Christie Books

Most of these stories feature Poirot, but two, including the title story, are Parker Pyne stories not included in _Parker Pyne Investigates_. One Marple story and one story not affiliated with a series character are also included. Where a story has appeared elsewhere under an alternate title, the original title used in this book is given first.

All of the Poirot stories have been adapted for TV with David Suchet. "In a Glass Darkly" was adapted separately as an episode of "Agatha Christie's Hour".

"The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest"(also appears in somewhat altered form elsewhere as "The Mystery of the Spanish Chest") (January, 1932) - The only Hastings-narrated story in this batch. The murderer apparently must have killed the victim during a party, hid his corpse in the chest, and calmly kept up appearances by dancing and playing poker without suspicious behaviour...

"In a Glass Darkly" (1934) Supernatural tale, rather than a regular mystery; if you like it, try _The Golden Ball and Other Stories_. The unnamed narrator first visited Badgeworthy, the old home of his friends Neil and Alan Carslake, just before WWI. Even the Carslakes don't know the details of its ghost story. Then Narrator sees the reflection of a pretty girl being strangled by a man in another room - but there is no other room behind him, and the couple he saw are both alive and well: Sylvia Carslake and her fiance.

"How Does Your Garden Grow?" (June, 1935) - Amelia Barrowby, an elderly spinster, had written to engage Poirot in an undisclosed family matter, mentioning that she wished to avoid police investigation and scandal but not providing details. Poirot receives no reply, and learning of her death, sends a follow-up letter to Miss Barrowby's address to account for his showing up in person.

"Problem at Sea (January, 1936, a.k.a. "Poirot and the Crime in Cabin 66", "The Quickness of the Hand") - Poirot took the sea route to Alexandria on this, his first trip to Egypt. He's recovered enough from seasickness to take an interest in his fellow-passengers, especially one distinguished-looking man; for some reason, nothing his wife says or does seems to annoy him.

Colonel Clapperton isn't a 'real' colonel; according to rumor, he was a music-hall performer who wound up in Lady Carrington's hospital twenty years ago in WWI, married her, and used her influence to get his colonelcy and a soft job. (He slips at one point and displays a few card tricks, explaining why he won't play bridge.) She's jealous, so it's unusual when she lets him go ashore in Alexandria without her, although typical of her high-handedness that she wouldn't let him into the cabin for a guidebook. But when he returned, she was dead in the locked cabin; apparently armed robbery.

"Problem at Pollensa Bay" (1936) - Seeing Mrs. Chester and her son Basil as fellow guests in Majorca, Pyne reacts like a hunted animal when he sees her looking worried and reading an English newspaper. (So many people he meets abroad have read his advertisement and messed up his holidays - see _Parker Pyne Investigates_). Alas, someone gives him away. Mrs. Chester has had Basil tied to her apron strings, and engages Pyne with an eye toward detaching Basil from his unsuitable fiancee Betty.

Pyne's business, though, is making people happy, rather than necessarily doing what they *say* they want, so he checks out Betty and Basil with some interesting compatibility tests, as well as imparting some wisdom to Mrs. Chester about how nobody's life can be ruined except by themselves, with particular reference to her *own* life. Then Basil gets involved with a REALLY exotic girl, and Pyne gets still more instructions.

"Yellow Iris" a.k.a. "Hercule Poirot and the Sixth Chair" (January, 1937) - The stage setting strongly resembles that of the Colonel Race novel _Remembered Death_, but this is not the same story, so don't be fooled into thinking you know who did it or why based on the similarity.

"The Dream", a.k.a. "The Three Strange Points" (1937) - Poirot is summoned to the home of eccentric millionaire Benedict Farley, who has a trophy wife and a daughter he's pressuring to marry money rather than the man she wants. Upon arriving at Farley's home, Poirot notices several things that don't make sense (see if you can spot all the 'what's wrong with this picture' items), even before hearing the problem. The client (having rejected the opinions of several doctors on the subject) has had a recurring dream of shooting himself when he isn't suicidal, and fears that somebody may be engaged in an elaborate scheme to kill him. Naturally, when he's found shot dead soon after Poirot's visit, Poirot gets involved in the investigation.

"Miss Marple Tells a Story" (1939) Locked-room mystery. Unfortunately, Jane Marple is narrating this story *to Raymond West* and his wife, so she begins by laying on the fluffy-headed aunt pose, but eventually lets her narrative smooth out. Old Mr. Petherick, her solicitor, brought along another client, Mr. Rhodes, to consult her. Rhodes expected to be arrested for the murder of his wife, and his trial counsel is only concerned with gettng a reasonable doubt in court. Petherick, however, doesn't think this is the best approach, and comes to his old friend to try to work out what actually happened. Mr. Rhodes appears to be the only person with both motive and opportunity, and while his trial counsel plans to suggest Mrs. Rhodes committed suicide, neither Rhodes nor Petherick believes that will work, and Petherick doesn't believe Rhodes is guilty.

"The Regatta Mystery" (1939) - Locked-room theft. Diamond merchant Isaac Pointz carries 'the Morning Star' as a lucky piece, and Eve Leathern, the 15-year-old daughter of a business acquaintance, casually challenges him that she could swipe it without getting caught. Alas, apparently somebody else figured out her perfect hiding place. Evan Llewellyn, Pointz's secretary, engages Parker Pyne to clear it up, since he's a prime suspect.

THE REGATTA MYSTERY is a thoroughly satisfying collection of short stories by Agatha Christie, featuring her famous detectives M. Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple, and Mr. Parker Pyne. The solutions range from the intricate ("The Regatta Mystery," "The Dream") to the deceptively simple ("Problem at Sea," "Miss Marple Tells a Story") and the psychological ("Problem at Pollensa Bay"). "In a Glass Darkly" is another psychological tale unusual for being recounted, like "Miss Marple Tells a Story," in an engaging first-person narrative style. In short, each story in this collection is a winner.

While I prefer Agatha Christie's longer works, it's sometimes nice just have a sampling. My favorite of the short stories are the ones with Parker Pyne who in one story reluctantly admits that his first name is Christopher. Pyne is the opposite of fastidious and sometimes pompus M. Poirot or the ever congenial Miss Marple. No, he's in his line of work for the money and makes no appoligies for it.

Hercule Poirot, Mr. Parker Pyle, and Miss Marple all take turns deftly solving mystery after mystery in this collection of nine short stories. The title story is the best of the bunch - where some thieves dare to steal a gem right under the nose of Parker Pyle, after telling him they were gong to do it! And they almost get away with it... A very clever story from the Mistress of Mystery...and the other 8 are almost as wonderful. I bought this for 90 cents the other day and I couldn't have been happier. I suggest having some wine and reading a few short stories - you will be glad you did.


Relic113

A must for Agatha Christi fans. Short stories featuring Hercule Poirot, Mr Parker Pyne and (my favorite) Miss Marple. Titles:
The Regatta Mystery, The Mystery of the Bagdad Chest, How Does Your Garden Grow?, Problem at Pollensa Bay, Yellow Iris, Miss Marple Tells a Story, The Dream, In a Glass Darkly, Problem at Sea.

I think this has been my favorite CR book of all. Title says it all, definetely a "thrill". I'll take a Michael Magee anyday!

This was my first book that I've read by Ridgway and it definitely won't be my last. This book was really fun with lots of the intimate details that make the personalities come to life. Wonderful job with balancing the comedy and tense character relationships. I would have done a 4.5 stars if I could have. Great book for a fun exciting read!

This book was great. I really connected with all of the characters. I loved the relationship between Lizzie and Magee. The sex scenes were awesome and Ridgway did a great job of having the sexual tension throughout the whole book. Great if you want some sex and fun.

This was my first Christie Ridgway novel. The storyline starts with Felicity Charm at a crossroads in her life, winning the "Joanie" for best on-air host of her GetTV shopping channel show. She is determined to turn her back on the Charm relatives who raised her from an orphan at age 4 once and for all after having made it in the glitzy world of television sales. While driving her new prize Thunderbird she gets a call from Aunt Vi asking for her help in finding her wayward cousin Ben. Insisting to herself that this is the last time she will involve herself in these family problems, she turns around and ends up losing control of her car (on a road seeded on purpose with nails by her Uncle Billy to enhance his auto repair business) and crashing into another vehicle. Alone in the desert in the pouring rain, cold, hungry and surrounded by tarantulas outside the jeep, Felicity (or Lissie as Michael calls her) takes to Michael, the stranger who seems to have brought her back to life in more ways than one.

After leaving Michael and their almost sexual encounter behind when the tow truck arrives, she is shocked to find that she and Michael Magee have more of a connection through the Charm family. As Felicity struggles to try to turn her back on the backward world of Half Palm California, she finds it difficult to resist the allure of Magee, a former rock climber with more talents than she realized. It is the journey of Felicity putting behind her pre-conceived ideas about people and letting herself lead with her heart that takes the story full circle.

First off, I'm a rather large fan of Ms. Ridgway. Her ability to create characters that the reader can connect with and laugh with is what sets her apart from other authors.

In her latest effort this does not change. We are introduced to Felicity Charm and Michael Magee. Both are characters that do a fairly good job at hiding who they really are. That is until Lissie and Michael run into each other literally. Now all bets are off, and both need to face the fact that what they thought they wanted and needed might not be exactly how they figured.

Felicity comes from a family of...con-artists and scammers. She has worked real hard at getting rid of the "charm" in her life. She is a very successful shopping network hostess. She has just won the "Joanie" (this equals the golden globe in T.V. awards) and feels that she can now work on the idea of proving to Drew (her boss) that she is worthy of being a little more to him than an employee. But...all of this comes to a crashing end when she gets a call from Aunt Vi and a trip back home is put into play. On said trip home she crashes into Michael and this is truly the beginning of a new and more realistic Lissie. Or is it?

Michael can't believe that his very own piece of bad karma has just crashed into his Jeep. He knows that his life is over as he knows it. He has to keep a promise and although it's not exactly what he wants a promise is a promise. Oh, and this promise does not include the sexy, sweet Lissie. Saved by a tow truck (you'll just have to get the book) Michael goes his way and Lissie goes her way...right to the same place. Now Magee is in more trouble than he ever was climbing mountains and rocks. He has a bad case of "Lissie" and she is making his life miserable. He wants her but can't have her...or can he?

Magee and Felicity are great characters. The reader will truly be able to connect with them both. Neither is too pretty, or perfect and this makes their realationship all the more fun to read. They both make bone headed mistakes (just like us fellow mortals) but are able to see the truth in the end. Secondary characters such as Ashely and Jack add to this compelling storyline with one of their very own. This is not to say that this is a story steeped in reality...it's not but it's a wonderful way to escape if only for a little while. I highly recommend Ms. Ridgeway laugh and loved filled reads!

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

I do like vampire books. A lot. But this one was ridiculous!

This books is so full of clichés that it's not even funny. You have a vampire - Strahd - who lives in a dark and misty country, he lives in a ruinous castle but he still wears luxious clothing, he plays the organ and has heaps and heaps of female vampire slaves who blindly follow his orders (if it was written by a man, I would say that the author is trying to stress his masculinity and heterosexuality). But all he does is pine after his lost love Tatyana and murder the villagers.

And take a vampire golden elf - Jander Sunstar - who falls in love with a mad woman *snorts* called Anna and after she dies, he falls through a mist into the country where said vampire lives. And oops, it takes him more than fifty years to figure out that Anna and Tatyana are the same woman and that it was Strahd who caused Anna's madness.

And the names - Maruschka, Petya, Katya... Maybe because I'm Slavic myself it really bothers me that so many authors overuse our names. It's becoming a similar problem like all the apostrophes in fantasy names some years ago.

This story was enticing and kept you hooked all the way to the end.

this story is vivid and touching as good as the first, it suduces you into continueing the seris.

I am reading I, Strahd right now, and I adore this book! It is truly WONDERFUL. One thing is though, I am not sure what order the Ravenloft books go in? Can anyone help me? I know I, Strahd is not the first book...do they go in any particular order?
Thanks for your help!!!
Amy

I went into this book loving the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realm offerings from TSR/WoTC. I have known about the Ravenloft novels for sometime but thought it was a completely different setting and world and while enjoying vampire stories I wasn't ready to plunge into another shared world...I had no idea that it tied into Forgotten Realms (FR)!
Wow! How awesome is that for a setting? All that goes bump in the night in the world of Forgotten Realms takes place here amongst the Dwarven warriors and wizardly elves and others? Yep! That surprised me and thrilled me beyond belief...what a great idea. Grant it there is this mysterious place called Barovia but its still part, somehow, of the world we know and love in FR.
Simply put: this book is outstanding and all the range of emotions were invoked. I felt fear, sadness, relief, disgust, sorrow, happiness, and regret...oh man what a roller coaster of a good time! The ending was not what I expected and was a little let down but then again its not my story but Christie Golden's. The book ends setting up for further stories so I am off to get my hands on them...that is until the sun comes up =)

"Warman's Jewelry," 3rd edition, by Christie Romero, is subtitled "A Fully Illustrated Identification and Price Guide to 18th, 19th, & 20th Century Fine and Costume Jewelry." The book is full of fascinating and useful features, among them an extensive bibliography, glossary, index, and chronology. There are also a number of appendices, including a hallmark identification guide and a guide to the marks and names on Mexican silver jewelry and metalware.

The 272-page book is full of hundreds of clear, beautiful full color photos of jewelry. Each photo is accompanied by essential information on each piece depicted. The items shown represent a huge price span; in this book you'll see a $336,000.00 gem-encrusted platinum bracelet, a $10.00 brooch shaped like a poodle, and lots in between. Many types of jewelry are pictured: necklaces, cufflinks, earrings, lockets, scarf pins, etc. Included are pieces representing a broad variety of artistic approaches: whimsical, elegant, gaudy, graceful, fierce, futuristic.

Also fascinating is the broad range of materials covered: diamonds, emeralds, opals, turquoise, gold, coral, agate, wood, rhinestones, plastic, brass, porcelain, etc. The photography is accompanied by an interesting, well-written text. Jewelry production is placed in historical and cultural context. There are also special sections devoted to jewelry of particular cultures (Native American, Mexican, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish). Interesting trends such as Victorian-era black jewelry and "eye miniatures" are also highlighted. Overall, this is an endlessly interesting and stunningly beautiful reference work.

A great book, with lots of valuble information, but the index, is not accurate.this makes it very frustrating to look things up....warmans should issue partial refunds to the dedicated customers who purchased the book...

AS AN OLDER PERSON, I HAVE 'LIVED THROUGH' MANY OF THE FADS WHICH JEWELRY MANUFACTURERS REFLECT. I STARTED COLLECTING JEWELRY, AND DECIDED TO WRITE A RESOURCE BOOK FOR THE NOVICE. WELL, WHEN I READ MS. ROMERO'S BOOK, I FOUND THAT IT WAS SO INCLUSIVE THAT IN ORDER TO FILL IN THE GAPS, AS IT WERE, MY WORK IS REALLY CUT OUT FOR ME. THIS BOOK IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO ANY JEWELRY COLLECTOR'S REFERENCE LIBRARY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE SPACE TO REVIEW IT.

Over the years, Warman's guides to antiques have established a reputation for reliability. This volume is the third (2002) edition of their jewelry guide. It's lavishly illustrated with examples from many styles, eras, and price ranges. It provides a feast for the eyes and a lot of useful information as well.

Romero divides the material according to time period and, when appropriate, according to style and material and country of origin. She gives concise summaries of the essentials of each and links jewelry fashions to world events and clothing styles. Sometimes her discussions are a little too concise for this curious reader ( to be fair, the book is a guide, not an in-depth treatment), but she provides a full bibliography at the end for those who want to dig deeper. There's also a glossary of jewelry-related terminology and a section on marks.

According to the introduction, this edition reflects the increasing globalization of the marketplace and the influence of internet buying. Romero has expanded coverage of Scandinavian jewelry and added discussions of Neo-Renaissance and Beaux-Arts jewelry. Every illustration is in color, and the captions are fully detailed. Several reviewers of earlier editions mentioned that there were problems with the index. These problems seem to have been corrected in this edition.

Any problems I have with this book are mostly quibbles. The author makes a point of linking changes in jewelry fashions to changes in clothing and in social conditions. I wish that she had put in a few period illustrations showing the fashions and the jewelry worn with them. This is probably a little out of the reach of an identification and value guide, but it would have been a nice touch. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful resource for jewelry collectors and, in fact for anyone who thinks they might like to become one.

As on online vintage jewelry dealer, Atlanta vintage jewelry dot com, Warman's book was one of the first in my reference library. Sure, it has some faults, but not to the degree to make the book 'useless'. I used to spend my evenings in bed reading through the pages, getting familiar with the vast array of information.

The book includes excellent pictures with clarity, and lots of them. It covers jewelry designs from various eras, beginning in the mid-1700's through present day.

Many people in the vintage jewelry circles may refer to Warman's as the 'bible' of vintage jewelry as it also covers both fine and costume.

In spite of its somewhat unreliable index referred to by others, this hefty book is well worth the purchase price. I'm glad for mine.

Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.

Douglas Burton-Christie has produced an excellent, readable work of scholarship that reveals the seminal value of biblical text for the Christian monastics of fourth-century Egypt. Burton-Christie explores the spirituality of these early monks within the three major divisions of the book: The Desert Hermeneutic in Its Setting, Approaches to the Word in the Desert, and The Word Realized. I particularly enjoyed his chapter on "The Humble Way of Christ", which explores the virtue of humility as an essential monastic spiritual trait. He also tackles the often misunderstood concept of monastic renunciation as rightly understood to be a spiritual tool to develop an inner freedom for the monk, which finds its parallels in monastic traditions of other faiths.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in delving more fully into the spirituality of early Christian monasticism as well as for those who wish to see how the primitive roots of Christian monasticism touch other, non-Christian, spiritual traditions. It is particularly gratifying to see how the early monks, while devoted to the study and memorization of Scripture, allowed the Word to work deeply towards a profound expression of Christian love.

The Word in The desert:
This fine study explores the interpretive process and effective application as the center of the desert fathers' quest for holiness. The setting within which the early monastic movement centered was on the guidance of the enlightened Elders, their insight into the good news that set you free, and their schemes of following the Lord by Kenosis into Theosis (The Imitation of Christ).
In three systematic parts, D. Burton-Christie instruct us with a goal: the Realization of the Word, by the Desert Fathers, through careful analysis of their sayings: The Apophthegmata Partum, called by Coptic monks and laity; "The monastic Garden" is his spiritual archeological field. Starting with their hermeneutic, and how scripture was their fountain for holiness. Chapter 3 , is a fascinating tour in their ever living thought. D.B-C reveals secrets of the continuity of Coptic Monastic Traditions: from its origin and through its growth, within the setting in Scetes. Words in response to a question reminded me of Macarius, instructing us in response to Evagrius Ponticus request: "Do not speak, unless when asked to". Wisdom words in response to a question was the basic way of teaching in Alexandria's Catechism: of Q & A., well observed by Roman Catholics today

Theomystical Analysis:
This study represents a radical change in the historical study of the fathers into the source of their spiritual powers and endurance, a main support to Alexandrine Orthodoxy, best represented through Athanasius, and Cyril, both got their monastic training in Nitria. This inward study of the core wisdom of those fathers of the Universal Church is a fruit of a genuine analysis of the reflection of the Word in their life, monasticism and the Church's life in Christ.
The book also discusses the early social organization of the monasteries founded in the desert, Scetes of Nitria and kellia. Through their catechetical discourses with novices and sages, their tradition emerged and grew, developed in the intricate patterns of meaning woven into their words and their lives. Many of them proved their true faith (St. Mark, longer ending), that opens the door to mystical life.

A Wave of Mystical Fascination:
The growing fascination, in recent decades, of the mystical world of late antiquity, renewed in the up surging revival of the desert monastic devotion as illustrated by the ecumenical fellowship of St. Macarius, and visits to St. Anthony communities, only treated their life and some of their sayings, preserved in the Apophthegmata Patrum: (Monastic Garden), giving many anecdotes about their spiritual trials and discipleship to their mentors 'Old men'. In the last two centuries, in the cradle of monasticism, some holy men, Abba Sarap-Amon, the veiled, Abba Abraam, the Almoner Bishop of Fayyum (Arsenoe), and many others, crowned by the thematurge (wonder worker): Papa Abba Kyrillos (1959-71), revived the curiosity of scholars from Leeder to Dr. Inge, the Gloomy dean, and recently from Thomas Merton to Benedicta Ward. Presently, devoted scholarship of C. Kannengiesser, J.McGuckin, O.Meinardus, T. Spidlik, T.Vivian, and J. Watson following W. Budge, D. Chitty, J. Danielou, A. Guillaumont, and U. von Balthassar.

The Quest for Holiness:
Western scholars have mostly focused on the quest for holiness by the early Christian monks known as the desert fathers, and mothers. Yet until now, little attention has been given to their most vital tool of practical spirituality, acquired by their penetrating interpretation of the Scripture, The desert fathers' mystically enlightened hermeneutics. It profoundly shaped every aspect of their lives, rooted in solitude, and cultivated in stillness, a fruit of meditation on the word. Their practical appropriation of the sacred texts, and mystical interpretation of real Christianity, and its unrelenting application in every day life became the central corpus of practice of their enlightening wisdom.

Holiness through TheoGnosis:
Many of these early fourth century desert dwellers had a limited access to the scripture, since the bible was translated to Bohairic Coptic in the late fourth century. They lacked any written spiritual instruction, and some of them could not even read, they would go to their spiritual fathers and beg for a "word of profit: guiding wisdom;" a verse of scripture that they would repeat to themselves, apply it in their daily life and live it within their hearts.
The Elders interpretation of scripture was mostly allegorical, since Origen influence was very profound, its spiritual sense may have grown out of his mystical writings, developed later into apophatic theology. A powerful biblical support was Jesus parable of the publican; Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. They called this unceasing prayer; 'The arrow prayer': Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me.

Douglas Burton-Christie is a professor of Christian Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University specializing in monastic studies. This book is a reworking of his doctoral dissertation. As such, "The Word in the Desert," is extremely throrough, scholarly, and keeps the central thesis in mind throughout.

Burton-Christie's purpose in writing is to examine "how the use and interpretation of Scripture shaped the quest for holiness amongst the desert monks of early Christianity (4)." But before he begins examining the role of Scripture and Sprituality, he devotes significant space to the formation of and life in early monastic communities (and why not? This is a doctoral dissertation). While this section was interesting and provided some necessary foundations, this section was the most frustrating to read as I was anxious for Burton-Christie to actually get into the meat of his thesis.

Once the backgound of monstacism was firmly in place, Burton-Christie moved into monstic ideals of the Holy Life and the role Scriputre played in this life. The interplay between these two ideas made for an informative and enjoyable read. The illustrations were excellent and made the weighty subject matter entertaining. As a result of reading this book, my knowledge of and respect for the monastic lifestyle has grown.

I would recommend this book, but those who have had some historical and/or theoligical training would benefit most from reading it.

Monastic Origins:
Nothing is more likely than Alexandrian Christianity gained adherents among the Therapeutae, and that their institutions were adapted to the new religion. Eusebius was so much struck by the likeness of the Therapeutae to the Christian monks of his own day as to claim that they were Christians converted by the preaching of St Mark, which is most likely.
"The semi anchoritic character of the Therapeutae community, the renunciation of property , the solitude during the six days of the week and the gathering together on Saturday for the common prayer and the common meal, the severe fasting , the keeping alive of the memory of God, the continuous prayer , the meditation and study of Holy Scripture were also practices of the Christian anchorites of the Alexandrian desert." (Prof. C. Scouteris)

The Desert, a City:
In the fourth century, the deserts of Egypt became the center of a resurgent Therapeutae movement, we now call monasticism. Groups of Christians, illiterate peasants as well as learned intellectuals moved out to the deserts beyond the Nile Valley and, in the famous words of Saint Athanasius, made the desert a city. They perfected the techniques of discipleship and spiritual direction, of prayer and asceticism, that have remained central to monasticism ever since. Seeking to guide the soul's long journey into God, plotting out the subtle ills of the human heart, they practiced wisdom sayings, and maintained oral tradition of the Fathers teachings. These Desert monks were also brilliant storytellers, some of Christianity's finest, inspiring the Eastern monastic communities, and translated to became classics of Western spirituality.

The Word in the Desert:
The growing scholarly attention in recent years to the religious world of late antiquity has focused new attention on the quest for holiness by the strange, compelling, often obscure early Christian monks known as the desert fathers. Yet until now, little attention has been given to one of the most vital dimensions of their spirituality: their astute, penetrating interpretation of Scripture. Rooted in solitude, cultivated in an atmosphere of silence, oriented toward the practical appropriation of the sacred texts, the desert fathers' hermeneutic profoundly shaped every aspect of their lives and became a significant part of their legacy. This unique book explores the setting of which the early monastic movement emerged, the elders interpretive methods as a catalyst of the desert fathers' quest for holiness, and the spiritual meaning lived through their words.

Words only as response:
The Word of Biblical wisdom, centered on sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ, were taken seriously by the Desert Fathers, as a personal guide for their lives. Later on, through careful analysis of their sayings: The Apophthegmata Partum, called by Coptic monks and laity; "The monastic Garden" were recorded and used as early as the Pachomian later koinonia, and read to this moment in the refractory during meals to the congregating Coptic monks. Starting with their hermeneutic, and how scripture was their fountain for holiness. D. Burton-Christie offers a fascinating tour in their ever living thought, that reveals secrets of the continuity of Coptic Monastic Traditions: from its origin and through its growth, within the setting in Sketes.
The monastic tradition of silence limits advise to a question, as St. Macarius, instructing us in response to Evagrius Ponticus request: "Do not speak, unless when asked to" i.e. in response to a question. Wisdom words in response to a question was the basic way of teaching in Alexandria Catechetical school, in Q&A., an effective Neoplatonic tradition.

Epilogue:
D. B-C came to few conclusions of his in depth analytical study of the Desert fathers, stressing the vital role at which scripture 'permeated' their experience, and shaped their capacity to make sense and live the word, and inspired their quest for holiness, and shaped their spirituality. He rightly concluded that scripture may have played a central role in this process, and that certain key biblical texts may have influenced the development of early monasticism.
He claims that it is utterly clear that the texts were proclaimed, recited, memorized (especially the Psalms), ruminated upon, and discussed.

Most Cited Scripture:
The author gave an index of Biblical citations and their frequency in the 'Sayings,' the most complete count is from Mortari's translation. Biblical citations from the OT, Psalms is the most frequent, then Genesis, Isaiah, and quotations of Matthew are the most frequent from the NT, followed by Luke and John, Hebrews and James reflect the Alexandrine tradition, from Revelation only 1.
This confirms that in spite of the differences in the sources of the sayings, the Greek translation, albeit some obvious glosses, is generally representative.
For a Coptologist, it is clear that a story as the identity of Melchizedek (p 170) is a Byzantine addition, since this monks bragging is contrary to the tradition.

"The Desert Fathers quest for holiness and the shape of their spirituality, suggests that their continuous rumination upon scripture, their desire to embody the texts in their lives, was a primary source of the compelling spirituality that emerged from the desert." D. Burton-Christie, Epilogue


The Book in perspective:
Twelve years after winning of 'The College Theology Society's 1993 annual Book Award, D. Burton-Christies' revised dissertation, published under the name: The word in the desert, is still holding to its position as 'a major work of scholarship in desert spirituality,' borrowing commonweal's review words, even if the study has limited its main source of the sayings to the Apophthegmata Patrum.

Integrity of the Sayings:
When Didaskalex mentions in his review, "The Apophthegmata Partum, called by Coptic monks and laity; "The monastic Garden," he should have mentioned the inferiority of the Greek secondary writings to the original Coptic sources. As the eminent scholar, Sidney Griffith (thirteenth president of Am. Pat. Soc. 1986-88) has expressed, "But when the scope of the study is Egyptian desert monasticism as a whole, this single work, the Apophthegmata, is too narrow a base to use exclusively. It is time to discuss the monastic phenomenon in a holistic way which does not introduce unnecessary distinctions based on the different languages of the sources, in this instance Coptic and Greek."
The author anticipated a reply to the problem, "The reciprocal literary influence among the various texts from the world of early monasticism make it difficult to find the seams between the different writings. I have already suggested the probability of the Vita Antonii's influence on the Sayings. It is very likely that other early monastic writers, such as Evagrius, also helped shape certain features." (p. 93)

The Word realized:
Fr. S. Griffith wrote, in this book review, "One does not mean to complain immoderately, nor to appear ungrateful for what is on its own term a good study of a timely and an important topic; nor does one want to review a book the author never intended to write." But his own Am. Pat. Soc. successor Charles Kannengiesser, an expert on the subject, in an address "Scripture and Spirituality in Ancient Christianity;" set his goal as "relevant for our contemporary self identification as Christians,' not to 'announce an archaeological survey.'
D. B-Christie concluded in his epilogue that, on at least three levels, "It is now possible to see with renewed clarity the profound way in which scripture shaped the spirituality of the early Christian monks." These are in order: shedding new light on our historical understanding of early monasticism, promoting monks to make sense of and living within the world of scripture, and a new meaning for the quest for holiness.

And Then There Were None, the brilliant masterwork by the much imitated Agatha Christie is a complicated yet accessible murder mystery. Ten guests arrive at an island, each with a different secret, and each uniquely mysterious. When all the guests have gathered, a mysterious voice, U.N. Owen??? indicts each for a crime. The bloodletting follows. Good luck solving this mystery. The Denouement is nothing short of brilliant.

Required reading for Mystery fans. A 5 star classic!

This book makes your hands numb, because you will never be able to let go of this welly-formulated masterpiece. As my school started a reading program, the name Agatha Christie kept flashing. I had heard about Murder on the Orient Express, so I asked for it. It wasn't in stock, so a librarian recommended And Then There Were None. I was still excited for a mysterfy book, since I am a hard core mystery fan. The first chapter was a bewildering opening. Therefore, I had to use CliffNotes. After that chapter, things made 100% sense. The Plot: 8 people, brought by an unknown U.N. Owen to a private island with an enormmous mansion on it. When the 8 people arrive, the U.N. Owen is absent, but the recently hired maid and butler are there, which makes 10 people. After a strange recorder turns on announcing each person's name, then followed by who they each caused the death of. Slowly, the secrets pour out. And slowly, people are murdered, accoarding to a poem called ten little indians. And as each one dies, one of the 10 figurines of indians on the kitchen table dissapear. I bet you are know exhilirated to read this phenomenal novel.

And Then There Were None Review


In my opinion, I think the book was good. The best part was the suspense.
It makes you think about what will happen to everybody; who will die and who is the killer. I also liked the setting: Indian Island, before modern times, island shaped like a head, no technology or transportation, so they have to wait a week before the boat will come, but while they are supposed to wait, each person one by one dies from the ten guests, all according to the poem Ten Little Indian Boys, most of the time in its general sense. But at some times, it was easy to predict who would die though. I like the genre too, mystery, they are the ones with the most excitement. At the same time, it kind of got annoying since it was a typical mystery book. I know this because there were some other mystery books where people died that way. I had also not liked the end. I found out who the killer was, but it did not have that much excitement. But in majority, most people should read this book if they want to be introduced to mystery because it is a very great introduction for it.

In the book And Then There Were None, the setting is a very important part of the story takes place on Indian Island. When the story takes place on island it also adds to the suspense. On the island there are no telephones or any other way to contact anyone for help, and even if a person wanted to help the killer said not to help them in anyway. A person named Fred Narracot is not coming because the killer has told him not to come. If the guests on the island heliographed for help, people on shore has been told to ignore the signals.

The suspense is that the guests that have been invited to the island and there is no way of contacting anyone on shore. There is a killer among the people. Someone named U.N.Owen is the killer. There is also no telephone on the island. No one can help the guests, they are all in danger.
The author, Agatha Christie makes it look like anyone could be the killer. A guest named Phillip Lombard brings a revolver to the house, and a person named Emily Brent was gone the morning someone was killer. I also liked the author's style. I think I will read some more of her books.
I really liked this book. At the end of each chapter, I was always at the edge of my seat thinking about what would happen next. I would call this book a very exciting page turner. I would suggest people to read this book.
When I read this book I thought it was going to be boring, but it turned out to be a very good book, in my opinion. After reading this book I learned to like mystery books. Even though some people didn't like this book I think it was one of the best books I have ever read. I recommed this book to people who would like to read about mysteries.

And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie

There is a classic murder mystery story known as "the locked room mystery". Someone is found murdered in a room locked from the inside. No one could have left the room! How did it happen? In this story the locked room is an island where no one can enter or leave. The ten people on this island are murdered one by one. An old nursery rhyme of "ten little Indians" provides a blueprint for the mysterious deaths. Logically, the last man standing would be the presumed murderer, by the process of elimination. But what if the murderer died before?

This is an example of the classic English murder mystery. The murder exists to provide an intellectual puzzle to entertain the reader. The participants are mostly the middle-class, and not ordinary people. No one works on an assembly line or other manual labor; even if they may be the customers for this product. Children are absent. The scene is a large house owned by a rich man. Raymond Chandler pointed out the differences in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder". Most murders occur because of sex or money, to get it or to keep it. Chandler commented on the highly artificial murder plots which multiply clues that experienced detectives would see through. You can compare these stories to True Crime.

Chapter XI references one locked room mystery in America. An old gentleman and his wife were killed with an axe. The maid couldn't have done it. The respectable middle-aged daughter was acquitted. No other explanation was ever found. Who killed them?

Surprise Hit! Terrific Story - Immensely entertaining. Fabulous humor throughout

I was completely engaged with all the characters and loved the story. 36 year old Kate Ryan is a wonderfully endearing character and her love interest 23 year old Maggie is a mystery herself that unfolds as the book progresses. Kate is very human, I enjoyed her mistakes as well as her triumphs.

This is a Keeper.

Great news! The sequel, 'A Nice Clean Murder', is now available!

I PURCHASED THIS BOOK BECAUSE I KNOW THE AUTHOR AND WAS TOLD BY MUTUAL FRIENDS THAT SHE HAD WRITTEN A BOOK. I WAITED WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION FOR IT'S ARRIVAL, KNOWING IT WAS GOING TO BE A GREAT READ! SINCE KATE AND I WORKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS, I KNEW HER STORY-TELLING PROWESS AND HER WITTY SENSE OF HUMOR; BOTH OF WHICH SHE DELICATELY WEAVES INTO THIS MYSTERY TALE. HER CHARACTERS ARE DELIGHTFUL; HER HEROINE, KATE RYAN, IS VERY REAL AND BELIEVABLE, AND THE STORY WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING TIL THE END. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HER NEXT "KATE RYAN MYSTERY" NOVEL.
GET WRITING KATIE! LOVE, BOOM BOOM.

Free-lance photographer, Kate Ryan is asked by friends to investigate a series of "incidents" at the home of their friend, Dr. Margaret "Maggie" Winfield. An investigation that Kate hesitates to undertake for reasons that still wound her soul. Nevertheless, she agrees to help only to find that Maggie doesn't want it. Why?

Kate knows the town of Cedar Lake holds a mystery. What that mystery is remains to be discovered. However it most assuredly is a mystery that Maggie's aunt Hannah is determined to see unraveled. Her determination to do whatever it takes soon sets all three women on a path of which there may be no return.

As luck would have it and just when all seems at a standstill, help arrives in the forms of Kate's sister Teri, who possesses a certain "skill"that may just be the key, and brother-in-law, Mac who join forces with the others. However it soon becomes apparent to all, that despite their best efforts to uncover who is behind everything, the cuplrit is able to remain one-step ahead of them. How? Who would have motive enough to want to cause harm to Maggie and the people she holds dear? And just exactly who is it that is trying to lead Kate to clues, clues which could uncover their identity? Could this same person also be causing the strange behavior of her dog Chance?

As the investigation unfolds, Kate and Maggie find they have gone from antagonists to reluctant friends...will love ever follow? If Time, Fate or Mother Earth knows, they certainly don't seem to be telling either of the women. However, there is someone who is definitely interested in the answer to that question - a woman who once had Maggie's love and lost it.

New author Kate Sweeney, in her first book of a planned series, certainly captures the reader's interest as she skillfully takes each of her characters on a journey laden with drama, mystery and intrigue. Her second book due out in the coming months, tentatively titled A Nice Clean Murder, is sure to be another dynamic offering to an appreciative audience.

I just finished "She Waits" by Kate Sweeney, and I want to let one and all know what a great book this is. Since my first Nancy Drew at nine years old, I have loved reading and this book is a perfect example of why. The sometimes clumsy but always engaging Kate Ryan is now one of my favorite heroines, transporting me into the midst of her adventures with great humor, leading the pack from somewhere in the middle, and solving other people's problems while doing her best to face her own. The author has surrounded her with family and friends who are so well written you feel as if you've known them all your life. Add the clever plot, complete with twists and surprises and just a hint of romance (which I am eager to see develop in the series), and you have one of the most entertaining books I've read in some time. This first-time out for author Kate Sweeney couldn't be more fun and enjoyable and I expect the rest of the series will be more of the same.

Kate Sweeney introduces a new mystery series with her first book She Waits. Her heroine Kate Ryan is a klutz. She doesn't mean to be, but Kate can't seem to do much without having an accident of some sort. Kate was once a private investigator, but, after a horrible incident that is never fully explained, she gave up that occupation to become a very successful wildlife photographer. When the book opens, she is on her way to Galena, Ill., to spend a peaceful weekend with her sister. While she is in the area, some friends have asked her to visit a friend of theirs who is having some problems. Maggie Winfield has had some strange things happen to her and her friends are hoping that Kate can help her figure out what is going on. Maggie doesn't want anyone else to help her, especially Kate after the way they meet. Kate is driving down the road and nearly hits Maggie as she crosses the road at a high rate of speed on her horse. As the mystery unfolds it is clear that Maggie's rather eccentric family is hiding secrets and that these secrets are related to what is happening to Maggie. There is a string of unusual deaths, including Maggie's parents and a long time family employee. Maggie is quite wealthy and her death would make someone very rich. Then there's the ex-girlfriend Allison who seems to be tied into everything. Kate has more clues than she knows what to do with and they don't seem to fit together.

Two of the best characters in the book are Maggie's Aunt Hannah and Kate's dog Chance. Hannah is the walking definition of blunt, irrepressible and buttinski. Sometimes it's difficult to tell what interests her more, solving the mystery or getting Kate and Maggie together. Chance is a gem. Totally dedicated to her mistress....or whoever will scratch behind her ears, and with a sharp nose that keeps turning up the clues in the case.

Sweeney has written a well-structured book to introduce a new series.

Although those interested in experimental British novelist B.S. Johnson, who killed himself at the age of 40 in 1973, should probably begin reading this enigmatic writer with his second novel Albert Angelo, Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry is an imaginative black-comic tale of a bookkeeper's effort to take revenge on society for all perceived and real slights. The double-entry book described by the title is quite literal and its pages show up frequently throughout the book. The novel contains some of Johnson's most spirited comic writing and is a quick read (it can be read in two or three hours) once you know the main conceit--that of Christie's entry book and the bizarre nature of his entries. Oddly enough, this strange but wonderful novel might offer insight into a certain kind of terrorist mind--the Unabomber comes to mind. Incidentally, there's a wonderful new biography of B.S. Johnson by Jonathan Coe called Fiery Elephant. You might look there for further information and analysis of this wicked and fun novel. Some "tricks" used by Johnson in his other novels seem thin forty years later--The Unfortunates is a box novel and readers are encouraged to shuffle the chapters (with the exception of first and last)and read them in random order; Albert Angelo has a cut-out on the bottom of several pages ostensibly to let reader's see ahead to the future (on page 152!!!)--though Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry holds up rather nicely. Still I wish this very talented writer had spent less time coming up with sometimes dubious formal innovation (dubious not because they are insincere but because other authors seem to have beat BSJ to the punch)and just given us more of his often splendid wit and prose.

This book felt like somewhere between an argumentative essay on the state of fiction and an actual story - but it was wound wondefully together. Managed to make me laugh out loud a few times, which I don't do very often when reading books; mostly because the author managed to twist things so violently away from what I was expecting to read.

Very self-referential, but somehow gets away with it completely. Original idea to write about, and an nteresting style of writing that made me want to go and discover more of his work.

B.S. Johnson is the most important writer you've never heard of. read his books, learn the truth you little cryptorchid.

I read Christie Malry's Own Double Entry when I was about 15 - I got it from the local library as it is generally out of print in the UK, a tribute to British library services in the 1970s and no tribute to British publishing at any time - and I had never, and still haven't ever, read anything like it. Its "experimental" qualities - distancing, irony, the extraordinary ending - descend from Laurence Sterne and all that but Johnson's tone - political, cynical and above all very funny - was all his own. Christie Malry should have been the first in a line of great novels instead of the last. With luck, Johnson fan and influencee Jonathan Coe's forthcoming biog and the reprint of The Unfortunates should see a mass reprint of Johnson's work that will overwhelm the cack-faced sludge of manky novels about people with trust funds pretending to be interesting in West London.

David Quantick, London March 6 1999

BS Johnson is one of those experimental writers, controversial during their lives that subsequently vanishes from print. Johnson was a journalist, a socialist, and a fine novelist. Best known for The Unfortunates (his book in a box where every chapter is separately bound and the reader is invited to read them in any order he or she wishes), Christie Malry's Own Double Entry is perhaps his most accessible novel.

However, this "accessibility" is in the midst of a studiedly experimental text. This is a corruscating satire in which Johnson targets one of the symbols of capitalism, the double entry system. The very basis of accountancy, and the manipulation of finance, Johnson turns this building block on its head as his central character, Christie Malry, a young man with a future, decides that he will live his life accoridng to the principles of double entry.

Johnson's novel has acute observations on a variety of issues in British life that still merit comment. How working class people come to vote conservative, the manner in which people's worth is measured financially; and all of this is in the midst of an angry satire where Malry wreaks vengeance on the system. It is a bitter cycnical novel, with a dark wit.

There is love, sex, and death; and an unusual use for shaving foam. And all of this is presented in a slightly distant way, where Johnson continually turns to the reader and winks, letting you know this is a novel. Characters are aware of their place in fiction, and Johnson deconstructs the novel to let you see how it works.

This description may be off putting, but this is classy fiction. It is funny, and angry. I enjoyed this work, but preferred Johnson's The Unfortunates; which I feel has more depth, and more humanity.

If you enjoyed this you may like Graham Greene's Dr Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party or Michael Dibdin's Dirty Tricks (a Thatcherite satire).

I think, the best book about the Europe birds. Excellent and exact ilustrations and apposite text. The book for home use (too large). I recommend it for all friends of birds.

No need to panic...no need for warnings. Maybe it wasn't obvious to the last reviewer, but the reason why one may want to consider buying both books is obvious: this book is a magnificent reference edition, not to be carried out in the field, which is where the "Birds of Europe" paperback comes in. It is the same book and the authors are the same (it's not just Killian Mullarney in the paperback edition) but it is not an uncommon thing as they serve two different purposes. "The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe" IS the U.S. version of the "Collins Bird Guide", the much praised U.K. version which, in my opinion, offers truly helpful reviews. As far as this book goes, being a Sibley fan, I consider it the European counterpart of the Sibley guide...and oh, the price is good too.

This is a superb book well laid out with gorgeous illustrations and full of useful information. It was difficult to find because the publisher saw fit to produce a pocket version of this sumptuous opus which, whilst being handy, unfortunatley replaced the larger version. Yet it is only in this larger version that the wonderful details in the illustrations really come out and come alive.

fabulous book but too large and heavy to use as a field guide. I thought I was buying a smaller book like a field guide, but will keep it as a reference book.

There might very well be a valid reason to buy two versions of the same book. I completely agree. However, it's vital that the consumer *know* that before he or she makes that purchase. Amazon has one book listed with one title and author, the other listed with a different title and different author. To 'recommend' that the consumer buy both books (at a very minimal discount) without stating flat out that they're both the same book is false advertising and most likely illegal in the United States.

However, it appears Amazon figured it out finally and withdrew the offer, so I've edited out my earlier "review".

We had seen heard so much about this broadway show that my husband wanted to read the book before attending the show. It was helpful for him.

Orginal title 'Three Blind Mice and Other Stories.' Features Hecule Poirot and my favorite, Miss Marple, along with Harley Quin. 9 short stories, one just as thrilling as the next. Titles:
Three Blind Mice, Strange Jest, Tape-Measure Murder, The Case of the Perfect Maid, The Case of teh Caretaker, The Third-Floor Flat, The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly, Four and Twenty Blackbirds and The Love Detectives.

Another Agatha Christie, what can I say... If you like all the others you'll like this.

Try a real book sometime. There are plenty on amazon. You could try Our Mutual Friend by C Dickens.

The guests of a newly opened bed and breakfast, Monkswell Manor, outside of London, are snowed in. The news on the radio tells of a murder that occurred in Paddington, a few hours away. A notebook dropped on the scene leads investigators to Monkswell Manor. All of the people in the house fit the profile of the murderer, a traveler wearing a dark coat and a beret. Mollie and Giles, the manor's owners, experience marriage turbulence as they begin to suspect each other. An older woman is disturbed by a young man who finds the murder humorous. The inn's occupants become very nervous when Inspector Trotter, a ski-happy investigator, arrives at the abode threatening to unveil the secrets that each character is holding. The investigator suggests that everyone there is not only a suspect but also a possible next victim by presenting evidence of a "Three Blind Mice" theme the murderer has been using. Whose secrets will be unveiled and whose will be silenced for eternity?

Who would have ever guessed Christie can do plays to outshine her books? "The Mousetrap" excellently portrays its characters in a concise, yet thorough manner. Christie's dry,English wit is as humorous today as it was in the '40s. Mollie and Giles are a young couple who have just started to run a bed and breakfast called Monkswell Manor. Great character development (as usual with Christie) takes place as guest after quirky guest arrives on-scene to stay at the Manor. Things start to move quickly when Trotter, an odd and fierce police sergeant, arrives on the scene to investigate Monskwell Manor and it's inhabitants in conjunction with a murder that just occured that very same day. "Three Blind Mice" is the murderer's theme, Trotter tells them, and one person has already been killed, leaving (insert suspenseful gasp here) 2 people for the murderer to do away with.The victms? Yet to be determined. The killer? At Monkswell Manor, unbeknownst. The play itself? Screaming fun.