Five Things Friday 6/12/26

 

A Merry Murderous Christmas: The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

 

I am not reading as much as I hoped.  Cooking, baking, decorating, shopping, Christmas films...

The Christmas Guest is a novella by Peter Swanson. It is largely the written diary of American college student Ashley Smith. She's invited to an English manor home for Christmas by her sometimes friend Emma Chapman.

The manor is called Starvewood Hall. Not so charming, right?  Emma's brother Adam, though! He is a dream.  Ashley develops what she describes as a crush on him immediately.

While the manor family isn't cozy, the house and all of the Christmas trimming are wonderful. 

There's a tiny crack in the charm. Adam is a suspect in the late summer murder of a local girl.  Couldn't be him!  

There's a scary Santa who strolls out of the woods and draws his finger across his throat at Ashley, walking alone in the evening.  There's an attack on Emma from a similar figure.

Through it all, Ashley only sees dreamy dream Adam.

 

The Big Book of Christmas Stories: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (A Novella)

 I'm reading the stories in this book of 60 (!) tales on the side.  I think each week as I write up my other Christmas books, I'll include the stories read from this book.

Poirot, who hates cold English Manors, especially in the winter, is talked into investigating a jewel theft that  might have ties to a Christmas gathering at King's Lacey.   The company gathered is interesting. The food is a revelation.  Particularly the Pudding!  It's full of things!  A silver Bachelor's Button, a pig, a thimble, 2 rings,a ten shilling piece, and a red cut stone.  I would really not like to bite into something hard and unexpected, no matter how tasty the pudding. 

The thieves are in place among the guests.  Poirot is tested by the children of the manor as they present him with a dead body.  He has one of his best holidays ever. 

Mostly Agatha

 

Via the Official Agatha Christie Site:

 

 Little Miss Marple and Mr Poirot

Time to introduce your small readers to Agatha Christie!  

 Currently available in the UK, I'm sure these will be available in the US before you can say "Poirot".  I did note they are on Amazon UK and am pretty sure you can log in there and order.

 https://www.agathachristie.com/mr-poirot-and-little-miss-marple 

 

Agatha Coloring Pages 

There are also coloring pages to download with these characters!

https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2025/mr-poirot-and-little-miss-marple-colouring-sheets 

 

Agatha Jigsaw Puzzle 

Here's a fun online Agatha puzzle based on a book by Sophie Hannah.  Just follow the link below and drag the pieces around.

https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2025/the-last-death-of-the-year-a-puzzle 

 

 

 

All About Agatha Podcast

 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-about-agatha-christie/ 

Hosted by Kemper Donovan (and formerly co-hosted with Catherine Brobeck before her demise), I listened to recent episodes featuring interviews with Maureen Johnson and Riley Sager.  The discussion was tidily wrapped back to how Christie influenced the authors, and what in their recent novels was inspired by Agatha.   I really enjoyed hearing from these authors, and may go back to the beginning where the two hosts discuss Agatha's novels one by one.

 

Reading Poirot In Publication Order

 

 In 2021 or 2022, I decided to read all of the Poirot books in publication order, reading one book a month.  I wanted to see how the character developed over time, and how Christie's writing might have changed.  I'm ready to go back to the list, but what I've read so far is all over the place, time wise, after searching for his books in publication order.  I've decided to use the Official Agatha Christie site's list (the site from which most of this post is taken) and work from where I left off, filling in any blanks.  Luckily for me I purchased copies of the books as I went along, so I can just look at my shelf to eliminate what I've already read.  I'm not doing short story collections at this time, just novels.  Onward!

First Line Friday April 29, 2022

 

“After all,” murmured Poirot, “it is possible that I shall not die this time.”

The Hunter’s Lodge Case

By Agatha Christie

 

DOA's Answer Key for Appointment With Death A Word Find

 

Librariandoa's Sunday Word Finds: Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie

 

Review: Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie

 

This is one of those odd Poirot novels where he barely appears at all in the story till the second half of the book.

Most of the story is told from the point of view of members of the Boynton family.  There are three adult children and a teen, and reigning them all in, a mother who is an absolute beast of a human being.

She's described as a tyrant, as sadistic, taking pleasure in controlling and tormenting her children.  The family rarely left the house, back in the United States, no friends were allowed.  Yet here her family is, on vacation in Jerusalem.

The family sees how freely others live their lives, and they begin to feel a desperation to be rid of her. In a campsite in Petra, days outside of Jerusalem, the old woman dies.  Her death seems natural, yet a doctor among the group is missing a syringe, and some medicine.  The mother has a syringe entry point on her wrist.

Enter Poirot, back in Jerusalem, as he's called upon to see if the family either as a group planned the mother's death, or if individuals in the family took it upon themselves to end her life and free them all from nightmare.

There are other parties in the expedition. Is it possible these outsiders had motive?

I thought it was interesting one of the family asked Poirot if he might not do what he did in the case of the Orient Express, just let the evil person who died go to rest and be gone.

Poirot continues to probe, however, and of course determines the guilty party.

First Line Friday April 1, 2022

 

Book Notes March 29, 2022

It seems I missed a new jigsaw puzzle on the Agatha Christie Official site.  Just click the link to give it a try.

https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2022/a-deadly-affair-a-puzzle

 

Check the sidebar for a new link list of Mystery news and review sites.  These are my favorites and a few new to me sites.  Look for this old magazine cover as you scroll down.

CrimeReads new books for the week i out with some interesting choices.  Don't jusge a book, and all that, but I like the cover of the Orchid and the Emerald quite a bit.

https://crimereads.com/10-new-books-coming-out-this-week-march-28-2022/

 

 

Well, doh, of course you spend time in the book worlds.

Slow news week!

DOA's Answer Key for the Dumb Witness Word Find

 

Librariandoa's Sunday Word Finds Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

 

Review: Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

 

"I really could not say who you suspect, Hastings! Everybody in turn, I should imagine!"

 

Arthur Hastings isn't the only one who veers from one suspect to another as the story unfolds.  The possible criminal is surely this person, oh, wait! No, it's that person.

I was convinced I knew the killer all along.  Not even close.

Poirot receives a letter from Miss Emily Arundell asking for his help.  She's very vague in her suspicions, and there are many words crossed out.  Even so, Poirot is interested in the case.

To his chagrin, he finds that the letter he just received was written a couple of months ago, while the writer of it was still alive.

Determined to see if there was foul play, he talks with everyone involved in her last days.  It appears she died of liver disease, which she'd had for a long time.

The family are already angry that they were left out of Emily's will and all was left to her companion.  To have Poirot suspect murder, and he rapidly does, shocks and disturbs them even further.

The motive, says Poirot is gain. Just about everyone thought they'd gain a hefty inheritance when Emily died.  Did someone help her along?

Memorable characters, deft plotting, and a charming dog are all that's needed for another enjoyable mystery.

DOA's Answer Key for the Death On The Nile Word Find

 

Librariandoa's Sunday Word Finds : The Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie

 

Review: Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie

Am I imagining things, or do the plots of the Hercule Poirot novels become more twisty as time goes on? Who could possibly guess whodunnit with all of the characters and motivations, and means?

 

In Death On The Nile, a large cast of characters are on holiday taking a cruise up the Nile.  

The stars of the trip are a newly married couple named Linnet and Simon Doyle.  She's got everything, beauty, wealth, business acumen, charm.  He's a puppy dog of a man who doesn't seem to have much more than his looks and boyish ways to recommend him.

Unfortunately for the couple, they're being stalked by Simon's old girlfriend, who was also Linnet's best friend.  Her disappointment in losing Simon has left her a bit unhinged with jealousy.

Poirot and his old friend Colonel Race observe the passengers, and try to make out who on the ship is actually a threat to Linnet, who confides to Poirot that there are many who hate her.  Colonel Race is also onboard to find a killer who has been ruthless in his underworld dealings.

The pleasure cruise takes a dark turn as there are murders, thefts and other dark crimes uncovered.

Once again Poirot, the romantic, cannot help but be moved by young love. Will this keep him from exposing the killer?

Soon to be a major motion picture!

DOAs Answer Key for the Cards On The Table Word Find by Agatha Christie

 

Librariandoa's Cards On The Table Word Find by Agatha Christie

 Here's the last Wednesday Word Find.  The Answer Key will be posted Saturday, January 1, at 9 am.  The next new set of word finds will appear Sunday January 9, for Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck and Warstorm by Victoria Aveyard.  Enjoy!

Cards On The Table by Agatha Christie

 

This is the final Poirot for 2021.  I'll be continuing my readings of Christie's Hercule Poirot novels throughout 2022.

Mr Shaitana is a flamboyant and wealthy collector.  Most of his collections are of art and objects from around the world.  He also finds people of great interest, and he finds out everything about them that he can.  His parties are filled with people he's collected that he feels are interesting.

When he meets Hercule Poirot, he invites Poirot to a dinner party.  Also at the party will be one or more people who have gotten away with the perfect murder, he says.  

In an unusual introduction to the book, Christie tells the reader there are four murderers.  The narrator this time is omniscient, rather than Arthur Hastings or some other individual involved.

The Guests:

Poirot

Mr. Shaitana

Mrs Oliver, Mystery Writer

Superintendent Battle described by all as "wooden"

Colonel Race Secret Service

Doctor Roberts  Popular physician

Mrs Lorrimer   "Well informed, intelligent, excellent bridge player"

Major Despard  Explorer

Miss Meredith  "A pretty girl in her 20s"

After a dinner in which the host tosses out some cryptic remarks that may refer to murders previously committed, the group is split into two tables to play bridge in two separate rooms.

Shaitana gets everyone started, then takes a seat by the fire in the first room.

After a few hands of bridge are played, it is discovered that the host is dead.  He's obviously been killed by someone in room one, but how, why, when?  It would take a bold killer to carry out such a deed with witnesses a few feet away.

Superintendent Battle takes charge of the investigation.  With Poirot's knowledge that there were guests invited who Shaitana had thought carried out perfect murders, he delves into the pasts of the guests to see who might have committed but not been charged with a similar crime in the past.

Poirot concentrates on the players of the game of bridge, what they thought of the game played that night and what they thought of their fellow players.  He carries their score sheets around with him, noting scoring methods and handwriting.  

In one of the most twisted plots yet, Poirot finds his killers.

Merlyn's Word Find Wednesday Answer Key for The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

 

Merlyn's Word Find Wednesday The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie