Agatha Christie Miss Marple - The Blue Geranium 4*

Clip. Shivering fearfully, a woman prays in her bedroom for divine protection. Downstairs, man answers rotary phone "Don't call me here". Elsewhere, red-enameled fingernails puts down her phone. Spoilers to music.

Next morning, George Pritchard (Toby Stephens) breaks the locked door of dead Mary (Sharon Small). Blood streams from her nose, and one blue geranium in a bouquet of pink blossoms. Not enough once, the whole death scene repeats later amid flashbacks.

Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) gasps when observing wasp poison concoction. When Detective Somerset (Kevin R. McNally) refuses her call, Jane invades a London gentleman's club to Sir Henry Clithering (Donald Sinden). Newspaper report in hand, she recalls the knotted tangle she "got wrong".

On the (to me, delightfully gorgeous little antiquated) bus to visit her friend Reverend Dermot Milewater (David Calder) in Little Ambrose (no sweet "prettiest village I know" named like that among quiet fields in my New World), the only other passenger, troubled Eddie Seward (Jason Durr), confides "I have been through a tunnel .. I'm going to force the moment to its crisis".

Dermot's niece Hester (Joanna Page) is cook for Pritchards. Hypochondriac wife Mary is obsessed with horoscopes, dependent on "magic tonic" sugar solution of Dr Jonathon Frayn (Patrick Baladi), whose father sold the Summerleigh estate. To encourage Pritchard's generosity, the golf club appoints George their new Captain. But children interrupt the village gathering, the body of Eddie washes up in the river. Mary's sister Phillipa (Claudie Blakley) also in the Air Force, first in love with the dashing pilot George, married his brother Lewis (Paul Rhys), gambler and failed writer.

Spoiling:
Miss M recognizes the "crisis" quote from T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" 1920, when a man intends to propose, and asks about the rest of the corpse's tie and scratches on his neck. Alcoholic Eddie left his drying-out clinic to find his wife Penelope, vanished years ago, probably now in Little Ambrose. Nurse Caroline Copling (Claire Rushbrook), artist Hazel (Caroline Catz), and Dermot's niece Hester are the newcomers, I remember who's trouble.

Hazel (in brown wig) and George act like sweethearts, then Hester and Payn find pregnant Carstairs (Rebekah Manning) strangled in abandoned estate mill-house by George's tie, leaving Mary's missing jewelry and costume of Zarida, mystic that threatened Mary with death when pink flowers turn blue. George confesses to all three murders. But Miss M knows the truth.

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Spoilers:
Arsenic crystals used to kill wasps resemble smelling salts Nurse Copling used to kill Mary. Miss M notes an Auction House paper in Eddie's wallet, the painting that brought him to Little Ambroze, freeze frame to show clearly, and believes the rest of Eddie's tie left on tree over river indicates partway through he regretted his suicide. Caroline blackmailed Phillipa for Mary's death, blaming Phillipa's angry years of slow poison, framed George for Carstairs using his tie.
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Carstairs and Pritchard are both names from "Why didn't they ask Evans", disconcerting. Maybe Pritchard is used often because Agatha's only grandson is Matthew Prichard?

Extras:
Subtitles English
4 Cast Filmographies 2pg credits 2008-1953 McKenzie, Catz, Sinden, Stephens
120 years with Agatha Christie 5pg - 2010 anniversary 90 years after first novel, 2 billion sold, something every 8 seconds 80th for Miss M, 45 languages, Matthew Prichard is only grandson. John Curran's "Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks" has two unpublished Poirot stories

Agatha Christie Miss Marple - Sleeping Murder 4*

Preview. As always, costumes are delicious, sets lavish - from 1933 India to 15 years later in Dover - plus a vaudeville singing act in full voice. Bright red lipstick, glossy hair waves, and vivid sharp colors inside and out, entertain eye and ear. Unraveling the problem when one already has seen the answer still captures the imagination and intellect.

In a magnificent Hillside mansion that Gwenda Halliday (Sophia Myles) age 21 chooses by "instinct", the pretty blonde from India uncovers a door blocked, wallpaper of "poppies and cornflower" in the planned nursery, and envisions strangled "Helen" at the foot of the stairs. Her busy London fiance's bespectacled assistant Hugh Hornbeam (Aidan McArdle) calls soft-spoken white-haired Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) to uncover secrets meant to protect. Marple recruits nearly-retired Dilmouth Chief Inspector Primer (Russ Abbot), and contacts police in India. Former housemaid Lily takes the train in to say her part, suffering the worst of consequences. Finally all the suspects gather for the revelation. (Rated 4* instead of 5* because of the original plot dependence on coincidence and guessing, not the film or acting quality.)

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Spoilers:
Gwenda's maternal uncle Doctor Kennedy (Phil Davis) presents evidence from a tragic history: a photo from Funnybones vaudeville troupe (including Dawn French as Mrs Erskine) actress Helen shares handwriting on a farewell dear-Kelvin postcard. Gwenda's mother Claire (Anna-Louise Plowman - Sarah/Osiris in Stargate SG-1) did not die in a car accident, but really became Helen Marsden to flee police. Her father Kelvin (Julian Wadham) came back to Hillside, but fell off the Dover cliff days after his new fiancee Helen vanished. Claire ran away to escape her too loving brother, but he, jealous and angry, killed the happy couple.
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Featurettes:
1 Behind the Scenes - Interview clips with McEwan and others about Marple's character, one other mystery, mostly highlights that retell this story.
2 Agatha Christie Bio - 6 screens - "over a billion copies in English .. another billion in 44 languages .. outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare .. last published novel "Sleeping Murder 1976 .. first Miss Marple Murder at the Vicarage 1930 List - finger43
3 Photo Gallery - 15 posed stills in costume
4 Cast Filmographies - 1-4 screens work for 8: McEwan, Myles - Dr Who 10 "Girl in the Fireplace" Marie Antoinette, Aiden McArdle, Geraldine Chaplin, Philip Davis, Dawn French, Paul McGann - Dr Who #8 1996, Julian Wadham - English Patient 1996

Agatha Christie Miss Marple - Why didn't they ask Evans? 2*

On sea cliff, organist Robert Attfield (Sean Biggerstaff) finds man dying, his last words the title. While observant Miss M (Julia McKenzie) knits quietly, pretty Lady Frankie Derwent (Georgia Moffet) convinces Bobby to write Richard Trent aka Roger, who identified body as his cousin Mr Pritchard. Confused? Miss M spots his car window reflections in bird binoculars, and leaves the couple near handy fence-wire to get unlock car for clues: map, pipe, and key.

Jane, Claude, Frankie, Bobby

To get in, Frankie runs her car off the road at the entrance of Castle Savage, circled on Pritchard's map, where tea baron Lord Jack Savage died "writhing and moaning" six months ago. Lady Sylvia Savage (Samantha Bond) calls the nearest doctor, who has clinic nearby, psychiatrist Dr Alec Nicholson (Rik Mayall), who advises Frankie stay. Bob sets off with Pritchard's key to Hotel Cattermole and finds the victim's diary and true name, Carstairs. For support and safety, the team follows Frankie - Miss M claims to be her old governess, Bob her chauffeur with more clothes. How too convenient and dangerous, that all are invited to stay in a house of suspects. Especially after we learn the first Lord Savage, elder brother George to Jack, died suddenly in China.

Claude Evans (Mark Williams - Weasley dad in Harry Potter) worked for George in China. Why does he hang around and grow deadly orchids in conservatory setting, except to provide a gorgeous film background? (Spoiler - and second victim who leaves supposed suicide confession.) Tom (Freddie Fox), son of the Savage house, pets deadly vipers, hides uncle Jack's will, and stares at orphanage photo. Moira (Natalie Dormer) "the most noticeable person I've ever noticed" was a nurse, now neighbor, jealous-seeming wife to Dr Nicholson, both with drug access.

Faithful old manservant Wilson (Richard Briers) gives mysterious needles to employer Sylvia. Resident piano teacher Roger (Rafe Spall) makes up to Frankie, while Moira flirts with Bob. Bombastic incompetent Commander Peters (Warren Clarke) refuses to listen to others' answers.

We get to look over their shoulders, see glances and actions unobserved by others. Huge castle, psychiatrist Nicholson tosses her a pill, son offers pit viper for perusal. I was overwhelmed by so many new people, all staying in the same big house. Curious happenings, actions, reactions and interactions, meaningless scraps of paper and conversations. Tension, music mounts, footsteps approach .. poof .. ordinary chit-chat. Very convoluted motivations ring weak when Miss M guesses history from years ago. McKenzie's portrayal is entirely believable.

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Spoilers:
If Jack killed George, older brother and first Lord Savage, because he and Sylvia wanted to marry, why did the newlyweds take on fake siblings Tom and Dottie Dorothy (Hannah Murray) after dumping real ones, now Roger and Moira, in the Chinese orphanage? Current Attfield maid Florence Roberts (Siwan Morris) seems too young to be Florrie Evans, former "nursemaid" to Jack, too informal for "nurse". Why necessary for her to witness his death? Others all suspects?

Why does Carstairs, such a good friend of Jack, come all the way from China to benefit George's children he doesn't know, because he thinks will made out to orphanage is wrong? Did he not see his killer Roger? Why waste last words on questioning reason maid Evans not asked to witness will instead of gardeners, newly replaced so as not to recognize forger Roger in place of Jack?

Roger says Moira suffered deeply at the hands of invading soldiers. She dies horribly from poison, tactfully face down, a snake tattoo conveniently exposed by her slit-back dress. Does not Sylvia, guilty of ruining all their lives by selfish lust, deserve punishment?
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Extras:

captions
photo gallery
~30 posed publicity vs casual style stills, mostly single, outside or in flowers
4 cast filmographies
- 2 pg work, many mysteries, 2009-1971 McKenzie, Bond, Clarke, Spall

Poirot v7 Egyptian Tomb, Underdog, Yellow Iris

Sigh. Agatha Christie flash-froze for us the 1930s English upper class - the elegant rich - white suits, hats, gloves, long dresses, uniformed servants. Mostly quiet deaths, where aristocrats hire Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), master of "the little grey cells" quiet cogitation accompanied by his side-kick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), and secretary Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran). I forgot comic relief, her ouija board and hypnosis.

1 Egyptian Tomb Full.
Excavators die from a royal burial chamber curse, or is the motive money or career? From giant white museum statues to camels, palms, fly-whisks, campfires in the sand. 3000 year-old jasmine - mm - achoo. "Rome rose and fell .. wars and catastrophes .. this king forgotten".
Fine that Poirot pours his poisoned tea into a lab analysis bottle, but why also fake attack and send Hastings for help? Classic finale with all suspects gathered in one room (tent).
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Spoilers:
At Yale University, Dr Ames was appointed heir to his chum Rupert. He kills his pal's billionaire uncle, their dig funder, and misdiagnoses Rupert's exczema for leprosy, triggering unexpected suicide just before marriage would introduce another heir.
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2 Underdog Part1.
Opens with exciting fight in lab and fire - a new chemical formula for synthetic rubber at stake, worth a fortune to Germany in upcoming war. Profit-hungry company owner Sir Reuben Astwell (Denis Lill) fires his wife (Ann Bell) Nancy's secretary Lily (Adie Allen), gets clobbered, his son Charles (Jonathan Phillips) suspect.

Again, a worried mother hires Poirot, already guest on the spot, angry at his "obnoxious" host. I cannot remember if in the book Poirot retrieves a fabric scrab from a bush and dabs on house-maid Gladys' blood from his hanky, to fool the dress owner, but the whole folderol seems over-the-top.
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Spoilers:
The burglar was Humphrey Naylor (Andrew Seear), tussling with his lab supervisor. How does one stuntman (Simon Crane) do both parts? or did he just supervise? Horace Trefusis (Bill Wallis) stole Naylor's formula to make a fortune using his German contacts. Lily altered her handwritten (no more) reference from "Naylor" to "Marsden", and sought proof of the swindle. I'd forgotten much of the buildup, but not the killer, Trefusis, hidden behind a handy curtain while the other suspects came and went.
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3 Yellow Iris Part1.
Soft cream colors tint scene while Poirot narrates flashback to Buenos Aires, where heiress Iris, married to Barton Russell, drinks cyanide. Powder found in her bag, case is closed as suicide. Next morning, a military coup general deports the detective "third-class", before solution.

Now a London restaurant reunion gathers the suspects again, and threatens the surviving Weatherby sister Pauline, one month short of age 21, to get trust funds, and marriage imminent. Poirot plans pretense to lure out killer. Based on "Sprinkling Cyanide" featuring Colonel Race. (Seen many times before, I tire of theme song.)
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Spoiler:
Pauline pretends to die; in servant uniform, she then serves drinks to all suspects. At meal before, Barton, guardian who stole Weatherby trust fund, pretended to be waiter, serving drinks and planting potassium cyanide.
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Special Features
1 David Suchet: 5pg "painstaking research" for every role, read "every description", not "loner" but "same eye for order"
2 Agatha Christie: Bio 4pg = Marple DVD, 3pg Poirot books: 1920 Styles-1975 Curtain
3 Filmographies (works to 2003): 9 - David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Anna Cropper, Rolf Saxon (Mission Impossible 1996), Denis Lill (Rumpole of the Bailey TV 1983-92), Ann Bell, David Troughton, Geraldine Somerville (Harry Potter's mother Lily)

Ice Age Xmas 3*

Preview. Sid (John Leguizamo) disdains Manfred's (Ray Romano) thirty-ton granite mammoth heirloom Christmas rock, decorates a tree instead, breaks the rock, and ends up on Manny's made-up Santa's Naughty List. In a white-out, Sid falls off a cliff with young mammoth Peaches. Cute, sappy.

Spoilers: Reindeer Prancer rescues "788 pound feather" and companions, flies them to North Pole. A group of mini-sloths help the gang repair toys, and Prancer's pals Santa distribute toys around the world.

Q: What do you call a group of sloths? A1, A2, A3.


Bend it like Beckham 5*


Jess: If I can't tell you now what I want, then I'll never be happy whatever I do.

Her dad: I don't want her to make the same mistake .. of accepting situations. I want her to fight.

This was the start of my love affair with "The Beautiful Game" of futbol in Europe, soccer in North America. Preview. Full. As curry is more than a dry powder - complex blend of coriander, cumin, tumeric, and more - so does this film have snickers and guffaws of the true cheer tear snort drop-jaw flavor. If you know anything about soccer/ futbol, you'll know more than I did at first viewing.

The title refers to the magical curve that directs soccer balls around opponents, directly into the goal for historically high-scoring Beckham, hunky hot media star who raised profile of "The Beautiful Game" worldwide. Players have weight-lifter strength, long-distance runner stamina, high-wire balance, martial arts flexibility, balletic fluidity, gymnastic acrobatics, synchronized team work, individual brain work, ever-so masculine bodies straining shorts and tops, This film has vision, character, morals, fun, fast family-grade action and script.

The heroine is first-generation English Jasminder "Jess" Bhamra (Parminder Nagra - ER, Ella Enchanted) desperately hiding her futbol talent from her family. Their immigrant colorfully costumed culture from India takes visual supremacy. Her best mate (aka pal in Brit-speak) is Juliette "Jules" Paxton (Keira Knightley, yes, a year before her Pirates of the Caribbean fame at 16). Jules' mother Paula (Juliet Stevenson) is always in ultra-feminine fluffy pink, and assumes lesbian daughter in panic after overhearing only part of a conversation. Outfits may be dated. Who notices?

Jess' futbol talent is hidden from her family, known only to her cousin Tony (Adi Ferreira, EastEnders) who "really likes Beckham". Her elder sister's marriage is their focus. The teen wants to attend university and play futbol. Her dad (Anupam Kher), a pro-level cricket player, gave up the sport after prejudiced whites black-balled him from their club. Her fight for identity slots this tale into the "coming of age" niche.

Jules' father Alan (Frank Harper) raised her as a futbol fan. His wife blames him for the tomboy nature of their only progeny. She despairs of passing on her passion for fashion, everything curly girly.
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Spoilers:
The eavesdropper mistakes Jules' jealous anger at Jess' near kiss with their coach Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Tudors, Mission Impossible 3) "you knew I fancied him" for a lesbian rejection. I think the humor is just as funny today, in absurd politically over-correctness (differently advantaged? really).

Jess' dad has a secret. The superb cricket player quit after a white club denied him entrance. "Who was hurt? I was. I want more for my daughter. Two daughters happy in one day, what more could a father want?" The scene where he "cannot stand her long face" and lets her sneak out of her sister's giant wedding reception party to win the last half-hour of the final and joint scholarships to "America" was cut for TV.
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Lost in Austen 5*

Travel to imagined time past, funnier than Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice original text, sweet, more gorgeous aristocratic manor, extravagant gardens, lush costumes than I could envision. I watch repeatedly.

Plot has same hero, rich Darcy, but Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper) from present-day London is trapped on the long ago side of a secret passageway to her rural "dear friend" Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Clash of the Titans) who has not returned from "the city" after switching places. But she must, to marry wealthy new neighbor, overly full of pride and prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy (Elliot Cown). We know (Amanda reminds Austen neophytes like myself) how the plot should go, but the real people are not adhering to their written roles. Everything goes very wrong.

Dresses are soft and long, colors pale and dreamy. Hair is wavy on men, curly on women, straight on Amanda. Mr Bingley (Tom Mison) is weak-willed, his sister Caroline (Christina Cole) sharp and cutting, his best mate wealthy aristocrat Darcy hard and cynical.

Father (Hugh Bonneville) is poor but loving, to have his daughters marry for money makes him feel like a "whore-monger", regrets his own marriage to once "very beautiful" Mother (Alex Kingston - the best actor is memorable and unrecognizable - River Song, Dr Who 2011-now Hello Sweety, ). The twittery nagging match-maker throws all at the heir to their property, curate Collins (uglified Guy Henry) with wealthy snob patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Lindsay Duncan). He sniffs his fingers, and I did not know why.

Spoilers: Collins observes his hand first "feels himself inside his pants pocket". Eldest daughter Mary accepts his proposal, looks devastated riding away from the church ceremony. Amanda knees Collins in the point of maximum pain, so I thought she was tough enough to publicly deny villain soldier Wickham's status-crushing rumor that her father is a fish-monger, until the reason came clear. She was saved from marriage herself. Darcy insults Amanda, but after he agrees to get his shirt wet in the pond, their passion turns inside out, reverses outward hate to inner love.

Great Detective Stories - Reader's Digest 5*

"Great Detective Stories"
Reader's Digest 1998
isbn 0276424182 hb 528 pg
>2K after #22 so will not fit on GoodReads

35 authors vary in styles, worth reading more. Best stories can be re-read; some I knew. Intro discusses genre, formulas, "golden age flowering between the two World Wars" - significance lost on me, till soft old-fashioned phrasing triggers date check. Most authors dead, some on gutenberg website. Short stories have little time, so develop plot over personality, but 5* for individualities in both. Close has paragraph bios.

1 The Longer View 1939 - Margery Allingham 1904-66
5* Romance amid troubles, fear for vulnerable victim.
Dejected after beloved marries another, rich Campion shows pal Feering his first shabby digs. "Help Me" lipsticked on wall, "Janey" low on door, evokes vision of "beautiful blonde with dark eyes", opposite of beloved.
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Spoiler
I guessed kidnapped child, but mother fits Campion's vision. Through binoculars, he views far, from racetrack bookie who accepts ransom, to ringleader supervising from flat white rooftop.
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2 The Little House 1927 - H.C. Bailey 1878-1961
5* Justice in nick of time from innocuous clue.
Flittery old Mrs Pemberton asks Fortune to get back grand-daughter's new kitten from "nasty and dirty" little girl next door, denied by owners, chemist Cabots, who frequent night-clubs and supply restaurants. Police smile, busy with restaurant worker corpse Fortune claims frail addict finished by cold night.
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Spoiler
Fortune aka water inspector finds hidden Rose, convinces Scotland Yard to rescue abused daughter of jailed Harfords, framed as dealers by jealous Miss Cabot.
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3 Lucky Penny 1985 - Linda Barnes 1949
5* Atmosphere and personalities entertain reader as solution unfolds.
Ex-cop cabby narrator Carlotta puzzles over soprano and movie slang of slim bundled robber who keeps change, but tosses bills, "hearing swish of trash-can lid".
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Spoiler
Justin Thayler killed wife for money and coin collection. Conspiring mistress employee Marcia paid gold Roman coin in cab fare, male disguise to retrieve. In Marcia's house, Carlotta unloads bullets from refrigerated gun, so saves ex-partner Mooney.
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4 Murder 1927* - Arnold Bennett 1875-1956
2* Confusing end, Bond seems oblivious to truth.
Quiet Lomax Harder 35 shoots first at left-handed Franting; "violent crude beast" threatens Emily, Harder's beloved but Franting's wife. Gun is in Franting's left pocket, but bullet hole in right temple p63.
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Spoiler
Amateur detective Bond convinces Supt of suicide. Should not wound be in left temple? ----------

5 The Clever Cockatoo 1938 - E.C. Bentley 1875-1956
5* Clever answer and stop.
Mrs Lancey asks Trent to Italian villa for sister, lovely flirt Lady Bosworth, who has fits of blankness, loses all vivacity.
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Spoiler
In her lip salve, jealous old husband Sir Peregrine put stupefying drug few others knew. Trent frames cockatoo for destruction of shiny holder, confronts regretful husband to stop.
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6 The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage 1914 - Ernest Bramah 1868-1942
5* Tense buildup to stormy climax, shocking end.
Blind Max Carrados and sidekick Carlyle consulted by navy Lt Hollyer for sister Millicent 28, before her older husband Austin Creake kills her to wed his typist.
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Spoiler
Creake caught faking lightning from train electricity, but infatuated Millicent shoots herself.
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7 The Silver Curtain 1991 - John Dickson Carr 1906-77
5* We can identify with naive patsy, but not guess answer from tonight and before.
In French casino town, silvery rain sheets over stabbed winner Davros, when broke Jerry Winton bends to pick up full wallet, in front of Dr Hébert and pretty Eleanor. Prefect Goron finds empty billfold in Davros' pocket. "The air is aromatic; open carriages clop and jingle".
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Spoiler
Davros stole pearl necklaces that Hébert sugercoated into pills, for broke English tourists to smuggle out. Hébert drops knife from roof onto greedy partner's back, bent to pick up second full billfold.
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8 Goldfish 1946 - Raymond Chandler 1888-1959
2* Trail of bodies.
After informant Peeler tortured dead, ex-cop Kathy offers narrator PI Carmady share of insurance reward for stolen pearls buried by thief Sype, now goldfish hobbyist.
----------
Spoiler
Exotic golfish have pearls inside. Wife falsely claims fakes, sort-of twist after others shot.
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9 The Chief Mourner of Marne 1927 - G.K. Chesterton 1874-1936
5* Sad, obvious, asks Christian forgiveness for wicked crime.
Father Brown solves why Marquis James Mairne exiled himself after duel with cousin Maurice.
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Spoiler
Younger Maurice took place of elder heir James, shot when he ran up to Maurice, who "fell before bullet flew", as taught by actor second, now rich on blackmail.
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10 The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest 1997 - Agatha Christie 1890-1976
4* Tricksy solution to love triangle murder.
Poirot asked by lovely Mrs Clayton to save beau Major Rich, accused of stabbing her husband, stuffing him into chest before party.
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Spoiler
Jealous Major Curtiss drilled breathing holes, told Clayton to spy for cheating from inside chest, stabbed him during party.
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11 Who Killed Zebedee 1881 - Wilkie Collins 1824-89
5* Narrator not named. Surprise chance solution.
Dying Catholic confesses his first murder case as London bobby 27. On honeymoon in boarding house, sleepwalker wife wakes to husband stabbed dead by knife inscribed "To John Zebedee, from -". Narrator's engagement to resident cook Priscilla Thurlby keeps case alive.
----------
Spoiler
In home village of intended, he chances on long-sought cutler, and takes away page with entire inscription in killer's own hand. Local rector recommends Priscilla, seduced and jilted by Zebedee. Narrator resigns, confronts fianceé, burns evidence and her confession.
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12 Within the Gates 1953 - Edmund Crispin 1921-78
5* Plays on uncommon key words.
Almost inside Scotland Yard, Fen sees Crowley, war-time MI5 cryptologist cum botanist, killed and papers snatched. DI Humbleby's department has a leak, needs Fen. F: "Discretion is my middle name". H: "But very few people use their middle names". Fen on cryptogams-grams: "Like formication .. no connection whatsoever with .."
----------
Spoiler
Because death also outside Vegetation magazine hq, Fen sends Sgt Robden to question editor. Fen catches traitor Robden denying cryptogram analysis on body and editor's reply. Crowley was killed for his Cryptogam plant article.
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13 Hunted Down 1859 - Charles Dickens 1812-70
5* Tragic. Many revelations, of character and plot, foreshadow without disclosure.
Narrator Sampson instantly dislikes oily center part "straight up here .. no trespassing" of Julius Slinkton, who insures life of friend Beckwith, chats about actuary Meltham who left society. In fall 6 months later, by Scarborough seaside, he meets Slinkton and niece Margaret Niner, whose health fails like her late sister.
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Spoiler
Sampson saves Margaret by commending her to Meltham, who loved her sister. In winter, drunkard Beckwith reveals he is sober Meltham, who found Slinkton's diary, guilty record of his nieces' poisoning, Killer takes one last dose; Meltham dies later.
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14 The Man with the Twisted Lip 1892 - Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930
5* Unusual circumstances, happy ending.
In opium den, narrator Watson finds disguised Holmes seeking vanished Neville St Clair, who left clothes, blood on window sill over high tide, and professional beggar Boone, distinctive for orange hair and disfiguring face scar.
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Spoiler
Holmes scrubs face of sleeping jailed Boone to reveal St Clair, reporter whose assignment on beggars led to more remunerative profession, until wife saw him by chance.
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15 The Betrayers 1956 - Stanley Ellin 1916-86
5* Tragic for unexpected reasons.
Lonely Robert falls for fragile Amy subjected to quarrelsome husband Vince. When argument over $10,000 ends in ominous thump, her bloody handkerchief left in hall, Rob tracks down her sister Celia.
----------
Spoiler
He follows trail of men who betray innocent, from cruel father to Vince's $10,000 bank robbery. When cops break down door, she jumps out window to death.
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16 The Blue Sequin 1909 by R. Austin Freeman 1862-1943
4* Impossible now. Why kill whole cow for red herring?
Narrator Jervis helps Dr Thorndyke answer solicitor Stopford, why actress's diamonds left in her train room, after pointed implement (maybe umbrella spike of Stopford's artist brother) penetrated her skull. Thorndyke requests art supply ox-gall, is sent to butcher with fresh stock.
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Spoiler
Thorndyke finds one steer with sensitive cracked horn, asks butcher to bring gall and saw off horn. On horn tip are brain cells, hat spangle and dyed hair from corpse. Her head was out window to see hay rick fire.
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17 The Oyster Catcher 1957* by Michael Gilbert 1912-2006*
5* Common sense and listening ear beat techno-whiz micro-gadgetry. "Do you know why God gave young policeman two feet but only one head?"
Sgt Petrella finds non-existent census-taker and 'nothing unusual' 'man from the Council' visited neighbors Friday, when strong athletic secretary Miss Martin fatally coshed by 2' screwdriver. Superiors concentrate on forensics, oyster shell in pocket of coat left when intruder ran from frail old Colonel in previous burglary rash.
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Spoiler
Colonel noted red spot in intruder's eye, that Petrella finds in Miss Martin's second cousin. Coat belonged to Colonel's cousin who breeds budgies fed oyster shell.
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18 Long Gone 1986 aka She Didn't Come Home - Sue Grafton b1940
5* Builds up our sympathies, clever guess for answer.
California narrator Kinsey Millhone 32 seeks wife of "boyish faced" harried Rob Ackerman "determined to spawn more". Escrow officer Lucy, left 3 demanding toddlers with $500K and one first-class ticket to Buenos Aires, but packed overnight bag, including "round plastic container .. size of a compact", in her boss Sotherland's office locker.
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Spoiler
Finding her absconding, Rob killed and buried her in backyard sandbox, planted bag to frame boss, mistakenly packed her diaphragm because ignorant of her tubal sterilization, confesses to wired Kinsey.
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19 A Man Called Spade 1932 - Dashiel Hammett 1894-1961
5* No more elevator boys. Red herring easy. Real clues are phone records.
Too late, San Francisco lawyer Sam comes in answer to call from strangled Nob Hill client Max Bliss, tie missing, chest inked with T star symbol also on threat from Paris; Talbot signed another threat. Last visitor was brother Theo, recompensed after prison sentence for joint job.
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Spoiler
Vengeful Theo called Sam, first half-hour earlier as wrong number after killing brother, second claiming to be Max, really at City Hall marrying Max's secretary for alibi.
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20 The Sapient Monkey 1892 - Headon Hill 1857-1927
3* Chance photo closes simple case faster.
Rich Gale hires narrator PI Zamba to clear son Franklin of measly £500 theft. Promising bank cashier, engaged to boss Tudway's daughter, paid tailor with £5 note - serial number matches one stolen, but he claims from father.
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Spoiler
Real cashier thief hired party performer Pietro, whose monkey used Franklin's note in trick, all photographed by Maud Tudway.
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21 A Question of Confidence 1972 - Michael Innes 1906-94
2* Confusing in toto and why confesses.
Retired cop Sir John Appleby clears son's friend, Oxford historian Brian Button, who found unauthorized photocopies of his confidential Cannongate file by their static electricity, Master Dr Durham shot dead, interrupted dictating Button's dismissal for incompetence.
----------
Spoiler
In next day's mail, Durham confesses suicide and desire to give careless Button "lesson in pulling his socks up".
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22 Caught and Bowled, Mrs Craggs 1981 - H.R.F. Keating 1926-2011*
5* Likeable ordinary hard worker outsmarts pros. Unexplained link.
Clever Mrs Craggs's sharp eye for dirt convinces Supt Hutton of murder and killer when bluff "theYorkshireman" expires from heart failure while winning cricket bet in Lord's Club Long Room, where members known only by nicknames Boggers, Winkie, Oldest Member but Three.
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Spoiler
Oldest is visibly poor - grimy tie, cardboard over shoe sole hole - cannot afford bet loss. How does he know red wine reacts fatally with MAOI depression medicine, after Yorkshireman and cook both refuse contraindicated cheese?
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23 A Case of Butterflies 1989 - Peter Lovesey b 1936
5* Catch villains by knowing nature and basic human weaknesses.
Commander Jerry Glazier collected butterflies as kid, sees Purple Emperors hover insistently over outbuilding floor of rich Sir Shenton, who reacts oddly to ransom note for wife Ann, gone after Ireland tour with fellow entemologist Cressie, her revealing photo in Shenton's waller.
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Spoiler
Purple Emperors feed on decomposed meat, attracted to Ann's body, placed weeks before Cressie toured with friend posing as Ann.-
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24 The Homesick Buick 1950* - John D. MacDonald 1916-86
5* Dates from when car radios had preset push buttons. Useless minutiae. Funny people.
Geek Pink Dee 14 can tell Washington FBI agent Randolph A. Sternweister origin of getaway cars from one of bank robber shot fleeing in close-knit Leeman Texas.
----------
Spoiler
"Where all six frequencies are represented by radio stations in the immediate geographical vicinity" and FBI shows victim's photo yields hideout.
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25 Chapter and Verse: The Little Copplestone Mystery 1989 - Ngaio Marsh
2* Killer "overly conceited and vindictive" seems weak reason to encode evidence (Hadet anagram of Death) or confess.
Rare book seller Timothy Bates from New Zealand brings village Supt Rory Alleyn old local Wagstaff family bible. Verses refer to 3 non-existent 1779 Hadets. Bates falls to death from church tower.
----------
Spoiler
When accused, gossipy crossword-loving postmistress confesses to 3 deaths on same dates in 1921.
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26 Footprints in the Jungle 1951 - W. Somerset Maugham 1874-1965
4* Double narration is clear. Sad, no proof. No first name for Mrs Bronson-Cartwright.
After bridge game with the Cartwrights, narrator tells partner Glaze how Olive looks like both parents, "the pleasantest of people here", still in love. Police chief Glaze narrates 20 years ago, shooter of Malay rubber planter Reggie Bronson never caught, Olive born 4 months after; mother wed Cartwritght after 4 more.
----------
Spoiler
On jungle shortcut, cyclist Reggie shot when stopped (thus best friend Theo), remains later found of coolies' wages in pocketbook and watch (thus not motive). Reggie infertile, had all the money, so wife's pregnancy led to murder.
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27 Sadie When She Died 1972 - Ed McBain 1926-2005*
5* Gory "knife protruding from the blood and slime of the lady", tragic. Detectives save news of her demise "for last, like dessert". We suspect husband Fletcher, who invites detective Carella where posted menu prices "would have frightened him out of six months' pay".
Carella suspects criminal lawyer Fletcher sliced across abdomen of hated adulterous wife Sarah after knifer, burglar Corwin, left.
----------
Spoiler
Carella interviews names from Sarah's "little black book" who slept with "Sadie Collins". Corwin confesses, suicides Xmas day, before Fletcher tapes "she begged me to kill her" on car bug.
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28 Deadly Fantasies 1989 - Marcia Muller b 1944
4* Guessable, sadly inevitable. Personalized cast.
Narrator Sharon McCone regrets disbelieving rich heiress Laurie Newingham, poisoned after voicing suspicions of greedy siblings.
----------
Spoiler
To finance poorly-managed volunteer agency, Dolph Edwards married her secretly (California law benefits common-law anyway), put arsenic in contact lens solution that she licked off. Ick.
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29 The Man in the Inverness Cape 1910* - Baroness Orczy 1865-1947
3* Confusing solution.
Lady Molly tells servant, narrator, to meet bony Scot Olive Marvell, who denies brother Leonard would disappear with diamonds of painted actress Lulu Fay, engaged to Lord Mountnewte.
----------
Spoiler
In cheap shrill disguise, Molly cozies up to Marvell maidservant Rosie Campbell, deduces 3 conspirators dressed as each other to confuse witnesses.
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30 Mystery at the Library of Congress 1960 - Ellery Queen 1905-71 & 1982*
3* Obscure riddle basis, what books share.
Library clerk Shuffing always brings illegal drug distributor Bacom 3 books whose titles point to contact. Police ask Ellery to identify contact first, from "The Complete Shakespeare", Shaw's "Man and Superman", and "Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant".
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Spoiler
All three authors have beards, so contact is nearest bearded man.
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31 Concrete Evidence 1993 - Ian Rankin 1960
5* Clever. Conflicting personalities and physical traces beat fancy forensics.
UK Inspector Rebus traces skeleton from basement to Alexander Abbot, whose business partner Ford vanished years ago at sea.
----------
Spoiler
Competitor Kirkwall saved sample of Ford's writing, differs from hotel reservation where Ford never seen.
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32 When the Wedding Was Over 1979 - Ruth Rendell 1930
3* Plot unaffected by minor roles, bracketed by Thomas Hardy quote "Matrimony begins with dearly beloved and ends with amazement".
Chief Inspector Wexford checks if dubious Gandolph found new evidence in diary of Ada Fenton, friend to brother's lover Florence Winchurch, hanged for 1900 strychnine poisoning of husband Edward .
----------
Spoiler
Diary entry forged for 29 Feb. Pope Gregory ruled 1900 not leap year.
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33 The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba 1928 - Dorothy L. Sayers 1893-1957
2* Secret society of hooded numbered strangers known only to the One. Passwords, rituals.
For 2 years after Lord Peter Wimsey reported dead, fired footman Rogers helps The Society commit crimes, until Number One unmasks the "man from Lambeth", sets explosives to destroy hideout-prison.
----------
Spoiler
Number Two frees Rogers, aka Wimsey undercover, to rescue her lover One, suffocating in Wimsey's airless booby-trapped room-size safe (cave?).
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34 The Man in the Street 1947 - Georges Simenon 1903-89
4* Sorry for man pursued, we are led down false path.
Police chief Maigret trails man days non-stop to catch doctor's killer.
----------
Spoiler
Bogus news article that his wife fled free fools man to give himself up, because she shot her lover.
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35 Pickup on the Dover Road 1981 - Julian Symons 1912-94
4* Again, we're led astray.
Donald, driving toward sunny France from rainy England, hears radio report of nearby murder, picks up "Golly", Billy Golightly, who knows too much about the incident.
----------
Spoiler
Sgt Golightly waited on one possible escape route for nephew who killed his aunt for inheritance.
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* Dates found elsewhere than in Acknowledgements
4 http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/murder.htm
17 in Ellery Queen Magazine Aug 1957
http://www.philsp.com/homeville/fmi/t945.htm
24 in Eleanore Middleton Edwards' "Great Mystery Stories"
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/313404984
29 in "Lady Molly of Scotland Yard" 1910
http://www.e-reading.org.ua/chapter.php/143724/3/Legendary_Women_Detectives.html
30 Queen = NY cousins Manford Lepofsky 1905-71 + Daniel Nathan 1905-82

Definitions:
16 quondam = previous
gall = bile secretion in small pouch under liver
ox-gall = watercolor wetting agent
21 divagate = digress
26 pudang = engagement ring
sukas = sage
stenga = intoxicating aphrodisiac drink
seis = dance music

Typos:
p18 "paper magnet" is magnate (pompous snob striding through newsroom slowed by flying metal or paper - clips, staples, desks, cabinets, pages, books, dollars, receipts)
p63 "right temple" would be left if truly suicide. Are we to notice wrong decision?
p265 leg's is legs
p400 is comma in "Not, at all" typo or sarcasm?

http://peterlovesey.com/
Partial Review on GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407107337