Problem at Pollensa Bay

Parker Pyne #13-14

by Agatha Christie

A collection of short stories featuring some of Agatha Christie’s best-loved detectives – Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, Mr Satterthwaite and Harley Quin…
All great crime writers have their favourite creations. Similarly, every great sleuth has his, or her, own preferred method of deduction.
Take the charming Parker Pyne, who relies upon an intuitive knowledge of human nature to solve the Problem at Pollensa Bay. Or Mr Satterthwaite, who seeks inspiration through his collaboration with the enigmatic Mr Quin in The Harlequin Tea Set mystery. Then, of course, there’s Poirot, whose measured analysis of motive and opportunity is tested to the full in Yellow Iris, when he receives an anonymous call about a matter of life and death.

Genres: Agatha Christie, Mystery, Crime, Short Stories, Fiction, Classics, Detective

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1991

About the author

Agatha 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 (née 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
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mix of Agatha Christie's shorts.
One thing that I noticed about this collection is that several of these stories became other stories. Some are better known than the ones here, but part of the fun of tracking all of these down (for me) is to read every single incarnation of books.
I've left links to slightly longer reviews of each individual story in case anyone is interested in a particular one.

Problem at Pollensa Bay
Parker Pyne helps a momma out.
And like most of the help he gives his clients, it's not the help they asked for but the help that they actually need.



The Second Gong
If you're a Christie fan you're probably going to look at this and think, didn't I already read this story?
Well, yes and no.
The Second Gong was originally published in 1932 in The Ladies Home Journal and added into some of Christie's short story collections.
BUT then later it was expanded upon and turned into the novella, Dead Man's Mirror. You can find that one in the Murder in the Mews collection.



Yellow Iris
This was the basis for the novel Sparkling Cyanide, but the plot was changed up quite a bit from that one to this one. It was still very recognizable, though, because the widower gathers everyone for a creepy reenactment of the night his wife committed suicide and/or was murdered.
POISON!? <--read it an find out.



The Harlequin Tea Set
I have a soft spot for Mr. Satterthwaite, so I really enjoyed this one.
This picks up years after The Mysterious Mr. Quin and gives the sweet old man a nice send-off story.
For those of you who haven't read Mr. Quin's stories, he's basically a very nice incarnation of Death that appears to Mr. Satterthwaite and helps him solve a few mysteries.



The Regatta Mystery
This story originally started its life with Poirot in the lead role.
Poirot and the Regatta Mystery is essentially the same story but for whatever reason Christie decided to put Pyne into the driver's seat when she published the short story collection The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories in 1939.
However, the essential story of a diamond theft stayed the same.
Much like my reviews of each individual story.



The Love Detectives
Sir James Dwighton is found dead, the victim of a vicious murder.
His wife and her lover should be the obvious suspects but after they both clumsily confess to the murder in what looks like an effort of each to protect the other, the police begin to think that there may be someone else running around with a motive to kill.



Next To A Dog
What would you do for your best four-legged friend?
Next to a Dog tells the tale of a young widow who is caring for her aging, ailing old dog. He was a gift from her now-dead husband and the only thing in the world she cares about.
She could take a better job, but it would require her to travel and she just can't bear to part with her terrier.



Magnolia Blossom
A woman is leaving her husband and running away with her lover when she gets news that her husband is in serious trouble.
His business has collapsed and he is losing everything.
She goes back to him because she feels it is her duty to stand by him.



Recommended.

[Tim Orfanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πρόκειται για μια από τις απολαυστικότερες συλλογές αστυνομικών ιστοριών της Άγκαθα Κρίστι, η οποία αποτελεί ιδανικό καλοκαιρινό (και μή) ανάγνωσμα - θα ικανοποιήσει και θα διασκεδάσει και τους πιο δύσκολους οπαδούς της.

Το βιβλίο το οποίο επανεκδόθηκε το 2014 με ένα αρκετά εμπνευσμένο και αντιπροσωπευτικό εξώφυλλο περιλαμβάνει 7 ιστορίες που κυκλοφόρησαν, αρχικά, σε περιοδικά: 2 με τον Πάρκερ Πάιν, 2 με τον Ηρακλή Πουαρώ, 2 με τον Μίστερ Κουήν και 1 χωρίς κανέναν γνωστό ήρωά της.

Οι πιο πρωτότυπες είναι το 'Πρόβλημα στο κόλπο της Πολένσα' που είναι αρκετά χιουμοριστική, οι 'Κίτρινες ίριδες' που, αργότερα, εξελίχθηκε στο μυθιστόρημα 'Οι έξι ύποπτοι', το 'Μυστήριο στους ιστιοπλοϊκούς αγώνες' που περιέχει αρκετή σατιρική ειρωνεία, και το 'Άνθη μανόλιας', η οποία είναι ένα κοινωνικό δράμα με ψήγματα ψυχολογικού θρίλερ. Στις περισσότερες από τις ιστορίες υπάρχουν κοσμοπολίτικα στοιχεία, ενώ παρουσιάζεται αρκετά γλαφυρά η ατμόσφαιρα της εποχής τους.

Οι ιστορίες δημοσιεύτηκαν από το 1925 ('Άνθη Μανόλιας') μέχρι το 1971 ('Σερβίτσιο τσαγιού 'Αρλεκίνος').

Βαθμολογία: 4,3/5 ή 8,6/10.

[lex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did anyone else notice the sexual tension between Mr Satterthwaite and Harley Quinn?

[Mansuriah Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I brought this book, Problem at Pollensa Bay along on my vacation recently. I wanted to bring a book that can keep me engaged but not so serious so that it won’t spoil my holiday. So what’s better than a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. It was truly an easy read. I did a little background research about this book, I found out that Christie had visited this place called Pollensa Bay, a small town in Spain. It’s always fascinating how she describes the place in the book, she literally transports the reader back to another time & another place.

Here are the collection of short stories in this book:-
1. Problem at Pollensa Bay
2. The Second Gong
3. Yellow Iris
4. The Harlequin Tea Set
5. The Regatta Mystery
6. The Love Detectives
7. Next To A Dog
8. Magnolia Blossom

I don’t want to go into details as these are all short stories that vary from murder mysteries to romance. I feel that Problem at Pollensa Bay is a perfect book to read on vacation.

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find Problem at Pollensa Bay to be a very underrated collection of stories from Agatha Christie. The title story is terrific, as is Yellow Iris. More importantly, it contains the two Harley Quin and Satterthwaite stories which are not part of The Mysterious Mr. Quin, so if you’re a fan and wish to complete your Quin reading, obtaining Problem at Pollensa Bay is the easiest way to do so. Best of all, both Quin stories are stellar.

I am not a huge fan of Dead Man’s Mirror, feeling it is too long for a Poirot short story, so kind of an oddity. Here we get it in its shorter version, The Second Gong. It’s okay, enjoyable enough, but I find it still isn’t a favorite of mine. There are two surprises here however which more than compensate for my somewhat lesser enjoyment of The Second Gong.

Next to a Dog and Magnolia Blossom may be the reason some rate Problem at Pollensa Bay a bit lower, due to expectations, but for me their inclusion actually elevates this collection. Good writing and reader involvement is far more important to me than fitting squarely into a specific genre.

Here are the best stories in this collection:


PROBLEM AT POLLENSA BAY —

Problem at Pollensa Bay is one of the best of the Parker Pyne stories. He is on vacation, very much trying to remain anonymous. Pyne’s reputation as a problem solver appears to be more prevalent once he is outside of his own turf; he takes note that other cultures appear to pay more attention to the ads in the paper than those back across the pond.

Of course someone recognizes Parker and outs him. Soon he is roped into the affairs of a mother and son much too close for the good of either. Enter a flirty but fabulous interloper of a girl with her wild dress and carefree manner. Of course that unhealthy mother/son dynamic is threatened when the boy likes the unsuitable girl and attempts to break free.

Problem at Pollensa Bay is utterly charming. It contains some twists and turns involving an even more outrageously unsuitable girl than the aforementioned. It all ends on a boat, and is very satisfying. Great stuff from Agatha Christie.


YELLOW IRIS —

First published in the July 1937 issue of The Strand, Yellow Iris is a nifty little Poirot outing. Our favorite little Belgian is at home when he receives a strange call from an unknown woman, pleading for him to join her at Jardin des Cygnes. The woman sounds very afraid, and Poirot heads out hoping to this time, prevent a crime.

With the help of Luigi, Poirot locates the table with the yellow iris the woman mentioned on the phone. But Poirot’s acquaintance, Tony Chadell, sits alone at the moment. Young and likable, he seems to be in a bit of romantic trouble. He’s had a spat with lovely young Pauline Weatherby, who is there by invitation of wealthy American Barton Rusell, as is Stephen Carter, who works for the government, and the exotic Spanish dancer, Lola Valdez.

Something is off, and neither female will own up to phoning Poirot. It turns out that Russell’s wife had committed suicide at that very table, but he believes one of the people he’s invited got away with murder. But is something more going on here? It will take some quick thinking by Poirot, and some deception by another at that table to prevent a second murder.

This is fun stuff, my only caveat being that we don’t discover for certain who was responsible for the first suicide — if it indeed was a suicide. Still, great fun!


THE LOVE DETECTIVES —

Onlooker at life Mr. Satterthwaite is visiting Colonel Melrose as The Love Detectives begins. A country gentleman, Colonel Melrose also serves as Chief Constable for the area. During Satterthwaite’s visit, Sir James Dwighton is discovered murdered in his library, sending the colonel and Mr. Satterthwaite rushing off to see about the matter.

Mr. Satterthwaite is excited, ruminating during the frantic drive about the beautiful young red-haired Laura, who disturbingly brings to mind — for no apparent reason — Lucrezia Borgia. Before Satterthwaite can consider the matter at any length however, their frantic pace results in a small smash-up. Guess who is driving the other car? That’s right — Mr. Quin!

Well of course Satterthwaite is delighted, and even more excited, telling Colonel Melrose all about Mr. Quin, and how he concerns himself with matters of love. Of course there is a murder to investigate, but there is a bit lighter tone to this one in regard to the supernaturalness of Mr. Quin.

There is the pretty Laura, who is just as described, reminding Satterthwaite of the Renaissance. But there is also a couple of servants, plus the darkly handsome Paul Delangua. The murder weapon? Well of course it’s a bronze Venus, the Goddess of Love. Then suddenly, everyone is confessing to the crime…

While not as mysterious or as atmospheric as some other Mr. Quin & Mr. Satterthwaite tales, this one is very enjoyable, with some nice interactions between the two old friends in this fine short story.

Chronologically, The Love Detectives falls just after At the Bells and Motley, with Sattherthwaite commenting about his most recent encounter with his old friend Mr. Quin in this one. At one point in fact, Satterthwaite finds a strange similarity between Mr. Quin’s dress and motley. Not included in The Mysterious Mr. Quin collection, completists will want to track it down. It is also available in the Problem at Pollensa Bay collection of stories. Highly recommended for fans.


THE HARLEQUIN TEA SET —

“It was a beautiful early evening and the green of the grass was a soft deep color. The golden light came through the copper beech and the cedar showed the lines of its beauty against a soft pinkish-golden sky.”


There is a tangible wistfulness in this later and final Mr. Quin and Satterthwaite story, which becomes quite moving. Satterthwaite has considerably aged as The Harlequin Tea Set begins. He is on his way to visit a very old friend and the man’s family at a home which holds many fond childhood memories for Satterthwaite.

Memories in fact play a big part in this resonating final entry, with Satterthwaite unable to recall at first his old friend Mr. Quin, and why the splash of color in a shop in the nothing little town of Kingsbourne Ducis stirs him so. But Satterthwaite has grown old, the memory initially just out of his reach.

Satterthwaite’s sentimental rumination about his old friend and the man’s family are captured wonderfully and realistically by Agatha Christie. Time appears to have passed Satterthwaite by as he laments the newer automobiles and their lack of simplicity. But all that is about to change.

Drawn to The Harlequin Café Satterthwaite happens upon his old friend Mr. Quin and the memories return. Their reunion is heartfelt and tender, for they have not seen each other since the haunting Harlequin’s Lane, many years prior. For the supernatural Mr. Quin of course, it has been but a moment, but for Satterthwaite, much more aware of time’s passage, it has been far too long.

Mr. Quin has acquired a small black dog named Hermes who of course is very bright and endearing in this final entry. Quin comforts Satterthwaite in regard to his fears that everything will be changed, tainting the memories Satterthwaite holds so dear. Mr. Quin also assures Satterthwaite that he has it within himself to know what to do when the time comes; whenever Mr. Quin appears, matters of love, and often life and death are sure to follow.

The parting of the two old friends only comes after the new wife of of one of Satterthwaite’s old friend’s sons comes into the shop to acquire some new colored cups for his very visit. She meets Mr. Quin, who begs off an invitation to join them at the large reunion. But Mr. Quin always has a reason for appearing somewhere…

What follows at the reunion is wonderful for a time, but suddenly it becomes exciting. Two young men and a cup, a vast inheritance, and Mr. Quin’s one-word reminder of daltonism aiding Mr. Satterthwaite in preventing tragedy. It turns out Mr. Quin was right all along, yet it has been his reminder to Satterthwaite which once agains brings out the best in Satterthwaite, allowing him to become a participant in life rather than an observer one final time.

A wonderful ending involving Satterthwaite’s enjoyment at being part of something and other people in his latter years, a scarecrow, a burning field, a thankful woman now part of Quin’s world rather than Satterthwaite’s, and of course Quin’s charming little dog Hermes make this one a melancholy final accounting of Mr. Quin and Satterthwaite.

Both bittersweet and wonderful, The Harlequin Tea Set is an absolute must for fans of Agatha Christie’s Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin stories. It is part of The Harlequin Tea Set collection of stories, and also included in the Problem at Pollensa Bay collection. Memorable.


NEXT TO A DOG —

This is a wonderfully poignant story that is a resonating slice of life. In a relatively brief page count, Agatha Christie makes you care deeply for the protagonist Joyce, and her little dog and companion, Terry.

Practically starving, and four weeks behind on her rent to Mrs. Barnes, Joyce cannot find work; all the jobs she could accept would preclude bringing her aging and sometimes grumpy — only with others — little friend. Terry is her connection to Michael, passed now but so fondly remembered that she cannot rely on his parents, less she reveal to them that Michael squandered their nest egg through gambling; she does not wish to tarnish their memory of him.

Desperation leads 29 year old Joyce to accept a proposal of marriage from a man she does not love, in order to prevent starvation and save her beloved little Terry.

A tragic — and painful to read — tragedy, and a kind man who may offer Joyce a real future will leave one wondering if Terry found a way…

This one will choke up anyone who has ever loved a dog so — or cat, or any animal — and understands how strong the bond can be. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a memorable story which is included in the Problem at Pollensa Bay collection. A real gem, and a story never forgotten once read.


MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM —

“He had compared her to a diamond when he first saw her — a thing of flashing fire, reflecting light from a hundred facets. But at that first touch, that first kiss, she had changed miraculously to the clouded softness of a pearl — a pearl like a magnolia blossom, creamy pink.”


A short story of romantic intrigue from Agatha Christie, Magnolia Blossom is very good for what it is, and needs to be judged solely on those merits. The only allusion to the forte for which Agatha Christie became known is a vaguely referenced financial crime. Even then, were the crime to be more front and center rather than secondary, it would only place Magnolia Blossom in that Golden Era of light mystery, where all type of intrigue was classified as mystery. While it certainly isn’t my favorite in Christie’s oeuvre it is involving, and a good example of this type of story.

In essence, Magnolia Blossom is a quietly romantic tale of an affair, focusing on two very different but flawed men, and ta woman whose sense of loyalty and honor and duty dooms her to perhaps a life of loneliness.

The opening is romantic and atmospheric, a lovingly painted moment at a train station in Victoria where Vincent Easton waits for the lovely Theo to meet him, so they can go away together. Being of the old-fashioned mold, true to its time, their embarkment on the love affair has not gone beyond the heart yet.

Vincent is not of the beautiful Theo’s station, and can hardly believe such a lovely and special woman is willing to leave her life of luxury behind and run away with him, enduring the shame and scandal that will ensue.

“The air had been sweet with the scent of magnolia bloom, and one or two petals, velvety-soft and fragrant, had floated down, resting on that upturned face that was as creamy and as soft and as silent as they.”

Vincent’s insecurities bring out the worst in him when a newspaper article about a financial scandal causes Theo to return, placing her own happiness — and especially Vincent’s — below loyalty and duty, despite her knowledge that Richard may have brought it all on himself. How much so, and the depths to which he will go, she does not lean until she returns. Nor does she realize that Vincent will play a part.

Had this been a true romance, we’d have gotten a happy ending, but Christie has fashioned her story in a more mature and realistic manner, making Magnolia Blossom about lost opportunities for happiness, due to integrity and honor.

I really wanted that happy-ever-after here, even though it was about an affair — albeit one of the heart. But it is a very good story nonetheless, and in a way richer and more mature in its conclusion than we’d expect. Not a favorite, but very good.


THE REGATTA MYSTERY —

The premise and setup is actually more engaging and mysterious than the solution in a story which was originally a Poirot. Christie rewrote this story as a Parker Pyne when it became the title story in a collection. I have both versions, but it’s the Parker Pyne one included in Problem at Pollensa Bay.

The story revolves around the Morningstar Diamond, and a rather diverse group which includes a young American girl. She makes a playful bet with the Morningstar’s owner that she can steal it. Some nylons will have to be given out to young Eve if she succeeds in the rather lighthearted experiment. Then she does, but in a twist, cannot produce the Morningstar because it has actually been stolen in earnest, not jest.

A young man in the group who knows he will become a suspect — it had to be one of that little group — seeks out the help of Parker Pyne. There is a slight romantic tie-in as well, but the solution is pulled out of thin air, making this one more of a light adventure than a true mystery puzzle with clues. Still, a good enjoyable read.


FINAL THOUGHTS —

The majority of stories in Problem at Pollensa Bay run the gamut from very good to sublime in my opinion. With only one I wasn’t fond of, and two which were new to me that I discovered, I’m giving this one the highest rating. Good stuff.

[Simona B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The two final romance stories caught me by surprise. I could do without those, but Mr Harley Quin is worth any kind of torture.

[Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

4'5⭐ YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM 

Ha sido una lectura curiosa en varios aspectos. Nos encontramos ante una antología de nueve relatos protagonizados por una variedad de personajes.

El protagonista de los dos primeros es Parker Pyne, un detective de Agatha sobre el que no había leído hasta el momento y cuyas historias me han gustado mucho, sobre todo porque la temática del primero es bastante diferente a lo que me tiene acostumbrada la autora.

Luego tenemos «El misterio del cofre de Bagdad», protagonizado por Poirot y escrito en 1939. Lo interesante es que en la antología «El púding de Navidad», Christie incorporó una versión ampliada del relato, en esa ocasión no narrada por Hastings, y con el título «El misterio del cofre español».

También encontramos aquí «Iris amarillos», un relato que serviría de inspiración para el libro «Cianuro espumoso», donde Agatha sustituyó a Poirot por el coronel Race.

Además de esos, tenemos más de Poirot y algunos relatos de Miss Marple también, y menos el relato del espejo (que tiene cero lógica para ser de Agatha, aparte de durar solo 10 páginas), me han parecido todos muy entretenidos.

[Tristram Shandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mixed Bag

Problem at Pollensa Bay, and Other Stories is a collection of tales that was published posthumously in 1991 and that offers rather a mixed bag in that a) not all of the tales are mysteries, b) there are different well-known Christie protagonists, namely Poirot, Parker Pyne and Mr. Satterthwaite and Harley Quin, and c), unluckily, not all of these stories are really entertaining to read.

The last two tales, for instance, Next to a Dog and Magnolia Blossom are more in the department of melodrama, and the title-giving tale is also concerned with romantic problems because Parker Pyne, the “detective of the heart”, here has to convince a mother that her son’s choice of bride may not be as bad as she thinks, i.e. that it could, in fact, be worse. Parker Pyne also features in another story, The Regatta Mystery (which I seem to connect somehow with Hercule Poirot), in which the theft of an invaluable diamond is cleared up. This tale does make up for the Pollensa Bay dud.

We furthermore have two Poirot stories, of which Yellow Iris is quite thrilling – Poirot has been called to a dinner in a restaurant with the view of preventing something terrible, but neither does he know who called him nor what he has to look out for –, whereas The Second Gong is hardly convincing because in order for the story to work the murderer would have had to commit his crime with the door being open, a rather careless procedure.

Last, but not least, there are two stories in which Mr. Satterthwaite “helps people” with the mysterious assistance of Mr. Harley Quin, and there is a particular, mysterious savour about the Quin stories in that it is hard to tell who he really is. In The Harlequin Tea Set, we find Mr. Satterthwaite having grown old and longing for another meeting with Mr. Quin, and when, after a breakdown of his new car, he walks into a teashop on the off-chance of meeting him, who should suddenly be there but the friend he has been waiting for. It is very good, too, that this meeting should have come to pass because in its wake, Mr S. can prevent murder most foul. When Agatha Christie throws in that burning scarecrow at the end, you will definitely find yourself wondering once again as to the identity of Mr. Quin. The second tale, The Love Detectives, though, is rather a disappointment because the writing is so clearly on the wall that it doesn’t take a Daniel to decipher it.

All in all, there are some good stories in this collection but as a whole, it did not exactly overwhelm me, and if I didn’t know Christie any better, this would not be the most promising introduction into her works for me.

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Unlike many of Christie's collections of short stories, this one doesn't accent any one character. There are two Hercule Poirots, two Parker Pynes, two Harley Quins, and two standalone mysteries. I review all eight in detail elsewhere but why not mention four highlights? In "Yellow Iris," Poirot gets a call late one evening entreating him to come quickly to a nightclub where an American millionaire is hosting a rather morbid dinner party. Another? We find Parker Pyne in Dartmouth enjoying the annual boat races in "The Regatta Mystery" and a sumptuous feast at the Royal George Hotel at which a valuable jewel truly disappears in a conjuring trick. Then there's "The Love Detectives," our first meeting with Mr. Satterthwaite and Mr. Harley Quin. A murder at Alderway House has occurred and it appears to be a love triangle gone horribly wrong. My favourite actually is "Magnolia Blossom," a standalone short story. I wouldn't describe it as a romance, but there is another love triangle. More like two men, one woman, loser takes all. Twenty minutes per story? Go for it. (October 2021)

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercule Poirot has long been a stellar detective, though he is by no means the only sleuth that Agatha Christie perfected. In this collection of short stories penned throughout her career, Christie offers up some gems using a number of investigators, including Hercule Poirot, Parker Pine, and Harley Quin. Each of the eight stories had their own benefits and keeps the reader on edge as they try to piece it all together. I thoroughly enjoyed it all, as my Poirot binge is soon coming to an end.

Agatha Christie uses her stellar storytelling abilities to impress the reader, penning pieces from attempted murder, to theft, and the love between a woman and her pet dog. Those who stuck it out for the entire Poirot journey with me will have seen many an adventure and crime, all while the Belgian used his grey matter to connect the dots. The narrative in these eight stories flows with ease for the reader, providing a sense of wonder. Using various settings, Christie formulates memories for those who pay close attention. Plot points arise and there are some true surprises throughout, with a variety of characters and sleuths flavouring the various stories. A final collection keeps gathering stories written from the 1920s until Agatha Christie’s passing.

Kudos, Dame Christie, for a delightful collection of unique mysteries.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Menia · Rating 3 out of 5]

brace 2019 βιβλίο διηγημάτων και δεκαετία 1930

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read

Γενικά, τα διηγήματα δεν είναι το αγαπημένο μου είδος, γιατί είναι δύσκολο να βρω συλλογή που να μου αρέσουν αν όχι όλα, τουλάχιστον η πλειοψηφία των ιστοριών. Όταν δε πρόκειται για ιστορίες της Αγκάθα Κρίστι, μια κάποια προκατάληψη παίρνει μορφή κι ευθύς αμέσως, το βιβλίο μπαίνει στη λίστα!

«Το έγκλημα είναι τρομερά αποκαλυπτικό. Διάλεξε όσο διαφορετικές μεθόδους θέλεις. Τα γούστα, οι συνήθειες, ο τρόπος σκέψης και η ψυχή σου αποκαλύπτονται από τις πράξεις σου».
― Agatha Christie

Οι ιστορίες που βρίσκονται σε αυτό το βιβλίο, δεν είναι όλες ιστορίες με ένα συγκεκριμένο ντετέκτιβ ή κάποιο αγαπημένο δίδυμο. Για την ακρίβεια, δεν έχουν κάτι κοινό, πέρα από το ότι είναι γραμμένες από την αγαπημένη μετρ του μυστηρίου και το ότι αποδεικνύουν το μεγαλείο της γραφής της. Οχτώ διαφορετικές ιστορίες, έξι από αυτές με αγαπημένους ντετέκτιβ και δύο ιστορίες για το μυστήριο της ανθρώπινης ψυχής!

Στις σελίδες του βιβλίου θα διαβάσουμε δύο ιστορίες με τον, προσωπικά αγαπημένο, Ηρακλή Πουαρό, άλλες δύο με τον ντετέκτιβ Πάρκερ Πάιν και άλλες δύο με το δίδυμο Σάτεργουεϊτ και Χάρλεϊ Κουίν. Όσοι έχουν διαβάσει βιβλία της Αγκάθα Κρίστι με τους εν λόγω ήρωες, θα δουν ότι όπως ακριβώς τους γνωρίζουν από τα μυθιστορήματα, έτσι θα τους συναντήσουν κι εδώ! Ο Ηρακλής Πουαρό δεν παύει να είναι ο άνθρωπος που θα προσέξει και την παραμικρή λεπτομέρεια και θα κάνει τις πιο ανεπάντεχες συνδέσεις, οι οποίες όμως δίνουν και τη λύση του εκάστοτε εγκλήματος. Ο γοητευτικός κύριος Πάρκερ Πάιν έχει τη λύση σε κάθε πρόβλημα! Βασίζεται στη διαίσθησή του και στη γνώση του σχετικά με την ανθρώπινη φύση και πάντα καταφέρνει να βρει τη σωστή αντιμετώπιση σε κάθε περίσταση. Μπορεί το «Πρόβλημα στον όρμο Πογιένσα» να μην ήταν μια ιστορία όπου συνέβη κάποιο έγκλημα, είχε όμως το μυστήριό τη ς με βάση τα όσα μας έχει συνηθίσει τόσο η Κρίστι όσο κι ο ήρωάς της! Δεν είχα ξαναδιαβάσει κάποια ιστορία ή κάποιο βιβλίο με ήρωες τους κυρίους Σάτεργουεϊτ και Χάρλεϊ Κουίν, όμως μου άρεσε πολύ πώς έδενε αυτό το δίδυμο. Παρόλο που δεν επρόκειτο για κάποια επίσημη συνεργασία, οι δυο τους κατάφερναν να βοηθήσουν ο ένας τον άλλο να δουν προς τη σωστή κατεύθυνση.

Οι δύο τελευταίες ιστορίες είναι αρκετά διαφορετικές από ό,τι μας έχει συνηθίσει η Κρίστι μέχρι τώρα. Είχαν όμως το γνωστό ύφος της και κάποια περισσότερα στοιχεία για την ανθρώπινη φύση, ένα θέμα που σε πολλά βιβλία της παίζει σημαντικό ρόλο. Δεν ήταν αμιγώς ιστορίες μυστηρίου, ήταν όμως πιστές στη γραφή της αν και προσέγγιζαν ένα άλλο είδος.

Όπως όλα τα βιβλία της, έτσι κι αυτό διαβάστηκε πολύ γρήγορα!

 

Οι μικρές ιστορίες που απαρτίζουν αυτή τη συλλογή είναι οι ακόλουθες:

«Πρόβλημα στον όρμο Πογιένσα»

«Το δεύτερο γκονγκ»

«Κίτρινη Ίριδα»

«Σετ τσαγιού Αρλεκίνος»

«Μυστήριο στο Ντάρτμουθ»

«Οι ντετέκτιβ της αγάπης»

«Πλάι σ’ ένα σκυλί»

«Μανόλια»

 

[Molly™☺ · Rating 1 out of 5]

5% | E- | Awful

A quote would be here if I'd remembered one...

A collection of short stories featuring some of Christie's famous mainstays such as Poirot, Harley Quin and Parker Pyne

Christie is an amazing writer, but everyone has their off days. All of these stories are absolutely pointless, dull and just a slog to get through. I can see why they are compiled together as none of them are good enough to be a stand alone. They range from boring to extremely boring with the fourth being the absolute worst of the lot. For some unknown reason, the padding in The Harlequin Tea Set is set to max with exposition after exposition being tossed out along with far too many inconsequential details. The outcome is a complete let down and the whole thing is just a waste of time, paper and everything in-between. Stay far, far away from this book and go and read something else by Christie instead. But hey, at least the cover is pretty...

[Emiliano Dolinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

En este libro Agatha nos presentará 9 historias cortas en las que distintos detectives como: Poirot y Miss Marple resolverán misterios y nos enseñarán que cada detective tiene sus propios métodos.

El libro nunca me gusto o me mantuvo enganchado como generalmente me pasa con los libros de Ágatha. Los personajes los sentía muy “meh”, solo Poirot y Marple salvaban la lectura.

No lo voy a negar es una lectura ágil y rápida, como estamos acostumbrados a sus libros, pero siento que a lo mejor no fue para mi. Aunque este libro no me gusta, Ágatha seguirá siendo mi autora favorita por siempre.

[Donaam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐️

Sorry Christie, but the short stories are not so good.

[Kinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first short story collection in a while where every story was either a one or five star read, nothing inbetween. So my overall rating of three stars feels strange.

[Alejandra Arévalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuando leo los cuentos o relatos de Christie en este estilo donde los mezclan, no son mis favoritos (literariamente hablando) peeeeero me gusta mucho conocer otras facetas de la autora. Sobre todo esos donde coquetea con lo fantástico, apariciones o cosas sobrenaturales.

[Vikas Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of eight short stories, three of Agatha Christie's creations make their appearance- Mr. Harley Quin, Mr. Parker Pyne and Mr. Poirot. One story in the collection is just another short story without any game of detection. Most of these stories were written in early 1930s and therefore have a significant vintage value for Christie's fans. Otherwise an average read

[نورة · Rating 4 out of 5]

٤.٥
“سمع صوت الباب وهو ينغلق. لم يعرف كم مر من الوقت، هل كانت سنوات طويلة أم مجرد دقائق قصيرة؟ وسقط شيء من خارج النافذة، آخر بتلات شجرة الماجنوليا الرقيقة العطرة.”

ختامها عطر مع قصة زهرة الماجنوليا.. مستوى القصص متفاوت ما بين الـ٣ -٥ نجمات، الأخيرة كان لها الوقع الأجمل بينهن، والبقية متفاوتة من حيث الإدهاش والغموض.

[Fedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ήταν ορισμένα πολύ καλά αν και μικρές ιστορίες...

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has a variety of stories, only one of which features Poirot. Parker Pyne and Harley Quinn also put in an appearance and I enjoyed the stories they feature in.
A couple of stories though are totally unlike the usual Christie style and those seemed not to fit in here at all.

[Shauna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some very mediocre stories including two which really have very little to do with crime. Yellow Iris was subsequently reworked into the full length novel, 'Sparkling Cyanide.' Maybe worth reading if you are a fan of Christie's characters Harley Quin and Parker Pyne.

[Soraya Zavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todos los casos me gustaron 👌🏻 mi querida Agatha como dice Mónica nunca deja de sorprender.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Poirot (well, almost Poirot—with Parker Pyne sneaking in)

Problem at Pollensa Bay and Other Stories is one of those Christie collections that feels like rummaging through a jewelry box—you’ll find sparkling diamonds next to quirky little trinkets, and together they give you a different sense of her artistry than the big Poirot or Miss Marple novels ever could. This one is particularly interesting because it highlights the often-overlooked Parker Pyne, Christie’s “detective of the heart,” who isn’t so much about catching criminals as he is about solving emotional crises.

The stories here are light-footed and clever. Some are set against Mediterranean backdrops, bathing you in sea breeze and resort-town leisure, but don’t be fooled—human tensions simmer everywhere, and Pyne is the genial fixer who steps in. Unlike Poirot’s razor-edged logic, Pyne works through a blend of psychology, practicality, and theatrical flair. That makes his cases more about people’s desires, fears, and insecurities rather than stolen jewels or dead bodies. It’s Christie in a more playful mood, as if she’s saying, “Not every mystery needs to be murderous to be intriguing.”

The collection also sprinkles in other Christie staples: short, sharp tales where chance, fate, or irony deliver their own kind of justice. These feel like parables in miniature—quick to read, but they linger in your mind because of their neat reversals and little stings in the tail.

What I enjoyed most is the variety. Christie’s short fiction often feels like her sketchbook: here, she can take risks, pare ideas down to their essence, or explore moods she wouldn’t in a full-length novel. In Problem at Pollensa Bay, that playfulness is on full display—you never quite know whether you’ll land in a sun-dappled romance, a sly trick, or a quiet human drama.

For readers who only know Poirot or Marple, this is a delightful sideways entry into Christie’s world—less about whodunit mechanics and more about what-makes-people-tick. It’s charming and breezy and shows how Christie could entertain even when she wasn’t building one of her elaborate puzzle-palaces.

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a particularly memorable collection, in the end. And it starts with a Parker Pyne short story, which didn't endure it to me. It does have one of my favourite Harley Quinn's in it though, so there is that. The image of the Harlequin tea set has stayed with me.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Χρόνια είχα να διαβάσω Κρίστι και κατέληξα πάλι στα ίδια συμπεράσματα με την τελευταία φορά. Η συγγραφική της ικανότητα είναι υπερεκτιμημένη και οι υποθέσεις είναι πολύ περιορισμένες στην ανώτερη αγγλική τάξη των αρχών του 20ου αιώνα. Προσωπικά, θεωρώ πως για να γράψεις καλό crime fiction πρέπει να λερώσεις και λίγο τα χέρια σου, χωρίς να εννοώ πως πρέπει κάθε δεύτερη σελίδα να είναι γεμάτη με gore και σπλατεριές.

Από ένα σημείο και μετά όμως, η Κρίστι επαναπαύθηκε στο μοτίβο "έγκλημα σε κυριλέ αρχοντικό της αγγλικής επαρχίας" επειδή τότε πούλαγε στο αντίστοιχο κοινό και δεν προσπάθησε ποτέ να γράψει κάτι διαφορετικό, με αποτέλεσμα ακόμα και αυτή η συλλογή των "κίτρινων ίριδων" να είναι ιστορίες με επαναλαμβανόμενα μοτίβα αλλαγμένα σε λεπτομέρειες.

Δεν είναι κακή συγγραφέας, μάλλον όμως λόγω συγκυριών έγινε household name παρά καθαρής ικανότητας στην γραφή. Όσο μέτρια και να ήταν η μετάφραση στο συγκεκριμένο, η απλότητα και η γραμμικότητα των διαλόγων της κοστολογούνται στο 100%, με αποτέλεσμα άχρωμη και υπερβολικά εξωραϊστική περιγραφή του εκάστοτε εγκλήματος. Όπως πάντα, συνεχίζω να μην συμφωνώ με το ότι κάποιες φορές αφήνει τους χαρακτήρες της να επιλέγουν ποια είναι η κατάλληλη τιμωρία για τον εγκληματία, εκεί με χάνει τελείως αφαιρώντας τον όποιο ρεαλισμό είχε.

Εν πάση περιπτώσει, μιας και έπεσαν στα χέρια μου πάλι μετά από σχεδόν μια δεκαετία, θα διαβάσω 1-2 βιβλία ακόμα (ξεκίνησα τους δέκα μικρούς νέγρους που θεωρείται από τα καλύτερα της) για να σχηματίσω μια πιο σφαιρική άποψη.

[Indira Matute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los cuentos escritos por Agatha Christie son muy entretenidos de leer y la colección de nueve relatos condensados en Problema en Pollensa no son la excepción. Sus mejores detectives reunidos en un solo libro: Parker Pyne, Miss Marple y el inigualable Hércules Poirot.
De esta bonita colección, "El Misterio del cofre de Bagdad" fue mi cuento predilecto ya que condensa en tan pocas páginas su estilo y muchos de los elementos que se incluyen en sus novelas policíacas, se los recomiendo ampliamente.

[Shabbeer Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of stories featuring Hercule Poirot, Harley Quinn and a few standalone ones. The best ones for me were the - Yellow Iris, Harlequinn Tea set and The Second Gong. Needless to say, only these were enjoyable, rest quite middling in their plot and character development. Another thing which irked me was that the physical copy has four more stories than the audiobook, even though you might end up paying more for the audio version!

My rating - 3/5

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially picked this up because of the two Poirot stories included in this collection, but was then introduced to Mr Satterthwaite and his acquaintance Mr Harley Quin. What a discovery! A great duo, with a combination of crime and the supernatural. Looking forward to reading The Mysterious Mr Quin now.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little unsure about this one. Some stories I really liked, others fell completely flat and I wondered how they made it into this volume. I guess Agatha Christie isn't 100% my cup of tea, having aged gracefully but not without taking some hits. Still entertaining though, and a quick read.