Agatha Christie Lovers discussion

Originally published in 1934. A collection of short stories featuring the ‘heart specialist’, Parker Pyne.

Mrs Packington felt alone, helpless and utterly forlorn. But her life changed when she stumbled upon an advertisement in the morning paper which read: ‘ARE YOU UNHAPPY? IF NOT, CONSULT MR PARKER PYNE’. Equally adept at putting together the pieces of a marriage or the fragments of a murder mystery, Mr Parker Pyne was possibly the world’s most unconventional private eye—and certainly its most charming.

Contents: The case of the middle-aged wife — The case of the discontented soldier — The case of the distressed lady — The case of the discontented husband — The case of the city clerk — The case of the rich woman — Have you got everything you want? — The gate of Bagdad — The house at Shiraz — The pearl of price — Death on the Nile — The oracle at Delphi.

I love the Parker Pyne stories.....not really a detective in the accepted sense but more a mender of broken dreams. And yes, they are most charming.

I think I read this, the name is so familiar. I'll have to wait until this comes up. I've put all the BOMs up through December while listening to an audiobook. I didn't realize that I was only up to March!

This is one I actually don't think I've read! Jill-your comments make me very curious. I'll have to try them.

After reading review, I do not think I would like and so much effort to get from the library,(if I cannot do it) I am bowing out this month. I do not like short stories as it is and sounds way to fluffy. I had never heard of it an did not know she wrote this kind of stuff. Looking forward to what everyone thinks though.

I'm in. I agree with Karen, it sounds a little bit fluffy. But since I already own it, I'll give it a try.

Not really my favourite of AC's work. Re-read the stories and think the best are the ones where Mr Pyne is on holiday and you have the exotic locations she writes so well.

Trevor wrote: "I'm in. I agree with Karen, it sounds a little bit fluffy. But since I already own it, I'll give it a try."

I would also if I did have it. Let us know what you think.

Karen wrote: "I would also if I did have it. Let us know what you think."

Will do. :)

I liked this one as it was different from her usual and seemed like she was taking a break, doing something different so as not to get stale. And Pyne is a sort of magical character.

jennifer wrote: "I liked this one as it was different from her usual and seemed like she was taking a break, doing something different so as not to get stale. And Pyne is a sort of magical character."

I think you are right....it was a break from the Poirot/Marple mysteries and much lighter reading.....but I think they are rather fun.

They are fun, good plots as always. I think I always prefer novels to short stories, so that may affect my enjoyment.

I don't like short stories neither, and even though Christie is one of my favourite authors, I skipped some pages when we were reading her short story books: I just can't get engaged with them and feels like something is missing...

For these reasons, I have my reservations about this one, and unfortunately I'll be reading it thinking that I won't like it, which is no good! :o(

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised!

Maybe just read one story a day, Deni. I find that sometimes works if I am starting a book (possibly for a book group) that I am not sure I will like. Then you don't feel you so pressured about it and you might want to read on and find you are looking forward to your story of the day.

Susan wrote: "Maybe just read one story a day, Deni. I find that sometimes works if I am starting a book (possibly for a book group) that I am not sure I will like. Then you don't feel you so pressured about i..."

I haven't thought about that, good idea Susan, thanks!!

Well, sounds obvious, but I find it helps me. :)

Susan wrote: "Not really my favourite of AC's work. Re-read the stories and think the best are the ones where Mr Pyne is on holiday and you have the exotic locations she writes so well."

Parker Pyne is a light, fun read. Like Susan, I prefer the stories in the second half of the book.

Oh good, it gets better than the first half!? haha - I'm struggling through it. I'm on the... 5th story now, I think.

Yes, the second half is definitely better, Trevor, so read on!

Yay!!

I'm going to start this tonight. I'm not usually too fond of short stories, but Carolyn's comments at the beginning of this discussion have made me curious. This should be interesting!

I plagiarized, er I mean cut and pasted the book's blurb.

I really enjoyed these stories, first to last! Something different from her. I enjoy short stories most of the time, so the length of the story was never an issue for me. I've read many of her short story complilations and usually enjoy them.

Shame on me: I've re-read many Poirot & Marple's stories but never read any Parker Pyne cases until this month. I'm reading one to two stories per day (not a big fan of short-stories either) and really enjoying them.

I'm about one-quarter of the way through this. The stories are nice, but I miss the full development of characters and plot that you get in a full-length book. They're good stories, though, so I'll keep going!

Two stories left! It's not the greatest, but I appreciate the little mysteries Parker Pyne solves. A few have been much too rushed for my liking, but that's what you get in a short story.

I think this is one of those books that you keep by the breakfast or lunch table and read while munching on toast!...quick little stories and simple plots.

The last story is my favorite! This wasn't one of my favorite books but that last story shocked me quite a bit. And, Jill, I agree. Easy to read on a short bus ride or at lunch!

This book is the book of the month for June 2019. Here is a link to that thread https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...