The Seven Dials Mystery

Even if you are a born-to-sleep person, you should be able to wake up if your friends are playing a prank on you by putting 8 alarm clocks on your bedside, shouldn't you?

Title: The Seven Dials Mystery

Author: Agatha Christie

ISBN: 0007122594 (ISBN13: 9780007122592)

Recurring Characters: Superintendent Battle, Lady Eileen Brent (Bundle), Bill Eversleigh, George Lomax, Tredwell

I've never read about the other(s) but The Seven Dials Mystery is supposedly the second murder mystery that happened at Lord Caterham's estate, the Chimneys. The 300++ pages were full of thrilling moments filled with politics, espionage, crimes and romance and the ending is just perfect. Everything fell into place and when the whole truth came out, I, was simply dumbfounded. 

The story started with a weekend party held by the Cootes, who were renting the Chimneys at that time. Several young men and girls were invited and they had or should have a good time if not for the sudden death of Gerald Wade in his sleep, due to overdose of chloral. Ronny Devereux doubted that his friend had what the court verdict declared as "Death by Misadventure" and tried to convey his suspicion to Bundle, daughter of Lord Caterham, whom almost ran over him with her car. He was found shot and his last message was "Seven Dials..." and "Tell... Jimmy Thesiger". Bundle, who couldn't make heads or tails out of the message, went to Chimneys and discovered an unfinished letter written by Gerald to his sister, Loraine, mentioning something to do with a secret community called "Seven Dials". With the letter in hand, Bundle went to find Jimmy Thesiger, whom was also one of the invited guests and told him the whole story and Superintendent Battle from Scotland Yard reluctantly let Bundle to get involved in the case after Bundle made a few dangerous investigations herself. Will Bundle, Jimmy and Loraine find out who are behind this "Seven Dials" community and are they responsible for the death of their friends?

A Murder is Announced - Miss Marple #5

If you are a manga reader, you might find the image above familiar. Yes, it's the infamous red notice from the well-known Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango by artist Kamio Yoko. Today's post is not about the manga, though. I just find the danger notice above quite suitable for my recent reading below.

Title: A Murder is Announced
Author: Agatha Christie
ISBN: 0007120966 (ISBN13: 9780007120963)
Recurring Characters: Miss Jane Marple, Sir Henry Clithering, Inspector Dermot Craddock

A Murder is Announced, as the title suggested, an attempt of murder is openly indicated on an advertising column of the Friday morning local newspaper, the Gazette, at a peaceful village of Chipping Cleghorn. It is stated that a murder is going to happen at Little Paddocks at 6.30 pm that evening while the 6 residents of Little Paddocks themselves find the article very extraordinary as they have no idea who have come up with such an annoying joke. When the indicated time gets closer, curious neighbors of Chipping Cleghorn start "coincidentally dropping by" to Little Paddock to witness how the announced murder is going to happen. As the clock struck 6.30, lights go out, somebody breaks in, a bank robbery-scene like takes place, shots are heard, lights come back, hysterical screams go off and you know what to expect. The old Miss Marple has to come back with her ever so brilliant "grey cells".

The title intrigued me when I first saw it. I thought, okay, why would a murderer make this kind of stupid announcement when he/she is going to commit a murder? But of course, everything is necessary here. Even this curious murder announcement is needed to make the murder plan "complete". I kind of have guessed who the murderer is after reading the first few chapters (and I guessed it right!), nevertheless, I still find the plot awesome. The story twist and the behind-motive are what I would call as a very Agatha Christie's storytelling style (with her misleading clues), which I think, after reading a couple of her books, is the reason why I could guess who the murderer is right away!

Curtain - Hercule Poirot #39

No, not this kind of household curtain. It's that curtain, the one drawn at the end of a theatrical play marking the end of the play and welcoming a round of applause, yes, that big grand red curtain.

Curtain for Poirot, as you may have expected from the title, will be the finale of Poirot's tale.

Title: Curtain

Author: Agatha Christie

ISBN: 0007121121 (ISBN13: 9780007121120)

Recurring Characters: Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings, George

The last adventure for both Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings, a heartbreaking story with a twisted ending.

The story, for the second time, took place at Styles, the place where Poirot and Hastings solved their first murder case together (in the book The Mysterious Affairs at Styles) that had been turned into a guest house in this story. Hastings quickly learned that once again, he would to join his friend in a "murderer hunt game". Poirot presented the facts that there had been 5 unrelated murders committed in 5 different locations and someone had been seen lingering around the locations where the 5 murders took place. Poirot knew who that "someone" was but refused to confide with Hastings.

Poirot indicated that the suspect, X was among the guests at Styles and another murder was going to happen there. He didn't have the slightest idea who was going to be murdered and that made Hastings got even more nervous because her youngest daughter, Judith was there (as a possible victim and at the same time, a suspect).

Both Poirot and Hastings had to make haste in their investigations as Poirot was also racing with the time he had with his failing health.

"We shall not hunt together again, my friend. Our first hunt was here - and our last ... They were good days, Yes, they have been good days..." (extracted from Poirot's manuscript)