#quarantinechristie

[quarantinechristie]

#28 - The Thirteen Problems

Wow, am I ever behind! In that case I’ve at least got some good news for you - I actually just finished my 31st Christie, which means you’re gonna get a couple of uploads in the next few days after these months of silence.

Today we’re checking out another short story collection - arguably the most beloved of all of Christie’s collections of this kind. It’s unlucky number The Thirteen Problems!

The short story collections seem to all share one thing in common, which is though the crimes they present are many, they are often less severe than what would take place in a full-length novel (read: theft or blackmail instead of murder). I think it’s important to know that going in, since it can be a little jarring. This text shows how clever it is by raising the stakes via connection as opposed to severity, as the crimes often concern people the members of the Tuesday Night Club know personally. 

It’s a lot of fun to watch Miss Marple and her mystery-maniac pals get to work, and though I was worried it would be repetitive, the ironic humor that comes with Miss Marple besting detectives and writers every time does not wear off. She gets to put her brilliance front and center here. 

It’s clear why this is the favoured collection of short stories, at least so far. You could make an argument that since the crimes have passed the stakes are lowered, but hey - if The Daughter of Time taught us anything, it’s that justice is compelling no matter the temporal distance. 

I give this collection an 8/10! The colour is moss green - a good mix of soft and mysterious...

Oh, by the way - I guess this is technically no longer quarantinechristie since we’re out of quarantine now, but I’m keeping the name cause it works! Love ya!