Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book 11) Read Christie Selection March 2025

 

Publication Date: 

1934

Genre:

Mystery

Series: Hercule Poirot Book 11

Length:   279 pages

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Who wouldn't be pleased to attend a small dinner party being held by Sir Charles Cartwright, once the leading star of the London stage? At his "Crow's Nest" home in Loomouth, Cornwall.

Unfortunately, thirteen guests arrived at the actor's house, most unlucky. One of them was a vicar. It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died. But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison -- just as Hercule Poirot, also in attendance, had predicted. Even more troubling for the great detective, there was absolutely no motive!

My Thoughts:

This book was the Read Christie March Selection and I listened to it on audiobook.  It was called Murder in Three Acts originally when first published. I and read that this is the only novel where the two characters of Poirot and Satterthwaite work together to solve a murder. 

Sir Charles Cartwright, a famous London actor and friend of Poirot,hosts a dinner party with thirteen guests. During the party, Reverend Stephen Babbington dies after ingesting his cocktail. Although everyone attending suspects foul play, it can't be proven. There is no poison to be found in the drink. Poirot and Satterthwaite, who were attending the party, find this frustratingly odd of course. They cannot work out a motive either. Who would want the Reverend dead? When they hear about another, similar death not long after they are extremely suspicious given that most of the exact same guests attended the second party. Coincidence? Poirot thinks that highly unlikely. 

It was fun to see the challenge presented here. No real motive or means, and most of the guests seemingly harmless bystanders. Poirot eventually interviews the relevant ones and seems to take a liking to one in particular, "Egg" the nickname for Miss Lytton Gore. We see a softer side of him and he also eventually tells us some things about himself personally that are interesting, towards the end, one in particular relating to the way he speaks. I found it all kind of endearing.

I didn't guess the relationship between the two crimes so the mystery was well done. It wasn't the strongest of her books in terms of character development and I wouldn't say I walked away really excited about the plot, but it is still a good read, or listen. Her books usually are a great escape!

 

Stacking the Shelves #52

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Enjoy your reading this week!

Purchased on Amazon: 99 cents:

I had never heard of this author or this series. When I bought the book I didn't look at the publication date but on Goodreads it says 1991. And the book is said to be a lot like the Cadfael series. It is part of the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan and is the first book. Set during the 1300's during the time of Richard II. I was intrigued because it is a time I'm trying to learn more about. In this story, Brother Athelstan investigates the murder of a prince just shortly after the death of the Black Prince Edward. I'm excited to have stumbled upon this series! He has published over 100 books set in different time periods. 

Purchased on Amazon: 49 Cents with credits:

Ironically, I needed this book for the Read Christie challenge awhile back and couldn't get it anywhere without waiting forever or a steep price. So I bought it on sale this week and can finally read it, though not during the correct challenge month. I know it's the first Miss Marple book which sets the stage for the rest so I'm excited to see what it's like. Short stories aren't my favorite type of book but can be good for when you are in a time crunch and just want to pick up something easy.

Purchased on Amazon: $1.99:

The setting of this book was what drew me in. In 1880 a Scottish detective has been asked to investigate an Admiral's suspicious death in Malta. I love exotic locations and that is one place I know nothing about. From what I can find it looks like this is the author's debut novel published last April. I love supporting new authors and hope this one is good. 

The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb by Agatha Christie ( A Hercule Poirot Short Story)

 

Publication Date: 

September 26, 1923

Genre:

Cozy Historical Mystery Short Story

Series: Hercule Poirot

Length:   35 pages

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb,” the widow of a famous Egyptologist consults Poirot on the suspicious death of her husband and an American financier, Bleibner. The mystery takes Poirot and Hastings to Egypt to investigate the site of an archaeological dig. But who could want the two men dead? This short story originally appeared in the September 26, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.

My Thoughts:

This is a short story, which I'm usually not a fan of but Egypt and Poirot I will give a try! I watched the television version last year and loved it but when I saw how short the story was I wondered how they'd make a whole show out of it. But it was good and followed the story well. 

The characters were surprisingly well fleshed out in a few pages and I found myself sympathetic to some who were clearly not the murderer. The supernatural element was fun even thought the tomb depicted, wasn't real. It of course plays on the opening at that time of the tomb of King Tut and the belief that those involved were cursed. Here we have a great story in which the wife of one of the victims wants to get to the bottom of how it all happened, curse or not because she wants her son to take over and is worried about his safety. Poirot, as usual, has a more practical take on it. He and Hastings, his beloved sidekick, are on alert and investigate it all. 

There were some interesting additions of medical terminology and history that I won't give away due to spoilers but I always like learning more along the way about things outside of the story. There is also a scene where Poirot sets a trap of sorts that is fun. You are kept guessing until the end and it's amazing how she wraps everything up in just 35 pages. I am looking forward to reading more of these short stories just due to the way she manages to make you think "how on earth is this going to be solved so quickly?"

Death Down the Aisle by Verity Bright (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 11)

 

Publication Date: August 31, 2022

Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery

Series: Lady Eleanor Swift

Length: 319 pages

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The society wedding of the decade has the blushing bride, beautiful flowers… and the groom arrested before he can walk down the aisle? Thank goodness Lady Swift is on the guest list!

Lady Eleanor Swift isn’t normally one for grand social occasions, but who can resist a wedding? Especially when it’s her old friend, Constance Grainger, marrying the most eligible bachelor in town, Lord Peregrine Davencourt. Eleanor is taking Gladstone the bulldog as her plus one, with a smart new bowtie to match her bridesmaid’s dress.

But the big day is ruined when the groom is arrested for murder before he makes it to the altar. In a baffling twist, it turns out he was already engaged to the lovely Daisy Balforth, who has been found dead at the local inn with Lord Davencourt kneeling over her. The gossip pages will have a field day!

The distraught bride-to-be asks Eleanor to clear her fiancé’s name, as she’s certain he wouldn’t hurt a fly. With help from handsome Detective Seldon, Eleanor examines the evidence. But she’s barely had time to write down her suspect list before Constance’s father is set upon by a bearded stranger on the golf course. Clearly there is more to this story than Eleanor first thought, but can she catch the real killer before the wedding turns into her wake?

My Thoughts:

I wasn't really looking forward to this particular book as much as the others in the series because it takes place in England and I love the books that have Eleanor visiting other locations. So I kind of stalled getting on with reading it. I'm glad I finally did though because it turned out to be really cute and also moved Eleanor and Hugh's relationship a little further. I'd probably be a bit lost if I'd skipped it! So I'm pleasantly surprised and had fun reading it.

In this story, Eleanor is preparing to be a bridesmaid in her dear friend Constance's wedding. But before she can walk down the aisle her fiance, Lord Peregrine Davencourt is accused of murdering his former love interest, Daisy. It's a race against time to clear his name, if he is even innocent, and save the wedding. Peregrine insists he's not guilty and Constance believes him. Eleanor sets out with her butler Clifford and Detective Hugh Seldon to try to help. 

It didn't sound all that exciting when I started but this book held my interest well. I just need cozies to be authentic to the times, have some red herrings to navigate, and wrap things up neatly. This one did just that and included a cast of characters wtih colorful and shady backgrounds. There was the ladies society also of which Eleanor is a part of promoting women police officers (an interesting topic for the time) and the attempt to throw us off with the backstory of a town decimated by the war. I enjoyed the addition of a little boy, Bertie, who is clearly autistic but since at that time people were less aware of it, is presented as an intense, loveable child who ultimately helps with solving the murders in his own unique way.

The person responsible for the murders and mayhem was hidden well until the end and I enjoyed how they were revealed. It was exciting and throughout the book I kept changing my mind as each new clue was revealed. All in all an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next adventure in the series.

Stacking the Shelves #51

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Enjoy your reading this week!

Purchased with digital Kindle points: 49 cents:

I recently watched the Poirot TV show episode of this book but didn't realize it was a short story. A really short one! It's only 35 pages. But I wanted to read it and so that is the plan today! As always, all things Egypt and pyramids appeal to me and so did the cover. And I just love the stories with Poirot! They are my favorites :) In this story Poirot investigates mysterious deaths associated with the dig site of a new tomb. There is more to the story of course and he suspects a much simpler solution than the supernatural. 

Purchased with digital Kindle points: 99 cents

I hadn't heard of this author before but the premise of the story looked interesting to me. It involves an old 16th century New Orleans mansion, treasure and ghosts. There is a mystery involving murder and two childhood friends caught up in the events. I probably won't get to it for awhile but it looked like one I'd read eventually. 

Purchased with digital Kindle points: Free

I don't know much about Irish history but I'd like to. This book looked like a good place to start and covers the later eras of 1500-2000. There is so much connected with England, France, and Wales (which I know much more about) that I'd like to learn. I also like books that will give me a short timeline first and this is a short history so it won't be overwhelming with details. I'll add it to my TBR pile and we will see when I get to it!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Death On the Rhine by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book 5)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Death On the Rhine, by Vivian Conroy. I have read the first two books in the series and while the second wasn't as strong on atmosphere as I'd have liked depicting the area of Santorini, the book was interesting enough to keep along with this series. Such gorgeous covers and exotic locations that make me want to keep reading them. In this book, Atalanta Ashford goes on a luxury river cruise down the Rhine and encounters a murder to solve. I will need to read books 3 and 4 first but this one looks good too. 

I hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Cozy Historical Mystery

April 4, 2025

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A luxury cruise

Hidden family secrets

A body on board…

A birthday trip to Bonn sees amateur detective Atalanta Ashford drawn into the scandalous will of a wealthy grandmother during a scenic cruise down along the Rhine.

But growing tensions lead to a sudden and shocking death. Facing suspicion all around, Atalanta must unravel a deadly web of family secrets as treacherous as the river they voyage on, to find the killer.

Stacking the Shelves #50

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Enjoy your reading this week!

Borrowed from Library: Free

There are so many of Kathryn Warner's books I need to read. She is a wonderful historian covering mostly the middle ages and areas I need more study in. I first heard about her on my favorite podcasts and unfortunately her books aren't always easy to find on Kindle for a good price here in the states. But you can't go wrong with her, she's so knowledgeable in an entertaining way. This book centers on Edward II and his ill fated relationship with Hugh Despenser. It's such a soap opera/drama filled story I want to know more!

Borrowed from Libby: Free

This is on my March list because it's the Read Christie selection. I'm starting a little late so I hope I finish in time! Hercule Poirot tries to solve the murder of a reverend who dies mysteriously at a dinner party. But this time he can't find a motive or cause of death that suits him. I love Poirot, he's my favorite of the Christie characters so I'm looking forward to this one. 

Borrowed from Libby: Free

Don't let the covers or romance vibe fool you. Amanda Scott books are really good and teach me a lot of history. I'm reading this series out of order because they are stand alone books with different characters. In this one, Jake and Alyson are on a rescue mission to save the heir to the Scottish throne, James, who is missing after a storm and pirate attack. The descriptions of the English coast, Scottish history, and authentic language make this book much more than a steamy romance novel. And there is not a lot of that anyway, you can skip those parts and be perfectly fine to follow along with this one!

Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer (Book Two: A Jane Wunderly Mystery)

 

Publication Date:  March 31, 2021

Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery

Series: Jane Wunderly

Length: 304 pages

Book Description (GoodReads):

In the wake of World War I, Jane Wunderly- a thoroughly modern young American widow-is traveling abroad, enjoying the hospitality of an English lord and a perfectly proper manor house, until murder makes an unwelcome appearance . . . 

England, 1926: Wedgefield Manor, deep in the tranquil Essex countryside, provides a welcome rest stop for Jane and her matchmaking Aunt Millie before their return to America. While Millie spends time with her long-lost daughter, Lillian, and their host, Lord Hughes, Jane fills the hours devouring mystery novels and taking flying lessons-much to Millie's disapproval. 

But any danger in the air is eclipsed by tragedy on the ground when one of the estate's mechanics, Air Force veteran Simon Marshall, is killed in a motorcar collision. The sliced brake cables prove this was no accident, yet was the intended victim someone other than Simon? The house is full of suspects-visiting relations, secretive servants, strangers prowling the grounds at night-and also full of targets. 

The enigmatic Mr. Redvers, who helped Jane solve a murder in Egypt, arrives on the scene to once more offer his assistance. It seems that everyone at Wedgefield wants Jane to help protect the Hughes family. But while she searches for answers, is she overlooking a killer hiding in plain sight?

My Thoughts:

I have read books one and four in this series and went back to see how book two unfolds. It was good that I did because the relationship between Jane and her love interest, Redvers, really blossoms in this book. The plot wasn't terribly involved and I felt the narration was a little forced in that there weren't enough red herrings and suspects as well as crimes to warrant some of the lengthy musings of Jane. It also didn't take place in an exotic location like the other books, which is the appeal of this series. But I still enjoyed the story.

Lord Hughes, their host at Wedgefield Manor, is suspected of cutting the brakes on his handyman's car, which results in his death.  Jane just doesn't buy it. She smells a rat elsewhere but has a hard time convincing the local inspector. She and her fiance set out to find another alternative, and in the midst of investigating consider his daughter, niece, and the other few guests and staff of the mansion. Most of the book is your typical cozy mystery, them searching for clues, wondering who could be guilty, and in the end wrapping things up neatly. 

I consider this book a transition to the next book three more than an extra exciting sequel. But I wouldn't skip it if you want to continue with this series as I do. It fills in gaps about the characters and I think Neubauer has done a good job making me care about them. I am really looking forward to book three, Danger On the Atlantic, in which Jane and Redvers travel back to her home in America. Then the other books take place in different countries again. It should be a fun time!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Secret Detective Agency by Helena Dixon (Book One of The Secret Detective Agency)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Secret Detective Agency, by Helena Dixon. I have enjoyed her other long running cozy mystery series with Kitty Underhay as the heroine, set in the 1930's. This book is the start of a brand new series which is something I've been looking for to read and feature on my blog. I always seem to never get to start new with series books.

This one is set in the 1940's during WWII and feature a Miss Jane Treen and her cat (a definite draw!) and code breaker Arthur who use their secret sleuthing skills to find a killer. I am excited because book two is already set to release in April. I am looking forward to being in from the beginning this time! 

I hope you've found something you can't wait to read this week. Happy reading ya'll!

Cozy Historical Mystery

March 27, 2025

Book Description courtesy of GoodReads:

Meet Miss Jane Treen – the coffee-drinking cat lover dressed head to toe in tweed, who just happens to be a secret super sleuth!

London, 1941: Miss Jane Treen is at her desk, strong black coffee in hand and fluffy ginger cat by her side, when her top-secret government work is interrupted by an urgent call to Devon. A woman has been found dead in a lake in a place where she shouldn’t have been. Jane needs to gather the clues and find the killer before someone else from the agency gets hurt…

Shy and handsome code-breaker Arthur Cilento is bewildered by the arrival of the efficient Miss Treen and her cat Marmaduke. She bursts into his life unexpectedly, forcing him out of his comfort zone. The reluctant colleagues huddle near the warmth of a crackling fire in Arthur's country home, working to piece together the murderous puzzle at hand.

In the sleepy Devon village, someone is hiding something: but is it the busybody vicar and his sister, the dutiful housekeeper and her secretive son, the stern librarian, or someone else altogether? And who were the people with the woman in the lake on the day she died?

No sooner have Arthur and Jane have drawn up a list of suspects, than a parcel reveals a clue that sends them in hot pursuit of a coded diary stashed in a village church. But as the heavy wooden door slams behind them and a key turns in the lock, one thing is they need to unravel the truth and crack this code before the killer decides their number is up…

But if they can catch the culprit in time, might this unusual pair become the finest crime-solving partnership since Holmes and Watson hung up their hats…?

Stacking the Shelves #49

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Enjoy your reading this week!

Purchased with Amazon digital points: Free

I had heard of this author before but wasn't sure how good her books would be. I took a chance on this one and am loving it. Set in England during the reign of Edward III it features a man and woman, Rhys and Catrin who are Welsh and in the employ of the King and Queen. They must work to solve a murder all while dealing with the stigma of being Welsh in an English world. The author is Welsh and clearly knows her history too, making it a great start to what I hope will be an interesting series. She has written others as well. 

Purchased on sale on Amazon : $1.99:

This is the first in a series by an author I have reviewed before. She has a great newsletter that I get in my inbox and will send advance copies of her new books if you sign up to review them. The Dora and Rex Mysteries series is very popular and is one I started awhile back. In this new series a regency Lord and Lady must work to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a woman dubbed "the missing diamond of the season" before something bad happens to her. 

Purchased on sale on Amazon for Kindle: $1. 99:

I have read the first two books in this series and I love the locations they are set in. I was a little disappointed that the last book didn't have quite the detailed atmosphere I would like in a book but I'm going to give it another try. Miss Atalanta Ashford is always caught up in a new murder mystery and in this book she helps to solve the murder of an Italian heiress's father, along with dashing race car driver Raoul. 

A Body in the Villa by Isabella Bassett (Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries Book 3)

 

Publication Date: November 16, 2022

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

Series: Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries

Length: 190 pages

Book Description (GoodReads):

Switzerland, 1925

A rare bird is nesting in the lush summer meadows of the Swiss Alps, and the grizzled members of Uncle Albert’s Royal Society for Natural History Appreciation travel en masse to get a closer look.

The fact that they will be encamped at an opulent villa, coupled with the promise of a midsummer party, persuades his niece, and unenthusiastic secretary, Lady Caroline, to follow suit.

As the champagne flows, and tales of rare birds grow taller, a killer makes a bold move. One of the more risque guests is strangled with her own elaborate dress. When a rakish rogue, a charm-the-birds-out-of-the-trees kind of man, is picked off next, the police speculate that someone is stalking the more exotic specimens of this country house party.

Dismissing this bird-brain idea, Lady Caroline suspects instead that a cunning killer is using the party to feather their nest. Ready as ever for a good scavenger hunt, she follows the clues to the bad egg spoiling all the fun.

My Thoughts:

This is book three in the series. I have read books one, two and five already. I know I'm strange the way I skip around and I'm honestly trying not to do that anymore but it's hard. Sometimes a series book down the line looks good and I just don't want to wait! But it creates spoilers and unanswered questions too. So that bugs me. I can't win, lol.

Lady Caroline and her Uncle Albert have come to the Swiss Alps and the Royal Society for Natural History Appreciation, to search for a special bird. She is his secretary, unusual for the time as the others are male, but determined to do her job well while also looking out for her elderly beloved Uncle. While staying at a beautiful villa, Caroline becomes involved in three deaths, all of which seem unrelated until she starts to dig into the past of the victims. 

The story centers around the local hippie commune which seems to house a strange, eclectic group of people who all have their own secrets. Caroline is sure some of the answers to the deaths lie within but she also is suspicious of one of the members of the royal society. Along with her wacky friend, Poppy, who arrives and offers to help, they investigate and have some shenanigans along the way. 

I enjoyed the book but not as much as the one set in Cairo. I love how Bassett picks exotic locations and the commune made the story even more interesting. I wish Caroline and James, her love interest had had more interaction but overall the story was cute and I'm happy to move on to the next one in the series soon. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Recipe For Murder by Verity Bright (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 21)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring,A Recipe For Murder, by Verity Bright. I am finally reading book 11, Death Down the Aisle, which is where I left off a few months ago. This series was my first introduction to cozy mysteries and it remains in my top favorites. This book has Lady Eleanor and her dashing beau Detective Hugh Seldon planning their nuptials when their chef is poisoned. As more murders occur she must work to find the killer before they harm her or anyone else. Even Hugh is in danger and needs her help this time!

Cozy Historical Mystery

March 31, 2025

Book Description courtesy of GoodReads:

Cream cakes, cucumber sandwiches, apple tarts and… poison? Lady Swift is trying to plan the menu for her wedding, until murder strikes in kitchens across the village!

Lady Eleanor Swift’s marriage to dashing Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon is just days away. There’s a lot to organise from the dress to the catering, including, of course, the all-important wedding cake.

But Eleanor is heartbroken when their chef, apple-cheeked Annie Tibetts, dies of poisoning. And as the doctor confirms her death wasn’t an accident, accusations fly around the whole community.

With more of the village struck down by the poison, Eleanor must unmask a killer who seems intent on spreading chaos amongst her nearest and dearest. Everyone is accusing their neighbour… and Eleanor is in a pickle as the seating plans for the wedding fall apart. But she soon has bigger fish to fry when the source of the poison is traced to a trusted establishment in town. Eleanor is certain they are being framed and that sabotage is afoot…

And when a sample of poisoned wedding cake is delivered anonymously to Hugh working at his station miles away in Oxford, Eleanor realises that while she has been planning for the future, her past has been catching up with her. Eleanor must race across the countryside to save her love from certain death. Can Eleanor find the proof in the pudding and save Hugh in time? And will the poisoner finally get their just desserts?

 

Stacking the Shelves #48

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Enjoy your reading this week!

Borrowed audiobook and book from Libby: Free

This is the second book in the Jane Wunderly series. I enjoyed the other two I've read and wanted to go back and see how the one set in England turned out. I like that these books are following her from overseas back to America and then to other exotic locations. That sounds like a lot of fun! In this one she works with her love interest, Redvers, to solve a murder at the home of Lord Hughes, where she is a guest. 

Purchase from Amazon for Kindle: $1.49 with points:

I am so behind on this series! For a long time I read one each season. The books follow a seasonal rotation with locations and theme. I really like that idea. This one I should have finished over the fall but life got busy. I think this was my first series exposure to "cozies" and I love it but have found so many others to read now. I finally bought it and need to get going in March. This is the 11th book and the series I've read the most from. Eleanor attends a wedding and of course......stumbles into another murder to solve. With the help of her love interest, Dectective Hugh Seldon, she is on the case!

Purchase from Amazon for Kindle: $0.99 with points:

The title and cover appealed to me because of course, Egypt and pyramids. Oh, and a mystery too! My favorite kind of book. I had never heard of the author or series so thanks Book Bub for introducing it to me. It is book two of a three part series written by an English author. I might wait to read this one until I've read book one. It is part of the Ursula Marlowe Series and there are three books in all. Set at the turn of the 20th Century, it features a young heiress who finds murder and mysteries to solve. I love the covers and it has that old time classic feel to it.