Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Dodd, Mead, and Company (1968), Edition: Unknown, Hardcover, 255 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Historical Fiction. HTML: Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Agatha Christie's delightful sleuthing duo, investigate the strange and troubling doings behind the scenes at a gothic British nursing home in By the Pricking of My Thumbs When Tommy and Tuppence visit an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they think nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada is a very difficult old lady. But when Mrs. Lockett mentions a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs. Lancaster talks about "something behind the fireplace," Tommy and Tuppence find themselves caught up in a spine-chilling adventure that could spell death for either of them..
User reviews
LibraryThing member smik
This is Tommy and Tuppence Beresford's last "outing". Tommy has worked in "intelligence" all of his life, Tuppence has raised a family, and now they are retired. Tommy still gives lectures and consults in the intelligence field, and is about to go off to a conference for a few days, leaving
The story begins when they visit Tommy's Aunt Ada in a geriatric nursing home and Tuppence, rejected by Aunt Ad! Spends her time with a Mrs Lancaster who makes a strange reference to a child in the chimney. Mrs Lancaster subsequently disappears, Aunt Ada dies, and Tuppence is not satisfied with explanations of where Mrs Lancaster has gone. And so the case begins. Tommy returns home from his conference to find that Tuppence has gone off sleuthing and has disappeared.
What I find interesting about these later Christie novels is how she has returned to each of her major characters and updated what has happened to them. (Although in the case of both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot these novels were written well ahead of when they were needed.)
Unlike Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot though, the Beresfords have aged in "real" time. While the Secret Service became Tommy's career, Tuppence has only been allowed "out of the house", so to speak, occasionally, apart from some active service in intelligence in World War II, and here you get a sense of wasted talent. A bit of feminism from Christie?
Another of the quirky things about this novel is that Christie seems to be exploring the nature of senility and dementia. For example some of the residents of Sunny Ridge where Aunt Ada lives are downright cranky at times, and many get their memories muddled up, and some even believe at times they are someone famous. At other times they clearly remember events from decades before, and recognize faces from the past.
What creates a serial killer? You could say that the last few pages of the novel focus on that issue.
An elderly woman believes that she has been chosen, but that at the same time she is suffering retribution.
"What I'd done was murder, wasn't it, and you can only atone for murder with other murders, because the other murders wouldn't really be murders, they would be sacrifices."
At the end of the novel Tommy tells Tuppence "Don't ever do it again." and she agrees. "I'm too old."
This indeed is their swan song.
I've been looking for signs that Christie's own mental powers were diminishing at this stage of her life, and I've come away feeling that she still had a lot to say. True, this is an unlikely tale, an escapist cozy, but I found it impressive.
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Tuppence at a loose end.The story begins when they visit Tommy's Aunt Ada in a geriatric nursing home and Tuppence, rejected by Aunt Ad! Spends her time with a Mrs Lancaster who makes a strange reference to a child in the chimney. Mrs Lancaster subsequently disappears, Aunt Ada dies, and Tuppence is not satisfied with explanations of where Mrs Lancaster has gone. And so the case begins. Tommy returns home from his conference to find that Tuppence has gone off sleuthing and has disappeared.
What I find interesting about these later Christie novels is how she has returned to each of her major characters and updated what has happened to them. (Although in the case of both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot these novels were written well ahead of when they were needed.)
Unlike Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot though, the Beresfords have aged in "real" time. While the Secret Service became Tommy's career, Tuppence has only been allowed "out of the house", so to speak, occasionally, apart from some active service in intelligence in World War II, and here you get a sense of wasted talent. A bit of feminism from Christie?
Another of the quirky things about this novel is that Christie seems to be exploring the nature of senility and dementia. For example some of the residents of Sunny Ridge where Aunt Ada lives are downright cranky at times, and many get their memories muddled up, and some even believe at times they are someone famous. At other times they clearly remember events from decades before, and recognize faces from the past.
What creates a serial killer? You could say that the last few pages of the novel focus on that issue.
An elderly woman believes that she has been chosen, but that at the same time she is suffering retribution.
"What I'd done was murder, wasn't it, and you can only atone for murder with other murders, because the other murders wouldn't really be murders, they would be sacrifices."
At the end of the novel Tommy tells Tuppence "Don't ever do it again." and she agrees. "I'm too old."
This indeed is their swan song.
I've been looking for signs that Christie's own mental powers were diminishing at this stage of her life, and I've come away feeling that she still had a lot to say. True, this is an unlikely tale, an escapist cozy, but I found it impressive.
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LibraryThing member JonRob
Although all AC's later books show some falling-off of standards, this is one of the better books from her last 10 years (despite some loose ends which she would not have left during her heyday). When Tommy and Tuppence visit an elderly relative in a care home, they get involved in the mystery
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surrounding another resident, Mrs. Lancaster. Is she in some sort of danger? Tuppence thinks so, and when Tommy is away at a conference she sets out to investigate using a picture of a house by a canal as a clue. There are some genuinely atmospheric moments (such as when she finds a doll in the chimney of the unused part of the house) and not too much of the "I know this is a trap, but I'm still going to walk into it" theme which can be a source of annoyance in the Beresford's earlier adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Tommy, but mainly Tuppence, investigate a mystery surrounding one of the old ladies at Tommy's Aunt Ada's nursing home. I'm not a fan of Tommy and Tuppence, but this wasn't too terrible a read.
LibraryThing member MarkKeeffe
Not a bad yarn. Likeable characters well described in the usual Agatha Christie manner. Good light reading but I'm a bit over it at the moment.
LibraryThing member DirtPriest
By the Pricking of My Thumbs was quite different from the near Victorian age Poirot and Miss Marples that I have been reading this summer. It's a Tommy and Tuppence story and is, as Porua said in her (his?) thread, it is more of a thriller story rather than a classic mystery. With the setting in
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the '60's somewhere, the difference was quite startling. T&T were involved in some WWII intelligence operations (and books), but this is set well after their retirement. They visit an old aunt in a nursing home, who later dies and leaves a painting of a house to her dear family. Tuppence is sure she has seen the house from a railway car and sets out to, and actually does, find it. Along with a decades old unsolved child-murder mystery which unfolds very quickly at the end. There was alot of build-up to a very rapid finish. I would not say this is my favo(u)rite of Christie's mysteries, but it's not too bad, and I really would like to read more of the Tommy and Tuppence books, just to be thorough. Apparently she wrote this one because she was tired of fans asking her what had happened to the two characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member Figgles
Fun but a little improbable!
LibraryThing member crashmyparty
Wow that doll face is creepy! At the time I never guessed the significance of it the story but I should have realised that with Christie, every little detail plays a part. This was my first introduction to Tommy and Tuppence, who I have stumbled upon quite a few years later (according to the book's
On reading the first few chapters, I couldn't help but find myself having a giggle - Christie manages to infuse her novels with wit and humour that really makes an enjoyable experience for the reader. However, while Christie mysteries are often labelled 'cozy' or 'armchair' - and I see the reason for this, they're the type of book you can picture yourself reading tucked up in a comfy armchair beside the fireplace! - and her main characters can be an older, certainly very unlikely, couple, nonetheless these books be accredited with clever twists and turns and always thrilling anticipation as you find yourself coming closer and closer to catching the killer. There's those moments when you catch onto something and the moments when you realise you were wrong but you 'had an idea about that guy!'
Agatha Christie is still, and always will be, the queen of mysteries.
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timeline) from their previous adventures. This did not impact my reading experience in any way, as like with the Poirot books, Christie's mystery books can be picked up at any point throughout the series and don't have to be read in chronological order.On reading the first few chapters, I couldn't help but find myself having a giggle - Christie manages to infuse her novels with wit and humour that really makes an enjoyable experience for the reader. However, while Christie mysteries are often labelled 'cozy' or 'armchair' - and I see the reason for this, they're the type of book you can picture yourself reading tucked up in a comfy armchair beside the fireplace! - and her main characters can be an older, certainly very unlikely, couple, nonetheless these books be accredited with clever twists and turns and always thrilling anticipation as you find yourself coming closer and closer to catching the killer. There's those moments when you catch onto something and the moments when you realise you were wrong but you 'had an idea about that guy!'
Agatha Christie is still, and always will be, the queen of mysteries.
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LibraryThing member Cassandra2020
This the first of the 'Tommy and Tuppence' books I've read and somehow I wasn't taken by it. It had all the hallmarks of an Agatha Christie book: well written, 'of it's era', plenty of mystery and intrigue, nice and easy to read, but......
Maybe the characters just didn't fit with me, maybe I prefer
That aside, the story skipped along at a pace and whilst I had a vague idea of how it would all pan out, I still found the twists and turns entertaining.
Definitely no more Agatha Christie for me this year - need a break to clear my head :-)
Maybe the characters just didn't fit with me, maybe I prefer
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the others because Miss Marple and Poirot are such well known 'friends' now. I found the husband/wife relationship irksome. I know that relationships, even in the sixties, were like that, but it annoyed me to read all the 'little woman' style comments.That aside, the story skipped along at a pace and whilst I had a vague idea of how it would all pan out, I still found the twists and turns entertaining.
Definitely no more Agatha Christie for me this year - need a break to clear my head :-)
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
A sequel to the Timothy and Tuppenc series of investigations. TnT have grown up and are now comfortably middleaged. Timothey goes to visit his aging aunt Aga in her nursing home, and Tuppence meets an old lady who's words of warning she takes to heart. Later when Aga has died they inherit a picture
This probably isn't the best book to star the TinT series with as I have done. There is a lot of reference to previous adventures. However Agatha Christie's style is unchanged, she really can spin a good suspense story. At no stage is ther any gore, and only very minimal violence but the suspense and intimidation is still there. th eplot twists are masterful, although there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
I wasn't sure when the story was supposed to be set, early 60's maybe, though there are still sevants, and may insights into life at that time.
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from this same Mrs Lancaster and Tuppence goes to investigate while Tim stays at home.This probably isn't the best book to star the TinT series with as I have done. There is a lot of reference to previous adventures. However Agatha Christie's style is unchanged, she really can spin a good suspense story. At no stage is ther any gore, and only very minimal violence but the suspense and intimidation is still there. th eplot twists are masterful, although there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
I wasn't sure when the story was supposed to be set, early 60's maybe, though there are still sevants, and may insights into life at that time.
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LibraryThing member SashaM
This really started slowly compared to many other Christie's. There is no body to kick things along. But by about 1/2 way I really got into the story and it finished well.
LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: Tuppence and Tommy are 'older' and are out of the mystery/spy business. However, Tommy still meets with former colleagues to talk about the spy game. He has an elderly aunt in an old folks home who he looks after and while they are there, Tuppence makes the acquaintance an elderly lady
Review: Vintage Agatha Christi with all of the twists and turns of her writings.
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who may be endanger because of what she knows about a long-ago murder. When the aunt dies and the lady disappears, Tuppence goes in search. But just who is in danger and what does a painting of a house on a canal have to do with the disappearance?Review: Vintage Agatha Christi with all of the twists and turns of her writings.
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LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
"By the pricking of my thumbs...... Something wicked this way comes"
Well now that's odd, because the book does not have Miss Marple in it, but the movie does...... Sigh.
Tommy & Tuppence are a modern couple who have grown older and are retired..... Tommy worked for the spy network" and Tuppence
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would always insert herself into his business (nosy Parker).In this story they are off to visit Tommy's acerbic Aunt Ada who is staying in a home for elderly women.... Aunt Ada can not stand Tuppence so Tuppence goes off to sit in the "lounge" where she meets elderly Mrs. Lancaster who asks Tuppence: "Was it your child?"
A few weeks pass and Aunt Ada has died as has another older woman, neither of whom were "sick" or predisposed. In Aunt Ada's room Tuppence comes upon a painting that hadn't been there before, which was given to Aunt Ada by Mrs. Lancaster. It is view of a house by a canal w/ a humpback bridge (the house which Tuppence has seen before) and Tuppence wants to give it back to Mrs. Lancaster......
Unfortunately Mrs. Lancaster is no longer in the home, she has been moved away...... Thus begins the mystery of the: painting; house by the canal; dead elderly women; murdered child; criminal ring......
All in all this was quite a good story, what I didn't like was Tuppence's endless blathering chatter..... For someone as keen as a "terrier" she comes off quite often as rather mindless. Minus 1 star.
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LibraryThing member mirihawk
An aged Tommy and Tuppence - how marvelous! I don't think I've read any but the first one before this. Hugh Fraser is a marvelous reader - the Audible version is highly recommended.
LibraryThing member DrApple
This was my first Tommy and Tuppence book. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery was top rate! Tuppence ends up in danger several times while trying to solve the mystery of a missing old lady.
LibraryThing member huntersun9
I liked this Tommy & Tuppence a bit more than the others, mainly because it wasn't about espionage. Still, it had a complex plot and I marvel at Christie's incredibly imaginative brain. This one involved Tommy's old Aunt Ida passing away at a rest home and Tuppence's preoccupation with the sudden
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departure of another resident. A painting of a lovely home near a canal piques Tuppence's interest and she's off to the countryside and a new mystery that leads to thieves, cold murder cases, churchyards, and eccentric widows. Fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member ritaer
Tommy and Tuppence become involved with mystery when they visit his elderly aunt in a nursing home
LibraryThing member funstm
I love Tommy and Tuppence. How could I not? Together, apart, they come off the page. I wasn't sure at first about a series where the main characters significantly age with each book - a series where marriage is the beginning of the story, rather than the end. But it works.
And I mean, the mysteries
“All right, all right,” said Tommy, “be realistic. But if you really want to be noble and come with me—” “I want to come with you,” said Tuppence. “After all, I married you for better or for worse and Aunt Ada is decidedly the worse. So I shall go with you hand in hand.
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
I love that they're always so supportive of one another and that the love and affection between them is so readily apparent. I love that they're not just husband and wife but best friends too. Plus they're hilarious - the snark, the banter it's perfection. And Tuppence is such a drama queen and I totally rate it.
“All the same—” said Tommy. “I know,” said Tuppence, “I know. All the same you feel it’s your duty and so you’ve got to go.” “Don’t you think I’m right?” “Unfortunately,” said Tuppence, “I do think you’re right. Absolutely right. And I’ll come too,” she added, with a slight note of heroism in her voice. “No,” said Tommy. “Why should you? She’s not your aunt. No, I’ll go.” “Not at all,” said Mrs. Beresford. “I like to suffer too. We’ll suffer together. You won’t enjoy it and I shan’t enjoy it and I don’t think for one moment that Aunt Ada will enjoy it. But I quite see it is one of those things that has got to be done.”
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
The only one who cracks me up more than Tuppence is Albert. They really are quite a pair with their mysteries and clues and adventures. Well and their sneaking and snooping.
“And now, I suppose,” said Tommy, “you want to hear everything.” “Matter of fact, sir,” said Albert in a slightly apologetic tone, “I know most of it. You see, seeing as it was a question of the missus and all that, I took the liberty of lifting up the extension in the bedroom. I didn’t think you’d mind, sir, not as it was the missus.”
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
Overall another strong addition to the series. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
And I mean, the mysteries
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are great but the relationship between them is truly something special. “All right, all right,” said Tommy, “be realistic. But if you really want to be noble and come with me—” “I want to come with you,” said Tuppence. “After all, I married you for better or for worse and Aunt Ada is decidedly the worse. So I shall go with you hand in hand.
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
I love that they're always so supportive of one another and that the love and affection between them is so readily apparent. I love that they're not just husband and wife but best friends too. Plus they're hilarious - the snark, the banter it's perfection. And Tuppence is such a drama queen and I totally rate it.
“All the same—” said Tommy. “I know,” said Tuppence, “I know. All the same you feel it’s your duty and so you’ve got to go.” “Don’t you think I’m right?” “Unfortunately,” said Tuppence, “I do think you’re right. Absolutely right. And I’ll come too,” she added, with a slight note of heroism in her voice. “No,” said Tommy. “Why should you? She’s not your aunt. No, I’ll go.” “Not at all,” said Mrs. Beresford. “I like to suffer too. We’ll suffer together. You won’t enjoy it and I shan’t enjoy it and I don’t think for one moment that Aunt Ada will enjoy it. But I quite see it is one of those things that has got to be done.”
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
The only one who cracks me up more than Tuppence is Albert. They really are quite a pair with their mysteries and clues and adventures. Well and their sneaking and snooping.
“And now, I suppose,” said Tommy, “you want to hear everything.” “Matter of fact, sir,” said Albert in a slightly apologetic tone, “I know most of it. You see, seeing as it was a question of the missus and all that, I took the liberty of lifting up the extension in the bedroom. I didn’t think you’d mind, sir, not as it was the missus.”
Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
Overall another strong addition to the series. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
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LibraryThing member GavinBowtell
Loved this book
LibraryThing member AlexTheHunn
One of the later mysteries, this is none the less an enjoyable puzzler. As ever, the solution eluded me.
LibraryThing member nordie
Tommy and Tuppence, definitely older, but no less inquisitive, are put onto the case when Tommy's Aunt Ada is given a painting by a woman who then disappears. The woman, who mere days before, had referred to "the child behind the fireplace". This sets Tuppence off investigating, and finally all the
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old threads are pulled togethe Show Less
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Language
Original publication date
1968-11-01