Between 7:30 and 8:30 every morning except Sundays, Johnnie Butt made the round of the village of Chipping Cleghorn on his bicycle, whistling vociferously through his teeth, and alighting at each hours or cottage to shove through the letterbox such morning papers as had been ordered by the occupants of the house in question from Mr. Totman, stationer, of the High Street. Thus, at Colonel and Mrs. Easterbrook's he delivered The Times and the Daily Graphic; at Mrs. Swettenham's he left The Times and the Daily Worker; at Miss Hinchcliffe and Miss Murgatroyd's he left the Daily Telegraph and the New Chronicle; at Miss Blacklock's he left the Telegraph, The Times and the Daily Mail.
At all these houses, and indeed at practically every house in Chipping Cleghorn, he delivered every Friday a copy of the North Benham News and Chipping Cleghorn Gazette, known locally simply as "the Gazette."A Murder is Announced
by Agatha Christie
This opening doesn't give much of a plot hint, but I appreciate how Agatha Christie sets the scene and lists the players. As the opening continues, we get more of a sense of the tiny village and its quirky inhabitants.
I started A Murder is Announced over the weekend to kick off Carl's R.I.P. IX event. Christie is also on my Classics Club list, and Katherine can be very persuasive, too. Here's the goodreads summary:
The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which read: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m.' Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the ppointed time when, without warning, the lights go out ...Would you keep reading? Are you an Agatha Christie fan?
Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
Yes, definitely yes!
ReplyDeleteThe opening doesn't completely entice . . . but I would probably continue in any case, to see what the author is trying to establish.
ReplyDeleteLeila - I agree. The opening didn't do much for me either, but once she started introducing the characters, it got much better.
DeleteHope it's a great read for you! I haven't read any Agatha Christie since high school . . . now I can't remember which ones I read! I think quite a few, but not this one.
DeleteYou had me at English village. I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/09/first-chapter-first-paragraph-74-and.html
Catherine - An English village gets me every time, too!
DeleteI am embarrassed to admit that I haven't yet read an Agatha Christie mystery, but I have been longing to do so...I love the sound of this one, and how the author reels us in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
Laurel - This is only the second Christie I've read. Just discovered her a year or two ago with And Then There Were None.
DeleteI have not read Agatha Christie yet. I am curious about the story. I'm not sure if I would like the classical style of writing. This might be a good one to start with.
ReplyDeletePat - It's not exactly 'modern' writing, but I like it!
DeleteI love that we are both reading Agatha this week. A Murder Is Announced is one I haven't read yet but, its on the list. I hope you enjoy the story.
ReplyDeleteMargot - This is just my second Christie, but I have a feeling I'll be reading more!
DeleteThose opening sentences sure are long, but they left me wanting more. I love the book's title too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
Sandy @ Texas Twang.
Sandra - They sure are long, but the book is good so far.
DeleteAt one time I read so much Agatha Christie I don't even know which ones I've read and which I haven't. It was always fun trying to figure out the mystery before she revealed the answer though.
ReplyDeleteSuzie - I'm new to Christie, but can see how she could become addictive!
DeleteI'm not sure why, but for some reason Agatha Christie novels don't grab me. Hope you enjoy, though!
ReplyDeleteToday I'm featuring The Girl Who Came Home.
Kim - I haven't read enough Chrisite to make any generalizations yet. This is just my second one, but I loved And Then There Were None.
DeleteThis is the second Agatha Christie I've stumbled on this week for Intros and/or teasers. I am yet to read one by her. Here's my intro for the week.
ReplyDeleteSarah M. - I think Margot and I must be on the same wave length this week ;-)
DeleteI was wondering if there was an Agatha Christie event going on - this is the second one of her books I've seen today! I loved And Then There Were None....so, I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteHere's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-back-channel-stephen-l-carter/
Sarah - No event that I know of, but Christie is on the RIP list for many of us!
DeleteI would...and did. I recently started reading her again after enjoying all the TV adaptations.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I never went through the Christie phase in my younger years as many other did. I may make up for lost time now ;-)
DeleteAaah more Agatha Christie! I really want to read one of her books because I have an undying love for Hercule Poirot, but somehow I've never gotten around to it! High time, I think! Thanks for sharing :) hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
Juli - This is an Agatha Christie-heavy week for Tuesday Intros! I somehow missed all these wonderful mysteries when I was younger.
DeleteYou have no idea how excited I am that you're reading this one! I love Marple and this is one I always forget about! She definitely isn't one for the killer intros - much more of a scene builder. I hope you enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - This is definitely a slow build... and I'm enjoying it very much!
DeleteIt's Agatha Christie, of course I'd keep reading!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Agatha Christie has a pretty solid foundation of fans among book bloggers... I'm impressed.
DeleteOh yes, this sounds like a great AC mystery, but then was there ever a horrible one? LOL Great pick Joann - enjoy
ReplyDeleteDiane - I don't have much experience with Christie, but I doubt she has a horrible title to her name!
DeleteOh yes, I will always read Agatha!
ReplyDeleteNise' - I'm sure I'll be reading more!
DeleteI love Miss Marple - adore her! I liked the opening scene and how she introduces the villagers. Very clever.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn - This is my first meeting with Miss Marple!
DeleteI keep thinking I need to read a few Agatha Christie Novels. Enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - It's very enjoyable so far :)
DeleteI honestly can't remember if I've read this, or just seen the recent Marple version (more than once). I'm tempted to find a copy, to see if it jogs my memory. I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I'll have to look for the television adaptation when I'm done!
DeleteWell, it's Christie! Of course I'd keep reading. I haven't read this one ... hope you love it.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - Think I'll be reading more Christie... not sure how I missed that phase in my younger years!
DeleteIt is a slow start but it does an admirable job of introducing the characters and village, as you say. Yes, I would continue...if fact, I think I might have already done so but it's due for a reread.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy :)
JaneGS - I've read about a third of it so far, but have been totally engrossed with An American Tragedy this week. Need to get back to this one!
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