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Avg. Rating: 4
One of her older books and a bit dated now
Agatha is Agatha but this is a weak effort from today's perspective. It has the feeling of a gone by age of fops, lie abouts with good hearts, dashing young aristocrats with no money, etc. and so on. Suspect Brits would find it better--doesn't translate as well overseas.
A Nice Enough Addition to the Previous Secret of Chimneys
The Seven Dials Mystery takes a few characters from the thriller/comedy Secret of Chimneys and finishes up their romantic storylines, as it were. The mystery itself is a bit silly and a bit fun. It takes Agatha Christie's usual secret society silliness and tweaks it a little while she, for a change, pooks fun at the genre of which she has been such a part in the twenties. The action bounces between three country homes and a club in London so that it never veers too far from territory the author is comfortable in. The character are, therefore, a little more stock than usual but she does get a chance to give Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent) a chance to shine that the character never quite got in the previous book. A slight, nice slice of summer reading.
The Secret of Chimneys Part 2
THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY is set 4 years after THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS (1929&1925) and also takes place in that 'Stately Home' Chimneys. Lord Caterham has taken his family, including oldest daughter 'Bundle' AKA Lady Eileen, abroad in search of peace and quiet after all the excitement that had occured in THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS. He has leased Chimneys to Sir Oswald and Lady Coote who have decided to have one last weekend party before their lease ended. The house is filled with 'bright young things' but one of the party, Gerry Wade has been a difficult guest in that he was consistently late to breakfast. That was bad enough but then he was found dead one morning. After the Cootes moved out and the Caterhams returned, Bundle found herself bored with country life and decided to return to London. On the way she ran into (literally)a young man, his dying words to her "Seven Dials...tell....Jimmy Thesiger" set Bundle and her friends on the trail of a mystery. Bundle and Bill Eversleigh (also in THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS) are reunited as they try to solve the murders and the secret of the Seven Dials. False identities, red herrings and secret societies abound until Bundle and Bill, with the aid of Superintendent Battle resolve the mysteries. This, like THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS, is Agatha Christie a la P. G Wodehouse. Far from the serious mystery that Christie is famous for, this is a comedy with mystery overtones. If you like Wodehouse you'll like this book, but if you are looking for a serious puzzler look elsewhere.
A TIMELESS MYSTERY VERY WELL READ
Arguably the most famous mystery writer in the world and, most likely, the most beloved, Agatha Christie's English language books have sold over a billion copies. Her total sales in numerous foreign languages also reach that enviable number. Also an accomplished playwright, Ms. Christie's iconic drama "The Mousetrap" is one of the longest running plays in the history of the theatre. Her imagination knew no bounds nor did her energies. Time has not diminished the unique quality of her work as is evident in "The Seven Dials Mystery" expertly read by Jenny Funnell. With this story rather than Miss Marple or the eccentric Hercule Poirot our heroine is Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent. An intended practical joke on Gerry Wade turned out not to be funny at all but murder. "Bundle" and her cohort Jimmy Thesiger are put to the test in trying to discover the meaning of seven clocks found at the murder scene. Their detective work leads them to a nightclub, the Seven Dials Club, which is a cover for a secret society. What is "Bundle" to do now?
- Gail Cooke
TIMELESS MYSTERY
Arguably the most famous mystery writer in the world and, most likely, the most beloved, Agatha Christie's English language books have sold over a billion copies. Her total sales in numerous foreign languages also reach that enviable number. Also an accomplished playwright, Ms. Christie's iconic drama "The Mousetrap" is one of the longest running plays in the history of the theatre. Her imagination knew no bounds nor did her energies. Time has not diminished the unique quality of her work as is evident in "The Seven Dials Mystery" expertly read by Jenny Funnell. With this story rather than Miss Marple or the eccentric Hercule Poirot our heroine is Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent. An intended practical joke on Gerry Wade turned out not to be funny at all but murder. "Bundle" and her cohort Jimmy Thesiger are put to the test in trying to discover the meaning of seven clocks found at the murder scene. Their detective work leads them to a nightclub, the Seven Dials Club, which is a cover for a secret society. What is "Bundle" to do now? - Gail Cooke
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