Category Archives: Books & Novellas

Bina does a quick minipod on what some see as the quintessential Miss Marple mystery published in 1942. A young ballroom dancer is found strangled in St Mary Mead, and Marple must save the reputation of her friend Colonel Bantry. We get an interesting depiction of British class prejudices and the seamier side of seaside life.

Spoiler-free to 20m30s and spoiler-filled thereafter.

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Bina does a quick minipod on a rare Tommy and Tuppence thriller. This is a rare Christie novel that is heavily reflective of World War Two, as our middle-aged spies try to uncover Nazi fifth columnists in a British sea-side town.

Spoiler-free to 23m30s and spoiler-filled thereafter.

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Bina reviews the Hercule Poirot mystery set in a dentist’s office that seems to be part of a political conspiracy. This novel is arguably better viewed as a snapshot of the political turbulence of the time, rather than on its merits as a murder-mystery. Spoiler-free to 23m30s and spoiler-filled thereafter.

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Bina007 discusses the 1939 standalone murder-mystery Murder Is Easy in this minipod. The novel features retired police officer Luke Fitzwilliam investigating a spate of murders in a picturesque English village after a chance encounter with an old suspicious woman on a train.

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Bina007 hosts a minipod to discuss the 1937 Hercules Poirot murder-mystery featuring the terrier Bob. This is a slightly awkward book, both in terms of an implausible solution and the choice of Hastings to narrate an extensive first third which is really told from the perspective of the victim. Nonetheless, this novel contains some razor-sharp characterisation and interesting commentary on the bigotry of the Victorian generation.

Spoiler free to the end music and spoiler full thereafter.

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Bina007 discusses the deeply unsuccessful Poirot novel Murder In Mesopotamia set on an archeological dig in Iraq. The glamorous Mrs Leidner is receiving threatening letters. Is her German spy first husband still alive? Are they from his vengeful younger brother? Or is she just writing them to herself?

Spoiler free to the end music and spoiler full thereafter.

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Bina007 discusses the Agatha Christie crime caper Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, published in one of the most prolific years, 1934. Despite containing a Wodehousian-named character called Bassington-Ffrench, the novel is pleasingly free of Woosterish-pastiche. Rather, it’s a well-plotted murder mystery and a wry, progressive commentary on the British class system. It also contains yet another wonderful female protagonist, Lady Frankie Derwent. A spoiler-filled discussion of the solution is after the closing music.

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