Every Friday Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader where you can share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
Today I began reading Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie. It’s a Poirot mystery first published in 1940.
It begins:
Prologue
Elinor Katharine Carlisle. You have been charged upon this indictment with the murder of Mary Gerrard upon the 27th of July last. Are you guilty or not guilty?
Elinor Carlisle stood very straight, her head raised. It was a graceful head, the modelling of the bones sharp and well defined. The eyes were a deep vivid blue, the hair black. The brows had been plucked to a faint thin line.
There was a silence – quite a noticeable silence.
Also every Friday there is The Friday 56, hosted by Freda at Freda’s Voice.
These are the rules:
- Grab a book, any book.
- Turn to page 56, or 56% on your eReader.
- Find any sentence (or a few, just don’t spoil it) that grabs you.
- Post it.
- Add the URL to your post in the link on Freda’s most recent Friday 56 post.
Page 56:
Mrs Wellman may have thought she wanted to die; but side by side with that feeling there ran the hope that she would recover absolutely. And because of that hope, I think she felt that to make a will would be unlucky.
I’ve read up to page 75 and so far Poirot hasn’t appeared, except in the Prologue during Elinor’s trial: Hercule Poirot, his head a little on one side, his eyes thoughtful, was watching her.
Sounds good. Trying to think if I’ve actually read the book or just read the play. I’m thinking maybe just the play adaptation. Putting it on my list. I need to go back and do a total reread of the Christie books. Guess I could join the AC Reading Challenge, huh?
LikeLike
Agatha Christie, what’s not to like. Hope you enjoy the read.
Please take a peek at mine http://www.thereadinghead.com/friday-56-meets-book-beginnings-4/
LikeLike
I have read a number of books by Agatha Christie but I don’t think I’ve ever read the Hercule Poirot mysteries. You can find me at #23 and #24 on Freda’s linky. Happy reading!
LikeLike
You can never go wrong with Agatha Christie!
Check out my 56 (With Book Beginnings).
LikeLike
I like the 56, makes me think of other who have had big surgeries. I host a link up each month called the Cloak and Dagger Challenge where you can link your mystery reviews, if you’re interested. It’s on my main menu.
here’s my Friday quotes
LikeLike
Loved Sad Cypress.
LikeLike
Aack, please give us the next line! Who fills the silence? What is said? Definitely a successful opening!
LikeLike
I’ve been reading her books for so many years. Not sure if I’ve read this one though.
My 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/06/05/the-friday-56-64-hexed/
LikeLike
Oh, Margaret, I liked Sad Cypress very much. I admit I’m biased, but I thought it very good. I hope you’ll enjoy it, and I’ll be keen to see what you think of it.
LikeLike
Love Agatha Christie! Haven’t read anything in years though!
Happy weekend!
LikeLike