I thought about saying that I'd like to learn, but I'm not sure I want to for any other reason than to re-read this book with more understanding.
That said, while I didn't have the insight of Poirot by studying the bridge scores, neither did Battle, so I can't say I'm too terribly off.
So many things I loved about this book.
1) Ariadne Oliver:
"Mrs. Ariadne Oliver was extremely well known as one of the foremost writers of detective and other sensational stories. She wrote chatty, if not particularly grammatical, articles on 'The Tendency of the Criminal,' (sic) Famous Crimes Passionnels,' 'Murder for Love v. Murder for Gain.' She was also a hotheaded feminist and when any murder of importance was occupying space in the press there was sure to be an interview with Mrs. Oliver, and it was mentioned that Mrs. Oliver had said, 'Now if a woman were the head of Scotland Yard!' She was an earnest believer in woman's intuition.
I love this character. I've read of her before, but since reading in order, I believe she's only been mentioned so far in Parker Pyne Investigates. She is over the top and the descriptions of her sure make me chuckle, especially as she believed wholeheartedly a woman should be in charge of the investigations:
"'... there are lots of crimes you people at Scotland Yard never find out. Now if you had a woman there - '
'As a matter of fact we have - '
'Yes, those dreadful policewomen in funny hats who bother people in parks! I mean a woman at the head of things. Women know about crime.'"
and
"'If I were you, Superintendent Battle, I should arrest him at once.'
'I daresay we would if there was a woman at the head of Scotland Yard,' said Superintendent Battle, a momentary twinkle showing in his unemotional eyes, 'But you see, mere men being in charge, we've got to be careful. We've got to get there slowly.'"
2) Nods to Doyle, such as this comment by Poirot, which may also reveal a little authorial confession:
"It reminds you of Sherlock Holmes, does it not? The curious incident of the dog in the night. The dog did not howl in the night. That is the curious thing! Ah, well, I am not above stealing the tricks of others."
3) Potentially more authorial confession, on the labors of a writer's life as described by Mrs. Oliver:
"'It doesn't happen exactly like that,' said Mrs. Oliver. 'One actually has to think, you know. And thinking is always a bore. And you have to plan things. And then one gets stuck every now and then and you feel you'll never get out of the mess - but you do! Writing's not particularly enjoyable. It's hard work like everything else.'
'It doesn't seem like work,' said Rhoda.
'Not to you, said Mrs. Oliver, because you don't have to do it! It feels very like work to me. Some days I can only keep going by repeating over and over to myself the amount of money I might get for my next serial rights. That spurs you on, you know. So does your bankbook when you see how much overdrawn you are.'"
4) This reference to Murder on the Orient Express (MotOE spoiler):
"'What is it?' cried Rhoda.
He lowered his voice. "A knife, mademoiselle, with which twelve people once stabbed a man. It was given me as a souvenir by the Compagnie International des Wagons Lits.'"
5) Yet another twisty (tortuous, the word in this book is), surprise ending.
6) The fact that I paid $1.50 for this (maybe $0.75 if it were on sale) at a thrift store when the cover price was only 50 cents.
Oh, dear Agatha, thank you again for the fun. You never disappoint.
With great admiration,
b.
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