REVIEW: Endless Night

 Endless Night
Author: Agatha Christie

Ok....the minute I start thinking that I don't like Agatha Christie's books written after 1950, I come across one that is incredibly suspenseful and entertaining. So, I have to change my thoughts just a bit -- I don't like MOST of Agatha Christie's books written after 1950.

I loved this one. 

Endless Night was first published in the UK in 1967 and US publication followed in 1968.

I was out of Hoopla credits for the month, so just read my paperback copy of the book, rather than listening to the audio book while reading. I think I expected this to be another dud, like several of the later Marple and Poirot books that I really didn't enjoy. But.....it surprised me!!

This was my first time reading this book, and I'm so glad that I took the time to finally read my copy! 

The basics: A working class man meets and marries an heiress. They buy a property and build a house on it, despite rumors that the land is cursed. Soon after they move in and start settling into life together, the wife is found dead under strange circumstances. Are curses real? Or.....was Ellie murdered?

This book has such a spooky, dark vibe. I was completely sucked into the plot quite early, and was hit upside the head by the twistiness of this plot! Loved it! 

This story does not involve any of Agatha's well-known characters like Marple or Poirot. The fact that the plot is outstandingly bizarre and wonderful tells me that Agatha may have been tired of writing formula classic mysteries with her established detectives. She definitely put her heart into this one! Great book!

Adaptations:

1972 movie: A movie version starring Hayley Mills and Britt Eklund had a short release only in the UK. The film did not do well. Even Agatha Christie herself expressed disappointment. I didn't get a chance to watch this movie. It wasn't available to stream on any platform I subscribe to except Amazon as a rent/buy option. Not paying for what is potentially a bad movie. If I see it pop up on streaming in the future, I will watch it. 

Radio drama: A one hour episode based on this book broadcast as part of Saturday Theatre on BBC Radio 4. I was able to find the episode online. So good!! Full cast with sound effects. Loved it! 

Graphic Novel: HarperCollins published a graphic novel based on the book in 2008. 

Television: Agatha Christie's Marple adapted this story as an episode of the popular television show. Miss Marple is not in the book, but the story is based on two prior short stories (The Case of the Caretaker and The Case of the Caretaker's Wife), one of which does include Miss Marple.  I'm always surprised that this show adapted several stories that did not include Miss Marple, but didn't make episodes based on all of the ones that did include the elderly sleuth.  The episode makes some changes to fit the story into a television episode, but it was very entertaining! 

 I read online that a television series and a movie based on this book are in the works as of 2025. I can't wait to watch!! I will be eagerly awaiting both! 

On to the next! Well sort of anyway.....the next book is a Tommy & Tuppence story (By the Pricking of my Thumbs). I don't like Tommy & Tuppence...so I am giving myself permission to skip past it to Hallowe'en Party. 

 

REVIEW: Third Girl

 Third Girl
Author: Agatha Christie

I am going to be completely honest in my review right from the start. Here goes....

I did not like this book. 

I got through more than half of it, and DNF'd it. 

Yep. This Hercule Poirot fan DNF'd a Poirot mystery. There is a first time for everything.

I made myself a promise that I didn't have to finish reading books that weren't enjoyable for me. So, I let myself put this one down and move on. 

Even Ariadne Oliver (my favorite Agatha Christie side character!) didn't save the story for me. 

Not all books are for all readers. And this Poirot mystery was not for me. 

I had a very old paperback copy of this book on my shelves [1967, Pocket Books, 218 pages].  

The Basics: A woman comes to Poirot, telling him that she needs his help to find out if she committed a murder because she is having odd lapses in her memory. Norma exhibits strange and rude behavior, but Poirot is on the case to discover the truth. 

I had to sit for awhile after I quit reading to figure out why this story just didn't hit well for me. I did not like Norma Restarick (the girl who thinks she may have murdered someone). She is a ridiculous character. The actual crime wasn't even identified until really late in the story....and once the reveal happened, I just lost interest in the book. The plot just seemed super contrived from the start. 

Adaptations: 

Television: In 2008, the long-running show Poirot featured an episode based on this book. The episode made some major plot and character changes. I preferred the television episode over the book. The changes were needed to improve the plot. 

French television: Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie adapted this story in 2017. There are massive changes as usual, moving the setting to France and having French detectives. The show is entertaining. If you can access Kanopy through your local library, the entire show is available there. 

 

I am finding that I'm not enjoying many of Agatha Christie's later novels. I have a suspicion (and could be totally wrong) that Agatha was tired of writing Poirot and Marple novels. This book just seemed lackluster...like she wrote and published it because she had to put out a new book, rather than enjoyment of creating a good story.  

Moving on!!  

REVIEW: At Bertram's Hotel

 At Bertram's Hotel
Author: Agatha Christie

This Agatha Christie novel first published in the UK in 1965 and in the US in 1966. It features Miss Marple.

I read my old paperback [Pocket books, 1979, 256 pgs] and listened to the audio book [HarperCollins, 2012, 6 hrs 45 minutes, narrated by Stephanie Cole]

Up til this book, the audio I have listened to for Miss Marple novels was narrated by Emilia Fox. Stephanie Cole does an excellent job of narration, but I found that I just prefer Emilia Fox.  

The basics: Miss Marple is on holiday. She is spending two weeks at a very nice hotel in London. And, of course, there is a murder. Turns out there is a lot more going on at this hotel than what its guests might ever guess. And....Miss Marple is plonked down right in the thick of it! 

I rather think Miss Marple preferred her holiday with a touch of murder and crime. I think she would have been bored to tears if she spent two weeks just relaxing and dining in a nice hotel. :)  

This is not one of my favorite Marple mysteries. Mostly because the famous sleuth is more of a side character, rather than directly investigating the case.  I think the other big reason is that the plot has so many things going at once that it gets muddled and depends on several unrealistic coincidences to come to the conclusion. I wanted more Miss Marple and less weird crime vibes. 

I have found that I prefer Agatha Christie's classic murder mysteries....and not her attempts at spy novels, thrillers, and hard crime angles.  

Adaptations: 

Television: In 1987, the show Miss Marple had an episode based on this story, starring Joan Hickson as the elderly sleuth. There were minor changes made to the story to fit it into a tv episode, but for the most part it stayed true to the original. 

Radio Drama: BBC Radio 4 adapted this book in 1995. Joan Whitfield plays Miss Marple. I love these full cast audio dramas! They are so well done with full casts and sound effects!

Television: In 2007, Agatha Christie's Marple had an episode starring Geraldine McEwan based on this book. This episode made some huge changes to characters and even the ending of the book. I really didn't agree with all the changes, but enjoyed watching the episode. 

My old paperback is retired to the recycle bin. On to the next! 

REVIEW: A Caribbean Mystery

 A Caribbean Mystery
Author: Agatha Christie

This is one of my favorite Miss Marple stories. I've read this book multiple times over the years. It was the first Miss Marple mystery I ever read, and I think that is why it's a favorite. 

The book was first published in the UK in 1964, followed by US publication in 1965.  

I read my old paperback copy [Pocket Books, 1982, 219 pages] while listening to the audio book version [HarperCollins, 2013, 6 hrs 38 minutes, narrated by Emilia Fox]. 

The Basics: Miss Marple is sent on a tropical vacation by her nephew so she can fully recover from being ill. A fellow traveler tells her a story about a man who killed more than one of his wives, offering to show her a picture of the villain. The very next day the storyteller is found dead. Murdered, of course. Miss Marple is on the case! Even while on vacation!  

Adaptations: 

Made-for-television Movie 1983: Helen Hayes plays Miss Marple in this adaptation.  I really wanted to watch this movie! But....it is not available on any streaming platform I have, except Amazon. But it's a rent/buy situation. Nope. Not paying for a 43 year old made-for-TV movie on top of what I already pay for Prime! If it pops up on streaming anywhere, I will watch it and update my review. 

Television: The Miss Marple series adapted this story in 1989. Joan Hickson is wonderful as Miss Marple, as usual. 

Television: Agatha Christie's Marple featured Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple for an episode in 2013. 

French television: Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie adapted this story into an episode in 2016. The story is moved to France with French detectives. Lots of changes to the story, but the episode is entertaining!

Radio Drama: In 1997, BBC Radio 4 first broadcast a radio drama based on this novel, starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple. All the BBC radio dramas based on Agatha Christie are quite well done with full casts and sound effects. 

 

I enjoyed re-visiting this story again. I didn't remember the killer's identity until I got almost to the very end. 

I wish someone would send me on a tropical vacation!! ha ha. But, I could do without the murder to investigate! I would be quite happy sitting on the beach with an umbrella drink. :)  

I enjoyed both television episodes. I would have a very hard time picking a favorite between the two long-running Marple shows. I'm just going to take the easy route and say I like both! 

I got several books ahead in reading....and then had to back track and watch adaptations. I'm just now catching up on blogging because I have a week of PTO to watch shows and write reviews!  

My old paperback is in the recycle bin. On to the next! Getting closer and closer to the end! 

 

REVIEW: The Clocks

 The Clocks
Author: Agatha Christie

The Clocks first published in the UK in 1963. US publication followed in 1964.  

The Basics: Hercule Poirot assists in the investigation of a murder where an old man was found stabbed to death, surrounded by several clocks. To show the power of the mind, Poirot helps solve the crime without ever visiting the crime scene or speaking with any witnesses in person. He is purely an arm chair detective....solving things using only his intellect and from a distance. 

I read my old paperback copy [Pocket Books, 1979, 246 pages] while listening to the audio book version. [HarperCollins, 2012, 7 hrs 15 minutes, narrated by Hugh Fraser].

Warning -- the following may be an unpopular opinion but it is how I feel: 

Like with The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side, I had a bit of a challenge to get through this one. Christie's later books were still well-written but lack that spark from her earlier books. Poirot was a bit too egotistical in his statements about his intelligence, but that's nothing new and he has good reason to believe in his brains. But his constant mentioning it got very old by the end of the story. In places, the pacing was too slow and the plot dragged for me. And, there were a couple major plot points that were just pure cheese. 

Definitely Poirot. Definitely Agatha Christie. But.....not the best book in her collection, in my opinion. 

Adaptations: 

Only one for this book!

Television: Agatha Christie's Poirot adapted this story for an episode in 2011 [Season 12, episode 4].

There were many changes in setting, characters and plot. The changes were made to fit the tale into episode length, but I think it also strengthened the story. This is one case where I enjoyed the television episode more than the actual book.  

I think this story may have made a better novella or short story than a full novel. A shorter length may have stopped the dragging of the plot that really kept me from enjoying this one as much as I did earlier Poirot mysteries.  

Only a few more books to go before I finish my complete journey through Agatha Christie. Having a great time, even while reading some of her less popular tales. I'm finding that she wrote some mystery novels that are still in the top 10 in the genre, and others that are just ok. But that's to be expected with 80+ books....they can't all be a masterpiece!

On to the next!!  

 

REVIEW: The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side

 The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side
Author: Agatha Christie

The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side was first published in the UK in 1962 and in the US in 1963. 

I didn't have a copy of this book on my shelves. I listened to an audio book version [HarperCollins, 2013, 8 hrs 23 minutes, narrated by Emilia Fox. Emilia does a great job of narration as usual.  

The Basics: An actress and her husband purchase an estate in St Mary Mead. A fete is held on the estate to help the local ambulance service, but drama happens when a local woman is poisoned and dies. Miss Marple is on the case, as it seems that the actress may have been the intended target. Can Miss Marple figure out the culprit before another attempt is made on Marina Gregg's life or before someone else dies?  

The premise of this novel may have been inspired by an event in the life of Actress Gene Tierney. Not saying any more than that, as it would be a spoiler. Read the book --- then look up the story. It's very interesting reading (and sad).  

I had a bit of a hard time finishing this book. The plot moved a bit too slowly, and it just wasn't really grabbing my attention like earlier Marple mysteries. I'm finding that I'm starting to agree that Agatha Christie's books after 1950 are a bit hit or miss. Some are great, and some are just......well, a little boring. Or, it could also be that after reading Christie's mysteries in publication order since 2020 to read them all.....that I'm getting a bit tired of classic mysteries?  I'm leaning towards a mix of both. 

As I listened, I was looking forward to watching the adaptations, rather than finishing the book. Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple!! I had to see the 1980s movie! And, I really wanted to watch the two television episodes as well. :) 

So....not a favorite Miss Marple mystery, but I did finish it. 

Adaptations: 

Movie (1980): Angela Lansbury plays Miss Marple. As most of the 1980's Christie movies, it's a star studded cast including Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. I enjoyed seeing all of these famous performers, but as is common with the 80s Agatha Christie movies, it was very melodramatic and a bit over-done. There were some changes to plot and characters, but it kept relatively true to the original. I enjoyed watching, but I preferred the Miss Marple and Marple television episodes to this movie. 

Television: Miss Marple - This 1992 adaptation is the final episode of the television series featuring Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. The episode stays with the original plot for the most part. Very enjoyable.

Radio drama: BBC Radio 4 broadcast an audio drama in 1998 based on this book, featuring June Whitfield as Miss Marple. The radio dramas based on Agatha Christie's mysteries are always so good!! Very enjoyable, and full-cast with sound effects. June Whitfield does a great job as Miss Marple. These Marple radio dramas are always so good! Very entertaining! 

Television: Agatha Christie's Marple -  Julia McKenzie plays Miss Marple in this 2010 episode. There were a few changes, but mostly true to the original story.

Television (France) - Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie offered an episode in 2017 based on this book. As usual the setting is switched to France and the detectives are french. This show makes significant changes to the stories but is fun to watch. If your local library offers Kanopy, that streaming service offers all of the episodes. 

Television (Japan) - TV Asahi adapted this story as part of a 2 night special. The first night was an adaptation of The 4:50 from Paddington and the second night was The Mirror Crack'd. I couldn't find a streaming version of this show, so didn't watch this episode. 

Theater: A stage production opened in the UK in 2019.  

Glad I read this book, but I enjoyed the adaptations more than the audio book. 

Moving on!!