Structure and length -- you're right, this doesn't necessarily lend itself to novel length. And I could have done without that bit of "takes one to know one" / "we know who we are" bit between Anthony and Race at the end ... that's pure Christie spy novel nonsense. Also (and I'm saying this NOT already having known the screen adaptations by the time I read the book), I thought the "who" was fairly obvious from very early on. (ETA: Ditto the motive.)
I liked Anthony, though -- and the Kidderminsters and the Farradays (even in their book version).
It's really amazing with how much nonsense Christie could get away in her spy novels (and mysteries featuring spy elements because Race is one of the characters) -- just goes to show how much people loved (and love) her books!
I haven't read Sparkling Cyanide, but it's too bad the story didn't work as well as some of Agatha Christie's other novels. I love her work in general, even though I've only read three or four of her books. And Then There Were None is my favorite one. I love the title Sparkling Cyanide, though.
I actually thought "Sparkling Cyanide" as a book might work better if you haven't read "Yellow Iris" yet -- but yeah, if you haven't read either and are only looking for one incarnation of the story, "Yellow Iris" is the better choice overall.
I haven't read Yellow Iris yet. I don't think I've read any of the short stories. I'll be sure to read Yellow Iris, though, since it's the better choice between the two.
I liked Anthony, though -- and the Kidderminsters and the Farradays (even in their book version).
It's really amazing with how much nonsense Christie could get away in her spy novels (and mysteries featuring spy elements because Race is one of the characters) -- just goes to show how much people loved (and love) her books!
I haven't read Yellow Iris yet. I don't think I've read any of the short stories. I'll be sure to read Yellow Iris, though, since it's the better choice between the two.