The Regatta Mystery

 The Regatta Mystery (1930s--various original dates for each of the stories) by Agatha Christie

A small collection of short stories featuring Hercule Poirot, Mr. Parker Pyne, and Miss Marple. Solid entertainment and Christie fans can have fun spotting methods and plots that appear in expanded form in some of the novels. ★★★

"The Regatta Mystery": A diamond thief is on the loose at the Dartmouth harbor regatta festivities. Mr. Parker Pyne is on the case.

"The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest": How did the dead body get into the chest while a dance party was going on? Hercule Poirot is asked to find out the answer...and, of course, who put it there.

"How Does Your Garden Grow?": Poirot receives a letter from a woman needing someone with discretion. She dies before being able to meet with him to explain. And he goes to investigate--he finds the nursery rhyme in the title very informative. Similar beginning to Dumb Witness and notable for the appearance of Miss Lemon.

"Problem at Pollensa Bay": Parker Pyne solves the problem of a mother's dislike for her son's fiancée. At first it looks like he's failed his commission.

"Yellow Iris": a phone call summons Poirot to a restaurant and table with yellow irises on it. He spies an acquaintance at the table and is invited to join the party. But then among the champagne and dancing, a strange announcement is made... (another story reminiscent of a novel-length work).

"Miss Marple Tells a Story": Mr. Petherick brings a man accused of murdering his wife to see Miss Marple. When the man sees the elderly sleuth, he's doubtful that she can help him, but Petherick convinces him to tell his story. Mr. Rhodes and his wife were staying at a hotel. She had gone to bed and he was working in the adjoining room. Only he and a chambermaid (who brought fresh towels) had access to the rooms and there are witnesses who can state that no one else came near the rooms. The case looks very black against Mr. Rhodes and he didn't impress the jury much at the inquest. But never fear...Miss Marple can prove his innocence if anyone can.

"The Dream": An eccentric millionaire has a disturbing dream about killing himself, tells Poirot about it, and then is found dead one week later--an apparent suicide. But Poirot thinks not.

"In a Glass Darkly": Supernatural undertones to this one--which does not feature any of Christie's detectives. A young man sees a vision of a beautiful young woman being strangled by her fiancé. He believes he has saved her from her fate...is he right?

"Problem at Sea": In one of his rare voyages aboard ship (he hates traveling by boat...), Poirot solves the murder of a wealthy woman in her locked (from the inside) stateroom.

First line (first story): Mr. Isaac Pointz removed a cigar from his lips and said approvingly: "Pretty little place."

Last line (last story): "I do not approve of murder," said Hercule Poirot.

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Deaths = 6 (two stabbed; two poisoned; one shot; one natural)