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The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie
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362 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 24, 2012
Spoiled Curtain: Poirot's Last Case >;(
This book CLAIMS it doesn't spoil Agatha Christie books...but it does, it does. So only read it if you're prepared for that.
This book CLAIMS it doesn't spoil Agatha Christie books...but it does, it does. So only read it if you're prepared for that.
June 28, 2015
A very handy book to have if you're interested in Christie. I had the original paperback of this book back in the early 80s, and read it until it literally fell apart. Some of the information in it is rather dated (it was published originally in 1979) such as the movies and TV series based on her books. You won't find David Suchet's excellent Poirot series in here, for example. However, there are very nice, detailed summaries of all the books and the most important short stories. There are icons next to the title of the book on the summary - a closed book for a novel, masks of tragedy and comedy for a play, a ball of yarn with knitting needles for Miss Marple, etc. - that make it easy to figure out at a glance that, say, "A Murder is Announced" is a Miss Marple Novel, while "Labours of Hercules" is a Hercule Poirot short story collection. Unlike "The Agatha Christie's Who Who," there are very few spoilers here. The only one I can remember is the solution to "Five Little Pigs" and you have to look for that.
This book may be out of print again. I came across it purely by chance on eBay. I have not seen it for sale new anywhere. However, you can pick it up quite cheaply. I paid less than $10, including shipping, for my copy. I recommend getting the hardback ;)
This book may be out of print again. I came across it purely by chance on eBay. I have not seen it for sale new anywhere. However, you can pick it up quite cheaply. I paid less than $10, including shipping, for my copy. I recommend getting the hardback ;)
August 27, 2016
"Oh, Agatha! How could you?" writes Norma Siebenheller at the end of her three page summary of "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." If you've read "Ackroyd", you probably feel the same way. (And if you haven't, I envy you!) But these ridiculously long summaries are pointless: a paragraph or two would have been sufficient. On the positive side we're served very nice side dishes: the films from her books are discussed (with posters and cast pictures), there are numerous and cleverly written fan letters/articles, there is a "Mousetrap Double-Crostic", and the list goes on. Overall, this is a solid reference book for Christie fans.
November 30, 2022
This is a great book for the Christie fan--lists of books in chronological, character, genre order. Lots of articles with interesting facts & info, puzzles & challenges, history--so many interesting things. I use it constantly especially since I am re-reading all the books at present. Love it!
******This review is for the updated edition hardcover copy which is essentially the same as the original with added articles written after Christie's death. This book sets a high bar for all the followers writing compilations & critiques of Christie's works. Excellent.
******This review is for the updated edition hardcover copy which is essentially the same as the original with added articles written after Christie's death. This book sets a high bar for all the followers writing compilations & critiques of Christie's works. Excellent.
January 26, 2022
This was an absolutely fascinating read for a Christie fan, it has a bit of everything.
Her novels, her plays, short stories, delving into the backgrounds and psyches of her characters, her influences, her personal life, murder mystery weekends, the movies based on her books and actors and actresses who starred in them.
Even historical interludes on the history of poison, country house living, lots of fun puzzles, quizzes and games.
This was such a fun and informative read and a true must for any Christie fan.
Her novels, her plays, short stories, delving into the backgrounds and psyches of her characters, her influences, her personal life, murder mystery weekends, the movies based on her books and actors and actresses who starred in them.
Even historical interludes on the history of poison, country house living, lots of fun puzzles, quizzes and games.
This was such a fun and informative read and a true must for any Christie fan.
February 25, 2018
This is an odd book. Let me begin by comparing it to another. Growing up, one of my favorite reference books was The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree. Once I discovered the Twilight Zone, I couldn't get enough and this book was a great guide in learning about the series, but also letting me know which season each episode aired. I loved the short descriptions which included Serling's opening and closing narration. It gave you everything you needed to know.
Now this book makes it a great point in saying that they won't give away any of the murderers. So you have hundreds of pages (the vast majority of the book is summary of the novels and stories) that ultimately lead nowhere. If the description is supposed to entice you into reading the novel, well, it gives nearly everything away. Everything but the murderer. As a reference book, I feel it therefore fails. (Granted, the reveal would probably be best if it were on a different page or revealed in a section in the back, but it could have been done.)
I've owned this book for many years and the reason I picked it up was after reading a Christie book a few months ago, it reignited my desire to refresh my memory on those books I read in my youth. Alas, these descriptions really didn't do it for me. Nevertheless, I did kind of enjoy going through the book. Hence, my two stars. However, it is for hardcore purists only as the other articles aren't really that interesting. Ultimately, in the age of Wikipedia, there's really no need for this book.
Now this book makes it a great point in saying that they won't give away any of the murderers. So you have hundreds of pages (the vast majority of the book is summary of the novels and stories) that ultimately lead nowhere. If the description is supposed to entice you into reading the novel, well, it gives nearly everything away. Everything but the murderer. As a reference book, I feel it therefore fails. (Granted, the reveal would probably be best if it were on a different page or revealed in a section in the back, but it could have been done.)
I've owned this book for many years and the reason I picked it up was after reading a Christie book a few months ago, it reignited my desire to refresh my memory on those books I read in my youth. Alas, these descriptions really didn't do it for me. Nevertheless, I did kind of enjoy going through the book. Hence, my two stars. However, it is for hardcore purists only as the other articles aren't really that interesting. Ultimately, in the age of Wikipedia, there's really no need for this book.
May 15, 2011
See my review on my book blog: http://quirkyreader.livejournal.com/2...
July 27, 2022
Almost aggressively dull. Almost all of it is recapitulation of things the reader would know about already (one imagines this would be read by Agatha Christie fans, not strangers to her work). The interspersed essays are odd, largely recapitulations yet again, and not worth reading.
(Compare to Murder Ink or its sequel for a marvellous example of how to write about crime novels in a way that entices rather than bores).
Normally I think "tastes vary," "art is subjective," but in this case I'm really surprised it has such high rankings in general. Will read them to see what appealed to people. Perhaps it's the thrill of remembering a favourite work without having to do the effort of re-reading it? Like poring over vacation photos. Whatever the reason, it did not work on me.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
(Compare to Murder Ink or its sequel for a marvellous example of how to write about crime novels in a way that entices rather than bores).
Normally I think "tastes vary," "art is subjective," but in this case I'm really surprised it has such high rankings in general. Will read them to see what appealed to people. Perhaps it's the thrill of remembering a favourite work without having to do the effort of re-reading it? Like poring over vacation photos. Whatever the reason, it did not work on me.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
March 9, 2026
Great Agatha Christie Resource
April 27, 2009
Very interesting book about the books of Ms. Christie, includes books that have been been turned into movies, who was the best Miss Marple and who was the worse, (you'll be surprised at this disclosure) testimony by women mystery writers who claim her as their "mother" A chapter about the disappearance of Ms. Christie for a period of time. Crossword puzzle, Find the Name Double-Crostic; Interview with a Hungarian fan; Christie on the BBC; the longest running play in England; the selling of Christie in the movies (of course the movie stills are based on sex); how the book covers changed in the '80s when the books were published in new editions. The book has an icon on the pages with the review of the books, indicating who is the protagonist, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, etc, which have been made into movies, and so on. I read the books themselves back in the '70s. My late father-in-law had almost the whole collection and I would take several books home at a time, so I don't recall very much about the individual books, couldn't do the Find the Name, just didn't remember the names. I have to re-read the books and enjoy them once again.
March 27, 2023
This book is mostly a synopsis of each Christie novel (some of which do contain spoilers), interspersed with a few crosswords and some occasional trivia or even original fiction inspired by the grand dame. I was hoping this would be more informative of customs, practices, or references that modern readers may have missed but it largely does not add anything to your Christie reading experience. Some of the movie trivia is interesting but again, to say this is a Christie “companion” is a bit much in my opinion.
September 7, 2015
Excellent for anyone who is interested in all things Christy. The only disappointment is that it does not cover the David Suchet films of Agatha Christy. I think he made the best Piorot.
October 19, 2018
Love it!
August 13, 2020
I'm going to review this book although I'm far from done with it. In fact that's the point with this pickup-putdown book, one of many in my personal library. You can read the odd article or two while waiting for water to boil, at the hairdresser's, in line for take out. I've flipped around and read many.
Each article is written by a different person. Each of Christie's books, short stories, plays are reviewed without spoilers. There is at least one interview, a wonderful satirical letter from Hercule Poirot about which rooms to avoid at a country weekend so as not to be murdered, and explanations of British social customs like the drinking and ceremonies of tea. This article is essential for Americans as almost everyone I know does NOT know the difference between afternoon tea and high tea. (It is maddening to me to have to explain the difference to people who continue to ignore what I explain and call what should be afternoon tea as high tea because they think high means fancy! Glad I got that off my chest.)
Reading the preface is a must as it's very helpful with both biographical information about Christie, and hints on how to get the most from the book. In short this really is a delightful book that will guide you in picking the Christie mysteries you will like the best without telling you the solution.
If you love Agatha Christie, and who doesn't, you will want this book.
Each article is written by a different person. Each of Christie's books, short stories, plays are reviewed without spoilers. There is at least one interview, a wonderful satirical letter from Hercule Poirot about which rooms to avoid at a country weekend so as not to be murdered, and explanations of British social customs like the drinking and ceremonies of tea. This article is essential for Americans as almost everyone I know does NOT know the difference between afternoon tea and high tea. (It is maddening to me to have to explain the difference to people who continue to ignore what I explain and call what should be afternoon tea as high tea because they think high means fancy! Glad I got that off my chest.)
Reading the preface is a must as it's very helpful with both biographical information about Christie, and hints on how to get the most from the book. In short this really is a delightful book that will guide you in picking the Christie mysteries you will like the best without telling you the solution.
If you love Agatha Christie, and who doesn't, you will want this book.
December 28, 2024
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan (or just mildly obsessed like me), this book is a must-have. It’s like a literary treasure chest—filled with insights into her works, witty commentary, and enough photos and illustrations to make any Christie enthusiast swoon.
What’s most delightful? The reviews avoid spoilers! That means you can dive into the fun facts, tea-related musings, and even the occasional culinary nod without ruining any of her ingenious twists. It’s like having a chat with fellow fans who just get it.
Why You’ll Love It:
Covers hundreds of titles, including plays and short stories.
Packed with charming photos and original artwork.
Offers clever, spoiler-free perspectives on Christie’s legendary mysteries.
This book isn’t just for die-hard fans—it’s for anyone who’s ever been charmed by a cup of tea, a puzzling clue, or a particularly outrageous plot twist. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with a comfy chair and a cozy blanket.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖 A delightful, spoiler-free celebration of the Queen of Mystery that’ll leave you wanting to re-read every Christie novel in your collection.
What’s most delightful? The reviews avoid spoilers! That means you can dive into the fun facts, tea-related musings, and even the occasional culinary nod without ruining any of her ingenious twists. It’s like having a chat with fellow fans who just get it.
Why You’ll Love It:
Covers hundreds of titles, including plays and short stories.
Packed with charming photos and original artwork.
Offers clever, spoiler-free perspectives on Christie’s legendary mysteries.
This book isn’t just for die-hard fans—it’s for anyone who’s ever been charmed by a cup of tea, a puzzling clue, or a particularly outrageous plot twist. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with a comfy chair and a cozy blanket.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖 A delightful, spoiler-free celebration of the Queen of Mystery that’ll leave you wanting to re-read every Christie novel in your collection.
February 11, 2025
The New Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie é um livro essencial para fãs da Dama do Crime. Organizado por Dick Riley e Pam McAllister, ele funciona como um guia detalhado sobre a obra e a vida de Agatha Christie, incluindo curiosidades, análises de personagens icônicos como Hercule Poirot e Miss Marple, e até bastidores das adaptações para TV e cinema.
A leitura é envolvente, com um tom descontraído e repleto de insights interessantes, tornando-se um ótimo complemento para quem já conhece bem os livros de Christie ou quer se aprofundar no universo dela. No entanto, por ser um livro mais analítico e de referência, pode não ser tão atrativo para leitores que preferem narrativas ficcionais diretas.
Se você gosta de explorar o contexto das histórias e entender mais sobre a mente por trás dos mistérios, vale muito a pena!
A leitura é envolvente, com um tom descontraído e repleto de insights interessantes, tornando-se um ótimo complemento para quem já conhece bem os livros de Christie ou quer se aprofundar no universo dela. No entanto, por ser um livro mais analítico e de referência, pode não ser tão atrativo para leitores que preferem narrativas ficcionais diretas.
Se você gosta de explorar o contexto das histórias e entender mais sobre a mente por trás dos mistérios, vale muito a pena!
May 2, 2025
I have been reading this over the last several days (I have actually kept it at my bedside, reading it in chunks at night). This is the a perfect “just before bed” book. I’ve read quite a bit of Christie, but I would not call myself a connoisseur of her work (I have read ~ 15 of her novels). I did feel like the summaries of the stories gave away too much (even though the murderers’ identities were not spoiled here, which I appreciated), but, for me, it was the numerous articles written by lovers of Christie, ranging from the origins of tea time, to Christie’s missing 11 days, to Jessica Fletcher from “Murder She Wrote” (I still remember my mother’s love for that show) that really made this book for me. If you love Christie, and you want to step back into the criticism generated through the lens of the ‘70s and ‘80s, this is a solid pick.
October 31, 2022
Now that I have reached my goal of reading every Agatha Christie novel, I want to give a shout-out to this very helpful handbook! This is a compilation of all things Christie; it includes summaries of each of her books (without spoiling the endings) as well as feature articles on the characters -- and Christie herself. There are commentaries on some of the movies based on the books -- and even a crossword puzzle or two. This handbook helped me organize my reading list, and provided background info that helped me connect characters and books, understand timelines -- and helped me figure out when books were previously published under different names. The index alone helped me tremendously. I would enthusiastically recommend it to any Christie fan.
February 17, 2026
This is an Agatha Christie reference book that is a tad dated. It’s not really meant to be read front to back on its own.
A brief synopsis of each plot of Christie’s works is included. I wish I had it when I read through all of her novels the first time to help me keep track. It does not include spoilers wherever possible, but I would start by reading the Christie work rather than this.
Some of the bonus material is interesting too. I could’ve used more comprehensive lists of murder weapons, poisons, locations, etc. It would be interesting to see a revised version that includes a newer list of TV and movie adaptations.
Overall I’d like to search for an Agatha Christie encyclopedia of some sort.
A brief synopsis of each plot of Christie’s works is included. I wish I had it when I read through all of her novels the first time to help me keep track. It does not include spoilers wherever possible, but I would start by reading the Christie work rather than this.
Some of the bonus material is interesting too. I could’ve used more comprehensive lists of murder weapons, poisons, locations, etc. It would be interesting to see a revised version that includes a newer list of TV and movie adaptations.
Overall I’d like to search for an Agatha Christie encyclopedia of some sort.
May 13, 2026
I really enjoyed The Bedside, Bathtub and Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie | reference companion book because it feels less like a dry literary guide and more like sitting down with obsessive Christie fans who have decided to analyze absolutely everything. Which, honestly, is the highest form of human devotion short of starting a cult.
It covers a huge range of Christie’s work without spoiling the mysteries, and the extra details about themes, habits, settings, and recurring ideas make it especially fun if you already love Poirot or Miss Marple.
Definitely more of a companion piece than something to read straight through, but for mystery readers it’s a surprisingly entertaining deep dive.
It covers a huge range of Christie’s work without spoiling the mysteries, and the extra details about themes, habits, settings, and recurring ideas make it especially fun if you already love Poirot or Miss Marple.
Definitely more of a companion piece than something to read straight through, but for mystery readers it’s a surprisingly entertaining deep dive.
September 15, 2020
Used this as a guide as I made my way through all of the Christie works except Curtain. I won't read that one as I want my little Belgian detective to continue to live and solve crimes. Many of the works were published under a different title in the U.S. so it became a bit of a hunt to find some of them. The short story collections often repeated stories already read so, again, a bit of a hunt to find the ones I hadn't read.
This book was an interesting look at how Christie has been perceived by a wide variety of fans - from fellow authors to thespians to Christie scholars. This includes not only her writing, but a deeper dive into the time period in which her stories are set.
This book was an interesting look at how Christie has been perceived by a wide variety of fans - from fellow authors to thespians to Christie scholars. This includes not only her writing, but a deeper dive into the time period in which her stories are set.
March 10, 2025
This is an amazing resource for any fan of the genre! It provides detailed lists of books in chronological and character order, along with fascinating articles, puzzles, and historical insights. There’s so much to explore, and it’s perfect for anyone diving deep into their reading journey. I’ve found myself using it regularly, especially while revisiting the books. Absolutely love it!
September 25, 2020
Good for Christie fans. I recognized about 12 of the books. I thought I had read a lot more of Christie than that, but it was many years ago. I will keep the book, because I might be able to find some of her older ones. Her first book was published in 1920, 100 years ago.
January 1, 2023
A compilation of book, play, short story reviews plus articles about Agatha Christie's life, her main characters, etc.
If you're a fan, you'll like it, but it was done in 1986 so no modern films listed.
If you're a fan, you'll like it, but it was done in 1986 so no modern films listed.
March 27, 2019
This is the must-have compendium for all Christie fans. In addition to the synopses of all Christie works, there are interesting feature articles that will certainly interest her fans.
April 5, 2019
This old go-to is still a must for any serious fan of Agatha Christie.
Read
May 21, 2020Ohk
How will I read the book
How will I read the book
September 26, 2020
I would have preferred more analysis of her work, but overall a good read.
February 22, 2021
Great book so interesting to read about her. Im a huge AC fan. Plan to share with 2 other friends who will enjoy reading this.
May 26, 2021
I really enjoyed reading it, though to be honest, I have skipped some synopsis:) I kind of wish to see a new updated version of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews