The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor

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.

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.

Hercule Poirot enjoys his visits to estates and stays at country manors. But, put him in the rural town and local lodging, and he is out of his element. For, Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective is not a country boy. As in some other episodes, when he has to deal with the smells and droppings of animals in the middle of town, Poirot's patience and normally genteel manner are tested in "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor."

This is a fine mystery with much intrigue. But now add a local inn proprietor, Samuel Naughton, who is a writer of mysteries and it's almost too much to ask of Poirot to keep his calm. All is not lost, though because Naughton is a source of information as well as a good-hearted chap who helps lend some comedy to this episode.

Otherwise, it would tend to be dark. Is there haunting at the old manor, as a legend has it? Is there something of the occult that Susan Maltravers encounters? The music in this episode reminds one of the constant threatening undertone in the movie, "Jaws." Poirot solves a murder of a most unique method.

Here are a couple favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the episode film.

Captain Hastings, "Ah, Poirot. Sleep well?" Hercule Poirot, "Like a top, Hastings. I am turning and spinning all of the night."

Innkeeper, Samuel Naughton, "Was the accommodation all right?" Hercule Poirot, "No, Monsieur Naughton. The accommodation was all wrong. The duck feather pillows - I fear the little ducks are still in them."