The Agatha Christie Reading Group discussion

Did you know that the ending is different (slightly) in the English version verses the American version of this book? It doesn't mess up the plot any, but there it is.

Will do.

Starting this one today :) look forward to discussing this text with you all :)

I'm fangirling over this already. I simply love Dame Agatha's writing style- I love how she describes her characters, from "a dried-up little Pipkin of a man." (Mr Satterthwaithe) to "The big grey haired man who drew a chair forward and say down had his profession clearly stamped on his keen, kindly, middle aged face." (Sir Bartholomew Strange).

And Mrs. Dacres, with her "coppery green" hair!

I really liked this! (well.. it seems that Agatha is usually pretty safe choice, not many bad books) I'm not huge Poirot fan so I didn't mind that we get more from his sidekicks, much more action that way. I just read Why Didn't They Ask Evans? and she used many same elements.. but if you write 80 books, I guess that's gonna happen.

I anticipate the ending of this and I'm nonetheless excited :D

I guess it is safe now to let you know the different endings.

SPOILER ALERT!!

In the English version, the motive is that Charles Cartwright has a wife already, in a mental home. The only one who knows this is Sir Bartholomew, hence his murder. In the US version, the motive is that Sir Bartholomew, as a nerve specialist, has detected Sir Charles's insanity and Sir C is afraid Sir B will commit him to a mental home, hence his murder.

My guess for the change is that, at that time in England, one could not divorce one's spouse if he or she is in a mental home. Apparently, in America, one could do that, and so the change.

Hoping to get this finished today. Interesting to hear about the different endings in the various editions of the text. Though it's not right, I feel that each book should always have the same ending.

"Three Act Tragedy," I'm finding, has semi-parallels to "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," meaning that Agatha has positioned Sir Charles as a friendly protagonist (to a degree) so that we can trust him. That's presuming I'm right in thinking who the murderer is. Excuse my presumptions.

Not at all. One things you can count on in Christie is that no one is off limits for being the murderer!

I have the English version too. I've found this one to be a classic, spine tingling, page turning thriller as is typically amazing of Dame Agatha.

I like all her characters in this too. Many different players in the world that is "Three Act Tragedy."

Pghfan: I totally agree, of course! I just couldn't help but pick out those small parallels XD

I must confess, how I laughed when Poirot & Charles staged yet another poisoning. Egg's response cracked me up!

Brooklyn: "Egg" "cracked you up?" Was this on purpose? [laughing, now]

Yes. Forgive the terrible pun XD. What a happy coincidence ;)