Welcome to Litsy!

Todays entertainment.
Something lighter while I ponder big decisions.

Another short story collection, featuring the mysterious Mr. Quinn, who shows up at the right time to help Mr. Satterthwaite solve the mistery of the day. Mr. Satterthwaite is a very lovable detective and his relationship with Mr. Quinn develops in an interesting way.

I really liked the stories in this one, but I'm of two minds about Mr. Quin. At first, I thought there were way too many coincidences; then it seemed impossible that this wasn't supernatural. And for some reason, even though I usually love supernatural everything, I wanted a real-life explanation from Christie -- probably because thats what I expect from her. I liked seeing Mr. Satterthwaite again. I didn't expect that! 💛

#agathachristieclubr2

I was on a bit of a roll this week, so I listened to this early. I loved it!!! I kept thinking I knew exactly what was going on, but the rug was pulled out from under me EVERY TIME. And yet, as is the magic of Christie, the solution felt completely fair. A crime is committed at a party that happens to have Hercule Poirot, Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race and Ariadne Oliver all in one room. It was so fun!

#agathachristieclubr2

I haven‘t really enjoyed Christie‘s short stories in the past (too much Hastings), but I really enjoyed this collection of short mysteries featuring Mr. Satterthwaite and the mysterious Mr. Quin, who seems to appear just when a “drama” is unfolding. Mr. Satterthwaite grows a bit through each successive story, and the mystery of Mr. Quin is nicely handled as just a little quirk of Mr. Satterthwaite‘s life. (Also I just like saying Satterthwaite.)

After a few French books, going back to Lady Agatha

I do not like extending library book due dates, so I finished this one right before walking in
Did enjoy this collection of short stories though. Think it should‘ve been named after Mr Satterthwaite, as it followed his growth from being an observer to interacting with drama. They call it that. I like how these stories make it that all the information you need to solve it is in front of you. All you need is to rethink it unbiased. #AgathaChristie

Thanks so much @robinb ! This arrived today. I can‘t wait to read it, and I love the happy pink and banana bag. 😊 No reason for the beach picture — I‘m not there — I just wanted a beach picture to make me even happier.

I did not enjoy this one as much as some of Agatha Christie‘s books. I think because of the way it seemed like a lot of short stories strung together to make a book. #agathachristieclubr2 #merryreaders #wintergames @Clwojick

Short stories about Mr Satterthwaite & Mr Quin. I wish Christie had given Mr Satterthwaite a less complicated name & used it less in each story. Mr Quin shows up when needed & sometimes is only seen by Satterthwaite. A little bit different from her other books.

4. How did you feel about Mr. Satterthwaite, both on his own and as a companion to Mr. Quin? What did you make of their relationship at the end of the last story?

#agathachristieclubR2

3. The Mysterious Mr. Quin is unabashedly supernatural, in contrast with most of Christie's other work. Did you enjoy this departure? Did you think it worked?

#agathachristieclubR2

2. How did Mr. Quin stack up against the other detectives we've met so far (Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence, etc.)?

#agathachristieclubR2

OH. MY. GOSH. I flipped my months in my head and skipped The Mysterious Mr. Quin! I can't believe I screwed this up for one of my favorites. At least I'm a month ahead now? 🤣

Please comment on the discussion questions for LAST month's #agathachristieclubR2 book! As always, please tag any previous commenters, and use the hashtag to see all the question posts.

1. Did you enjoy this collection? Why or why not? What was your favorite story?

Even reading this outside on the loveliest of days didn‘t make it better. I didn‘t love it in the beginning and it just went downhill from there for me. The stories were long and dull and hard to follow. The mysteries were boring and nonsensical. The odd story here or there was okay but generally, yulch. On the bright side, I‘m caught up with #agathachristieclubr2!

I had never heard of Mr. Quin before reading this. I really enjoyed the supernatural/potentially fantasy mystery stories. At first I didn‘t think I was going to like these stories because they were talking about what was happening but you weren‘t experiencing it. However, the more I listened the more I liked the different stories.

#BookSpinBingo - 12 boxes crossed off and no bingo.

#AgathaChristieClubR2

It's not too late to join in on the #agathachristieclubR2 pick for August, The Mysterious Mr. Quin! It's one of my favorites, so I hope you'll read it.

(Plus Miss Marple is just around the corner! 😍)

These are always great!!

My wife and I just finished a 3000 piece opera puzzle. This “little” pulp fiction puzzle (1000 pieces) was a lot of fun to solve 🤓 There are 2 Agatha Christie book covers. I love the tagged book; Harley Quin and Mr. Satterthwaite AKA the Love Detectives are two of my favorite Christie characters. 🖤

My second book finished for #24in48 . I liked this Christie...I pictured Satterthwaite as a Jessica Fletcher, as he tends to show up when there is trouble. And Quin is mysterious! Several short stories featuring the two characters. #agathachristieclub

#24in48 update: just finished tagged book (review to come). Next up, a book I borrowed forever ago from a friend - a little suspense romance by Krentz. #Vladimir and #Zeke helped me stage this photo. #catsoflitsy

Just one of my Hay-On-Wye purchases—an Agatha Christie from the Murder and Mayhem bookshop. Of course!

My next Agatha Christie. This is an old paperback from 1965 and nearly falling apart.

My favorite short story collection yet from Agatha Christie. Who is Mr. Quin? I've come up with Mr. Satterthwaite's invention or invisible friend, (but other people see him) an angel, Death himself. If you've read this book, what are your thoughts?
In any case, excellent stories!

Up next....this is my first time reading this one.

Oh my gosh, I LOVED this. I started out thinking it would be dumb (Harley Quin? Come on.), but I found each story lovely, and even teared up at the end (and rewound it about five times, thanks to Hugh Fraser's affecting narration). A totally pleasant surprise.

#agathachristieclub #ermadlibs #personsname @EclecticReaders

I've never read the Satterthwaite/Quin stories before & I was absolutely delighted with this collection. Sometimes, even in the Poirot & Marple books, Christie can seem like she's phoning it in stylistically. These stories felt fresh. Mr. Satterthwaite is written with a deft, loving touch & I love the sense of fabulism that permeates these almost gothic & romantic puzzle stories. Christie flirts with fantasy here & it pays off. #agathachristieclub

Finished my last book for June and managed to stay caught up with #agathachristieclub. I enjoyed this selection of stories of Mr. Satterthwaite‘s encounters with Mr. Quin. I‘m still not sure what to make of the character, but I loved Hugh Fraser‘s narration. This also seemed to have less of the in-your-face racism that have been in some of the other early Christie novels. 3 stars.

Because I just read it last year, I skipped the reread of Partners in Crime last month for #agathachristieclub. Now that I‘ve finished Duma Key, I can start the June book. So thrilled to have Hugh Fraser back as the audiobook narrator! #currentlyreading

1. Today I think Peter‘s Amelia Peabody series
2. Code Black, Dr Who
3. Yes
4. I fear breakfast sausage & eggs
5. Yes, he was a reader
#friyayintro
@jesshowbooks

Mr Quin moves in #MysteriousWays. I have not read this one by Christie yet, but how can you not get excited when the back cover says Quin arrives from now where then vanishes when he finishes the job? Classic Christie! #RockinMay

@LeahBergen I see great minds think alike for today's prompt!

#MysteriousWays
#RockinMay

More catch up posts! Bout of books, day 2 book 4. Fantastic read! #boutofbooks

The Quin stories are some of the purest face-value mysteries you can read. Satterthwaite is a surrogate for the reader, a reasonably intelligent man without Sherlock or Hercule's superpowers. Like us, he's given everything he needs to see the answer; Mr. Quin simply provides a subtle nudge in the right direction. This may not be a Christie masterpiece, but it offers a more accommodating environment for literary sleuths to hone their own skills.

A strange mystery from the Queen of Mystery herself 🔎 Really enjoyed this book that collects the series of shorts written about the mysterious Mr. Quin -- it is a bit different from her usual! ~ #FunFridayPhoto #Mystery

No one will be surprised that Dame Agatha is my favourite short story writer. The Mysterious Mr. Quin has been my most loved collection since my first reading ( too many years ago ) #somethingforsept #shortstories #throwbackthursday

One of my all-time favorite bookshops is one that even most New Yorkers don't know about! Nestled downtown, within a few blocks of the WTC, is The Mysterious Bookshop. Nothing but mystery and suspense books! Most of that back wall: nothing but Sherlock Holmes. And these guys know their stuff! Whether it's a specific title or topical recommendation, they are spot on without missing a beat. And the couches are very comfy 😎👍🏻. #getindie

My fun Friday books. @Liberty I reread my Christie's when I need a bit of an escape

Looking forward to getting stuck into another novel by the Queen of Crime.

As a literary British Harlequinade, Agatha Christie‘s The Mysterious Mr. Quin blends aspects of medieval morality plays and Italian commedia dell'arte to create a drama of crimes of the heart, recasting the buffoonish harlequin as an enigmatic figure who rectifies the plights of aggrieved lovers.

What I sometimes think of people I meet in the course of my work! 😱 - so succinctly put Ms. Christie

Enjoyed these short stories which revolved around Mr. Quin and Mr. Satterthwaite.

Perfect Saturday afternoon - rediscovering the magnificence of Agatha Christie by joining @maidensofmurder IG April readalong of The Mysterious Mr. Quin whilst enjoying a cup of ginger spiced tea and the stunning scent of Glasshouse Fragrances limited edition La Maison No. 7 scent 'Soirée Privée'