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The Hound of Death and Other Stories
Twelve unexplained phenomena with no apparent earthly explanation, including a dog-shaped gunpowder mark; an omen from the "other side"; a haunted house; a chilling seance; an elderly lady's hold over a young man; and a mysterious SOS.
Contents
S.O.S. • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Call of Wings • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Fourth Man • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Gipsy • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Hound of Death • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Lamp • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Last Séance • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Mystery of the Blue Jar • (1924) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Red Signal • (1924) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Witness for the Prosecution • non-genre • (1924) • novelette by Agatha Christie
Wireless • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
Contents
S.O.S. • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Call of Wings • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Fourth Man • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Gipsy • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Hound of Death • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Lamp • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Last Séance • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Mystery of the Blue Jar • (1924) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Red Signal • (1924) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael • (1933) • short story by Agatha Christie
The Witness for the Prosecution • non-genre • (1924) • novelette by Agatha Christie
Wireless • (1926) • short story by Agatha Christie
344 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1933
264 people are currently reading
6757 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,544 books73.4k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 794 reviews
June 2, 2024
A good group of Christie's shorts that seemingly contain a bit of a paranormal twist.
Or do they?
There are links to a slightly longer review for each of the short stories if anyone is interested in a particular one.
S.O.S.
Mortimer Cleveland is a paranormal researcher.
When his car breaks down, he stops and knocks on the door of a nearby house that belongs to the Dinsmeads. It doesn't take him long to sense that something is wrong, but he can't put his finger on what exactly it is.
Is there something supernaturally sinister about this home or is the evil a little more human in nature?
Can it possibly be a little bit of both?
Sure. Why not.
The Call of Wings
A morality tale. And not a terribly good one.
I've always found those the rich must give away their money to find true happiness stories a bag of bullshit.
Should you do good things for others if you have more? Yes. If you are in a position to help, then help. I don't think that means you need to feel guilty for having money, though. Unless you are unscrupulous and are harming people to get it, then you're just a lucky bastard and you should enjoy.
The Fourth Man
This one was an incredibly inaccurate portrayal of dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities) AND hypnotism but it was so entertaining! Bananas plot about a woman with DID that killed herself. Or was she actually killing someone else?
A wacky must-read.
The Gipsy
Fate, fortunetelling, reincarnation, and true love.
Dickie Carpenter is terrified of gypsies. Why?
He's been having dreams since he was a child of a gypsy that frightens him. When he runs into her in his waking hours as an adult, it changes the course of his life.
The Hound of Death
It was a bit convoluted at times as it revolved around a priestess of an ancient religion who was reincarnated as a nun. She blew some shit up to save her convent from the Nazis. However, when an unscrupulous doctor tries to harness her power, things go a bit awry for him.
The Lamp
A widow moves into a haunted house with her father and young son.
The price is right and Mrs. Lancaster doesn't believe in ghosts, so why not?
Her father isn't so sure.
The story is that a little boy died of starvation waiting for his father who was arrested when he went to town to come back for him. And when he hears a child's footsteps following his grandson, he knows the stories are true.
The Last Séance
A medium and her fiance are bullied by a grieving mother into something they will both regret.
Simone is the real deal when it comes to mediums. Her fiance & manager, Raoul, is very proud of how talented she is, but he knows that her talent comes with a price and so the client today will be her last.
*cue the sinister music*
The Mystery of the Blue Jar
Young Jack Hartington investigates the supernatural.
It all starts as he passes by a cottage and hears a cry of Help! Murder! and runs to check it out.
When he gets closer he sees a beautiful girl just...weeding the flower bed or some such shit. No murderer. No one in need of his aid.
Every day for 3 days he passes the cottage and hears the same thing. And every time he runs to help. And every time the beautiful girl looks at him like he's crazy.
So what's actually going on?
The Red Signal
What is a Red Signal?
Dermot West tries to explain the concept to a group of people at a dinner party as a premonition he sometimes feels before he's in danger. When one of the guests, Sir Arlington, tells him it's all hogwash, Raymond tells of the time his Red Signal warned him before he was almost killed in Mesopotamia.
However, he doesn't tell anyone that he's actually felt that same warning sign before he came there tonight.
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael
WEIRD.
But I'm not gonna lie, I kind of dug it.
This time around when Christie did supernatural, she DID supernatural. Like, you need to suspend disbelief for this one.
Ok, so this doctor gets called in by his friend to check out this case of amnesia. Or something.
This dude not only completely forgot who he was, but he also isn't even acting like a human anymore.
The Witness for the Prosecution
LOVE THE ENDING!
This one is juicy.
A rich old lady is found dead and all signs point toward Leonard Vole, a young man who has been paying her special attention, as she had apparently changed her will and he stands to inherit a good deal of money.
Did he kill her?
All signs point to yes.
But his attorney, Mr. Mayhew, isn't convinced that he's actually guilty. Especially once he pays a visit to Leonard's wife, Romaine. <--yes, like the lettuce
Wireless
An older woman with a heart problem is persuaded to buy a wireless radio by her favorite nephew and finds she really enjoys listening to the programs in the evening.
As we all do.
The odd thing is, Mary Harter keeps hearing her dead husband's voice coming through the airwaves. He's coming for her, apparently.
As dead husbands do.
So, Mary does the sensible thing and decides to get her will in order. There's a faithful servant that she wants to make sure gets an extra bit of money, you see. Once that's all taken care of, she can just wait for dear old Mr. Harter to collect her from the Great Beyond.
And that's exactly what happens.
Or is it?
I think this is a pretty good collection that would be fun to read around Halloween.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
Or do they?
There are links to a slightly longer review for each of the short stories if anyone is interested in a particular one.
S.O.S.
Mortimer Cleveland is a paranormal researcher.
When his car breaks down, he stops and knocks on the door of a nearby house that belongs to the Dinsmeads. It doesn't take him long to sense that something is wrong, but he can't put his finger on what exactly it is.
Is there something supernaturally sinister about this home or is the evil a little more human in nature?
Can it possibly be a little bit of both?
Sure. Why not.
The Call of Wings
A morality tale. And not a terribly good one.
I've always found those the rich must give away their money to find true happiness stories a bag of bullshit.
Should you do good things for others if you have more? Yes. If you are in a position to help, then help. I don't think that means you need to feel guilty for having money, though. Unless you are unscrupulous and are harming people to get it, then you're just a lucky bastard and you should enjoy.
The Fourth Man
This one was an incredibly inaccurate portrayal of dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities) AND hypnotism but it was so entertaining! Bananas plot about a woman with DID that killed herself. Or was she actually killing someone else?
A wacky must-read.
The Gipsy
Fate, fortunetelling, reincarnation, and true love.
Dickie Carpenter is terrified of gypsies. Why?
He's been having dreams since he was a child of a gypsy that frightens him. When he runs into her in his waking hours as an adult, it changes the course of his life.
The Hound of Death
It was a bit convoluted at times as it revolved around a priestess of an ancient religion who was reincarnated as a nun. She blew some shit up to save her convent from the Nazis. However, when an unscrupulous doctor tries to harness her power, things go a bit awry for him.
The Lamp
A widow moves into a haunted house with her father and young son.
The price is right and Mrs. Lancaster doesn't believe in ghosts, so why not?
Her father isn't so sure.
The story is that a little boy died of starvation waiting for his father who was arrested when he went to town to come back for him. And when he hears a child's footsteps following his grandson, he knows the stories are true.
The Last Séance
A medium and her fiance are bullied by a grieving mother into something they will both regret.
Simone is the real deal when it comes to mediums. Her fiance & manager, Raoul, is very proud of how talented she is, but he knows that her talent comes with a price and so the client today will be her last.
*cue the sinister music*
The Mystery of the Blue Jar
Young Jack Hartington investigates the supernatural.
It all starts as he passes by a cottage and hears a cry of Help! Murder! and runs to check it out.
When he gets closer he sees a beautiful girl just...weeding the flower bed or some such shit. No murderer. No one in need of his aid.
Every day for 3 days he passes the cottage and hears the same thing. And every time he runs to help. And every time the beautiful girl looks at him like he's crazy.
So what's actually going on?
The Red Signal
What is a Red Signal?
Dermot West tries to explain the concept to a group of people at a dinner party as a premonition he sometimes feels before he's in danger. When one of the guests, Sir Arlington, tells him it's all hogwash, Raymond tells of the time his Red Signal warned him before he was almost killed in Mesopotamia.
However, he doesn't tell anyone that he's actually felt that same warning sign before he came there tonight.
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael
WEIRD.
But I'm not gonna lie, I kind of dug it.
This time around when Christie did supernatural, she DID supernatural. Like, you need to suspend disbelief for this one.
Ok, so this doctor gets called in by his friend to check out this case of amnesia. Or something.
This dude not only completely forgot who he was, but he also isn't even acting like a human anymore.
The Witness for the Prosecution
LOVE THE ENDING!
This one is juicy.
A rich old lady is found dead and all signs point toward Leonard Vole, a young man who has been paying her special attention, as she had apparently changed her will and he stands to inherit a good deal of money.
Did he kill her?
All signs point to yes.
But his attorney, Mr. Mayhew, isn't convinced that he's actually guilty. Especially once he pays a visit to Leonard's wife, Romaine. <--yes, like the lettuce
Wireless
An older woman with a heart problem is persuaded to buy a wireless radio by her favorite nephew and finds she really enjoys listening to the programs in the evening.
As we all do.
The odd thing is, Mary Harter keeps hearing her dead husband's voice coming through the airwaves. He's coming for her, apparently.
As dead husbands do.
So, Mary does the sensible thing and decides to get her will in order. There's a faithful servant that she wants to make sure gets an extra bit of money, you see. Once that's all taken care of, she can just wait for dear old Mr. Harter to collect her from the Great Beyond.
And that's exactly what happens.
Or is it?
I think this is a pretty good collection that would be fun to read around Halloween.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
January 28, 2023
Sí, me he leído doce relatos en un día y poquito más.
Y sí, no me han gustado mucho.
Yo consumo cada caso que tenga Agatha Christie por entregame, pero sus relatos me parecen flojísimos. O se me hacen cortos o se me hacen muy apresurados. En fin, tampoco puedo pedir mucho espacio para el desarrollo pero al menos son entretenidos y de fácil y rápida lectura.
Cuatro relatos son de Poirot. Uno de miss Marple que me gustó (tuve el honor de conocerla). Y el resto son de otros personajes desconocidos. De este último grupo de siete relatos me ha gustado que no son de misterio ni policiacos propiamente dicho; más bien son relatos que tienen toques paranormales y esotéricos, jugando con lo sobrenatural.
Especial mención a El podenco de la muerte, El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael y La muñeca de la modista que fueron mis tres favoritos.
Y sí, no me han gustado mucho.
Yo consumo cada caso que tenga Agatha Christie por entregame, pero sus relatos me parecen flojísimos. O se me hacen cortos o se me hacen muy apresurados. En fin, tampoco puedo pedir mucho espacio para el desarrollo pero al menos son entretenidos y de fácil y rápida lectura.
Cuatro relatos son de Poirot. Uno de miss Marple que me gustó (tuve el honor de conocerla). Y el resto son de otros personajes desconocidos. De este último grupo de siete relatos me ha gustado que no son de misterio ni policiacos propiamente dicho; más bien son relatos que tienen toques paranormales y esotéricos, jugando con lo sobrenatural.
Especial mención a El podenco de la muerte, El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael y La muñeca de la modista que fueron mis tres favoritos.
June 2, 2017
"Sunt o mulțime de lucruri pe care nu le înțelegem, care nu pot fi explicate în mod normal. Mai avem încă o groază de descoperit și cred că e bine să avem o minte receptivă, deschisă."
"... - numai că oamenii sunt atât de nerecunoscători că nu-i mai anunță dacă l-au luat (apartamentul), și-atunci ei continuă să-l recomande, iar lumea de enervează să fie trimisă într-un loc care fusese, poate, închiriat de mult. "
"... - numai că oamenii sunt atât de nerecunoscători că nu-i mai anunță dacă l-au luat (apartamentul), și-atunci ei continuă să-l recomande, iar lumea de enervează să fie trimisă într-un loc care fusese, poate, închiriat de mult. "
August 5, 2019
A collection of Christie's 12 short stories, most of which deal with Paranormal activity. The best in this collection is the short story-Witness for prosecution. A brilliant end which leaves you literally dumbfounded. A pleasant read.
September 30, 2021
این ریویو رو مینویسم که مثل من به اشتباه توی دام این کتاب نیفتید 😁 و سعی میکنم سپویل نکنم
خب
یک- این کتاب یک مجموعه داستان کوتاهه اما من بعد از ۲ یا ۳ داستان متوجه شدم! چرا؟ چون داستانها خیلی مبهم بودن و
و من منتظر بودم در ادامه یه جایی بهم برسن!
دو- اگر آگاتاخوان باشید متوجه خواهید شد که اصلا شبیه قلم آگاتا کریستی نیست
بیشتر تلفیقی از داستانهای احضار روح و پلیسی ساده و کمی جنایی هست
انگار دفتر تمرین اگاتا کریستی بوده
سه-ترجمه بد نبود اما پر از اشتباهات نوشتاری بود و با اینکه چاپ جدید هست متاسفانه ویراست و بازبینی نشده
امتیازش 2.5
خب
یک- این کتاب یک مجموعه داستان کوتاهه اما من بعد از ۲ یا ۳ داستان متوجه شدم! چرا؟ چون داستانها خیلی مبهم بودن و
و من منتظر بودم در ادامه یه جایی بهم برسن!
دو- اگر آگاتاخوان باشید متوجه خواهید شد که اصلا شبیه قلم آگاتا کریستی نیست
بیشتر تلفیقی از داستانهای احضار روح و پلیسی ساده و کمی جنایی هست
انگار دفتر تمرین اگاتا کریستی بوده
سه-ترجمه بد نبود اما پر از اشتباهات نوشتاری بود و با اینکه چاپ جدید هست متاسفانه ویراست و بازبینی نشده
امتیازش 2.5
May 21, 2017
(بالنسبة لرجل يعشق القوة , يا لها من طاقة ! أن تمسك بين قبضة يدك روح كل كائن حي)
إذا فكرت فى قرائتها،أذكرك أن ..تتنفس
March 27, 2021
The Hound of Death is a collection of 12 short stories by Agatha Christie first published in the UK in 1933. Seven of the stories were first published in magazines in the 1920s. Five of them appeared for the first time in The Hound of Death.
These stories are a departure from the usual Christie fare. The tales are more supernatural/strange in nature and not murder mysteries for the most part. The stories are varied encompassing everything from a sensational murder trial to the final séance of fake medium. I had no idea before now that Agatha Christie wrote anything like this. I knew she wrote a book about her husband's archeological digs and her autobiography, but I had no clue she ever wrote any supernatural or ghost stories. I had the best time discovering these "new to me'' Christie short stories. While not as good as her detective tales (IMHO), each of these stories was enjoyable!
The stories in the collection are:
The Hound of Death
The Red Signal
The Fourth Man
The Gypsy
The Lamp
Wireless
The Witness for the Prosecution
The Mystery of the Blue Jar
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael
The Call of Wings
The Last Séance
SOS
These stories were not published in the United States until much later. The stories were included in the US collections: The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories (1948), Double Sin and Other Stories (1961) and The Golden Ball and Other Stories (1971).
I found an interesting tidbit about the first publication of The Hound of Death. It was first offered as part of an advertising campaign for The Passing Show, a magazine published by Odhams, a British publishing company. Readers could use a coupon from the magazine and seven shillings to get one of six books: The Hound of Death, Jungle Girl (Edgar Rice Burroughs), The Sun Will Shine (Mary Edginton), The Veil'd Delight (Marjorie Bowen), The Venner Crime (John Rhode) and Q33 (George Goodchild). An edition of The Hound of Death for sale in bookshops was published in February 1936.
The Hound of Death - An American journalist travels to Cornwall to find out if a legend from WWI is actually true. This story was first published for this collection. I could find no references to adaptation for television. This story was adapted by BBC4 as a radio drama in the early 2000s. It was "modernized" though so story elements were fundamentally changed.
The Red Signal - A medium gives a warning at a dinner party which comes true in dreadful ways. First published in the UK in The Grand Magazine in 1924 and was later included in HOD. It was not published in the United States until 1948 when it appeared in The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories. The story was adapted for television by The Agatha Christie Hour episode 8 (television) in 1982 and for Suspense (CBS) in 1952.
The Fourth Man - A group riding on a train discusses a case of multiple personalities. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1925. It wasn't published in the US until The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories in 1948. It was adapted for television in 1982 (The Agatha Christie Hour, episode 4).
The Gypsy - A man confides in a friend the strange reasons for the breakup of his engagement to a young girl. But the tale has more to do with a nightmare the man has endured since childhood. As far as I could find through my research, this story was first published for this collection. I could find no television adaptations of this story, although BBC 4 Radio modernized this story as a full-cast radio drama in the early 2000s.
The Lamp - A widow is looking for a home to rent. When she is offered a very nice spacious home at a low rent, she immediately inquires what is wrong with the house. Apparently, it comes with a ghost... This story was first published in this collection. It was not published in the US until 1971 when it was included in The Golden Ball and Other Stories. BBC4 Radio adapted this story as a full-cast radio drama (BBC 4 Extra: Haunted - episode 15 from July 7, 1984.) You can listen to the radio drama online by searching for the story under audio on Internet Archive. I could find no television adaptations listed for this title.
Wireless - A woman hears the voice of her deceased husband over the radio for several days. The effects are disastrous...for more than one person. The story was first published in the Sunday Chronicle Annual in 1926. After appearing in HOD (UK), this story was not printed in the US until The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories in 1948. I found no adaptations of this story for radio or television.
The Witness for the Prosecution - This story was first published in 1925 in Flynn's Weekly (US) under the title "Traitor's Hands.'' It is one of Christie's most adapted stories. It was included in this story collection in 1933 and in The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories (1948, US). Christie adapted it into a play in 1953.A film version was made in 1957, and it has been adapted for television multiple times. BBC4 Radio modernized the story for a full-cast radio dramatization (available in audio format - Agatha Christie: Twelve Radio Mysteries) in the early 2000s. Radio City Playhouse also did a radio drama based on the story in 1949. The audio of that OTR episode is available online.
The Mystery of the Blue Jar - Jack Hartington is dragged into a strange mystery after hearing a haunting cry of "Murder! Help! Murder!'' coming from a nearby cottage. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1924. After appearing in HOD in the UK, the story wasn't published in the US until 1948 (The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories). I found no radio adaptations of this story, but it was used in an episode of The Agatha Christie Hour (episode 7, 1982).
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael - Dr Edward Carstairs is called in to investigate a case. It seems the personality and behavior of young Sir Arthur Carmichael changed overnight and others in the house hear the strange yowling of a cat at night. This story was first published in this collection. It was not published in the US until 1971 (The Golden Ball and Other Stories). It has never been adapted for television or radio.
The Call of Wings - Silas Hamer is a happy man. He's made a fortune and has the sort of life he wants. Then, he hears a street musician playing a song and his outlook, and his fate, is strangely changed. This story was first published in this collection. US publication was not until 1971 (The Golden Ball and Other Stories). I could find no adaptations of this story for radio or television.
The Last Séance - A medium who is retiring decides do do one last séance with disastrous results. This story was first published in Ghost Stories Magazine in 1924 under the title The Woman Who Stole a Ghost. It also appeared in The Sovereign Magazine in 1927 as The Stolen Ghost. After appearing in HOD in 1933, it was later included in Double Sin and Other Stories in the US (1961). It was adapted by BBC Radio4 (full cast, modernized).
S.O.S. - A man gets stranded in the middle of nowhere and encounters a family at a secluded house with strange results. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1926. After appearing in HOD, it was not published in the US until 1948 (The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories). I found no adaptations for this story.
I listened to audio versions of all of these stories and enjoyed each one! I couldn't find an audiobook (or print for that matter!) of the actual Hound of Death book, so I had to listen to these stories using three other audio books -- The Golden Ball and Other Stories, The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories, and Double Sin and Other Stories. But, I had to smile when it turned out that those three audio books actually used the narration from a prior HOD audio book with the stories read by Christopher Lee. Lee's voice and style really gravitate towards suspense/horror/supernatural themes...so his narration really made these stories come to life for me.
My favorite? It's so hard to pick! Probably The Mystery of the Blue Jar because the plot was entertaining and even funny in places. The ending actually made me laugh out loud. :) The Lamp follows closely in second place because I love ghost stories! There were a couple stories in this collection that I felt were a bit too far to the fluff side (The Call of Wings for example was my least favorite of the collection), but none of the tales were bad.
Enjoyable listen, even if I had to juggle more than one audio book to hear them all! This was my first reading of all 12 of these stories! I've loved Agatha Christie's writing since I was 9 years ago...but I never read any of the short stories before now. Loving this! For me, it's like discovering new Christie stories! I'm in heaven!
In 2020 I started a quest to read all of Christie's writing in publication order (or as close as I can get). I'm up to the 1930s now and having a great time! I am finding that many of her short stories were written early in her career and gathered into book form later, so I'm backtracking and picking up these stories before starting another novel. Fun times! Loving this!
On to the next!
These stories are a departure from the usual Christie fare. The tales are more supernatural/strange in nature and not murder mysteries for the most part. The stories are varied encompassing everything from a sensational murder trial to the final séance of fake medium. I had no idea before now that Agatha Christie wrote anything like this. I knew she wrote a book about her husband's archeological digs and her autobiography, but I had no clue she ever wrote any supernatural or ghost stories. I had the best time discovering these "new to me'' Christie short stories. While not as good as her detective tales (IMHO), each of these stories was enjoyable!
The stories in the collection are:
The Hound of Death
The Red Signal
The Fourth Man
The Gypsy
The Lamp
Wireless
The Witness for the Prosecution
The Mystery of the Blue Jar
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael
The Call of Wings
The Last Séance
SOS
These stories were not published in the United States until much later. The stories were included in the US collections: The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories (1948), Double Sin and Other Stories (1961) and The Golden Ball and Other Stories (1971).
I found an interesting tidbit about the first publication of The Hound of Death. It was first offered as part of an advertising campaign for The Passing Show, a magazine published by Odhams, a British publishing company. Readers could use a coupon from the magazine and seven shillings to get one of six books: The Hound of Death, Jungle Girl (Edgar Rice Burroughs), The Sun Will Shine (Mary Edginton), The Veil'd Delight (Marjorie Bowen), The Venner Crime (John Rhode) and Q33 (George Goodchild). An edition of The Hound of Death for sale in bookshops was published in February 1936.
The Hound of Death - An American journalist travels to Cornwall to find out if a legend from WWI is actually true. This story was first published for this collection. I could find no references to adaptation for television. This story was adapted by BBC4 as a radio drama in the early 2000s. It was "modernized" though so story elements were fundamentally changed.
The Red Signal - A medium gives a warning at a dinner party which comes true in dreadful ways. First published in the UK in The Grand Magazine in 1924 and was later included in HOD. It was not published in the United States until 1948 when it appeared in The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories. The story was adapted for television by The Agatha Christie Hour episode 8 (television) in 1982 and for Suspense (CBS) in 1952.
The Fourth Man - A group riding on a train discusses a case of multiple personalities. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1925. It wasn't published in the US until The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories in 1948. It was adapted for television in 1982 (The Agatha Christie Hour, episode 4).
The Gypsy - A man confides in a friend the strange reasons for the breakup of his engagement to a young girl. But the tale has more to do with a nightmare the man has endured since childhood. As far as I could find through my research, this story was first published for this collection. I could find no television adaptations of this story, although BBC 4 Radio modernized this story as a full-cast radio drama in the early 2000s.
The Lamp - A widow is looking for a home to rent. When she is offered a very nice spacious home at a low rent, she immediately inquires what is wrong with the house. Apparently, it comes with a ghost... This story was first published in this collection. It was not published in the US until 1971 when it was included in The Golden Ball and Other Stories. BBC4 Radio adapted this story as a full-cast radio drama (BBC 4 Extra: Haunted - episode 15 from July 7, 1984.) You can listen to the radio drama online by searching for the story under audio on Internet Archive. I could find no television adaptations listed for this title.
Wireless - A woman hears the voice of her deceased husband over the radio for several days. The effects are disastrous...for more than one person. The story was first published in the Sunday Chronicle Annual in 1926. After appearing in HOD (UK), this story was not printed in the US until The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories in 1948. I found no adaptations of this story for radio or television.
The Witness for the Prosecution - This story was first published in 1925 in Flynn's Weekly (US) under the title "Traitor's Hands.'' It is one of Christie's most adapted stories. It was included in this story collection in 1933 and in The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories (1948, US). Christie adapted it into a play in 1953.A film version was made in 1957, and it has been adapted for television multiple times. BBC4 Radio modernized the story for a full-cast radio dramatization (available in audio format - Agatha Christie: Twelve Radio Mysteries) in the early 2000s. Radio City Playhouse also did a radio drama based on the story in 1949. The audio of that OTR episode is available online.
The Mystery of the Blue Jar - Jack Hartington is dragged into a strange mystery after hearing a haunting cry of "Murder! Help! Murder!'' coming from a nearby cottage. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1924. After appearing in HOD in the UK, the story wasn't published in the US until 1948 (The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories). I found no radio adaptations of this story, but it was used in an episode of The Agatha Christie Hour (episode 7, 1982).
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael - Dr Edward Carstairs is called in to investigate a case. It seems the personality and behavior of young Sir Arthur Carmichael changed overnight and others in the house hear the strange yowling of a cat at night. This story was first published in this collection. It was not published in the US until 1971 (The Golden Ball and Other Stories). It has never been adapted for television or radio.
The Call of Wings - Silas Hamer is a happy man. He's made a fortune and has the sort of life he wants. Then, he hears a street musician playing a song and his outlook, and his fate, is strangely changed. This story was first published in this collection. US publication was not until 1971 (The Golden Ball and Other Stories). I could find no adaptations of this story for radio or television.
The Last Séance - A medium who is retiring decides do do one last séance with disastrous results. This story was first published in Ghost Stories Magazine in 1924 under the title The Woman Who Stole a Ghost. It also appeared in The Sovereign Magazine in 1927 as The Stolen Ghost. After appearing in HOD in 1933, it was later included in Double Sin and Other Stories in the US (1961). It was adapted by BBC Radio4 (full cast, modernized).
S.O.S. - A man gets stranded in the middle of nowhere and encounters a family at a secluded house with strange results. This story was first published in The Grand Magazine in 1926. After appearing in HOD, it was not published in the US until 1948 (The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories). I found no adaptations for this story.
I listened to audio versions of all of these stories and enjoyed each one! I couldn't find an audiobook (or print for that matter!) of the actual Hound of Death book, so I had to listen to these stories using three other audio books -- The Golden Ball and Other Stories, The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories, and Double Sin and Other Stories. But, I had to smile when it turned out that those three audio books actually used the narration from a prior HOD audio book with the stories read by Christopher Lee. Lee's voice and style really gravitate towards suspense/horror/supernatural themes...so his narration really made these stories come to life for me.
My favorite? It's so hard to pick! Probably The Mystery of the Blue Jar because the plot was entertaining and even funny in places. The ending actually made me laugh out loud. :) The Lamp follows closely in second place because I love ghost stories! There were a couple stories in this collection that I felt were a bit too far to the fluff side (The Call of Wings for example was my least favorite of the collection), but none of the tales were bad.
Enjoyable listen, even if I had to juggle more than one audio book to hear them all! This was my first reading of all 12 of these stories! I've loved Agatha Christie's writing since I was 9 years ago...but I never read any of the short stories before now. Loving this! For me, it's like discovering new Christie stories! I'm in heaven!
In 2020 I started a quest to read all of Christie's writing in publication order (or as close as I can get). I'm up to the 1930s now and having a great time! I am finding that many of her short stories were written early in her career and gathered into book form later, so I'm backtracking and picking up these stories before starting another novel. Fun times! Loving this!
On to the next!
November 3, 2021
This was my Halloween read. Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. Poirot and Miss Marple are excellent reads. And Then There Were None remains a favourite. I was thrilled to see that Christie had also written stories on the occult and the supernatural.
The book contains 12 stories in total including the story The Hound of Death which gives the book its name. Not all the stories are based on the supernatural however. There are a few crime stories and the famous The Witness for the Prosecution also finds a place in the anthology. Had watched the movie and now also read the story.
I am not going to review the individual stories but would saw in addition to The Witness for the Prosecution, The Last Séance and SOS stood out.
Overall not a bad read. The stories are dated and one had elements of xenophobia which I found too strong to digest. I do understand that the book was published in 1933. The culture and values were quite different back then. Writers of cheap fiction and those with vested interests usually indulged in such severe stereotyping. Would have expected better from Christie.
Anyway if you are a Christie fan who also enjoys horror stories then you might want to give this one a try.
The book contains 12 stories in total including the story The Hound of Death which gives the book its name. Not all the stories are based on the supernatural however. There are a few crime stories and the famous The Witness for the Prosecution also finds a place in the anthology. Had watched the movie and now also read the story.
I am not going to review the individual stories but would saw in addition to The Witness for the Prosecution, The Last Séance and SOS stood out.
Overall not a bad read. The stories are dated and one had elements of xenophobia which I found too strong to digest. I do understand that the book was published in 1933. The culture and values were quite different back then. Writers of cheap fiction and those with vested interests usually indulged in such severe stereotyping. Would have expected better from Christie.
Anyway if you are a Christie fan who also enjoys horror stories then you might want to give this one a try.
December 12, 2015
Buscaba un libro corto para poder leer rápido y poder completar mi Goodreads Challenge. Pero luego de mi horror leyendo Historias Fantásticas haber continuado con otro libro de cuentos cortos no fue la mejor idea. Definitivamente, los cuentos cortos no son lo mio a pesar de que las historias de este libro me gustaron un poco más aunque yo esperaba más protagonismo de Poirot y Miss Marple.
Pero lo pude leer en un día, algo es algo.
Pero lo pude leer en un día, algo es algo.
March 28, 2020
A shallow collection of occult themed unsolved mysteries that were a lackluster indulgence for Christie. I worshipped Christie. I think I'll take a long break from her work before I genuinely start to hate it.
May 23, 2021
Struggled reading this one I preferred the crime stories rather than the supernatural ones. My second read of this novel as it is in my book club. The second reading was more enjoyable. Twelve short stories. Starting with ‘The Hound of Death’ a nun with mysterious powers and a Doctor determined to find out more.
I liked the Red Signal with Dermot having a premonition whenever he is in danger. After a seance he gets the red signal and thanks to it is saved and his friend Trent is an excellent shot.
The Fourth Man is about a train journey with four men. Three are talking about a French woman Felice who died mysteriously and seemed to have four different personalities. A normal one was abnormally slow and stupid. Then suddenly she is in her second personality able to play the piano and speak fluently in Italian and is lovely. The third one is depraved and the last a dim witted dreamy creature. She baffles the doctors and then is found dead strangled with marks by her own fingers. The fourth man interrupts them and is able to resolve how she died as he grew up with her in France.
The Gypsy is about a sailor and gypsy doomed love who still possess people. One of them has a narrow escape the other not.
The Lamp a tragedy returns to a haunted house with another victim.
Wireless was one of my favorites. The twist at the end is excellent. Those pesky wills are so necessary
The Witness for the Prosecution is another good story with a trusting lawyer. In the end the obvious is sometimes the answer.
The Mystery if the Blue Jar is amusing and I liked the ending with its amusing twist.
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael made me think not all grey cats are the same. Interesting plot.
The Call of Wings was very supernatural with a millionaire enchanted by mysterious music.
The Last Seance well never get between a mother and her dead child. The tying up and allowing it was a bit weak.
SOS was a good ending to the book with greed the driving force.
I liked the Red Signal with Dermot having a premonition whenever he is in danger. After a seance he gets the red signal and thanks to it is saved and his friend Trent is an excellent shot.
The Fourth Man is about a train journey with four men. Three are talking about a French woman Felice who died mysteriously and seemed to have four different personalities. A normal one was abnormally slow and stupid. Then suddenly she is in her second personality able to play the piano and speak fluently in Italian and is lovely. The third one is depraved and the last a dim witted dreamy creature. She baffles the doctors and then is found dead strangled with marks by her own fingers. The fourth man interrupts them and is able to resolve how she died as he grew up with her in France.
The Gypsy is about a sailor and gypsy doomed love who still possess people. One of them has a narrow escape the other not.
The Lamp a tragedy returns to a haunted house with another victim.
Wireless was one of my favorites. The twist at the end is excellent. Those pesky wills are so necessary
The Witness for the Prosecution is another good story with a trusting lawyer. In the end the obvious is sometimes the answer.
The Mystery if the Blue Jar is amusing and I liked the ending with its amusing twist.
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael made me think not all grey cats are the same. Interesting plot.
The Call of Wings was very supernatural with a millionaire enchanted by mysterious music.
The Last Seance well never get between a mother and her dead child. The tying up and allowing it was a bit weak.
SOS was a good ending to the book with greed the driving force.
February 10, 2019
This is definitely lower tier Agatha Christie, one can see these being published in magazines for a quick read. The mediums, psychics were a strong part of the zeitgeist, séances pop up as plot elements & ways to resolve mysteries quite frequently. These were ok to read one at a time, I read one before I read whatever I wanted to read before falling asleep, & possibly another in the dark watches of the night if I woke up & could not easily return to sleep. The characters were of much the sameness, as they used to say in my parents’ day, different names but they felt like they could be a series character. The characters were just there to carry the plot along, she did not invest much energy in them. If I were not reading all of AC’s books in order, I am not sure I would have stuck with this one, but it was an easy enough read
sandwiched in between other books. My monthly AC is usually a treat, this one was not. Recommended if you are a die hard AC fan and want to read all of her works, or you are caught on an airplane that is going nowhere for a while and you’ve read everything else and are out of power for your devices. Fun, in small doses. 2.5 rounded to 3 because it is AC & a couple of the stories were entertaining enough.
sandwiched in between other books. My monthly AC is usually a treat, this one was not. Recommended if you are a die hard AC fan and want to read all of her works, or you are caught on an airplane that is going nowhere for a while and you’ve read everything else and are out of power for your devices. Fun, in small doses. 2.5 rounded to 3 because it is AC & a couple of the stories were entertaining enough.
December 21, 2016
لقائي الثالث مع ملكة الجريمة وسيدة الرواية البوليسية بلا منازع .. أجاثا كريستي
وهو لقاء مختلف نوعا حيث تسيطر على القصص أجواء الرعب ولكنه أيضا على ذات الشكل الكلاسيكي الراقي التي تبدع فيه هذه السيدة الأريبة !
مجموعة قصصية تنوعت بين ألغاز الميتافيزيقيا و الألغاز البوليسية والتي لم تعدم الحبكة المرعبة أيضا
قصيرة .. ممتعة .. بعضها يحبس الأنفاس والبعض كالعادة يدخلك في تحدي مع نفسك لفك اللغز وإذا استطعت فعلها تسعد سعادة طفل صغير بنفسك
لتكتشف كم أنت عبقري
أمازلت تفعلها مثلي ؟؟
إذن فعليك بهذه المجموعة القصصية فهذا الحشد من الإثارة والتشويق والرعب مع هذا الجو الإنجليزي الكلاسيكي الرائع لك وفي إنتظارك
رغم السنوات واختلاف الزمان واختلاف النظرة للأدب مازالت أعمال هذه السيدة تحتفظ ببريقها حتى الأن وكأنها أعمال كُتبت لكل زمان ومكان
مثلها مثل أعمال شكسبير وديكينز ..
ولو أن كفة الميزان دائما ما تختار روائع السيدة كريستي لتتصدر قوائم القراءة حتى الأن ..
وهو لقاء مختلف نوعا حيث تسيطر على القصص أجواء الرعب ولكنه أيضا على ذات الشكل الكلاسيكي الراقي التي تبدع فيه هذه السيدة الأريبة !
مجموعة قصصية تنوعت بين ألغاز الميتافيزيقيا و الألغاز البوليسية والتي لم تعدم الحبكة المرعبة أيضا
قصيرة .. ممتعة .. بعضها يحبس الأنفاس والبعض كالعادة يدخلك في تحدي مع نفسك لفك اللغز وإذا استطعت فعلها تسعد سعادة طفل صغير بنفسك
لتكتشف كم أنت عبقري
أمازلت تفعلها مثلي ؟؟
إذن فعليك بهذه المجموعة القصصية فهذا الحشد من الإثارة والتشويق والرعب مع هذا الجو الإنجليزي الكلاسيكي الرائع لك وفي إنتظارك
رغم السنوات واختلاف الزمان واختلاف النظرة للأدب مازالت أعمال هذه السيدة تحتفظ ببريقها حتى الأن وكأنها أعمال كُتبت لكل زمان ومكان
مثلها مثل أعمال شكسبير وديكينز ..
ولو أن كفة الميزان دائما ما تختار روائع السيدة كريستي لتتصدر قوائم القراءة حتى الأن ..
November 10, 2018
هذه المجموعة القصصية مختلفة عن جميع ما قرأته حتى الآن لأجاثا لا وجود لبوارو أو ماربل أو
أي محقق آخر .. تدور الحكايات في جو من الغموض والغرابة , 7 ألغاز ما بين الجريمة
..و تناسخ الأرواح .. والتنبؤ بالمستقبل .. وبيت مسكون
بعض تلك الألغاز مرعبة ومشوقة والبعض الآخر وجدته عاديا ككلب الموت
كلب الموت .. 2
الغجرية .. 3
المصباح .. 3
المذياع .. 3.5
حكاية السير آرثر كارمايكل الغريبة .. 3.5
نداء الأجنحة .. 2.5
وفاة المهرج .. 3
في المجمل المجموعة جميلة وخاصة لو قرأت في الليل
أي محقق آخر .. تدور الحكايات في جو من الغموض والغرابة , 7 ألغاز ما بين الجريمة
..و تناسخ الأرواح .. والتنبؤ بالمستقبل .. وبيت مسكون
بعض تلك الألغاز مرعبة ومشوقة والبعض الآخر وجدته عاديا ككلب الموت
كلب الموت .. 2
الغجرية .. 3
المصباح .. 3
المذياع .. 3.5
حكاية السير آرثر كارمايكل الغريبة .. 3.5
نداء الأجنحة .. 2.5
وفاة المهرج .. 3
في المجمل المجموعة جميلة وخاصة لو قرأت في الليل
February 14, 2017
حمدا لله ، ها أنا استجمعُ أنفاسي بعدما أنهيتُ لقائي الثاني مع العزيزة أجاثا، هُنا لم تكن جريمة والقاتل فيها مجهول ونتقفي أثره بين السطور حتي تخيب الظنون بينما القاتل أمامنا منذ البداية ،ولم نلحظه!
ولكن هُنا، مجموعة قصصية تتخللها روح الجريمة مع مِسحة رعب تحبس أنفاسك مُرغما حتي تنتهي حسبما شاءت!
نعم، ليست جميعها بنفس المستوي ولا أدري لما تم تسميتها باسم أول قصة، التي كانت ف وجهة نظري أضعفهن وأقلهن إثارة ، ولكني اسمتعت كثيرا ف لقاءي الثاني، ونُكمل المسير مع القتل السهل :))
ولكن هُنا، مجموعة قصصية تتخللها روح الجريمة مع مِسحة رعب تحبس أنفاسك مُرغما حتي تنتهي حسبما شاءت!
نعم، ليست جميعها بنفس المستوي ولا أدري لما تم تسميتها باسم أول قصة، التي كانت ف وجهة نظري أضعفهن وأقلهن إثارة ، ولكني اسمتعت كثيرا ف لقاءي الثاني، ونُكمل المسير مع القتل السهل :))
December 7, 2020
The Hound of Death collects Agatha Christie's exercises in the tale of the occult, with the exception of the incredible "The Witness for the Prosecution," a brilliant piece of pure crime fiction that sees Dame Agatha at her very best. Some of the tales collected here are also part of The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories, so I reread them for the second time--and with much pleasure at that. I stand by my opinion that "Wireless" and "The Fourth Man" are delightful. Of the other tales, "The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael" is probably the most spellbinding.
In these tales, there is close to no detection, and yet I can't help but discern the touch of the detective fiction writer in the close of most of these stories, and paradoxically, I find it in their complete lack of dénouement. They usually end with no conclusive explanation, no character(s) that tries to tie all loose ends into one cohesive interpretation of the events that have occurred. In Christie's paranormal fiction, it seems, that particular privilege is reserved for the reader. The tale itself, on this front, is defiantly silent, as if to say, "Here are the naked facts. You want to try and tease out the causality of it all? Be my guest, but my job here is done."
And boy, do I love that.
In these tales, there is close to no detection, and yet I can't help but discern the touch of the detective fiction writer in the close of most of these stories, and paradoxically, I find it in their complete lack of dénouement. They usually end with no conclusive explanation, no character(s) that tries to tie all loose ends into one cohesive interpretation of the events that have occurred. In Christie's paranormal fiction, it seems, that particular privilege is reserved for the reader. The tale itself, on this front, is defiantly silent, as if to say, "Here are the naked facts. You want to try and tease out the causality of it all? Be my guest, but my job here is done."
And boy, do I love that.
August 4, 2021
El título es medio engañoso, no por eso es un libro malo, sólo que esperaba otras cosas. Lo que sí es que nunca había leído nada de Agatha Christie donde coqueteara con el terror y la ciencia ficción y todo lo sobrenatural, eso me gustó. <3
January 19, 2020
12 Relatos de Agatha Christie mas atrevidos,dice el libro y la verdad es que si, esta ocasion muchos de sus relatos presentan tramas un tanto sobrenaturales.
Lo que me molesta es que prometen en la descripcion,serian relatos de Hercules Poirot y miss Marple y solo los primeros 5 lo son,siendo los primeros 4 de Poirot y el 5 de miss Marple,ya que todos los demas son narrados por diferentes personajes.
Poirot infringe la ley. 4/5 Estrellas.
Doble culpabilidad. 5/5 Estrellas.
Nido de avispas. 4/5 Estrellas.
Doble Pista. 4/5 Estrellas.
Santuario. 4/5 Estrellas.
El podenco de la muerte. 3/5 Estrellas.(Esperaba mas)
La gitana. 2/5 Estrellas. (Le falto mas desarrollo para ser un buen relato.)
La lampara. 3/5 Estrellas. (Demasiado corto.)
El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael. 4/5 Estrellas. (Muy obvio,pero muy bien escrito.)
La llamada de las alas. 4/5 Estrellas. (Pudo ser mejor,aunque me gusto el final.)
La ultima sesion. 2/5 Estrellas. (Super obvio lo que pasaria.)
La muñeca de la modista. 2/5 Estrellas. (Demasiado usados los relatos de muñecas poseidas.)
Lo que me molesta es que prometen en la descripcion,serian relatos de Hercules Poirot y miss Marple y solo los primeros 5 lo son,siendo los primeros 4 de Poirot y el 5 de miss Marple,ya que todos los demas son narrados por diferentes personajes.
Poirot infringe la ley. 4/5 Estrellas.
Doble culpabilidad. 5/5 Estrellas.
Nido de avispas. 4/5 Estrellas.
Doble Pista. 4/5 Estrellas.
Santuario. 4/5 Estrellas.
El podenco de la muerte. 3/5 Estrellas.(Esperaba mas)
La gitana. 2/5 Estrellas. (Le falto mas desarrollo para ser un buen relato.)
La lampara. 3/5 Estrellas. (Demasiado corto.)
El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael. 4/5 Estrellas. (Muy obvio,pero muy bien escrito.)
La llamada de las alas. 4/5 Estrellas. (Pudo ser mejor,aunque me gusto el final.)
La ultima sesion. 2/5 Estrellas. (Super obvio lo que pasaria.)
La muñeca de la modista. 2/5 Estrellas. (Demasiado usados los relatos de muñecas poseidas.)
August 19, 2019
Empecé leyendo el libro pensando que era una novela entera cuando a los 10 minutos de leer me doy cuenta que es una recopilación de relatos.
Para mí fue una desilusión, no soy muy fanática de leer relatos cortos, porque suelen dejarme vacía y una semana después ya no me acuerdo...
Siento decirlo pero el tema sobrenatural / terror no se le daba muy bien a Agatha...
El relato que me ha gustado un poco mas ha sido 'La muñeca de la modista'
Para mí fue una desilusión, no soy muy fanática de leer relatos cortos, porque suelen dejarme vacía y una semana después ya no me acuerdo...
Siento decirlo pero el tema sobrenatural / terror no se le daba muy bien a Agatha...
El relato que me ha gustado un poco mas ha sido 'La muñeca de la modista'
May 14, 2024
5/5 ⭐
“Muchos de los principios elementales de la vida han sido destrozados por la civilización, pero la maternidad no ha sufrido alteración alguna. Y el amor de una madre no admite parangón en este mundo. No conoce ley, ni piedad; se atreve a todo y aplasta cuanto se le opone.”
🕵🏻Publicado en 1933 y según mi lista está en el orden #10 de publicación, son relatos cortos que nada tienen que ver entre sí. A pesar del título, Poirot es el protagonista de las cuatro primeras historias narradas por Hastings, mientras que en el próximo aparece la famosísima Ms. Marple, la cual con “su fina intuición” logrará aclarar una misteriosa muerte.
En éste libro aparecen asesinatos, desapariciones, historias inexplicables en las que lo sobrenatural tiene bastante que decir, pero también delitos de chantaje y un robo.
En los restantes casos, que son narrados por diferentes personajes, el enigma se encierra en la dimensión esotérica y de las ciencias ocultas que la genial autora les confiere.
Los relatos son:
✅Poirot infringe la ley: Muy divertido el comienzo en el cual una dama inglesa pide ayuda a Poirot quien se encuentra aburrido, para recuperar las cartas que envió a un antiguo amor y evitar un problema con el hombre con el que está a punto de casarse.
✅Doble culpabilidad: Delante de los bigotes de Poirot, unas miniaturas de gran valor son robadas mientras viaja en autobús y él tendrá “que hacerlas aparecer”.
✅Nido de avispas: EXCELENTE. Poirot visita a un viejo amigo para impedir un crimen. Incluso da un mensaje a un personaje el cual está con pocos meses de vida. “La expresión de usted (...) Es una expresión muy peculiar, que sólo he observado un par de veces en mi vida, pero inconfundible.”
✅Doble pista: Uno de los personajes es la condesa rusa, que si mal no recuerdo la leí (apareció) en otra novela de Agatha. En el transcurso de una fiesta, un coleccionista de arte descubre que uno de sus cuatro invitados le ha robado y una doble pista exigirá a Poirot ser muy astuto.
✅Santuario: Aquí Miss Marple investiga. ¡LA ADORO a ésta ancianita! Mientras acomoda los arreglos florales en la iglesia, la señora Harmon, esposa del vicario, descubre a un hombre agonizante. Tras oír sus últimas palabras, pide ayuda al médico, al policía, pero como sigue con dudas decide pedir consejo a su tía Jane Marple.
✅El podenco de la muerte: Narrado por Anstruther quien tiene una hermana, Kitty, y ésta aceptó recibir a varios refugiados belgas al principio de la guerra. Lo místico está aquí presente con una monja que tiene visiones que son producto de los traumas que le dejó la guerra. Leí por ahí que se titula “el sabueso de la muerte”
✅La gitana: Un relato esotérico cuyo personaje principal es escocés. Me quedé con deseos de saber más, ya que se trata de un joven que tiene terror a los gitanos a causa de las pesadillas que sufre.
✅La lámpara: Narrado en tercera persona, donde el fantasma de un niño atormenta a la nueva familia compuesta por una joven viuda, su hijo y el papá de ella, que habitan en su casa. Tiene pinceladas de terror y no me gustó su final.
✅El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael: A partir de las notas del difunto doctor Edward Carstairs, eminente psicólogo, donde narra la historia completa de un raro e inexplicable hecho, en el cual un joven heredero adopta el comportamiento del gato fallecido de su extraña madrastra. También me pareció un relato de terror.
✅La llamada de las alas: QUÉ RELATO. TREMENDO. El mensaje que brinda al lector, más allá de que se trata de un millonario materialista que se ve arrastrado a un extraño estado de lucha entre la carne y el espíritu tras un encuentro con un vagabundo y que le hace ver que con toda la riqueza se siente preso.
✅La última sesión: También me pareció algo terrorífico porque aquí una médium se prepara para su última sesión con una madre desesperada que insiste en que ésta se siente a cambio de mucho dinero, con el propósito de ver a su hija fallecida. “Era inútil suplicar piedad a un ser dominado por su propia pasión.”
✅La muñeca de la modista:Una muñeca cuya cara da la sensación de ser algo vivo; de ser algo que impone su presencia y que asusta a las empleadas de una modista.
Mis favoritos han sido: Poirot infringe la ley, Nido de Avispas, Santuario porque aparece Miss Marple y La llamada de las alas. Recomendado para los que amamos a Agatha Christie.
“Muchos de los principios elementales de la vida han sido destrozados por la civilización, pero la maternidad no ha sufrido alteración alguna. Y el amor de una madre no admite parangón en este mundo. No conoce ley, ni piedad; se atreve a todo y aplasta cuanto se le opone.”
🕵🏻Publicado en 1933 y según mi lista está en el orden #10 de publicación, son relatos cortos que nada tienen que ver entre sí. A pesar del título, Poirot es el protagonista de las cuatro primeras historias narradas por Hastings, mientras que en el próximo aparece la famosísima Ms. Marple, la cual con “su fina intuición” logrará aclarar una misteriosa muerte.
En éste libro aparecen asesinatos, desapariciones, historias inexplicables en las que lo sobrenatural tiene bastante que decir, pero también delitos de chantaje y un robo.
En los restantes casos, que son narrados por diferentes personajes, el enigma se encierra en la dimensión esotérica y de las ciencias ocultas que la genial autora les confiere.
Los relatos son:
✅Poirot infringe la ley: Muy divertido el comienzo en el cual una dama inglesa pide ayuda a Poirot quien se encuentra aburrido, para recuperar las cartas que envió a un antiguo amor y evitar un problema con el hombre con el que está a punto de casarse.
✅Doble culpabilidad: Delante de los bigotes de Poirot, unas miniaturas de gran valor son robadas mientras viaja en autobús y él tendrá “que hacerlas aparecer”.
✅Nido de avispas: EXCELENTE. Poirot visita a un viejo amigo para impedir un crimen. Incluso da un mensaje a un personaje el cual está con pocos meses de vida. “La expresión de usted (...) Es una expresión muy peculiar, que sólo he observado un par de veces en mi vida, pero inconfundible.”
✅Doble pista: Uno de los personajes es la condesa rusa, que si mal no recuerdo la leí (apareció) en otra novela de Agatha. En el transcurso de una fiesta, un coleccionista de arte descubre que uno de sus cuatro invitados le ha robado y una doble pista exigirá a Poirot ser muy astuto.
✅Santuario: Aquí Miss Marple investiga. ¡LA ADORO a ésta ancianita! Mientras acomoda los arreglos florales en la iglesia, la señora Harmon, esposa del vicario, descubre a un hombre agonizante. Tras oír sus últimas palabras, pide ayuda al médico, al policía, pero como sigue con dudas decide pedir consejo a su tía Jane Marple.
✅El podenco de la muerte: Narrado por Anstruther quien tiene una hermana, Kitty, y ésta aceptó recibir a varios refugiados belgas al principio de la guerra. Lo místico está aquí presente con una monja que tiene visiones que son producto de los traumas que le dejó la guerra. Leí por ahí que se titula “el sabueso de la muerte”
✅La gitana: Un relato esotérico cuyo personaje principal es escocés. Me quedé con deseos de saber más, ya que se trata de un joven que tiene terror a los gitanos a causa de las pesadillas que sufre.
✅La lámpara: Narrado en tercera persona, donde el fantasma de un niño atormenta a la nueva familia compuesta por una joven viuda, su hijo y el papá de ella, que habitan en su casa. Tiene pinceladas de terror y no me gustó su final.
✅El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael: A partir de las notas del difunto doctor Edward Carstairs, eminente psicólogo, donde narra la historia completa de un raro e inexplicable hecho, en el cual un joven heredero adopta el comportamiento del gato fallecido de su extraña madrastra. También me pareció un relato de terror.
✅La llamada de las alas: QUÉ RELATO. TREMENDO. El mensaje que brinda al lector, más allá de que se trata de un millonario materialista que se ve arrastrado a un extraño estado de lucha entre la carne y el espíritu tras un encuentro con un vagabundo y que le hace ver que con toda la riqueza se siente preso.
✅La última sesión: También me pareció algo terrorífico porque aquí una médium se prepara para su última sesión con una madre desesperada que insiste en que ésta se siente a cambio de mucho dinero, con el propósito de ver a su hija fallecida. “Era inútil suplicar piedad a un ser dominado por su propia pasión.”
✅La muñeca de la modista:Una muñeca cuya cara da la sensación de ser algo vivo; de ser algo que impone su presencia y que asusta a las empleadas de una modista.
Mis favoritos han sido: Poirot infringe la ley, Nido de Avispas, Santuario porque aparece Miss Marple y La llamada de las alas. Recomendado para los que amamos a Agatha Christie.
October 24, 2016
مجموعة جميلة من القصص القصيرة للسيدة أجاثا كريستى
أعجبني منها :
-الغجرية
-المصباح
-المذياع
-حكاية السير آرثر كارمايكل الغريبة
-نداء الأجنحة
و لم يعجبني :
-كلب الموت
-وفاة المهرج
و إن كانت المجموعة بأكلمها جيدة بوجه عام ، و كالعادة شهادتي مجروحة في أعمال السيدة :)
اختيار موفق يا غفران :))
أعجبني منها :
-الغجرية
-المصباح
-المذياع
-حكاية السير آرثر كارمايكل الغريبة
-نداء الأجنحة
و لم يعجبني :
-كلب الموت
-وفاة المهرج
و إن كانت المجموعة بأكلمها جيدة بوجه عام ، و كالعادة شهادتي مجروحة في أعمال السيدة :)
اختيار موفق يا غفران :))
September 1, 2024
2.5 estrellas
La verdad solo me gustaron los cinco primeros relatos, después todo se va al garete.
No se que quiso hacer Agatha con este libro, todo se vuelve extraño y aburrido. Lo único que puede salvar al libro de poner 1 estrella fueron los primeros relatos.
La verdad solo me gustaron los cinco primeros relatos, después todo se va al garete.
No se que quiso hacer Agatha con este libro, todo se vuelve extraño y aburrido. Lo único que puede salvar al libro de poner 1 estrella fueron los primeros relatos.
June 3, 2022
Esta antología de relatos de Agatha aunque me ha gustado, no es de las mejores de la autora, tiene relatos que me han gustado mucho, otros entretenidos y algunos que me han parecido bastante flojos.
El libro se compone de 12 relatos; 4 protagonizados por Hercules Poirot y uno por Jane Marple, el resto son independientes y la gran mayoría de los relatos tienen en su temática un toque paranormal.
Los relatos que más me han gustado han sido; Santuario, La lámpara y El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael y entre los que menos me han gustado están; La llamada de las alas, La última sesión y La muñeca de la modista.
El libro se compone de 12 relatos; 4 protagonizados por Hercules Poirot y uno por Jane Marple, el resto son independientes y la gran mayoría de los relatos tienen en su temática un toque paranormal.
Los relatos que más me han gustado han sido; Santuario, La lámpara y El extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael y entre los que menos me han gustado están; La llamada de las alas, La última sesión y La muñeca de la modista.
September 28, 2017
مجموعة قصصية جيدة تتحدث عن بعض المواضيع الغير معتاد عليها من أجاثا كالأرواح و البيوت المسكونة و انفصام الشخصية و الشعور المسبق بالخطر حيث وضعت في قصص محبوكة بطريقة رائعة
اعجبني منها :
شاهد إثبات
المذياع
لغز الزهرية الزقاء
نداء الأجنحة
لكن لكي اكون صريحًا من الآن فصاعدًا لن أقرأ قصص قصيرة لأجاثا 😂
اعجبني منها :
شاهد إثبات
المذياع
لغز الزهرية الزقاء
نداء الأجنحة
لكن لكي اكون صريحًا من الآن فصاعدًا لن أقرأ قصص قصيرة لأجاثا 😂
July 12, 2019
اعتقد لو اجاثا استمرت في كتابة رعب الماوراءيات ان جاز التعبير لكانت تسيدته مع الروايات البوليسية
كل قصة تصلح نواة لرواية او عمل فني لا يقل في تشويقه عن The others
كل قصة تصلح نواة لرواية او عمل فني لا يقل في تشويقه عن The others
June 26, 2019
Le doy 3.5 estrellas. Madre mía los últimos cuentos XD. ¡Qué grima XD!
December 8, 2021
ESPAÑOL: Este libro fue publicado en español combinando historias cortas de varios libros en inglés.
De las 12 historias que contiene, hay cuatro de Poirot. La mejor es "Poirot investiga" ("The veiled lady"), que ya había leído en "Poirot investiga". Tampoco está mal "Doble pista", donde la condesa Vera Rossakoff aparece por primera vez.
Hay también una historia de Miss Marple ("Santuario"), que no está mal.
Las otras ocho son de fantasmas y situaciones raras o sobrenaturales. Casi ninguna me ha gustado. Algunas no tienen pies ni cabeza, como la de "el extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael". La única que merece un poco la pena es "La muñeca de la modista".
ENGLISH: This book was published in Spanish combining short stories from several English books.
Of the 12 stories it contains, there are four by Poirot. The best is "The veiled lady", that I had read before in "Poirot investigates". Also "The Double Clue", where Countess Vera Rossakoff appears for the first time.
There is also a Miss Marple story ("Sanctuary") , which is not bad.
The other eight are about ghosts and weird or supernatural situations. I hardly liked any of them. Some are actually absurd, such as "The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael." The only one a little worthy is "The dressmaker's doll."
De las 12 historias que contiene, hay cuatro de Poirot. La mejor es "Poirot investiga" ("The veiled lady"), que ya había leído en "Poirot investiga". Tampoco está mal "Doble pista", donde la condesa Vera Rossakoff aparece por primera vez.
Hay también una historia de Miss Marple ("Santuario"), que no está mal.
Las otras ocho son de fantasmas y situaciones raras o sobrenaturales. Casi ninguna me ha gustado. Algunas no tienen pies ni cabeza, como la de "el extraño caso de sir Arthur Carmichael". La única que merece un poco la pena es "La muñeca de la modista".
ENGLISH: This book was published in Spanish combining short stories from several English books.
Of the 12 stories it contains, there are four by Poirot. The best is "The veiled lady", that I had read before in "Poirot investigates". Also "The Double Clue", where Countess Vera Rossakoff appears for the first time.
There is also a Miss Marple story ("Sanctuary") , which is not bad.
The other eight are about ghosts and weird or supernatural situations. I hardly liked any of them. Some are actually absurd, such as "The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael." The only one a little worthy is "The dressmaker's doll."
December 16, 2011
Interesting collection of stories. Some are better than the others. Not the usual garden-variety whodunit plots...although I am a sucker for those!!!
Most of the stories are psychological thrillers and/or deal with the supernatural, one way or the other. I suppose after watching TV shows like the X-Files and Supernatural, the stories were pretty tame. However, for the time when they were written, I thought the plots were quite impressive in how dark they were.
One thing though that is starting to annoy me is how ethnocentric Ms. Christie was. This attitude of "the Brits are perfect and the foreigners are archaic and evil" seems to resonate particularly in this book!!! The "foreigners" always tend to be the "bad guys", which can get kind of old. It's surprising since Ms. Christie's most famous detective Hercule Poirot is foreign, which leads me to believe that she was not really anti-foreigners per se.
I have been reading Agatha Christie for years now and it has only started bothering me lately. Perhaps that is the influence of the times we are living in now!!!
Most of the stories are psychological thrillers and/or deal with the supernatural, one way or the other. I suppose after watching TV shows like the X-Files and Supernatural, the stories were pretty tame. However, for the time when they were written, I thought the plots were quite impressive in how dark they were.
One thing though that is starting to annoy me is how ethnocentric Ms. Christie was. This attitude of "the Brits are perfect and the foreigners are archaic and evil" seems to resonate particularly in this book!!! The "foreigners" always tend to be the "bad guys", which can get kind of old. It's surprising since Ms. Christie's most famous detective Hercule Poirot is foreign, which leads me to believe that she was not really anti-foreigners per se.
I have been reading Agatha Christie for years now and it has only started bothering me lately. Perhaps that is the influence of the times we are living in now!!!
November 17, 2020
From TIA:
It is 1920. Britain is still recovering from the loss of virtually an entire generation in the Great War, and those who survive have physical and mental scars from which they may never recover. One such is a nun apparently traumatised by scenes of horror she has witnessed at the front. But what precisely did she see? An ambitious doctor and a pioneering psychologist try to restore the woman's sanity, but in the process they uncover something much more sinister.
It is 1920. Britain is still recovering from the loss of virtually an entire generation in the Great War, and those who survive have physical and mental scars from which they may never recover. One such is a nun apparently traumatised by scenes of horror she has witnessed at the front. But what precisely did she see? An ambitious doctor and a pioneering psychologist try to restore the woman's sanity, but in the process they uncover something much more sinister.
December 3, 2022
Mi sono piaciute tantissimo le atmosfere mistery di questi racconti, dove l'elemento del surreale è sempre preponderante. Il fil rouge è rappresentato dall'occultismo e dalla psicanalisi che mantengono il livello di tensione sempre alto. Tutti i racconti però sono diversi e originali. Li ho apprezzati tutti perché Agatha Christie in versione sovrannaturale la trovo perfetta, così come mi capitò di amare molto Il misterioso signor Quin.
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