These short stories are brilliant,and some of Agatha Christie's best work,in my opinion,though I do feel that the titles "Parker Pyne Investigates" and "Parker Pyne,Private Eye" are somewhat misleading,as some people may think they are buying a book of detective stories. Actually,Parker Pyne is a retired statistician who has decided to devote the rest of his life to making people happy, (for a fee,of course!) Each story in this book starts with someone who is discontented,for whatever reason,and Mr Pyne's efforts to cheer them up,which are usually inventive and exciting.He has a secretary called Miss Lemon,who I presume goes on to work for Hercule Poirot later,and various actors to help him make people happy,which idea he pursues in a very efficient manner.
I don't think anyone has written tales like these before,and I have read them over and over again. My favourites are The Case of the Discontented Soldier and The Case of the City Clerk, but I enjoy all these feel-good stories,and hope someone out there will decide to give them a go!
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