Tag: detective fiction

Episode 9: THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, part 3

~ Sharon

In which Charis and Sharon wrap up the discussion of THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB. We finally meet a key suspect and reveal the culprit. We also talk about whether or not art always reflects something about the artist’s psyche. And we cover the unequal care given to traumatized members of different economic classes, Peter “starting to see women as people,” Parker as sidekick vs. policeman, and why Peter turns certain criminals in to the law and offers others a different ending. We also talk about all our many favorite lines from THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB!

This episode gives away the whodunnit.

Download the episode transcript (prepared by Melanie Sliker)

Shownotes:

  • We have a long digression about Vladimir Nabokov’s LOLITA in our discussion of Ann Dorland’s portraiture.
  • Peter makes a joke about the circles of hell that he and Parker might inhabit, riffing on Dante’s DIVINE COMEDY.
  • “I’m just trying to be a minor government official”–we find the allusion to Pontius Pilate quite amusing.

Episode 8: THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, part 2

~ Sharon

In this second of three episodes on THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, Charis and Sharon run through the events of chapters 8 through 16. We continue to explore the similarities between this book and the themes we talked about in our two earlier episodes on UNNATURAL DEATH. We also discuss our glimpse into Parker at work, alternative sidekicks for Peter, and the introduction of Marjorie Phelps.

This episode does not give away the whodunnit. For our first episode on THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, listen here.

Download the episode transcript (prepared by Melanie Sliker)

Shownotes:

  • “So as long as you’re familiar with Mr. Dickens’ massive canon,” you too would note the copy of OLIVER TWIST in the Club’s library.
  • For more on the Armistice Day poppy, see this article.