Cat Among the Pigeons is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie, first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 2 November 1959, and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in March 1960 with a copyright date of 1959. The UK edition retailed at twelve shillings and sixpence (12/6),

Robert Barnard: "Girls' school background surprisingly well done, with humour and some liberality of outlook. Some elements are reminiscent of Tey's Miss Pym Disposes. Marred by the international dimension and the spy element, which do not jell with the traditional detective side. Fairly typical example of her looser, more relaxed style."

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

British adaptation

An adaptation of the novel was written by Mark Gatiss for the series Agatha Christie's Poirot. It aired 28 September 2008, and starred David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. The supporting cast included Dame Harriet Walter as Miss Bulstrode, Natasha Little as Ann Shapland, Claire Skinner as Miss Rich, Susan Wooldridge as Miss Chadwick, Miranda Raison as Mlle Blanche, Elizabeth Berrington as Miss Springer, Raji James as Prince Ali Yusuf, and Adam Croasdell as Adam Goodman. This adaptation, while primarily faithful to the novel, featured a change in setting to the 1930s, matching that of the TV series. This change necessitated many of the novel's scenes referencing the Middle East, World War II, and the British Secret Service to be rewritten or eliminated. As this change also meant World War I would have occurred at the time Ali Yusuf was meant to be studying in England, the character of his secret wife was removed, and his motives for smuggling out the gems were changed from personal to political. Instead of attacking Miss Vansittart – who is not included in the adaptation – Miss Chadwick attacks Miss Rich, who does survive and accepts Miss Bulstrode's offer of a partnership. In addition, Poirot stays at the school from the outset to help Miss Bulstrode decide upon her successor.

Filming took place primarily at Joyce Grove in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, with some shots inside the marble hall of Elveden Hall. In the US a condensed version of the novel appeared in the November 1959 (Volume LXXVI, Number 11) issue of the Ladies Home Journal with an illustration by Joe DeMers.

References

  • Cat Among the Pigeons at the official Agatha Christie website
  • Cat Among the Pigeons at Home of Agatha Christie website