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

It's ok. None of them are bad but a few aren't very faithful adaptations. This is one of them. The plot lines and sub plots felt very contrived for TV. It didn't feel too much like Poirot or Christie.

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.

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."