Category: Books & Novels

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

Released in 1998, this 214-page Berkley Books paperback reprint includes appearances from Hercule Poirot and Harley Quin.  Written between 1923 and 1971, these short stories were mostly penned for various British magazines.  Specifically, they are:

• “The Edge” (1927): Prim-and-proper spinster Clare Halliwell contemplates exposing a self-involved wife’s infidelity to possibly gain her own heart’s desire.  
• “The Actress” (1923): A famed British stage actress resorts to desperate measures to rid herself of a scurrilous blackmailer.
• “While the Light Lasts” (1923): A chance meeting at an African tobacco plantation reunites two ex-lovers years after a wartime tragedy, or does it?
• “The House of Dreams” (1926): Young clerk John Segrave’s recurring dream of a mysterious house and who  occupies it becomes a tragic obsession. 
• “The Lonely God” (1926): Two lonely souls spark a kinship inside a British museum where they are drawn to a small stone statue.  Could this little statue subtly be playing matchmaker? 
• “Manx Gold” (1930): Including a foreword and afterword by Tony Medawar, this newspaper serial depicts a murder mystery during a treasure hunt.  Intriguingly, Christie’s commissioned story was a tourism publicity gimmick for England’s Isle of Man.
• “Within a Wall” (1925): Celebrated artist Alan Everard’s creative struggles are further complicated by his demanding wife and, from afar, a devoted family friend, Jane Haworth.
• “The Mystery of the Spanish Chest” (aka “The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest”) (1939): With Hastings omitted from this version, private detective Hercule Poirot invites himself into a baffling homicide case. Only the Belgian sleuth can decipher how a decorative chest in plain sight concealed the victim’s corpse during a dinner party.
• “The Harlequin Tea Set” (possibly 1971): The ethereal Harley Quin resurfaces after a long absence to seek elderly Mr. Satterwaite once more for his invaluable insights.  This time, Quin’s mortal ally finds that fatal danger imperils his own surrogate family.      

REVIEW:

Christie’s insights into human nature are evident with this mostly satisfying compilation.  As a semi-mystery, “The Actress” is a fun little read re: a blackmailer earning his just reward.  The same applies to the “Manx Gold” trifle, which deploys some clichés found elsewhere in Christie’s work.  Romanticism is another recurring theme, but this collection’s options vary in likability. 

For instance, the darkening psychological thrust behind “The Edge” is intriguing, but a late plot twist is too conveniently dramatic.  Even so, its conclusion’s wicked irony still makes perfect sense.  As for “The Lonely God,” its appealing premise is short-changed by too many contrivances and some sappy dialogue that doesn’t age well.     

Supernaturally tinged, the morose “House of Dreams” offers introspection re: obsessions.  As much as this story drags on, it’s still more tantalizing than the self-absorbed cast inhabiting a tedious “Within a Wall.”  Originally commissioned as part of a tourism promotion, the formulaic “Manx Gold” isn’t a remarkable tale, but it is an entertaining piece of fluff. The same applies to the afterword explaining how the real treasure hunt’s clues were actually found.

Featuring Hercule Poirot and Ms. Lemon in vintage form, “The Mystery of the Spanish Chest” is a welcome read.  It’s equal to its original version (and possibly even better) as a top-notch whodunnit.  Yet, this collection’s gem is the title piece, which is evidently Christie’s last Harley Quin mystery.  The murderous scheme that Satterwaite stumbles upon is well-played.  As evidenced by its wistful finale, Quin’s role as love’s not-quite-angelic messenger has never been better conveyed by Christie. 

Sporting two mini-masterpieces, The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories is worth keeping by the fireplace for a relaxing read.  To her credit, even Christie’s lesser tales here hint at some basic truths worth reflecting upon. 

Just a heads-up: eight of these stories overlap with 1997’s HarperCollins paperback, While the Light Lasts.  Light Lasts swaps out “The Harlequin Tea Seat” for Poirot’s obscure “Christmas Adventure” – it’s the original draft version of “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding novella (aka “Theft of the Royal Ruby”).  The other substitution is “The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest,” as it’s the original Hastings-narrated version of “Spanish Chest.”  Also included in Light Lasts is Tony Medawar’s brief commentary/introduction per each story – the only Medawar contribution in Tea Set is for “Manx Gold” (it’s verbatim to the other book). 

While The Light Lasts vs. The Harlequin Tea Set — Which Book is Better?

If one wants Medawar’s insights into Christie’s storytelling, Light Lasts is a good read, but this collection is harder to find outside the United Kingdom.  As for actual literary content, The Harlequin Tea Set prevails … by a single story.  Frankly, the two versions of “Chest” cancel each other out.  Since Poirot’s “Christmas Adventure” is a crude first draft, it’s the Tea Set’s Harley Quin and Mr. Satterwaite saving their best team-up for last that makes the difference.      

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

The only supplement is Tony Medawar’s interesting commentary re: “Manx Gold.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7 Stars

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

First published in the United Kingdom in 1997, this 213-page HarperCollins paperback collects nine Agatha Christie short stories dating back to 1923.  Specifically, they are:

• “The House of Dreams” (1926): Young clerk John Segrave’s recurring dream of a mysterious house and who occupies it becomes a tragic obsession. 
• “The Actress” (1923): A British stage actress resorts to desperate measures to rid herself of a scurrilous blackmailer.
• “The Edge” (1927): Troubled spinster Clare Halliwell contemplates exposing a self-involved wife’s infidelity for her own personal gain.  
• “Christmas Adventure” (1923): Discreetly investigating a jewel theft case, Hercule Poirot receives an unusual ‘gift’ during the holiday season. 

Note: This story was later modified into Christie’s “Adventure of the Christmas Pudding” novella.  The novella’s alternate title is “The Theft of the Royal Ruby.” 

• “The Lonely God” (1926): Two lonely souls spark an unlikely kinship inside a British museum where they are drawn to a small stone statue.  Could this statue subtly be playing matchmaker? 
• “Manx Gold” (1930): This newspaper serial is a murder mystery during a treasure hunt.  Intriguingly, Christie’s commissioned tale was designed as a tourism publicity gimmick for a real treasure hunt on England’s Isle of Man.
• “Within a Wall” (1925): Celebrated artist Alan Everard’s creative struggles are further complicated by his demanding wife and, from afar, a devoted family friend, Jane Haworth.
• “The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest” (1932): Aided by Captain Hastings, private detective Hercule Poirot tackles a baffling murder case. Only the Belgian sleuth can decipher how a decorative chest displayed in plain sight could  hide the victim’s corpse during a dinner party.
• “While the Light Lasts” (1924): A chance meeting years later at an African tobacco plantation years reunites two former lovers after a wartime tragedy, or does it?

REVIEW:

Christie’s perceptions re: human nature are readily evident with this decent compilation.  What bolsters one’s read are some insights into Christie herself through Tony Medawar’s commentaries.  For instance, the fact that “The Edge” was evidently written shortly before Christie’s high-profile December 1926 disappearance coincides with the tale’s themes of adultery and marital jealousy. 

As a semi-mystery, “The Actress” is a fun little caper re: a blackmailer getting his just reward.  The same applies to the delightful “Manx Gold,” which deploys some reliable clichés found elsewhere in Christie’s work.  Romanticism is also a recurring theme, but this collection’s options vary as to likability. 

For instance, “The Lonely God” has an appealing premise, but it’s hampered by too many contrivances and sappy dialogue that doesn’t age well.  Darkening shifts in feminine psychology for “The Edge” are intriguing, even if a late plot twist is too conveniently dramatic.  Still, its ironically wicked conclusion is fitting.

With its supernatural tinge, the morose “House of Dreams” offers some introspection re: obsessions.  Even though this story drags on too long, its narrative is more intriguing than the tedious “Within a Wall,” where its self-absorbed characters offer little to readers. 

The same applies to Christie’s unlikable “While the Light Lasts.”  Frankly, an exotic African setting (reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway’s style) far overshadows its bland soap opera love triangle unworthy of reader sympathy.  Had “While The Light Lasts” been expanded into a novella allowing more development of its superficial trio, this title story might have had some potential.  For whatever this tale is, it’s drab by Christie’s standards.

Co-starring Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings, “The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest,” however, is a vintage whodunnit.  The advantage this murder-mystery has over its later “Spanish Chest” alternate version is indulging fans who prefer reading Poirot, as filtered through Hastings’ point-of-view.  Further, “Baghdad Chest” represents a classic Poirot tale, which balances the pendulum re: the Belgian sleuth’s disappointing holiday hijinks in this same book.   

As its title implies a work-in-progress, Poirot’s “Christmas Adventure” falls short of “Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (aka Theft of the Royal Ruby).”  Sporting different character names and unremarkable plot twists, this bland holiday caper reads like what it is: an early draft.  One sign of how undercooked this mystery lies with Poirot’s condescending comments to a housemaid-turned-informant.  Not only is Poirot conveyed as exceedingly sexist, this dialogue ends the story on a lousy note.  “Christmas Adventure” is worth perusing, but, otherwise, it’s as appetizing as last year’s fruitcake.

Sporting several obscure Christie non-mystery tales, While the Light Lasts is a low-key diversion by the fireplace.  To her credit, even Christie’s lesser efforts here explore some basic truths worth reflecting upon.  The dilemma is that a few of these tales won’t merit more than a single read.  Considering Light Lasts is nearly duplicated by 1998’s The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories, that other anthology is a better bet due to its stellar title story.  

Note: Beside swapping out Poirot’s blah Christmas caper for Harley Quin’s last adventure, Tea Set also replaces “Baghdad Chest” with its eventual update.  Specifically, “The Mystery of the Spanish Chest”  replaces Hastings with Poirot’s secretary, Miss Lemon.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Including a two-page preface, Tony Medawar wrote some insightful background notes in 1996 on each story.  Due to its complex background, “Manx Gold” requires a foreword and an afterword. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      6 Stars

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

Initially printed in 1948 by a different publisher, this 230-page Berkley Books paperback reprint was released in 1984.  Concluding with an obscure Hercule Poirot tale (it’s a thinly veiled precursor to the better-known Dead Man’s Mirror), these eleven British crime capers date as far back as 1924. 

Specifically, they are:

• “The Witness for the Prosecution:”: A defense attorney senses a grim fate for his client, Leonard Vole, after he is accused of an elderly woman’s brutal homicide.  Could Vole’s own wife effectively seal his death sentence?
• “The Red Signal”: Dermot West secretly loves his best friend’s wife.  After a séance, West is subsequently incriminated as the prime suspect in his skeptical uncle’s murder.
• “The Fourth Man:” Aboard a late-night commuter train, four strangers gossip over a tragic high-profile case re: a dead woman, who evidently suffered from a dual personality complex.
• “S.O.S:” Stranded commuter Mortimer Cleveland senses a desperate plea for help by someone residing at the secluded home that has taken him in for the night. 
• “Where There’s a Will:” An elderly woman believes her late husband’s ghost is summoning her through a newfangled radio purchased by her doting nephew. 
• “The Mystery of the Blue Jar:” Amateur golfer Jack Hartington hears a mysterious cry for help while getting in some early morning practice before work.  As this eerie cry persists in haunting him, Jack seeks insight from a knowledgeable new friend.
• “Sing a Song of Sixpence:” Retired criminal defense attorney Sir Edward Palliser is called upon to honor a long-forgotten promise stemming from a brief sexual tryst years before.  Hence, his courtroom experience may unravel a robbery-homicide impacting his pro bono client’s family.
• “The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl:” Mystery author Anthony Eastwood is drawn by mistaken identity into real-life turmoil, or is his wild predicament all what it seems?
• “Philomel Cottage:” A possible love triangle complicates newlywed Alix Martin’s dark suspicions of her new husband, Gerald.  Worse yet, what might Gerald do should his enigmatic past ever come to light? 
• “Accident:” A retired cop suspects his neighbor’s wife is a ‘black widow’ serial killer.
• “The Second Gong:” Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot steps in to decipher an eccentric millionaire’s apparent suicide prior to hosting his nightly dinner party.

Notes: Highlighted in red are those stories with known film and/or television adaptations (i.e. TV’s “The Agatha Christie Hour” in the early 1980’s).  Re: “The Second Gong,” David Suchet’s Poirot TV series incorporates some of that story’s elements into its production of “Dead Man’s Mirror.”   

REVIEW:

Considering that Agatha Christie pioneered so many of the mystery genre’s best twists nearly a century ago, these eleven tales were innovative for their time.  Yet, it’s no wonder why this collection is déjà vu by 21^st Century expectations.  While the title story is synonymous with Christie’s best-known works, one may wonder if its notoriety rests solely with a shock value ending.  Despite an ingenious premise, “The Witness for the Prosecution,” otherwise, is a middling read.  Thematically, deception mixed with murder and/or attempted theft also permeate the other humorless stories. 

“Sing a Song of Sixpence” is a prime example.  This forgettable trifle is hampered by weak plot contrivances, including an ultra-convenient last-minute clue.  More so, the sexist dismissal of an icky past fling won’t likely endear a dignified 70-year-old Edward Palliser (it’s easy to visualize either Ian Richardson or Christopher Plummer playing the role) to contemporary readers. 

Unlike the weakly predictable “Red Signal,” at least “The Mystery of the Blue Jar” and “The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl” embellish their meandering plots with some well-played twists.  The same might have applied to “The Fourth Man,” had its morose storyline not been practically unreadable.  Exploring these grim tales, there isn’t any glimpse of Christie’s reliable wit for welcome comedic relief.

Still, “S.O.S.” and “Accident” are solid under-the-radar reads, as is “Philomel Cottage.”  Due to its down-to-earth subject matter, “Philomel Cottage” probably ages best for this sinister collection.  All three stories probably deserve film adaptations, along with the eerily familiar “Where There’s a Will.”  “Will” is an instance where imitators have siphoned off its sci-fi premise, but Christie does it best with an appropriately ironic finale.  This ghost story, suffice to say, is worthy of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone.  The Alfred Hitchcock Hour would be ideal, too.       

Readers will regrettably find that “The Second Gong” isn’t a long-lost Poirot gem.  In reality, it’s an inferior earlier draft of “Dead Man’s Mirror.” For instance, Poirot’s suspects merely describe the deceased’s quirky personality vs. readers actually witnessing a pompous Herbert Lytcham Roche in action first.  As compared to “Dead Man’s Mirror” and another similar Poirot tale, “The Dream,” it’s apparent that “Second Gong” is inferior to them. 

Aside from contriving Poirot on to the crime scene, “Gong” would have benefitted from the spice of enabling a savvy household guest (say, the millionaire’s female ward?) to play amateur sleuth — thus removing Poirot altogether. In a merely adequate read, Poirot’s ‘little grey cells’ resolve the locked room “Gong” almost too easily. 

Note: An example of Christie removing Poirot from a story and then successfully recycling it would be how Poirot’s “Yellow Iris” transforms into the novel Sparkling Cyanide.

Among her short story collections, The Witness for The Prosecution and Other Stories is a middle-of-the-road proposition.  What helps alleviate this book’s unremarkable aura is revisiting it once every several years.  That way, these lesser-known mysteries will seem fresher than they really are.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars