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sophiarose1816 's review for:
Parker Pyne Investigates: A Parker Pyne Collection
by Agatha Christie
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Among Agatha Christie's great and famous detectives, often her lesser knowns like Parker Pyne get short shift. I remember enjoying the short story collection featuring Parker Pyne so was glad to pick it up once again in audio format.
Parker Pyne stories are a variety of life mysteries with only a small few that are traditional mystery sorts. Parker Pyne himself is more life coach of the sort who takes the client's wishes and makes them happen than a detective. He's a retired British civil servant who worked in statistics, but he has a keen eye for how that translates in real life. He has an agency dedicated to using his special skill set for clients 'who aren't happy'.
The first six stories are all set in England, but the last six occur when poor Parker Pyne is traveling on holiday having his work finding in some very exotic locations and these are more the traditional mystery sorts.
I love the character of average man looks and not so average brains that is the main character. I thought it was fun to encounter competent Miss Lemon working as his secretary like she does for Poirot and one of the stories employing even Mrs. Ariadne Oliver's creative talents. All the short stories are fully and cleverly developed.
Hugh Fraser does a bang up job voicing all the characters and the gentle consulting voice of Parker Pyne who soothes and reassures and builds the trust of his clients.
Such a wonderful listening experience and revisit of a renewed favorite book.
Short story collection titles:
The Case of the Middle-aged Wife,
The Case of the Discontented Soldier,
The Case of the Distressed Lady,
The Case of the Discontented Husband,
The Case of the City Clerk,
The Case of the Rich Woman,
Have You Got Everything You Want?,
The Gate of Baghdad,
The House at Shiraz,
The Pearl of Price,
Death on the Nile,
and The Oracle at Delphi.
Parker Pyne stories are a variety of life mysteries with only a small few that are traditional mystery sorts. Parker Pyne himself is more life coach of the sort who takes the client's wishes and makes them happen than a detective. He's a retired British civil servant who worked in statistics, but he has a keen eye for how that translates in real life. He has an agency dedicated to using his special skill set for clients 'who aren't happy'.
The first six stories are all set in England, but the last six occur when poor Parker Pyne is traveling on holiday having his work finding in some very exotic locations and these are more the traditional mystery sorts.
I love the character of average man looks and not so average brains that is the main character. I thought it was fun to encounter competent Miss Lemon working as his secretary like she does for Poirot and one of the stories employing even Mrs. Ariadne Oliver's creative talents. All the short stories are fully and cleverly developed.
Hugh Fraser does a bang up job voicing all the characters and the gentle consulting voice of Parker Pyne who soothes and reassures and builds the trust of his clients.
Such a wonderful listening experience and revisit of a renewed favorite book.
Short story collection titles:
The Case of the Middle-aged Wife,
The Case of the Discontented Soldier,
The Case of the Distressed Lady,
The Case of the Discontented Husband,
The Case of the City Clerk,
The Case of the Rich Woman,
Have You Got Everything You Want?,
The Gate of Baghdad,
The House at Shiraz,
The Pearl of Price,
Death on the Nile,
and The Oracle at Delphi.