And here we go! The #1936Club is up and running! It’s become a kind of tradition for me during recent club weeks to start off with a revisit to the Queen of Crime – the very wonderful Agatha Christie. We tend to pick club years from a period during which Christie was writing regularly, and so there’s usually one of her books to read if you want to (much like Simenon and his Maigret titles). However, 1936 is something of a bumper Christie year – as can be seen from the picture below…
Now three mystery novels in one year would be achievement enough for any writer, and Christie produced three Poirot titles – amazing! They’re good ones, too; I’ve read them all over the years, and have a particular fondness for “The ABC Murders”, as one of the crimes takes place in Andover, where I grew up!
However, looking at the three novels, I felt I knew all of them too well to revisit at the moment (despite the fact that “Cards on the Table” features Mrs. Oliver, who I love). So I cast around to see if there were any short stories from 1936 and there were – and I have them scattered around in the two collections shown. Therefore, I spent a happy hour or so with three of Christie’s shorter works – and they were just as enjoyable as her longer ones!
First up, let’s turn to “Murder in the Mews”; this is a collection of four stories in one volume, originally published in 1937. However, the story “Triangle at Rhodes” was originally published in The Strand Magazine, Issue 545, May 1936 under the title “Poirot and the Triangle at Rhodes”, so I do feel justified in reading it for the club! Interestingly, I can see from the pencil scrawl inside the book that this is one of the Christies I’ve owned since my early teens, so that got me all nostalgic!
“Triangle…” is set, obviously, in Rhodes, where Poirot is attempting to take a low-key, out of season holiday. However, he doesn’t seem to be able to get away from crime… Whilst keeping company with young Pamela Lyall and Sarah Blake, they observe two couples also visiting the island. Dougland and Marjorie Gold are an odd pair; he’s younger than her (scandal!!), and seems to be very attracted by the wealthy Valentine Chantry, who has her glowering husband Tony with her. Tensions soon develop, and Pamela is convinced she is a brilliant judge of human character. However, does Poirot agree with her interpretation of events? And will murder taken place?
The other two stories feature in the collection “Problem at Pollensa Bay” and helpfully the title page gives copyright dates for each tale, so I’m going to stick with that! 😀 The works from 1936 in the collection are the title story itself, and “The Regatta Mystery”; and intriguingly, both are stated to have originally been published in 1936 in the Strand magazine as Poirot mysteries (so keeping them in line with the publication of “Triangle…”). Here, the stories have been changed to ones featuring Mr. Parker Pyne, ‘specialist in unhappiness”, and that may be because the subject matter of both is less murder mystery and more problem solving!
On to the actually stories. “Problem at Pollensa Bay” finds Parker Pyne in Majorca where he becomes embroiled in a doting mother’s fears for her son, who seems to be entering into an unsuitable relationship. And in “The Regatta Mystery”, we are faced with the burglaring equivalent of a locked-room mystery, when a prank at a dinner goes horribly wrong and a valuable jewel is stolen. In the former story, the happiness of two young people is at stake; in the second, the reputation of a young man suspected of the theft. It takes all of Pyne’s ingenuity to solve the problems!
All of these stories show Agatha Christie at the top of her game, which isn’t surprising really when you consider the full length works she published that year. Her writing and plotting is assured, she captures characters, motivations and settings brilliantly, and each short story is a delight to read. “Triangle…” is probably the most famous as it shares elements with one of her novels; and the two other stories are definitely better as Pyne stories instead of Poirot. But they’re all proof, if it was needed, that Christie was just as good at short works as she was with longer ones!
Back in 2019, when we featured the 1930 Club, I chose to spend time with Christie’s ‘Harley Quin‘ short stories, and they were a real joy; the 1936 ones were just as wonderful, and I’m reminded that I have the collection “Parker Pyne Investigates”, a 1934 collection, on the shelves, which might need a revisit soon. Anyway – I’m extremely happy that I chose to start the week with Agatha Christie – the stories were the perfect read for the moment, and she really never disappoints!
Simon T
Apr 12, 2021 @ 09:59:27
Good old Agatha! I haven’t read any of her shorter stuff for years, but what a good idea for 1936 club.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 11:41:03
They were so enjoyable! I would have liked to read a novel, but they felt too fresh in my mind. These were a real treat, though!
mrbooks15
Apr 12, 2021 @ 10:31:04
I didn’t realise she wrote (or at least published) all those in one year; I enjoyed Triangle at Rhodes and the longer novel which it is the basis for as well; also Murder in the Mews. Must look up Pollens Bay–I have read it but don’t remember a thing. Enjoyed your post!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 11:40:29
Thank you! She was astonishingly prolific in 1936, wasn’t she? I could have had a whole week of reading just Christie!
#1936Club – links round-up – Stuck in a Book
Apr 12, 2021 @ 10:50:31
literarygitane
Apr 12, 2021 @ 13:50:55
Enjoyed reading your post! What a prolific writer! She was just as good with short stories as she was with her longer works and she excelled in other genres too apart from detective fiction. I have read novels written by her penned under the name of Mary Westmacott. They are wonderful too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:57:17
Thank you! She did indeed have a prodigious output, and was remarkably varied in her output. I do have some of the Westmacotts but can’t be sure which I’ve read – will have to dig them out!
Liz Dexter
Apr 12, 2021 @ 16:06:17
Wow, she was prolific! Hooray for the 1936 Club getting started. As usual, I have left starting to read the books to the week itself …!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:55:18
She was, obviously at the height of her powers in 1936! Hope you can fit in a 1936 book – look forward to hearing!
Helen
Apr 12, 2021 @ 16:44:06
I’m reading Murder in Mesopotamia at the moment, as it’s one I’d never read before, but I’ll keep the short story idea in mind for future clubs! I haven’t read many of her short stories but I did love the Harley Quin collection.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:54:47
Ah lovely – I’ll look forward to your thoughts! Short stories are a great option for the club years, particularly when there isn’t a novel and these were great!
heavenali
Apr 12, 2021 @ 17:20:13
Ooh lovely, such a good idea to read Agatha Christie short stories. It’s a very long time since I read the Parker Pyne stories they sound great, and I really can’t remember if I read those actual stories or other ones. A great start to the 1936 club for you.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:54:07
They’re great, and it’s ages since I read the Parker Pynes too – definitely time for a revisit. I like to start the week with Christie, and these did it the spot!
JacquiWine
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:13:28
You know, I’m not sure if I’ve ever read any of Christie’s stories. Possibly not, as my Christie phase was largely a combination of the Miss Marple novels and various standalones. What a great choice for the Club! Your point about Christie being a brilliant judge of character is very well made – it’s something I noticed when I (re)read a couple of her books in lockdown one last year.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 18:53:20
Her short stories are very enjoyable, and I’ve read a number over the years – often collections like the Quin ones, and of course Marple and Poirot. I think she’s too often dismissed as an author when it comes to her characters – I think they’re excellent, and I do recommend her shorter works if you get a chance!
hopewellslibraryoflife
Apr 12, 2021 @ 19:03:19
Good reviews. I read Murder in Mesopatamia. My review is up.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 20:42:18
Thanks and thanks!
ireadthatinabook
Apr 12, 2021 @ 19:18:19
I really like the ABC murders, definitely one of her more memorable plots. If I had it in my bookshelf I would have considered a reread. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to line up any 1936 titles, but I count on getting some good recommendations during this week.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 20:42:11
It’s definitely one of her best, but I just didn’t feel I could re-read it right now. The short stories worked though! Hope you get some good reading ideas this week – I’m so looking forward to everyone’s suggestions!!
Denise
Apr 12, 2021 @ 19:41:18
My partner and I both share an enjoyment for Christie for comfort reading and marvel at the way we could read them and then come back to them and have forgotten enough of the plot to be swept along more than once! I did own the ABC as a child though so did eventually remember the plot to that one – it’s a good one though and very atmospheric.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 12, 2021 @ 20:41:13
ABC is one of my favourites, and I’ve read it so many times I don’t think I can forget it! But there are others I really don’t know so well, and so it’s always a joy to go back to them!
The 36 Most Read Mysteries of 1936: The Results – crossexaminingcrime
Apr 12, 2021 @ 23:33:12
Bellezza
Apr 13, 2021 @ 14:37:33
I love when you host these events with Simon; I am always introduced to something I wouldn’t have readily picked up without the inspiration! You’re so right that Agatha Christie never disappoints! I downloaded a massive collection on my nook when it was under $2.00 once, and while I like paper best, it was a good buy.
Even though I am reading (intensely) for the 2021 International Booker Prize right now, trying to get those longlisted books finished in mid-April, I will participate in this! I have downloaded Ayn Rand’s We The Living, and I can’t wait to read and review it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 15:03:04
They’re always most enjoyable and 1936 is such a wonderful year! Christie was astonishingly prolific anyway, but three Poirots and some short stories in 1936 is going some!
Will be very interested in hearing what you think of the Rand, a sometimes controversial figure. I read one of hers pre-blog and did enjoy it but I’ve not explored further!
Bellezza
Apr 13, 2021 @ 16:12:53
I love Ayn Rand, who is not terribly popular with many. But, I have read both Atlas Shrugged, and The Fountainhead, many times. While I do not necessarily agree with all of her ideas, I fully embrace personal responsibility which seems all but forgotten these days.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:05:44
I agree that taking personal responsibility is an important one – I think the French existentialists were strong on that too. I’ve not really read enough of her to make an informed judgement if I’m honest, but I do feel we need to look after each other collectively as a human race – and I did feel her views were more survival of the fittest!
Bellezza
Apr 13, 2021 @ 22:11:18
Yes, I completely agree we need to look after each other. Absolutely.❤️
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 13:52:08
We do! 😀
Bellezza
Apr 13, 2021 @ 16:14:16
Plus, the idea of nationalization, which occurs in the beginning of We The Living, fascinates and terrifies me at the same time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:07:20
Ah, well having lived in a nation which had many nationalised industries and services I am in favour of that – things have gone downhill since the tories got rid of them, and I firmly believe that a country’s services should be run by that country for that country’s people, and not by vested commercial interests!
Bellezza
Apr 13, 2021 @ 22:13:27
A country’s services need to meet the needs of the people certainly. What I refer to as terrifying me is when private businesses, family businesses and personal homes, were taken away for everyone’s use.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 13:52:32
Yes, I get that – there has to be a balance, I feel!
WordsAndPeace
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:41:52
Great post! I have also thoroughly enjoyed these stories and novels by AG. I’m listening to them chronologically right now, and have started 1937. I just discovered Appointment With Death, which I thought was really really good.
Here is my post for the 1936 Club: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/04/06/my-top-6-books-for-the-1936-club/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:51:43
Thank you! Reading Christie is always such a comfort! And thank you for your post – wonderful stuff! 😀
BookerTalk
Apr 19, 2021 @ 21:59:14
Was is common for her to write that number of books and short stories in one year? It sounds extraordinarily prolific
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 20, 2021 @ 10:00:35
I don’t know for sure, but I think she often produced two novels a year. Three is exceptional, and if you look at the 1930s she produced an incredible amount of great works – what a woman!!
buriedinprint
Apr 20, 2021 @ 21:04:07
When I started to look up options for 1936, I figured you would be starting with the “C” shelf, with one of your go-to faves. 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2021 @ 11:39:27
Oh yes. I always check for a Christie!!!
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