Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Nov/Dec 24 buddy read of Partners in Crime the second book featuring Tommy and Tuppence, first published in 1929. This is, I should inform the reader, a collection of stories, rather than a novel. I know some of us are less keen on the short story format, while others love them, so whether you decide to go ahead will probably depend on what side of the reading fence you sit on.

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford were restless for adventure, so when they were asked to take over Blunt’s International Detective Agency, they leapt at the chance.

After their triumphant recovery of a pink pearl, intriguing cases kept on coming their way: a stabbing on Sunningdale golf course; cryptic messages in the personal columns of newspapers; and even a box of poisoned chocolates.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

As mentioned on the other thread, I really enjoyed this one-not much to comment on in the plot-I liked the fact that most of it was more traditional mystery short stories and the espionage aspect only appeared at the end. Enjoyable to see how T&T are tuned into each other and work so well as a pair, and glad they had such excellent back-up-though I can't recall if it was Scotland Yard or MI 5?6? which was behind them.

In any case, I'm in for the series!

I wasn’t keen on this book years ago, and didn’t find it any better this time. It is a book of short stories and in each story they try to impersonate a famous detective from the fictional characters. I found them pretty Childish

Frances wrote: "As mentioned on the other thread, I really enjoyed this one-not much to comment on in the plot-I liked the fact that most of it was more traditional mystery short stories and the espionage aspect o..."

I also find it annoying how every story centers around impersonating a famous detective. It gets repetitive after the first chapters.

It’s are quite amusing, though I am not familiar with most of the detectives Tommy and Tuppence are meant to be imitating, but the stories are still quite fun.

Louise wrote: "It’s are quite amusing, though I am not familiar with most of the detectives Tommy and Tuppence are meant to be imitating, but the stories are still quite fun."

Exactly, that’s how I felt! I just enjoyed their banter and humor

I enjoyed this more as the stories progressed, probably helped as I then knew each was an intentional spoof of a then popular detective. The relationship between T & T is the best part.

I've just listened to The Sunningdale Mystery - the one where Tommy is being the Old Man in the Corner and there's a mysterious stabbing on a golf course. I've read a couple of the Old Man in the Corner short stories in British Library collections, so I vaguely remember the character, although I'd forgotten about him playing with string and eating cheesecake!

Must say I really enjoyed this one and thought the solution was very clever. Amazing how Christie could come up with such good twists even for short stories.

Judy wrote: "I've just listened to The Sunningdale Mystery - the one where Tommy is being the Old Man in the Corner and there's a mysterious stabbing on a golf course. I've read a couple of the Old Man in the C..."

I’d never heard of the Old Man, so I certainly didn’t get the string and cheesecake…but context helps, and listening to the story, the banter back and forth helps me under What they’re teasing each other about. I enjoy the two of them!

Sandy wrote: "I enjoyed this more as the stories progressed, probably helped as I then knew each was an intentional spoof of a then popular detective. The relationship between T & T is the best part."

Yes, I never read them, I was always hooked on Marple and Poirot - so I’m enjoying moving past the first book with Tommy and Tuppence.

I've finished this now - it's fun that Christie spoofs herself in the last story, with Tommy taking inspiration from Poirot. I also think that story has a clever plot, with the hotel rooms mystery - I certainly didn't guess the solution!

I finished it yesterday. I've read some of those detective stories. I wasn't really connecting with them though. But I thought the stories were interesting.