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Mr Graves' Christie Crossword

Mr_Graves 25 Nov 10 at 5:12 a.m. GMT

I am an avid crossword puzzler! I was recently inspired to create my own- and I chose, of course, Agatha Christie for the theme. Some of the clues are simple, and other require a bit of hunting. It helps, by the way, to be familiar with her personal life as well as her books. In keeping with good spirits, I ask that there be one rule: You can't answer a whole lot of clues at once. To make it fair on the other players, no one member may post two answers in a row. I'll post the clues now, and we shall begin!

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37 replies

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Mr_Graves 03 Feb 11 at 7:38 p.m. GMT

Oh wow! I'm in shock! Of course you may use this for the website, I would love that! Would you like me to provide the down clues as well? 

Moderator2 03 Feb 11 at 9:26 a.m. GMT

Mr Graves, what a great crossword, puts our crosswords to shame! Would you mind if we put this in the free games section of the website? We would of course credit your genius...

Mr_Graves 03 Feb 11 at 4:24 a.m. GMT

My bad! I apologize for the confusing clue. Hopefully there are no other errors anywhere....

NightRayDuck 02 Feb 11 at 7:04 p.m. GMT

ah! ok. I had been extra-puzzled ever since I saw clue #27 describing Rowena as any member of a mother-daughter pair, and I didn't have time to go through the book, and my bad reference book keeps confusing the Halloween Party Drakes with the Sparkling Cyanide Drakes. thanks for the clarification, Miss Eylesbarrow!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 02 Feb 11 at 9:23 a.m. GMT

Hi Darknight, Frances Drake is Rowena's unfortunate husband who contracted polio and died by being run over by a hit and run driver...

Mr_Graves 02 Feb 11 at 3:10 a.m. GMT

Thank you to all for giving your answers to my crossword clues! You are all correct- of course. In regards to the question posed by Miss Eylesbarrow, I was thinking of posting a photograph of the crossword as it is thus far on the agathachristie.com page on Facebook. Look out for it if you're interested!

NightRayDuck 01 Feb 11 at 5:41 p.m. GMT

I can't remember Rowena Drake having a daughter... does Frances Drake appear much in the novel?

5. Captain Hastings' initials (2)

A H definitely A.H., not H.A., despite what some improvised brooch might say. 

10. Pyne is the man to consult when not happy... I haven't read the book though so I am not sure if he put his advertisement as "Dr Parker Pyne" or was it "Mr Parker Pyne".

41. not sure, but I think it was fish paste in the sandwiches...

Miss_Eylesbarrow 01 Feb 11 at 10:10 a.m. GMT

27.  Rowena & Frances Drake  and 45. Postern of Fate - ACs last novel. 

Is there any way we can see the clues as they are filled in Mr Graves? 

A_N_Omynous 01 Feb 11 at 1:19 a.m. GMT

12. In the 1933 novel, ___ Edgware Dies (4)

In the 1933 novel, Lord Edgware dies 

:)

Mr_Graves 18 Jan 11 at 7:27 p.m. GMT

Hum, yes, you MAY be right in guessing murder!

Well done, Mikamino, you have answered almost all of those clues correctly... however, No. 43 is NOT Essex. This is a novel she wrote before Styles... But other than that, good work! 

Mikamino 18 Jan 11 at 3:17 p.m. GMT

11. Hercule Poirot's fastidious secretary, Felicity ___ (5)

That, I believe, would be Lemon.

19. Current actor portraying Poirot, David ___ (6)

Suchet. David Suchet.

43. Agatha Christie's first novel was set in which city? (5)

Styles St Mary, Essex.

48. Which ciminal offence features most prominently in Agatha Christie novels? (6)

Um, murder?

NightRayDuck 12 Jan 11 at 11:04 p.m. GMT

back to filling the crosswords...

1. Agatha Christie's long-running play, "The ___" (9)

Mousetrap.

NightRayDuck 24 Dec 10 at 3:08 a.m. GMT

I know. It's just the least controversial explanation to use when my sister demands to know how many wives Raymond West has married. 

Mr_Graves 24 Dec 10 at 2:54 a.m. GMT

You could be very right- but it wouldn't be the only time that AC has forgotten one of her own characters' names.

NightRayDuck 24 Dec 10 at 2:49 a.m. GMT

Mr. Graves- yes, the young woman, artist, painter who ended up married to Raymond West used to be referred to as Joyce Lempiere when appearing in the short story collection The Thirteen Problems / The Tuesday Club Murders. I think it's possibly simply that she's named Joan at birth, but in her youthful and artistic spirit has chosen to use "Joyce" as a nickname.

Mr_Graves 23 Dec 10 at 11:10 p.m. GMT

Four correct answers! Thank you so much, guys. In reference to Clue 13, I believe she was at one point named Joyce. Is this true? And thank you all for enjoying the game!

Miss_Eylesbarrow 22 Dec 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

31 Prudence Cowley   great game Mr Graves!

ivi21 22 Dec 10 at 10:10 a.m. GMT

13. One of the names used for Raymond West's wife (4)

It´s Joan.

NightRayDuck 12 Dec 10 at 7:19 p.m. GMT

29. One of Agatha Christie's middle names (4)

Mary. I think...

24. Mrs McGinty is described as what in the title of a 1952 novel featuring Hercule Poirot? (4)

Dead. Mrs. McGinty's Dead. I rather want to read this book, but too many Poirot activities in the short-term memory tends to mess up my long-term memory. 

Mr_Graves 11 Dec 10 at 2:35 a.m. GMT

Three correct clues! Well done, Mr West...

Mr_west 09 Dec 10 at 10:03 a.m. GMT

16. Short story, "Double ___" 

easy, Double Sin

Last book written by Agatha Christie, "Postern of ____" (4)

Fate, postem of fate

 Agatha's other middle name_____

Clarissa

great game, thanks Mr. Graves!

Mr_Graves 01 Dec 10 at 8:53 p.m. GMT

Cryptic Clues! You have inspired me, Nofret. I must try to include some for the Down clues.. Your own clue was pretty neat! 

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Dec 10 at 12:55 p.m. GMT

Thanks Nofret,  had an unfair advantage, I used to live in Sussex.

Nofret 30 Nov 10 at 9:31 p.m. GMT

Well done, Tommy!

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Nov 10 at 4:44 p.m. GMT

Battle?

Nofret 30 Nov 10 at 3:53 p.m. GMT

51. Fenella Woolgar played Christie in The Unicorn and the Wasp. Christie often mentioned her shyness and discomfort at parties and in unfamiliar company, and this actress really brought this side of her character to life, as well as Christie's razor-sharp mind.

62.  Poirot's manservant is the very English George, but as Poirot is a French speaker he addresses him as Georges, (George being the female version of the name in France and presumably Belgium).

Love the game, how about some cryptic clues, eg. Many years ago he was very close to Hastings (6)

Mr_Graves 30 Nov 10 at 6:47 a.m. GMT

Thank you, Puffinjill! I'm so glad people have like it!!!!

I have noted your contribution to my crossword. Thank you! 

Puffinjill 29 Nov 10 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

50. "___ Cypress" in the title of a 1940 novel (3)

That would be Sad Cypress, Mr Graves. And how about....

56. Vanessa Redgrave portrayed the detective novelist in the 1975 film entitled what? (6)

The film was Agatha.

Oh, and fantastic idea, Mr Graves! Well done!!

Mr_Graves 26 Nov 10 at 7:33 p.m. GMT

Correct! And I agree that Frances de la Tour was wonderful in "The Moving Finger". So much better than whoever it was who played her in the 1980s Hickson version. Ms de la Tour gets the best roles, such as Salome Otterbourne... 

knottyceltic 26 Nov 10 at 7:23 p.m. GMT

I'll take:

36. This character appears in two novels starring different detectives, Maude Dane ____ (8)

Calthrop

I love Frances de la Tour as Mrs. Dane Calthrop in Moving Finger.  I laugh every time she agrees with some Latin blurb her husband hurls at her and laugh even more when she utters the lines like "She certainly has a penchant for hiding things under the stairs", "Caleb has absolutely no taste for fornication" and in regard to parishner's confessions "the good Lord may know, but I do not".

Mr_Graves 26 Nov 10 at 7:49 a.m. GMT

If her daughter urged her not to make it go ahead, then it may have been a disaster... Even so, I wish I knew what happened!

Thank you for your answer, darknight- I have filled it in...

NightRayDuck 26 Nov 10 at 3:07 a.m. GMT

60. "Fiddler's ___" is the title of an unpublished play (5)

"Fiddler's Three".

GKCfan's current "guess the object" puzzle got me to find info on as many original Christie play as I could. I wonder what "Fiddler's Three" is all about... sounds interesting.

Mr_Graves 25 Nov 10 at 9:28 p.m. GMT

Thank you, knottyceltic! I am glad you like my crossword idea- and also for your answer. It has been filled in. I thought Mr Pye was portrayed brilliantly by John Sessions!

knottyceltic 25 Nov 10 at 7:48 p.m. GMT

Thank you Mr. Graves...this is going to be a fun exercise for the grey cells 

knottyceltic 25 Nov 10 at 7:46 p.m. GMT

47. An effeminate gossip in "The Moving finger", Mr ___ (3)

One of my favourite canon AND adaptation characters Mr. PYE! 

Mr_Graves 25 Nov 10 at 6:05 a.m. GMT

48. Which ciminal offence features most prominently in Agatha Christie novels? (6)

50. "___ Cypress" in the title of a 1940 novel (3)

51. In the Doctor Who episode, "The Wasp and the Unicorn", Fenella ____ portrayed Agatha Christie (7)

55. Where was Agatha Christie born? (7)

56. Vanessa Redgrave portrayed the detective novelist in the 1975 film entitled what? (6)

58. Which colour did Agatha Christie have a fascination with?

60. "Fiddler's ___" is the title of an unpublished play (5)

62. What is the name of M. Poirot's manservant? (6)

The Down clues I will provide later, when we have letters to help us!

Mr_Graves 25 Nov 10 at 5:36 a.m. GMT

ACROSS

1. Agatha Christie's long-running play, "The ___" (9)

4. The male half of the "Partners in Crime" duo (5)

5. Captain Hastings' initials (2)

6. Last book written by Agatha Christie, "Postern of ____" (4)

10. "Are you happy? If not, consult Dr Parker ___" (4)

11. Hercule Poirot's fastidious secretary, Felicity ___ (5)

12. In the 1933 novel, ___ Edgware Dies (4)

13. One of the names used for Raymond West's wife (4)

15. The Christian name of Agatha Christie's secretary (9)

16. Short story, "Double ___" (3)

17. Agatha's sister married into this family (5)

19. Current actor portraying Poirot, David ___ (6)

24. Mrs McGinty is described as what in the title of a 1952 novel featuring Hercule Poirot? (4)

26. Tommy Beresford's partner in crime (8)

27. Mother and daughter in 1969's "Hallowe'en Party", Rowena and Frances ___ (5)

28. The nickname of Agatha's great friend (3)

29. One of Agatha Christie's middle names (4)

31. Prudence Beresford's maiden name (6)

32. Agatha Christie was born in this month (9)

34. M. Poirot's helpful contact, appearing in several novels, Mr ___ (4)

36. This character appears in two novels starring different detectives, Maude Dane ____ (8)

39. Agatha's other middle name (8)

41. This was used in sandwiches in the form of a paste in "4.50 from Paddington" (4)

43. Agatha Christie's first novel was set in which city? (5)

45. The second word in the title of Agatha's final novel (2)

46. St Mary Mead is situated where? (8)

47. An effeminate gossip in "The Moving finger", Mr ___ (3)