The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor

Like many of the Poirot episodes, this came from a short story, and the writers needed to invent a number of details in order to fill things out. In this case they chose to add details both spooky and silly. On the spooky side, the wife of the dead man seems to be obsessed with the ghosts that allegedly haunt the house. The atmosphere is made darker through the effective use of both the soundtrack and an especially sinister looking cedar tree. On the other hand, comic relief comes in by way of a local innkeeper who invites Poirot and Hastings to have a look at the mystery novel he's in the middle of writing. Add in a painting and a local wax museum (where a room with statues of Poirot and Charlie Chaplin provides an excellent backdrop for the amusing final moments of the episode) and you have all the elements of a charming case for our favorite detective to solve.

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

There are Christie's works (essentially short stories) which deal with supernatural.Some of her best novels ,although "rational", have a "horror and fantasy " side: "And then there were none" "Peril at end house" "five little pigs" ....

"Tragedy at Mardson Manor" is a delight for Christie's fans :it features a good dose of humor (the innkeeper who calls Poirot cause there are murders in his village : actually he is writing a novel),a mansion which may be haunted ,a young woman in distress,and even a man who rises from the dead ,à la "les Diaboliques" .

Poirot(David Suchet) is in top form,his interpretation of the painting is brilliant.And last but not least ,in the wax museum ,when he hears his colleagues go into raptures over a statue,he is as vain as ever ...until he realizes they're speaking of Charlie Chaplin's one.

David Renwick wrote the 'The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor' and adds his brand of humour rather well. Such as Poirot and Hastings arrive at a hotel hastily to meet a man who has an important case to solve. It turns out to be the hotel owner who has written a mystery book and has got writer's block regarding the denouement.

Pretty soon after stumbling on to his own waxwork model, Poirot comes across the death of the wealthy owner of Marsdon Manor, Jonathan Travers. He was recovering from an operation on his ulcer which seems to be the cause of his death.

Poirot suspects foul play, his younger wife, Susan believes supernatural elements are at work. That her husband died of fright. There is a mysterious traveller from Africa who checked in at the same hotel as Poirot who has swiftly disappeared.

This is a nifty mystery, well balanced with humour and Poirot always one step ahead. The reveal is a little difficult to buy but works well in context as you always suspect the culprit was someone closely tied to the victim.

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