By the Pricking of My Thumbs (Tommy & Tuppence, #4)

by Agatha Christie

An old woman in a nursing home speaks of a child buried behind the fireplace...

When Tommy and Tuppence visited an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they thought nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada was a very difficult old lady.

But when Mrs Lockett mentioned a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs Lancaster talked about `something behind the fireplace', Tommy and Tuppence found themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure involving possible black magic...

• ISBN10: 0451200527
• ISBN13: 9780451200525
• Publish Date: 21 January 2008 (first published 26 July 1971)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 30 January 2010
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

I love Tommy and Tuppence. How could I not? Together, apart, they come off the page. I wasn't sure at first about a series where the main characters significantly age with each book - a series where marriage is the beginning of the story, rather than the end. But it works.

And I mean, the mysteries are great but the relationship between them is truly something special.

“All right, all right,” said Tommy, “be realistic. But if you really want to be noble and come with me—” “I want to come with you,” said Tuppence. “After all, I married you for better or for worse and Aunt Ada is decidedly the worse. So I shall go with you hand in hand.

Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.

I love that they're always so supportive of one another and that the love and affection between them is so readily apparent. I love that they're not just husband and wife but best friends too. Plus they're hilarious - the snark, the banter it's perfection. And Tuppence is such a drama queen and I totally rate it.

“All the same—” said Tommy. “I know,” said Tuppence, “I know. All the same you feel it’s your duty and so you’ve got to go.” “Don’t you think I’m right?” “Unfortunately,” said Tuppence, “I do think you’re right. Absolutely right. And I’ll come too,” she added, with a slight note of heroism in her voice. “No,” said Tommy. “Why should you? She’s not your aunt. No, I’ll go.” “Not at all,” said Mrs. Beresford. “I like to suffer too. We’ll suffer together. You won’t enjoy it and I shan’t enjoy it and I don’t think for one moment that Aunt Ada will enjoy it. But I quite see it is one of those things that has got to be done.”

Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.

The only one who cracks me up more than Tuppence is Albert. They really are quite a pair with their mysteries and clues and adventures. Well and their sneaking and snooping.

“And now, I suppose,” said Tommy, “you want to hear everything.” “Matter of fact, sir,” said Albert in a slightly apologetic tone, “I know most of it. You see, seeing as it was a question of the missus and all that, I took the liberty of lifting up the extension in the bedroom. I didn’t think you’d mind, sir, not as it was the missus.”

Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.

Overall another strong addition to the series. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

[Mystereity Reviews]

“I hate mourning," she said. "It always smells of moth balls because it’s been laid up somewhere."

I will admit, I was never a fan of Agatha Christie after I was disappointed by Murder on the Orient Express back in high school. But there's an Agatha Christie square on the r/CozyMystery Book Bingo, so I picked up this one because it qualified for hard mode (Not Marple or Poirot.) and because I was intrigued by the blurb. And I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised to be drawn into it from the beginning, mostly because I liked Tuppence so much. While Tommy has good instincts, Tuppence has the detecting skills and I liked how well they played off each other, but Tuppence was definitely the star of this story.

As for the plot; possible shenanigans at an old folks home, a sophisticated crime ring, and a mysterious house in a painting all served to compel to Tuppence that something was amiss and required further detecting. It was thoroughly enjoyable and quintessentially Christie, complete with a surprise twist at the end. I was surprised to like it as much as I did, but then again, not really surprised because let’s face it, there’s a reason why Agatha Christie is the queen of cozy mystery. Overall, it was a fun, intriguing and a bit fanciful and I might just pick up the other books some time.