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Ask a Policeman

Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, The Detection Club and Anthony Berkeley

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Book

This classic crime novel by six different authors is introduced by Martin Edwards, archivist of the...

Poirot: Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Agatha Christie

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Book

A facsimile first edition hardback of the wartime Poirot book, published to mark the 80th...

ClareR (5572 KP) rated The Christie Affair in Books

Apr 1, 2022

The Christie Affair

Nina de Gramont | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Christie Affair is a reimagining of the real disappearance of Agatha Christie - I actually had to do a quick internet search to see if any of this novel was true. It’s not. Agatha Christie really did go missing for 11 days, though. Her husband really did leave her for another woman (I have no idea if she was younger). But I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless!

This novel tells the story from the point of view of the mistress. Nan O’Dea (Nancy Neele in real life) gives her version of events: who she is, her past, why she became Archie Christie’s mistress, and why she is destroying their marriage. It’s all compelling reading. She has her reasons, and you can see why she has done what she has - but is it true?

It was fascinating hearing the story from the mistress’ point of view, and I really enjoyed reading about Nan’s early years, even though they were tragic. We see her going to help on a family farm in Ireland as a teenager, and a stay at a convent, reminiscent of a Magdalen Laundry (not quite). Then she returns to London and tries to rebuild her life.

You can never be quite sure as the reader, whether Nan is really telling Agatha’s side of the story, or whether she’s making it up. She’s a thoroughly unreliable narrator - but I liked that. The characters were really well developed, and it was an exciting story. Recommended!

Kudos

Erika (17788 KP) rated Clue (1985) in Movies

Jun 19, 2018

Clue (1985)

1985 | Comedy, Drama, Mystery

8.3

(35 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

The cast (1 more)

The multiple endings

Communism is just a red-herring.

This movie holds up after multiple viewings. The cast is fantastic, and the movie was completely zany. I always watch the film with all 3 endings, and I can't pick a favorite. This film definitely borrows a lot from 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, but it's definitely not a bad thing. Madeline Kahn was my favorite in this film, because all of her lines were perfectly delivered.
This is one movie that never needs to be remade.

Kudos

Vegas (725 KP) rated Murder on the Orient Express (2017) in Movies

Sep 5, 2018

Story (1 more)

Cast

Slow in places (1 more)

Poirots moustache

Good remake of a classic

An enjoyable, if a little slow at times, star heavy adaptation of the Agatha Christie story - set on the Orient Express.

As good to watch as the original version with the cast making the most of limited screen time each, we may know the outcome of the story, but,even knowing that, the film doesn't disappoint, and Kenneth Branagh with his bizarre moustache fitting in well as Poirot, a role, I'm sure most people wouldn't have been able to see him playing.