Started: 5 August 2012
Finished: 8 August 2012
Pages: 220
Why can't modern authors take a leaf from Ms. Christie's books? She fits a whole who-dunnit, complete with about 8 suspects, classical quotations, and several red herrings into a little over 200 pages.
There's a reason why Agatha Christie books still appear in airport bookshops while Ngaio Marsh and Ellery Queen are a more of a special interest. Her books have not dated. The murderer may always be the least likely suspect, and a moment's reflection makes some of her key plot points seem *rather* improbable, but her writing is fluid and her characters entertaining. All of which combines to make her books entertaining rather than period pieces.
Oh, boy. Do I agree with this insightful review, mb. And the book is so much fun to read. There's also a great movie of it with a soundtrack of Cole Porter songs.
ReplyDeleteHey Tony, you found my blog again! Agatha Christie is definitely fun to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the movie. Who could resist a Cole Porter soundtrack? I wonder if it's on Netflix....