Helpful Score: 1
Includes some reprints of early stories published in magazines. A must for true fans of Dame Agatha.
Robert M. (shotokanchef) reviewed The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories on + 813 more book reviews
Nine stories by Auntie Agatha: some murder, some mystery, some interesting, some dull as dishwater.
The opener, a tidy but called The Edge, I found to be the most intriguing. Edge has so many implications. A marries B, who is in love with C, who is married to D. Nothing new here. But, heres the rivalry; E is in love with A, discovers B and C, of whom A knows nothing. Such a conundrum! E cant decide how to handle it. Someone will go over the edge, but whom?
The Actress is really a ham until she outwits a would-be blackmailer. Now shes a star.
While the Light Lasts revives the old tale of a presumed dead husband, a remarriage, and a return of the dead.
House of Dreams is merely weird. Dont bother.
The Lonely God is an obscure statue that attracts two people and brings them together in a sort of O. Henryish tale.
Manx Gold reminds me of E.A.P.s The Gold Bug, except that the clues a more obscure, we arent allowed to understand their solution as we read, and the explanation at the end is more obscure that the clues. Dont bother with this one either.
Within a Wall is so dull I dont even remember it.
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest is Poirot quickie sans ce cher Hastings. Hastings lucked out on this one.
The title story, The Harlequin Tea Set, is tedious to tears. Absolutely NOTHING happens until the last few pages.
The opener, a tidy but called The Edge, I found to be the most intriguing. Edge has so many implications. A marries B, who is in love with C, who is married to D. Nothing new here. But, heres the rivalry; E is in love with A, discovers B and C, of whom A knows nothing. Such a conundrum! E cant decide how to handle it. Someone will go over the edge, but whom?
The Actress is really a ham until she outwits a would-be blackmailer. Now shes a star.
While the Light Lasts revives the old tale of a presumed dead husband, a remarriage, and a return of the dead.
House of Dreams is merely weird. Dont bother.
The Lonely God is an obscure statue that attracts two people and brings them together in a sort of O. Henryish tale.
Manx Gold reminds me of E.A.P.s The Gold Bug, except that the clues a more obscure, we arent allowed to understand their solution as we read, and the explanation at the end is more obscure that the clues. Dont bother with this one either.
Within a Wall is so dull I dont even remember it.
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest is Poirot quickie sans ce cher Hastings. Hastings lucked out on this one.
The title story, The Harlequin Tea Set, is tedious to tears. Absolutely NOTHING happens until the last few pages.
There are 9 stories in this collection. 8 of them are wonderful; classic Agatha Christie! The last story, "The Harlequin Tea Set," was very dull and anti-climactic. Overall this book was great and is definitely worth reading.
Nine short stories, including one each featuring Poirot and Harley Quin. All are quick reads that hold your interest.
this is an agatha christie mystery.. oldie but goodie
Dena (Suzie) C. (DsuzieC) reviewed The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories on + 159 more book reviews
I have to admit this mystery was okay but not one of my favorite Agatha Christie's. 'The Harlequin Tea Set' was not my cup of tea, so to speak :)
From the book back:
A priceless treasure for collectors and fans, "The Harlequin Tea Set" brings together nine brilliant Christie stories that have remained long out of print - until now. In "The Mystery of the Spanish Chest," featuring Hercule Poirot, the legendary detective unravels the psychological conundrums that motivate a killer. In "The Edge", a woman must decide whether to follow her heart or her conscience. And in "The Harlelquin Tea Set," Mr. Harley Quin, another of Cristie's famed detective, helps a man save his loved ones from the greedy hand of murder. These and six other suspenseful stories complete this stellar collection.
"The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories" is a treat for any Christie fan. These stories are ample proof - if further proof were needed - of the mastery she brough to her credit." ---Richmond Times-Dispatch
A priceless treasure for collectors and fans, "The Harlequin Tea Set" brings together nine brilliant Christie stories that have remained long out of print - until now. In "The Mystery of the Spanish Chest," featuring Hercule Poirot, the legendary detective unravels the psychological conundrums that motivate a killer. In "The Edge", a woman must decide whether to follow her heart or her conscience. And in "The Harlelquin Tea Set," Mr. Harley Quin, another of Cristie's famed detective, helps a man save his loved ones from the greedy hand of murder. These and six other suspenseful stories complete this stellar collection.
"The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories" is a treat for any Christie fan. These stories are ample proof - if further proof were needed - of the mastery she brough to her credit." ---Richmond Times-Dispatch
