The Seven Dials Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)

by Agatha Christie (Author) "That amiable youth, Jimmy Thesiger, came racing down the big staircase at Chimneys two steps at a time..." (more)
Key Phrases: alarum clocks, Lady Coote, Sir Oswald, Lord Caterham (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'Her gift is pure genius.' Observer 'An amusing, exciting, well-written story.' Outlook 'All signs indicate that Mrs Christie has been reading P.G. Wodehouse, and she does it very well in spots. This is her gayest thriller and mustn't be missed.' Books --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Agatha Christie's classic novel featuring Superintendent Battle and 'Bundle' Brent. Gerry Wade had proved himself to be a champion sleeper; so the other house guests decided to play a practical joke on him. Eight alarm clocks were set to go off, one after the other, starting at 6.30 a.m. But when morning arrived, one clock was missing and the prank had backfired with tragic consequences. For Jimmy Thesiger in particular, the words 'Seven Dials' were to take on a new and chilling significance... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Mm) (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061002755
• ISBN-13: 978-0061002755
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,858,342 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her better novels, May 12, 1999

By A Customer

I enjoyed this book both as a great depiction of England between the wars as well as a mystery. Unlike some of Dame Agatha's other works, here I genuinely was kept in suspense till the end as to the identity of the criminal. But even more interesting was the characters who make their second appearance after "The Secret of Chimneys" which was also entertaining, but less suspenseful. I loved reading about the adventures of Lord Caterham and Bundle again, both of whom are as funny and sharp as ever. I would definitely recommend the book to even those Christie fans who only prefer Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries - it's good enough to stand on its own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Enough Addition to the Previous Secret of Chimneys, July 8, 2005

By	Ricky Hunter (New York City, NY United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Seven Dials Mystery (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Seven Dials Mystery takes a few characters from the thriller/comedy Secret of Chimneys and finishes up their romantic storylines, as it were. The mystery itself is a bit silly and a bit fun. It takes Agatha Christie's usual secret society silliness and tweaks it a little while she, for a change, pooks fun at the genre of which she has been such a part in the twenties. The action bounces between three country homes and a club in London so that it never veers too far from territory the author is comfortable in. The character are, therefore, a little more stock than usual but she does get a chance to give Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent) a chance to shine that the character never quite got in the previous book. A slight, nice slice of summer reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret of Chimneys Part 2, January 27, 2004

By	Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Seven Dials Mystery (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY is set 4 years after THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS (1929&1925) and also takes place in that 'Stately Home' Chimneys.

Lord Caterham has taken his family, including oldest daughter 'Bundle' AKA Lady Eileen, abroad in search of peace and quiet after all the excitement that had occured in THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS. He has leased Chimneys to Sir Oswald and Lady Coote who have decided to have one last weekend party before their lease ended. The house is filled with 'bright young things' but one of the party, Gerry Wade has been a difficult guest in that he was consistently late to breakfast. That was bad enough but then he was found dead one morning.

After the Cootes moved out and the Caterhams returned, Bundle found herself bored with country life and decided to return to London. On the way she ran into (literally)a young man, his dying words to her "Seven Dials...tell....Jimmy Thesiger" set Bundle and her friends on the trail of a mystery.

Bundle and Bill Eversleigh (also in THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS) are reunited as they try to solve the murders and the secret of the Seven Dials. False identities, red herrings and secret societies abound until Bundle and Bill, with the aid of Superintendent Battle resolve the mysteries.

This, like THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS, is Agatha Christie a la P. G Wodehouse. Far from the serious mystery that Christie is famous for, this is a comedy with mystery overtones. If you like Wodehouse you'll like this book, but if you are looking for a serious puzzler look elsewhere.