next quote:

"...That's what she always wanted to be - at the centre of things...."

NightRayDuck 15 May 11 at 5:10 a.m. GMT

HerculeJC is correct. The Arundell siblings showing themselves as lovely scoundrels upon their first interview with M. Poirot, how very brave! ..um, I meant to say, how very unwise! 

HerculeJC's turn to set the next quote.

HerculeJC 14 May 11 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

My thought is Charles and Theresa Arundell, from DUMB WITNESS, with Theresa saying it to Charles.

NightRayDuck 14 May 11 at 8:14 p.m. GMT

The speaker and the recipient of this quote are siblings, but their reputation indicates a wild lifestyle and some lack of scruples, compared to the Burton siblings.

Nofret 14 May 11 at 5:21 p.m. GMT

Jerry Burton to his sister Joanna in The Moving Finger?

NightRayDuck 12 May 11 at 8:57 p.m. GMT

hmm, not Rosamund Shane. the smiley face is present at the moment that the character speaks this quote. I don't remember enough of After the Funeral to know whether Rosamund smiled at her philandering husband..

Nofret 12 May 11 at 6:37 p.m. GMT

Is it Rosamund Shane, from After the Funeral, to her philandering husband?

NightRayDuck 11 May 11 at 8:10 p.m. GMT

"Any one who trusted you, my sweet, would be mentally deficient."

GKCfan 11 May 11 at 4:32 a.m. GMT

Yes!  Hastings said it in the context you mention.  Great job!

NightRayDuck 11 May 11 at 1:58 a.m. GMT

it's about the box of strong meds on top of a shelf, yes? and old Miss Caroline Amory's habit of looking for some tonic for anybody looking ill or stressed might make the situation even more dangerous..

I haven't found the quote. I'd suggest it's either Hastings or Japp, when the investigators go over the presence and easy availability of poisons in the household.

GKCfan 10 May 11 at 3:48 a.m. GMT

Yes!  It's from Black Coffee!  Now, who said it?

P_Lombard 09 May 11 at 4:20 p.m. GMT

Is it Black Coffee?

Tommy_A_Jones 09 May 11 at 1:36 p.m. GMT

Peril At End House

GKCfan 09 May 11 at 6:12 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  Not Three Act Tragedy.  Remember, Hastings is in this story. 

NightRayDuck, in response to your questions:

a) Not particularly.

b) Not as far as I know.  It's a nice, big, posh house.

c) There's actually a doctor who's a frequent guest here.  The house is about twenty-five miles from London.

HerculeJC 08 May 11 at 11:34 p.m. GMT

THREE ACT TRAGEDY

NightRayDuck 08 May 11 at 11:24 p.m. GMT

Does the house feature any of the following:

a) someone who spends too much time taking care of people and forcing remedies onto them?

b) dirty, stuffy, or to the contrary very drafty room, where the person being ill would be uncomfortable?

c) house itself being too far from the main road, or from the village / town / doctor's office?

Thank you.

GKCfan 08 May 11 at 11:03 p.m. GMT

No, but it is another story starring both Poirot and Hastings featuring at least one poisoning...

GKCfan 08 May 11 at 11:02 p.m. GMT

No, but it is another story starring both Poirot and Hastings featuring at least one poisoning...

GKCfan 08 May 11 at 11:02 p.m. GMT

No, but it is another story starring both Poirot and Hastings featuring at least one poisoning...

P_Lombard 08 May 11 at 9:15 p.m. GMT

Is it Dumb Witness?

GKCfan 08 May 11 at 8:44 p.m. GMT

No, not Mysterious Affair at Styles, but it's a story with a lot of similariities to that one...

Tommy_A_Jones 08 May 11 at 3:19 p.m. GMT

The Mysterious Affair At Styles? SPOILER Did the woman who fell in love with Lawrence say it

GKCfan 07 May 11 at 8:25 p.m. GMT

No, not Curtain, though Hastings is in this story.

Tommy_A_Jones 07 May 11 at 3:45 p.m. GMT

Does it come from Curtain? SPOILER Perhaps the woman associated with one of the cases said it or Hastings Daughter referring to the fact a Murder had been committed there years ago.

GKCfan 07 May 11 at 5:10 a.m. GMT

No, there's nothing New-Agey about the poisons.  It's not from The Clocks but it is a Poirot story.

NightRayDuck 06 May 11 at 9:27 p.m. GMT

Does the house feature someone who likes to concoct homemade / herbal / traditional / new-age syrups and remedies? It strikes me as dangerous if the new friend in the Tommy'n'Tuppence short story "The House of Lurking Death" took enthusiastically to extracting herbal essence and using that as treatment during any case of mass-poisoning..

HerculeJC 06 May 11 at 7:10 p.m. GMT

Could it be about one of the neighbors' houses, in THE CLOCKS??

GKCfan 01 May 11 at 9:39 p.m. GMT

Yes... more or less.  This refers to the presence of poisonous substances.

Nofret 01 May 11 at 7:50 a.m. GMT

Was this referring to inadequate storing of poisonous substances?

GKCfan 01 May 11 at midnight GMT

Sorry, no.  To save time from guessing randomly, if anyone wants to ask some yes or no questions, please do so.

NightRayDuck 30 Apr 11 at 10:10 p.m. GMT

for a moment, I thought it might be Miss Kate "Ginger" Corrigan in The Pale Horse, about her role as a target for assassination. but that's not the right source of this quote, is it..

GKCfan 30 Apr 11 at 9:06 p.m. GMT

"I shouldn't like to be ill in this house."

Nofret 30 Apr 11 at 8:11 a.m. GMT

Spot on, GKCfan! Over to you!

GKCfan 29 Apr 11 at 11:27 p.m. GMT

Sir Henry Clithering in "Death by Drowning?"

NightRayDuck 29 Apr 11 at 9:42 p.m. GMT

I know. :) I just had no ideas as to who spoke this quote, so I started wondering whether the concept of murder being a crime older than seduction indicated a specific cultural or religious background for the character, that's all.

I'd hazard that the circumstances leading to this quote was a discussion or complaint about a specific instance of recent seduction, and then this character goes, sort of "aha!", ..but murder is a crime even worse than seduction.. etc. 

Nofret 29 Apr 11 at 6:38 a.m. GMT

No, the speaker wasn't thinking of Christian mythology, or any other, merely that the case in question involved seduction, and possibly murder.

NightRayDuck 29 Apr 11 at 2:37 a.m. GMT

I wonder what type of chronology is being referred to in this quote. I thought in Christian equivalent of creation myths, seduction occurred before murder (among humans, at least). So... is this quote spoken by someone referring to a different set of creation myths or historical legends?

Nofret 24 Apr 11 at 12:18 p.m. GMT

It sounds like something Miss Marple would have said, doesn't it? But no, she didn't say it.

HerculeJC 23 Apr 11 at 8:40 p.m. GMT

This is probably, awfully wrong, but I think about Miss Marple mentioning this to Inspector Neele or Sargeant Hay, in A POCKET FULL OF RYE.

Nofret 23 Apr 11 at 12:33 p.m. GMT

Thank you, Mr G! Try this one -

"Seduction is quite an old-established crime, though it does not, of course, date back so far as murder"

Mr_Graves 22 Apr 11 at 9:57 p.m. GMT

Lots of ideas from darknightofrays, but it was in fact from "Hickory Dickory Dock", of the unfortunate Celia Austin. So Nofret is correct!

Nofret 22 Apr 11 at 11:33 a.m. GMT

I think it may have been from Hickory Dickory Dock, said by the investigating plod (was it Japp?) about the supposed suicide of Celia.

NightRayDuck 22 Apr 11 at 4:09 a.m. GMT

I have some 5 possible answers frothing out from my brains.. I blame the bad punctuation in the parallel-reality Sherlock Holmes stories that I've been reading. (the authors or the editors put in a whole lot of "Mr Holmes" "Dr Watson" "Miss. so-and-so", very confusing.)

I thought of..

somebody, likely the grandmom Mrs. Lacey, about Miss Sarah Lacey, in "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding" / "The Theft of the Royal Ruby"..

or Colonel whathisname, that old friend of the Charnley family, about Lady Alix Charnley's behaviour after the apparent suicide of her husband, in "The Dead Harlequin"..

and could be anyone of those chatty people on the boat in Poirot's Death on the Nile..

Mr_Graves 20 Apr 11 at 9:05 p.m. GMT

Sound reasoning there, but this is not from "Five Little Pigs".

NightRayDuck 20 Apr 11 at 8:10 p.m. GMT

I think somebody in Five Little Pigs said this about Elsa..

Mr_Graves 19 Apr 11 at 5:10 a.m. GMT

I feel bad for those who were subjected to abridged versions of Agatha Christie. It seems almost sacreligious. So I am sorry to those who were at a disadvantage with this clue. And now here is mine. 

"They're idealistic at that age and they take love affairs hard."

GKCfan 17 Apr 11 at 7:36 a.m. GMT

Yes, it's Mrs. Barton in the early pages of the complete and original version of The Moving Finger!  I don't think it's in the standard American version, but it's in the re-released one (just came out this month), which is why I selected it!

GKCfan 17 Apr 11 at 7:36 a.m. GMT

Yes, it's Mrs. Barton in the early pages of the complete and original version of The Moving Finger!  I don't think it's in the standard American version, but it's in the re-released one (just came out this month), which is why I selected it!

HerculeJC 17 Apr 11 at 5:20 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

I thought it was Poirot saying it to Hastings, in the short story The Market Basing Mystery.    In that story, the issue of the victim's smoking was part of Poirot's deduction of what happened.

NightRayDuck 17 Apr 11 at 12:43 a.m. GMT

??!? Did old Miss Emily Barton show Jerry and Joanna around the cottage? Is the US edition really so very badly abridged?? BTW I heard a reconstituted edition had been published in the US a few days ago, but I didn't find it in the bookstore when I checked today.

I thought this quote might be in a discussion about Miss Lettice Protheroe's over-modern habits, in The Murder in the Vicarage. I have no guess as to who said it, though.

Mr_Graves 16 Apr 11 at 10:59 p.m. GMT

Is it old Mrs Barton speaking to Jerry and Joanna whilst showing them around her cottage in "The Moving Finger"?

GKCfan 16 Apr 11 at 1:12 a.m. GMT

"Yes, yes, everyone smokes now."

HerculeJC 15 Apr 11 at 6:41 a.m. GMT

Good job, GKC!!

Yes, it was Mrs. Lacey, speaking to Poirot in "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" (which is the title used in two of my books).

GKCfan 15 Apr 11 at 6:07 a.m. GMT

Mrs. Lacey in (depending what title is used) "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding" or "The Theft of the Royal Ruby!"

HerculeJC 15 Apr 11 at 12:57 a.m. GMT

Okay, here is the next quote:

"I expect we'll all have frightful indigestion by tomorrow evening", said (name of character omitted). "One isn't used to eating so much nowadays, is one?"

GKCfan 14 Apr 11 at 7:03 a.m. GMT

Yes, it's Colonel Carbury!

HerculeJC 13 Apr 11 at 6:23 a.m. GMT

For APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH: Was it Colonel Carbury or Jefferson Cope who asked Poirot for his opinion?

GKCfan 12 Apr 11 at 6:25 a.m. GMT

It is from Appointment With Death, but it's not said by Dr. Sarah King.

HerculeJC 12 Apr 11 at 6:02 a.m. GMT

Could it be Doctor Sarah King saying it to Poirot in APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH??

GKCfan 11 Apr 11 at 7:09 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  You are geting warmer– can you think of other books where a mysterious death is not an obvious murder?

Mr_Graves 11 Apr 11 at 6:11 a.m. GMT

My guess is "Three Act Tragedy", even though I have looked through the likely places and haven't found it. 

GKCfan 10 Apr 11 at 6:01 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  This book was published before Taken at the Flood.

NightRayDuck 10 Apr 11 at 12:51 a.m. GMT

I thought it might be from Taken at the Flood, but flipped through the book, and didn't find the quote. still looking..

GKCfan 09 Apr 11 at 4:44 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It's not from a short story.

cameronjhw 08 Apr 11 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

Is it from the Tragedy of Marsdon Manor when examining the body of Mr. Maltravers or is is from the Lernean Hydra when talking about the murder of Mrs. Oldfield

GKCfan 08 Apr 11 at 8:34 a.m. GMT

The quote is said to Poirot, but not in Dumb Witness.

NightRayDuck 08 Apr 11 at 6:30 a.m. GMT

Dr. Donaldson to M. Poirot in Dumb Witness?

GKCfan 06 Apr 11 at 1:20 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.

cameronjhw 05 Apr 11 at 10:40 p.m. GMT

It is Sir Charles Cartwright discussing the bizarre death of the Rev. Stephen Babbington in Three Act Tragedy

GKCfan 05 Apr 11 at 6:29 p.m. GMT

"What's your expert opinion?  Was it murder– or wasn't it?"

Miss_Eylesbarrow 05 Apr 11 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

Well done GKCFan, there's no fooling you!

GKCfan 02 Apr 11 at 6:11 a.m. GMT

Mrs. Lestrange to Rev. Clement in Murder at the Vicarage?

HerculeJC 02 Apr 11 at 4:44 a.m. GMT

Could it be from AT BERTRAM'S HOTEL??  Regarding Elvira Blake.

My other guess: THE MOVING FINGER.  Could it be in a conversation with Megan and Jerry.

NightRayDuck 30 Mar 11 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

hm, if 4.50 from Paddington, I'd say it's more likely Lucy Eylesbarrow asking someone in the Crackenthorpe household about some domestic issue (ex. having put too much food for midday meal; having not put enough food for evening meal when suddenly all the family would be home and eating; having found a dead body in the artsy-antique collection of the master..) b/c, you know, Master Luthor Crackenthorpe is so very picky and cranky.

Nofret 30 Mar 11 at 6:06 p.m. GMT

Is it Lady Stoddart-West from 4.50 from Paddington?

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Mar 11 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

Caribbean Mystery

Miss_Eylesbarrow 30 Mar 11 at 12:54 p.m. GMT

Not Sleeping Murder.

Tommy_A_Jones 29 Mar 11 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

Sleeping Murder?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Mar 11 at 1:02 p.m. GMT

Neither Nemesis nor The Mirror Crack'd.  To help things along a bit, it's a woman speaking to a man.

Nofret 26 Mar 11 at 8:05 a.m. GMT

Is it Jason Rudd from The Mirror Crack'd, talking to Miss Marple, near the end when they are both aware of the murderer's identity?

HerculeJC 25 Mar 11 at 7:25 p.m. GMT

First off, this is my first post in about a year; need to get back to being involved on this site.

MY GUESS: Could it be from NEMESIS: Miss Marple is not sure whether to accept the late Mr. Rafael's request.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 25 Mar 11 at 1 p.m. GMT

It's not a crime from the past, neither is it from Endless Night.  It is, however, a Miss Marple novel...

NightRayDuck 22 Mar 11 at 10:41 p.m. GMT

or rather in the letter Michael Rogers wrote to that colonel somebody who is highly respected in the neighborhood, about Rogers's latest plans upon coming back to Gypsy's Acre?

NightRayDuck 22 Mar 11 at 3:53 a.m. GMT

Could this be Michael Rogers in Endless Night? might be talking to Ellie's family solicitor, Mr. Andrew Lippincott, when Rogers goes to the U.S. to collect his inheritance.

Mr_Graves 22 Mar 11 at 2:44 a.m. GMT

I have a feeling that it's from "Nemisis"... Or some other novel involving a crime from the past. That hardly narrows it down, I know, but my thought was "Nemisis"

Miss_Eylesbarrow 21 Mar 11 at 10:06 a.m. GMT

Not Postern of Fate....It is from a novel though

P_Lombard 20 Mar 11 at 1:44 a.m. GMT

Postern of Fate?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 15 Mar 11 at 3:52 p.m. GMT

Yes, it's a great bit, I love it when Poirot makes up stuff  - and it's even funnier when he gets found out

I want to ask your advice as to what I should do next.  What is past is past and cannot be undone.  You understand?

NightRayDuck 14 Mar 11 at 9:50 p.m. GMT

Yes, Miss Eylesbarrow! This is Poirot complaining to Hastings in Dumb Witness. Well done. Your turn! 

I always thought this scene quite hilarious.. during the busy investigation, Hastings has complained about chauffeuring Poirot around to visit interested persons, about Poirot just enjoying a holiday of purely academic mystery, about Poirot being too conspicuous, about Poirot being too elaborate with lies.. and finally Hastings is convinced that, indeed, murder had been done, but becomes even more critical about Poirot lying. 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 14 Mar 11 at 10:59 a.m. GMT

Is it Poirot talking to Hastings?  The book could be Dumb Witness?

NightRayDuck 14 Mar 11 at 12:34 a.m. GMT

"You are really very offensive sometimes, ____. Anybody would think I enjoyed telling lies."

Note: the _____ is the name of a character, temporarily omitted so to make this quote puzzling.

GKCfan 13 Mar 11 at 1:31 a.m. GMT

No need for hints, you're right!  It's Mitzi in A Murder is Announced!  Great work!

NightRayDuck 13 Mar 11 at 12:17 a.m. GMT

I was thinking of Mitzi in A Murder Is Announced, but I couldn't find the quote in the book. I'll ask for hints, if that's ok..

Is Miss Marple in this story?

Is the speaker of this quote above 21 years in age?

Thank you.

GKCfan 12 Mar 11 at 7:23 p.m. GMT

No, it's not from Appointment with Death, but yes, it is spoken with a non-British accent.

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Mar 11 at 3:35 p.m. GMT

Ginnerva Boynton From Appointment With Death 

Nofret 12 Mar 11 at 12:02 p.m. GMT

OK - was this spoken in a foreign accent?

GKCfan 11 Mar 11 at 9:54 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  Not this book.  It's a pain to just say "No... No.."   If you want hints, please ask yes or no questions, like "Does X appear in this book?"

NightRayDuck 11 Mar 11 at 9:41 p.m. GMT

possibly Josephine Leonides to Charles Hayward in Crooked House?

GKCfan 11 Mar 11 at 8:39 p.m. GMT

"I shall not tell you anything at all.  Why should I?  You are all alike."

Miss_Eylesbarrow 11 Mar 11 at 10:17 a.m. GMT

Correct GKC, over to you now

GKCfan 10 Mar 11 at 7:10 p.m. GMT

Inspector Leach says this to his uncle Supt. Battle in Towards Zero.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 10 Mar 11 at 12:53 p.m. GMT

It isn't any of those mentioned so far...

NightRayDuck 10 Mar 11 at 1:37 a.m. GMT

I'd have thought it's Rowley Cloade talking to Uncle Jeremy Cloade in Taken at the Flood... I have to admit though, I haven't found it in the book after a quick flipping of the pages.

Tommy_A_Jones 09 Mar 11 at 4:01 p.m. GMT

I am guessing Sophie Leonides says it in Crooked House and the Uncle is Roger.

Nofret 09 Mar 11 at 3:23 p.m. GMT

I'd guess it was George from After the Funeral talking to his uncle, except that Timothy Abernethie seemed unlikely to give anyone a hand!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 09 Mar 11 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

Great, thanks Sittaford.  Here's my quote: 'You'll give me a hand, Uncle, over this?' , and for a bonus point, who is 'Uncle'?

Sittaford 03 Mar 11 at 11:26 p.m. GMT

That's correct!! It is from The Mysterious Affair At Styles, and of course it is the most esteemed Hercule Poirot that said it.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 03 Mar 11 at 11:42 a.m. GMT

Is it from Styles? Poirot or Japp?

Sittaford 03 Mar 11 at 12:19 a.m. GMT

It's not from Murder on the Links but you're in the right time frame.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 02 Mar 11 at 10:27 a.m. GMT

Is it from Murder on the links?  Either Poirot or M. Bex?

Sittaford 02 Mar 11 at 5:34 a.m. GMT

Actually, I suppose you're right that it probably has been stated in various forms so I can give a few hints if people are having trouble, but you are right in the type of person that would say it

NightRayDuck 02 Mar 11 at 4:40 a.m. GMT

whoa! This is a difficult quote... this principle has been stated by various detectives, and at least several times by M. Hercule Poirot. In various wording, of course.

Sittaford 02 Mar 11 at 12:45 a.m. GMT

Yipee!! Here's my quote:

"Everything must be taken into account. If the fact will not fit the theory -let the theory go."

GKCfan 01 Mar 11 at 8:38 p.m. GMT

Yes, Sittaford!  It's Griselda from Vicarage!

Sittaford 01 Mar 11 at 5:58 a.m. GMT

My guess is that it's Griselda, the vicar's wife, from Murder at the Vicarage.

NightRayDuck 28 Feb 11 at 11:21 p.m. GMT

I venture to advance the theory that this female is discussing a messy room and/or making excuses for some item that should be there but she could/would not find. Perhaps the murderer in Lord Edgeware Dies? (I forgot her name.)

GKCfan 28 Feb 11 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

Yes, it's a female from a novel.  She's not a recurring character, but she is mentioned in a later book.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 28 Feb 11 at 10:25 a.m. GMT

I'm guessing it's a female character, right?  from a novel or short story?

GKCfan 26 Feb 11 at 10:37 p.m. GMT

No to both, sorry.  It's not a character from tht Tom/Tup or Chimneys series.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Feb 11 at 3:54 p.m. GMT

Tuppence

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Feb 11 at 10:50 a.m. GMT

Virginia Revel from Chimneys?

GKCfan 22 Feb 11 at 6:16 a.m. GMT

Sorry, no. 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 21 Feb 11 at 10:09 a.m. GMT

Maureen Summerhayes from Mrs McGinty's Dead?

GKCfan 20 Feb 11 at 7:38 p.m. GMT

"I'm evidently not a housekeeper by nature."

InspectorGrant 20 Feb 11 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

Nice work, GKCfan - it is, of course, Bob the fox terrier out of Dumb Witness.  Over to you...

GKCfan 19 Feb 11 at 9:26 p.m. GMT

Those are what Hastings believes to be the musings of the titular "Dumb Witness," Bob the dog.

InspectorGrant 18 Feb 11 at 6:01 p.m. GMT

'Always spoiling a fellow's sport,' he grumbled.  'First chance I've had of giving anyone a really good fright for ever so long... '

InspectorGrant 18 Feb 11 at 11:58 a.m. GMT

Thanks very much, Tommy - will go away and have a think!

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Feb 11 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

Yes, Well Done Inspector Grant, Your Turm

InspectorGrant 17 Feb 11 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

Tommy, I think that this is Jane Olivera speaking to Poirot in One Two, Buckle My Shoe. 

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Feb 11 at 3:08 p.m. GMT

Yes, Sorry, I didn't realise I had got it right, Here goes.

'Sleuths on the doorstep rather suggest Bombs in the attic don't they?' 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 17 Feb 11 at 9:49 a.m. GMT

Are you going to set us another quote, Tommy?

GKCfan 05 Feb 11 at 8:48 p.m. GMT

Yes!  It's Adela Marchmont talking to her daughter, Lynn in Taken at the Flood!  Great job!  Your turn now.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Feb 11 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

Is it from Taken At The Flood?

GKCfan 01 Feb 11 at 11:55 p.m. GMT

"Shall I bring my girl a nice tray in bed?"

Miss_Eylesbarrow 01 Feb 11 at 9:49 a.m. GMT

GKCfan, are you ready to give us another quote to puzzle over?

elinor_carlisle 24 Jan 11 at 7:44 a.m. GMT

yes indeed, it is Mr. Quin! Congrats -ur turn.

GKCfan 23 Jan 11 at 7:41 a.m. GMT

Mr. Quin, from "The Harlequin Tea Set?"

elinor_carlisle 23 Jan 11 at 5:15 a.m. GMT

Nope, sorry -it's not from Death on the Nile. 

InspectorGrant 22 Jan 11 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

Is it from Death on the Nile?  It just sounds like something which Jacqueline de Bellefort would say.

elinor_carlisle 22 Jan 11 at 10:52 a.m. GMT

GKCfan

Yes!  Poirot's quote refers to Carlotta Adams in Lord Edgeware Dies.  Congratulations!

Yayy!!! This is the first time I've played. Sorry I ddin't sign in for 2 days. I guess it's my turn now. so, here goes:

"Because of death? But Death is not always a tragedy!"

GKCfan 20 Jan 11 at 8:41 a.m. GMT

Yes!  Poirot's quote refers to Carlotta Adams in Lord Edgeware Dies.  Congratulations!

elinor_carlisle 20 Jan 11 at 7:53 a.m. GMT

GKCfan

The "creative artist" is an actor/actress, but is not Veronica Cray.

Is it Lady Edgeware from "Lord Edgeware dies"? i've forgotten her name... 

Actually no -it's Carlotta Adams -the other actress in the same book, right?

GKCfan 20 Jan 11 at 6:27 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It's not from the Big Four and it has nothing to do with Achille...

NightRayDuck 20 Jan 11 at 4:02 a.m. GMT

a very odd idea occurred to me, and I felt I should post it for its entertainment value even though it doesn't fit the more recent hints... is this quote by the astounding M. Hercule Poirot talking about M. Achille Poirot, or perhaps the astonishing M. Achille Poirot talking about M. Hercule Poirot? the religious Messrs. Poirot at the pinnacle of their doziness?

..hides behind the sofa from thrown veggies..

GKCfan 19 Jan 11 at 11:14 p.m. GMT

The "creative artist" is an actor/actress, but is not Veronica Cray.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jan 11 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

Is the 'creative artist' an actor?

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jan 11 at 2:53 p.m. GMT

Veronica Cray The Hollow

GKCfan 19 Jan 11 at 5:34 a.m. GMT

Neither, sorry.  The person Poirot is referring to is not a writer or a sculptor.

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Jan 11 at 4:52 p.m. GMT

Henrietta from The Hollow

Bunch_Marple 18 Jan 11 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

Mrs McGinty's dead.... Robin Upward?

GKCfan 17 Jan 11 at 10:43 p.m. GMT

Not Hallowe'en Party, and Poirot is not referring to a writer, but he is thinking of a creative artist...

NightRayDuck 17 Jan 11 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

 is Poirot talking about the dangers in being famous, such as Mrs. Ariadne Oliver in Halloween Party? a mystery writer so well-known that random kids just couldn't resist trying to impress her?

 all day yesterday I tried to think how to find out about the nature of the potentially dangerous job... police / soldier / criminal? cook in a fiery kitchen, gardener with access to toxic weedkillers?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 17 Jan 11 at 1:02 p.m. GMT

HI GKC & Darknight, I'm intrigued, what book was the quote from?

NightRayDuck 17 Jan 11 at 12:42 a.m. GMT

thank you! but, oh dear, he wasn't speaking about wills or insurance policies? potentially dangerous job of someone else? hmm.

GKCfan 15 Jan 11 at 10:45 p.m. GMT

darknightofrays, you've just won your sixpence!  Poirot did say this!

NightRayDuck 15 Jan 11 at 9:13 p.m. GMT

If I had to stake a sixpence, I'd say it's the astounding M. Poirot...

GKCfan 14 Jan 11 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 14 Jan 11 at 11:12 a.m. GMT

Is it Superintendent Battle?

GKCfan 14 Jan 11 at 8:54 a.m. GMT

This character is talking about someone else's potentially dangerous job.

GKCfan 14 Jan 11 at 8:54 a.m. GMT

This character is talking about someone else's potentially dangerous job.

NightRayDuck 14 Jan 11 at 8:06 a.m. GMT

Still pondering out loud... is this character talking about danger and preparations for danger with this quote?

GKCfan 14 Jan 11 at 6:42 a.m. GMT

The character speaking is religious, but is not a member of the clergy, nor is the character selling life insurance or referencing anything will-related.  The character IS a detective, but is not Inspector Japp.

NightRayDuck 13 Jan 11 at 10:20 p.m. GMT

I don't have any particular ideas on the speaker yet, but the quote struck me as either coming from one with religious / spiritual / fatalistic feelings (such as the Reverends so far guessed), or a stock phrase in, well, selling life insurance, persuading people to make a will, giving an explanation for someone's making of a will...

Miss_Eylesbarrow 13 Jan 11 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

Is it a policeman?  Inspector Japp?

GKCfan 12 Jan 11 at 10:10 p.m. GMT

Yes, more than two books, actually.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 12 Jan 11 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

is the character speaking one who appears in more than one book?

GKCfan 11 Jan 11 at 6:37 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  The speaker is not a member of the clergy, and Miss Marple does not appear in the book.  The quote is from a full-length novel.

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Jan 11 at 3:33 p.m. GMT

Is it the Vicar in Murder At The Vicarage?

GKCfan 10 Jan 11 at 9:43 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not the Reverend, and it's not from The Moving Finger, either.

GKCfan 10 Jan 11 at 9:43 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not the Reverend, and it's not from The Moving Finger, either.

Nofret 10 Jan 11 at 2:34 p.m. GMT

Sounds like that dozy vicar, Rev. Dane Calthrop, from The Moving Finger!

GKCfan 06 Jan 11 at 9:48 p.m. GMT

"Misfortune may always be waiting to rush out upon us."

Nofret 06 Jan 11 at 10:04 a.m. GMT

Well done, GKCfan, it is indeed the unfortunate Mr Rhodes, who expected to be hanged for the murder of his wife.

Your turn.

GKCfan 05 Jan 11 at 8:15 p.m. GMT

Mr. Rhodes from "Miss Marple Tells a Story."

Nofret 05 Jan 11 at 6:39 p.m. GMT

No, not Stephen Farr, or any of the assorted Lee family.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Jan 11 at 3:19 p.m. GMT

Stephen Farr from Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Nofret 05 Jan 11 at 9:50 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Darknight. How about this one:

I expect to die of a broken neck in a few months' time.

NightRayDuck 05 Jan 11 at 2:48 a.m. GMT

Yes, Nofret! This is the police sergeant (I think) commenting on the assorted passports (I think maybe they're really issued by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but were applied using false identities? don't know.). Over to you for the next quote, please!

Nofret 04 Jan 11 at 9:52 p.m. GMT

Is this from Hickory Dickory Dock, when the police find Valerie Hobson's assorted false passports?

NightRayDuck 03 Jan 11 at 5 a.m. GMT

I felt it might be Gwenda, but didn't want to post an answer until I re-read the book and found exactly what she's talking about in that line. It's difficult to read a scary mystery when the streets were full of New Year revelry. Oh well...

Next quote up for guessing!

"Issued by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, God bless his trusting heart."

GKCfan 03 Jan 11 at 1:42 a.m. GMT

It is Gwenda in Sleeping Murder!  The line, however, refers to her telling Giles that he expects her to do everything regarding setting up their new house.

NightRayDuck 02 Jan 11 at 11:39 p.m. GMT

Gwenda in Sleeping Murder, about finding out the facts in the disappearance of her stepmother?

GKCfan 02 Jan 11 at 11:19 p.m. GMT

No, not Caribbean, sorry.  Not too many Miss Marple novels left...

Nofret 02 Jan 11 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

Is it the Kendals from A Caribbean Mystery?

GKCfan 02 Jan 11 at 7:11 a.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not from Vicarage either.

NightRayDuck 02 Jan 11 at 3:20 a.m. GMT

The vicar's wife and the vicar's nephew might have said something of this sort in The Murder at the Vicarage?

GKCfan 02 Jan 11 at 12:22 a.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not from Nemesis, A Murder is Announced, or 4:50 from Paddington.

ampman 01 Jan 11 at 8:03 p.m. GMT

4.50 from Paddington   Lucy Eylesbarrow ?

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Jan 11 at 4:31 p.m. GMT

A Murder Is Announced?

Nofret 31 Dec 10 at 6:03 p.m. GMT

Just back from ASWAN where Christie wrote Death on the Nile, while staying at the Old Cataract Hotel (I believe the hotel was also used in one of the adaptations). Had a wonderful time in the sun - only disappointment was that the Old Cataract was closed for refurbishment, so I couldn't wander round the grounds or pop in for a drinkie and pretend I was my heroine!

Anyway, is the quote Miss Marple in Nemesis?

GKCfan 30 Dec 10 at 8:18 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It is from a Miss Marple novel, though.

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Dec 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

Is it Body In The Library?

GKCfan 29 Dec 10 at 9:34 p.m. GMT

"What you mean is... do all the work!"

Mr_Graves 29 Dec 10 at 7:05 p.m. GMT

Very good, GKCfan- your turn.

GKCfan 28 Dec 10 at 9:43 p.m. GMT

Midge says this early in The Hollow when Lucy is fretting over her plans for the guests.

Mr_Graves 28 Dec 10 at 7:49 p.m. GMT

It was worth a try, but no, it is not from this story. The pudding, I will hint, is metaphorical. It would have been nice, though, if I HAD thought to do a festive clue!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 28 Dec 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

So I'm going to go for the obvious and get it out of the way...Poirot from The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding?

Mr_Graves 25 Dec 10 at 1:12 a.m. GMT

Hooray! I did think that quote was cracking- just love the way AC pokes fun at detective fiction... Here's my quote...

"The ingredients of the pudding are not promising"

By the way, Merry Christmas to all!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 24 Dec 10 at 9:22 a.m. GMT

Yes, quite right Mr Graves.  Cracking quote isn't it?  Your turn.

Mr_Graves 23 Dec 10 at 11:14 p.m. GMT

Ooh! That rings a great big bell.. Now, was it Lady Frances Derwent from "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?". She was disappointed, I think, with the victim's last words... 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Dec 10 at 9:57 a.m. GMT

Great  

I've been waiting to do this one for ages:  'The will is in the walnut bureau'

GKCfan 22 Dec 10 at 9:31 p.m. GMT

You are correct!  Great job!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Dec 10 at 9:31 a.m. GMT

okay, now to pinpoint which one...I think it must be The Stymphalean Birds said by Philip Clayton to his wife Elsie?

GKCfan 21 Dec 10 at 10:06 p.m. GMT

Yes, it is!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 21 Dec 10 at 10:32 a.m. GMT

Is it from one of the Labours of Hercules?

GKCfan 21 Dec 10 at 4:28 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 20 Dec 10 at 9:38 a.m. GMT

is it from Philomel Cottage?

GKCfan 17 Dec 10 at 7:51 a.m. GMT

Note: This is from a short story.

"You she-devil, I'll kill you for this."

NightRayDuck 17 Dec 10 at 6:12 a.m. GMT

GKCfan got the correct inspector and the correct irresponsible young man! It is Inspector Sharpe wondering at Nigel's casual attitude about stealing several poisons and his alleged success, in Hickory Dickory Dock.

Sorry if I seemed to provide too few hints, but the usual requested hint would be "does this policeman work with M. Poirot?" and then we'd head into a guessing / eliminating trip with Inspector Japp and Inspector Spence...

GKC's turn to give us the next puzzling quote. 

GKCfan 16 Dec 10 at 8:08 p.m. GMT

Inspector Sharpe to Nigel in Hickory Dickory Dock after he explains how he stole the stethescope and the poison?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 16 Dec 10 at 10:56 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

In that case it sounds as though it could be a quote by Battle.  Is it from Towards Zero to Neville Strange?

NightRayDuck 14 Dec 10 at 8:15 p.m. GMT

This quote is spoken by an official figure of authority, unlike Mrs. Oliver or the wonderful M. Poirot. I might add that, also, the character who says this doesn't have the dramatic flair or desire to surprise an audience as M. Poirot sometimes exhibits. This character meant this quote as a serious evaluation of the character addressed.

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Dec 10 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

Is it Third Girl? Is it said by Ariadne to The Peacock?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 14 Dec 10 at 9:43 a.m. GMT

I really want to get this one because I've got a doozey of quote for guessing, but I don't recognise your quote at all Darknight!  Is it by Poirot when he does one of his famous summing ups and had a go at the characters he doesn't like?  Such as in 'Lord Edgeware Dies'.

NightRayDuck 12 Dec 10 at 7:08 p.m. GMT

New quote up for guessing! It is definitely from a book as in its current US edition. My eyes had scanned the quote just half a minute before typing it below.

"You're a very irresponsible young man."

Well... I still don't have the Patriotic Murders book on hand, but my unreliable reference book also manages to not include Hastings in the characters list for One Two Buckle My Shoe... That is sort of my reason for not making the effort of going through the books when a quote is supposedly spoken by a familiar sidekick such as Hastings or Inspector Japp... They appear so very often, it gets difficult to remember who said which quote exactly, and translators often take the liberty of throwing in familiar characters, too. 

MissQuin 12 Dec 10 at 9:59 a.m. GMT

Are we doing quotes from adaptations now? I didn't realise. Because I'm not sure Hastings was in One Two Buckle my Shoe book. I think he was in the adapt. I checked my version oft he book and it was Japp who made the blonde remark.

Anyway Nofert are you staying at Burgh Island? If so I envy you! Ive only seen it on TV. I knew someone who went there as a visit but didn't stay there. Noel Coward stayed there too and possibly some other noteworthy people.

Night's turn!

Nofret 12 Dec 10 at 9:12 a.m. GMT

Well done, Darknight! It is from One, Two, Buckle my Shoe, when the body, thought to be that of Mrs Chapman, is discovered. While searching the flat for clues, Hastings comes across a bottle of peroxide and makes his somewhat ungallant comment!

Over to you, DK!

By the way, I'm off tomorrow for Xmas break. My destination is one that was well known to Christie. In fact, from my hotel room I will have a view of the very hotel where she once stayed, and where she wrote one of her best-loved mysteries!

Can you guess where I'll be tomorrow?

NightRayDuck 11 Dec 10 at 11:45 p.m. GMT

I don't have the book on hand, and I'd rather not fry my brain going to get it and read it over, but... The Patriotic Murders, a.k.a. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, contains one or two ladies whose identities are deliberately confused by the murderer(s)?

Nofret 11 Dec 10 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

No again!!!! It's a nursery-rhyme book!

MissQuin 11 Dec 10 at 5:35 p.m. GMT

I have been the fool! He's talking about Cinderella (Dulcie) sister Bella wearing the blonde wig. At least I think it  was Bella wearing the blonde wig, or maybe it was Dulcie!! 

It's Murder On The links.

Nofret 11 Dec 10 at 4:46 p.m. GMT

No, it's not from a short story.

Clue - a body has just been discovered - but whose?

MissQuin 11 Dec 10 at 2:25 p.m. GMT

Not one of our natural platinum blondes, I gather.

I think it might be a short story Four and Twenty Blackbirds. I can't check as I don't own a copy of it. It's years since I read it from the library but it might refer to the artist's model.

It is rather out of character for Hastings. But then again he doesn't really like women smoking or going to jazz clubs, so I supposed hair dye comes under his idea of "vices"!!

Nofret 10 Dec 10 at 7:51 p.m. GMT

No, think nursery rhymes.

Nofret 10 Dec 10 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

No, think nursery rhymes.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Dec 10 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

ABC Murders?

Nofret 10 Dec 10 at 1:41 p.m. GMT

No, it's not junkie Freddie.

In fact, you could say that this blonde didn't exist at all!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 09 Dec 10 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

It's an odd thing for Hastings to say, he's not usually catty, more your chivalrous English gentleman.  In Peril at End House, he's not keen on Freddie, is he talking about her?

Nofret 08 Dec 10 at 9:55 p.m. GMT

Not from Lord Edgeware dies - no lords or ladies get killed in this book.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 08 Dec 10 at 11 a.m. GMT

Oh, goodness!  I thought it sounded like Hastings.  Now for the book, hmmmm  Is it from Lord Edgware Dies?  about Lady Edgeware?

Nofret 08 Dec 10 at 10:18 a.m. GMT

It is indeed Hastings getting in touch with his feminine side! Now which book, and who was the dubious blonde?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 07 Dec 10 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

Is it said by Hastings?

Nofret 07 Dec 10 at 4:11 p.m. GMT

Not The Seven Dials Mystery, Tommy.

Clue for Miss E.  A male character, and a very unlikely one to be commenting on ladies' hairdressing!

Tommy_A_Jones 07 Dec 10 at 3:41 p.m. GMT

The Seven Dials Mystery?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 07 Dec 10 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

is this line said by a male or female character?

Nofret 06 Dec 10 at 7:49 p.m. GMT

No, but good guess, it could be describing "Ruby Keene"

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Dec 10 at 4:10 p.m. GMT

Is it From Body In The Library?

Nofret 06 Dec 10 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

Well, it could refer to Lucky, but it's not from A Caribbean Mystery.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 06 Dec 10 at 12:37 p.m. GMT

Is this from A Caribbean Mystery, referring to Lucky Dyson?  Can't remember who said it though.

Nofret 05 Dec 10 at 12:46 p.m. GMT

Thank you, GKCfan! And on the same theme -

Not one of our natural platinum blondes, I gather.

By the way folks, don't forget there are some other games which haven't received a hit for some days!

GKCfan 04 Dec 10 at 11:56 p.m. GMT

Yes!  It's ABC Murders.

InspectorGrant 04 Dec 10 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

Yes, it is, Nofret.  It is on page 2 - very early in the book.

Nofret 04 Dec 10 at 12:20 p.m. GMT

Can't remember which book it was, but I remember a scene where Poirot shows Hastings a bottle labelled "Revivit is NOT a dye"!!!!! Hastings' reply is "Poirot, you've dyed your hair!"

Is it The ABC Murders?

MissQuin 04 Dec 10 at 12:16 p.m. GMT

sorry I know this is the place for a Murder Is Easy discussion- so I put it on the MIS thread.

NightRayDuck 04 Dec 10 at 6:08 a.m. GMT

Ack, Poirot's moustache, not beard. I am so sorry for the mistake! I tend to get muddled after attempting to find a familiar Hastings quote and failing after flipping through three books.

I humbly yield the floor to any friend who can find the book containing this quote.

GKCfan 03 Dec 10 at 11:22 p.m. GMT

That's correct (at least, it's about Poirot's hair and moustache (he has no beard))!  Now, from what book does it come!

NightRayDuck 03 Dec 10 at 9:27 p.m. GMT

I think this is the amicable Capt. Hastings responding to M. Poirot's comments on his beard... years had passed, M. Poirot surely had gained in age, but his beard was more black in color than it had been.

GKCfan 03 Dec 10 at 8:54 p.m. GMT

"But surely that's a scientific impossibility!"

NightRayDuck 03 Dec 10 at 7:51 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

Nofret

No, it's not Mr Ellsworthy, and I thought he was a Wiccan rather than a Satanist

He sacrificed animals which means black magic. I don't think he knew himself what he was doing- the prat!

I agree Ellsworthy probably had no idea what exactly he's doing, or adhered to any particular creed or system or deity or demonic entity. I got the impression that he simply played around sort of like "ahaha! yep I sacrifice animals, too! I am not like those stuffy ordinary people!" Also he and his friends were using some illegal drugs? So it's sort of a "dope party with black magic theme for entertainment". 

I seriously, seriously think the translated edition of Taken at the Flood that I had read as a kid had been extensively and liberally re-written by the translators... maybe the translators thought they were liberating a Christie classic? 

MissQuin 03 Dec 10 at 9:23 a.m. GMT

Nofret

No, it's not Mr Ellsworthy, and I thought he was a Wiccan rather than a Satanist

He sacrificed animals which means black magic. I don't think he knew himself what he was doing- the prat!

Nofret 03 Dec 10 at 8:32 a.m. GMT

You've got it, GKCfan, over to you!

GKCfan 03 Dec 10 at 5:06 a.m. GMT

It's David Hunter from Taken at the Flood, talking about magical means of revenge.

cameronjhw 02 Dec 10 at 10:26 p.m. GMT

Could it be Thyrza Grey or Mark Easterbrook from the Pale Horse

Nofret 02 Dec 10 at 7:17 p.m. GMT

No, it's not Mr Ellsworthy, and I thought he was a Wiccan rather than a Satanist

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 4:53 p.m. GMT

LOl yes! Well we know Colin looks nice just risen from the depths of a lake! In his element in water.

Is the quote Mr Ellesworthy in Murder is easy? Wonderfully odious! A man I wouldn't want round for xmas, not that he's celebrate it being a Satanist!!

Nofret 02 Dec 10 at 4:41 p.m. GMT

"Oh, Mr Firth, come in, you look frozen. Here, open this bottle of wine while I run you a nice hot bath........"

Sorry, my imagination running wild again!

Here's my quote:

Black magic generally. Ill wishing. Wax Figures. Spells at the turn of the moon

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

Naughty Nofret- I love Jonaathn Firth, but anyway.. best change subject!

It was Mr Treeves! what would he know a bachelor? I have my pride although maybe I'd do something silly in JF turned up on my doorstep, asking for shelter from the snow....

Nofret 02 Dec 10 at 2:16 p.m. GMT

I quite agree, MissQ. Sorry I brought the subject up! Though if it was Colin Firth's underwear we were discussing............

Back to your quote - my first though was perhaps it was said by Mr Treves in Towards Zero about Audrey and Kay Strange.

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 1:53 p.m. GMT

Where I am now- it's snowing. The roads are covered and so I'm stuck indoors. But your post made me shriek with laughter!!

 Glad your back Norfet! rofl

um no- I'm not certain what patent underwear is. I thought patent meant special kind. Maybe it has his name on it. Or maybe it's big 20's long johns designed for frail faddy old men. It's not really something I wish to think about... Honestly.

Here's the quote:

"It has been my experience said XXXXXXX, that women posses little or no pride where love affairs are concerned."

Nofret 02 Dec 10 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

Brilliant, Miss Q! Your turn! I'm completely snowed in and going out of my mind with boredom!!!!!

(PS what exactly is "patent underwear"? Is it a delicate euphemism for "incontinence pants?!?)

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

It's snowing here! I'm stuck indoors, I might as well have a good old guess.

That quote I love- Dolly Bantry said it about Mr Curle in The Herb Of Death. How she knew he had patent underwear, makes us wonder...! Best not think of it!

MissQuin 02 Dec 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

It's snowing here! I'm stuck indoors, I might as well have a good old guess.

That quote I love- Dolly Bantry said it about Mr Curle in The Herb Of Death. How she knew he had paten underwear, makes us wonder...! Best not think of it!

Nofret 02 Dec 10 at 9 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Miss E.

Those elderly stooping men with beards are often faddy. They have patent kinds of underwear too!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 01 Dec 10 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

It's actually the lovely Amy Carnaby talking about hersef to Poirot.  Great guess, your turn!

Nofret 30 Nov 10 at 12:22 p.m. GMT

Is it the lovely Amy Carnaby talking about Sir Joseph Hogg?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Nov 10 at 3:46 p.m. GMT

No, although it is the kind of thing she says from time to time.  This is a character who appears in more than one short story.

MissQuin 29 Nov 10 at 3:33 p.m. GMT

Is it Miss Marple pretending to be less clever than she is?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Nov 10 at 3:28 p.m. GMT

Actually, it's a character quite unlike Adele Fortescue.

MissQuin 29 Nov 10 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

Is it a simular chaarcter to Adele? Maybe young, attractive female, though pretending to be rather more silly than they really are?

MissQuin 29 Nov 10 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

Is it a simular chaarcter to Adele? Maybe young, attractive female, thouh pretending to be rather more silly than they really are?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Nov 10 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

Hi Miss Quin,

I agree, a dumb thing to say.  Unfortunately not A Pocket Full of Rye, though.

MissQuin 29 Nov 10 at 2:25 p.m. GMT

Sound's like a dumb thing to say! Is it Adele Fortsecue in Pocket full of Rye?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Nov 10 at 10:10 a.m. GMT

Thanks GKC, if only your 'Guess the Object' was as easy to identify!  Okay, here's my quote:

'I only have a woman's brain and don't understand finance'

GKCfan 25 Nov 10 at 6:58 p.m. GMT

Yes!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 25 Nov 10 at 8:57 a.m. GMT

that's Colonel Arbuthnot talking to Miss Debenham in MOTOE!

GKCfan 25 Nov 10 at 5:06 a.m. GMT

This is from a book that most people have read or are at least familiar with:

"Breakfast isn't always a chatty meal."

NightRayDuck 25 Nov 10 at 2:10 a.m. GMT

Yes, GKC, this quote is by Miss Pebmarsh in The Clocks. Over to you for the next quote...

GKCfan 24 Nov 10 at 6:31 a.m. GMT

That's from The Clocks.  Miss Pebmarsh said it, I believe.

NightRayDuck 24 Nov 10 at 5:42 a.m. GMT

Next quote up for guessing! - is, let me check, yes, definitely in an original novel, and one that, I noticed, had a wide readership, to judge from the number of grumbles I saw on the forum for the book / story.

"There are always opportunities - even in prison."

I think it's easy, but in case you feel misled after several wrong guesses, ask me for any clarification you'd like...

NightRayDuck 24 Nov 10 at 5:38 a.m. GMT

ROFL "make the challenge extra hard"!! 

Um, I apologize for the burst of laughter. I have to point out, though, that for some readers, the play scripts and the novelized plays are entirely unavailable. A few years ago, I gave a copy of Black Coffee to my older sister who started me on reading Agatha Christie, and my sister went "Oh my God they did start plagiarizing and writing blasphemous new stories for Poirot!!" If Black Coffee is translated and published where my sister lives, she wouldn't even look at it twice. I think it might be appropriate to use the format of the original source as an additional hint when our friends are totally stuck after so many guesses....

Or, at least, make it less frustrating in case anyone here is thoroughly read in the novels but has had no opportunity to get at the plays.

GKCfan 23 Nov 10 at 6:18 p.m. GMT

When we first started this game on the old version of the website years ago, we wanted to make the challenge extra hard by not specifying whether it was a play, short story, or novel.  I hope that I did not make my selection too frustrating, but if people prefer, from now on I will specify the format of the original source.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Nov 10 at 2:36 p.m. GMT

I don't think you are being Grumpy, I think you have a very valid point and I personally think people set a Quote they Should have to say wether it comes from a short story or Play as I will always assume any Quote set would come from a Novel otherwise and I wouldn't mind betting I am the only one who thinks that but if I am so be it. 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Nov 10 at 1:57 p.m. GMT

I'm just being grumpy Tommy.  I don't think there's anything in the rules that states we should be clear where our quotes come from and I've re-read the posts by GKCFan and to be fair, GKC simply refers to a 'tale' rather than a book or story, I should have picked up on that. All credit to Darknight for getting it - I was completely out of ideas!

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Nov 10 at 1:47 p.m. GMT

I thought when it when someone posed a quote from a Play or short story they had to state the quote came from a Play or short story but I suppose as My last effort was someone reading from a Magazine that wasn't fair either and mine before that was said by Haistings who Narrated all the book so I don't suppose that was fair either.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Nov 10 at 8:58 a.m. GMT

that's sneaky, Black Coffee is a play

GKCfan 23 Nov 10 at 6:26 a.m. GMT

Yes!  It's Black Coffee, spoken by Barbara Amory.   Great job!

NightRayDuck 23 Nov 10 at 6:08 a.m. GMT

Does Black Coffee count as a novel? And still I can't remember which character might have said it; possibly that niece of that scientist...

Of course, it's always possible that my incomplete reference book has omitted some books in listing the appearances of Inspector Japp and Capt. Hastings.

GKCfan 23 Nov 10 at 5:29 a.m. GMT

No, it's not Evil Under the Sun, Dumb Witness, Peril at End House, ABC Murders or The Big Four.  So that really narrows it down...

NightRayDuck 23 Nov 10 at 5:25 a.m. GMT

If it's Peril at End House, only Nick Buckley and Frederica Rice are likely to say something like this...

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Nov 10 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

I think it is Dumb Witness I think it is one I have either Read or watched and the only women in ABC Murders wouldn't have said (I don't Think) but I might be wrong.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Nov 10 at 12:09 p.m. GMT

So the only two books left which qualify are The Big Four (which I haven't read in years) or The ABC Murders.  If it's ABC then the only characters I can think who might have said that line is either Megan Barnard - Betty's sister or Sir Carmichael Clarke's wife (can't think of her name for the mo), but I thought that her interview was with Poirot not Hastings.

NightRayDuck 22 Nov 10 at 5:45 a.m. GMT

The presence of Hastings and Inspector Japp rule out Evil Under the Sun... hmm. A possibility is Peril at End House, but I can't think of anyone in that story who would say this.

GKCfan 21 Nov 10 at 8:11 p.m. GMT

Sorry, no.  There are only a few more possibilities...

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Nov 10 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

Lord Edgware Dies

GKCfan 21 Nov 10 at 5:34 a.m. GMT

No, sorry.

Mr_Graves 21 Nov 10 at 12:48 a.m. GMT

I haven't managed to find it anywhere, but I suspect it may be somebody from "The Mysterious Affair at Styles"...

GKCfan 20 Nov 10 at 9:37 p.m. GMT

No, it's not a short story.  Also note the characters who I have mentioned are in the mystery in question...

ave27 20 Nov 10 at 8:10 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Mmmm...I'm about to look at other replies to see if I'm right, but my guess is Harold Waring, the young fella from "The Stymphalean Birds." One of my favorite stories!

GKCfan 20 Nov 10 at 7:35 p.m. GMT

No.  Another hint- Inspector Japp is also in this one, along with Poirot and Hastings.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Nov 10 at 5:05 p.m. GMT

Dumb Witness?

GKCfan 19 Nov 10 at 10:45 p.m. GMT

It's not Hallowe'en Party, but the line IS spoken to Captain Hastings.

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Nov 10 at 4:52 p.m. GMT

Halloween Party?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Nov 10 at 11:50 a.m. GMT

Is the woman in question speaking to Cpt Hastings?

GKCfan 19 Nov 10 at 8:01 a.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not from The Clocks.  There is no inquest in the tale in question.

NightRayDuck 19 Nov 10 at 7:23 a.m. GMT

I thought of Mrs. Bland from The Clocks. Looked through the chapter with her first appearance. Still didn't find such quote. I wonder, this quote may have been spoken by an onlooker at or after an inquest? There are so many inquests in Poirot tales...

GKCfan 17 Nov 10 at 11:34 p.m. GMT

Neither of those, sorry.  But it is from a Poirot tale.

GKCfan 17 Nov 10 at 11:34 p.m. GMT

Neither of those, sorry.  But it is from a Poirot tale.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 17 Nov 10 at 9:58 a.m. GMT

Is it Suzanne Blair from The Man in the Brown Suit?

NightRayDuck 17 Nov 10 at 8:15 a.m. GMT

I thought of Doris Sanders, young woman who chatters a lot while sitting as incidental model for Henrietta Savernake's sculpting project of "Nausicaa", in The Hollow. But, again, I flipped through pages and couldn't find the line...

GKCfan 15 Nov 10 at 11:21 p.m. GMT

Not Magda, but it is a Poirot tale... I can't remember the speaker's job (if any), but it is a woman,

NightRayDuck 15 Nov 10 at 10:15 p.m. GMT

I thought Magda Leonides a.k.a. Magda West, in Crooked House, would be a likely person to say something like that. I couldn't find such quote when I flipped through the book, though.

My next bet would be any actress in a Poirot tale...

GKCfan 15 Nov 10 at 7:51 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It's not even a Miss Marple tale.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 15 Nov 10 at 11:30 a.m. GMT

is it Mr Pye from The Moving Finger?

GKCfan 14 Nov 10 at 9:08 p.m. GMT

"I adore sensation, don't you?"

GKCfan 14 Nov 10 at 9:08 p.m. GMT

"I adore sensation, don't you?"

MissQuin 14 Nov 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

My goodness! That was quick work GKC!

GKCfan 14 Nov 10 at 7:34 a.m. GMT

Mrs. Price-Ridley from Murder at the Vicarage, refering to Redding.

MissQuin 13 Nov 10 at 10:30 a.m. GMT

ok

"That young fellow is always mouching off up there"

It's interesting to note that mouching doesn't seem to be an actual word! It's possible the character who said it, hadn't quite grasped the popular slang word mooching!

NightRayDuck 13 Nov 10 at 5:54 a.m. GMT

It is indeed Superintendent Battle discussing a royal personage in The Secret of Chimneys! Congratulations to MissQuin, and glad you enjoyed the puzzle also, InspectorGrant. 

A minor detail, not usually required in guess the quote game- in this quote, Superintendent Battle discusses another Royal Prince, explaining the reason that this prince's equerry was away at a crucial time- a more similar type of "dissipated" as the Peacock person, I suppose.

InspectorGrant 12 Nov 10 at 8:39 a.m. GMT

I am sure that it is Anthony Cade @ Prince Nicholas also!  After reading that he was sent down from Oxford because of his wild ways, and then fell in love with Virgina Revel, I think this is definitely our man ;)

MissQuin, you can have this - I must get hold of a copy of Chimneys and read it.  It sounds very good and also features my favourite real life Police Officer, Supt. Battle.

Interesting and informative question, darknightofrays! 

MissQuin 11 Nov 10 at 8:07 p.m. GMT

Could be Anthony Cade aka Prince Nicholas? Secret Of Chimneys

If I'm wrong then Inspector Grant should have it of course. It's been years since I read chimneys and I can hardly remember the plot. I remember Bundle and Bill, Anthony Cade and that's about it! Don't remember much of the plot except a King being killed.

NightRayDuck 11 Nov 10 at 7:12 p.m. GMT

Oh, dear MissQuin, and dear InspectorGrant...

This quote is indeed by Superintendent Battle, in either Chimneys or 7 Dials. Seeing as you're each voting for the one that you haven't read... would you like to settle it by guessing the identity of the particular dissipated young man and pinning down the book in which he is thus described by Superintendent Battle? That information, I think, is readily available in book summaries / blurbs.

Hint: The young man is of high significance to some political concerns and commercial concerns. To certain persons, however, the young man is, all by himself, His Magnificent Highness.

InspectorGrant 11 Nov 10 at 6:28 p.m. GMT

Not at all, MissQuin - first in best dressed!  Just to make it more interesting I will change my book to The Secret of Chimneys, although like you with Dials I haven't read this.

MissQuin 11 Nov 10 at 6:18 p.m. GMT

Ah, that's going to make things tricky.

InspectorGrant 11 Nov 10 at 6:16 p.m. GMT

Well, MissQuin, we are thinking along the same lines at the same time..

InspectorGrant 11 Nov 10 at 6:12 p.m. GMT

Is it Superintendent Battle in 'The Seven Dials Mystery'?

MissQuin 11 Nov 10 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

Could be Battle, it's certainly sounds like him and he met Mrs Oliver in Cards On The Table, but I'm uncertain about the book.

It could apply to Seven Dials which Ive not read.  But heard there's some dissipated young men in that one.

NightRayDuck 11 Nov 10 at 5:50 p.m. GMT

It's not from Towards Zero. I should like to pull back from the comparison hints and give, instead, the context of this quote and my surmise on why it might feel uncharacteristic of the famous investigator who spoke it.

This investigator is well known for reticence and discretion. He will not chatter about the case or say more than is needed, to more than the persons who really do need to know. When he deals with possible criminals, he can be quite blunt and drive the point home. This quote, however, is spoken to several persons with a strong sense of their own importance, about another person who is, by all accounts, of high significance. That, I think, is the reason that this investigator is much more circumspect when saying this quote.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 11 Nov 10 at 11:49 a.m. GMT

Is it from Towards Zero?

NightRayDuck 10 Nov 10 at 6:30 p.m. GMT

Good point, Miss Eylesbarrow. I am not very good at comparison hints, sorry if that hint caused any confusion. I should say, this character is not head of Scotland Yard, but is quite highly placed in Scotland Yard, and for certain types of cases, may be an investigator much preferred over the head of police. Mrs. Oliver has met this character a few times in at least one novel, but this character is a famous detective in his own right and this quote is spoken in a novel where Mrs. Oliver does not appear.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 10 Nov 10 at 9:24 a.m. GMT

Well, that's the Head of Scotland Yard - but I still can't place the quote.  Is it from an Ariadne Oliver book or am I going off in the wrong direction?

NightRayDuck 09 Nov 10 at 7:21 p.m. GMT

Thanks, Miss Eylesbarrow and Tommy!

Hint on this quote: It is spoken by the type of official that the indomitable Mrs. Ariadne Oliver would love to be, herself, or at any rate see a highly intuitive woman hold that office.

Tommy_A_Jones 09 Nov 10 at 4:19 p.m. GMT

Thanks Miss Eyelesbarrow, I couldn't think how else to answer darknight's question.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 09 Nov 10 at 9:24 a.m. GMT

Hi darknight.  I can't guess your quote I'm afraid (but it seems familiar, I just can't place it), but The Peacock is the name Mrs Oliver gives a colourful character in 'Third Girl'  1966.

NightRayDuck 09 Nov 10 at 1:09 a.m. GMT

Ah... no, sorry, Tommy, it's not spoken by Ariadne Oliver. By the way, I've lost track of Mrs. Oliver after I tried catching up on Hastings-era Poirot. If you could please tell me where this Peacock discussion occurs, I'll be much obliged.

It may be only my imagination, but I rather feel that this quote is not very typical of the character who said it. Or maybe it's due to the fact that this quote is spoken to some people of very different backgrounds and temperaments than most of the other characters that the speaker of this quote encounters. Hope that helps.

Tommy_A_Jones 08 Nov 10 at 4:34 p.m. GMT

I think it is Ariadne Oliver talking about the Peacock.

Mr_Graves 07 Nov 10 at 8:05 a.m. GMT

Worst part is, I'm sure I've read this very recently.. But from where?

NightRayDuck 05 Nov 10 at 5:46 p.m. GMT

Quote up! - or down - for guessing!

"He was, if I may say so, inclined to be a rather - er - dissipated young man."

InspectorGrant 04 Nov 10 at 12:56 p.m. GMT

Got it in one, Darknightofrays!   Nice work - over to you ..

NightRayDuck 03 Nov 10 at 7:18 p.m. GMT

The young nurse stubbornly persuading Mr. Andrew MacWhirter, who at the time is hospitalized with injuries sustained from a suicide attempt, and saying that he will attempt suicide again once he's out of the hospital? At the very beginning of Towards Zero.

InspectorGrant 03 Nov 10 at 12:07 p.m. GMT

Thanks, Mr Graves!

All right, here is mine: 

"You don't understand.  God may need you."

Mr_Graves 02 Nov 10 at 6:48 p.m. GMT

I tip my hat to you, Inspector Grant! It is most certainly Miss Emily Brent, one of the ten victims of "And Then There Were None". Your turn!

InspectorGrant 02 Nov 10 at 1:37 p.m. GMT

I think that this is Emily Brent in And Then There Were None.

Mr_Graves 02 Nov 10 at 7:03 a.m. GMT

Not Victoria Jones, I'm afraid...

verityvamp 02 Nov 10 at 3:25 a.m. GMT

Is it Victoria Jones speaking in They Came to Baghdad? It's been a while and many other Christie novels in between since I read it last, so I'm really just guessing.

Mr_Graves 02 Nov 10 at 12:09 a.m. GMT

It is always good to air your thoughts, Darknight! Fair reasoning, but unfortunately,  by Mary Aldin it is not spoken.

NightRayDuck 01 Nov 10 at 8:42 p.m. GMT

I have a random idea that Mary Aldin from Towards Zero seems to have the right personality for a quote like this... I don't know if she really said it, and I cannot give any specifics on the whens, whoms, or wherefores. 

Mr_Graves 01 Nov 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

No, it is not Suzanne Blair. And it is not from "The Man in the Brown Suit".

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Nov 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

Is it Suzy in The Man In The Brown Suit?

Mr_Graves 31 Oct 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

I believe you mean that the quote rings a bell. And I admit it is very vague, so here's another clue. This quote is spoken by a woman who is from a stand alone novel.

christie_greece 31 Oct 10 at 1:05 p.m. GMT

This quote ring me a bell- that's the expression, right?- but I can't remember the woman who said that...

Mr_Graves 31 Oct 10 at 3:49 a.m. GMT

Poirot has such a poetic way of expressing himself! That quote had stuck in my mind. Here's mine.

"Is common humanity a criminal offence?"

A hint: This is spoken by a woman.

NightRayDuck 31 Oct 10 at 1:02 a.m. GMT

Yes indeed, Mr. Graves! Excellent work. Here Poirot is talking about Linda's use of a wax doll and, indeed, talking to Linda during this quote. Your turn for the next puzzle. 

Mr_Graves 30 Oct 10 at 9:29 p.m. GMT

I believe Hercule Poirot himself says this, in "Evil Under the Sun". He is talking, I think, about Linda Marshall using a wax doll to vent her rage towards her stepmother Arlena.

NightRayDuck 30 Oct 10 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

Quote up for guessing!

"I say, 'This table, it is the imbecile, I kick him so.'"

Wow knottyceltic, that sounds like fun! I wonder which character said it. :p You should put it for a guess on the adaptations when it comes your turn. :)

knottyceltic 30 Oct 10 at 5:03 p.m. GMT

I didn't know where to put this so I'll put it here.  Not from canon but from an adaptation and it makes me laugh every time I hear it (or think of it).

"BUM-FACED-DONKEYNESS"  LOL!

I think I shall try to put that phrase in a sentence every single day from now on!  lol!

verityvamp 30 Oct 10 at 3:39 a.m. GMT

Absolutely Darknight! Now it's your turn.

NightRayDuck 28 Oct 10 at 5:37 a.m. GMT

Thyrza Grey the "lead witch" in The Pale Horse, giving the sales talk about "radio wave that tells the subject's body to die" to Mark Easterbrook.

verityvamp 28 Oct 10 at 2:38 a.m. GMT

Thanks Tommy! 

"To destroy your subject, power must be exerted on his secret unconscious self. The death wish that exists in all of us must be stimulated, heightened."

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Oct 10 at 3:52 p.m. GMT

I think I should give it to you verityvamp, Elinor Carlisle got the advice from Aunt Agatha's Advice Column. Well Done, Your Turn.

verityvamp 27 Oct 10 at 5:59 a.m. GMT

I dont know why, but it seems like something that Elinor Carlisle may have thought to herself in Sad Cypress, which was a Poirot story.

Mr_Graves 26 Oct 10 at 8:55 p.m. GMT

That certainly helps! I think it might be the title of one of those magazine articles that Gladys Martin kept in "A Pocket Full of Rye"

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Oct 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

It's a bit early but as I think I might be being Unfair, Yes, It comes from a Book Featuring Porot or |Miss Marple or Tommy and Tuppence.

cameronjhw 26 Oct 10 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

Could you give us a hint please?

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Oct 10 at 1:41 p.m. GMT

No, Sorry christie_greece, I do hope this one is fair, I have a hHorrible feeling people mighty be cross when the answer is revealed.

christie_greece 25 Oct 10 at 5:50 p.m. GMT

I've no idea who said that, but is there a reason for writing Boyfriend and Let with a capital letter?

My first thought was someone from sleeping murder but I must be wrong. A hint???

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Oct 10 at 3:50 p.m. GMT

O.K. Puffinjill, I will set one;

"Keep your Boyfriend guessing! Don't Let him be too sure of you!"

Puffinjill 22 Oct 10 at 6:44 a.m. GMT

Ah, thank you! I do love that book. Anyway, on to the next one and I wonder if anyone out there would do me a GREAT favour and set the next puzzle? I'm afraid I'm going away for the weekend and won't have any internet access so it might be better if someone who will be around would pick a new quote. Thank you!! See you all next week!

NightRayDuck 20 Oct 10 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill is correct! It is Richard Baker pointing out that Victoria Jones doesn't seem to know the correct name of "Dr. Pouncefoot Jones's niece who's to join the expedition". Over to you, Puffin. 

Puffinjill 20 Oct 10 at 6:32 a.m. GMT

I think that's Richard Baker speaking to Victoria Jones in They Came To Baghdad.

cameronjhw 19 Oct 10 at 10:42 p.m. GMT

Could it be from Why Didn't They Ask Evans where Bobby or Frankie are asking certain people about Evans or could it be from The Secret Adversary where Tommy or Tuppence are talking to Jane Finn

NightRayDuck 19 Oct 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

Next quote up for guessing is... well... up! Enjoy.

"I do know your last name. It's you, I think, who don't know it."

GKCfan 19 Oct 10 at 3:57 a.m. GMT

darknightofrays,  you are correct!  It is Stephen from Hercule Poirot's Christmas.

NightRayDuck 18 Oct 10 at 7:55 p.m. GMT

I found one occurrence of this quote, but there it's thought rather than spoken...

Stephen at the beginning of Hercule Poirot's Christmas, when he's new in England and finding everything grey and depressing, and then he sees this lively young lady (Pilar) cramped with other travelers in a train.

Mr_Graves 18 Oct 10 at 5:40 a.m. GMT

Is it from "The Secret Adversary"?

GKCfan 18 Oct 10 at 3:38 a.m. GMT

No to both, but it is from a book starring a detective from one of those two books you just mentioned.

cameronjhw 17 Oct 10 at 11:11 p.m. GMT

How about Tommy Beresford in N or M or Raymond Boynton from Appointment with Death 

GKCfan 17 Oct 10 at 8:33 p.m. GMT

Sorry, neither is correct, although the line is spoken by a man.

cameronjhw 17 Oct 10 at 6:20 p.m. GMT

Could it be Charles Enderby from the Sittaford Mystery or Harry Rayburn from The Man in the Brown Suit

GKCfan 17 Oct 10 at 6:04 p.m. GMT

"I've got to know who she is and what she's doing here... I've got to know..."

NightRayDuck 17 Oct 10 at 6:56 a.m. GMT

Yes, GKCfan! It's right after Anthony roused his two colleagues from the coffee table and then got them seated back down. Col. Race cussed out his new cup of tea. Chief Inspector Kemp sipped from his cup and wondered aloud what the nasty drink was. Anthony seemed rather happy to get rid of the nasty coffee.

Your turn, GKCfan. I am sure you can come up with a better puzzler than I could.

GKCfan 17 Oct 10 at 5:21 a.m. GMT

Sparkling Cyanide.  Said by Anthony towards the end when he shows Col. Race how George was killed.

NightRayDuck 17 Oct 10 at 2:30 a.m. GMT

"Coffee. And I don't think you'll like it. I didn't."

Well, cameron, hope you feel better soon! It was a good quote in any case, very memorable in the particular story and yet could have been said by a range of other characters from other stories.

cameronjhw 16 Oct 10 at 4:53 p.m. GMT

You are right it is from Crooked House and Sir Arthur Hayward does say this when Charles tells him Josephine did the crimes. I know it was an easy one but I was not feeling too good yesterday. Anyway, good job and I hope you come up with a baffler that will stimulate the little gray cells..

NightRayDuck 16 Oct 10 at 6:53 a.m. GMT

I figured I should ask, because if the quote goes

"Yes," he said. "I've thought so for some time...."

then it's Charles's father, Assistant Commissioner Hayward, of Scotland Yard, at the end of Crooked House.

NightRayDuck 16 Oct 10 at 1:50 a.m. GMT

request for clarification: are all the quotation marks already in place? thank you.

cameronjhw 15 Oct 10 at 12:58 p.m. GMT

"Yes, he said I've thought so for some time...."

GKCfan 14 Oct 10 at 9:57 p.m. GMT

Stephen Farraday, when he realizes that Rosemary could wreck his career and marriage.

Your turn!

cameronjhw 14 Oct 10 at 8:37 p.m. GMT

Is it Victor Drake, Stephen Farraday, Chief Inspector Kemp or George Barton?

GKCfan 14 Oct 10 at 6:20 p.m. GMT

Well, the line IS from Sparkling Cyanide, but is was not spoken by either of the characters you mentioned.  Keep guessing!

cameronjhw 14 Oct 10 at 12:59 p.m. GMT

Could the quote come from Mark Easterbrook or Mr. Osborne from the Pale Horse, Tony Browne or Colonel Race from Sparkling Cyanide or Michael Garfield from Halloween Party 

GKCfan 14 Oct 10 at 2:34 a.m. GMT

No. not Dumb Witness.  darknightofrays, you are on the right track!  Think of poisonings...

GKCfan 14 Oct 10 at 2:34 a.m. GMT

No. not Dumb Witness.  darknightofrays, you are on the right track!  Think of poisonings...

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Oct 10 at 2:47 p.m. GMT

Poirot in Dumb Witness

NightRayDuck 12 Oct 10 at 11:11 p.m. GMT

I am trying to think... what is the context of this quote, I wonder. Major Palgrave did not get much of his thoughts described in the book, only his voluble stories. And I think this quote was thought, when a) the character needs an obstacle removed and wishes for a simple solution of poisoning somebody's goblet, or perhaps more likely when b) there has been a case that seems to him much in the style of the Borgias, and so he finds it puzzling since he's in the modern era and a Borgia-style case seems unnatural...

GKCfan 12 Oct 10 at 8:17 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not from A Caribbean Mystery, and the speaker isn't in the army.

cameronjhw 12 Oct 10 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

Major Palgrave from A Caribbean Mystery (who happened to be the 1st murder victim)

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

Was it that Major Somebody-or-other from "A Caribbean Mystery"?

GKCfan 12 Oct 10 at 6:07 p.m. GMT

"It's a pity," he thought grimly, "that we don't live in the days of the Borgias."

NightRayDuck 12 Oct 10 at 6 a.m. GMT

Yes, GKCfan! It's the non-serial short story where the main characters are only doing a bit of aiding and abetting someone else's love affair, and yet one of them (George) stumbles upon something of more criminal significance.  Over to you for the next quote.

I have wanted very much to do the "Oh! George, are you a snob?" ... ... "Elizabeth, are you mercenary?" but I'd have to skip the sentences inbetween and hide the names, and I couldn't manage to lay out the puzzle. 

GKCfan 12 Oct 10 at 5:34 a.m. GMT

The short story "The Girl in the Train."  Elizabeth explains why her father will consent to the match between herself and George.

NightRayDuck 12 Oct 10 at 3:49 a.m. GMT

Since you asked... no, the quote is not from a Poirot novel or a Marple novel. Keep looking. 

cameronjhw 11 Oct 10 at 8:13 p.m. GMT

Is it from a Poirot or Marple novel

NightRayDuck 11 Oct 10 at 6:50 p.m. GMT

No, sorry, it's not about the Horses of Diomedes. The girls there, although full of beauty, might not be considered so full of blue blood even with the front they put up. And their *daddy* the colonel isn't in a hurry to marry them off....

cameronjhw 11 Oct 10 at 5:53 p.m. GMT

Could it be from the story the Horses of Diomedes and the quote is spoken by the young doctor who comes to Poirot because it involves a case of drug addiction

NightRayDuck 11 Oct 10 at 4:53 p.m. GMT

Hmm... no, sorry, Tommy, it's not Anthony Cade talking about anyone. From all that I can remember of Anthony Cade's acquaintances, no one quite fit the mathematics in this quote....

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Oct 10 at 2:42 p.m. GMT

Anthony Cade The Secret of Chimney's

NightRayDuck 11 Oct 10 at 2:24 a.m. GMT

Good luck with school, ivi21. 

I'll throw out a quote to keep our friends entertained.

"Five daughters, full of beauty and blue blood. He's just yearning for a rich son-in-law."

ivi21 09 Oct 10 at 4:20 p.m. GMT

I still can´t  find a good sentence a I don´t have much time because of school . If someone has a quote, can goes first.

NightRayDuck 03 Oct 10 at 6:55 p.m. GMT

Good job, ivi21, on identifying 4:50 from Paddington! Yes, it is Inspector Craddock having been on the case for quite a while and still the Crackenthorpe heirs keep getting killed, and no idea on whether the dead woman was someone who was attempting to impersonate somebody.

Your turn. :)

ivi21 03 Oct 10 at 9:14 a.m. GMT

So it's from 4:50 from Paddington. Inspector Craddock is depressed, because he still don't know who is murdered and two members of Crackenthorpe family have been murdered yet.

NightRayDuck 03 Oct 10 at 4:26 a.m. GMT

cameron, I am almost sure that you will nail the right answer. Would you please stake your guess on one of the two books you mentioned, and specify the impersonations or lack of impersonations in the specific case that got Craddock so frustrated? Thank you. 

cameronjhw 03 Oct 10 at 12:48 a.m. GMT

Is the book either the Mirror Crack'd or 4:50 from Paddington

NightRayDuck 02 Oct 10 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

ivi21 has identified the character, but not yet the correct book. hmm, well, I could give the whole quote, or give one more general hint... or I could do both.

"The Chief Constable down here calls in Scotland Yard, and what do they get? They get me making a prize ass of myself!"

...thusly Craddock laments, besides saying that he has made a ghastly mess of the case, and still has no idea who killed this and who killed that and who came to impersonate whom. this case has, I think, more of ghastly mess than in "A Murder is Announced". although, now that I come to discuss it, this case has fewer impersonations than in "A Murder is Announced".

good luck. 

ivi21 02 Oct 10 at 1:12 p.m. GMT

It's inspector Dermot Craddock, his uncle sir Henry Clithering worked for Scotland Yard too. But I'm not sure which novel is the quote from. Maybe A Murder is Announced?

NightRayDuck 02 Oct 10 at 3:11 a.m. GMT

I am intrigued by your three very near misses, cameron. I think I'll venture to give a compare/contrast hint, and see if it'll elucidate the matter, or confuse our friends even further. 

The character who spoke this quote:

1) has an older family member or relative who is a well-known police detective (who is possibly of a much higher rank). this is similar to Colin Lamb, Charles Hayward, and James Leach.

2) is a current police official. this is much more similar to James Leach than to the other two.

3) is, unlike the one-shot characters you've mentioned, a recurrent character in several different novels in the Christie canon. this quote, of course, comes from only one of those novels.

cameronjhw 01 Oct 10 at 8:56 p.m. GMT

Is it Colin Lamb from the Clocks, Charles Hayward from Crooked House or Inspector James Leach from Towards Zero

NightRayDuck 01 Oct 10 at 7:30 a.m. GMT

I don't have the book on hand today, so I cannot give the exact whole quote. However, I will explain the context, which could have been wild-guessed from the portion I posted, and would have been very obvious from the entire sentence.

Hint: The character speaking this quote has been called in on a job, and hasn't performed up to the usual / expected standards yet.

christie_greece 30 Sep 10 at 2:58 p.m. GMT

Could you give us a hint or the entire sentence???

NightRayDuck 29 Sep 10 at 8:52 p.m. GMT

hi, no, it's not from the Spanish Shawl or the Stymphalean Birds.

cameronjhw 29 Sep 10 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

Could it come from the Mystery of the Spanish Shawl or The Stymphalean Birds (the story of the two Polish ladies)

NightRayDuck 29 Sep 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

"...and what do they get? They get me making a prize ass of myself!"

anybody want a hint yet?

NightRayDuck 28 Sep 10 at 5:04 a.m. GMT

not sure if I am allowed to start the puzzle with only the latter half of the quote, but seeing as the purpose of the puzzle is to make people exercise their little grey cells...

"...and what do they get? They get me making a prize ass of myself!"

general hints, specific hints, or the entirety of the two sentences available tomorrow if requested. 

cameronjhw 28 Sep 10 at 2:02 a.m. GMT

You are right!

The quote does come from Dumb Witness as Poirot reflects on previous murderers who had delightful personalities. He mentions Dr. Sheppard, Norman Gale, Major Knighton and Evelyn Howard. I chose that quote because after looking back to the novels they did have charming and seemingly pleasant personalities.

Your turn...

NightRayDuck 27 Sep 10 at 4:57 p.m. GMT

Dumb Witness, after Hastings remarks on the pleasant personality of one of the potential suspects, Poirot summarizes several delightful personalities encountered in previous cases?

christie_greece 27 Sep 10 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

Well, this puzzle will definately make our grey cells work...

So difficult...I'll think of it for a while and I'll come with my suggestion...

cameronjhw 26 Sep 10 at 6:45 p.m. GMT

Thank you and sorry I took so long to respond but I was trying to come up with a good one I hope this will keep your little grey cells working for a while:

"They were all delightful personalities..."

christie_greece 23 Sep 10 at 1:23 p.m. GMT

You're right. So cameron, find something to make our little grey cells work !!!

NightRayDuck 23 Sep 10 at 1:17 p.m. GMT

Thank you, christie. cameron should go next. I am fairly certain he had the specific scene in mind, whereas I merely had a few minutes and the book on the shelf, and then I just read up the whole scene. 

christie_greece 23 Sep 10 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

I'm so amazed!!! Well done darknightofrays. You really described the scene perfectly!!!

I really liked this phrase...When I was reading the book I thought "this will be the sentence that I'll give if I find the quote." I even remember the page!!!

your turn darknightofrays!!!

NightRayDuck 22 Sep 10 at 7:28 p.m. GMT

found it- I second cameron. Colonel Melchett talking to Mr. Prestcott, manager of the hotel where Josie and Ruby worked, the hotel being in Glenshire, the Glenshire police Inspector Harper being soothing to the tearful hotel manager, Colonel Melchett being rather sharp with the manager, and Inspector Slack being rather disgruntled about Colonel Melchett trying to lead the investigation. I've always thought that scene made an interesting contrast of three different policeman characters. 

cameronjhw 22 Sep 10 at 6:45 p.m. GMT

Is it from the Body in the Library and the person who is saying this is either Colonel Melchett or Inspector Slack 

Pat_september 22 Sep 10 at 5:03 p.m. GMT

"4:50 from Paddington"?

christie_greece 22 Sep 10 at 2:22 p.m. GMT

Well, I haven't read it... I was just lucky..

"No good crying over spilt milk. The girl's dead - strangled. This puts the inquiry in a different county and lets your establishment down extremely lightly."

Good luck!

Puffinjill 22 Sep 10 at 6:45 a.m. GMT

Well done, christie greece, it was The Secret Adversay! Phew!.... Thank God we've got that one out of the way and move on to the next one!!

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Sep 10 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

By The Pricking of \My Thumbs

christie_greece 21 Sep 10 at 10 a.m. GMT

The Secret Adversary?

Puffinjill 21 Sep 10 at 5:29 a.m. GMT

No, darknightofrays, I'm still waiting for someone to name the right book. As there are only five Tommy and Tuppence books (and I've eliminated two of them) it shouldn't be too hard a task!!!

NightRayDuck 20 Sep 10 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

hi Puffin, has anyone guessed the correct book for the quote yet? or maybe it's just the server error of the past few days hiding your reply..

christie_greece 10 Sep 10 at 10:26 a.m. GMT

Postern of Fate?

Puffinjill 09 Sep 10 at 8:26 p.m. GMT

Tuppence DID say it, Tommy, but not in N Or M, so very well done for getting the right person but can you name the right book?

Tommy_A_Jones 09 Sep 10 at 4:44 p.m. GMT

Did Tuppence say it in N or M?

christie_greece 09 Sep 10 at 4:30 p.m. GMT

christie_greece

Luck is needed!!! I can't think of any character saying these words...

Is it to early to give a hint???

I mean *too early. Sorry for that

christie_greece 08 Sep 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

Luck is needed!!! I can't think of any character saying these words...

Is it to early to give a hint???

Puffinjill 08 Sep 10 at 8:27 a.m. GMT

Thank you, GKC!! Here's the next one -

"It's not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning 'Petunia' and signed 'Best Boy'".

Good luck all!!

GKCfan 07 Sep 10 at 8:20 a.m. GMT

Correct!  Nice work!

Puffinjill 07 Sep 10 at 6:58 a.m. GMT

It's from The Clocks and refers to the books (typed by the Cavendish Secretarial and Typewriting Bureau) written by Armand Levine.

GKCfan 07 Sep 10 at 6:09 a.m. GMT

"He was a notable example of the fact that nothing can be duller than dull pornography."

cameronjhw 07 Sep 10 at 2:25 a.m. GMT

Correct it is Dr. Leidner confessing to Miss Johnson's murder. I have mixed feelings about him and his wife. On to you...

GKCfan 05 Sep 10 at 11:19 p.m. GMT

That's the killer in Murder in Mesopotamia, confessing to the second murder.

cameronjhw 05 Sep 10 at 8:37 p.m. GMT

"That was bad-senseless-it wasn't me!"

Puffinjill 03 Sep 10 at 7:50 a.m. GMT

Sorry, darknightofrays, it isn't Major Burnaby but cameronjhw has guessed the right answer. Yes, it was the autocratic but delightful Miss Percehouse talking to Emily in The Sittaford Mystery!! I love this book and the character of Miss Percehouse is one of the reasons why I read it again and again. Her treatment of her nephew Ronnie makes me smile every time! Well done, cameronjhw! Get thinking of a new one! 

NightRayDuck 03 Sep 10 at 5:32 a.m. GMT

how come nobody has guessed Major Burnaby yet? I'll put my next guess on him.

cameronjhw 02 Sep 10 at 8:29 p.m. GMT

How about the cranky but likable Miss Percehouse

Puffinjill 02 Sep 10 at 7:58 p.m. GMT

I thought you'd all get this one in a flash!! Sorry, none of the above are correct. We'll run out of characters soon but keep guessing!!!!

NightRayDuck 02 Sep 10 at 5:42 p.m. GMT

There are so many possibilities if we assume it's a middle-aged character, so I am going to take a guess that cameron hasn't put up yet. 

Inspector Narracott's superior officer, whatever his name.

I've been feeling, either I've completely failed to understand the mode of communication between that officer and Narracott, or the two of them sometimes simply couldn't make up their mind the line of inquiry that they wanted to pursue.

cameronjhw 02 Sep 10 at 2:56 p.m. GMT

How about Mr. Duke, Robert Gardner, or Mr. Rycroft

Puffinjill 02 Sep 10 at 6:39 a.m. GMT

No, no and no, cameronjhw!! Keep going!!

cameronjhw 01 Sep 10 at 9:48 p.m. GMT

How about Captain Trevelyan, Captain Wyatt or Evans

NightRayDuck 01 Sep 10 at 9:32 p.m. GMT

sounds like it's got to be a middle-aged character, or older.

Puffinjill 01 Sep 10 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

Yes, you've both got the right book but the wrong character. Have another go!

cameronjhw 01 Sep 10 at 2:26 p.m. GMT

Could it be Mrs. Willett or Brian Pearson from the Sittaford Mystery

Miss_Eylesbarrow 01 Sep 10 at 9:45 a.m. GMT

Oh, that's from The Sittaford Mystery.  Now which character?  Erm, Emily Trefusis or one of the police?

Puffinjill 01 Sep 10 at 8:43 a.m. GMT

Oh, it's a long story, Miss Eylesbarrow, and not an altogether jolly one so I won't bore you with it! But thank you for your kind thoughts!! Nice to be back with you all. Yes, I love that quote and I love The Mystery Of The Blue Train, unlike many other AC fans or even AC herself.

I'm afaid this was all I could think of for the next one:

'Australia isn't South Africa - or it wasn't in my young days.'

Miss_Eylesbarrow 31 Aug 10 at 11:46 a.m. GMT

Puffinjill - you are too good for me!  Great quote, isn't it?  Over to you.  Hope you had a lovely holiday BTW :)

Puffinjill 29 Aug 10 at 7:54 a.m. GMT

I remember this one - I think!!!! Is it the lovely (but money-grabbing) Viscountess Rosalie Tamplin talking to her husband (the wonderfully named 'Chubby' Evans) about Katherine Grey in The Mystery Of The Blue Train? These two characters always bring a smile to my face!

NightRayDuck 27 Aug 10 at 8:30 p.m. GMT

oh dear oh dear oh dear.. I just thought of a possible answer, and now I don't even want to look it up in the book and check whether it's correct..

could it have been Cedric Crackenthorpe talking about Miss Lucy Eylesbarrow, in 4.50 from Paddington? Lucy is employed at the household as housekeeper, but Cedric might possibly twist the facts a little, so to express his feelings..

christie_greece 27 Aug 10 at 3:10 p.m. GMT

A hint???

NightRayDuck 25 Aug 10 at 6:14 p.m. GMT

Re: "St. Leonards". OK. Thanks so much for the information, Miss Eylesbarrow!  You're quite right to think that I am not from England. I am also habitually ignorant of resort towns at my own location.

Re: today's quote. I remember some companion who's having unusually leisure activities.. but I cannot remember which companion, from which case. I've got to make a note to myself to refrain from getting these books, though. My book shelf is quite overflowing with Poirot paperbacks.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 25 Aug 10 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

please be specific...

cameronjhw 25 Aug 10 at 2:35 p.m. GMT

Could it be Katherine Grey from the Mystery of the Blue Train or possibly Jane Grey from Death in the Clouds

Miss_Eylesbarrow 25 Aug 10 at 9:16 a.m. GMT

Here we go...

“Companions don’t play tennis – or golf.  They might possibly play golf-croquet, but I have always understood that they wind wool and wash dogs most of the day.”

Miss_Eylesbarrow 25 Aug 10 at 9:10 a.m. GMT

You can't be from England, or more specifically from the South of England then?  St Leonards on Sea is a popular (in Christie's time) seaside holiday resort on the south coast, in the same way that the town of Hastings was (and still is actually).  That's the joke - it's got nothing to do with dogs. 

I'm working on my quote and will get back to you asap!

NightRayDuck 24 Aug 10 at 5:59 p.m. GMT

Miss Eylesbarrow has captured the quote! Yes, it is Poirot speaking to Hastings, fairly early in Dumb Witness, when Hastings feels confident that there has been no murder committed, and every half hour or so suggests returning to London or sitting down and having tea. Locality: near Littlegreen House, the residence of the deceased client.

Quite late in the book, where Poirot visits Theresa Arundell in her flat and finds Dr. Donaldson also there, after some arguments, Theresa says "Oh, go away! And take St. Leonards with you. I wish I'd never set eyes on either of you."

I do not quite understand. It appears that Theresa is calling Hastings, mockingly, some breed of dog? But I cannot find a breed of dog called St. Leonards. I know there's a breed called St. Bernards; but if so, what's the connection in changing it to St. "Leonards" when referring to Hastings? If anybody can shed some light on this joke that both Theresa and Poirot seem to enjoy, I will be much obliged.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 24 Aug 10 at 10:14 a.m. GMT

I'm going with Dumb Witness, Poirot speaks to Hastings.  It was in the pub and he is explaining that they are not returning to London immediately.

NightRayDuck 23 Aug 10 at 6:43 p.m. GMT

Ah, we have several good guesses here!  Definitely the book containing this quote, as well as one of the characters involved in this quote (speaking it or hearing it), have been pointed out. Now, in deference to the tradition of being puzzling, seeing as two of our friends have come up with three guesses already, I will refrain from giving further hints. Who will track down the speaker of this quote, the listener of this quote, the circumstances surrounding this quote, and the approximate locality of where it was spoken?

cameronjhw 23 Aug 10 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

Could it come from Dumb Witness or Three Act Tragedy

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Aug 10 at 1:31 p.m. GMT

Okay, well it's definately Poirot, is it from The Clocks when he is speaking to Colin Lamb?

NightRayDuck 23 Aug 10 at 6:59 a.m. GMT

Well.. you're very kind, cameron. Thank you.

I hope this quote will be somewhat easier and also get a few chuckles:

"If you show the dog the rabbit, my friend, does he return to London? No, he goes into the rabbit hole."

cameronjhw 22 Aug 10 at 9:16 p.m. GMT

You are correct. The quote comes from Death Comes as the End. Kait says this quote to Nofret when she tells Imhotep to have their children play somewhere else because they make too much noise and Kait confronts her father-in-law about this conflict. Now it is your turn and by the way I hope this was not too confusing for anyone. I wanted it to be not too easy. Anyway it's your turn and good luck.

NightRayDuck 22 Aug 10 at 8:43 p.m. GMT

I haven't found the quote in the books that I do have on hand, so I am going to take a shot in the dark. Could this quote possibly have been from "Death Comes as the End" or "N or M?" ?? If affirmative, then I suppose someone who has read the book will be able to figure out the quote..

cameronjhw 22 Aug 10 at 1:17 a.m. GMT

No I'm sorry it is not from Peril at End House.

Dianala 22 Aug 10 at 1:05 a.m. GMT

Is it  Peril at End House? cameronjhw

cameronjhw 20 Aug 10 at 9:01 p.m. GMT

Sorry it is not from Crooked House although it is very good (one of my personal favorites).

*The novel I have in mind was written in the 1940s.*

Miss_Eylesbarrow 20 Aug 10 at 9:54 a.m. GMT

Crooked House?

cameronjhw 19 Aug 10 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

Hint-It is from a novel after And Then There Were None.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Aug 10 at 10:56 a.m. GMT

Yes please!

cameronjhw 19 Aug 10 at 1:51 a.m. GMT

If anyone would like a hint let me know

cameronjhw 18 Aug 10 at 7:19 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it is not from Murder is Easy although I could see Lord Gordon Easterfield saying something of that sort to Luke.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 18 Aug 10 at 1:53 p.m. GMT

Is it from Murder is Easy when Gordon Whitfield is talking to Luke Fitzwilliam?

cameronjhw 17 Aug 10 at 8:04 p.m. GMT

No, I am afraid it is not from Towards Zero although I could see  Lady Tressilian talking like that to Nevile.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 17 Aug 10 at 10:06 a.m. GMT

is it Lady Tressilian talking to Nevile Strange in Towards Zero?

NightRayDuck 17 Aug 10 at 2:56 a.m. GMT

Thanks for the hint. It does narrow down possibilities. I am still working on finding the quote. :)

cameronjhw 16 Aug 10 at 8:29 p.m. GMT

 Tommy A Jones-I'm afraid it is not from the Secret of Chimneys.

darknightofrays-This quote was said by one character to another character face-to-face. I hope that helps.

NightRayDuck 16 Aug 10 at 6:07 p.m. GMT

I request a specific hint if you feel it will not spoil this game: Was this quote said by one character to another character directly (face-to-face, or in writing, or on telephone, etc), or was it one character thinking to him/herself about another character? Thanking you in advance whatever your decision may be. :)

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Aug 10 at 5:02 p.m. GMT

Is it from The Secret of Chimneys?

cameronjhw 16 Aug 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

If you need any hints let me know

cameronjhw 14 Aug 10 at 8:27 p.m. GMT

I'm afriaid it is not from the Seven Dials Mystery

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Aug 10 at 4:35 p.m. GMT

The 7 Dials?

cameronjhw 13 Aug 10 at 9:19 p.m. GMT

Good guesses but it does not come from a Poirot or Marple book.

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Aug 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

I think it is a Miss Marple Book

Miss_Eylesbarrow 13 Aug 10 at 11:51 a.m. GMT

is it from a full length novel with Poirot?  It seems really familiar yet I can't quite place it.

cameronjhw 10 Aug 10 at 9:20 p.m. GMT

Thank you I'm sorry I could not figure out the name of the person. Hope this one works out here I go:

This is your doing...I shall not forget. No, I shall not forget....

Nofret 10 Aug 10 at 9:04 a.m. GMT

Yes, it is the doomed Maybelle spreaking. So, over to Cameron now.

Puffinjill 09 Aug 10 at 6:52 p.m. GMT

I think it might be Maybelle Annesley speaking in the short story The Bird With The Broken Wing. If that's right, then cameronjhw should set the next one as I wouldn't have guessed without him guessing the story in an earlier post!

MissQuin 09 Aug 10 at 10:20 a.m. GMT

Anna in Harlequin's lane? I hope I get this right. You can tell I'm a Quin fan!!

Nofret 09 Aug 10 at 8:57 a.m. GMT

Possibly, but which one and who is speaking?

cameronjhw 08 Aug 10 at 6:32 p.m. GMT

Is it from Harlequin's Lane, The Bird with the Broken Wing, or The Coming of Mr. Quin

Nofret 08 Aug 10 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

There's certainly a lot of magic around Mr Quin.........

MissQuin 08 Aug 10 at 1:19 p.m. GMT

A Mr Quin story?

Nofret 08 Aug 10 at 11:06 a.m. GMT

No, it's none of those people.

cameronjhw 07 Aug 10 at 6:45 p.m. GMT

Is it either Ginger or Miis Grey from the Pale Horse or Mrs. Lee from Endless Night

Nofret 07 Aug 10 at 9:34 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Darknight. How about -

There's a lot of magic about tonight.

NightRayDuck 06 Aug 10 at 6:16 p.m. GMT

Nofret is correct! Yes it was Stephen Farr from Hercule Poirot's Christmas, under a false name, at a big house, saying that he's here for the girl and he's not after anything else~

Nofret's turn. 

Miss_Eylesbarrow 06 Aug 10 at 12:28 p.m. GMT

That sounds good to me Nofret.

Nofret 06 Aug 10 at 10:50 a.m. GMT

Stephen Farr (I seem to have got him on the brain this morning!) explaining his presence at the Lee's family home by saying he had followed Pilar there.

NightRayDuck 06 Aug 10 at 6:16 a.m. GMT

Hint: the situation of the character who spoke this quote had some similar features with the situation of the character Anthony Cade from "The Secret of Chimneys".

NightRayDuck 05 Aug 10 at 6:57 p.m. GMT

darknightofrays

hmm..

"...cast your mind back to your courting days and see if you don't remember some bit of foolishness you indulged in then."

hope I am doing this right.

ok, seeing that the guesses are wandering further away, I probably had done it wrong. I had been afraid that the first portion of the quote would cause confusion, but I suppose it's an important element of what the character tried to convey in this quote.

Here's the sentence in its entirety:

"If you don't fancy it, cast your mind back to your courting days and see if you don't remember some bit of foolishness you indulged in then."

This entire sentence is a mere portion of a full-paragraph explanation that the character was giving.

Thanks for playing! 

I will post hints apprx. 10 hours from now if there hasn't been correct guesses meanwhile, so please do tell me if there's anything I should clarify, and what hints you would like. :)

MissQuin 05 Aug 10 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

Is it Mr Satterthwaite speking to Lady Mary in Three Act Tragedy?

NightRayDuck 04 Aug 10 at 8:53 p.m. GMT

thank you Cameron. and thanks all, for sticking with this question. my internet was down yesterday. I apologize for the delay.

to clarify:

Hint 1: the exact quote I posted was not from any of the books that Cameron, Miss Eyelesbarrow, and Nofret have mentioned so far.

Hint 2: Obviously you have noted a hint of romantic foolishness in the quote. I asked Cameron to elaborate on which characters may have said it, because one of the books Cameron mentioned contained a character who got into a situation where he/she might very well end up saying this quote, although the character did not, and also was not any of the characters guessed so far.

Summary: the correct answer is some other character in some other book, yet to be guessed~~

have fun! 

Nofret 03 Aug 10 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

Is it from Murder on the Links, said by Poirot after Hastings has foolishly let Dulcie run off with the dagger?

cameronjhw 03 Aug 10 at 3:25 p.m. GMT

cameronjhw

Is it Virginia Revel or Bundle Brent from The Secret of Chimneys, Bundle Brent in The Seven Dials Mystery or Bobby Jones or Frankie Derwent in Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 03 Aug 10 at 9:29 a.m. GMT

I don't think it's any of those Cameron, I think it's a later book.  Is it said by Poirot in 'Death in the Clouds'?  BTW, well said darknight!

NightRayDuck 03 Aug 10 at 2:58 a.m. GMT

hmm well, if you do have some confidence in these possible answers, how about mentioning which character may have said it, and under what circumstances? by doing so, you may get a lot closer to the correct answer than by process of eliminating which book the quote may have been from. hope that'll work for you. 

cameronjhw 03 Aug 10 at 2:35 a.m. GMT

Is it from The Secret of Chimneys, The Seven Dials Mystery or Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

NightRayDuck 02 Aug 10 at 7:48 p.m. GMT

hmm..

"...cast your mind back to your courting days and see if you don't remember some bit of foolishness you indulged in then."

hope I am doing this right.

GKCfan 02 Aug 10 at 7:21 p.m. GMT

darknightofrays is correct!  It is Dr. Marcus Kent from The Moving Finger.  Odd, how in the Christieverse, the best cure for all sorts of health problems is to investigate a murder!

darknightofrays, the next quote is yours!

NightRayDuck 02 Aug 10 at 5:02 p.m. GMT

It does sound a lot like something that Dr. Haydock would say, but I can't see any general practitioner giving Miss Marple this prescription and hope to continue to be her physician..

I think it's that London doctor, what's his name, telling Jerry Burton to find peace and quiet in some rural district, dig into local gossip, as a pastime during his rehabilitation from his plane crash, in The Moving Finger.

cameronjhw 02 Aug 10 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

Does it come from A Caribbean Mystery, At Bertram's Hotel or Mrs. McGinty's Dead

Nofret 02 Aug 10 at 10:08 a.m. GMT

I think this is Dr Haydock talking to Miss Marple. Is it from The Mirror Cracked, after she suffered the fall?

GKCfan 02 Aug 10 at 9:09 a.m. GMT

"Small beer– that's the prescription for you."

Miss_Eylesbarrow 02 Aug 10 at 9:03 a.m. GMT

Hi everyone, sorry I've not been around, I don't visit the site at weekends...

Yes, GKCfan you are correct, it's Dr Kennedy from Sleeping Murder.  He's talking to Gwenda.  Over to you.

GKCfan 31 Jul 10 at 3:38 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

It's Dr. James Kennedy from Sleeping Murder: when you think about it the quote tells a lot about his view of the past and why he might want to forget some things.

NightRayDuck 31 Jul 10 at 3:10 a.m. GMT

I am randomly wondering if the quote is from Death Comes As the End. I haven't read it, but I have heard that it takes place in ancient Egypt, where people were very big on ancestor worshipping..

cameronjhw 31 Jul 10 at 2:45 a.m. GMT

Is it Elizabeth Cole from Curtain, is it the communist from Death on the Nile, or Gwenda from Sleeping Murder

cameronjhw 31 Jul 10 at 2:45 a.m. GMT

Is it Elizabeth Cole from Curtain, is it the communist from Death on the Nile, or Gwenda from Sleeping Murder

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Jul 10 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

I recently re-read 4.50 From Paddington and listened to my Audio Cassetter of the R4 Version, The Book is brilliant Miss Eyelesbarrow Anyway, Is your quote said by Gwen in Sleeping Murder?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 30 Jul 10 at 11:17 a.m. GMT

Thank you Tommy, how sweet.  Yes I think Miss Eylesbarrow is a really great character and it would have been nice to meet her again with Miss Marple in a later book.

Okay, quote time:  Hope this one isn't too easy, everyone seems to be so expert!

"I don't really think I should dwell too much on the past, all this ancestor worship its a mistake, the future is what matters."

Tommy_A_Jones 29 Jul 10 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

Yes Miss Eyelesbarrow, I haven't the book with me at the Minute but I think Poirot knows who the Murderer is and all is left is the Gathering of the Reveal, and yes it is Dumb Witness I hope people thought I played fair, your turn now Miss Eyelesbarrow BTW your name is one of my Favourite Charactersm Sadly Under-used though.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 29 Jul 10 at 9:36 a.m. GMT

The character speaking is Hastings after he has tried to divert Poirot's mind from the murder on hand by taking him to a detective play.  Poirot grumbles that there is no 'order and method' as usual.  Trying to think of the book though...It's not Three Act tragedy, is it Dumb Witness?

cameronjhw 28 Jul 10 at 8:03 p.m. GMT

Is it from Three Act Tragedy

Tommy_A_Jones 28 Jul 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

I will try this one;

"Never Take a soldier to a Military Play, A cotsman to a Scottish Play, A Detective To a Thriller - and an actor to any Play whatsoever".

I hope people think I am being Fare

Miss_Eylesbarrow 28 Jul 10 at 9:49 a.m. GMT

yes, it's Poirot from 'After the Funeral'.  Who wants to go next?

GKCfan 28 Jul 10 at 12:22 a.m. GMT

You're right, it's from After the Funeral.  Poirot says it to Miss Gilchrist at one point.

cameronjhw 27 Jul 10 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

Is is from After the Funeral or They Came to Baghdad

Miss_Eylesbarrow 27 Jul 10 at 12:40 p.m. GMT

Thanks Puffinjill, I'll jump in with a little short one, then...

'You do not like nuns, I think?'

Puffinjill 27 Jul 10 at 7:02 a.m. GMT

It WAS Commander Challenger discussing the friendship between Nick and Freddie with Poirot in Peril At End House. So, honours even Miss Eylesbarrow and cameronjhw! Up to one of you two to set the next one! Well done to you both!

cameronjhw 26 Jul 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

Could it be Jim Lazarus or Commander Challenger

Miss_Eylesbarrow 26 Jul 10 at 3:18 p.m. GMT

Oh gosh, er, is it Nick then or is it one of the male characters?  I had a feeling that it was said by a woman.

Puffinjill 26 Jul 10 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

Right book, Miss Eylesbarrow, but wrong character! Have another guess!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 26 Jul 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

Is it Freddie from Peril at End House?

Nofret 26 Jul 10 at 8:56 a.m. GMT

Sounds like something the ghastly Archie Christie might have said!

However, it also has the air of a theatrical milieu! Three Act Tragedy? Angela or Freddie?

Puffinjill 26 Jul 10 at 7:27 a.m. GMT

Such a great book, Towards Zero. OK, try this one -

"It's darling - darling - darling - all the time - and "damn you" would probably express it better."

GKCfan 25 Jul 10 at 8:43 a.m. GMT

Yes, it is!  Sylvia confessed to a robbery she didn't commit after heavy pressure from her teacher, and Battle had to find both the real thief and the reason why Sylvia confessed.

Puffinjill 25 Jul 10 at 8:26 a.m. GMT

Is it Superintendant Battle talking to his daughter Sylvia about her behaviour in Towards Zero?

GKCfan 24 Jul 10 at 9:32 p.m. GMT

Neither guess is correct.  Please let me know if you need a hint.

cameronjhw 24 Jul 10 at 9:27 p.m. GMT

Is it from Death Comes as the End

Nofret 24 Jul 10 at 9:01 p.m. GMT

Jerry Burton to Megan Hunter in The Moving Finger?

GKCfan 24 Jul 10 at 7:32 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  Neither of them, and the book isn's Death on the Nile either.

Nofret 24 Jul 10 at 10:48 a.m. GMT

Just a guess, but is X Tim Allerton and the speaker possibly Rosalie Otterbourne?

GKCfan 24 Jul 10 at 8:17 a.m. GMT

To prevent this from being too easy, I have substituted a name with an "X."

"No, X, I don't understand, because I'm not made that way."

Puffinjill 24 Jul 10 at 7:01 a.m. GMT

Blimey!!!! Is there ANYTHING you don't know, GKC?!!! Yes, right on the button again, my friend! It is Superintendant Hale in Five Little Pigs venting his view on Poirot and his quest. I think he's the only man to call Poirot nuts to his face but I think there are many other characters who may THINK he is nuts!!!

Over to you again!!!

GKCfan 23 Jul 10 at 10:49 p.m. GMT

Superitendent Hale says it to Poirot in Five Little Pigs because he doesn't believe that Poirot can figure out the truth of Crale case after so much time has passed, and anyway none of the five suspects are going to agree on any of the details.

Puffinjill 23 Jul 10 at 9:49 p.m. GMT

And it's a wonderful line when read by Hugh Fraser for the audio book! Alas, my copy is no longer playable but that line always stays in my head. I'm a huge Japp fan too and I think some tend to dismiss him as a lesser character just there to make M. Poirot look better. But he's more than your average stereotypical Scotland Yard man in my opinion.

Anyway, on to the next one. I'm pretty poor at setting these, so I apologise now! So, where does this quote come from? -

"Man, you're nuts!"

Miss_Eylesbarrow 23 Jul 10 at 9:27 a.m. GMT

Quite correct Puffinjill, it is Chief Inspector Japp.  That line makes me smile ever time I hear it :)  I adore Japp in the books, he's such an intelligent, thoughtful man, not like the way he's portrayed in the TV adepts as a second-rate sidekick to Poirot.  In the books he even speaks French!  Anyway, musn't get sidetracked, your turn...

Puffinjill 23 Jul 10 at 7:55 a.m. GMT

That's got to be Chief Inspector Japp in Death In The Clouds. Wasn't he getting a little irritated with one of Poirot's lists on who could have been a customer of Madame Giselle?

cameronjhw 22 Jul 10 at 7:20 p.m. GMT

Is is from the ABC Murders, Crooked House, ATTWN, or MOTOE

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Jul 10 at 11 a.m. GMT

OMG!  I seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment

How about this:

'It's all very well writing down "I don't know", "I don't know", "I can't tell", but I don't see that it gets us anywhere.'

Nofret 21 Jul 10 at 5:26 p.m. GMT

Yes, Miss E, right on both counts! Your turn now!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 21 Jul 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

Is it the old mariner on the train in And Then There Were None?  Who was he talking to?  Was it Inspector Blore?

Nofret 21 Jul 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

OK, how about this -

Watch and pray. The day of judgement is at hand.

Puffinjill 21 Jul 10 at 8:17 a.m. GMT

Well done Nofret!! Yes, it was Inspector Lejeune from The Pale Horse after listening to Mark Easterbrook comments on Ginger's stubborness.

Your turn, my friend!

Nofret 20 Jul 10 at 8:35 p.m. GMT

I think it may be from one of my favourite books The Pale Horse, spoken about Ginger Corrigan, and the speaker may be Inspector Lejeune.

cameronjhw 20 Jul 10 at 7:56 p.m. GMT

Is it from any of the Tommy and Tuppence novels spoken by Tuppence Beresford

Puffinjill 20 Jul 10 at 7:01 a.m. GMT

Oh well, I had the right book but the wrong person so thank you for giving it to me!! I just wish I was better at setting them as all of you out there seem to guess them in a flash! Try this one -

"You can never argue with a red head."

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 4:01 p.m. GMT

Actually, it was the Hon. Elvira Blake herself    just after she has been caught out over the dentist appointment and has to invent an old Mademoiselle in Wimbledon.  Your turn....

Puffinjill 19 Jul 10 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

Is it Bridget from At Bertram's Hotel, who was the friend that helped Elvira Blake escape to Ireland for a day? Sorry, I can't remember her surname!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 3:01 p.m. GMT

Sorry Cameron, although you are getting closer.  The winter time bit is the greatest clue, some of the action takes place in fog and the speaker is a younger person.

cameronjhw 19 Jul 10 at 2:22 p.m. GMT

Is it Clotilde Bradbury Scott from Nemesis, Marina Gregg from The Mirror Crack'd, or Gwenda from Sleeping Murder

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 12:51 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Nofret.  The book is set in the UK in the winter time.

Nofret 19 Jul 10 at 12:26 p.m. GMT

Molly Kendall from A Caribbean Mystery?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 19 Jul 10 at 9:41 a.m. GMT

nope, neither of those.  One of the later MM books....

Nofret 16 Jul 10 at 4:58 p.m. GMT

Megan Symington from The Moving Finger?

cameronjhw 16 Jul 10 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

is it from A Murder is Announced referring to Dora Bunner keeping her mouth shut about Charlotte Blacklock's secret

Miss_Eylesbarrow 16 Jul 10 at 11:43 a.m. GMT

no, sorry Miss Quin

clue: it's from a Miss Marple book

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 10:09 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Is is Valerie in Hickory Dickory Dock?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 15 Jul 10 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

no, Nofret, but it is from a female character...

Nofret 14 Jul 10 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Countess Vera Rossakoff?

Miss_Eylesbarrow 13 Jul 10 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

Aha!  Thanks for reminding me. 

Okay, try this: 'If only' she murmured to herself, 'one didn't have to tell so many lies to everybody'.

GKCfan 13 Jul 10 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

Hallowe'en Party!  At the opening, when Mrs. Oliver is looking at the party decorations.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 13 Jul 10 at 9:25 a.m. GMT

Oh, er, Hallowe'en Party?  Dead Man's Folly? I can't think of any others for the mo. 

GKCfan 13 Jul 10 at 4:21 a.m. GMT

Mrs. Oliver said it, but not in either of the mentioned books...

cameronjhw 12 Jul 10 at 3:33 p.m. GMT

is it Inspector Neele from Third Girl and A Pocket Full of Rye or is it Battle from Cards on the Table or Colin Lamb from the Clocks

Miss_Eylesbarrow 12 Jul 10 at 10:52 a.m. GMT

is it Ariadne Oliver?  Either 'Cards on the Table' or 'Mrs McGinty'?

GKCfan 11 Jul 10 at 8:48 p.m. GMT

No, although the speaker is a friend of one of those detectives, and is a friend of a friend of the other.

cameronjhw 11 Jul 10 at 8:19 p.m. GMT

Is is Poirot or Miss Marple

GKCfan 11 Jul 10 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

No, not Mr. Satterthwaite.  But the speaker IS a familiar figure to all Christie fans.

Nofret 11 Jul 10 at 8:05 a.m. GMT

Hmmm - possibly someone who travels - is the speaker Mr Satterthwaite?

GKCfan 11 Jul 10 at 7:23 a.m. GMT

No to both, sorry.

cameronjhw 11 Jul 10 at midnight GMT

Is from Murder on the Links or How Does Your Garden Grow

GKCfan 10 Jul 10 at 7:18 p.m. GMT

"Flowers never look so lovely as they do in Paris at the market there."

Nofret 10 Jul 10 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

Could be Boyle, Doyle or Hoggin, but GKCfan has got it, it is indeed Mr Venables.

Well done. Over to you!

GKCfan 10 Jul 10 at 4:34 a.m. GMT

Venables in The Pale Horse!

Puffinjill 09 Jul 10 at 3:19 p.m. GMT

Oh God, I know this but I can't remember!!!! AAaaaaaaaaagggghhhh!!!!! Is it...is it.....oh, come on brain!!...is it Sir Joseph Hoggin from the The Nemean Lion, the first story in The Labours Of Hercules? I'm probably wrong, but worth a try.

cameronjhw 09 Jul 10 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Is is Mrs. Boyle from Three Blind Mice

Miss_Eylesbarrow 09 Jul 10 at 12:05 p.m. GMT

is it Linnet Doyle from Death on the NIle?

Nofret 09 Jul 10 at 11:29 a.m. GMT

Yes, just the sort of story one would expect from a vicar - dirty old b****r!

Try this one:

I must have the best. I insist upon it. Naturally - one has to pay! I pay.

GKCfan 08 Jul 10 at 8:13 p.m. GMT

You got it, Norfret!

Puffinjill 08 Jul 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

That sounds right to me, Nofret.

Nofret 08 Jul 10 at 9:30 a.m. GMT

I haven't read it for some time, but it sounds like it could be from The Idol House of Astarte (in The Thirteen Problems) and the speaker could be Diana Ashley.

GKCfan 08 Jul 10 at 7:04 a.m. GMT

"Oh, do let us have a wild orgy to-night."

Hint: This is from a short story.

Puffinjill 08 Jul 10 at 6:38 a.m. GMT

Well, that serves me right for not paying more attention!!!! Yes. GKCfan, it is Poirot airing his views on the female sex in After The Funeral.

So, over to you for a new (and original!) one!

GKCfan 08 Jul 10 at 4:04 a.m. GMT

I actually posted this quote a while back: Poirot in After the Funeral.

xrysoula 07 Jul 10 at 8:52 p.m. GMT

Is it the priest ( I don 't recall his name) in Murder At The Vicarage?

cameronjhw 07 Jul 10 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Is it Hercule Poirot

Puffinjill 07 Jul 10 at 8:04 a.m. GMT

No, cameronjhw, none of those.

cameronjhw 06 Jul 10 at 9:48 p.m. GMT

Is it Miss Marple, Lynn Marchmont, or Tuppence Beresford

Puffinjill 06 Jul 10 at 8:16 p.m. GMT

I thank you!!! Nice to hear from you again, Nofret!

Here's another one for you all to try -

"Women are never kind," remarked (characters name). "Though they can sometimes be tender."

Nofret 06 Jul 10 at 11:41 a.m. GMT

Another ace from Puffinjill, well done, it is Mrs Hubbard after her undeserved dressing down from Mrs Nicoletis!

Your turn!

Puffinjill 24 Jun 10 at 6:47 a.m. GMT

I think it's Mrs Hubbard from Hickory Dickory Dock, commenting on her treatment by Mrs Nicoletis.

cameronjhw 23 Jun 10 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Could it be either Evelyn Howard or Alfred Inglethorp from the Mysterious Affair at Styles

Nofret 23 Jun 10 at 1:29 p.m. GMT

OK, the context of this quotation is that character A has been ranting at character B - then A suddenly changes tone and starts wheedling B to do something. B says the line, meaning after the bitter medicine here comes the jam to take the nasty taste away!

MissQuin 22 Jun 10 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

This is hard, can i have a hint?

Nofret 18 Jun 10 at 3:57 p.m. GMT

No, but the murderer in this book also had a guilty secret.

cameronjhw 16 Jun 10 at 9:03 p.m. GMT

Is it from Mrs. McGinty's Dead

Nofret 16 Jun 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

Oh, I can just see her in the kitchen, stirring the gooseberries with the sugar! Unfortunately, no, it's not a Miss Marple novel.

cameronjhw 16 Jun 10 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

Is the quote from a Miss Marple novel?

Nofret 16 Jun 10 at 1:16 p.m. GMT

What a surprise! It's years since I read those stories - perhaps not Christie's best, but she wrote them in a hurry to bring in some much needed cash in the early years of her marriage to Archie. But I digress! Try this one:

After the powder, the jam

GKCfan 15 Jun 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

YES!  Correct!

GKCfan 15 Jun 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

YES!  Correct!

Nofret 15 Jun 10 at 8:21 a.m. GMT

Is it the opening of The Big Four, when the man collapses in Poirot's flat and can't speak but can only write the number 4?

GKCfan 14 Jun 10 at 11:03 p.m. GMT

No, no, and no.  Sorry.  Figuring out who Poirot was speaking to will narrow it down a lot.

cameronjhw 14 Jun 10 at 9:56 p.m. GMT

Is the book either Peril at End House, Taken at the Flood, or Hickory Dickory Dock

GKCfan 14 Jun 10 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

Yes, Poirot said it.  But in which book?

cameronjhw 14 Jun 10 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

Is it Hercule Poirot

GKCfan 12 Jun 10 at 12:42 a.m. GMT

No to both, sorry.

Want a hint?  It's a series book (that is, it contains a recurring detective).

i_heart_mysteries 11 Jun 10 at 10:59 p.m. GMT

Is it someone from And Then There Were None? Hmmmm...

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Jun 10 at 3:56 p.m. GMT

I haven't read Death On The Nile yet but is it said in that? Possibly by Colonel Race just before Mrs Otterbourne is Shot? 

GKCfan 10 Jun 10 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

No, sorry- not ATTWN.  Two hints:

1)The speaker is someone all Christie fans know.

2)The person who drank the brandy was soon murdered, though the brandy was not poisoned.

Nofret 10 Jun 10 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

How about ATTWN when Mrs Rogers faints after hearing U N Owen?

MissQuin 10 Jun 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

I'm stumped, it's a puzzler.  Another clue please?

GKCfan 06 Jun 10 at 12:17 a.m. GMT

Onapi11, your conclusions are correct.  The person who needs the brandy is in a state of shock, and the person saying it has a history of taking control of situations...

Onapi11 05 Jun 10 at 8:54 a.m. GMT

well it sounds like this that needs the brandy person has had a shock of some kind...

and that the person saying it has taken control of the situation

anything coming to mind? theres probably tonnes of these situations

GKCfan 04 Jun 10 at 8:03 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not a Miss Marple book.

Nofret 04 Jun 10 at 1:07 p.m. GMT

Is it Sleeping Murder when the housekeeper sees the skeleton and has a heart palpitation?

Onapi11 04 Jun 10 at 10:54 a.m. GMT

im pertty sure that miss marple's got someone brandy a couple of times, but im sure lots of people have,

still going to go marple though not sure which book

GKCfan 03 Jun 10 at 8:11 p.m. GMT

"Brandy– quickly."

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

Quick work GKC! Your turn now.

GKCfan 03 Jun 10 at 5:20 a.m. GMT

At first I thought "steel band" meant handcuffs... but if it means music, then... A Caribbean Mystery?

MissQuin 02 Jun 10 at 9:44 p.m. GMT

This is an odd one, which is why I picked out

"No albi like a steel band" said  ----------- wryly.

Onapi11 02 Jun 10 at 8:35 a.m. GMT

Great work miss Quin! Now its your turn

MissQuin 01 Jun 10 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

Mrs Gardener!

Onapi11 01 Jun 10 at 10:08 a.m. GMT

Thats the book

but which character...

MissQuin 31 May 10 at 5:33 p.m. GMT

Evil under the sun?

Onapi11 29 May 10 at 6:56 a.m. GMT

no but these are all good guesses!

in this book, they are on a holiday somewhere in Devon (i think thats what the place is called)

Nofret 28 May 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Now, I remember reading a critique about The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Christie included a plan of the house, and this critic commented that although the house had several bedrooms, there appeared to be only one bathroom between them!

So, my little grey cells wonder if the quote is Hastings, returning in trepidation to Styles in Curtain!

MissQuin 27 May 10 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

Onapi11

when i read this it stuck out a mile as such a weird quote

"he chipped in there and said what about the sanitary arangements"

(miss quin would probably know this one)

M Q is rather stumped! it sounds like it's abroad, but thinking about it, it could be somewhere  in england but very rural. Is it a short story?

Onapi11 27 May 10 at 9:06 a.m. GMT

i must be making this way too hard...

to help you guys the book has poirot in it

Onapi11 24 May 10 at 7:44 a.m. GMT

Ha ha i love Blackadder i watched "the scarlet pimpenel" last night =)

it isnt Tommy but it is someone staying somewhere away froom home...

Nofret 23 May 10 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

Well, I can't help thinking of that hilarious scene from Blackadder 2 "What about the privies?"

All I can think of is N or M when Tommy is renting a room at Sans Souci?

Onapi11 23 May 10 at 1:13 a.m. GMT

no, not mr satterthwaite

MissQuin 22 May 10 at 4:05 p.m. GMT

Mr Sattertwaite? but not sure which story.

Onapi11 22 May 10 at 11:51 a.m. GMT

No, this is definatly from one of her novels, and for a clue it was set in England....

Nofret 20 May 10 at 9:59 a.m. GMT

Could this be from one of Christie's autobiographical works? She spent several seasons on archaeological digs in the Middle East, and I imagine the "sanitary arrangements" would have been rather primitive!

So I'll guess Come Tell Me How You Live.

Onapi11 20 May 10 at 8:37 a.m. GMT

haha  

you were unlucky with your last quote, id just finnished reading that book!

Bye the way, this is just the finnish of a quote (the first bit included names so i didnt put it in)

MissQuin 19 May 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

Mmm  I'm stuck, I'll have a think!

Onapi11 19 May 10 at 10:45 a.m. GMT

when i read this it stuck out a mile as such a weird quote

"he chipped in there and said what about the sanitary arangements"

(miss quin would probably know this one)

MissQuin 14 May 10 at 11:26 a.m. GMT

Correct!! I made it too easy, I suppose. Onapi it's your turn now.

Onapi11 14 May 10 at 9:22 a.m. GMT

Poirot in Evil under the sun

MissQuin 13 May 10 at 3:45 p.m. GMT

That was a great one HH, puzzled us all. Ive picked one that is incongruous with this character

********* murmured: "now I should like to go for a picnic"

Note the sats used aren't haow many letters the person has in their name!

HeiseiHolmes 13 May 10 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

That's the one. The full line is something like "Be a bit more subtle, Bill," said Socks. "Stop blethering about your ladyfriends and get on with the business."

MissQuin 13 May 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

Vera “Socks” Daventry

HeiseiHolmes 13 May 10 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

It's someone with an unusual nickname!

MissQuin 13 May 10 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

Clue please!

HeiseiHolmes 13 May 10 at 1:52 p.m. GMT

Not Gerry, either. If you need a clue, I could be persuaded to let one slip...~

Nofret 13 May 10 at 10:57 a.m. GMT

Is it Gerry Wade, of the long lie-in?

HeiseiHolmes 11 May 10 at 10:56 a.m. GMT

Ah, not him either...

MissQuin 10 May 10 at 6:11 p.m. GMT

Lord Catherham?

HeiseiHolmes 10 May 10 at 12:07 p.m. GMT

It's not Jimmy...

Nofret 08 May 10 at 5:35 p.m. GMT

If it's from the Seven Dials Mystery was it Jimmy Thesiger?

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

It's not a village with thatched cottage and is is a very large village. It is nothing like Midsomer murders! Thank goodness, lol.

I give up on this clue now, as Ive not read it

anyone else is welcome to guess...

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 3:21 p.m. GMT

Not him, either...

My nearest bookshop that I know of is aaaages away, so I have to take a train journey to get there. I think it would be really un to live in a village! But that's just from reading books and going on holiday. Is it as good as I think?

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

I do endeavour, to blether, whenever I can! see, now I'm being poetical

"Stop blethering about your lady friends and get on with the business."

Colonel? My nearest book shop is more 15 mins away, I live in a village you see.

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 3:14 p.m. GMT

Sorry, it's not him either... I guess you could run down to the nearest bookshop and look in their copy. Then you'll run home, and tell me the answer~ No, wait! Don't run, or people will stare at you, with eyes as round as pearls... Again, I just love to be poetic.

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

 Battle? My last guess, as Ive not read it, I don't know! Ive just realised, you'll probably use blethering, whenever I start a hot fellows topic

"MissQuin- stop blethering about your fave hunks and get on with the business of posting about Chrisite!"

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 3:05 p.m. GMT

No, it's not him either...

I think I may have mentioned the character once, now that I think about it. I'm sorry I picked one you haven't read, since that just makes it really difficult. And not in a good way.

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 3:03 p.m. GMT

Only hard as Ive never read the book!

 Lord Caterham

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

No... If you're finding it too hard, I apologise!

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

  George Lomax

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

Nope... I'm surprised people haven't got it already, actually. This quote made me laugh out loud when I read it.

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 2:56 p.m. GMT

Treadwell?

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 2:50 p.m. GMT

No, not quite. It's my second-favourite character from that book speaking... May be a hint, may not be.

MissQuin 08 May 10 at 2:49 p.m. GMT

Anthony Cade? Ive not read seven Dials so guessing.

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 2:42 p.m. GMT

It was someone talking to Bill, but not Jimmy...

Puffinjill 08 May 10 at 2:40 p.m. GMT

Was it Jimmy talking to Bill? Bill certainly seemed to love going on about his latest ladyfriends!!

HeiseiHolmes 08 May 10 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

The book is right, but it's not Bundle.

MissQuin 06 May 10 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

I think the book is Seven Dials Mystery and possibly spoken by Bundle?

Onapi11 05 May 10 at 9:33 a.m. GMT

it almost sounds like somebody english, but i feel like poirot said something like that to Hastings

HeiseiHolmes 04 May 10 at 3:58 p.m. GMT

Okay, but this is my first time. I have no doubt you'll all get this one:

"Stop blethering about your lady friends and get on with the business."

Nofret 04 May 10 at 2:48 p.m. GMT

Well done, HH! Your turn now!

HeiseiHolmes 03 May 10 at 8:39 p.m. GMT

It's Miss Percehouse!

Nofret 03 May 10 at 6:32 p.m. GMT

Not a Captain.

Onapi11 03 May 10 at 10:26 a.m. GMT

is it captain Wyatt

MissQuin 03 May 10 at 10:22 a.m. GMT

Captain Trevelyan? I had dig my copy out, I struggle to remember any characters names from that book. Ive only read it once and the characters made such little impression on me, I don't remember the names!

Nofret 03 May 10 at 8:08 a.m. GMT

No, but you're getting warm!

MissQuin 02 May 10 at 8:09 p.m. GMT

Charles the reporter?

Nofret 02 May 10 at 3:03 p.m. GMT

Yes, it is the Sittaford Mystery, but another character.

MissQuin 02 May 10 at 1:50 p.m. GMT

That would fit with Sittaford Mystery possibly the Colonel said the quote?

Nofret 02 May 10 at 11:13 a.m. GMT

No, and Poirot wasn't involved in this case (and I think the real Miss Marple would have solved it in 5 minutes!)

MissQuin 01 May 10 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Sir Charles did say Miss Milray ugly, so he wasn't very gallant then!

Could be Evil Under The Sun, Patrick?

Nofret 01 May 10 at 1:40 p.m. GMT

Poor devoted Miss MIlray! I'm sure Sir Charles woudn't be so ungallant!

The book that this quote comes from isn't generally considered to be one of Christie's best - IMO there are too many complications and loose ends - but the murderer gave themself a very ingenious alibi!

MissQuin 01 May 10 at 9:57 a.m. GMT

Charles Cartwright, could be talking about Miss Milray?

Nofret 30 Apr 10 at 6:37 p.m. GMT

One of my favourite villains! But he didn't say that!

MissQuin 30 Apr 10 at 4:29 p.m. GMT

David Hunter Taken at the Flood, he is no wimp and full of bravado!

Nofret 30 Apr 10 at 10:09 a.m. GMT

No, it's not wimpy Roddy!

MissQuin 29 Apr 10 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

Roddy in Sad Cypress? I know he hates any display of emotions.

Nofret 29 Apr 10 at 10:40 a.m. GMT

Wow! That was a shot in the dark! (a fate which befell many of Christie's characters!)

I opened a certain book at random, and these words sprang out at me. This may be a tricky one!

I hate a slobbering female!

(And no, it's not Augustus thinking about his girlfriend!)

GKCfan 28 Apr 10 at 3:51 p.m. GMT

You got it!

Nofret 28 Apr 10 at 8:29 a.m. GMT

Millicent Pebmarsh in The Clocks?

GKCfan 27 Apr 10 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  A hint- this line was spoken by a person who has no use for many things, but who does have use for a telephone, though this person doesn't own one.

Onapi11 27 Apr 10 at 7:50 a.m. GMT

Is it Mrs Price-Ridley (not sure on spelling)

GKCfan 26 Apr 10 at 8:54 p.m. GMT

"I have not got a telephone."

MissQuin 26 Apr 10 at 3:14 p.m. GMT

Correct GKC, I thought it best to give it away, as it had been going for some time. An exellent short story btw. Over to you GKC!

GKCfan 25 Apr 10 at 9:29 p.m. GMT

Following your clue, that means the character must be Violet Eversleigh from "The Red Signal."

MissQuin 25 Apr 10 at 11:41 a.m. GMT

Here's a huge clue: In an adaptaion of this story this character was played by Carol Drinkwater.

Nofret 25 Apr 10 at 11:20 a.m. GMT

Suzanne Blair in The Man in the Brown Suit?

MissQuin 24 Apr 10 at 2:42 p.m. GMT

Ive not read Crooked House, so that's a no.

Onapi11 24 Apr 10 at 5:03 a.m. GMT

Would it have been charles from crooked house?

MissQuin 22 Apr 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

No it's not it's not from Poirot. I think I might have made it too hard, but it stood out when I read it.

Nofret 22 Apr 10 at 4:38 p.m. GMT

Could it come from Mrs McGinty's Dead, as the question of heredity plays a large part in the plot? Either out lovely Mrs Oliver, or Maureen Summerhayes?

MissQuin 22 Apr 10 at 3 p.m. GMT

it's a non series story.

Onapi11 22 Apr 10 at 8:58 a.m. GMT

Yes Please

MissQuin 21 Apr 10 at 4:49 p.m. GMT

No, would you like a little hint?

Nofret 21 Apr 10 at 9:04 a.m. GMT

That sounds like Lady Angkatell in The Hollow!

MissQuin 20 Apr 10 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

Yes, you have the response correct.

The character's not in Death on the Nile, but the charcater could be described like Ms Otterbourne. Fun loving and say's things that sound like trite to ther people!

Nofret 20 Apr 10 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

I've got a feeling that someone replies "Consumption isn't hereditary" but I can't remember the characters involved.

Is it someone from Death on the Nile, talking about Jackie's Latin heritage, Salome Otterbourne for example?

MissQuin 20 Apr 10 at 4:04 p.m. GMT

No, more clues wanted?

Onapi11 20 Apr 10 at 9:05 a.m. GMT

Is it from Hercule Poirot's Christmas?

MissQuin 18 Apr 10 at 11:19 a.m. GMT

ok brace yourselves another quote from MissQuin!

"Heredity is so sad, consumption and all that"

GKCfan 17 Apr 10 at 9:23 p.m. GMT

You got it!  Congratulations!

MissQuin 17 Apr 10 at 8:26 p.m. GMT

It's Peril at End House! I checked, Hasting's is reading his neswpaper and picks out random news items. Page 9 of my copy, which I think is called the signature edition of the black and white covers (if anyone's interested!)

GKCfan 17 Apr 10 at 7:40 p.m. GMT

No, but you're in the right area– it's from the 1930's.  It's from the first five pages of the book in question (editions vary, so I can't give you an exact page number).  Glad you like the quote!

MissQuin 17 Apr 10 at 10:08 a.m. GMT

ABC murders? I think that as Hastings was fresh from his travels, he reaglling poirot with some of his stories of abroad.

if I ever guess correctly, maybe you could tell me what page it's on GKC? I'd love to read that part, as you say, it's something you'd easily overlook the first time. Great quote BTW!

GKCfan 16 Apr 10 at 9:46 p.m. GMT

No, but chronologically speaking, you're very close!

MissQuin 16 Apr 10 at 4:12 p.m. GMT

I don't know, maybe Lord Edgware Dies?

GKCfan 15 Apr 10 at 7:43 p.m. GMT

Yes, MissQuin, it is Captain Hastings!  Now to figure out the book...

Onapi11 15 Apr 10 at 11 a.m. GMT

Is it Mr Satterthwaite?

or even mabey someone from cards on the table?

MissQuin 15 Apr 10 at 9:08 a.m. GMT

Captain Hastings?

GKCfan 14 Apr 10 at 10:35 p.m. GMT

It's neither of those two.  Shall I give a hint?  The speaker's books are all true crime (at least in the Christieverse) and the speaker has appeared in multiple books.

MissQuin 14 Apr 10 at 8:57 p.m. GMT

It doesn't sound like Raymond West or Salome Ottoborne. I'm stumped!

GKCfan 13 Apr 10 at 7:14 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Norfret.  It's not Mr. Clancy or Death in the Clouds.  But it is by a character who's written several books.

Nofret 13 Apr 10 at 11:04 a.m. GMT

Is it that other crime novelist, Daniel Clancy from Death in the Clouds?

MissQuin 12 Apr 10 at 9:25 p.m. GMT

Ah, I'm stuck now. I  thought it was a parrot not a cockatoo! Now I sound like Mrs Oliver!

 I'll have to have a good rethink! Someone who makes rather random remarks at serious moments...hmm

GKCfan 12 Apr 10 at 8:54 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It's not The Pale Horse and it's not Mrs. Oliver, but you're on the right track with the speaker.  I think you're remembering Mrs. Oliver incorporating a cockatoo into her book, because seeing the cockatoo would allow someone to see a flying cricket ball or something like that.

MissQuin 12 Apr 10 at 11:40 a.m. GMT

Is it Mrs Oliver in the Pale Horse? I remember there was something she said about parrots. Plus the quote fits her character, her slightly random observations made at serious moments.

GKCfan 11 Apr 10 at 7:51 p.m. GMT

Here we go– I picked this because it struck me as funny and a little odd.  It's not an important line to the plot, but if you think about it, it really does sound like the famous character who said it.  Figure out who said it and you're halfway to guessing the book:

"Curious thing, this parrot disease."

MissQuin 11 Apr 10 at 9:16 a.m. GMT

You got it GKC! I thought I'd found a quote that was hard, your all too good at this!

Your turn GKC

GKCfan 11 Apr 10 at 7:44 a.m. GMT

 I think that's Honoria Waynflete talking about the maid who died of drinking hat paint in Murder is Easy.

MissQuin 09 Apr 10 at 4:33 p.m. GMT

Here's one, I hope it's not too hard

Well, of course she wasn't at all a good servant. But nowdays, one is thankful to get anybody.

MissQuin 09 Apr 10 at 4:21 p.m. GMT

I'm off to scour my Chrisite shelf and come up with something that I hope will puzzle you all! Congratulations on yours Nofret, it really puzzled me.

Nofret 09 Apr 10 at 4:11 p.m. GMT

Yes, well done! Of course in the Joan Hickson version of Sleeping Murder, played by Kenneth Cope, Jackie Affleck was much less concerned about his former sacking by Walter Fane.

Your turn!

MissQuin 09 Apr 10 at 1:09 p.m. GMT

 I HAVE IT AT LAST!!!! Took me long enough though. It's Jackie Afflick in Sleeping murder. You had to spoon feed me the answer there  His favourite colour is yellow. That's one of my favourite Chrisite's but I just overlooked the character, as I was thinking it was someone with paranoia.

Nofret 09 Apr 10 at 8:22 a.m. GMT

Clue:

"I was driving along when I noticed those two people who came to see me - they were with a dear little old lady."

MissQuin 08 Apr 10 at 4:05 p.m. GMT

I'm still thinking. Is it in a Marple story?

MissQuin 07 Apr 10 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

I'm thinking (not easy!) is it a full legnth book, not a short story.

Nofret 07 Apr 10 at 9:53 a.m. GMT

No, the character is in neither of these books.

MissQuin 06 Apr 10 at 3:14 p.m. GMT

One idea is Edgar Lawson They do it with Mirrors, but I don't think so.

I'm also wondering if it's in The Moving Finger? Ive read it, but not for quite a few years.

Nofret 06 Apr 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

Another clue? I have a favourite colour!

MissQuin 06 Apr 10 at 11:57 a.m. GMT

MMM, I'm stuck!

Nofret 05 Apr 10 at 9:07 a.m. GMT

Again, it would fit Gregory Banks perfectly, but it's not him.

A clue - in the first (and far superior) TV adaptation this character wasn't so paranoid.

MissQuin 04 Apr 10 at 10:30 a.m. GMT

Could it be Gregory Banks in After the funeral?

Nofret 02 Apr 10 at 5:51 p.m. GMT

Yes, it would fit Mr Mercado as well, but it's not him!

MissQuin 02 Apr 10 at 3:04 p.m. GMT

It sounds like someone paranoid, so Mr mecado Murder is Mesopotamia? I know Ive read this quote before!

Nofret 01 Apr 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Well it certainly fits Captain Dacre, but it's not him.

MissQuin 31 Mar 10 at 4:40 p.m. GMT

Well I'd certainly twinkle if I was in an AC book,  theres quite a few handsome men in them!

Is the character Captain Dancres is Three act tradegy?

Nofret 31 Mar 10 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

"Thank you, Puffinjill" she twinkled! (Incidentally have you noticed that AC was very fond of that particular verb and used it rather a lot?)

Here's my offering -

Dirty work! Spying on a man - laying traps for him - lying about him! Oh, I've had my enemies all right.

Puffinjill 31 Mar 10 at 8:04 a.m. GMT

Oh you star, Nofret!!!! It is indeed Tuppence talking to (and about ) Tommy in the short story Finessing The King from Partners In Crime. Phew, am I glad someone has finally guessed!! Over to you, Nofret...

Nofret 30 Mar 10 at 8:32 a.m. GMT

Is it Tuppence to Tommy?

Puffinjill 29 Mar 10 at 6:19 a.m. GMT

Still wrong, I'm afraid! I'm beginning to wish I'd never set this one. So, how about another clue. It's said by a woman to her husband.

Hope that might be of some help and some one guesses this one soon!!

Nofret 28 Mar 10 at 4:08 p.m. GMT

Jimmy McGrath about Anthony Cade in The Secret of Chimneys?

Puffinjill 28 Mar 10 at 1:22 p.m. GMT

No, Tommy and Nofret, it isn't said by Bundle or Jimmy and it doesn't come from They Do It With Mirrors. But it is from an earlier work by AC.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Mar 10 at 4:26 p.m. GMT

Is the book They Do it With Mirrors?

Nofret 25 Mar 10 at 12:37 p.m. GMT

Sounds like the quote could have come from one of the earlier works, the ones featuring Bundle Brent & co, so I'll guess the Seven Dials mystery and either Bundle or Jimmy Thesiger.

Puffinjill 25 Mar 10 at 6:24 a.m. GMT

Well, hello you three!! Thank you for playing!! But I'm afraid none of the guesses are correct.  I'll give you all a little bit of help so we can get this one out of the way and someone else can set a better puzzle! It doesn't come from a Poirot book and the characters involved in the scene aren't actually drunk......not sure thats going to be of any help at all!!

Nofret 24 Mar 10 at 4:08 p.m. GMT

Is it from "Lord Edgeware dies?" Possibly Jenny Driver talking about Ronald Marsh, who had a drink problem?

Bundle_ 24 Mar 10 at 11:29 a.m. GMT

Someone may have been drunk in Three Act Tragedy!

MissQuin 24 Mar 10 at 8:56 a.m. GMT

I will have a stab at it. I'm trying to think of a book where someone might be drunk.

I'll make a wild guess, is it in Poirot taken at the flood?

Puffinjill 24 Mar 10 at 8:12 a.m. GMT

Nobody going to have a guess at this one? it's been here well over a month without a single attempt to guess it. Am I playing Guess The Quote all on my little lonesome then? Jilly-no-mates!!!

Puffinjill 11 Feb 10 at 7:02 a.m. GMT

Oh blimey, I'm out of practice at this! Well, here goes....(apologies now as it's not a very good one but it's early in the morning and I'm not feeling very bright)....

"Isn't he witty?" said (character name) "All done on a little drop of drink!"

Nofret 10 Feb 10 at 3:56 p.m. GMT

 Well done, Puffinjill, it is indeed Mr Goby, Poirot's "gofer"!

Over to you.

Puffinjill 09 Feb 10 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

Is it Mr Goby?

Nofret 09 Feb 10 at 8:45 a.m. GMT

A little clue - bit of a fishy character!

Nofret 22 Jan 10 at 8:57 a.m. GMT

Not Dolly, someone from an entirely different social class.......

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jan 10 at 3:58 p.m. GMT

Dolly Bantry?

Nofret 21 Jan 10 at 7:36 a.m. GMT

No, not Halloween party.

A clue to help the little grey cells - this character appears in more than one book.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jan 10 at 4:12 p.m. GMT

Elspeth  Halloween Party? 

Nofret 20 Jan 10 at 9:38 a.m. GMT

No, it's not from The Moving Finger.

Dianala 19 Jan 10 at 8:56 p.m. GMT

HI! Nofret.

 I believe this was said in the moving finger.

Nofret 19 Jan 10 at 5:41 p.m. GMT

Not Ariadne, though this person does have something in common with her.

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jan 10 at 4:17 p.m. GMT

Ariadne Oliver talking to Poirot in Halloween Party?

Nofret 19 Jan 10 at 9:01 a.m. GMT

No, the character does not appear in The Clocks.

HerculeJC 18 Jan 10 at 6:59 p.m. GMT

Was it from THE CLOCKS?

Nofret 18 Jan 10 at 4:08 p.m. GMT

A good guess, but not Mrs Sweetiman.

Puffinjill 18 Jan 10 at 3:10 p.m. GMT

It's not Mrs Sweetiman from Mrs McGinty's Dead (again!) talking to Major Summerhayes about her assistant, Edna, is it? At least, I think Edna was her name - haven't got the book to hand so I'm trying to dredge my memory.

Nofret 18 Jan 10 at 9 a.m. GMT

No, that's not it, Hercule.

HerculeJC 17 Jan 10 at 7:41 p.m. GMT

Hi Nofret.

I think it was in THIRD GIRL, from Nora's father.

Nofret 17 Jan 10 at 10:09 a.m. GMT

Got it in one, Puffinjill!

That was obviously too easy, so here's a more difficult one (hopefully!)

"It's the Government. And all this education racket. It gives them ideas"

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Jan 10 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Is it the Photographer who who was adopted in The Mirror Crack'd sorry can't remember her name.

Puffinjill 16 Jan 10 at 3:24 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Maureen Summerhayes in Mrs McGinty's Dead, talking about the pain of being an adopted child?

Nofret 16 Jan 10 at 12:21 p.m. GMT

Merci, Hercule, mon brave!

"And it's always hurt - always - always - to know that you weren't really wanted, that your mother could let you go"

HerculeJC 15 Jan 10 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

Congratulations to Nofret.

It is from Murder on the Orient Express. 

Poirot made the comment about the fact that Colonel Arbuthnot's pipe cleaner was found in M. Ratchett's compartment.   This was during his second meeting with the Colonel

Poirot's hinted that any of the other passengers could have, secretly, obtained it and left it in the compartment, as a ruse.

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jan 10 at 4:32 p.m. GMT

The Murder of Roger Ackroyed?

Nofret 15 Jan 10 at 9:21 a.m. GMT

Murder on the Orient Express?

HerculeJC 15 Jan 10 at 12:36 a.m. GMT

Sorry Puffinjill.

Three Act Tragedy is not the correct answer. 

That now eliminates three Poirot stories: Three Act Tragedy, Evil Under the Sun, and Cat Among the Pigeons.

Tomorrow or Saturday (it is now Thursday afternoon here in Southern California) I will post a clue, if necessary.

Puffinjill 14 Jan 10 at 6:11 a.m. GMT

Was it in Three Act Tragedy?

HerculeJC 13 Jan 10 at 10:35 p.m. GMT

Sorry, GKC, it is not from Evil Under the Sun.

GKCfan 13 Jan 10 at 8:19 p.m. GMT

Evil Under the Sun?

HerculeJC 13 Jan 10 at 7:34 p.m. GMT

Close, Tommy.

Poirot did say it, but NOT in Cat Among The Pigeons.

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Jan 10 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

Did Poirot say it in Cat Among The Pigeons?

HerculeJC 13 Jan 10 at 5:34 a.m. GMT

Oh good.

I seem to recall Poirot mentioning Hastings to Ms. Oliver in one of the stories.

Anyways: here is the next quote:

"Ah, well.  It is of no consequence".

GKCfan 10 Jan 10 at 7:40 p.m. GMT

Hercule JC has pretty much got it– Poirot said it in Mrs. McGinty's Dead, only he said it to himself.

HerculeJC 10 Jan 10 at 5:54 p.m. GMT

I think Poirot said it to Ms. Oliver in either

MRS MCGINTY'S DEAD

or

THIRD GIRL

Nofret 10 Jan 10 at 10 a.m. GMT

Was it Poirot in The Clocks?

GKCfan 07 Jan 10 at 9:31 p.m. GMT

No, sorry.  It's a Poirot book, and Poirot says it referring to Hastings, but Hastings does not appear in the book.

Nofret 07 Jan 10 at 10:49 a.m. GMT

Is it Poirot in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd referring to the helpful Dr. Shepherd?

GKCfan 05 Jan 10 at 7:07 a.m. GMT

Poirot said this ABOUT Hastings, but not in that book.

HerculeJC 05 Jan 10 at 5:14 a.m. GMT

Poirot might have said that to Hastings.

In that case, my guess: PERIL AT END HOUSE: Poirot uncovered much about the characters; could be done by inducing them in to his confidence.

GKCfan 03 Jan 10 at 6:45 a.m. GMT

Poirot did say that, but not in Death in the Clouds.

Bundle_ 03 Jan 10 at 12:05 a.m. GMT

Did Poirot say that in Death in the Clouds?

GKCfan 02 Jan 10 at 8:31 p.m. GMT

Here is the next quote:

"One needs– as they say nowadays– the stooge."

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Jan 10 at 1:01 p.m. GMT

GKC is right, I was going to use another quote from there but couldn't find it. Your Turn

HerculeJC 02 Jan 10 at 5:18 a.m. GMT

Harry Lee, in HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS

GKCfan 01 Jan 10 at 7:34 p.m. GMT

Emily Brewster in "Evil Under the Sun."

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Jan 10 at 3:48 p.m. GMT

Sorry the Quote is "Can't beat England anyway in my Opinion, Only place in the world to Live"

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Jan 10 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

O.K. here Goes "Can't beat England anyway in my Opinion, Only place to live".

Puffinjill 01 Jan 10 at 9:04 a.m. GMT

Just think of a book, open it at random and see what you find. You're as good at this as the rest of us!!

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Dec 09 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

Golly, I must remember to only guess if I have a Quote in my head and I haven't so someone else can have a go and I will get some ideas ready for next year, Happy New Year Everyone.

Puffinjill 31 Dec 09 at 6:34 a.m. GMT

Spot on Tommy!!! Well done, my friend! Now it's your turn to start off the New Year with a new puzzle.

I wish you, and all of my new friends out there, a happy and healthy New Year!!

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Dec 09 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

Mary Dove A Pocketful of Rye?

Puffinjill 30 Dec 09 at 8:10 a.m. GMT

Oh, no, she was never malicious. Clue time, I think. Try thinking about nursery rhymes.

Nofret 29 Dec 09 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Mary Aldin from Towards Zero?

Puffinjill 29 Dec 09 at 3 p.m. GMT

Nope. Is it time for a clue? (If I can think of one!!)

Nofret 29 Dec 09 at 10:13 a.m. GMT

Ellie Henderson from Problem at Sea?

Puffinjill 29 Dec 09 at 6:33 a.m. GMT

No, sorry, not those two either.

Tommy_A_Jones 28 Dec 09 at 4:46 p.m. GMT

Henrietta Sevenacre (The Hollow)?

Nofret 28 Dec 09 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Is it Rosamund Darnley from Evil under the Sun?

Puffinjill 28 Dec 09 at 7:45 a.m. GMT

No, it isn't Sir Eustace Pedler. You had the right sex of the character from your first couple of guesses. Keep going.

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Dec 09 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

Sir Eustace?

Puffinjill 27 Dec 09 at 11:25 a.m. GMT

Sorry, Tommy, not Jane Wilkinson. Have another bit of Christmas Pud and think again.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Dec 09 at 1:01 p.m. GMT

Jane Wilkinson? Merry Christmas

Puffinjill 24 Dec 09 at 5:58 p.m. GMT

No, not Clotilde Bradbury-Scott, Tommy. Chew it over while you eat your turkey tomorrow.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Dec 09 at 1:12 p.m. GMT

Cltilde Bradbury-Scott?

Puffinjill 24 Dec 09 at 8:13 a.m. GMT

OK, try this..

I should hardly advise you to go too much by all I've told you. I'm a malicious creature.

Happy festive guessing!!

GKCfan 23 Dec 09 at 7:27 a.m. GMT

Yes!  You are right!

Puffinjill 23 Dec 09 at 6:29 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Is it from The ABC Murders? I think it's said by Hastings to Poirot very near the start of the novel, when Poirot shows Hastings the first of the ABC letters which informs him something will happen in Andover on a certain date. When Hastings begins to speculate on what could happen, Poirot says news of a major robbery would be a comfort to him as he fears something much worse may happen. Poirot, as always, fears murderous intent by his annoymous correspondant.....

GKCfan 22 Dec 09 at 8:58 p.m. GMT

"A robbery may be a thrill but it can hardly be a comfort!"

I'm not sure if the wording is exactly right, but it's close.

Bundle_ 22 Dec 09 at 1:55 p.m. GMT

You got it! Your turn.

GKCfan 19 Dec 09 at 11:37 p.m. GMT

Dumb Witness- referring to Bella Tanios?

Bundle_ 19 Dec 09 at 9:44 p.m. GMT

Here's one -- I picked this quote out more for how interesting it is then for the difficulty level attached at guessing it:

"Oh, definitely a dreary woman. Rather like an earwig. She's a devoted mother. So are earwigs I believe."

GKCfan 14 Dec 09 at 7:05 p.m. GMT

HerculeJC is right, it's Curtain, but it's spoken by Mrs. Luttrell to Capt. Hastings!

HerculeJC 13 Dec 09 at 11:50 p.m. GMT

Let me try:

DUMB WITNESS, as a muse to Bob the Dog.

The alternative: CURTAIN, to John Franklin or Stephen Norton.

go_leafs_nation 12 Dec 09 at 9:56 p.m. GMT

The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

GKCfan 12 Dec 09 at 7:35 p.m. GMT

Actually, "X" is Captain Hastings, although the speaker is more obscure.  None of the mentioned books is correct, though.

HerculeJC 12 Dec 09 at 6:51 p.m. GMT

I'll guess "X" is Hercule Poirot. 

The speaker might be Captain Hastings.

I'll, first, guess THE BIG FOUR.

with

THE ABC MURDERS as the second guess.

The other thought could be Norman Gale saying it to Poirot, in DEATH IN THE CLOUDS.

GKCfan 10 Dec 09 at 8:45 p.m. GMT

Nope, sorry.  "X" is a famous name, every Christie fan knows it.

Bundle_ 10 Dec 09 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

Destination Unknown?

GKCfan 09 Dec 09 at 8:11 p.m. GMT

Thanks!  Here's the next one!

"I'm not sure that I like all this science, X."

"X" is the name of a character.  Guess the name and you've significantly narrowed down your options.

Puffinjill 09 Dec 09 at 8:06 a.m. GMT

Oh GKC, you barely gave me time to put the post up!! Well, you are ALMOST right! It is Cat Among The Pigeons but it isn't the kitchen staff at Meadowbank. It's Joan Sutcliffe talking about the newspaper report on the break in at her house.

But well done my friend!

GKCfan 09 Dec 09 at 7:51 a.m. GMT

Is that talking about the cooks at Meadowbank in "Cat Among the Pigeons?"

Puffinjill 09 Dec 09 at 7:47 a.m. GMT

I'm going to nip in quick and set one - sorry go leafs, I know it's your turn!

How beautifully grand "kitchen staff" sounds. So different from what it really is.

HerculeJC 09 Dec 09 at 6:33 a.m. GMT

Go_Leafs is correct: it is from A Pocket Full of Rye.

Mary Dove made that statement, after Jennifer commented how she was sure Adele was the one responsible for Rex's death.

go_leafs_nation 09 Dec 09 at 4:07 a.m. GMT

I'm fairly certain it's A Pocket Full of Rye.

GKCfan 09 Dec 09 at 3:44 a.m. GMT

Is that from Taken at the Flood?

HerculeJC 09 Dec 09 at 1:17 a.m. GMT

NEXT QUOTE:

"I don't think she's heard of the word slander".

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

Oh, bless you, I AM an idiot! Of course she did and whilst looking over her shoulder she then saw Miss Marple, whom she thought had been dead for years! Thanks GKCfan. I'll get thinking about a new one.

GKCfan 07 Dec 09 at 8:18 a.m. GMT

Yes!  Although, she said it to Colonel Luscombe, not Miss Marple.

Puffinjill 07 Dec 09 at 8:11 a.m. GMT

Lady Selina Hazy when chatting to Jane Marple over tea in At Bertrams Hotel?

GKCfan 06 Dec 09 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

Here we go:

"Extraordinary fellow.  Took me by the neck when I wasn't expecting it, and wrung it like a chicken."

Puffinjill 06 Dec 09 at 11:44 a.m. GMT

You're right, GKCfan! It was from The Mystery Of The Blue Train and said by Lady Tamplin to her husband about the role Katherine Grey had fulfilled before coming into her money. Told you all it was an easy one.

Come on GKC, bring on the next one...

HerculeJC 05 Dec 09 at 5:14 p.m. GMT

How about A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, from one of the spinster neighbors.

GKCfan 05 Dec 09 at 4:38 a.m. GMT

Mystery of the Blue Train?

Puffinjill 04 Dec 09 at 7:33 a.m. GMT

We seem to have abandoned this thread a bit. I'll set what I hope is an easyish one and see if anyone out there still wants to play! Here goes..

"Companions don't play tennis - or golf. They might play golf-croquet, but I've always understood that they wind wool and wash dogs most of the day."

Give that a go.

GKCfan 02 Nov 09 at 6:01 a.m. GMT

By golly, she did!  Good work!

go_leafs_nation 02 Nov 09 at 4:28 a.m. GMT

Miss Marple reflected on that in Nemesis, didnt she?

GKCfan 02 Nov 09 at 1:54 a.m. GMT

All right, new quote:

"it's sad really, but nowadays one is only interested in the deaths!"

Who said it, to whom, and in what book?

HerculeJC 31 Oct 09 at 7:28 p.m. GMT

Correct, GKCfan.  It was from MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

Poirot observerd Mary Debenham and Colonel Arbuthnot during the train ride from Aleppo to Istanbul, and overheard their conversations.

Good job, GKC.  Your turn, now.

GKCfan 31 Oct 09 at 7:17 p.m. GMT

Murder on the Orient Express: Poirot said this when he saw Ms. Debenham and the Colonel talking early on in the story.

HerculeJC 31 Oct 09 at 6:11 p.m. GMT

Let me do another quote:

"Rather an odd little comedy that I watch here", said ('the character') to himself thoughtfully.

HerculeJC 05 Oct 09 at 2:51 p.m. GMT

Frndorfoe is correct.  It was from MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

Poirot stated that to the Countess, after explaining that he was not with the Yugoslavian Police, nor the League of Nations.

Frndorfoe 05 Oct 09 at 2:07 p.m. GMT

The quote is from Murder on the Orient Express. Poirot said it to Countess Andrenyi.

Tommy_A_Jones 05 Oct 09 at 12:55 p.m. GMT

Poirot perhaps in Lord Edgware Dies

HerculeJC 04 Oct 09 at 7:25 p.m. GMT

Here is one fascinating quote, IMO:

You'll probably recognize the speaker, immediately.

Here goes:

"I belong to the world, Madame.  I work mainly in London".

asmikhushi 04 Oct 09 at 12:27 p.m. GMT

right frndorfoe, mirror cracked from side to side...not 5 lil pigs

Frndorfoe 28 Sep 09 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

The quote is from The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side.

Tommy_A_Jones 28 Sep 09 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

Five Little Pigs?

asmikhushi 28 Sep 09 at 8:40 a.m. GMT

anyone guess this - " and which ate into her as a kind of deep sore, an obsession"

Tommy_A_Jones 07 Aug 09 at 2:16 p.m. GMT

Yes it is well done Moley, I liked ATF, I thought it was better than The Hollow and I had seen the MR film many times and was interested to see how they had made a Poirot book with MM., anyway as you say we tend to like the books the other one doesn't, btw when I said I would re-read LED to see if I like it up until the denoumont I was thinking of TMORA, silly me, I lked that one up until the end but not LED

TheMole 07 Aug 09 at 1:57 p.m. GMT

Yeah, I don't care for ATF.

Is the first quote from The Clock's, Winne?

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Aug 09 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

I forgot to mention After The Funeral, I loved that book and after seeing the Suchet version I have decided to buy the video one day all though I admit it is no indication of a good book , after all Cards On The Table is and the Suchet version isn't.

TheMole 06 Aug 09 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

WINNEBAGO1901

1 "Then I told the girl I'd send her home in one of our Cars"

I forgot that this hasn't been solved yet.

I'll guess "The Clocks".

TheMole 06 Aug 09 at 1:56 p.m. GMT

None of the HP's you've listed is among my favorite Poirot's however I do like all of the books (I can't include the ABC Murders b/c I haven't read that one).

And I like Evans but The Man in Brown Suit is one of my least favorites :0(

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Aug 09 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

I agree with you Moley, althouggh I don't like 'Death Comes as the End I admire the fact that Agatha Christie tried to write a book set in that era and my judgement is probably Clouded in Lord Edgware Dies, I weill have to read it again and try and see if I like it up until the but I didn't like but I don't think I could ever like the other 2, btw, I haven't got a fav HP or MM book but fav HP book s are;

ABC Murders,

Cards On The Table,

Death In The Clouds,

Evil Under The Sun,

Cat Among The Pigeons,

Mrs McGinty's Dead or

Five Little Pigs.

My fav MM book is either

4.50 From Paddington,

A Murder is Announced

Sleeping Murder

Nemesis.

my fav Non-series book is as you say TZ with 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans 2nd and 'The Man In The Brown Suit 3rd and I think The Secret of Chimneys isd better than 7Dials and I think BTPOMT is the least enjoyable T&T book. 

TheMole 05 Aug 09 at 4:36 p.m. GMT

I think TZ  and Nemsis are  the only 2 books that we share as our favorites, winne. For example some of my favorties are:

Sparkling Cyanide

Lord Edgware Dies (fav Poirot book)

Death Comes as the End

Endless Night

And you don't care for any of these. Not that there is anything wrong w/ that. If everyone liked the same books it would be really boring!

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Aug 09 at 1:47 p.m. GMT

It is one of my favourits too Moley, I so wish Battle was in more books, you are right #3 is from Sleeping Murder Miss Marple says it to Giles and Gwenda, btw your other guess is wrong.

TheMole 04 Aug 09 at 1:39 p.m. GMT

Yea!! TZ is one of my favorite books! I knew I had read that quote before!

1. The Mystery of the Blue Train

3. Sleeping Murder

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Aug 09 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

I agree Moley which means if I do this again I know one short story to do. Sorry mary mck Mole is right Battle did say that about Poirot in Towards Zero, as he appearsd in 4 without Poirot and 2 are without Bundle I never know if TZ or MIE are Non-series books, the other 2 quotes still need to be guessed 

TheMole 04 Aug 09 at 1:17 p.m. GMT

Mmmm...I never thought about short stories being allowed or not. I think it would be okay but only if we make a disclaimer saying that this quote comes from a short story.

1. Dead Man's Folly

2. Towards Zero {perhaps Battle said it about Poirot}

3. The Moving Finger

marymck 04 Aug 09 at 1:16 p.m. GMT

Is #2 Death on the Nile?

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Aug 09 at 1:11 p.m. GMT

No sorry, but now you are on the right track with #1 and #3 but I didn't think short stories were allowed for this game

TheMole 04 Aug 09 at 1:04 p.m. GMT

1. Third Girl

2. Murder in Mesopatamia

3. The Tuesday Club Murders

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Aug 09 at 12:51 p.m. GMT

No sorry but you are on the right track with the 3rd quote

TheMole 04 Aug 09 at 11:25 a.m. GMT

1. Destination Unknown

2. Sad Cypress {I know that I have read this particularly quote! Perhaps Dr.Lord said to someone about Poirot's abilities.)

3. A Carribean Mystery {I can see Miss Marple saying this.}

Tommy_A_Jones 04 Aug 09 at 10:31 a.m. GMT

No all guesses are wrong, when I said warm-ish I meant one quote comes from a Poirot book and one comes from a Miss Marple book (but not the way you have guessed if you know what I meen) the other clue isn't from either a HP, or MM book and you are right about quote 2 being said about Poirot but not in that book.

TheMole 03 Aug 09 at 11:21 p.m. GMT

1. A Murder is Announced

2. Elephants Can Remember {I have a funny feeling, now, that this may have been said about Poirot.}

3. Death in the Clouds {Poirot may have said this}

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Aug 09 at 2:47 p.m. GMT

No sorry but you are warm-ish

TheMole 03 Aug 09 at 2:45 p.m. GMT

Okay, I get it now. I'll guess again.

1. At Bertrams Hotel

2. They Came to Baghdad

3. The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Aug 09 at 2:41 p.m. GMT

No I didn't Moley, I said I had correctly posted it, I said that I had quoted it correctly which might have confused you.

TheMole 03 Aug 09 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

So the second quote is not from Cards on the Table? You said it was correctly quoted in your post, mon ami.

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Aug 09 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

No

TheMole 03 Aug 09 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

I thought that the second quote was solved, winne.

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Aug 09 at 2:03 p.m. GMT

No sorry, but what about the 2nd quote, you might have misunderstood me, I meant I correctly put the 2nd Quote.

TheMole 03 Aug 09 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

That's okay winne.

1. The Body in the Library

3. Taken at the Flood

Tommy_A_Jones 03 Aug 09 at 9:57 a.m. GMT

Mole I have a confession to make, I accidently miss quoted a couple, here are the real quotes;

1 "Then I told the girl I'd send her home in one of our Cars"

2 Correctly quoted

3 "Ones Feeling are not always reliable guides"

The word guides isn't in the context you thought, sorry Moley and anyone else interested, Mole you are on the right track with one of the quotes.

TheMole 02 Aug 09 at 5:53 p.m. GMT

1. Lord Edgware Dies

2. Cards on the Table

3. Dumb Witness

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Aug 09 at 2:10 p.m. GMT

No sorry wrong in all three cases

TheMole 02 Aug 09 at 1:42 p.m. GMT

Three quotes! Yea!

1. Why Didn't they Ask Evans? {Perhaps this was said about Frankie}

2. The Man in the Brown Suit {I believe that a few parts of this book takes place in the jungle}

3. Nemesis {The word guide might be a clue}

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Aug 09 at 1:37 p.m. GMT

I'll try again;

1. "Then I told her I'd send her home in one of our cars"

2. "About as Dangerous as a black mamba and a she-leopard that's what he is when he starts making a mountbank of himself!"

3. "Our feelings are not always reliable guides"

TheMole 02 Aug 09 at 1:22 p.m. GMT

GKC is correct! The quote is from Peril At End House. Commander Challenger said this to Poirot.

Who shall do the next quote?

marymck 02 Aug 09 at 1:12 p.m. GMT

Murder on the Links?

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Aug 09 at 10:28 a.m. GMT

Evil Under The Sun?

GKCfan 02 Aug 09 at 5:11 a.m. GMT

Peril at End House?

TheMole 01 Aug 09 at 10:01 p.m. GMT

Nope

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Aug 09 at 1:06 p.m. GMT

Postern of Fate

TheMole 01 Aug 09 at 12:50 p.m. GMT

Sorry.

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Aug 09 at 12:49 p.m. GMT

By The Pricking of my Thumb

TheMole 01 Aug 09 at 12:45 p.m. GMT

All guesses are wrong.

marymck 01 Aug 09 at 12:35 p.m. GMT

The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Aug 09 at 10:04 a.m. GMT

Sad Cypress?

TheMole 31 Jul 09 at 10 p.m. GMT

Sorry, both guesses are wrong. A hint: The quote is Not from a Marple book.

Adam_Scarlet 31 Jul 09 at 3:39 p.m. GMT

A complete guess; Dead Man's Folly?

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Jul 09 at 1:10 p.m. GMT

Death In The Clouds?

TheMole 30 Jul 09 at 2:25 p.m. GMT

Hi winne! Your guess is wrong :0(

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Jul 09 at 2:15 p.m. GMT

Nemesis

TheMole 30 Jul 09 at 1:58 p.m. GMT

Sorry.

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Jul 09 at 1:18 p.m. GMT

7 Dials Mystery

TheMole 29 Jul 09 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

Sorry, both guesses are wrong.

Tommy_A_Jones 29 Jul 09 at 1:22 p.m. GMT

Appointment With Death?

marymck 29 Jul 09 at 8:18 a.m. GMT

Cat Among the Pigeons?

TheMole 28 Jul 09 at 9:29 p.m. GMT

I have read Murder in Mesopotamia but it was like a year ago.

Congrats Miss Scarlet & welcome to the game.

I guess I shall post the next quote:

"I've got nothing to do. May I come with you?"

Adam_Scarlet 27 Jul 09 at 2:42 p.m. GMT

Yay! :)

I can't think of a good quote at the moment, so anybody can ask a new one...

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Jul 09 at 1:21 p.m. GMT

I haven't read it yet, but it is another where I have seen the Adaptation and I have the Audio Cassette with John Moffet, to be honest, it is not one I am looking forward to.

Frndorfoe 27 Jul 09 at 12:41 p.m. GMT

Congratulations to you, MissScarlet107! You are absolutely right! The 1st quote is from Murder in Mesopotamia. I guess not many of the others have read that particular book.

Adam_Scarlet 27 Jul 09 at 11:19 a.m. GMT

Murder in Mesopotamia?

Tommy_A_Jones 27 Jul 09 at 11:09 a.m. GMT

Evil Under The Sun?

Frndorfoe 27 Jul 09 at 9:23 a.m. GMT

No. It's not The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

Adam_Scarlet 27 Jul 09 at 9:14 a.m. GMT

Is it The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

Frndorfoe 26 Jul 09 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

No. That's not it.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Jul 09 at 2:11 p.m. GMT

Hickory Dickory Dock?

Frndorfoe 26 Jul 09 at 2:02 p.m. GMT

No. It's not Third Girl.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Jul 09 at 1:09 p.m. GMT

Third Girl?

Frndorfoe 26 Jul 09 at 11:43 a.m. GMT

No. Not Lord Edgware Dies.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Jul 09 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

Lord Edgware Dies?

Frndorfoe 25 Jul 09 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

No. It's not Hercule Poirot's Christmas.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Jul 09 at 10:50 a.m. GMT

Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Frndorfoe 25 Jul 09 at 5:07 a.m. GMT

No. Sorry. Not Cat Among the Pigeons.

TheMole 24 Jul 09 at 6:44 p.m. GMT

Cat Among the Pigeons?

Frndorfoe 24 Jul 09 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Mole. It's not Mrs. McGinty's Dead.

TheMole 24 Jul 09 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

Mrs. McGinty's Dead?

Frndorfoe 24 Jul 09 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

No. It's not Peril at End House.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Jul 09 at 2:18 p.m. GMT

Peril At End House?

Frndorfoe 24 Jul 09 at 2:11 p.m. GMT

Congrats WINNE! You've got the 2nd one right. But not the 1st one.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Jul 09 at 1:39 p.m. GMT

1 Dumb Witness

2 A Pocketful of Rye

Frndorfoe 23 Jul 09 at 2:59 p.m. GMT

No, both of you are wrong. But with the 2nd quote you are both on the right track and Mole is still on the right track with both of the quotes.

TheMole 23 Jul 09 at 2:38 p.m. GMT

1. Hickory Dickory Dock?

2. The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side?

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 2:36 p.m. GMT

#1 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans'

#2 'Sleeping Murder'

Frndorfoe 23 Jul 09 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

No, WINNE. Both are wrong. But with the 2nd one you are on the right track.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 2:27 p.m. GMT

What about this then Frndorfoe;

1 By The Pricking of My Thumbs?

2 A Murder Is Announced?

Frndorfoe 23 Jul 09 at 2:21 p.m. GMT

WINNEBAGO1901

I suppose Frndorfoe what is light to one person might not be light to another like 1 persons opinion of a book might differ from another persons.

No, WINNE. Both of your guesses are wrong. And yes, that is what I meant by "not light hearted according to me". Mole, you are kind of on the right track.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 2:20 p.m. GMT

If #2 is wrong I think I might know what it is.

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 2:15 p.m. GMT

1 Postern of Fate

2 The Crooked House? (I might have the title wrong)

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 2:13 p.m. GMT

Hello Moley, I am like you seen the Film of they Do It With Mirrors but not rewad the book, After seeing it wondered if this is where the makers of Murder She Wrote got the idea of The sleuth going to a friends aid and being embroiled in Murder,

The Film is one adaptation that made me not look forward to the Book, but there are other Adaptations I haven't liked and made me not want to read the Book and been proved wrong - A Carribean Mystery and The Moving Finger come to mind so I might be lucky. 

I suppose Frndorfoe what is light to one person might not be light to another like 1 persons opinion of a book might differ from another persons.

Frndorfoe 23 Jul 09 at 2:09 p.m. GMT

Sorry, WINNE and Mole. Both of your guesses are wrong.

TheMole 23 Jul 09 at 1:54 p.m. GMT

Hello winne!

1. The Mystery of the Blue Train (perhaps this was said by Lennox)

2. They Do it With Mirrors (I have seen the adapt but never read the book so the quote might have been said in the book)

Tommy_A_Jones 23 Jul 09 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

1. The Secret Adversary?

2. Peril At End House?

Frndorfoe 22 Jul 09 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

Nope. Both guesses are wrong.

TheMole 22 Jul 09 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

Mmmm. the first one is an interesting qoute then. I'll guess The Sittaford Mystery, perhaps Violet or her mother said this.

And for the second I'll guess The Hollow...

Frndorfoe 22 Jul 09 at 3:46 p.m. GMT

No, sorry Mole. Both the guesses are wrong. And the first quote is not from a light hearted book (well not light hearted according to me).

TheMole 22 Jul 09 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

LOL! I like that first quote. It sounds like it's from one of AC's more light hearted novels. I will guess that perhaps Victoria Jones said it in "They Came to Baghdad".

As for the second one I don't know why but I will say "After The Funeral"

Frndorfoe 22 Jul 09 at 3:07 p.m. GMT

Here are the next quotes everybody.

1. "What a nightmare! It's all so- fantastic."

 2. "You mean - you think she might have done it herself?"

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Jul 09 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

Another hint you could have given was 'Initially you might think this was a Poirot Book as it has the same Initials as 'Sad Cypress' That is one Clue I weas going to give but only as a very very last resort as that would have given it away wouldn't it, I love thinking up Clues Tenuous or otherwise.

TheMole 22 Jul 09 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

Mmmm I didn't think of that kind of hint. Good thinking, Winne.

Frndorfoe shall you post the next quote?

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Jul 09 at 12:59 p.m. GMT

Yes you are right Frndorfoe, I am useless at this game, Never mind I will just stick to posting, I was going to set a nother quote with those two but decided against it as it came from 'Sparkling Cyanide

To Mole I thought you were going to say because both '|The Secret of Chimneys and Sparkling Cyanide have Characters that appear in 'Cards On The Table'

Frndorfoe 21 Jul 09 at 3:43 p.m. GMT

The first quote is from A Murder Is Announced. Miss Murgatroyd said it to Miss Hinchliffe. The second one is from Appointment with Death. Hercule Poirot said it to Colonel Carbury.

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 3:39 p.m. GMT

Because the Secret of Chimneys was among the first non-series books to be guessed for the quote.

As for your quotes I shall guess that the first quote is from The Murder Of Roger Ackryod and the second I will guess that it's from Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 2:26 p.m. GMT

1. "Yes -yes I was. It knocked against my corn when it flew open"

2 "You like that kind of Detective story? But certainly I will do it for you with pleasure"

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

At Last, I was wrong, I have read it, But why Is The Secret of Chimneys close? I am thinking about setting the next one, I have 2 quotes ready.

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 1:41 p.m. GMT

YES! CONGRATS WINNE! The quote is from Sparkling Cyanide. It was said by Colonel Race!

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 1:36 p.m. GMT

Sparkling Cyanide

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 1:27 p.m. GMT

Nope there are more than 13 of the non series books. So far 15 of them have been named. Ordeal By Innocence is not correct.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 1:20 p.m. GMT

There arten't that many, I thought there were only 13 Non-series books anyway, I now guess Ordeal by Innocense

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 1:12 p.m. GMT

"I'm afraid she's going to know all about it."

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 1:11 p.m. GMT

Good guess but no. There leaves a lot other of the non-series too!

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 1:10 p.m. GMT

Which leaves Endless Night

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 1:05 p.m. GMT

Okay, I've added it. :0). But The Pale Horse & Towards Zero are wrong, mon ami.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 1:02 p.m. GMT

You forgot to add TOWARDS ZERO, I guess The Pale Horse

TheMole 21 Jul 09 at 12:53 p.m. GMT

Nay.

So far these non-series books have been guessed:

Towards Zero

Murder is Easy

Destination Unknown

The Sittaford Mystery

The Mysterious Mr. Quinn

Death Comes As The End

They Came to Baghdad

And Then There Were None

The Man in The Brown Suit

The Secret of Chimneys

Why Didn't They Ask Evans

&

The Seven Dials Mystery

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Jul 09 at 10:34 a.m. GMT

Destination Unknown?

TheMole 20 Jul 09 at 2:37 p.m. GMT

No, but you're getting closer!

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jul 09 at 2:34 p.m. GMT

They Came to Baghdad?

TheMole 20 Jul 09 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

I'm afraid not.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jul 09 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

In that case it's one I haven't read what about Destination Unknown?

TheMole 20 Jul 09 at 2:23 p.m. GMT

No....

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jul 09 at 2:10 p.m. GMT

And Then There Were None

TheMole 20 Jul 09 at 1:40 p.m. GMT

Yes, the quote is NOT from a T&T; book.

But Death Comes as The End is wrong, mi amigo.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jul 09 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

Death Comes As The End? I am assuming when you say a non-series book you mean it isn't a T&T book Moley as because there are 5 they are a series.

TheMole 20 Jul 09 at 12:26 p.m. GMT

Okay.

But you already guessed The Sittaford Mystery. A big hint: It is from a non-series book (it just hasn't been guesses yet).

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jul 09 at 11:08 a.m. GMT

Moley, You explained it perfectly until your last post. I think 'Hound of Death, is a collecxtion of short stories as is Miss Marple's Final Cases, Poirot Investigates, The Labour of Hercules etc, I think The Big Four and 'Partners In Crime both have Stories which should be in a Collection of short Stories, btw, Is it 'The Sittaford Mystery? I am now crossing off the Non-series Books One by One.

TheMole 19 Jul 09 at 2:55 p.m. GMT

No it's not from Murder is Easy.

I guess I should have explained it better than that, but what I mean is that if you take a book like "Three Blind Mice and other stories" it's a compilation of other detectives in different settings, as opposed to let's say "The Tuesday Club Murders"; they are all different stories but they share a common link which is that all of the characters are sitting around relaying their stories to each other. That's what I meant by short stories as opposed to a novel...

This would be a good topic to put up for discussion, though, to agree or disagree w/ both of our opinions.

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jul 09 at 2:21 p.m. GMT

To Mole: apart from the fact it starts with T&T being given a mission and that mission being completed at the end, you could take each chapter out and read it seperately (Except for 2 chapters which are 2 parts of 1 story) a proper Novel shouldn't be like that. btw I am going to guess 'Murder Is Easy' or has that already been guessed?

TheMole 19 Jul 09 at 12:54 p.m. GMT

It's not Partners in Crime! No one as gotten in yet! This quote was a good one then.

To winne: I always think of books like Partners in Crime as a novel w/ stories that are intertwined w/ one another.

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jul 09 at 10:39 a.m. GMT

I hope it isn't 'Partners in Crime' as like 'The Big Four' I am never sure if it is a book or a Book of short stories and I just assumed Collection of short story books were dissallowed for this game.

HerculeJC 19 Jul 09 at 1:58 a.m. GMT

PARTNERS IN CRIME!!

TheMole 18 Jul 09 at 11:24 p.m. GMT

Neither guesses are correct.

Here's the quote again: "I'm afraid she's going to know all about it."

HerculeJC 18 Jul 09 at 8:44 p.m. GMT

It could be from THE MYSTERIOUS MR. QUINN"

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Jul 09 at 1:06 p.m. GMT

The Sittaford Mystery?

TheMole 18 Jul 09 at 12:47 p.m. GMT

Sorry...

HerculeJC 18 Jul 09 at 3:27 a.m. GMT

How about THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT??

TheMole 17 Jul 09 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

No. LOL A big hint: it's from a non-series book

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Jul 09 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

Oh right I don't really understand that last bit so I will just guess Postern of Fate

TheMole 16 Jul 09 at 1:34 p.m. GMT

Well, it would...but me just saying that it would has already given a lot away :)

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Jul 09 at 11:04 a.m. GMT

What do you mean by 'The Secret of Chimneys' being closest? or would explaining that give it away?

TheMole 15 Jul 09 at 2:32 p.m. GMT

No, mon ami.

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jul 09 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

Amurder is Announced?, in both cases someone takes the identity of someone else

TheMole 15 Jul 09 at 2:17 p.m. GMT

I'm surprised! All guesses are still wrong!

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jul 09 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

If HJC isn't right I think it is 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans', which has a Main male Character like the main male Character in in The Secret of Chimneys' or Murder is Easy because it has Battle in it. 

HerculeJC 15 Jul 09 at 12:34 p.m. GMT

THE SECRET ADVERSARY is my other guess.

HerculeJC 15 Jul 09 at 12:32 p.m. GMT

I'll guess TOWARDS ZERO, as both that and "CHIMNEYS" feature Superintendent Battle.

GKCfan 15 Jul 09 at 4:58 a.m. GMT

Well your hint makes me think 7 Dials Mystery, but you've already ruled it out, so I'll go with one close to Chimneys chronologically: "The Man in the Brown Suit."

TheMole 14 Jul 09 at 5:53 p.m. GMT

All guesses are wrong. A hint: The Secret of Chimney's has been the closest guess so far.

To HJC:I wish we had finished that story too. I always meant to write in for it again but @ the time I had been writing like 2 other online stories. I copied almost every story on the old site like "One by One", & "Kill for the Boy" however I didn't get around to copying "All Aboard Murder", or "The Boy Who Cried Murder", which was fun too!

I would love to re-start The Tuesday Club Murders, again, but I think we really need permission for that now.

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Jul 09 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

Body In The Library?

HerculeJC 14 Jul 09 at 4:27 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Another guess: N OR M?

Tommy might have stated that, to indicate that Tuppence was nearby.

HerculeJC 14 Jul 09 at 4:24 a.m. GMT

Hi Mole.

Yes, I remember "All Aboard Murder", which we did not finish; had got to the part of a connection to a smuggling ring.   It's too bad I did not copy that story; could have worked out a solution.

Perhaps a chain-story, or a "Thirteen Problems"/"Tuesday Club Murders" series can be restarted.

ANother guess for #3: was it from NEMESIS"??

TheMole 13 Jul 09 at 2:17 p.m. GMT

WINNEBAGO1901

the other 2 answers would suggest to me that all three quotes had different sleuths but there is something telling me that isn't the case

It's just a little red herring....

But The Secert of Chimneys is not correct, mon ami.

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Jul 09 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

I'm torn the other 2 answers would suggest to me that all three quotes had different sleuths but there is something telling me that isn't the case so anyway I will guess and if wrong will tell you my other guess as I am thinking of 2 books so here goes, My guess is 'The Secret of Chimneys'

TheMole 13 Jul 09 at 1:46 p.m. GMT

The first quote was: "There are others in the house, are they not?" This has been solved by Frndorfoe & it was from Third Girl.

The second quote was: "You have no idea, I suppose, why he would do such a thing?" This was solved by you, winne, which was A Pocket Full of Rye.

The third quote has NOT been solved. I will post this one again:

"I'm afraid she's going to know all about it."

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Jul 09 at 1:38 p.m. GMT

I am confusedd now, which ones have been guessed right?

TheMole 13 Jul 09 at 12:26 p.m. GMT

Sorry :( btw do you remember All Aboard Murder!, HJC?

HerculeJC 12 Jul 09 at 3:23 p.m. GMT

Number 3: Is it from "Murder With Mirrors"?  

The other guesses are "At Bertrams Hotel" and "A Caribbean Mystery".

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Jul 09 at 2:31 p.m. GMT

The Secret Adversary?

TheMole 12 Jul 09 at 1:10 p.m. GMT

Yea Winne! You are correct the second quote is from A Pocket Full of Rye! Congrats to you & many good fortunes! To you too, HJC, for your good guesses!

Number 3 is yet to be solved.

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Jul 09 at 12:02 p.m. GMT

I have changed my mind, I think 2 is from A Pocketful of Rye

HerculeJC 11 Jul 09 at 11:13 p.m. GMT

It's been a while since I have done this.

Let me guess:

2. The Murder at the Vicarage; and

3. The Mirror Crack'd

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Jul 09 at 2:39 p.m. GMT

2 Nemisis? 3 Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

TheMole 11 Jul 09 at 1:20 p.m. GMT

No, but it's hint time!

The second quote isn't from a non-series book. And the third quote isn't from a Poirot book.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Jul 09 at 1:11 p.m. GMT

2 Appointment With Death?

3 Seven Dials Mystery? 

TheMole 09 Jul 09 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

Sorry i haven't answered in so long, Frdorfoe is correct. Sorry winne those guesses are wrong :0(

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Jun 09 at 11:14 a.m. GMT

I think 2 is from 'The Clocks' and 3 is from 'Cat Among The Pigeons' am I right?

Frndorfoe 25 Jun 09 at 2:45 p.m. GMT

The first quote is from Third Girl. Hercule Poirot said it to Norma Restarick.

TheMole 24 Jun 09 at 5:25 p.m. GMT

I don't understand Do you mean that I associated one of the books I mentioned with the wrong quote?

Yes, that is what I mean, mon ami.

Your first & third guess are wrong. The second that you guessed is right, but again it's w/ the wrong quote.

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Jun 09 at 2:12 p.m. GMT

Hello Moley, I don't understand Do you mean that I associated one of the books I mentioned with the wrong quote? If so I shal have another go;

1) The Hollow

2) Third Girl

3) Mrs McGintys Dead

TheMole 24 Jun 09 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

Hello, winne.

All three guesses are wrong...However for one of the books you are right but it's just been placed w/ the wrong quote.

TheMole 24 Jun 09 at 1:33 p.m. GMT

Hello, winne.

All three guesses are wrong...However for one of the books you are right but it's just been placed w/ the wrong quote.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jun 09 at 10:44 a.m. GMT

Is 1 from 'After The Funeral'?

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jun 09 at 1:14 p.m. GMT

Is 2 from 'Lord Edgware Dies' and 3 from 'Third Girl'?

TheMole 18 Jun 09 at 8:17 p.m. GMT

I forgot about Freddie Rice! She was weird, but interesting to read.

I shall post the next quotes. I have three:

1."There are others in the house, are they not?"

2."You have no idea, I suppose, why he would do such a thing?"

3."I'm afraid she's going to know all about it."

They are all from different books.

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Jun 09 at 10:59 a.m. GMT

Oh well, I haven't read it I was only going by the Adap.

Frndorfoe 17 Jun 09 at 4:57 p.m. GMT

Sorry but no, WINNEBAGO. Not the murderer neither the cousin. It was Freddie Rice who said it.

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Jun 09 at 11 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

The Murderer or her Cousin I think

Frndorfoe 17 Jun 09 at 7:49 a.m. GMT

No, Hastings did not say it.

TheMole 16 Jun 09 at 8 p.m. GMT

Did Hastings say it?

Frndorfoe 16 Jun 09 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

Can no one guess who said it in Peril at End House?

TheMole 16 Jun 09 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

Thank you, Winne, & you're welcome!

Who wants to put up the next quote?

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Jun 09 at 11:16 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

I would have said 'Death On The Nile' too Moley I thought Simon Doyle said it to Mrs Otterbourne as a stalling tactic so that Jaqueline could get in place to Murder her, thanks for acknowlegeing me in getting your quote right, you are very kind and Generous

Frndorfoe 15 Jun 09 at 7:44 p.m. GMT

I'm sorry Mole. It's not from Death on the Nile. GKCfan, you are right. That quote is from Peril at End House. But Nick did not say this.

GKCfan 15 Jun 09 at 7:19 p.m. GMT

Didn't Nick say this when talking about the poisoned chocolates in "Peril at End House?"

TheMole 15 Jun 09 at 7:16 p.m. GMT

Is it from Death on the Nile? Perhaps Tim Allerton said it.

(And you're welcome for the milk & cookies :0) )

Frndorfoe 15 Jun 09 at 5:52 p.m. GMT

May I post the next quote please?

"I don't understand-I don't understand. The other, yes, but not this..." BTW thanks for the milk & cookies!

TheMole 15 Jun 09 at 5:31 p.m. GMT

Frndorfoe it's nice to see you playing. You & Winne are indeed correct: the second quote is from Why Didn't They Ask Evans? & yes, Frankie said it.

& yes, Sir Oswald said the quote to Socks.

Milk & cookies for you all!

Who shall honor us w/ the next quote?

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jun 09 at 10:08 a.m. GMT

Dash it! I was going to gues 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans' I wasa thinking about it this Morning

Frndorfoe 14 Jun 09 at 7:30 p.m. GMT

The first quote is spoken by Sir Oswald. I think he said this to Vera (Socks).

GKCfan 14 Jun 09 at 4:55 p.m. GMT

Was #1 spoken by Sir Oswald Coote?

Frndorfoe 14 Jun 09 at 1:35 p.m. GMT

I think the second quote is from Why Didn't They Ask Evans? I'm not sure but I think Lady Frances (Frankie) said this. 

TheMole 14 Jun 09 at 11:07 a.m. GMT

GKC & Winne you are both right about the first quote: it is from my favorite AC book "The Seven Dials Mystery"! However, Lord Catherham did not say the quote...want take another guess @ who said it?

As for the 2nd quote both guesses are wrong.

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Jun 09 at 10:40 a.m. GMT

I agree about 10 but Was the 2nd one 'The Secret Adversary?

GKCfan 14 Jun 09 at 5:12 a.m. GMT

1) Lord Caterham in "The Seven Dials Mystery?  I remember he was ambidextrous.

2) I'm not sure, but  I will guess it's from the first book in the two-part series: "The Secret of Chimneys."

TheMole 13 Jun 09 at 10:40 p.m. GMT

That's great! I shall post 2 quotes (These are from different books).

1. "Certainly; I can write with either hand."

2. "He might have been watching you all the time."

There shall be (imaginary) milk & cookies for anyone who can name which character said the quotes. BTW these quotes are both from different books.

GKCfan 29 May 09 at 2:23 a.m. GMT

Yes!  You got it!

TheMole 28 May 09 at 5:31 p.m. GMT

That sounds like something Lucy would say. I shall guess that it's from "The Hollow".

GKCfan 28 May 09 at 5:24 p.m. GMT

NEW QUOTE:

"And so, darling, you really must agree that the week-end is going to present difficulties!"

DinddaPoirotLover 28 May 09 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

GKCfan, you got it! Mrs Hubbard was talking to Greta Ohlsson. Greta had a cold then. Wow, it took ages for someone to get it :). GKCfan, will you do the next quote?

GKCfan 26 May 09 at 2:03 a.m. GMT

"Murder on the Orient Express?"  There were a couple of characters that didn't speak much English there.

TheMole 25 May 09 at 3:17 p.m. GMT

"Hickory Dickory Dock"? There were characters in there that's native language wasn't English.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 May 09 at 11:08 a.m. GMT

'Death Comes As The End"?

DinddaPoirotLover 25 May 09 at 10:45 a.m. GMT

The person who said the quote was talking to someone who seemed not to know much English. Wow, no-ones got it :)

TheMole 22 May 09 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

Was it said in "Murder is Easy"?

Tommy_A_Jones 22 May 09 at 1:34 p.m. GMT

"Nemesis"? I haven't read the book but if it is close to the JH version is it very near the end just before the Murderer is revealed?

GKCfan 21 May 09 at 6:05 p.m. GMT

I have no idea.  Please give us a hint!

In the meantime, I'm just going to make a guess.  I'm thinking of Poirot in "Death on the Nile" the night of the first murder.  

DinddaPoirotLover 21 May 09 at 4:15 p.m. GMT

Sadly, no, it isn't. Hmm, will anyone get it?

TheMole 21 May 09 at 3:01 p.m. GMT

"The Hollow"?

Tommy_A_Jones 20 May 09 at 2:13 p.m. GMT

Is it said by Lettie to Dora in 'A Murder Is Announced' when Dora goes to bed suffering from a Head Ache?

DinddaPoirotLover 19 May 09 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

Could I do the next one? Hmm...my little grey cells will be tested to find a hard one... "Not at all. I hope you'll sleep well and that your will get better in the morning."

Tommy_A_Jones 16 May 09 at 10:49 a.m. GMT

I knew it would be easily guesed GKCfan is right, the phrase is used to descibe Sir Stafford Nye and I feel the same I am reading it now and in this book and the last AC book I read I can identify with a Character, in this case Sir Stafford sadly last time was Jason Raphael in Caribbean Mystery, my gues would have been a Non-series book, this book also mentions Alice in Wonderland which was obviously a favourite book of hers as it is mentioned in other books as are acouple of Characters in 'Passenger to Frankfurt'

GKCfan 16 May 09 at 12:13 a.m. GMT

I'd say, give us a hint for every day that someone doesn't guess it...

My next guess- "Passenger to Frankfurt?"

Tommy_A_Jones 15 May 09 at 2:53 p.m. GMT

Sorry both guesses are wrong, tell me when is a good time to give a clue

TheMole 14 May 09 at 11:21 p.m. GMT

Thank you winne, Dear! And I shall guess again maybe 1,2 Buckle My Shoe?

GKCfan 14 May 09 at 6:28 p.m. GMT

The Clocks?

Tommy_A_Jones 14 May 09 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

Moley, My own Darling, Thankyou, you are so generous but sadly wrong.

TheMole 13 May 09 at 3:37 p.m. GMT

WINNEBAGO1901

No, I am afraid I think I have got the idea of the game wrong as it wasn't spoken it just comes from a Book

That's okay winne. We'll still guess. :)

Is it from "Dumb Witness"?

Tommy_A_Jones 12 May 09 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

No, I am afraid I think I have got the idea of the game wrong as it wasn't spoken it just comes from a Book

agatha_nunu 12 May 09 at 1:11 p.m. GMT

Lord Edare dies?

Tommy_A_Jones 12 May 09 at 11:38 a.m. GMT

Shall I do the next one? I don't think I will be very good at it and it will probably be found out straight away but at least I will have used my little Grey Cells and then someone elsre can set another, here goes then. 'Fiction he thought was so much more superior to real life.' 

GKCfan 11 May 09 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

Yes!  It's "Third Girl!"  Mrs. Oliver said that when she was recovering from a blow to the head. 

Tommy_A_Jones 11 May 09 at 1:59 p.m. GMT

Third Girl? I think it was said about The Peacock

GKCfan 09 May 09 at 6:12 p.m. GMT

No, but it IS from one of Christie's later books.

Tommy_A_Jones 09 May 09 at 3:16 p.m. GMT

I think it comes from a book I have read in the last year, is it from 'Postern Of Fate'?

GKCfan 05 May 09 at 3:55 a.m. GMT

No.  Here's a hint.  It's spoken by a character who appears in multiple books and short stories.

agatha_nunu 05 May 09 at 3:14 a.m. GMT

A caribbean mistery?

GKCfan 05 May 09 at 12:20 a.m. GMT

Here's the next quote:

"I wonder if four would be too many aspirins to take?"

agatha_nunu 02 May 09 at 3:01 a.m. GMT

you are right, GKCfan, very good!. It is an excellent book, mole, my favourite Oliver/Poirot, although I haven´t read Mrs. McGinty´s death yet.

TheMole 01 May 09 at 10:34 p.m. GMT

Interesting quote, nunu...It sounds familiar. Is it from "Cat Among the Pigeons"?

BTW I haven't read "Dead Man's Folly" yet :(

GKCfan 01 May 09 at 10:21 p.m. GMT

Miss Barton from "The Moving Finger?"

agatha_nunu 01 May 09 at 9:10 p.m. GMT

Yes I remembet the scene, it was very fun! I´ll go with:

"Little Miss ____ has spent her life avoiding the coarse and unrefined"

GKCfan 01 May 09 at 3:48 a.m. GMT

Yes!  Dead Man's Folly!  A man competing in the Murder Hunt talks to Mrs. Oliver not knowing who she really is and refers to rumors about her drinking.  When he leaves, she huffs to Poirot, "Really!  That's most unfair considering that I only like lemonade!"

Who wants to go next?

agatha_nunu 01 May 09 at 1:45 a.m. GMT

Dead man´s folly!

GKCfan 30 Apr 09 at 9:40 p.m. GMT

Nope.  Not "Mrs. McGinty's Dead."  That narrows it down to four...

TheMole 30 Apr 09 at 8:04 p.m. GMT

Mrs. McGinty's Dead?

GKCfan 29 Apr 09 at 10:46 p.m. GMT

No, it is not "Hallowe'en Party," but yes, it is about Mrs. Oliver!  That narrows down the remaining possibilities significantly.  A further hint: the quote is said by someone (not an important character) who doesn't know that he's saying it to Mrs. Oliver.

TheMole 29 Apr 09 at 9 p.m. GMT

That's right! I forgot you said that the quote was referring to a frequent character.

I shall guess "Halloween Party" (it must be about Ms. Oliver)

GKCfan 29 Apr 09 at 8:02 p.m. GMT

No, not "Lord Edgware Dies."  The "she" being referred to is a character most Christie fans should know.

TheMole 29 Apr 09 at 12:04 p.m. GMT

"Lord Edgware Dies"? Referring to Lady Edgware?

GKCfan 28 Apr 09 at 3:48 a.m. GMT

No, not "Hickory Dickory Dock."  A character from that book (other than Poirot) does have a cameo appearance in the novel in question, though.

agatha_nunu 28 Apr 09 at 2:55 a.m. GMT

It´s been like an year that I didn´t play this game! it sounds familiar... Hickory Dickory Dock? about the Mrs Nicoletis? was this the old woman, right?

GKCfan 27 Apr 09 at 9:36 p.m. GMT

Nope, not Death on the Nile.

You're on the right track with thinking it's a Poirot novel, though.

TheMole 27 Apr 09 at 6:05 p.m. GMT

Now the Suchet version of DOTN has Mr. Ferguson saying a quote similar to that, and he was referring to Jackie. It maybe stated differently in the book....so I'll guess "Death on the Nile".

GKCfan 27 Apr 09 at 5:58 p.m. GMT

"They say she drinks like a fish."

Which book is this from and who is the "she" in this quote?

TheMole 27 Apr 09 at 12:37 p.m. GMT

Yes it was, & on page #74. Good job, again! Shall you post the next quote?

GKCfan 27 Apr 09 at 3:05 a.m. GMT

Wasn't that question posed to Bland in "The Clocks?"

TheMole 26 Apr 09 at 1:06 p.m. GMT

I'll do the next quote:

"You're a very keen gardener, I gather?"

(And I'm okay, thank you Reni)

Renisenb 24 Apr 09 at 9:21 a.m. GMT

It's good to hear from you too Moley! :) I'm not too bad thank you...and yourself?

Who wants to do the next quote? :)

TheMole 23 Apr 09 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

Yes, it is from Sparkling Cyanide! Good job, GKC! Want to make the next quote?

GKCfan 23 Apr 09 at 5 p.m. GMT

Sparkling Cyanide?

TheMole 23 Apr 09 at 2:10 p.m. GMT

OMG! Hi Reni! It's good to hear from you again! How are you?

And, sorry, it's not from "The Man in the Brown Suit" :(. But good guess though!

Renisenb 22 Apr 09 at 11:26 p.m. GMT

Hi Moley! :D

Yes I think we should start this again. It was fun last time! :) Could it be The Man in the Brown Suit?

TheMole 22 Apr 09 at 9:08 p.m. GMT

I think we should try to start this up again. I hope some of you will take a guess at this interesting quote I found:

"I don't think anything yet. I'm casting about for spoor.'

Holly 13 Jan 09 at 9:27 a.m. GMT

I was never really regular myself. Off-and-on regular, I'd call it. On when I could find the time, Off when work kept me away.

I still have no real idea as to who that quote might be referring to, or even what book it's from. Perhaps someone who's on more regularly could come up with a new quote to puzzle over?

GKCfan 04 Nov 08 at 4:35 p.m. GMT

Sorry, I just had no clue, so I didn't guess.

go_leafs_nation 02 Nov 08 at 12:57 p.m. GMT

I think this topic is "dead" now. It's sad, some of the regular posters on this game on the old site are not so regular anymore...

Aurora 24 Oct 08 at 11:21 a.m. GMT

Is it The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim?

Paris 16 Oct 08 at 6:15 p.m. GMT

It may have come from "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe". One the right track?

hilary_swank 15 Oct 08 at 2:02 a.m. GMT

I think its from The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

squatty 06 Oct 08 at 9:54 a.m. GMT

Is the quote from Three Act Tragedy? It may be in realtion to the confusion that surrounded the "murder" of the vicar, when neither Poirot or the police could find a motive for either his murder or suicide.

Holly 06 Oct 08 at 9:07 a.m. GMT

It still sounds to me like we're looking for someone who appears to have committed suicide. It seems like someone has asked whether the victim was particularly troubled in the recent past, and the speaker is saying that he wasn't, and that therefore they think it unlikely he would have committed suicide. For who I think it might be, please click on the hidden post above.If it's not that person, then more clues would be nice indeed.

Alice_great_Poirot 01 Oct 08 at 5:53 p.m. GMT

Ok, let us think. What we have: a person who knows this man is interrogated by someone (Poirot or Police?), a dead man (who "had minor worries")who possibly suffered from a disease - nothing too serious, yet something that took his life (or so they - the Detective/Police - suspect); maybe he was taking some pills for his disease, maybe someone who knew about it replaced the pills with some sort of poison. He was rich and someone was after his money. Old guy? Married? Someone please stop me, I am getting nowhere! Sorry.

ariadnepoirotmarple 01 Oct 08 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

Yeah, a hint!! That's a very difficult quote to guess, in my opinion, I have no idea of who said it neither in what book... and I know that we are just in the beginning of the game, however, i think a hint would be fine.

Malou 01 Oct 08 at 3:02 p.m. GMT

I like this game ... could you please give us a hint...

Paris 24 Sep 08 at 7:30 p.m. GMT

I could see this coming from "Murder on the Links" when the secretary talks about Paul at the announcement of his death from the french police. On the right track?

Holly 23 Sep 08 at 11:39 a.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

Sounds to me like someone who appears to have committed suicide, but didn't.

SPOILER

Referring to the dentist (can't remember his name offhand) in One, Two, Buckle My Shoe?