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roseleaf24's review
3.0
I found this book to be a good introduction to Christie. I wasn't familiar with her life story, so I found the biographical information interesting, and the short stories a good taste of her work. I believe I will be starting with the Tommy and Tuppence books, as they seem to be more my style!
ajreader's review
2.0
This is really just a short introduction to Christie and her work and then excerpts from her work. I was hoping for more of a guide to/analysis of her work, rather than the work itself.
kouw's review
2.0
The three shorts are delightful - nobody would have expected much less - but the rest is so flimsy, I can't even. There's not much more information that I'd find on Agatha Christie's Wikipedia page(s) and as such really not worth the money or time. I am reasonably certain I have read Greenshaw's Folly elsewhere and absolutely sure I read A fairy in the flat in another collection. Perhaps the Poirot is in another collection as well? If so: do not make a fuss about this little booklet.
lizabethstucker's review against another edition
3.0
A guide to Dame Agatha Christie's mysteries and other novels. Also contains three short stories that represent each of her main series characters. In the lengthy introduction by Christie expert John Curran, we're given a quick biography of the author as well as an overview of her many styles of writing. There is enough information to intrigue the novice Christie reader.
The first short story is "The Affair at the Victory Ball" with Hercule Poirot and his friend, Captain Hastings. Viscount Cronshaw is found dead with a table-knife stuck in his heart shortly after an argument with actress Miss Coco Courtenay. Coco is found dead in her bed from a cocaine overdose. Inspector Japp comes to Poirot for help untangling the mystery. A good example of a typical Poirot case, with the vain Belgian detective keeping the facts and his observations a secret until the Grand Reveal before all interested parties. 4 out of 5.
Next up is Miss Marple in "Greenshaw's Folly". Eccentric spinster Miss Greenshaw is shot with an arrow, dying while the two women who might have helped were locked in their respective rooms. Using very obscure connections to people and events in her village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple solves the mystery without ever meeting anyone suspected in the murder. She is a snoopy old lady who might not *share* gossip idly, but definitely listens to it. And somehow twists what she hears into a solution for whatever crime she becomes involved in. 3.5 out of 5.
The last short story is "A Fairy in the Flat", starring Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Tuppence is bored after six years of marriage, wants something exciting to happen. Then Tommy's Secret Service Chief arrives with an offer to run a shady private detective agency using the original owner's name. They are particularly concerned with possible espionage, but don't have enough information to determine exactly what is going on. To be honest, this isn't a true short story, it is an excerpt and set-up from a longer story. The mystery is barely touched upon, much less solved. There is a supernatural touch in the beginning that doesn't have much of a purpose. Tuppence doesn't come off well either. 2 out of 5.
Before each story there is a list of books and stories in that character's universe. There are also listing of other non-series books and stories, sadly without any description or synopsis. A list of Dame Agatha's favorite stories is given, as well as a sub-divide of stories by theme and/or subject matter. We end the guide with a bonus chapter on Agatha and poisons. 3.5 out of 5.
The first short story is "The Affair at the Victory Ball" with Hercule Poirot and his friend, Captain Hastings. Viscount Cronshaw is found dead with a table-knife stuck in his heart shortly after an argument with actress Miss Coco Courtenay. Coco is found dead in her bed from a cocaine overdose. Inspector Japp comes to Poirot for help untangling the mystery. A good example of a typical Poirot case, with the vain Belgian detective keeping the facts and his observations a secret until the Grand Reveal before all interested parties. 4 out of 5.
Next up is Miss Marple in "Greenshaw's Folly". Eccentric spinster Miss Greenshaw is shot with an arrow, dying while the two women who might have helped were locked in their respective rooms. Using very obscure connections to people and events in her village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple solves the mystery without ever meeting anyone suspected in the murder. She is a snoopy old lady who might not *share* gossip idly, but definitely listens to it. And somehow twists what she hears into a solution for whatever crime she becomes involved in. 3.5 out of 5.
The last short story is "A Fairy in the Flat", starring Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Tuppence is bored after six years of marriage, wants something exciting to happen. Then Tommy's Secret Service Chief arrives with an offer to run a shady private detective agency using the original owner's name. They are particularly concerned with possible espionage, but don't have enough information to determine exactly what is going on. To be honest, this isn't a true short story, it is an excerpt and set-up from a longer story. The mystery is barely touched upon, much less solved. There is a supernatural touch in the beginning that doesn't have much of a purpose. Tuppence doesn't come off well either. 2 out of 5.
Before each story there is a list of books and stories in that character's universe. There are also listing of other non-series books and stories, sadly without any description or synopsis. A list of Dame Agatha's favorite stories is given, as well as a sub-divide of stories by theme and/or subject matter. We end the guide with a bonus chapter on Agatha and poisons. 3.5 out of 5.
luzbella's review
4.0
113/365
This is a collection of short stories and information about the detective characters that made Christie famous. You'll get insights into these beloved characters: Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence and Miss Marple. I enjoyed this book
This is a collection of short stories and information about the detective characters that made Christie famous. You'll get insights into these beloved characters: Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence and Miss Marple. I enjoyed this book
becsti's review
2.5
★★★☆☆ | 2.5 Stars
Nothing new or groundbreaking here. A few interesting tidbits about Christie's inspirations (especially re poisons) but it's not very detailed. Probably best to just read her autobiography instead.
Nothing new or groundbreaking here. A few interesting tidbits about Christie's inspirations (especially re poisons) but it's not very detailed. Probably best to just read her autobiography instead.
lexandherbooks's review
2.0
A Marketing Gimmick
The short stories were wonderful, but the extra information (the guide) was thin, mostly lists, a short overview of Christie's life, and quotes from AC.
The short stories were wonderful, but the extra information (the guide) was thin, mostly lists, a short overview of Christie's life, and quotes from AC.
simply_fran's review
4.0
I wasn't a fan of the Tommy & Tuppence short story but the rest of the book is great. They pack a lot of info in for how short the book is. And it gave me a bunch of books to add to my "to-read" list!
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