Murder with Mirrors (They Do It with Mirrors)

First Published: 1952
Setting: Stonygates 

Starring: Miss Marple, Carrie Louise, Lewis Serrocold

Important Other People: Mildred Strete, Gina and Wally Hudd, Jolly, Alex and Stephen Restarick, Edgar Lawson, Christian Gulbrandsen, Inspector Curry

Agatha tends to set her murders in rich country houses with beautiful gardens, or in exotic places with wealthy people. What I like about Murder with Mirrors is that it takes place in a school for young criminals. Automatically, we start with a whole new type of character than we are used to, which makes the book more exciting. To me, I think Agatha could have done a lot more with the criminals, giving some of them bigger parts in the story and allowing more interactions between them and the family members. I like that we get to see a little bit of Ernie and hear about his escapades, but I think his part could have been bigger. On the other hand, the character of Edgar Lawson was overdone and completely unlikable, which made the story less enjoyable. I think Agatha realized she could have included the younger people more in the book, which may have led to Hickory Dickory Death only a few years later. 

One other thing I would like to point out is how Poirot always suspects the husband in the case of a wife's murder, or the wife in the case of a husband's murder. That being said, Carrie Louise was not killed, so that does not strictly apply here, but there are definite correlations between Lewis Serrocold and Alfred Inglethorp. The characters are basically the same in that they are groveling men who married rich women, ensuring their financial security, but not accepting that as enough. They both are greedy individuals who want more than what they have, and they make everyone's lives turn upside down because of it.

Interesting facts: We learn a lot about Miss Marple's life as a young girl- her adventures growing up and living in Italy for a bit. The novel is also a tad racist against Italians (as we often find with Agatha), which could have had something to do with the recent war. 

Favorite? Hmm. I like that it involves young criminals (because why not, I'm a teacher), and I like the crazy family dynamics that are a result of the different marriages and adoptions that have occurred throughout Carrie Louise's life. I can't say that I know of any families personally that have a story that is remotely similar to hers, but that could have been something that was going on in England in the 50s. Either way, I like it just fine.

Death by: shooting, crushing, drowning

Body Count: 5; Cumulative: 120

The Count: Poirot-23, Miss. Marple-5, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-3, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 6, Mrs. Oliver-2, Albert- 2, Superintendent Spence-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Nobody can improve your life for you but yourself. The secret of existence is that we're all a little mad. Things always have to be faced sooner or later. So few people ever look like what they really are. Women have a much worse time of it in the world than men do. When you only look at one side of a thing, you only see one side. What is reality and what is illusion? So many people with good hearts have no sense. People who can be very good can be very bad, too. If you're good, you have to be humble as well. 

Up Next: Funerals are Fatal

A Murder is Announced

First Published: 1950
Setting: Chipping Cleghorn 

Starring: Miss Marple, Letitia Blacklock, Dora Bunner, Inspector Craddock

Important Other People: Patrick and Julia, Pip and Emma, Hincliffe and Murgatroyd, Mitzi, Philipa Haymes, Colonel and Mrs. Easterbrook, Edmund and Mrs. Swettenham, Bunch Harmon, Belle Goedler

Sticking with the theme of the post-war world, we are reminded at the beginning that all you know about people is what they say of themselves. Just like in Roger Ackroyd, we need to remember that that statement applies to everyone. No one is exactly who they seem. Due to all of the disruption that occurred after World War II, it was much more difficult to establish connections with people or to find a common friend or relative. There was also the secret black market world that was going on, even with seemingly-respectable spinsters and other pillars of the community. England after the war was much different than it had been before the war, and even people living in small villages had to adjust their worldviews accordingly. 


In keeping with the idea of a disrupted world, this is the first book where we get explicit talk of premarital relations, but still couched in Agatha's Victorian terminology. Referring to war widows, Edmund says he'll "take her to bed." This to me is a clear indication of goings-on that should not be going on, and it once again shows how much England changed in the years right after the war. 


I don't really have anything else to say without giving a ton of plot points away, but I do have to say that if you haven't read this book, you need to. It's one of the best, for sure, and it's one of my favorites. Mitzi is ridiculous, and Miss Marple is ingenious. It's just so good.

Interesting facts: Sir Henry Clithering and Inspector Craddock are in this book. I love both of them. 

Favorite? Yes. I love how intricate the plot and details are, all of the mystery characters that keep popping up, and how everything really comes together at the end. It is just brilliant. 

Death by: shooting, poisoning, strangulation 

Body Count: 3; Cumulative: 111

The Count: Poirot-22, Miss. Marple-4, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-2, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 5, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: All you know of people is what they say of themselves. Youth is the time to have your fling. People like living. You can get away with a great deal if you have enough audacity. One is alone when the last one who remembers one when they were young is gone. It's never a mistake to marry a man you want to marry- even if you regret it. Weak and kindly people are often very treacherous. People with a grudge against the world are always dangerous. It's what's in yourself that makes you happy or unhappy.

Up Next: They Came to Baghdad 

Taken at the Flood (There is a Tide)

First Published: 1948
Setting: Warmsley Vale, London

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Lynn Marchmont, David Hunter, Rowley Cloade, Enoch Arden

Important Other People: Rosaleen Cloade, Jeremy and Frances Cloade, Lionel and Katherine Cloade, Adela Marchmont

I have to start by saying that even though I love this book, I don't love a lot of the characters. First of all, David. I know we're supposed to hate David, and I do, but that's not what bothers me about him. We keep getting this idea from Agatha about all those men who are only suited for wartime and can't seem to fit back into British society afterwards. David falls into that category, which is one reason why I don't like him. If you can't follow peacetime rules and societal norms, go back into the army. Or go somewhere else. Don't just sponge off of other people. This is really the crux of my issue with David: he keeps saying that the Cloades aren't entitled to Gordon's money, but it's okay for him to spend the money that technically belongs to his sister (I know this isn't totally accurate, but I don't want to give away any important plot twists). First of all, I think the Cloades ARE entitled to Gordon's money. He told them to rely on him, and so they did. It's not like they didn't work or do anything for themselves. There's lots of characters in lots of her other books that really don't do anything because they or their relative has a lot of money. The Cloades all work, at least to some degree. But why does David think the Cloades can't sponge, but he can? That is my least favorite thing about him, and it makes me really mad every time I read this book. He doesn't work! At all! He gets all of his money from Rosaleen. The Cloades all do work. The double standard he yells about to Lynn all the time makes me angry. Someone, please tell me why he thinks it is okay for him to use her, but it wasn't okay for the Cloades to use Gordon. I really don't understand it at all.


Lionel has no backbone, Adela is weak, and Jeremy just messed everything up for him and Frances. Frances is awesome, though. I wish more of her characteristics were in Lynn, so that Lynn would be a little bit more awesome. 


Let's talk about Lynn. I like a strong female lead (obviously, since Sad Cypress is my favorite). I admire Lynn for her strength and her loyalty, but both of those qualities disappear throughout the book! She throws them by the wayside (and pretty much turns her back on her family) when she starts getting closer with David. She was a WREN, for goodness' sake, but with David, she becomes a totally different person. Secret assignations, cheating on her fiancee, sneaky phone calls. I don't like it. Lynn, you know better, and you know he's a scoundrel. She loses her head and her sense of self, and I don't like it. 


Don't read this if you haven't read the book! But I do have to complain about something really quickly. Rowley tries to strangle Lynn. For real. As in, to kill her. Why exactly does she go back to him? David is a rotter, and she shouldn't be with him (especially since he's going to prison or to get hanged), but Rowley tried to KILL her. At the end, she says that she wants danger in her life, and that she will always be a little bit afraid of him, so that will be the danger in her life. Are you kidding??? Go skydiving, eat raw eggs, or run off to Africa if you want danger. Don't stay with him, Lynn! That ending really makes me mad. And before that, I had really liked Rowley! Except that he tried to make someone commit perjury. Maybe I don't like Rowley all that much.


I've come to a conclusion. I don't really like any of these characters (except Frances and Hercule). They all have some good characteristics, but they all pull these smarmy moves that I really don't like. So maybe I like this book because it's about unpleasant people whose lives are worse than mine? Maybe not. I don't think I'm going to like this book as much next time I read it, and that makes me really sad.

Interesting facts: The title is taken from a line in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. Japp is mentioned. Matthew Bunson tells us, "...Christie took the unusual step of using World War II as the backdrop for Taken at the Flood. At the start of the novel, London is suffering through the Blitz."

Favorite? YES. I love Frances. I love the plot, and the twists. I love Hercule in this book. 

Death by: Head bashed in (cosh), shooting, morphia

Body Count: 3; Cumulative: 104

The Count: Poirot-22, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-2, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. One should never struggle against the inevitable. Ill-will is the aftermath of war. Some people thrive only in war- they are dangerous otherwise. What a person really is, is only apparent when the test comes. What happens to the ivy when the oak round which it clings is struck down? Nobody is cut off from the mercy of God. The world is becoming a difficult place to live in, except for the strong. The tragedy of life is that people do not change. Where you are not, there you will want to be. One can't blame anyone else for the things one decides to do with one's eyes open. 

Up Next: Crooked House

The Hollow (Murder After Hours)

First Published: 1946
Setting: The Hollow, London

Starring: Hercule Poirot, John Christow, Gerda Christow, Henrietta Savernake

Important Other People: Lucy and Henry Angkatell, Midge Hardcastle, Edward Angkatell, Inspector Grange, Veronica Cray, Mrs. Crabtree, Gudgeon

The enigma of John Christow. I would like to talk to Agatha about how she feels about him. He is a complete contradiction- he is awful to Gerda (who is awful herself) and their children (also awful), he doesn't treat Henrietta well, he overshadows Edward, and he is pompous. At the same time, he is a completely different person when he is with Mrs. Crabtree trying to tackle Ridgeway's disease. Usually, I can tell what characters Agatha expects us to like and which we should dislike based on the descriptions of them that she gives. With John Christow, though, the descriptions differ so wildly throughout the book that I don't know what to think. Overall, I hate him because he is an ass and because he blatantly cheated on his wife in front of the entire house party, as well as surreptitiously with Henrietta, but I love Mrs. Crabtree and I have to like him a little bit because she likes and respects him so much. 


I also have to wonder if John would ever have married Gerda if he had not been coming off the rebound with Veronica Cray. He wants someone to dominate after having just been dominated by Veronica, and so he naturally turns to Gerda, although she is not as weak as he thinks. When he meets Henrietta, he must have realized he made a mistake with Gerda, but it was too late. Besides, he liked dominating Gerda. I hate that John was able to have both of them- Henrietta, at least, had a strong enough personality to stand on her own. 


See, that's part of the problem with John Christow. I hate him, yet I just spent two paragraphs writing about him.


I love the subplot with Midge and Edward, even though it is quite depressing through much of the book. The faithful kind usually get what they want in the end- in Edward's case, he gets what he wants, even if he didn't realize beforehand what exactly it was that he wanted. He knew he wanted Ainswick the way he remembered it from the past, and eventually, he got that. Just not in the way he imagined. 


One small aspect of this book that we do not usually get to see in Agatha's novels are the conversations among the servants. This is helpful because we learn more of the devoted nature of Gudgeon and the other servants to the Angkatells, and we also get more insight than we are used to. The conversations help show how everyone worked together to protect the murderer, which is another unusual aspect. Poirot usually knows who the murderer is before anyone else in the book does, but in The Hollow, everyone else knows who murdered John, and we have to watch Poirot try to stay one step ahead of everyone's intentions to save the murderer. 


One last thing: Poirot always considers the human aspect of his cases, but this one is particularly difficult- there are children in this case that are going to have one parent murdered and the other one hanged. To compensate for that, Poirot offers another solution- poison. The children will still be orphans, but there may be less animosity towards society when they grow up (especially with Terence). 

Interesting facts: According to my pal Matthew Bunson, "The Hollow was the first Christie novel published after the end of World War II...the setting for this story, the country house of the Angkatells, was based on the real-life house of the famous British stage actor Francis L. Sullivan and his wife at Hazlemere, Surrey." Agatha acknowledges the use of their house as the setting in her dedication, "For Larry and Danae, with apologies for using their swimming pool as the scene of a murder." Agatha herself adapted The Hollow into a play. She writes, "It was, of course, in some ways rather more of a novel than a detective story. The Hollow was a book I always thought I had ruined by the introduction of Poirot. I had got used to having Poirot in my books, and so naturally he had come into this one, but he was all wrong there. He did his stuff all right, but how much better, I kept thinking, would the book have been without him. So when I came to sketch out the play, out went Poirot." Agatha adds that the success of The Hollow as a play helped spur her on to write more plays. 

Favorite? Yes. So favorite, in fact, that I went to see a production of the play with my family at a theater in the country. Talk about high quality acting...especially the guy who played Sergeant Clark. I would like to point out that, in the play, John Christow is still a respected doctor from Harley Street, but the whole subplot with Mrs. Crabtree and Ridgeway's disease is left out. Accordingly, the John in the play has little to no redeeming qualities, and is thus a lot easier to dislike than the John in the book.

Death by: shooting, poison

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 101

The Count: Poirot-22, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: There can be a certain zest to existence. One can't go back (into the past). Some people are wise- they never expect to be happy. Servants can be very useful (shoutout to Gudgeon!) Expressions can be very helpful. The eyes see sometimes what they are meant to see. Police don't always consider the human aspect (but don't worry, because Poirot does). It is hard to tell right from wrong when right is unpleasant and wrong is agreeable. The faithful kind usually get what they want in the end. Despair is coldness and loneliness. 

Up Next: Taken at the Flood

N or M?

First Published: 1941

Setting: Leahampton

Starring: Tommy and Tuppence, Albert

Important Other People: Major Bletchley, Commander Haydock, Mrs. Perenna, Sheila Perenna, Mrs. Sprot, Betty Sprot, Carl von Deinim

Tommy and Tuppence, Agatha's husband and wife spy team, come into play at times when patriotism is necessary. We saw them as two young things right after the first World War, and now we see them again, as older, wiser, and with grown-up children. Although the are no longer young and carefree, they still want to do their part in the war. Unfortunately, it is difficult for them to find their niche. They are able, however, to set out on another joint venture, just as they did in The Secret Adversary, one that involves spies, the war, and their marriage.

I like the twists and turns in this book, just as in almost everyone of Agatha's books, but this time everything seems much more urgent. It also seems like everything has a much larger impact than we are used to in her novels. The things Tommy and Tuppence do are so pivotal on a small scale, but it can have a huge impact on the rest of the war. I feel like this novel was helpful to the British public because it gave them something fast-paced and (relatively) lighthearted to become engrossed in, which took their minds off the real danger that was at hand.

From Agatha's autobiography: "...N or M?, a spy story, was in a way a continuation of the second book of mine, The Secret Adversary, featuring Tommy and Tuppence. Now with a grown-up son and daughter, Tommy and Tuppence were bored by finding that nobody wanted them in wartime. However, they made a splendid comeback as a middle-aged pair, and tracked down spies with all their old enthusiasm. I never found any difficulty in writing during the war, as some people did; I suppose because I cut myself off into a different compartment of my mind. I could live in the book among the people I was writing about, and mutter their conversations and see them striding about the room I had invented for them."

Interesting facts: Mr. Carter is mentioned, although does not make an appearance. Actually interesting fact, according, once again, to Matthew Bunson: "Published in 1941, N or M? offered readers in Britain a chance to follow the exploits of two of their favorite characters in a setting very close to home. Britain was in the middle of World War II, and the fun of the book was a welcome relief for fans from the all-too-real daily dangers being posed by the Luftwaffe and the reports of the war overseas. Christie wrote the book in the middle of the frequent bombings during the Blitz."

Favorite? I do love Tommy and Tuppence, and patriotism, and spies. So, yes.

Death by: shooting

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 82

The Count: Poirot-20, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: There is a strange anomaly to war. There is respect among adversaries. The young don't see the pity, waste, and horror of war. Being a devoted wife saps the intellect. Anything that mitigates suffering is worthwhile. Anything should be done for construction, not destruction. Flattery should be laid on with a trowel where a man is concerned (I love Tuppence). There is time to weep after the battle.

Up Next: The Body in the Library

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (The Patriotic Murders)

First Published: 1940

Setting: London, Exsham

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Inspector Japp

Important Other People: Mabelle Sainsbury Seale, Alistair Blunt, Morley, Amberiotis

To me, this is another example of a murderer asking for help from Hercule Poirot. Seriously, what is wrong with these people?? I don't want to give anything away, but time and again people think they can outsmart Poirot, and time and again he proves them wrong. The plot of this book also pretends to be about so much more than it actually is. Once again, Poirot has to clear away the clutter to get to the heart of the issue- someone murdering someone else. No matter how else it is dressed up to be, it still is a murder committed by an evil person.

The underlying theme of the importance of politics and globalization in this book are a direct result of the events that were happening at the time. Even though there is thought that the book was written before the fall of 1939 (see below), the world was going through a tumultuous time, both politically and socially. I think Agatha was responding to that with the tone of the book, even though there are no real references to the war or what was about to happen in Europe.

Interesting facts: Although this novel was published during World War II, there are very few references to the war itself. Matthew Bunson, who wrote The Complete Christie, says that this puts the time period of the novel before the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939.

Favorite? Not at all. Dull and unnecessarily confusing.

Death by: shot, anesthetic, medinal

Body Count: 3; Cumulative: 79

The Count: Poirot-19, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Relations don't always know everything. In every profession and walk of life there is someone who is vulnerable to temptation. If a man feels a woman expects a lot of him, he tries to live up to her ideal of him. Don't trust the respectable people. You can't beat plain common sense. The gap between theory and practice is a wide one. One must not yield too soon- there is pleasure in the chase. Manners help you along in life. One doesn't like things one cannot explain (especially Hercule Poirot!)

Up Next: Evil Under the Sun

And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians)

First Published: 1939

Setting: Indian Island, off the coast of Devon

Starring: Vera Claythorne, Philip Lombard, William Blore, Dr. Armstrong, Justice Wargrave

Important Other People: General Macarthur, Emily Brent, Anthony Marston, Mr and Mrs Rogers, U. N. Owen

Obviously, this is an incredible novel, minus the racism involved in some of the titles and the naming of the island. Apparently, it was meant to create a sense of "otherness," which I think an abandoned island creates anyway. Aside from that, there are a couple of different themes that run through the novel- some are new to Christie's work, and some we have seen before.

One new concept in this book is the multiple narratives used. We've seen two narratives used in The ABC Murders, but never before have we gotten so much insight into so many different characters. There is no central character, and so we get to hear a little bit about everyone is thinking. As people are murdered, the narrative gets more focused, and so we hear a lot from Vera. I especially like how some of the thoughts do not have an owner ascribed to them, so we actually are reading what the murderer is thinking, although we don't know who it is. This style also allows us to get to know and like many of the characters. As in Cards on the Table, it becomes more difficult to believe that some of them are murderers. This case is also similar to Cards in that the person who arranges the whole setup hears about many of the murders through hearsay. Accordingly, I don't think that all of them have the same amount of guilt. I think the ones who felt the least amount of remorse should have been kept longer- Anthony Marston, for example. If he had been longer on the island and subjected to the same amount of terror as everyone else, he may have repented a bit.

Similarly to Murder on the Orient Express, we have a case of individuals meting out the justice that they thought people deserved. In Orient, I would say it was somewhat warranted. In this book, I think the murderer was just crazy.

Interesting facts: Agatha herself developed this into a play. I didn't realize that- I thought someone else changed the ending so that it made more sense for a play, but apparently, she did it herself. It also convinced her that no one was going to adapt her books except for herself. Agatha also said that this was one of the most difficult and complex books to write, and required a huge amount of planning.

Favorite? Yes. Ingenious, suspenseful, and completely brilliant.

Death by: cyanide, chloral, cosh, chopped up, drowned, crushed, shot, hanged

Body Count: 11; Cumulative: 74

The Count: Poirot-17, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 3, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Once you get to an island you can't go any further. Real peace is to come to the end and not have to go on.

Up Next: Sad Cypress

Appointment with Death

First Published: 1938

Setting: Petra, Jordan

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Sarah King, Boynton family

Important Other People: Jefferson Cope, Dr. Gerard, Lady Westholme, Miss Pierce

Similar to Why Didn't They Ask Evans, the story opens with a phrase that leads to a mystery that must be resolved. In this case, it is a lot more sinister and a bit more urgent- "You do see, don't you, that she's got to be killed?" The speaker of these words, Raymond Boynton, goes on to explain how killing his mother, Mrs. Boyton, would be like killing or putting down a mad dog. One of the characters shows that she has inside knowledge of what actually happened in Murder on the Orient Express, and asks him, like he did in that case, to let it go. Hercule must refuse because, as he says, he does not condone murder. I think, if the murderer had turned out to be someone different, he may have condoned it in a similar manner to how he did in the Armstrong case.

This is different from some of the other family-centric novels. In other novels, the family usually knows who committed the crime, while here, they all suspect each other because they don't know who committed the crime, creating an atmosphere of guilt and suspicion that causes some of the members of the family to begin to crack. Thankfully, Hercule comes to the rescue in time for everyone (who isn't evil) to have a happy ending. He does love playing the matchmaker.

Interesting facts: One of the characters recognizes Hercule Poirot from his work on the ABC case. Colonel Race is mentioned as Poirot talks about his detecting from Cards on the Table. The events from Murder on the Orient Express are also mentioned.

Favorite? Yes, because I really love the characters and because I really and truly am afraid of Mrs. Boyton. It's funny to think that Agatha wrote about all of these murderers, but hardly any of them really frighten me. Mrs. Boynton, while not a de facto murderer, is still terrifying.

Death by: Digitoxin, shooting

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 55

The Count: Poirot-16, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: A man who respects himself strikes out on his own and makes something of his life. No one is truly free- there are different degrees of bondage. If you have a belief in yourself and in the rightness of what you are doing, you can often accomplish things that are well worthwhile. One cannot lie all the time. Love is agony on another's behalf.

Up Next: Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Death on the Nile

First Published: 1937

Setting: Wadi Halfa, on the Nile

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Colonel Race, Linnet Ridgeway, Jacqueline de Bellefort, Simon Doyle

Important Other People: Mrs. Allerton, Tim Allerton, Rosalie and Mrs. Otterbourne, Cornelia Robson

One of the major themes of the book is the idea of how one can want something so passionately that they lose sight of everything else, including rationality and reason. Once one thing becomes your whole reason for existence, you will do whatever it takes to achieve that end, including opening your heart to evil. Poirot knows this, and so takes steps to avoid evil from occurring. He warns Jackie about the possible consequences of her actions because he knows it's always better to prevent a murder than try to get justice after it has been committed. There are three pieces of advice about forgetting the past and moving on the the future in the book, which should have given Jackie a hint...

I also like how this is another one of Christie's murders that takes place in a confined space (although I don't think any other novel is in quite so confined a space as Cards on the Table). The suspect pool is limited, and there are quite a few people who have huge motives for murder. Still, the ones who are most likely to have committed it have alibis. There is only one day of questioning before the truth is revealed, so Poirot and Race have their work cut out for them trying to clear away all the extraneous mysteries and uncover the real motives and alibis.

The whole book is about money. Linnet has too much of it, Jackie and Simon have not enough of it. Simon gets enough of it, but then struggles to come to terms with it all, especially because the finances are controlled by his wife. The idea of money in this era is different- they talk about how poor Jackie is, but she went on a trip to the Middle East...in what way, exactly, is she poor? Even at that time, I can't imagine a trip to the Middle East being affordable for people from all walks of life. I think Jackie must be like many of Agatha's characters who are from the upper class, but have lost their money in some way and become "impoverished" according to their usual or familial standards (like the Lytton Gores from Three Act Tragedy, the Cloades from There is a Tide, and Lance's wife Pat from A Pocketful of Rye). This is also the first novel (I believe) that Agatha makes a point of yellow symbolizing money. Linnet with her golden hair is the supreme symbol of money, while Jackie with her dark hair, is in stark contrast. Love can be a very frightening thing, and the lengths characters in this book go to for love- of a man, and of money, have drastic results.

One final aspect of this book that I really enjoy is all of the extra mysteries that abound on this one trip up the Nile. It keeps the book moving at a face pace, it keeps it interesting, and it also makes it more difficult for Poirot to figure everything out. He does, of course, find the answer to ALL of the questions in the end, but I like how he brings different characters in one by one to basically explain that he knows the truth to their actions. To me, the extraneous mysteries in this book make it even that much more interesting.

Interesting facts: Japp is mentioned... yet again. I think I should keep a tally of how many times Japp is mentioned, but not actually in the story. The trip the group takes up the Nile is similar to one that Agatha and her husband, Max Mallowan, took in the 1930s. The vegetable code mentioned that is used by the man Colonel Race is looking for is similar to the one used in South Africa in The Man in the Brown Suit, which, coincidentally, Race also appeared in.

Favorite? One of them.

Death by: Shooting, stabbing

Body Count: 5; Cumulative: 53

The Count: Poirot-15, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: To have money and looks is too much for one person- it isn't fair. Nearly everyone only likes successful people. Marriage has a sobering effect on people. Youth is the time of greatest vulnerability. You can't alter the past- you must live with things the way they are. Give up the past, turn to the future. What is done is done...bitterness will not undo it. When the sun comes out you can no longer see the moon. Do not open your heart to evil because evil will come. There is always a moment where one could hold their hand (as in, make a move). To succeed in life, every detail should be arranged well beforehand. When anything beautiful is dead, it's a loss to the world. Love can be a very frightening thing. It's not the past that matters but the future. "Un qui aime et un qui se laisse aimer" can be very dangerous. (Translation, according to google translate, and which I agree on based on my sketchy knowledge of French: One who loves and one who allows them self to love can be very dangerous).

Up Next: Appointment with Death

The Boomerang Clue (Why Didn't They Ask Evans?)

First Published: 1934

Setting: Wales, Hampshire

Starring: Bobby, Frankie

Important Other People: Roger Bassington-ffrench, Moira, Badger

I hardly took any notes on this book while I was reading it, and there is no mention of it in Agatha's biography. I think because it starts off so promising and with such great characters, but it doesn't really follow through. There's twists, but some of them just peter out. Don't get me wrong- I like this book a lot! I just think it could have been a lot better.

Interesting facts: Only appearance of Bobby and Frankie, who are wonderful and I'm sad they aren't in any other books. The idea of a chance sentence heard by the protagonist was used before in Lord Edgware's Dead, although it was elaborated on here.

Favorite? Yes because of the way it starts off- a chance remark leading to an adventure!

Death by: Shooting, pushed off a cliff

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 32

The Count: Poirot-8, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-5, Japp-4, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Men like helpless women (and isn't that annoying!) Don't get sidetracked.

Up Next: Three Act Tragedy

Peril at End House

First Published: 1932

Setting: St Loo, Cornwall

Starring: Poirot, Hastings, Nick Buckley

Important Other People: Japp, Freddie, Commander Challenger

There are a lot of allusions in this story to some of Poirot's past successes (as well as to his one failure!) The number of references to The Mystery of the Blue Train make me wonder- was she trying to play up the book so we forgot how bad it was? Or maybe it was just to establish a frame of reference in Poirot's life so we know what he's been up to since his last book. Poirot also talks about himself; how he's "not a stage favorite who gives a dozen farewells." Such lies from Poirot.

Nick, as the central figure in the story, continually thought she knew better than Poirot. Although she often got the best of him or made him look foolish, she was never able to predict his reactions, and thus she could not really understand him and get the best of him.

One theme thoroughly explored in this book is that of motives. The main ones mentioned are: homicidal mania (which Poirot dismisses in pretty much every case), hate, temper, gain, jealousy, fear, and the crime passionnel. This is the fullest explanation we've been given so far about motives, and we'll have to watch out for more mention of it.

One thing I noticed: Hastings is always the one to give evidence at the inquest if they need someone; Poirot rarely gives evidence. Hasn't anyone become suspicious of this man who constantly is on the spot when there is a murder?? Has no one thought that Hastings might be a serial killer?? Just a thought.

Interesting facts: The book is dedicated to a friend who first really critiqued Agatha's writing and gave her constructive feedback. As to the story itself, she says, "Peril at End House was another of my books which left so little impression on my mind that I cannot even remember writing it. Possibly I had already thought out the plot some time previously, since this has always been a habit of mine..."

Favorite? Eh. Good twists, for sure. Reinforcement of the idea that we aren't supposed to trust anyone or take anything someone says as true.

Death by: shooting, cocaine overdose

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 26

The Count: Poirot-6, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-4, Japp-3, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: The sleeping dog can be roused. Anything young is beautiful. There is always something to live for. Evil never goes unpunished, but sometimes it's secret(ly punished). How often the simple explanation is the true one.

Up Next: Thirteen at Dinner

Day 11- The Murder at the Vicarage

First Published: 1930

Setting: St. Mary Mead

Starring: Miss Marple, the Vicar

Important Other People: Dr. Haydock, the Protheroes, Lawrence Redding, Melchett, Slack

One interesting thing about the plot that has not yet been a factor: there is a small and rigid time limit for the murder that is based on the evidence of several witnesses. There are very few people who could have possibly committed the murder, but the police still need to find evidence in order to find the criminal- the statements witnesses make are sometimes untrue, and thus misleading. It takes Miss Marple, and her staunch distrust of anything she doesn't know for herself to be a fact, to find the truth.

Theme in the book: If a thing reminds you of something else, it's probably the same kind of thing. This, of course, comes from Miss Marple, and makes sense inherently, although oftentimes her connections are way over my head.

Throughout the book we hear about the fact that ever since the War, there has been a loosening of moral fiber. This book is the first (in my opinion) in which Agatha gives us an example of that (the affair). After this book, we get more scandals, and of course some that are decidedly more scandalous, but this book is the first portrayal of that aspect of the changing society.

Agatha's own opinion of Miss Marple: "One thing she did have in common with [her grandmother]- though a cheerful person, she always expected the worst of everyone and everything, and was, with almost frightening accuracy, usually proved right...There was no unkindness in Miss Marple, she just did not trust people...Miss Marple was born at the age of sixty-five to seventy-which, as with Poirot, proved unfortunate, because she was going to have to last a long time in my life. If I had had any second sight, I would have provided myself with a precocious schoolboy as my first detective; then he could have grown old with me."

Interesting facts: First appearance of Miss Marple. Also, the version of the book that I read was published in 1930, so that's pretty awesome.

Favorite? No, but I like it because it introduces Miss Marple, who is at her spiciest in this book, and because it gives us the picture of typical English village life...clouded by murder, of course. From Agatha, "I am not so pleased with it as I was at the time. It has, I think, far too many characters, and too many subplots" (which is so true).

Death by: shooting

Body Count: 1; Cumulative: 24

The Count: Poirot-5, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-3, Japp-2, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Marriage is a serious affair (tell that to the ex). The worst is usually true. Inestimable harm may be done by gossip (foreshadowing to The Moving Finger, perhaps?) Better to let things develop on their own. One can never be quite sure about anyone. If a thing reminds you of something else, it's probably the same kind of thing. In the case of an irate middle aged lady, one thing can be done- listen to her. A refined lady is naturally unaquainted with bad language. Most men are out for their own hand. What is past is past and cannot be undone. One's own troubles sharpen one's eyes sometimes. Zeal can't really take the place of brains (Slack). Clever young men know so little of life. Life is very much the same everywhere. No one can fail to be interested in a murder. We all like to be liked. And the best: The young people think the old people are fools- but the old people know the young people are fools.

Up Next: Murder at Hazelmoor

Day 10- The Seven Dials Mystery

First Published: 1929

Setting: England

Starring: Bundle, Battle

Important Other People: Bill, Melrose, Lord Caterham

Agatha uses The Seven Dials Mystery to mock the luxurious working life of the upper class- they all seem to have "jobs," but they are able to ditch them at a moment's notice to go chasing secret societies and whatnot. Agatha perhaps felt some scorn towards the upper class at their leisure and need to save face. People throughout the book are just tooling around, relying on their titles to get by.

Bundle's former footman from Chimneys, Alfred, must be a distant relative of Tommy and Tuppence's Albert. Although not as cool at all.

It's hard to read the word "alarum" over and over without pronouncing it like that in your head. Apparently, that's the Shakespearean spelling of the word.

I love Lord Caterham. He really makes the book so much better. I'm sad he doesn't appear in any of Agatha's future books.

Interesting facts: Sequel to Chimneys, though not as well liked by critics.

Favorite? Not really. I like Bundle, though, and I am glad she finds happiness in the end!

Death by: chloral, shooting

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 23

The Count: Poirot-5, Miss. Marple-0, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-3, Japp-2, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: People must die somewhere. Nobody tells everything. Unfortunate love affairs are highly beneficial to young girls- makes them take their lives seriously. In this life, one never stops learning. Gentlemen who have no sense of humor get to taking themselves too seriously, which leads to mischief. Your children can make life damned unpleasant if you don't give in to them in every way (talking about Rosalind, perhaps?) Never say too much. "What a fatal thing it is to pretend to take an interest in a man's pet subject." Different kinds of danger suit different kinds of people. My personal favorite, from Lord Caterham, "Every child should be brought up to be ambidextrous."

Up Next: The Murder at the Vicarage

The Big Four- Day 8

First Published: 1927

Setting: England, Paris, Belgium, Italy

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Hastings

Important Other People: Japp, Countess Vera Rosakoff, The Big Four, Achille Poirot

One thing I do appreciate about this particular book is that, because it is a novel about spies, secret societies, and an international mystery, there should be plenty of dead bodies lying around. Many accidents are mentioned (like the submarines sinking), so we know that the Big Four is at work outside of what we read, but Hercule and Hastings also become directly involved in a number of deaths. I count 11 for sure deaths in this book- the most, I think, of any of her novels.

One main annoyance: Poirot goes on about what a wonderful actor Number Four must be that he is able to assume all of these different characters. We see him as an asylum worker, a butcher, a doctor, a manservant, a chess master, and idiot son, a man who plays with salt on Hastings' plate, and a tourist. Out of all of these different disguises, I find it hard to believe that there are barely any similarities Poirot and Hastings notice about the man (aside from the one tell). His appearance is said to be medium and fair, which means it's easy for him to change what he looks like, but I can't imagine there are no physical features that they can recognize about him.

At the end of the adventure, Poirot tells Hastings that he will retire now that he has solved this most illustrious case, and that he will go grow vegetable marrows in the country (a vegetable marrow, by the way, is a squash). Something is out of sequence here then, since he went and grew marrows in Roger Ackroyd.

Interesting facts: This book came out right after Agatha's husband had ditched her for another woman, her mother had passed away, and she had mysteriously disappeared for a few days. So, a rough time in her life, but she still made it through!

Favorite? So-so. It is entirely different from almost all of her other books- international intrigue abounds.

Death by: Prussic acid (Mayerling), Stabbing (Whalley, Ingles' servant), Poison (Paynter), Electrocution (Wilson), Run over (Flossie), Drowning (Ingles), Explosions (The Big Four)

Body Count: 11 (that we know of for sure); Cumulative: 20

The Count: Poirot-4, Miss. Marple-0, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-3, Japp-2, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: What you think is always so important to yourself (Poirot to Hastings). One must not permit oneself to be obsessed by one idea. Forecast the probable result of the deal. If one is prepared in advance all is simple. It is the greatest mistake to underestimate your adversary. A man who keeps calm has always a great advantage. Everyone has his price.

Up Next: The Mystery of the Blue Train

The Secret of Chimneys- Day 6

First Published: 1925

Setting: England

Starring: Anthony Cade, Battle, Virginia Revel

Important Other People: Bill Eversleigh, Bundle Brent, Lord Caterham

The most important part of The Secret of Chimneys has got to be the narrative tone it is written in and the implications that it creates. It is written in a much more personal manner than any of her other novels, and it leads us directly to her next novel- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Key point- never trust the narrator! (more to come with the next novel!) Anthony Cade only tells us what he wants to tell us, even though the book is not written in first person. Pay close attention to the language he uses when Boris attaches himself to Cade. I think that Agatha got her idea for Ackroyd at that moment- it's definitely telling.

Another thing mentioned in this book that comes to play in the next novel is the idea of settling down and growing vegetable marrows. Anthony mentions it as a possible 'next step' for him, although we later find that his talents lie in a completely separate direction.

The idea of a fat, yellow face as wealth. I don't know where this came from or what it really means, but it is for sure a huge theme with Agatha. She continually mentions it throughout her books.

The idea that the police are stupid is also made clear in this book, although it is Battle himself who says so. We then read that detective stories are mostly bunkum. It seems as though Agatha is intent on creating a detective who is smarter than the police, can solve murders in a better way, and transcends the British police. Enter Hercule Poirot, who can do all of these things, and certainly with much more style. Touche, Agatha. Touche.

Interesting facts: Prequel to The Seven Dials Mystery. The Marquesses of Caterham might be made up, but there is a Chimneys Guest House in England. (the Chimneys in the book is modeled after Abney Hall in Chesire)

Favorite? No. Too confusing (even though in her autobiography she she says it's lighthearted and there's not a lot of plot planning required...false). Although the idea for the narrative is so important for her next book!

Death by: Gun Shots!

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 6

The Count: Poirot-2, Miss. Marple-0, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-2, Japp-1, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Men are polygamous (foreshadowing to her husband's philanderings??? I think so!) Regrets are vain. "Never display emotion." (thanks, Battle!) Detective stories are mostly bunkum (a bit self-reflective) Marriage is the biggest adventure. "One can always get anything one wants if one will pay the price" (recurring). Give a man plenty of rope to hang himself with. Nine times out of ten the price is compromise (in marriage).

Up Next: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd