Category Archives: Agatha Christie

In this minipod Bina007 discusses the final novel that Agatha wrote, a Tommy and Tuppence thriller, originally published in 1973. It is sad to see an 83 year old Agatha clearly struggling to keep hold of the plot after a very promising set-up. But despite the bagginess of the novel it’s still fun to spend time with Tuppence as she solves an historic crime involving espionage and proto-fascism.

Spoiler free to 20m45s.

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In this minipod Bina007 discusses the final Ariadne Oliver novel, published in 1972. It was also the final Poirot novel that Christie wrote. Ariadne is asked by an odious woman to investigate the twin murder of her son’s girlfriend’s parents. Did the father kill the mother or did the mother kill the father? It is a moving novel not least because of Ariadne / Agatha’s discourse on ageing and loss of memory.

Spoiler free to 24m45s.

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In this minipod Bina007 discusses the 1970 political thriller filled with a cape-wearing swashbuckler, a new-nazi conspiracy, and a chemical designed to inspire happiness! The episode is replete with spoilers as this is not a puzzle mystery at all.

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In this minipod Bina007 discusses the 1969 Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver murder-mystery. A boastful girl scout and renowned liar tells Mrs Oliver that she once saw a murder but didn’t report it as she didn’t realise it was a murder at the time. Later that night, the girl scout is found dead, drowned in a bucket of bobbing apples. Ariadne calls in Hercule to investigate.

Spoiler free to 19m30s.

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In this minipod Bina007 discusses the third Tommy and Tuppence murder-mystery, published in 1968. Tommy and Tuppence meet Tommy’s Aunt Ada in a nursing home where the spooky Mrs Lancaster asks Tuppence if it’s her poor child hidden behind the fireplace. When Mrs Lancaster then mysteriously vanishes Tuppence is on the trail.

Spoiler free to 22m30s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 discusses the 1966 murder-mystery starring Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver. Seen as lower-tier Christie, Bina appreciates its evocation of Beatnik drug-addled Chelsea even if there are some plot holes.

Spoiler free to 25m15s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 discusses the 1962 Miss Marple murder-mystery. A Hollywood movie is being shot in St Mary Mead, and it is presumed that its leading actress is being targeted for murder when Miss Marple’s help is poisoned with a daiquiri!

Spoiler free to 25m.

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In this minipod, Bina007 discusses the 1961 murder mystery that dabbles in the supernatural, witchcraft and beatniks!

Spoiler free to 21m40s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 discusses a 1959 Agatha Christie that combines elements of political thriller and a boarding school-set murder-mystery. Hercule Poirot makes an appearance in the last third of the novel but it is most memorable for its vibrant female characters. It features some of Agatha’s most charismatic female characters and her first mention of push-up bras!

Spoiler free to 20m15s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 covers the 1958 murder-mystery that takes place in an unhappy family of adopted children. A year prior, one of the sons, Jacko had been successfully prosecuted for murdering their mother. Now a stranger returns from a Polar expedition to give Jacko an alibi, putting the other family members back under suspicion.

Spoiler free to 20m45s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 covers the 1957 Miss Marple murder-mystery set amidst an unhappy family in a country house. Miss Marple’s friend is convinced she saw a woman strangled to death as two trains passed by each other.

Spoiler free to 20m45s.

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In this minipod, Bina007 discusses the 1954 Cold War thriller. Bina argues that this novel is unfairly overlooked and speaks to the news stories and neuroses of the time – namely the perils of the Atomic Age, Cold war competition, communist infiltration and the treason of scientists such as Klaus Fuchs.

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