ReadAlong

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The second title in the Summer of Christie is Dead Man’s Folly, a fête-filled mystery for Poirot.

Mrs Oliver, an acquaintance of his (who also happens to be a mystery writer) asks Poirot to join her for the weekend at a country house. She has been asked to organize a scavenger hunt-style murder mystery for the weekend’s festivities. She has constructed a complicated plot, complete with clues and a local girl who has agreed to play the victim. And although she can’t put her finger on it, she feels something is amiss. She wants Poirot’s estimable second opinion. Mrs. Oliver’s character is frazzled and funny — and it’s amusing to think that this is Christie as she sees herself.

Mrs. Oliver gave a deep sigh and turned to Poirot.

“Well, I’ll have to tell it you, then. Only I’m not very good at telling things. I mean if I write things, I get them perfectly clear, but if I talk, it always sounds the most frightful muddle; and that’s why I never discuss my plots with anyone. I’ve learnt not to, because if I do, they just look at me blankly and say ‘— er — yes, but — I don’t see what happened — and surely that can’t possibly make a book.’ So damping. And not true, because, when I write it, it does!” ~Pg. 38

David Suchet returns as the inimitable Belgian detective in the Masterpiece adaptation, which premieres tonight (Aug 3) on PBS.

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You can follow the tag #monogrammurders as Poirot solves this case by the sea. A huge thanks to William Morrow books for hosting the Summer of Christie. Be sure to watch this space for our collective thoughts on the book and the show this upcoming week.

 

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