Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > Reading Recommendations > Book Clubs

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 09-19-2009, 11:58 PM   #1
pilotbob
Grand Sorcerer
pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
pilotbob's Avatar
 
Posts: 19,832
Karma: 11844413
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Device: Kindle Touch
Discussion: The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie (spoilers)

Let's discuss the MRBC September selection, _The Mysterious Affair at Styles_ by Agatha Christie.
pilotbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2009, 06:49 PM   #2
Blanka
Junior Member
Blanka began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 7
Karma: 16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Device: prs-505
Well I quite liked it
Blanka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2009, 06:59 PM   #3
lilac_jive
Grand Sorcerer
lilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud oflilac_jive has much to be proud of
 
lilac_jive's Avatar
 
Posts: 5,870
Karma: 27376
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Device: PRS-505
Loved it! I totally didn't see that ending coming! I've kind of given up trying to figure out what is going on in her books, because I never figure it out. So I just sit back, relax, and enjoy the story. Maybe if I read more I'll get used to her style and figure things out better, but honestly I'm not sure if I want to

On another note, does anyone else want to read the runner up, Murder Must Advertise?
lilac_jive is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2009, 07:21 PM   #4
pilotbob
Grand Sorcerer
pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
pilotbob's Avatar
 
Posts: 19,832
Karma: 11844413
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Device: Kindle Touch
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit tough at the beginning... she introduces a lot of characters and used both their first and last names quite a bit.... so it was hard to follow. I had to be back a few times and see... of was Evelin, Ms Canterbury (or whatever) until I got the characters straight.

My biggest issue with many mysteries is that it is almost impossible to figure it out... because the detective knows information that is not revealed...

But, it was a lot of fun. Hercule is my favorite Christie detective.

BOb
pilotbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2009, 11:28 PM   #5
AnemicOak
Bookaholic
AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
AnemicOak's Avatar
 
Posts: 14,391
Karma: 54969924
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Minnesota
Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +
This was my first time reading a Christie novel, at least as far as I can remember.

I liked it for the most part. Lots of characters, lots of clues providing some twists and turns, the culprit isn't obvious halfway through the book. A good solid mystery.

Last edited by AnemicOak; 09-23-2009 at 11:59 AM.
AnemicOak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2009, 11:49 AM   #6
NormHart
Semper Carpe Bufo
NormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmosNormHart has become one with the cosmos
 
NormHart's Avatar
 
Posts: 537
Karma: 21676
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Napa Valley, California
Device: Kindle2 & Kindle3
She is one of my favorite authors in this genera and created some of the most odd lead characters in the genera IMO. This was her first novel and introduces Hercule Poirot, who is in 32 more novels and 54 short stories. Naturally I couldn't resist comparing the book to the BBC television series and I have to say that the book and the TV series both stood up very well, which is not always the case. I was highly amused to see that Hercule's subtle put downs of Captain Hastings as portrayed on TV were actually in the book. I had missed those the first time I'd read some of the Poirot books many years ago. Quite possibly the best known Poirot story is the wonderful Murder On The Orient Express.

It is interesting and somewhat puzzling that all three of the top poll nominees were all written in the 1920s. All three were pleasant reads but The Mysterious Affair At Styles was far and away the best. Best written and best mystery in my opinion, I thought there were sufficient clues to enable me to solve the mystery prior to Poirot, although it was touch and go.

I want to thank who ever it was that suggested the Charlie Chan mysteries, having the collection of the first six available here at MR is wonderful and I am midway through the fifth book now. Lovely period stuff about America in the '20s and especially Hawaii and San Francisco as well as being cracking good mysteries.

NormHart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2009, 11:10 PM   #7
CharlieBird
¿Huh?
CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.CharlieBird ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
CharlieBird's Avatar
 
Posts: 349
Karma: 1004526
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: rural Jalisco
Device: HiSense A7 CC, Fire HD6, Kobo Libra2
Well, I finished re-reading about 2:00 a.m. w/the same frustration I felt initially in trying to follow the cups, the cocoa and the coffee. Decided it didn't matter that much as it was a pretty good read overall. I didn't remember Poirot as such a romantic from my recollection of the BBC Mystery productions. I did love his description of Miss Howard as "...an excellent specimen of well-balanced English beef and brawn..sanity itself." I sort of agree w/NormHart but this is a rare instance when I'd choose the visual.

I also read the nominated Sayers' Murder Must Advertise which I also liked. I was surprised that advertising was seen much the same in the 1930s as it is now.

I also think it notable the difference in early English and U.S. detectives. Even when the English fellows started turning a bit scruffy, when? in the 70s or so... they seem to retain a patina of upper class intelligentsia. Maybe excepting Ms. Marple.

I'm off to see about The Chinese Parrot. Know nothing of C.Chan, but don't have an image of him as what I think of as "typical" U.S.
CharlieBird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 06:54 AM   #8
PennyPie
Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm...
PennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheesePennyPie can extract oil from cheese
 
PennyPie's Avatar
 
Posts: 275
Karma: 1000
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone
My 1st Agatha Christie. Mystery/Thriller is one of my favorite genres, so I throroughly enjoyed this. The suprise ending was truly a suprise to me...I don't try to 2nd guess too much...I'm not the sharpest of detectives, but get 'that nagging feeling' that there was some reason for making some point (the author as he/she writes), which will show up later. But I'm not the one for figuring out the mystery...I, like our characters, have to be led along to the final act.

Now, I also sometimes don't pay real close attention to detail (or forget immediatly after reading) but it was news to me that there had been a former 'relationship' between our killer & the spouse of the deceased.

I guess I also have not seen any of the films her stories were made into.
Anyway....her (Christie's) writing is fun and am looking forward to reading more of her.

It's nice...I'm reading things I would never have thought of reading since getting my ereader.
PennyPie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 06:59 AM   #9
HarryT
eBook Enthusiast
HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.HarryT ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
HarryT's Avatar
 
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by pilotbob View Post
My biggest issue with many mysteries is that it is almost impossible to figure it out... because the detective knows information that is not revealed...
That is regarded as "not playing fair" when it comes to good detective stories. The reader should always have access to the same clues as the detective, and have as fair a chance of "solving" the crime.
HarryT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 01:10 PM   #10
pilotbob
Grand Sorcerer
pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
pilotbob's Avatar
 
Posts: 19,832
Karma: 11844413
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Device: Kindle Touch
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT View Post
That is regarded as "not playing fair" when it comes to good detective stories. The reader should always have access to the same clues as the detective, and have as fair a chance of "solving" the crime.
I seemed to find that it happened a lot in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Or maybe I just missed it.

BOb
pilotbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 02:11 PM   #11
JSWolf
Resident Curmudgeon
JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
JSWolf's Avatar
 
Posts: 73,660
Karma: 127838196
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
I found Poirot to be a little bit like Monk with his having to straighten the vases.
JSWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 04:52 PM   #12
Elsi
Wizard
Elsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of lightElsi is a glorious beacon of light
 
Elsi's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,366
Karma: 12000
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Texas, USA
Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C
This is one of the few book club books that I finished reading. (Some day I'll go back and finish A Passage to India.) I had never read any of Agatha Christie's books though I am very fond of the BBC productions of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.

I was surprised that this book from the 1920s was just as easy to read -- and just as "modern" -- as many of the contemporary mystery novels I read. It was a bit short, but I think that's also typical of the time. I was willing to accuse different characters at different times. I was surprised that once "cleared" a character would wind up being suspected again. I think that was the twist that kept everyone on their toes.
Elsi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 05:17 PM   #13
Patricia
Reader
Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Patricia ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Patricia's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,505
Karma: 8720163
Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G
I believe that it was Wilkie Collins who first established the "fair play" rule in The Moonstone. The reader is given all the information necessary to solve the problem themself, unlike Conan Doyle's stories.

I feel that it cheats the readers if they aren't given a fair chance to solve the puzzle for themselves.
Patricia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 05:30 PM   #14
AnemicOak
Bookaholic
AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.AnemicOak ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
AnemicOak's Avatar
 
Posts: 14,391
Karma: 54969924
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Minnesota
Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +
I was interested to find out that this book resulted from a bet with her sister Madge that she couldn't write a detective story.

True or just one of those stories that get passed around?
AnemicOak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2009, 05:34 PM   #15
pilotbob
Grand Sorcerer
pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pilotbob ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
pilotbob's Avatar
 
Posts: 19,832
Karma: 11844413
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Device: Kindle Touch
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnemicOak View Post
I was interested to find out that this book resulted from a bet with her sister Madge that she couldn't write a detective story.

True or just one of those stories that get passed around?
I don't know, but if it is true... thank you so much to Madge. I have read and enjoyed many of Christie's books.

If I am correct isn't Agatha Christie still the best selling author of all time?

BOb
pilotbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mystery and Crime Christie, Agatha: The Mysterious Affair at Styles. v2. 29 Aug 2009 Abecedary ePub Books (offline) 8 01-02-2012 09:32 PM
MobileRead Discussion: The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne (spoilers) pilotbob Book Clubs 48 06-15-2010 11:22 AM
Mystery and Crime Christie, Agatha: The Mysterious Affair at Styles v3.0 2007-12-19 JSWolf BBeB/LRF Books (offline) 17 12-21-2007 03:36 AM
Mystery and Crime Christie, Agatha: The Mysterious Affair at Styles v3.0 2007-12-19 JSWolf IMP Books (offline) 3 12-20-2007 10:33 AM
Mystery and Crime Christie, Agatha: The Mysterious Affair at Styles v3.0 2007-12-19 JSWolf Kindle Books (offline) 1 12-19-2007 01:34 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:04 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.