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Christie Coppers

Mr_Graves 18 Oct 10 at 5:51 a.m. GMT

Hi all! There seem to be a good many police officers in Agatha Christie's novels (sometimes recurring characters). So for this little game, try to guess which of those police officers is being described...

An example would be "I am a distinguished man, a good friend of M. Hercule Poirot. I live in Woodleigh Common with my sister, Elspeth. Who am I?" The answer to is would be "Superintendent Spence, who appeared in 'Hallowe'en Party' and 'Mrs McGinty's Dead'"

Here's the first one. "I have an unimaginative appearance, but in reality I am a very imaginative man. Who am I?"

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452 replies

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NightRayDuck 22 Nov 12 at 10:39 p.m. GMT

Yes! Your turn, Bunch_Marple. :)

NightRayDuck 22 Nov 12 at 10:38 p.m. GMT

...are we back yet?

NightRayDuck 21 Jun 12 at 8:37 p.m. GMT

Yes, Bunch! Very well done! Your turn. :)

Bunch_Marple 21 Jun 12 at 9:53 a.m. GMT

Inspector Curry in They do it with mirrors?

NightRayDuck 20 Jun 12 at 6:42 p.m. GMT

No Tommy.. sorry, but this Inspector appears in a Miss Marple novel.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Jun 12 at 12:57 p.m. GMT

Inspector Fournier Death In The Clouds

NightRayDuck 19 Jun 12 at 4:19 p.m. GMT

No, not Colonel Melchett. The copper we're trying to guess is an Inspector.

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Jun 12 at 10:53 a.m. GMT

Colonel Melchett

NightRayDuck 18 Jun 12 at 5:30 p.m. GMT

very good guess, InspectorGrant, unfortunately I was thinking of an Inspector in another Marple novel, rather than the amazing Assistant Commissioner in At Bertram's Hotel. that is a book I haven't re-read in many years, but I had assumed that the Assistant Commissioner did not go and interview so many witnesses.

more hints..

This Inspector used the deferential attitude, addressing his first witness, an elderly lady, as "ma'am". This first witness is Miss Marple.

One witness had too high an opinion of himself and too many guesses that he would not share. As a result of such annoyance, this Inspector started drawing cats on his notepad. It was while interviewing another witness, who kept saying certainly there was only one possible suspect, that this Inspector started drawing outsized whiskers on one of the cats on his notepad.

InspectorGrant 17 Jun 12 at 4:04 p.m. GMT

Assistant Commissioner Graves in At Bertram's Hotel.  (I knew this black cat habit was associated with Chief Inspector Fred Davy, but couldn't make the connection).

NightRayDuck 16 Jun 12 at 11:31 p.m. GMT

No, sorry, but this copper does not appear in a story with M. Poirot or a story with Supt. Battle.

In the interest of getting more of our friends coming and trying a guess, I'll say

Hint: This inspector appears in a Miss Marple novel.

Have a great day~

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Jun 12 at 12:43 p.m. GMT

Inspector Jameson Murder In The Mews

NightRayDuck 15 Jun 12 at 12:26 a.m. GMT

Not Inspector Leech. The recurring sleuth is not Supt. Battle, either.

Here is the situation where this copper demonstrated his characteristics as noted in the clue:

When this copper has an initial interview with an elderly witness, he uses the even deferential like a member of the working class technique, on the basis that "the old ones like that."

After interviewing a witness who has too high an opinion of himself, and was full of theories that he would not share with the police, this copper starts actually drawing cats on my notepad to relieve his annoyance.

That's two hints to go on. More tomorrow if anyone needs them.

I just finished reading the 2 "Holistic Detective Dirk Gently" novels by Adams. They are quite good on the psychologies of befuddled witnesses and puzzled detectives. :)

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Jun 12 at 12:43 p.m. GMT

You are a Science Fiction Fan then, like my Brother, I read Cloud Atlas once, and read a Dalsiel and Pascoe book set on the moon but apart from those Scifi has never appeled to me, Each to their own.

Is The Copper Inspector James Leech who assists his Uncle Battle in Towards Zero

NightRayDuck 12 Jun 12 at 6:32 p.m. GMT

Ah, please don't worry about me. I haven't got Death in the Clouds yet, either. It's simply that I am currently reading some books by Douglas Adams, and haven't got around to re-reading ABC Murders and other Poirot stories.

This copper works on this case with a recurring sleuth, but not M. Poirot.

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Jun 12 at 10:35 a.m. GMT

I am so sorry you feel this way about ABC MURDERS I love the book, It is one of my favourites, I have read it 6 times, I thought Everyone loved it,

Is it Inspector Fournier The French OPoliceman in DEATH IN THE CLOUDS?.

NightRayDuck 12 Jun 12 at 12:27 a.m. GMT

No. Or at least, I don't remember much from ABC Murders (it's definitely due for a re-read), and I got all these descriptions from another story, about a different copper.

But you are right about this copper being a police inspector.

Tommy_A_Jones 11 Jun 12 at 2:08 p.m. GMT

I think it was a Policeman in ABC Murders, The one who wasn't Japp or Crome, I think his name was Inspector Carter

NightRayDuck 09 Jun 12 at 7:48 p.m. GMT

Thank you, InspectorGrant. Tommy's first guess helped, otherwise I might have decided to search for a police officer who did some serious wrestling-the-suspect-to-the-floor..

Next copper:

I am observant and confident, but I have a trick of appearing mild and apologetic, even deferential like a member of the working class. I am perfectly able to seem completely absorbed in a witness interview, showing much respect and admiration for the witness opinion, but sometimes I am actually drawing cats on my notepad during the interview.

InspectorGrant 09 Jun 12 at 3:54 p.m. GMT

Well done, Ray and sorry Tommy!  She is Policewoman Alice Jones - that was a nifty piece of work, Ray, I must say...