The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor

From 1991, "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor" is an excellent Poirot, with he and Hastings headed to meet a man who has a case for them to solve. When they arrive at the hotel where they are to meet him, they learn he has a case all right -- his own. He's written a book, has written his characters into a corner and wants Poirot to help him come up with an ending. Poirot is livid.

However, a real case does appear, that of the death of the owner of Marsdon Manor, Jonathan Travers. He was suffering from an ulcer and is found dead. His wife, Susan, insists that he died of fright and that the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was killed there. In fact, Mrs. Maltravers is terrified and keeps seeing her sitting in a tree. It looks like a good case for Poirot.

Really delightful, with Poirot visiting himself in the local wax museum and also visiting a doctor to learn about the late man's condition. When he announces his name to the receptionist, she tells the doctor, "Doctor, there is a gentleman outside who is suffering from Hercule Poirot." With Suchet as Poirot, there is no such thing as suffering.

I would list the Tragedy at Marsdon Manor as one of my favourite Poirot episodes. It has so much to it, so many wonderful ingredients in the mix, great characters, great location, humour, a supernatural element, and of course we see Poirot's ego take a small beating.

I can't fault the story at all, it's so clever, so detailed, you wonder how the murderer could possibly have done it, and what possible motive they'd have had. I love the ending, the way it's put together and played out. Poirot is at his very best, his grey cells are put to good use as he discovers the flaw in the evidence.

It's visually very appealing, the house and location work look superb. I especially enjoyed the scenes where the villagers are receiving gas mask training, the authenticity is exceptional.

Terrific performances, Geraldine Alexander is fantastic, no stranger to quality Agatha Christie dramas of course, how her character differs here to the soft Gwenny in Sleeping Murder.

I loved Poirot's scenes with the Hotel owner, that whole conversation about kippers and Grimsby is hilarious, you can see David Renwick's influence on the writing, truly very funny.

One of my favourites. 10/10

Poirot and Hastings visit the village of Marsden Leigh, at the request of the local hotel owner, Samuel Naughton. Poirot thinks he has been invited down to solve a crime but is disappointed to discover that Mr Naughton simply wants him to read the draft of his book, a murder novel. Poirot's disappointment is compounded when, out of boredom, he reads the book and discovers that the crime is unsolvable! Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Poirot an actual murder has just been committed, at nearby Marsdon Manor, and he police seek Poirot's assistance. The owner, Jonathan Maltravers, was found dead under a tree, a tree that is believed to be haunted, leading to the suspicion that he was frightened to death. Poirot immediately ascertains that foul play was involved, and calls in Chief Inspector Japp.

Quite intriguing, with a few good twists and turns. The ultimate clue is quite clever too. Not easy to tell for sure who the murderer is, though the suspect list is quite short.

Some good sub-plots too, in particular the crime novel/novelist and the wax museum.

The climax feels a bit contrived though, and takes some of the shine off the episode.

When the story begins, Susan Maltravers appears to be a bit of an...eccentric. She claims that the blackbirds are screaming at her and that they are the spirit of some woman who killed herself many years ago on the property. And, throughout the story, she seems very odd to say the least.

One day, Mrs. Maltravers' sickly husband is found dead near that same tree where she claimed blackbirds were screaming at her. Naturally, Poirot investigates and comes up with some startling results...of which you'll have to see for yourself!

This is a decent installment of "Poirot" and although the ending didn't surprise me too much, it was an interesting story and is well worth seeing.

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor isn't my personal favourite but it is one of them. It is very atmospheric and has some funny little things too("Doctor, there is a gentleman outside who seems to be suffering from Hercule Poirot" is one of the funniest moments in a Poirot episode). Plus it is very well made with beautiful production values and fluid photography, almost film-noir-like, and the music is very good. As is the writing and the story is never less than compelling. The direction is good enough, while the acting especially from David Suchet who is yet to give a bad performance as Poirot is excellent. So all in all, a fine episode and one of the best. 9/10 Bethany Cox