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kami_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
anaidelawless's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoy Parker Pyne. He is no Poirot or Marple, but he has his own charm.
morteno's review against another edition
Gammeldags, og lidt hyggelig. Men heller ikke specielt nuanceret eller spændende. Jeg sprang også omkring sidste tredjedel af historierne over da stilen og emnerne ikke sagde mig det store.
Jeg må få læst nogle af hendes "rigtige" krimier i stedet.
Jeg må få læst nogle af hendes "rigtige" krimier i stedet.
telercoi's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the first several stories more than the second half; the longer it went on, the more Parker Pyne kind of became a clone of Hercule Poirot. But the non-murder-mystery stories were such a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed a slightly different story from Christie
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of 12 short stories that have as a protagonist Parker Pyne. In the first 6 stories he has an indirect role, as he's only told the cases and then arranges what is necessary to see them to a good end, without him having an active role. In the last 6 stories he has a more active role as in holidays he is approached, on the various places he passes, by his traveller companions to resolve the problems that appear.
I enjoyed mostly the short stories entitled The Pearl of Price, which has a curious quote about archaeologists, and The Oracle at Delphi. The other cases also have some interest but they don't entangle us so much as other works by the author.
I enjoyed mostly the short stories entitled The Pearl of Price, which has a curious quote about archaeologists, and The Oracle at Delphi. The other cases also have some interest but they don't entangle us so much as other works by the author.
boxes_of_foxes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Among Agatha Christie's great and famous detectives, often her lesser knowns like Parker Pyne get short shift. I remember enjoying the short story collection featuring Parker Pyne so was glad to pick it up once again in audio format.
Parker Pyne stories are a variety of life mysteries with only a small few that are traditional mystery sorts. Parker Pyne himself is more life coach of the sort who takes the client's wishes and makes them happen than a detective. He's a retired British civil servant who worked in statistics, but he has a keen eye for how that translates in real life. He has an agency dedicated to using his special skill set for clients 'who aren't happy'.
The first six stories are all set in England, but the last six occur when poor Parker Pyne is traveling on holiday having his work finding in some very exotic locations and these are more the traditional mystery sorts.
I love the character of average man looks and not so average brains that is the main character. I thought it was fun to encounter competent Miss Lemon working as his secretary like she does for Poirot and one of the stories employing even Mrs. Ariadne Oliver's creative talents. All the short stories are fully and cleverly developed.
Hugh Fraser does a bang up job voicing all the characters and the gentle consulting voice of Parker Pyne who soothes and reassures and builds the trust of his clients.
Such a wonderful listening experience and revisit of a renewed favorite book.
Short story collection titles:
The Case of the Middle-aged Wife,
The Case of the Discontented Soldier,
The Case of the Distressed Lady,
The Case of the Discontented Husband,
The Case of the City Clerk,
The Case of the Rich Woman,
Have You Got Everything You Want?,
The Gate of Baghdad,
The House at Shiraz,
The Pearl of Price,
Death on the Nile,
and The Oracle at Delphi.
Parker Pyne stories are a variety of life mysteries with only a small few that are traditional mystery sorts. Parker Pyne himself is more life coach of the sort who takes the client's wishes and makes them happen than a detective. He's a retired British civil servant who worked in statistics, but he has a keen eye for how that translates in real life. He has an agency dedicated to using his special skill set for clients 'who aren't happy'.
The first six stories are all set in England, but the last six occur when poor Parker Pyne is traveling on holiday having his work finding in some very exotic locations and these are more the traditional mystery sorts.
I love the character of average man looks and not so average brains that is the main character. I thought it was fun to encounter competent Miss Lemon working as his secretary like she does for Poirot and one of the stories employing even Mrs. Ariadne Oliver's creative talents. All the short stories are fully and cleverly developed.
Hugh Fraser does a bang up job voicing all the characters and the gentle consulting voice of Parker Pyne who soothes and reassures and builds the trust of his clients.
Such a wonderful listening experience and revisit of a renewed favorite book.
Short story collection titles:
The Case of the Middle-aged Wife,
The Case of the Discontented Soldier,
The Case of the Distressed Lady,
The Case of the Discontented Husband,
The Case of the City Clerk,
The Case of the Rich Woman,
Have You Got Everything You Want?,
The Gate of Baghdad,
The House at Shiraz,
The Pearl of Price,
Death on the Nile,
and The Oracle at Delphi.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
3.0
A selection of short stories featuring Parker Pyne. The first stories are not mysteries but what I would consider a means to introduce the character of Parker Pyne. Miss Lemon makes her first appearance.
One of the stories - Death on the Nile - is a retelling of a Poirot short story from the Underdog and other stories (Poirot's Early Cases).
One of the stories - Death on the Nile - is a retelling of a Poirot short story from the Underdog and other stories (Poirot's Early Cases).
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
Nice little collection of stories featuring Parker Pyne, though I wouldn't classify him as a detective. His line of work is more geared towards helping people find happiness. In fact, there were only a couple of murders in this set of stories. Parker Pyne reminded me of a much more straight forward Poirot, using his brain to look at the psychology of a situation to best determine how to help someone.