Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our July/August 25 buddy read of By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie. The fourth book in the Tommy and Tuppence series was first published in 1968.

From agathachristie.com: An old woman in a nursing home speaks of a child buried behind the fireplace… When Tommy and Tuppence visited an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they thought nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada was a very difficult old lady. But when Mrs Lockett mentioned a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs Lancaster talked about ‘something behind the fireplace’, Tommy and Tuppence found themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure involving possible black magic…

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

Has anyone seen the TV adaptation of this one, from the Marple series starring Geraldine McEwan?

I'm a bit wary of watching it as it has Miss Marple added into the story (I wish they hadn't done that!) and apparently has also given Tuppence a drink problem, which seems rather odd, to say the least. Wondering if it is still worth a look?

Tuppence’ drinking seems pretty tame for the era! I found this whole book delightfully bonkers, particularly when they kept referring to women in their 60’s as frail and elderly. Given that I’m one now, I certainly don’t feel that way!

Judy wrote: "Has anyone seen the TV adaptation of this one, from the Marple series starring Geraldine McEwan?

I'm a bit wary of watching it as it has Miss Marple added into the story (I wish they hadn't done ..."

Those sounds like ridiculous changes, and completely unnecessary.

I liked this T&T more than the earlier ones, but then I like a nice domestic murder more than international intrigue. While "everyone" assumes Tuppence always recklessly puts her life in danger, looking at gravestones is not usually risky.

Interesting resolution to the mystery. Will the husband face any consequences for harboring a murderer?

As I wrote in my review, all the T&T books seemed better to me than when I first read them and I think age is the reason. I just have a better appreciation for the couple as we've watched them go from Bright Young (and broke) spies to "just past their prime" as they consider themselves here.

I am not sure if this one is my favorite - I really liked the first one - but it's much better than the second one, just a loose collection of short stories. This one might be the best, actually, it's a gripping story and the murder was a complete surprise to me.

Never seen the TV versions but why would they give Tuppence a drinking problem? Sounds like a stupid idea.

Jackie wrote: "As I wrote in my review, all the T&T books seemed better to me than when I first read them and I think age is the reason. I just have a better appreciation for the couple as we've watched them go f..."

Agree - I haven’t seen it, and I’ve been watching the Geraldine McEwan Marples to compare to the books and the Joan Hickson versions. I’ve tried several, but not the ones where they clearly shoehorned Miss Marple in.