Re: the Hollow. Edward's attempted suicide and I found unnecessary and sappy as well. But the subplot between him, henrietta and Midge does serve a purpose. If only, to create a believable red herring character in Edward.
Just finished "Murder in Mesopotamia " and I pretty much agree with your assessment. Yes, the trio of young men was a weak point ( perfunctory characters in a group of suspects is such a common weakness in mysteries) and the failure of the supposedly intelligent and perceptive Mrs. Leidner to recognize her own first husband was beyond absurd. However, I still found this book entertaining and absorbing. The first-person narration is nicely handled, the setting is interesting, the personality of Mrs. Leidner is intriguing, and aside from the ridiculous plot twist already mentioned, the solution at least follows its own logic as far as the motive, alibi and behavior of the killer goes.
I agree. Murder in Mesopotamia is definitely a book that is more enjoyable the less you pick it apart. I think its setting is probably its strongest asset.
Interesting how Mrs Folliat's describing two different women as Hattie was written after Miss Bunner's describing two different women as Letty; usually the second use of the same trick is an improvement. Amy Leatheran as sidekick deserved a better mystery, though the setting was fine for her. Dame Agatha herself though Poirot superfluous in the novel and removed him from the play, but I always found the tandem workings of Lucy and Henrietta quite brilliant, as well as the unique dying clue of John's appeal, "Henrietta!" that feels almost good enough for the Ellery Queen television series. I found Poirot's catching on to Miss Pearce's suggestibility rather weak. Agreed that Evil Under the Sun had high odds against the murder's coming off so well.
I really appreciate your programs, but maybe I make a little request/ suggestion: it would be easier to listen if you could change your tone a little: every sentence ends on an up turn, which makes it monotonous and challenging to hear. It would be great if you could just this. Thank you!
The ending is so awful. It's not even that upsetting to me but just more shocking it even made it into the book. I mean, it is upsetting but I'm more shocked than anything.
@@summationgathering I found the french version: (Page 7 in the 1939 pocket edition: Poirot speaking:) "Mais en ce qui concerne miss Adams, elle en triomphera pour deux raisons: elle ne manque pas d’adresse et, sans doute l’avez-vous remarqué, elle est juive. (Hastings thinking:) Ce détail, je l’avoue, m’avait jusque-là échappé. À présent, je discernais en effet sur son visage des traces d’origine sémitique. (Poirtot speaking:) -Je vois là de grandes chances de succès, poursuivit Poirot; seulement qu’elle prenne garde: un obstacle peut la faire trébucher. -Lequel? -L’amour exagéré de l’argent." I don't know if the newest editions have been purged of those antisemitic tropes about Jewish people being sooooo clever and soooo in love with money :D
@@olgazadig4961 I know there is a recent effort to remove such references from her books but not sure if they happened yet or if they will happen in the French versions.
Re: the Hollow. Edward's attempted suicide and I found unnecessary and sappy as well. But the subplot between him, henrietta and Midge does serve a purpose. If only, to create a believable red herring character in Edward.
Im not sure I found Edward a believable red herring tbh.
Just finished "Murder in Mesopotamia " and I pretty much agree with your assessment. Yes, the trio of young men was a weak point ( perfunctory characters in a group of suspects is such a common weakness in mysteries) and the failure of the supposedly intelligent and perceptive Mrs. Leidner to recognize her own first husband was beyond absurd. However, I still found this book entertaining and absorbing. The first-person narration is nicely handled, the setting is interesting, the personality of Mrs. Leidner is intriguing, and aside from the ridiculous plot twist already mentioned, the solution at least follows its own logic as far as the motive, alibi and behavior of the killer goes.
I agree. Murder in Mesopotamia is definitely a book that is more enjoyable the less you pick it apart. I think its setting is probably its strongest asset.
Interesting how Mrs Folliat's describing two different women as Hattie was written after Miss Bunner's describing two different women as Letty; usually the second use of the same trick is an improvement.
Amy Leatheran as sidekick deserved a better mystery, though the setting was fine for her.
Dame Agatha herself though Poirot superfluous in the novel and removed him from the play, but I always found the tandem workings of Lucy and Henrietta quite brilliant, as well as the unique dying clue of John's appeal, "Henrietta!" that feels almost good enough for the Ellery Queen television series.
I found Poirot's catching on to Miss Pearce's suggestibility rather weak.
Agreed that Evil Under the Sun had high odds against the murder's coming off so well.
I really appreciate your programs, but maybe I make a little request/ suggestion: it would be easier to listen if you could change your tone a little: every sentence ends on an up turn, which makes it monotonous and challenging to hear. It would be great if you could just this. Thank you!
Can do. I just have a monotonous voice I think.
Taken at the flood is grand, both as a mystery & as a psychological character study, until the last chapter happens and ruins my reading life😭😡
The ending is so awful. It's not even that upsetting to me but just more shocking it even made it into the book. I mean, it is upsetting but I'm more shocked than anything.
Taken at the flood and the hollow are too high on your list, I think. But I love your top ten😉😉
Thanks! I can see why you think those books are too high. I've only recently started to appreciate the Hollow.
In the French (old) translation of Lord Edward dies, Poirot makes antisemitic remarks to Hastings about Carlotta.
That's disappointing.
@@summationgathering I found the french version: (Page 7 in the 1939 pocket edition: Poirot speaking:)
"Mais en ce qui concerne miss Adams, elle en triomphera pour deux raisons: elle ne manque pas d’adresse et, sans doute l’avez-vous remarqué, elle est juive.
(Hastings thinking:)
Ce détail, je l’avoue, m’avait jusque-là échappé. À présent, je discernais en effet sur son visage des traces d’origine sémitique.
(Poirtot speaking:)
-Je vois là de grandes chances de succès, poursuivit Poirot; seulement qu’elle prenne garde: un obstacle peut la faire trébucher.
-Lequel?
-L’amour exagéré de l’argent."
I don't know if the newest editions have been purged of those antisemitic tropes about Jewish people being sooooo clever and soooo in love with money :D
@@olgazadig4961 I know there is a recent effort to remove such references from her books but not sure if they happened yet or if they will happen in the French versions.