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Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries #4
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207 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1968
714 people are currently reading
10.6k people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,178?books71.1k?followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (n¨¦e Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
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§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (n¨¦e Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â§Ú§ã§ä§Ú (Russian)
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,763 reviews
June 24, 2024
2.5 stars
Let me start by saying that I truly love Tommy & Tuppence.
They are the saving grace of what would otherwise be a very meandering story.
I don't know exactly why, but for some reason, Christie just wrote what seemed to be every single dull discussion that people could have with each other.
Now, where did I put my coat?
I think you left it in the other room.
Ah, yes. I think you're right.
Well, let me go grab it before we head out the door!
I'm not even sure if you'll need it, dear.
You're probably right. But just in case it gets chilly later?
True, true.
That's not an actual quote from the book, but there were a lot of nonsense conversations like that happening that should have been culled out of the story. Although, to be fair, what editor would have had the balls to tell Agatha Christie that she needed to chop the drivel out of her book?
The gist is that Tommy & Tuppence, now an old couple themselves, go to visit his aunt in a nursing home. She's a bit of a bitchy old spitfire, and Tuppence ends up ousted from the room and seated with a sweet old lady who asks her the fateful question, "Was it your poor child? There behind the fireplace.". A few seemingly normal deaths at the home later, and Tuppence smells a mystery that no amount of reasonable talk from Tommy will dissuade her from attempting to solve.
Because Tuppence gonna be Tuppence.
This sounds like a promising mystery.
And it is.
But there's a lot of uninteresting minutiae that has to be waded through to get to it. I'm noticing this a lot with the books Christie wrote as she got older.
I'm not saying don't read it because I did enjoy this portrait of what a fun married couple looks like later in life. I am saying that for readers who aren't diehard fans, this probably isn't going to be a winner.
Recommended for Christie completionists like myself.
Let me start by saying that I truly love Tommy & Tuppence.
They are the saving grace of what would otherwise be a very meandering story.
I don't know exactly why, but for some reason, Christie just wrote what seemed to be every single dull discussion that people could have with each other.
Now, where did I put my coat?
I think you left it in the other room.
Ah, yes. I think you're right.
Well, let me go grab it before we head out the door!
I'm not even sure if you'll need it, dear.
You're probably right. But just in case it gets chilly later?
True, true.
That's not an actual quote from the book, but there were a lot of nonsense conversations like that happening that should have been culled out of the story. Although, to be fair, what editor would have had the balls to tell Agatha Christie that she needed to chop the drivel out of her book?
The gist is that Tommy & Tuppence, now an old couple themselves, go to visit his aunt in a nursing home. She's a bit of a bitchy old spitfire, and Tuppence ends up ousted from the room and seated with a sweet old lady who asks her the fateful question, "Was it your poor child? There behind the fireplace.". A few seemingly normal deaths at the home later, and Tuppence smells a mystery that no amount of reasonable talk from Tommy will dissuade her from attempting to solve.
Because Tuppence gonna be Tuppence.
This sounds like a promising mystery.
And it is.
But there's a lot of uninteresting minutiae that has to be waded through to get to it. I'm noticing this a lot with the books Christie wrote as she got older.
I'm not saying don't read it because I did enjoy this portrait of what a fun married couple looks like later in life. I am saying that for readers who aren't diehard fans, this probably isn't going to be a winner.
Recommended for Christie completionists like myself.
July 5, 2023
Agatha Christie's leisurely murder mystery begins in an old ladies home quite appropriately .Tommy Beresford is visiting his bold ( or mean a better word) Aunt Ada, at the tranquil Sunny Ridge, the spinster is 80 and still tough and she likes tormenting Tuppence the nephew's wife, who has come unwisely along, (Ada needs some fun in her sedentary life). Tuppence befriends Mrs.Lancaster a lonely inmate in need of one. This woman seems slightly confused and always talking about a dead child which constantly annoys others, Miss Packard runs this peaceful establishment, doesn't take Mrs. Lancaster seriously, nobody would.Three weeks later Aunt Ada dies and Mrs.Lancaster is suddenly taken away from Sunny Ridge to some unknown place.While Tommy inherits a painting from his aunt, originally owned by Mrs.Lancaster, Tuppence being a very generous woman insists on giving back the picture . Problem is Mrs. Beresford can't locate the lady, what to do? Strange unexplained deaths happen at Sunny Ridge and Dr.Murray, the nursing home's physician asks Tommy for help. The uneasy doctor is greatly perplexed, many questions need answers, he though is unable to solve himself without experts, then the trail eventually leads unexpectedly to a remote village and turns quite dark , where grisly child murders had occurred 20 years ago , the distant past returns in rural England . Many suspects are still around even as two decades of time have expired, since the awful incidents shocked the dazed locals,
they occurred however, so the investigations are difficult and a house considered haunted by the locals is standing undaunted. The surprise conclusion makes this a fun book, not counting all the killings of course. Agatha Christie does her usual competent work as only she can, the style is unique and not many if any can duplicate, the Queen is dead but long live the wonderful books.They are never less than exuberant...Long live the Queen...indeed.
they occurred however, so the investigations are difficult and a house considered haunted by the locals is standing undaunted. The surprise conclusion makes this a fun book, not counting all the killings of course. Agatha Christie does her usual competent work as only she can, the style is unique and not many if any can duplicate, the Queen is dead but long live the wonderful books.They are never less than exuberant...Long live the Queen...indeed.
January 8, 2022
Agatha Christie Book Reading Challenge
BOOK 29 :- APRIL 2021
4 STARS
BOOK 29 :- APRIL 2021
4 STARS
December 16, 2010
I'm going to go ahead and give this five stars, because it is fairly rare for Dame Agatha to go all-out creepy with her books and I'm amazed at how well she does it here! I read this book a very long time ago and never forgot the image of the old lady calmly saying that the milk is not poisoned TODAY and inquiring about the body walled up in the fireplace. Gave me shivers! So I had a sense of happy deja-vu when I read the first chapter and realized that this was *that* book...so many of Christie's titles are interchangeable ("murderous" literary allusions) that I had no idea. The creepiness was back in full force on re-reading, and I had forgotten the twist that occurs in the denouement and was very startled and unnerved by it!
So, five stars for atmosphere, but also for another reason: I love the way Tommy and Tuppence have aged in this novel. Unlike the perenially elderly Miss Marple and later-middle-aged Poirot, T&T age convincingly over the long span of Christie's career and it is a real pleasure to see that they are still devoted to each other and still fond of sleuthing. Christie portrays their marriage wonderfully; it is not overdone, just a portrait of a fond couple who are very "settled in" together and have mutual affection and respect. Very sweet. I also like that Albert is still with them and provides a bit of domestic comic relief.
One more reason to admire this novel is the way that Christie sets herself a difficult challenge and lives up to it--rather like Nemesis, the mystery starts with almost no clues to go on, and the characters must think well outside the box to get on the right trail. Any decent mystery writer can start with a dead body and go from there, but only Christie could start with a harmless painting of a pretty house with something ever so slightly "off" about it and develop the plot in the fascinating way that she does here. Highly recommended.
So, five stars for atmosphere, but also for another reason: I love the way Tommy and Tuppence have aged in this novel. Unlike the perenially elderly Miss Marple and later-middle-aged Poirot, T&T age convincingly over the long span of Christie's career and it is a real pleasure to see that they are still devoted to each other and still fond of sleuthing. Christie portrays their marriage wonderfully; it is not overdone, just a portrait of a fond couple who are very "settled in" together and have mutual affection and respect. Very sweet. I also like that Albert is still with them and provides a bit of domestic comic relief.
One more reason to admire this novel is the way that Christie sets herself a difficult challenge and lives up to it--rather like Nemesis, the mystery starts with almost no clues to go on, and the characters must think well outside the box to get on the right trail. Any decent mystery writer can start with a dead body and go from there, but only Christie could start with a harmless painting of a pretty house with something ever so slightly "off" about it and develop the plot in the fascinating way that she does here. Highly recommended.
October 9, 2020
By the Pricking of My Thumbs (Tommy and Tuppence, #4), Agatha Christie
In Book 4 Tuppence has recovered. An old doll she found in the mysterious house turns out to contain uncut diamonds. A party is arranged in Sutton Chancellor. Sir Phillip Starke, the local landowner, and Mrs Boscowan are invited. Tuppence has the impression that Sir Phillip knows more about the whole affair. The next day Tuppence goes to the vicarage and confronts Miss Bligh, who she suspects was the one who hit her on the head.
????? ?????? ?????: ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? 2009??????
?????: ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? 1374? ?? 344?? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? - ??? 20?
???? ????????? ?? (?????? ?? ????? ?????) ???? ????? ??? 1968??????? ????? ? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ?????????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ? ????????? ?????
?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ??????? ????? ? ???? ?????????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ? ...?
????? ?????? ????? 17/07/1399???? ???????? ?. ???????
In Book 4 Tuppence has recovered. An old doll she found in the mysterious house turns out to contain uncut diamonds. A party is arranged in Sutton Chancellor. Sir Phillip Starke, the local landowner, and Mrs Boscowan are invited. Tuppence has the impression that Sir Phillip knows more about the whole affair. The next day Tuppence goes to the vicarage and confronts Miss Bligh, who she suspects was the one who hit her on the head.
????? ?????? ?????: ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? 2009??????
?????: ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????: ????? ??????? ?????: ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? 1374? ?? 344?? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? - ??? 20?
???? ????????? ?? (?????? ?? ????? ?????) ???? ????? ??? 1968??????? ????? ? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ?????????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ? ????????? ?????
?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ??????? ????? ? ???? ?????????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ? ...?
????? ?????? ????? 17/07/1399???? ???????? ?. ???????
July 26, 2018
This is the first Tommy and Tuppence series I have read but it definitely won't be the last. By The Pricking Of My Thumbs offers the sense of adventure, wit and charm from the main characters, husband and wife duo, Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Beresford. This novel possesses a chilling tone that intensifies as the story progresses.
There are practically no dead bodies, only the shady disappearance of an old lady. The story finds Tuppence interested in a painting of a country house that is inherited from Tommy's aunt. Convinced that she has seen the original subject, she decides to track it down. When she does, she stumbles into stories of a series of unsolved child murders that occurred in the district many years before.
The novel is filled with neat mixture of characters and the plot is very original, with an ending you will never be able to guess (trust me on this). The very nature of the ending comes as a great shock to me, as it is completely unexpected and terrific! The entire novel, in fact, carries an underlying tone of omnipresent evil, foreboding and fear, which serves to create a wonderful atmosphere.
A definite must-read for any mystery fan, especially fans!!
I am going to check out the other Tommy and Tuppence series.
There are practically no dead bodies, only the shady disappearance of an old lady. The story finds Tuppence interested in a painting of a country house that is inherited from Tommy's aunt. Convinced that she has seen the original subject, she decides to track it down. When she does, she stumbles into stories of a series of unsolved child murders that occurred in the district many years before.
The novel is filled with neat mixture of characters and the plot is very original, with an ending you will never be able to guess (trust me on this). The very nature of the ending comes as a great shock to me, as it is completely unexpected and terrific! The entire novel, in fact, carries an underlying tone of omnipresent evil, foreboding and fear, which serves to create a wonderful atmosphere.
A definite must-read for any mystery fan, especially fans!!
I am going to check out the other Tommy and Tuppence series.
October 16, 2020
Tuppence endures violence in search of a missing old lady
A top notch mystery, By the Pricking of My Thumbs, had me from the very first paragraph. Tommy and Tuppence split up on this adventure . After having visited his Aunt Ada in a nursing home, Tommy and Tuppence hear that she has passed away. They go to gather her belongings and Tuppence is eager to speak again to a chatty old lady named Mrs.Lancaster, but she finds that Mrs. Lancaster has been taken away suddenly. Tuppence thinks something is amiss and pursues the missing lady on her own, while Tommy is at a business conference. Tommy returns from his conference a few days later, but Tuppence does not. Now, Tommy has to find Tuppence!
A top notch mystery, By the Pricking of My Thumbs, had me from the very first paragraph. Tommy and Tuppence split up on this adventure . After having visited his Aunt Ada in a nursing home, Tommy and Tuppence hear that she has passed away. They go to gather her belongings and Tuppence is eager to speak again to a chatty old lady named Mrs.Lancaster, but she finds that Mrs. Lancaster has been taken away suddenly. Tuppence thinks something is amiss and pursues the missing lady on her own, while Tommy is at a business conference. Tommy returns from his conference a few days later, but Tuppence does not. Now, Tommy has to find Tuppence!
February 6, 2019
Bit of mess this one, there are many loose ends left hanging but i liked tommy and tuppence relationship.
September 10, 2024
Title: By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Publication year: 1968
Review: By the Pricking of My Thumbs: Tommy and Tuppence #4 is actually the only one of the series of five books that falls into what can be classified as one of those stories most in line with the more traditional stories of the murder mystery genre, a genre Christie dominated. There is entirely too much unnecessary dialogue, meandering prose, and slow scene development, but at the end of the day, the story is fascinating, and the mystery intrigues. Christie delivers with amazing skill.
The story initiates with a visit of elderly family in a group home and when an elderly person grabs Tuppence to tell her that there are ghosts in the facility and that there are people poisoning the stew, the couple get involved in a mystery that may include supernatural forces, and the possibility of elder abuse.
Despite the slow development of the plot, I found the story elements classic and hopeful.
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Publication year: 1968
Review: By the Pricking of My Thumbs: Tommy and Tuppence #4 is actually the only one of the series of five books that falls into what can be classified as one of those stories most in line with the more traditional stories of the murder mystery genre, a genre Christie dominated. There is entirely too much unnecessary dialogue, meandering prose, and slow scene development, but at the end of the day, the story is fascinating, and the mystery intrigues. Christie delivers with amazing skill.
The story initiates with a visit of elderly family in a group home and when an elderly person grabs Tuppence to tell her that there are ghosts in the facility and that there are people poisoning the stew, the couple get involved in a mystery that may include supernatural forces, and the possibility of elder abuse.
Despite the slow development of the plot, I found the story elements classic and hopeful.
October 29, 2023
Bem diferente da f¨®rmula, curti! Mas depois da conclus?o, achei um 3.75.
March 7, 2025
This is my first Tommy and Tuppence mystery and I so enjoyed it. It reminded me of a grown up version of Nancy Drew/ Trixie Belden ( I loved reading both as a child, where our heroine often gets in trouble and needs to be rescued.
I loved the bond between Tommy and Tuppence. It really was such a fun read!
Published: 1968
I loved the bond between Tommy and Tuppence. It really was such a fun read!
Published: 1968
July 8, 2019
OK, so the Tommy & Tuppence stories are not really among my favourite Christie books.
And this particular story just left me ...bored.. I guess? So, no more than 2 stars,
And this particular story just left me ...bored.. I guess? So, no more than 2 stars,
November 2, 2023
I was decided on 4* until the final pages, but I changed my mind because of the ending, which I thought that didn't live up to the rest of the novel.
May 11, 2024
Don't you just love little villages and their deadly secrets
June 20, 2009
This was an incredibly chilling mystery; I had the cover image and the creepy, insane mutterings of the killer burnt into my mind and preventing me from falling asleep. Scary.
Agatha Christie has produced yet another brilliant mystery, one that is intense and possesses gripping tension throughout the entire novel as the detectives attempt to solve the puzzle. Tommy and Tuppence are back again, now very much advanced in age, but still as spirited as ever. The light romance between the two is very sweet, particularly considering their old-couple status.
Agatha Christie has produced yet another brilliant mystery, one that is intense and possesses gripping tension throughout the entire novel as the detectives attempt to solve the puzzle. Tommy and Tuppence are back again, now very much advanced in age, but still as spirited as ever. The light romance between the two is very sweet, particularly considering their old-couple status.
April 12, 2021
I jo? jednom, Agata u svom najboljem svetlu ????
July 30, 2019
My first Tommy and Tuppence story. An elderly happily married couple who get into some pickles. This story about the aging Aunt Ada and them meeting Mrs Lancashire in her retirement home starts an adventure. Tuppence looks for and finds a house by a canal in a painting there aunt leaves them. The house has some strange inhabitants and Tuppence is curious about the house history and gets drawn into a mystery with a surprise ending.
Criminal gangs, child murders, a secret room, jewels and some odd characters add to the atmosphere. The story ends with a great twist.
Criminal gangs, child murders, a secret room, jewels and some odd characters add to the atmosphere. The story ends with a great twist.
November 26, 2023
Sinopsis: Mientras visita a la t¨ªa de Tommy, Ada, en el Hogar de Ancianos Sunny Ridge, Tuppence se encuentra con algunos residentes extra?os, incluida la Sra. Lancaster, quien la desconcierta hablando de "su pobre hijo" y "algo detr¨¢s de la chimenea".
Cuando la t¨ªa Ada muere unas semanas m¨¢s tarde, les deja a Tommy y Tuppence una pintura con una casa, que Tuppence est¨¢ seguro de que ha visto antes. Esta comprensi¨®n la lleva a una peligrosa aventura que involucra una l¨¢pida perdida, contrabando de diamantes y un horrible descubrimiento de lo que la Sra. Lancaster estaba hablando.
Bueno viendo el argumento nadie dir¨ªa que fuera aburrido no?? pues ha sido mi peor lectura de esta pareja de ex agentes retirados.
Me ha costado bastante avanzar, ya que lo poco que le¨ªa ve¨ªa que no hab¨ªa mucho progreso, mucho dar vueltas, preguntas y dem¨¢s, pero poca fluidez, lo mejor, el final, y gracias a eso se salva un poco de la quema, el aprobado raspado.
Valoraci¨®n: 5/10
Cuando la t¨ªa Ada muere unas semanas m¨¢s tarde, les deja a Tommy y Tuppence una pintura con una casa, que Tuppence est¨¢ seguro de que ha visto antes. Esta comprensi¨®n la lleva a una peligrosa aventura que involucra una l¨¢pida perdida, contrabando de diamantes y un horrible descubrimiento de lo que la Sra. Lancaster estaba hablando.
Bueno viendo el argumento nadie dir¨ªa que fuera aburrido no?? pues ha sido mi peor lectura de esta pareja de ex agentes retirados.
Me ha costado bastante avanzar, ya que lo poco que le¨ªa ve¨ªa que no hab¨ªa mucho progreso, mucho dar vueltas, preguntas y dem¨¢s, pero poca fluidez, lo mejor, el final, y gracias a eso se salva un poco de la quema, el aprobado raspado.
Valoraci¨®n: 5/10
August 14, 2010
Oh Aggie, your mind really must have been going to have written this and considered it a complete novel. It doesn't make sense! It's terribly disappointing, especially because Tommy and Tuppence are usually so delightful. But in this mystery not only do they lack believable motivation for taking any action, they don't get to do much of anything together, and their chemistry is all wonky, which was the most depressing part.
I'll take some of the blame for not understanding the plot, as I did fall asleep reading it maybe three times, but not much blame. I mean, there's intentional ambiguity, and then there's throwing in plot points at random and forcing the reader to make sense of something is straight-up nonsensical.
I'll take some of the blame for not understanding the plot, as I did fall asleep reading it maybe three times, but not much blame. I mean, there's intentional ambiguity, and then there's throwing in plot points at random and forcing the reader to make sense of something is straight-up nonsensical.
May 17, 2018
This book took me months to read. I do not think I have ever struggled through an Agatha Christie novel the way I struggled through this one. I picked it up and put it down...picked it up and put it down...picked it up...
But that ending.
Wow.
Agatha Christie went creepy. It is wonderful. I added another star for the twist. I think I need to re-read this one someday, just in one sitting. Tuppence and her muddled brain and intuitive leaps really keeps things confusing (though doesn't push the plot far)
Not my favorite Tommy and Tuppence Mystery, but what an ending!
But that ending.
Wow.
Agatha Christie went creepy. It is wonderful. I added another star for the twist. I think I need to re-read this one someday, just in one sitting. Tuppence and her muddled brain and intuitive leaps really keeps things confusing (though doesn't push the plot far)
Not my favorite Tommy and Tuppence Mystery, but what an ending!
April 12, 2020
A recipe for one of Agatha Christie's most creepy, atmospheric thrillers:
A senile old lady's mysterious words.
A sudden disappearance.
An oil painting of a house which invokes an unexpected sense of d¨¦ja vu.
A dead body walled off behind a fireplace.
A stuffed, glassy-eyed, broken doll.
A string of unsolved child murders.
A missing grave.
A killer in a home for elderly ladies.
A cache of precious stones.
All these set in a picturesque setting, along with a sprinkling of gossipy middle aged villagers, shifty lawyers and secret drawers are stirred up to put forth an old fashioned mystery, that is spell-binding in its quaint peculiarity.
It is not always blood and gore and drugs and open violence that make up a thriller. Sometimes, a quiet, slow paced story with a gradual build up can be just as eerie.
A book extremely different from all the Agatha Christies that I've read, but highly recommended.
A senile old lady's mysterious words.
A sudden disappearance.
An oil painting of a house which invokes an unexpected sense of d¨¦ja vu.
A dead body walled off behind a fireplace.
A stuffed, glassy-eyed, broken doll.
A string of unsolved child murders.
A missing grave.
A killer in a home for elderly ladies.
A cache of precious stones.
All these set in a picturesque setting, along with a sprinkling of gossipy middle aged villagers, shifty lawyers and secret drawers are stirred up to put forth an old fashioned mystery, that is spell-binding in its quaint peculiarity.
It is not always blood and gore and drugs and open violence that make up a thriller. Sometimes, a quiet, slow paced story with a gradual build up can be just as eerie.
A book extremely different from all the Agatha Christies that I've read, but highly recommended.
April 4, 2022
An eerie and disturbing subject matter to read. This is my 3rd T&T book and it seems that Tuppence is the one always in trouble and it is getting a little tiresome for me. It seemed that parts of the book dragged and I think were unnecessary to reach clues to the killer. The ending was surprising and just wonder how those that rescued Tuppence were able to access the locked room so easily when it appeared to be impenetrable as described in the book.
February 2, 2022
Reading, or in this case listening to Agatha Christie's crime novels are like comfort food to me, after some time I forget about motive and can start all over again. And always a joy to listen to Hugh Fraser's excellent narration.
July 8, 2019
A este libro no he podido darle el progreso porque sencillamente no he estado mucho en casa que es de donde tengo conexi¨®n pero:
Ha sido un maravilloso reencuentro con , nuevos personajes e investigadores, los esposos Beresford que son una delicia, tampoco sabes nunca qui¨¦n es el criminal como nos tiene acostumbrados la autora, una lectura llena de cosas por descubr¨ªr siempre con ese estilo muy ingl¨¦s, yo dir¨ªa con ese tono algo buc¨®lico. Me ha encantado. Una lectura para pasar un buen rato.
Ha sido un maravilloso reencuentro con , nuevos personajes e investigadores, los esposos Beresford que son una delicia, tampoco sabes nunca qui¨¦n es el criminal como nos tiene acostumbrados la autora, una lectura llena de cosas por descubr¨ªr siempre con ese estilo muy ingl¨¦s, yo dir¨ªa con ese tono algo buc¨®lico. Me ha encantado. Una lectura para pasar un buen rato.
November 12, 2024
A complicated and clever mystery.
August 5, 2019
By this time both Tommy and Tuppence have considerably aged but they have not lost their charm and keenness for some amateurish detective work. It all starts with a visit to old age home to see Tommy¡¯s aunt and the duo come across some interesting conversations which set them off on investigative track. However unlike their other adventures, there are too many coincidences which spoil the reader¡¯s interest. The end is of course all mumbo-jumbo making the novel an average read.
November 1, 2018
Not one of Christie's best . The original premise is interesting and has lots of potential but things rapidly go downhill. The plot takes in a dead child, jewel robberies, a criminal mastermind and a child killer to name but a few. A less scattergun approach would have made for a more coherent and enjoyable detective story.
May 23, 2020
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are the quintessential British married couple -- and what a delight they are, both as everyday individuals and "adventurers." "Adventures" being the euphemism the couple use to describe their various sleuthing deeds over the years.
This time around, Tuppence goes off on her own while Tommy attends an annual conference. Tuppence, as Tommy both fondly and exasperatedly describes her, is like a terrier on a trail or after a scent once she puts her mind to something. In By the Pricking of My Thumbs, Tuppence is determined to find the actual house seen in a painting and to find an elderly woman, Mrs. Lancaster, whom Tuppence is sure may be in harm's way.
A nice mystery all the way around with the usual red herrings that so appropriately leave the reveal of whodunit to the last pages.
This time around, Tuppence goes off on her own while Tommy attends an annual conference. Tuppence, as Tommy both fondly and exasperatedly describes her, is like a terrier on a trail or after a scent once she puts her mind to something. In By the Pricking of My Thumbs, Tuppence is determined to find the actual house seen in a painting and to find an elderly woman, Mrs. Lancaster, whom Tuppence is sure may be in harm's way.
A nice mystery all the way around with the usual red herrings that so appropriately leave the reveal of whodunit to the last pages.
September 8, 2023
Tommy and Tuppence pay a visit to Tommy's Aunt Ada at her old age home, and fall headlong into a superb mystery. I am a little surprised that this book is rated so low by AC fans. It is one of Christie's creepiest books and there are several heart-stopping scenes, and the book is worth reading for these alone. Admittedly, the plot is a little convoluted, but it is not fully unbelievable and the story unfolds in a decent manner. It does not confuse you, but I guess fans find it tough to reconcile with the lack of clues.
My one issue with the book is more of an ethical issue than the quality of the writing. It's really stretching fact quite a bit. I knocked off one star for this, but I loved the rest of the book.
Tommy and Tuppence make a wonderful pair, though this story was mostly Tuppence's show. But that was just even better! The characters were very nicely drawn and any of them could have been evil.
Excellent mystery and a chilling read, this is one of AC's lesser known books. It is written in a different manner and is quite scary, but still good. Recommended.
My one issue with the book is more of an ethical issue than the quality of the writing. It's really stretching fact quite a bit. I knocked off one star for this, but I loved the rest of the book.
Tommy and Tuppence make a wonderful pair, though this story was mostly Tuppence's show. But that was just even better! The characters were very nicely drawn and any of them could have been evil.
Excellent mystery and a chilling read, this is one of AC's lesser known books. It is written in a different manner and is quite scary, but still good. Recommended.
October 10, 2017
I feel an explanation is required since really, I would have thought NO ONE could rate a Tommy and Tuppence one star, but there you have it.
I'm just not into her mental-murder mysteries, and while I enjoyed 3/4 of it comfortably, by the fourth I was uncomfortable and the last two chapters were just ghastly. It was, to be brief, too much for me-I prefer a mystery with a detective who quietly goes about arranging clues in order and making observations, with a less psychotic murderer.
I'm just not into her mental-murder mysteries, and while I enjoyed 3/4 of it comfortably, by the fourth I was uncomfortable and the last two chapters were just ghastly. It was, to be brief, too much for me-I prefer a mystery with a detective who quietly goes about arranging clues in order and making observations, with a less psychotic murderer.
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