tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.comments2023-10-28T06:15:07.880-07:00Miss Lemon's MysteriesElizabeth Frengelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-29951042097268978752019-06-02T19:58:38.423-07:002019-06-02T19:58:38.423-07:00I was looking for pics of Miss Lemon for a Poirot ...I was looking for pics of Miss Lemon for a Poirot fan fiction story and I came upon this site! <br /><br /> Guess what? The first part of my story, <b>Code Name: Aggie</b> has to do with Miss Lemon. After being the only one of Poirot's colleagues who has not suffered anything major, physically speaking, I decided to make Miss Lemon the reason for solving that mystery. And the tragic results. <br /><br /> Authors 4 Charactershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176411481374542906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-11447240680225570522016-11-22T23:53:20.743-08:002016-11-22T23:53:20.743-08:00So glad to find someone else who thinks this is a ...So glad to find someone else who thinks this is a fascinating book! I've been re-reading it this week (the slim volume is convenient when riding the bus, etc.), and not for the first time have thought it really demonstrates what an excellent novelist DLS was, even if she herself wasn't entirely pleased with the result. It's so well thought out ... even the format fits with the background commentary on the then-new concept of relativity (we get conflicting stories from different characters' perspectives).<br /><br />I pointed out the complexity of the characters to a writer friend, and he agreed that it's very difficult to convey this -- especially for disagreeable traits -- while still enabling the audience to feel some sympathy. (He noted that this is also something that actors love doing, because it's so challenging.) The nicest person in the story (Munting's fiancee) barely appears, and everyone else seems to have traits ranging from being aloof and detached to outright infuriating. The younger Harrison sometimes comes across as a self-righteous jerk ... and yet he's the one who's in the right. (Probably a deliberate contrast with other crime fiction of the era, including Sayers's own Lord Peter stories, where the protagonist is also the investigator ... and the hero.)<br /><br />So why do I like this book so much? Maybe because the author allows such a range of voices and perspectives in the story. This might be another reason why it holds up pretty well over time ... amazing that it was written more than 80 years ago, but many of us can probably name people we know who are very similar to the characters. And while some things have changed (social disapproval of divorce -- it's harder to imagine people being forced to quit their jobs today because they've split up), the tension-filled relationship between the Harrisons, where both parties feel they're the wronged one, is all too common.<br /><br />In its sweep, and the sometimes-uncomfortable twists given to genre conventions, I can't help thinking that this book reminds me a bit of The Red Right Hand (by Joel Townsley Rogers) even if they are different in many ways -- I don't know if you've had a look at it yet, but it's also one that stays in my memory.TapirTroublehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00596819431030750962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-79568930108543063812015-07-08T05:13:07.173-07:002015-07-08T05:13:07.173-07:00Get Evil Under The Sun Books From Free eBooks 69Get <a href="http://freeebooks69.blogspot.com/2015/07/agatha-christie-books-evil-under-sun.html" rel="nofollow">Evil Under The Sun</a> Books From <a href="http://freeebooks69.blogspot.com/2015/07/agatha-christie-books-evil-under-sun.html" rel="nofollow">Free eBooks 69</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487658616473363253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-18916139318961000572012-04-04T17:26:49.205-07:002012-04-04T17:26:49.205-07:00I must read this book. The adaption that was made ...I must read this book. The adaption that was made for TV was very enjoyable and am very excited to know it is available in book form!Cogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708026943778409389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-58954579756003547372012-01-07T12:55:01.992-08:002012-01-07T12:55:01.992-08:00I love mysteries but have not read any of these. I...I love mysteries but have not read any of these. I have though seen the BBC tv versions of Blackheath Poisonings, Master of the Moor and Lonely Hearts. I do enjoy your post so and wish you could post more often!Peggy Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00426356514707257708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-54711028977781474032011-12-26T11:05:27.537-08:002011-12-26T11:05:27.537-08:00Thanks for the review. I remember those awful Lond...Thanks for the review. I remember those awful London fogs that we used to call pea-soupers. <br />AnnAnn Summervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300190648788509096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-3602746663713384772011-10-31T10:08:07.958-07:002011-10-31T10:08:07.958-07:00Miss Lemon couldn't agree more. It seems like ...Miss Lemon couldn't agree more. It seems like the details of how WWII changed the landscape of home life -- taking taxis rather than using one's own petrol, the rationing of the blue and red coupons, the best day to visit the grocer, etc. -- are fast being forgotten but are wonderfully brought to life in this novel.Elizabeth Frengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-50668652895796497232011-10-29T21:01:50.110-07:002011-10-29T21:01:50.110-07:00I loved The Blank Wall too. I'm a Persephone f...I loved The Blank Wall too. I'm a Persephone fan & I enjoy anything they publish but this was a thriller with that Persephone touch. The domestic details & the characterization were terrific.lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509400868331534237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-90351370652206219342011-10-21T03:27:05.456-07:002011-10-21T03:27:05.456-07:00Wonderful blog! Could I be so bold as to suggest ...Wonderful blog! Could I be so bold as to suggest that Miss Lemon look into the works of M M Kaye's detective fiction? I think she will enjoy murderous mayhem in exotic locations. :)scribeswindowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05724431705478298675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-52503690685203905012011-10-18T11:32:50.016-07:002011-10-18T11:32:50.016-07:00Wow, that was great. I had no idea. I've yet t...Wow, that was great. I had no idea. I've yet to read the book, and look forward to it, even with all those little details. :<)Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-45008171669468537302011-09-27T12:37:03.508-07:002011-09-27T12:37:03.508-07:00I've read a couple of Martin Edwards' book...I've read a couple of Martin Edwards' books and enjoyed them. I especially love that the books are set in one of my favorite areas of the world. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-55309783986717550842011-09-17T19:22:44.527-07:002011-09-17T19:22:44.527-07:00How cool that Miss Lemon has gotten around to read...How cool that Miss Lemon has gotten around to reading Martin Edwards' books. I admit to having two that I haven't gotten to yet. Must bump them up the reading pile.seana grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03774794086733027289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-29117040947016858592011-09-15T11:27:35.869-07:002011-09-15T11:27:35.869-07:00A terrific post, Miss Lemon.
Agatha Christie has...A terrific post, Miss Lemon. <br /><br />Agatha Christie has always been under-appreciated and her writing under-valued by critics. But, luckily for the rest of us, we know better.<br /><br />I wonder if she knew how much she was appreciated by her fans and how many people she made happy just by the reading of her books.<br /><br />Happy Birthday today, Dame Agatha!Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-43985102202484579352011-09-15T07:17:55.103-07:002011-09-15T07:17:55.103-07:00Absolutely. You are both right on the mark! As any...Absolutely. You are both right on the mark! As anyone who ever attempts it will discover, writing a plausible, readable, well-paced mystery novel is no mean feat.Elizabeth Frengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-74540773155321809122011-09-15T06:49:07.632-07:002011-09-15T06:49:07.632-07:00I was going to say just what Margaret did. I think...I was going to say just what Margaret did. I think she was a genius. I think she offers a great deal of depth to her characters. Human beings are complex, and she writes of the complexities in such an interesting way. I've found myself referring to her in regular conversation ever since I've been reading Agatha more seriously. I'll say, well there was a character who said or did much the same thing. :<) Sometimes because an author is prolific and popular the critics begin to criticize them. I put Agatha in the same category as my most favorite of all time, P.G. Wodehouse. That's the highest praise this reader can offer.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-705695345614959272011-09-14T22:35:14.212-07:002011-09-14T22:35:14.212-07:00The more of her books I read the more convinced I ...The more of her books I read the more convinced I am that she was a genius. Her books appear simple but they're so well plotted that you don't notice the depth at first. I'll be reading John Curran's book for sure.BooksPleasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721650104596705715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-23426398284311349112011-09-14T18:43:19.960-07:002011-09-14T18:43:19.960-07:00And that's the beauty of her work, I think ......And that's the beauty of her work, I think ... complexity couched in simplicity. Agatha lulls her readers into a false sense of security, and then bang! They're handed another surprise ending.Elizabeth Frengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-7530655336516523552011-09-14T18:26:52.963-07:002011-09-14T18:26:52.963-07:00I once thought Agatha Christie novels were shallow...I once thought Agatha Christie novels were shallow reads but then I was only in my late teens and I read them at random. I don't know why I thought she didn't do character development very well, and why I could read them "with half an eye". I must have missed so much! I see them very differently now particularly since I've been re-reading them in orderKerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581470363339796352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-13033349634886600012011-09-06T16:00:23.701-07:002011-09-06T16:00:23.701-07:00I agree, she is a terrific writer.I agree, she is a terrific writer.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-77531848473506470082011-09-04T13:53:49.089-07:002011-09-04T13:53:49.089-07:00I hadn't heard of this standalone, which sound...I hadn't heard of this standalone, which sounds quite interesting. Thanks.seana grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03774794086733027289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-27216947161637612962011-08-02T17:44:00.095-07:002011-08-02T17:44:00.095-07:00This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books. ...This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books. The ending is just so ingenious. I defy anyone reading this for the first time to figure out who done it. :)<br /><br />Loved the film too with the wonderful Cole Porter soundtrack, though they changed aspects of the story.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-26300209140757585592011-07-27T07:49:12.015-07:002011-07-27T07:49:12.015-07:00You've reminded Miss Lemon that the Steig Lars...You've reminded Miss Lemon that the Steig Larssons are on her towering TBR pile!Elizabeth Frengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-12497409168445713672011-07-27T07:47:21.093-07:002011-07-27T07:47:21.093-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Elizabeth Frengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13489003861886452176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-38583970921981372862011-07-26T16:28:22.306-07:002011-07-26T16:28:22.306-07:00I read this one a couple of years back and did enj...I read this one a couple of years back and did enjoy the island puzzle of it all. Steig Larsson could have taken a lesson here about how to right an island 'locked room' puzzle, in my opinion.seana grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03774794086733027289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165889875073228484.post-62595736710881242452011-07-25T20:00:35.462-07:002011-07-25T20:00:35.462-07:00Perfect indeed. Love it! Thanks for sharing.Perfect indeed. Love it! Thanks for sharing.Irenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15171389134207433317noreply@blogger.com