Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Folio Society (2022). 248p. Three-quarter bound in blocked cloth, with a printed and blocked textured paper front board. Set in Bell with Kabel as display. Frontispiece plus 6 full-page colour illustrations, plain slipcase. 9˝ x 5¾˝
Description
In Sparkling Cyanide, Agatha Christie seats six-including a murderer-around a dining table set for seven, one year to the day that a beautiful heiress was poisoned in that very room. Six people sit down to a sumptuous meal at a table laid for seven. In front of the empty place is a sprig of rosemary-"rosemary for remembrance." A strange sentiment considering no one is likely to forget the night, exactly a year ago, that Rosemary Barton died at exactly the same table, her beautiful face unrecognizable, convulsed with pain and horror. But then Rosemary had always been memorable-she had the ability to arouse strong passions in most people she met. In one case, strong enough to kill....
User reviews
LibraryThing member LarissaBookGirl
Although intriguing and stumping, it was also a little lacking in clues, and somewhat disappointing that the killer is someone who seems to come out of no where. How could anyone guess it was ... I challenge anyone to correctly guess the murder without cheating and reading the last page.
I am a
I am a
Show More
great fan of mystery novels and, despite its shortcomings, this was one of the better who-done-its I have read for a long time. It's easy to see why the woman is rated one of the best writers of her genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member ritaer
Death ruled suicide now seen as murder and a reenactment backfires.
LibraryThing member mrtall
A highly enjoyable murder mystery, Sparkling Cyanide features none of Agatha Christie's recurring sleuths, but 'sparkles' nonetheless with a cast of familiar but well-drawn characters.
A lovely but airheaded young wife has been done in by the eponymous poison, and who's to blame? The list of
The story is excellent for period detail (1940s) and for strong pacing and dialogue. The only downside is the ending, which is satisfactory in 'whodunit' terms, but disappointing in its technicalities.
Never the less, this one's recommended.
A lovely but airheaded young wife has been done in by the eponymous poison, and who's to blame? The list of
Show More
suspects comprises several highly-plausible possibilities, featuring the victim's cuckolded husband, plus her uneasy lover and his iron-willed wife.The story is excellent for period detail (1940s) and for strong pacing and dialogue. The only downside is the ending, which is satisfactory in 'whodunit' terms, but disappointing in its technicalities.
Never the less, this one's recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
It's been a year since Rosemary Barton died at a party in her honor. The inquest verdict was suicide, but someone has been sending anonymous notes to her husband, George, suggesting that Rosemary was murdered. George has a plan to unmask the murderer. He invites the same guests to a party in his
This novel has a ring of familiarity to it even without the presence of one of Christie's more famous sleuths. The characters and plot bear many similarities to a Poirot short story, “Yellow Irises”, although Christie changed enough that one is not a spoiler for the other. There are also some structural similarities to Five Little Pigs (aka Murder in Retrospect). Even though the story lacks something in originality for readers familiar with Christie's earlier works, she gives the familiar elements a new twist that will leave readers guessing.
Show More
sister-in-law, Iris's, honor, to be held at the same location. However, things don't turn out according to plan. Did Rosemary commit suicide a year ago, or was she really murdered? If so, who killed her? Was it her husband, George? Or George's secretary, the competent Ruth Lessing, who may have a secret passion for her boss? Or Rosemary's admirer, Anthony Browne, who may not be the man he appears to be? Or her other admirer, Conservative MP Stephen Farraday? Or his jealous wife, Lady Alexandra Farraday? Or could it have been her sister and heir, Iris Marle? George Barton's friend, Colonel Race, is on the scene, and he lends his experience to Scotland Yard as they investigate not one, but two murders.This novel has a ring of familiarity to it even without the presence of one of Christie's more famous sleuths. The characters and plot bear many similarities to a Poirot short story, “Yellow Irises”, although Christie changed enough that one is not a spoiler for the other. There are also some structural similarities to Five Little Pigs (aka Murder in Retrospect). Even though the story lacks something in originality for readers familiar with Christie's earlier works, she gives the familiar elements a new twist that will leave readers guessing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
This is another one of those mysteries where the original murder happened in the past and somehow the story needs to be untangled. This is another one of those books where there is an element of romance, which feels less contrived than some of her other books. Parts of the story are also focalised
Show More
through different characters and the change in perspective makes this an interesting and entertaining read. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
This is the last of the novels that featured Colonel Race and/or Superintendent Battle and it was a very satisfying conclusion. Colonel Race is retired from MI5 (we are finally confirmed in our suspicions of what he was doing for a living) and is involved in this mystery because of friendship. I
Show More
liked the form of the novel as we are introduced individually to the main characters in the first part of the book and then are introduced to the “puzzle” part of the story. There is even a reference to Superintendent Battle when Race consults Superintendent Kemp who has stepped into his former chief’s shoes upon Battle’s retirement. This one had an added bonus for me—I was guessing about the culprit until the last few pages—and one of the factors took me completely by surprise. I’m not usually that “trusting” in Christie novels. Show Less
LibraryThing member JulesJones
This edition is an abridged audiobook on 3 CDs, running time about 3 hours, read by Nigel Anthony. According to LibraryThing, it's the last of four novels featuring Colonel Race.
A year ago, a group of people sat down to dinner around a table in the Luxembourg table. One of them was dead by cyanide
In a series of flashbacks, Christie shows how each of the people around the table that night had a motive for murdering Rosemary, including her husband. As the action moves forward to the anniversary dinner and its aftermath, each character study is developed further, shedding new light on people's behaviour but often only changing their motive rather than removing it. Race has a problem on his hands -- there is an abundance of suspects for each murder, but any individual suspect really only has all three of method, motive and opportunity for one of the murders. And yet the murders are clearly linked...
The solution to the mystery is simple in hindsight, but well concealed by the array of convincing motives on offer. And even when Colonel Race finally understands the pattern of events, the suspense continues, because the pattern points to one more murder that must take place.
The mystery is an enjoyable way to pass a few hours, and the book is by and large well read by Anthony. I did find his reading of female characters' dialogue slightly irritating, as he used a slightly falsetto voice which simply sounded silly to me and thus pulled me out of the story slightly. But it's an enjoyable audiobook that I'll be happy to listen to again.
A year ago, a group of people sat down to dinner around a table in the Luxembourg table. One of them was dead by cyanide
Show More
at the end of the evening, apparently a suicide. But Rosemary's husband tells a friend that he has come to believe that she was murdered, and has set a trap for the murderer in the form of a remembrance dinner on the anniversary of her death. It's a trap that will be sprung in the worst possible way, leaving his friend Colonel Race to tease out the clues -- before a third murder is committed.In a series of flashbacks, Christie shows how each of the people around the table that night had a motive for murdering Rosemary, including her husband. As the action moves forward to the anniversary dinner and its aftermath, each character study is developed further, shedding new light on people's behaviour but often only changing their motive rather than removing it. Race has a problem on his hands -- there is an abundance of suspects for each murder, but any individual suspect really only has all three of method, motive and opportunity for one of the murders. And yet the murders are clearly linked...
The solution to the mystery is simple in hindsight, but well concealed by the array of convincing motives on offer. And even when Colonel Race finally understands the pattern of events, the suspense continues, because the pattern points to one more murder that must take place.
The mystery is an enjoyable way to pass a few hours, and the book is by and large well read by Anthony. I did find his reading of female characters' dialogue slightly irritating, as he used a slightly falsetto voice which simply sounded silly to me and thus pulled me out of the story slightly. But it's an enjoyable audiobook that I'll be happy to listen to again.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Figgles
Another good murder in retrospect
LibraryThing member smik
SPARKLING CYANIDE is very carefully constructed, beginning with 5 people remembering the death of Rosemary Barton from cyanide poisoning just a a year before. The coroner brought a verdict of suicide, but recently George, her husband, has received notes leading him to think that perhaps Rosemary
George decides to set a trap, to hold another celebration at the same nightclub, this time for the birthday of Rosemary's sister Iris. The empty place at the table on the night of Rosemary's death had been for Colonel Johnny Race who had been unable to get there. George Barton had known Colonel Race in India. George invites Race to Iris' birthday party but Race refuses the invitation. Nevertheless George tells everyone that the empty place is for Colonel Race.
When George also dies from cyanide poisoning Colonel Race assists Chief Inspector Kemp from Scotland Yard to work out who is the murderer and what the motive is.
Colonel Race also appears in THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT (1924), CARDS ON THE TABLE (1936) and DEATH ON THE NILE (1937). It is unusual for him to appear on his own, as he is generally plays a supporting role for others like Hercule Poirot. By SPARKLING CYANIDE he is quite elderly.
Show More
was murdered. There seem to be any number of possible murderers.George decides to set a trap, to hold another celebration at the same nightclub, this time for the birthday of Rosemary's sister Iris. The empty place at the table on the night of Rosemary's death had been for Colonel Johnny Race who had been unable to get there. George Barton had known Colonel Race in India. George invites Race to Iris' birthday party but Race refuses the invitation. Nevertheless George tells everyone that the empty place is for Colonel Race.
When George also dies from cyanide poisoning Colonel Race assists Chief Inspector Kemp from Scotland Yard to work out who is the murderer and what the motive is.
Colonel Race also appears in THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT (1924), CARDS ON THE TABLE (1936) and DEATH ON THE NILE (1937). It is unusual for him to appear on his own, as he is generally plays a supporting role for others like Hercule Poirot. By SPARKLING CYANIDE he is quite elderly.
Show Less
LibraryThing member librisissimo
Substance: The psychological state of all the suspects is well done. The clues are fair, and the mystery solved by one of the participants. However, the solution itself is not plausible. Interesting as a window on the world of 1945 England.
Style: Somewhat more "people oriented" than others she
Style: Somewhat more "people oriented" than others she
Show More
wrote. Show Less
LibraryThing member auntieknickers
I believe it was Ogden Nash who wrote "One Christie book is as good as a lib'ry," and I have to concur. I'm sure I've read all the books Agatha Christie published under that name (skipping the Mary Westmacott titles) and yet I can only remember the plots and the culprits in a few obvious ones. So I
[book: Remembered Death] (or [book: Sparkling Cyanide] opens almost a year after the shocking death of Rosemary Barton at her birthday party in a posh London restaurant. Various people in her life -- her sister, her husband, her husband's secretary, and two men, one of whom may have been her lover -- were present at the death and are now remembering Rosemary. Her husband, in particular, has come to question whether her death really was the suicide that the inquest decided.
There is not really a detective as such in this book. Colonel Race, a character who appears in a few other Christie novels, does put in an appearance, but he really doesn't solve the crimes -- for there will be another death in the story. (By the way, this book was remade into a Poirot for the British TV series.)
The plot, and especially the murder method, may seem a bit farfetched or even incredible to many readers. Christie does make use of a favorite device, having the murdered be an overlooked person. The descriptions of upper- and upper-middle-class England between the wars are those we have come to expect from Christie. The strength of this book is in the characters, and especially in how, through their interior monologues, Christie is able to make us suspect each one in turn and believe each of them capable of murder under the right circumstances. For this reason alone, I felt it was worth the re-reading and, as usual, Christie surprised me again when the culprit was revealed.
Show More
didn't mind rereading this book (which has two titles) for an online book discussion.[book: Remembered Death] (or [book: Sparkling Cyanide] opens almost a year after the shocking death of Rosemary Barton at her birthday party in a posh London restaurant. Various people in her life -- her sister, her husband, her husband's secretary, and two men, one of whom may have been her lover -- were present at the death and are now remembering Rosemary. Her husband, in particular, has come to question whether her death really was the suicide that the inquest decided.
There is not really a detective as such in this book. Colonel Race, a character who appears in a few other Christie novels, does put in an appearance, but he really doesn't solve the crimes -- for there will be another death in the story. (By the way, this book was remade into a Poirot for the British TV series.)
The plot, and especially the murder method, may seem a bit farfetched or even incredible to many readers. Christie does make use of a favorite device, having the murdered be an overlooked person. The descriptions of upper- and upper-middle-class England between the wars are those we have come to expect from Christie. The strength of this book is in the characters, and especially in how, through their interior monologues, Christie is able to make us suspect each one in turn and believe each of them capable of murder under the right circumstances. For this reason alone, I felt it was worth the re-reading and, as usual, Christie surprised me again when the culprit was revealed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ScottKalas
Avery slow start but picked up about midway. not a great Christie mystery it revolves around the death of Rosemary Barton and the approaching 1 year anniversary of her death. Each prime suspect is introduced in the beginning chapters which I found a unique and positive.
As one may guess there is
As one may guess there is
Show More
another murder upon the anniversary and so goes the mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member jnicholson
As with many of Christie's novels, this is less a murder mystery than it is a romance. This is one of the more satisfying, told from the point of view of each of the suspects in turn. I particularly enjoyed the character of Sandra Faraday.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
? ? ? ? ? Luxembourg of what was known to be the side effects of post-flu depression...
All of Rosemary's inheritance from her family goes to her sister Iris; should anything happen to Iris, the money goes to Aunt Lucilla Drake (whose only son, Victor, is a very bad lot).
George has received
At dinner were the same people as the prior year's fatal dinner: Iris (George's sister-in-law & Rosemary's younger sister); Ruth (George's secretary whom both George & Rosemary relied on to take care of all details and who is in love w/ George); Anthony Browne (a shady character now in love w/ Iris); Stephen Farraday (a minor MP & Rosemary's eager to escape lover); and Alexandra Farraday (Stehphen's wife who would do anything to keep her marriage intact).
As a few days pass, it becomes apparent that Iris is also in danger, she is nearly run down by a car, and then she is found in her room w/ the door sealed and her head next to the grate w/ the gas running......
There is no loss for suspects, and most all disliked Rosemary....
I liked the story, I liked the characters and I found the story so intriguing that I read it in one sitting.
All of Rosemary's inheritance from her family goes to her sister Iris; should anything happen to Iris, the money goes to Aunt Lucilla Drake (whose only son, Victor, is a very bad lot).
George has received
Show More
anonymous letters to the effect that Rosemary was poisoned and after discussing the matter w/ his old friend, Colonel Race, decides to lay a trap for the murderer at another dinner at the Luxembourg, by the end of the evening George too is dead from poisoning.... At dinner were the same people as the prior year's fatal dinner: Iris (George's sister-in-law & Rosemary's younger sister); Ruth (George's secretary whom both George & Rosemary relied on to take care of all details and who is in love w/ George); Anthony Browne (a shady character now in love w/ Iris); Stephen Farraday (a minor MP & Rosemary's eager to escape lover); and Alexandra Farraday (Stehphen's wife who would do anything to keep her marriage intact).
As a few days pass, it becomes apparent that Iris is also in danger, she is nearly run down by a car, and then she is found in her room w/ the door sealed and her head next to the grate w/ the gas running......
There is no loss for suspects, and most all disliked Rosemary....
I liked the story, I liked the characters and I found the story so intriguing that I read it in one sitting.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LadyoftheLodge
Dame Agatha never fails to entertain and intrigue with her mysteries. This one involves the fateful deaths of two people, and the web of intrigue surrounding them. Not a Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, but still involving excellent detective work and well-drawn characters. The plot kept me guessing
Show More
until the last minute. Show Less
LibraryThing member PuddinTame
This is an expansion and rewrite of the short story "Yellow Iris," published in 1937, which featured Hercule Poirot as a detective. Colonel John Race is the detective in the novel, which retains its 1930s setting, despite being published in 1947. I enjoyed reading this, although I thought the main
Then I got to the very disappointing conclusion. Christie has written a chapter on several of the characters, detailing their thoughts and personalities, but she lied by omission. After such a detailed description of the perpetrator, it seems to me like cheating to suddenly reveal an almost completely concealed motive, one that contradicts what we have learned about the character, despite the apparent frankness.
Show More
character, Iris, was a rather a cipher, and her romance very contrived. She and her suitor seem to have fallen in love at first glance, and decided to marry very quickly. ("Some enchanted evening . . .")Then I got to the very disappointing conclusion. Christie has written a chapter on several of the characters, detailing their thoughts and personalities, but she lied by omission. After such a detailed description of the perpetrator, it seems to me like cheating to suddenly reveal an almost completely concealed motive, one that contradicts what we have learned about the character, despite the apparent frankness.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ParadisePorch
aka Remembered Death
Not Christie's best. I'm not sure that the clues were adequately explained to the reader. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention.
Not Christie's best. I'm not sure that the clues were adequately explained to the reader. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I read the first half of this one on a plane ride and it was a fun, quick murder mystery to get pulled into. I lost momentum after being home for a few days. The ending was still satisfying, but it’s not one of my new favorite Christie novels. It’s a slow burn and there was only one twist I
Show More
really loved. Still a good easy travel read. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
After Death Comes as the End, Sparkling Cyanide returns to the tried and true writing of Agatha Christie. The number of usual suspects contains six guests at a birthday party for Rosemary Barton. But as the guests toast Rosemary’s birthday, Rosemary grapples with choking on cyanide in her
Show More
champagne. A year later, Rosemary’s husband, George attempts to trap Rosemary’s killer. Unfortunately, George succumbs to cyanide in his glass of champagne. Now, the remaining guests and Colonel Race must discover the diabolical murderer before another murder happens. As usual, Christie presents an interesting array of characters with a multitude of secrets. Along the way to uncovering the killer, Christie inserts many red herrings. The reader soon learns that the “real” killer is not the one with all the clues pointing to them. I felt a little sorry with the result of this mystery. As usual, Agatha Christie develops an interesting story. Show Less
LibraryThing member pgchuis
This had chapters from the perspective of various characters related in some way to the dead Rosemary, and of course I suspected them each in turn. The solution was a mixture of the obvious and the devious and was very satisfactory.
LibraryThing member Leann
I have noted Colonel Race in three other stories in conjunction with other big Christie characters but this one is the first that he is involved heavily in solving the murder. I really enjoyed the story and it had me on the hook right up to the end. Great mystery!
LibraryThing member funstm
Based on the Hercule Poirot short story, Yellow Iris, Sparkling Cyanide tells the story of Rosemary Marle - a vibrant young woman who seemingly committed suicide after contracting the flu. One year to the date, her husband, George Barton hosts a dinner party with the exact guests that were with her
This was good. I had read Yellow Iris previously so I had an inkling where things were going but I enjoyed it all the same. I was particularly fond of Vicky, Sandra Farrady's mum.
His wife still shook her head. “I still say he hasn’t got the nerve. You want someone who’s a gambler and capable of being reckless. I’m afraid, William, I’m horribly afraid.” He stared at her.
“Are you suggesting that Sandra—Sandra—?” “I hate even to suggest such a thing—but it’s no use being cowardly and refusing to face possibilities. She’s besotted about that man—she always has been—and there’s a queer streak in Sandra. I’ve never really understood her—but I’ve always been afraid for her. She’d risk anything—anything—for Stephen. Without counting the cost. And if she’s been mad enough and wicked enough to do this thing, she’s got to be protected.”
“Protected? What do you mean—protected?”
“By you. We’ve got to do something about our own daughter, haven’t we? Mercifully you can pull any amount of strings.”
Lord Kidderminster was staring at her. Though he had thought he knew his wife’s character well, he was nevertheless appalled at the force and courage of her realism—at her refusal to blink at unpalatable facts—and also at her unscrupulousness. “If my daughter’s a murderess, do you suggest that I should use my official position to rescue her from the consequences of her act?”
“Of course,” said Lady Kidderminster.
“My dear Vicky! You don’t understand! One can’t do things like that. It would be a breach of—of honour.”
“Rubbish!” said Lady Kidderminster. They looked at each other—so far divided that neither could see the other’s point of view.
Christie, Agatha. Sparkling Cyanide (pp. 186-187). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. I adored the ruthless in her and how absolutely gobsmacked the husband is by her.
The mystery is well plotted and unfolds at a steady pace. I liked the characters and the motives for everything and I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal of how it was all done. It's not my favourite Agatha Christie but it was a solidly written and fun detective story. 3 stars.
Show More
when she died. Like all of his other novels, Colonel Race features only on the periphery, as an old friend to Rosemary's husband, George Barton. This was good. I had read Yellow Iris previously so I had an inkling where things were going but I enjoyed it all the same. I was particularly fond of Vicky, Sandra Farrady's mum.
His wife still shook her head. “I still say he hasn’t got the nerve. You want someone who’s a gambler and capable of being reckless. I’m afraid, William, I’m horribly afraid.” He stared at her.
“Are you suggesting that Sandra—Sandra—?” “I hate even to suggest such a thing—but it’s no use being cowardly and refusing to face possibilities. She’s besotted about that man—she always has been—and there’s a queer streak in Sandra. I’ve never really understood her—but I’ve always been afraid for her. She’d risk anything—anything—for Stephen. Without counting the cost. And if she’s been mad enough and wicked enough to do this thing, she’s got to be protected.”
“Protected? What do you mean—protected?”
“By you. We’ve got to do something about our own daughter, haven’t we? Mercifully you can pull any amount of strings.”
Lord Kidderminster was staring at her. Though he had thought he knew his wife’s character well, he was nevertheless appalled at the force and courage of her realism—at her refusal to blink at unpalatable facts—and also at her unscrupulousness. “If my daughter’s a murderess, do you suggest that I should use my official position to rescue her from the consequences of her act?”
“Of course,” said Lady Kidderminster.
“My dear Vicky! You don’t understand! One can’t do things like that. It would be a breach of—of honour.”
“Rubbish!” said Lady Kidderminster. They looked at each other—so far divided that neither could see the other’s point of view.
Christie, Agatha. Sparkling Cyanide (pp. 186-187). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.
The mystery is well plotted and unfolds at a steady pace. I liked the characters and the motives for everything and I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal of how it was all done. It's not my favourite Agatha Christie but it was a solidly written and fun detective story. 3 stars.
Show Less
LibraryThing member electrascaife
A suicide that didn't seem likely at a birthday party full of people who had all sorts of reasons to want the person unalive.
Another good Christie mystery.
Another good Christie mystery.
LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith
Old fashioned with often cardboard characters, but nobody keeps you guessing like old Agatha.
LibraryThing member Sucharita1986
Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie is a stunning murder mystery with some exciting plot twists. In terms of writing style, the plot focuses on each character in detail which is going to leave readers guessing about the culprit. And, the climax is just in the last few pages which dropped like a
Show More
bomb. I really enjoyed the book with its twists and turns. For me the best part of mystery was when everyone was doubting Rosemary. My heart just skipped a beat there. Definitely, 5 stars for the book. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1944-12-01
Physical description
248 p.; 9 inches
Local notes
Beautiful and rich, with admirers at her beck and call, Rosemary Barton appeared to have it all. Yet a year ago, during her own birthday party at the exclusive Luxembourg restaurant, she drank a glass full of deadly poison, leaving friends, family and a string of illicit lovers reeling with shock. Did Rosemary truly decide to take her own life, or did one of the dinner guests want the glamorous socialite dead? To uncover the truth, Colonel Race must unpick a tangled web woven by a woman whose life was built on secrets and lies, and he must do it quickly, because as the anniversary of Rosemary’s tragic end draws near, the spectre of death is looming once more for her beloved younger sister.
Other editions
Sparkling Cyanide [Facsimile Series] by Agatha Christie (Hardcover)