Agatha Christie Mystery Mystery

@patgalca (18391)
Orangeville, Ontario
June 5, 2008 10:11am CST
Yes, I have a mystery with the current Agatha Christie book I am reading. Obviously a lot of these books are old. I was reading "Cards on the Table" last night (I hope my lack of knowledge of the game of Bridge does not cause me confusion), when I came across a page torn out of the book. I am missing pages 25 and 26. The murder had just occurred and those present were being questioned. I continued reading on anyway and hope that I didn't miss anything. I didn't appear to have missed anything as I didn't have any feeling of confusion. Have you ever read a book and then come across a page torn out at some point in the book? Near the beginning? Near the end? What would you do? Would you continue reading or pitch the book? If anyone has read this particular story, have I missed anything of relevance?
3 people like this
7 responses
lordwarwizard
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Jun 08
If a significant enough portion of the book is missing, I wouldn't even borrow it if I know beforehand. But if I have already read and invested time and energy into the book and especially if the book is passingly interesting, I would just read on and try to guess what is missing. The way some authors write, a complete book will have missing info too.
1 person likes this
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Jun 08
Well, I didn't borrow the book. I picked it up somewhere for a dime or maybe nothing at all. It might have come from my Dad's collection. The reason I picked Agatha Christie was because I knew it would be a quick read (only 226 pages) and since I was only on page 25 I don't think I have invested too much time in the book, nor will I when I have finished since it's so short. That's how lengthy (or short) books were back in 1937.
2 people like this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
5 Jun 08
That's why paperbacks were called "pocket novels"... they easily fit in your pocket.
lordwarwizard
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Jul 08
Thanks for BR!
teka44
@teka44 (3420)
• Brazil
5 Jun 08
Hi patgalca. I read this book and you didn't lost anything important, only the discrition of the game of bridge. Only after this we know that Mr. Shaitana has been killed. I love Agatha Christie too. Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Jun 08
Ah yes, Poirot was asking them about the card game. I know nothing about Bridge and it probably would have meant nothing to me. But obviously it must figure into the solving of the mystery, does it not? If I look around hard enough I may find another copy of the same story in my house. LOL! I do have a bound collection of some of her stories. It could be in there.
1 person likes this
maddysmommy
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I haven't come across a book yet that has had a page missing. I hope you haven't missed anything at all since it is a mystery book and missing a clue would throw you off I would think. I wonder if you can find a free e-book online just so you can read those two pages perhaps?
1 person likes this
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Jun 08
I'm already up to page 33 and don't feel I've missed anything... maybe I'll be confused later.
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I was reading a very good book and then a whole section was repeated! I was missing from about page 76 to around 125!! I never found the whole book! ARRRR
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
6 Jun 08
Now that would be frustrating! Did you own this book? Did you check to see if the library had a copy? If I had purchased the book I would be writing the publisher and asking for a new one free of charge.
1 person likes this
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
6 Jun 08
It was a library book. I took it back and told them. They removed it, needless to say, but they never replaced it and I've never gotten to read it!
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
5 Jun 08
Hmmm... I guess if the page(s) missing were from the end, it would be very frustrating. I haven't read this particular book, so can't tell you if you've missed an important clue. Knowing how nothing seems to escape Miss Marple, perhaps you have, or not. Maybe check with your local library if they have a copy?
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Jun 08
Actually, it's not a Miss Marple mystery. It's Hercule Poirot. I may not know until the end of the book what I missed.
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
5 Jun 08
Well, I'm sure nothing gets past him, either.
crystalfaith
@crystalfaith (13)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
I have read card on the Table and yes, I am also a fan of Agatha Christie. However, my copy of this particular Poirot case is part of a compilation so I'm not sure if your page 25-26 is the same as mine. You can send me the chapter number and snippets from the last paragraph of page 24 and I'll look at my copy :) like you, I don't care if a page or two is missing. I just figure the missing pieces out of the context of the story!
patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
30 Jun 08
Thanks, I have finished the book and I don't feel I missed anything at all. As someone said in a previous post, it was just a description of the cards set-up, which would have just confused me. Thanks for the offer but I've moved on to other books now. Thanks again.
CrisRodrigues
@CrisRodrigues (413)
• Portugal
20 Apr 13
I Always Read My Books From The Beginning To The End,Or The History Will Not Interesting Me Anymore!!!But Sometimes The Book At The Beginning Is So Boried,That I Don't Read More & Pass To Another!!!The Good Books For Me,Must Make Me Interesting From The Beginning... By The Way I Love Agatha Christie & I Have All Her Collection At My Library At Home!!!