Raoul Daubreuil insists his fiancée give up her activities as a talented and successful medium when they marry. However, he agrees to attend what is tRaoul Daubreuil insists his fiancée give up her activities as a talented and successful medium when they marry. However, he agrees to attend what is to be her last séance—with Madame Exe. But even Raoul can't foresee the tragedy ahead.
Short story about a medium who reluctantly does one last séance, with tragic results. I found the story captivating with some creepy supernatural elements, and an abrupt, strange ending. But I still enjoyed it. Another good one to read around Halloween....more
Very short story about a stranger who stops at an isolated house after having car trouble and eventually prevents a murder. I found this story to be sVery short story about a stranger who stops at an isolated house after having car trouble and eventually prevents a murder. I found this story to be somewhat confusing, which lessened my enjoyment of it....more
Miss Marple shares a story to a group of friends about how, years ago, she suspected a man was going to kill his wife. Later on, the wife is found deaMiss Marple shares a story to a group of friends about how, years ago, she suspected a man was going to kill his wife. Later on, the wife is found dead, but the husband appears to be innocent of the crime, even to Miss Marple. Or is he? Another clever mystery by Agatha Christie. Not much Christmas in this, though....more
Hercule Poirot has a case at a home in the English countryside involving a missing ruby, and he also gets to experience an English Christmas.
This wasHercule Poirot has a case at a home in the English countryside involving a missing ruby, and he also gets to experience an English Christmas.
This was an extremely enjoyable short story. I liked the setting, the Christmas season, the characters... I liked the part when the teenagers tried to trick Poirot, but as usual, he is one step ahead of them.
Another entertaining mystery by Agatha Christie!...more
Enjoyable short story with Poirot telling Hastings about one of his case failures when Hastings mentions his belief that Poirot had never known failurEnjoyable short story with Poirot telling Hastings about one of his case failures when Hastings mentions his belief that Poirot had never known failure in his professional career. A rare story in which Poirot doesn’t guess the culprit....more
A man sees a vision in his mirror of a girl being strangled by a man with a scarred neck. He meets the girl later and notices that the man he saw straA man sees a vision in his mirror of a girl being strangled by a man with a scarred neck. He meets the girl later and notices that the man he saw strangling her in the mirror bears a resemblance to the guy she is planning to marry…
Very short and mysterious read. Dark story dealing with visions and premonitions. Another entertaining read by Agatha Christie....more
Thirteen-year-old Joyce Reynolds is murdered at a Halloween party. She was killed by being dunked in the bucket used for bobbing for apples. Earlier iThirteen-year-old Joyce Reynolds is murdered at a Halloween party. She was killed by being dunked in the bucket used for bobbing for apples. Earlier in the day, Joyce was telling everyone how she saw a murder some time ago. (Joyce is known for exaggerating and lying, so no one took her seriously at the time.) But now, with her death, maybe she was telling the truth. A lady author (Ariadne Oliver) that was at the party visits Hercule Poirot and asks him if he can look into this. He agrees. Will Poirot find out who the murderer is?
Enjoyable read, though there was barely any Halloween in this book, except for the Halloween party at the beginning of the story. It was slow at times, but I had fun trying to figure out who the murderer was. It’s always fascinating to see how Poirot figures out a case.
Short story about a woman (Mrs. Raddish) who moves into a house that is said to be haunted, with her little boy Geoffrey, and her elderly father. Her Short story about a woman (Mrs. Raddish) who moves into a house that is said to be haunted, with her little boy Geoffrey, and her elderly father. Her son sometimes sees a sad little boy in the house, her father hears a child crying in the night. Mrs. Raddish hears and sees nothing of this. It is said a little boy died in this house…
Short story about a great scientist (Aylmer) who becomes fixated on his wife's birthmark, which is on her cheek, to the point where he goes to any lenShort story about a great scientist (Aylmer) who becomes fixated on his wife's birthmark, which is on her cheek, to the point where he goes to any lengths to remove it. I didn't like Aylmer at all....more
Unusual short story about a doll in a dressmaker's shop (no one can remember how it got there) which, when no one is looking, seems to move around witUnusual short story about a doll in a dressmaker's shop (no one can remember how it got there) which, when no one is looking, seems to move around with a life of its own.
A strange story that I found amusing and creepy at times. Good to read around Halloween....more
One by one the men who discovered and opened the tomb of King Men-He-Rah are beginning to die. Superstition spreads that they have been cursed by the One by one the men who discovered and opened the tomb of King Men-He-Rah are beginning to die. Superstition spreads that they have been cursed by the dead king. Poirot is asked to investigate the supernatural deaths by a concerned mother. Hastings is left bewildered when Poirot asserts his belief in the supernatural…
This was a really enjoyable short story. I like books that have to do with Egypt and archaeology. Poirot does a fine job solving the case. A fast and easy read....more
A man seeks shelter for the night in an abandoned chateau. While he is in bed he notices a painting on the wall of a girl. He is captivated by it, andA man seeks shelter for the night in an abandoned chateau. While he is in bed he notices a painting on the wall of a girl. He is captivated by it, and reads about it in a book, which tells the sad tale of the painting.
This was a short, gripping, and fascinating read. Another interesting story by Poe....more
Well written, sad short story about a man accused of something he didn't do, then proven innocent. But the people in town never let it go.Well written, sad short story about a man accused of something he didn't do, then proven innocent. But the people in town never let it go....more
