I’ve been saying for months now that I wanted to read an Agatha Christie novel or two just because I never had and I wanted to see what kind of writer she was and why people liked her so much. I finally did read two of her books this month.
At first I thought of reading one of the books portrayed by the PBS Masterpiece Mystery program, but I decided I would probably better get the full impact of Christie’s writing by reading one of her books which I knew nothing about. So I chose After the Funeral, a Hercule Poirot novel, and A Murder Is Announced, featuring Miss Marple.
In After the Funeral, an extended family is gathered for a funeral of the family patriarch, Richard Abernethie, who apparently died of natural causes, when the sister of the deceased, Cora, shocks everyone by referring to his murder. Quickly retracting her statement, and having been thought of as generally ditzy, as we would say today, she’s thought odd but not really taken seriously…until she turns up murdered in her own bed. The questions, then, are whether Richard actually was murdered, and if so, who killed him, and who murdered Cora, and is anyone else in danger? The family solicitor turns to his old friend, Hercule Poirot, for help.
In A Murder Is Announced, a group of neighbors gathers at Letitia Blacklock’s house for a “murder game” which turns deadly when an actual murder occurs. Miss Marple is in town visiting a niece and assists the inspectors in finding the murderer.
I did see very quickly why Agatha Christie is considered a master. Much was revealed casually in the first few paragraphs of After the Funeral in the musings of the doddering old butler as he readies the house for the family gathering after the funeral. And both novels kept me guessing until the end.
I smiled at the gentle fun Christie poked at Poirot in a couple of places. Poirot was well known, but not by this particular group of people, so they did not take him seriously and were amused at him. When he gathered everyone together, she wrote, “It looked as though Hercule Poirot would have to work hard to make his proper effect” (p. 230). Later while Poirot talked with one of the local inspectors, they had this conversation:
“The piece of evidence I have imagined may not in fact exist. I have only deduced its existence from various scraps of conversation. I may,” said Poirot in a completely unconvinced tone, “be wrong.”
Morton smiled. “But that doesn’t often happen to you?”
“No. Though I will admit — yes, I am forced to admit — that it has happened to me.”
“I must say I’m glad to hear it! To be always right must be sometimes monotonous.”
“I do not find it so,” Poirot assured him.
I didn’t see these kinds of things in Miss Marple’s books. Perhaps they were a way of deflating Poirot’s tendency towards pompousness, or maybe Christie saw Miss Marple more as an alter ego. One thing that has always bothered me a bit about Miss Marple is how in the world police, detectives, and inspectors not only listen to her but actually seek her counsel. Perhaps that’s explained in one of her earlier books. In this one. she is known by one policeman as having a knack for solving mysteries, but the main inspector on the case doesn’t want to listen to the opinions of a visiting grandmotherly woman — until he starts to see that her perceptions are right.
Though I very much enjoyed playing the armchair detective and guessing “whodunnit,” I found that murder mysteries aren’t my favorite genre, so I don’t know that I will read any more of Christie. I like figuring out the puzzle, but I don’t like the murder, even though Christie doesn’t play up the grisly details like modern TV and films do. The constant talk of motives and methods just disturbed me a little. Oddly, that didn’t bother me in the TV productions: you’d think the visual representation would be more disturbing. Maybe it has to do with spending more time with a book — a few days rather than an hour or two of a TV mystery. I was also surprised to find a smattering of bad language, particularly in the second book. I guess I thought that didn’t happen so much in books of that time.
But I can definitely acknowledge with her fans that Agatha Christie is the queen of the murder mystery!
This post will be linked to 5 Minutes For Books Classic Bookclub, which encouraged us read a classic novel once a quarter and then “meet” to discuss it. Sadly, though, this is the last meeting and the Classics Bookclub will be disbanded. I will really miss it as it did help me purpose to incorporate some of the classics into my reading, and discussing them with others enhanced the enjoyment.
(This review will be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday review of books and the next 5 Minutes For Books I Read It column.)
Stray Thoughts 
The only Christie novel I’ve read is Ten Little Indians (AMA And Then There Were None), which I read as a student and later as a teacher (both for school). It’s well crafted, but like you, I don’t really like the genre.
I’ll miss the bookclub, too!
That should be AKA, not AMA.
Interesting to read a review from someone who doesn’t like this genre, Barbara. Now you can check Agatha Christie off your list!
Unlike you, I think I’ve read nearly every Agatha Christie written. I haven’t enjoyed them all equally, but I appreciate Christie’s way of building the characters, inserting subtle clues, and explaining motives. I haven’t liked the newer televised renditions of Christie’s novels because a lot of details are moved around and the unsavory elements are sensationalised. I much prefer the older performances of Joan Hickson (as Miss Marple) and David Suchet (as Poirot).
I like those characteristics of Christie’s writing which you mentioned as well. She is a fun read — though it is odd to think of a murder as fun!
“ut I can definitely acknowledge with her fans that Agatha Christie is the queen of the murder mystery!” You are so right there. Her books are just wonderful. Quilly has posted her prize pacakge and I posted what it was on my blogs as well. The movies are mostly Christmas is all I can say. Just a little FYI 🙂 Have a great day my friend 🙂
Ooops I didn’t copy the But very well LOL “But….”
I thought your reading your review and thoughts on these two books was SO FUN since you hadn’t ever read a Christie book before! You have a really cool perspective.
I like mysteries in small doses. Sometimes they are very enjoyable but I don’t really like being creeped out or scared so I don’t read them very often. It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up any of Christie’s novels, although I do have a few sitting on my shelf that have not yet been read. I kind of have to be in the mood and the sun has to be shining. =D I think I probably lean more towards mysteries where there is humor involved as that helps lighten the mood for me and moves me through the story more easily. (Hence I like the tv show Monk because, yes, there are lots of murders, but it is also part comedy which takes a lot of the tension out for me.)
Anyway, all that to say – I really enjoyed this post!
Hmmm…. I have never read any mystery books. I don’t know why. The only mystery adaptations on film I have watched are a few episodes of Foyle’s War.
Great post though – reading your book reviews is like reading a complete synopsis of books that I normally don’t read. 🙂
I read the Christie novels many years ago. I liked Peroit more than I did Marple, but they were both quite spectacular at solving crimes!
Well first, not until I read your post did I realize they were ending the Classics Bookclub. This was my first classic. Now what do I do? 🙂 Am I gonna have to actually make a goal all on my own? (sigh)
I think I read an Agatha Christie mystery many years ago, but I don’t remember which one or what it was about. I didn’t remember language, so that surprises me too.
I appreciate what you are saying about feeling more affected by descriptions in books than you would be affected by something on TV. I have been having the very same discussion with my friend about the things I read. I’m uncomfortable with sensuality in books, but I might not be affected so much by it if it was on TV, although I do try to be discerning. There’s something about reading which brings you into the scene, as if you take part in whatever is being played out. Any thoughts on that?
I’m not a big fan of mysteries either so I haven’t read anything by Christie but I did enjoy your reviews. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy@5minutesforbooks.com
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and observations. I think I read some Agatha Christie years ago, but I don’t remember details — just generally a positive experience.
I wonder if your weariness with the discussion of methods and motives is similar to my feelings about political discussions — which reduce everything to strategy.
Barbara, several summers ago I went on an Agatha Christie spree at my local library. I have to say I loved her books! I don’t always want to read a mystery, but there are definitely times I’m in the mood for one…and I love the very British setting. Of course, murder is never a pleasant subject, but I find the solving of a murder fascinating.
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