REVIEW: Sleight of Paw

 Sleight of Paw
Author: Sofie Kelly

I originally started reading this series several years ago. Then life got in the way and I lost track of these books amid everything. Back now -- and I started reading from the start of the series again. :)

Sleight of Paw is the second book in the Magical Cats Mystery series. 

My favorite characters? Hercules and Owen, of course! I can't choose one kitty over the other, so they will just have to share the top spot. :) 

Librarian Kathleen Paulson finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation again when a local elderly woman is killed. Owen and Hercules jump in to help, as well as Kathleen's loyal group of friends. Even small towns like Mayville Heights hide secrets. Kathleen and her buddies discover just how dangerous it can be when hidden secrets get revealed. 

I enjoy this series. The idea of two cute kitties with paranormal abilities is just a fun concept. I really like how the author even has Owen and Hercules help investigate. They actually come up with the best clues! 

The plot of this second book kept me fully engaged the entire time. I kept trying to guess the killer's identity and changed my mind several times. The story has a balanced blend of amateur sleuthing, character development and background, and humor. The small town/library/cat portion of the plot does not overshadow the mystery plot, but adds depth to it. 

Another entertaining book in this series! Moving on to the next! 

  

REVIEW: Murder in Retrospect

 Murder in Retrospect (AKA Five Little Pigs)
Author: Agatha Christie

This Agatha Christie story was first published in the US as a serial in a magazine in 1941, followed by the novel in 1942. In the UK, it was published as a novel in 1943 (although some sources list it as 1942). The US title is Murder in Retrospect. In the UK, the title is Five Little Pigs. 

 I read my old paperback copy and listened to an audio book (HarperAudio, 2012, Five Little Pigs, 6 hrs 40 minutes, narrated by Hugh Fraser).  

I was delighted when I opened my old paperback and discovered an inscription from a college friend, Amy G. She must have given me this book for Christmas way back in the day when we were still at school together. I will have to try to look her up and send her a message. I haven't spoken to Amy since she graduated in 1989! Funny how life causes us to lose track of good friends once school or jobs end! 

After I finished reading this lovely old book, I put it in the recycle bin.
As I read these old paperbacks, I'm letting them go. Making space on my bookshelves for other books! My Agatha Christie collection has moved with me from house to house, state to state for decades. This reading challenge is helping me finally read the books and then let them go to clear space. Many of my paperbacks are so old that the pages are falling out, even though I never actually got to read them! Many were bought used. Or, like this one, was a gift from friends and family who knew I enjoy Agatha Christie's writing! 

I started this journey through Agatha's books in 2019. I am taking my time, enjoying the stories, doing research, etc. It will take me a long time to finish. I enjoy any adaptations that I can after I finish each book/short story. Enjoying myself!! It's only fair to these books that have been with me for so many years to enjoy the journey! I have a moment with each book just before I send it off to the recycling bin......being thankful for the stories, the enjoyable reading and research project, and the memories of these stories being on my bookshelves since I was a much, much younger person. :) 

So happy to finally be reading all of these wonderful murder mysteries! 

Now, on to the story!! 

This was the first time I read this story. The plot definitely kept my attention from start to finish. As Poirot investigated a 16-year old murder case, I really couldn't guess who the actual killer was. I kept changing my mind! The minute I thought I had it figured out...some clue would pop up that made me think it was another suspect. 

I definitely mentally applauded the convicted woman's daughter for choosing Poirot to clear her mother of murder. If anybody could do it, it would be Hercule Poirot.  

I liked the use of the old poem about the little piggies....this little piggie did this and that. :) But the American title change ruined that theme a bit.  I wonder why they changed the title from Five Little Pigs to Murder in Retrospect for the US publication? 

The ending is simple and direct, but very dramatic. It leaves a bit of a cliffhanger.  Hmmmm.....what happened after the epilogue? I wonder.......      

Great Poirot investigation! He really put the little grey cells to work!  

I'm so glad I finally read this one! It's not a well known Poirot story, but I have to say so far, this one is my favorite. The story is different.....a bit spicy....and really delves into human behavior. Several characters relate the facts to Poirot from their own point of view and it was so interesting to see how they all twisted things to fit their opinions. Great story!  

This story has been adapted four times. 

Stage Play - in 1960, Agatha adapted this novel into a play titled Go Back for Murder. She made fundamental changes to the plot, including removing Hercule Poirot as the investigator. 

BBC Radio Drama - In 1994, BBC Radio 4 presented an audio drama version. John Moffat voiced Hercule Poirot. The audio is just shy of 1.5 hours long. Very well done! You can find it on Youtube as well as other places around the internet. I highly recommend the BBC radio dramas based on Christie's novels!!   

Agatha Christie's Poirot - This story was adapted for the television series in 2004 (Episode 1, Season 9). The episode makes some changes, but sticks pretty closely to the book. Great episode!  

Film - A short movie version "Portrait" was released in 2018. The audio is in Bengali. I tried to find a streamable version, but it just isn't available. I don't speak Bengali, but would have watched it anyway! 

I have now read my way through 31 of the 66 detective novels Christie wrote and 9 short story collections. I'm almost halfway done with my journey through all of Agatha Christie's writing in publication order. Loving it so far!! I have to sit and smile a bit and feel a bit nostalgic as I finish each book. I have wanted to accomplish this very reading challenge since I was 9 years old! 

I "discovered" Agatha Christie one summer when I bought a box set of Poirot novels at a garage sale. I had to do extra chores all summer to repay the $4 I borrowed from my mom to buy the books. That began my collecting of her novels. Living in a small town in the pre-internet days, it was hard to get a complete list of her writing, so I never did manage to get all the books. I carried a written list in my purse for years and crossed off books as I bought them. That moved to my phone when smart phones made things like that much more simple. And, now a quick google search pulls up so much information on her writing and her life. This journey through all of her stories is a culmination of all those years of loving her mystery stories!!

Just had to share the cute Miss Marple bookmark a friend gave me! 

 

On to the next -- The Moving Finger. Another Miss Marple!! I will use my new bookmark! I have the audio book loaded to my phone and my old paperback all ready.  

REVIEW: The Body in the Library

 The Body in the Library
Author:Agatha Christie

Finally!! 

I started a challenge back in 2019 to read all of Agatha Christie's writing in publication order. Life really did its best to get in my way -- returning to full time work, a pandemic, a divorce, a cross-country move....lots of obstacles! 

But, through it all, I have kept reading. Now, there may have been months without any progress.....I've had a lot going on! But I'm still chugging along! 

All the while I have been waiting to hit the Miss Marple books. I read the first one -- Murder at the Vicarage -- way back in 2020. Finally got to the second Marple novel (only took me 5 years! lol) -- and I can't wait to read more. Don't get me wrong, I love Hercule Poirot. But I'm ready to start cycling through more Miss Marple books as well! A bit of variety! 

I read this book years ago, but remembered very little about it. I read my old paperback from my bookshelf along with an audio book (HarperAudio, 2012, 5 hrs 21 minutes, narrated by Stephanie Cole). When I finished reading, I relegated my old paperback to the recycle bin. Bookshelf space is at a premium, so I'm reading my collection of worn out paperbacks and letting them go. Have to make space for new books! 

And, let's face it.... it's ridiculous that I had all these lovely mystery stories on my bookshelves for years and never read them. All that space taken up on my shelves....and I never enjoyed the stories. Solving that problem now!! But what an endeavor -- so many books!!  

Now....on to the story!  

I enjoyed this story very much. I loved the fact that the villagers and even the local police respect Miss Marple and her sleuthing! Jane wasn't the only person on the case. The local police and several from the village joined in the investigation, too. They all acknowledged Jane's talents for sniffing out lies and evil doers! Anyone who questioned why an older lady should have anything to do with a murder investigation was promptly corrected by other locals. 

The plot was interesting and the twists/turns kept me guessing about the motive and the culprit until the very end. 

I absolutely adore Miss Marple as a character. She reminds me of a more refined and genteel Columbo. She pretends to be just a harmless, quiet older village lady when she is really quite shrewd and intelligent. She sees everything and bides her time, asking seemingly innocent questions.....until she has it all figured out and reveals the killer.  So, it makes perfect sense that Mrs Bantry sent a car to pick up Miss Marple just after they rang the local police. Sensible choice, of course! 

 Overall, I enjoyed this story. But, I found the plot a bit contrived. The reasoning for two murders was just a bit overdone. Well written, very enjoyable....but not realistic. Love, Love, Love Miss Marple though!  

This story has been adapted for television several times. 

Miss Marple: Joan Hickson plays Jane in this long-running series. The Body in the Library was her first appearance as Miss Marple in December 1984. The story was split into 3 episodes. The casting is perfect. I recognized this from the beginning. I loved the way Mrs Bantry woke her husband up "Arthur, Wake up. There's a body in the library. Mary just said so" just made me smile. The look on the actress' face, her tone....it was just perfect! And Mr. Bantry refusing to believe it "I am not going to walk downstairs and ask if there is a dead body in my library!" Followed by him putting on a robe and doing just that. Can you imagine??? The scene made me envision Agatha Christie smiling and even chuckling a little as she wrote this story. I wonder if she had a local older couple in mind, happily imagining them waking up to a dead body in their library.  I love Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Even the costuming is perfect down to her black very sensible shoes. :) 

Marple: Geraldine McEwan was cast as Miss Marple in this very popular TV series. This story was adapted as the first episode of this series in 2004. It made some pretty big changes to the plot and characters. I enjoy McEwan as Jane. She definitely made the part her own. But, I didn't like the changes to the story very much. I think the story was fine the way it was, even though the plot / murder motivation was a bit too far-fetched. 

Les Petits Meurtres de'Agatha Christie: Season 1, episode 9 of this French television series adapted the book in 2011. The setting and investigators were changed. I don't speak French so did not look up this episode to watch. 

Graphic novel: A Swiss publisher released a graphic novel of the story in 2017 titled Miss Marple: Un Cadavre dans la bibliotheque. I don't read French either, so didn't look for a copy. 

Moving on to the next novel in my Christie reading challenge. Back to Poirot -- Five Little Pigs/Murder in Retrospect!

 

REVIEW: N or M?

 N or M?
Author: Agatha Christie

I will admit from the start that I am not a big Tommy & Tuppence fan. When I saw that this book was one of their adventures, I even rolled my eyes a bit. But, I did not waver from my challenge rules to read all of Christie's writing in publication order (or as close to it as I can get). 

I'm not sure if it's the characters I really don't care for....or the spy/war theme of most of their stories that just make me not really gravitate to these books as much as Poirot or Marple ones.  I did get pulled into the story rather quickly despite my initial annoyance, and ended up enjoying this book very much. 

As usual I read a tattered paperback version from my bookshelf while listening to an audio book. The paperback was a 1971 edition from Dell. As usual, the cover art was colorful and a bit bizarre -- love it!  When I finished reading, I threw the old worn out book in the recycle bin. Letting go of these old books to free up bookshelf space for new books.  The audio book was from HarperAudio (2012, narrated by Hugh Fraser, 5 hrs 45 minutes long). 

I don't remember where I got this old paperback. I collected many of Christie's novels here and there over decades.And then never got around to actually reading many of them. This paperback has a stamp in it from a used bookstore in Mobile, AL. I looked up the address -- Ernie's Books is no longer there. The
address is now home to a salon, a glass repair shop and a paint & sip place. I think Ernie's must have closed years ago as I found no mentions of it on the internet at all. So preserving its memory here since I tossed the worn out book in the trash. Would be so interesting to find out how it made its way from Alabama to Kansas (which is probably where I picked it up at a used book shop.....or maybe NC where I moved later in life). As it is, both Ernie's and the book are now retired. Does anybody else investigate things they find stamped or written in old books, or is it just me?

Now -- on to the story! 

Despite my lack of excitement at reading about Tommy & Tuppence, I enjoyed  this story. It's dated due to the theme -- World War II, the fifth column, being called up to act as undercover government agents, etc I didn't let it make me feel like I was reading yet another book about evil Nazis. I kept in my mind the entire time I was reading and listening that when Christie wrote this book (published 1941), England was in the thick of it. Her reading audience would actually have been worried about spies, invasion, and Nazis. They needed this story at the time -- two older regular people ferreting out a spy ring. A win. 

I discovered during my research that this book actually caused Agatha to be investigated by MI5 due to the name of one of the characters, Major Bletchley. It was a minor investigation, and wrapped up when she revealed the name was chosen based on a bad train experience and not because she had inside information about British war efforts.I wonder if Agatha took that as a compliment? When a spy novel causes the real spies to come check on the author, that's a sign it's a pretty good spy story, right? 

 Very enjoyable book. And, I really need to rethink my reluctance to really like Christie's lesser known main characters -- Colonel Race, Superintendent Battle, Tommy & Tuppence, Harley Quin, Parker Pyne, etc. All of their stories are good.....I just prefer Poirot and Marple. Experiencing these other characters is an added benefit of this reading challenge. I can't just pick and choose and read only the most famous characters or the most well-known books and stories.....I'm reading them all. Maybe by the end I will be excited to read about all the characters and not just two of them. I am hopeful! 

This story has only been adapted once. 

BBC One - In 2015, BBC one aired a 3-part Partners in Crime episode based on this book. I found the episodes on YouTube. 

Now that I have finished N or M?, I am finally up to a Jane Marple book -- The Body in the Library!! I've been wanting more Miss Marple since I read Murder in the Vicarage way back in 2020 - early days of my reading challenge! Thanks for the great story Tommy & Tuppence.....but I'm moving on to spend some time with Jane! 

REVIEW: Evil Under the Sun

 Evil Under the Sun
Author: Agatha Christie 

Evil Under the Sun is a Hercule Poirot mystery first published as a serial in Collier's Weekly in December 1940. It appeared in novel format in the both UK and US in 1941. 

I'm working my way through all of Agatha Christie's writings in publication order. Taking my time, and enjoying myself, so this endeavor may take me a good long while to complete!

As usual, I read an old paperback copy from my shelves while listening to an audio book. It's enjoyable to have the story read to me, I can look for changes in the text, and any French or other foreign words are pronounced correctly by the audio book narrator, rather than being totally mangled in my head as I read. :) 

My paperback copy (pictured above) is from 1975 (Pocket Books, $1.50). It's in relatively good shape for being 50 years old. The pages are brown with age, but the spine is nicely intact. Despite this, once I've read the book, I'm going to recycle it.  I have owned this paperback for years. It has moved here and there with me, but I never read this copy in all that time. I've read this book before, but it was a library copy and not the old paperback taking up space on my bookshelves. Now that I live in an apartment, and look to downsize in a couple years, my shelf space is at a premium. So, I'm reading these old paperbacks and then letting them go. The audio book version I listened to is from HarperAudio (2012, narrated by David Suchet, about 6.5 hours long -- very thankful for my local library and Hoopla!!)

Now, on to the story!

Although I had read this book before and watched the 1982 movie in the past, it had been long enough that I didn't remember the identify of the killer. The only thing I could remember is the murder happened at a beach resort. As usual, Christie starts out developing the characters and hints at the reason for the murder before the actual dead body shows up. There are plenty of suspects (like nearly everybody in the story lol) and lots of investigation by the police and Poirot. At several points I was pretty sure I knew who the culprit was....and then changed my mind....changed it back.....changed it again lol  Christie set it up perfectly, making me unsure who was going to be revealed as a murderer at the end. 

This is not my favorite Christie mystery, but was a very enjoyable classic Christie whodunnit. The pacing was perfect. The book kept my attention from start to finish. 

I feel so sorry for Poirot. Every time he tries to go on vacation, someone has to commit a murder and ruin his trip!!

This novel has been adapted several times:

BBC Radio 4 - In 1999, BBC radio presented an audio drama starring John Moffat as Poirot.  The story is 2 hrs 16 minutes long. Moffat does a great job as Poirot. This is a full cast performance with some well done added sound effects. Very enjoyable!

1982 Movie - Peter Ustinov stars as Hercule Poirot in this movie adaptation. As usual, a lot of changes were made (and not for the better), and IMHO Ustinov is just not right for the part of Poirot. The changes start at the very beginning and just muddy the plot of the book for no reason. As a big Christie fan, for me, the 80s Poirot movies starring Ustinov are pretty bad, to be honest. I watched this for Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith and Roddy McDowall.

Agatha Christie's Poirot - The long-running television show had a episode based on this book in 2003 (Episode 1, Season 8). The episode makes some changes such as adding in Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon to the story. All in all, a very good episode!

Les Petits Meurtres de Agatha Christie - A French television series aired an episode based on this story. Many changes were made to the characters, the setting and some minor plot changes. The main plot points are followed relatively closely, however.

Video game - In 2007, The Adventure Company released a PC video game based on this story. Captain Hastings features as the player's character in the game, even though Hastings is not in the actual novel. 

I'm almost to Agatha's second Jane Marple novel!!! I read Murder at the Vicarage in 2020 and have been wanting more Miss Marple ever since!  Just one more book to go....  N or M (a Tommy and Tuppence Mystery)   I already have the old paperback copy pulled from my bookshelf and I'm starting on it tonight!

REVIEW: An Overdose of Death

 An Overdose of Death
Author: Agatha Christie

This Hercule Poirot mystery was first published under the title One Two, Buckle My Shoe in the UK in November 1940. US publication as The Patriotic Murders followed in February 1941. In 1953, Dell books changed the US title to An Overdose of Death. Like many of Agatha's Christie's books, this story was first serialized in a magazine in August-September 1940 before being released in novel form.  

Once again, I read an old, tattered paperback version of this mystery while I listened to an audio book. My 1975 paperback was heavily damaged and definitely worn out. I had this book on my Christie shelf for years, but never actually read it. Glad I finally got to enjoy the story!! The audio book version was released by HarperAudio in 2012, ran about 5 1/2 hours, and featured Hugh Fraser as narrator. 

This was the last huzzah for this 50-year old paperback. I read it, took a picture of the front cover, and recycled it. Time to let it go. Frees up bookshelf space for new books. 

 I have to say that I love the cover art from the 1960's / 1970's. Always such interestingly bizarre cover art! I am preserving the cover here. The vibe lives on despite my throwing the physical book away.

Now, on to the story!

This story is the last appearance of Chief Inspector Japp in Christie's novels.Such a great character! I will miss him as I read through the rest of Christie's writing. 

I enjoyed this story. It hasn't aged all that well due to the political theme of the basic story and some racist undertones. But, overall, it's an interesting mystery and kept my attention from start to finish. 

This story has been adapted for radio/television only twice:

Agatha Christie's Poirot:  This long-running television show adapted this story (Season 4, Episode 3). A very dark episode, but pretty much faithful to the book. It removes a lot of the odd racist statements made by characters in the novel. David Suchet shines as Poirot as usual! 

BBC Radio 4: In 2004, BBC Radio released an audio drama, starring John Moffat as Poirot. The drama runs about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Moffat does a great job as Poirot. These radio dramas are wonderful. You can find them online here:  https://fourble.co.uk/podcast/bbcradio7

I'm glad I finally read this book! It's not one of my favorite Christie stories by any means, but did make for an enjoyable read/listen. 

Moving on to the next book in my journey through Christie's writing -- Evil Under the Sun! 

 

REVIEW: Sad Cypress

 Sad Cypress
Author: Agatha Christie

 
After a break of a few months, I have started back on my journey to read all of Agatha Christie's writing in publication order (or as close as I can get - I've made a couple errors along the way!)

Sad Cypress was first serialized in a US magazine in December 1939 and in the UK in March 1940. In book form, it was released in the UK in March 1940, followed by US publication in the Fall of 1940. It is a courtroom drama mixed with a Hercule Poirot investigation. 

I'm glad to finally hit a new decade in my Christie reading adventure -- 1940! It took me awhile to get past the 20s/30s! Just 3 more novels and I finally get to Miss Marple!! 

 This is my first time reading this Poirot story. I have had a very old paperback version from 1966 on my Christie shelf for years, but never actually read it. It's very tattered. The pages have foxing and the spine is brittle. Worn out. I absolutely love the cover art. The 1960's and 1970s Christie paperbacks have the weirdest and most wonderful covers! Much as I love the cover on this one......once I'm done reading it, the poor old thing is being recycled. The pages are falling out. The cover is coming off. The paper is brittle. It's almost 60 years old. It's time.  But, before it goes, I'm giving it a good read. And, preserving its lovely cover in a photo here. When published, the paperback only cost 50 cents! The last paperback mystery I bought  at the bookshop the other day cost me $8.99. I looked up the equivalent in today's dollars for that 50 cents back in 1966...about $5. 

All right...all that aside...now for the story!

The book starts out a bit slow, but that's purposeful. The stage has to be set...the characters introduced....the problem hinted at.....then the murder. Agatha took her time skillfully setting up the scenario, while not revealing too much. But, once there are two bodies on slabs....one an elderly infirm woman and the other a younger, beautiful woman.....Hercule Poirot steps in. And, the investigation begins. The plot gets much more intense at this point. Purposeful story building.....love it!

I very much enjoyed this book!! I read my paperback copy while listening to an audio book as well (HarperAudio, 2012). The audio book is about 6 hours long and is narrated by David Suchet. Suchet, of course, portrayed Poirot perfectly as usual! He is superb at the part, even when just narrating. 

The book has been adapted for radio/television only 3 times:

BBC Radio 4 adapted the story for an audio drama in 1992. The radio drama is a bit over 2 hours. Poirot is played by John Moffat. Moffat, as well as the entire cast, do a wonderful job! The dramas done by BBC Radio 4 are always wonderful, with a full casts and interesting sound effects thrown in. I adore Old Time Radio, so any sort of radio drama is an entertaining listen for me. I highly recommend the Christie radio dramas. You can listen to them here: https://fourble.co.uk/podcast/bbcradio7  Just superb, IMO. 

Agatha Christie's Poirot adapted the story in Season 9, Episode 2. The episode makes some minor changes, but overall sticks closely to the plot of the book. Loved the episode! 

Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie, a French television program, adapted the story in September 2010. I do not speak French, so have to go by my research on this adaptation. Per what I could find online, the program made major changes to the plot -- moved the setting to France and the investigator and other details are different. 

I had my ideas about the culprit's identity in this lovely story, but I wasn't sure until the very end. My guess at the murderer was close....but wrong. A very enjoyable Poirot investigation. Classic! 

I really enjoy the Christie mysteries that are a quick read. Short, but packed with a great plot each time! 

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing David Suchet read me the book, then watching him act in the Poirot episode. Nobody can play the part like Suchet!! [And I will interject my firm opinion here.....will someone PLEASE tell Kenneth Branagh to STOP making horrible Poirot movies!!! His appearance, the clothes, the mannerisms are all wrong....and the mustache...terrible!! The plot changes are pure S. Leave it as Christie wrote it! Ugh.  Ok.....off my soap box now.] 

Moving on to the next Christie novel in my reading journey --  One Two, Buckle My Shoe (also published as The Patriotic Murders and An Overdose of Death in the US) I have my old paperback off my shelf and on the top of my TBR pile. It's another Poirot novel I have owned for years but never read, so I can't wait!!

Before I go.....I love this meme. It makes me laugh every time. I think Agatha would have found it funny as well. :)