Bookish Quote

BBC

"I must have tea.

Without tea I am merely unreconstituted dust."

- Gabriel Book, Bookish

Seven Dials

All images: Netflix

I love Agatha Christie's mysteries. I read them often when I was a teen and always enjoyed the various Masterpiece Mystery series on PBS. In the last several years, there have been several new adaptations of Agatha Christie's tales of murder and mayhem. The latest is Seven Dials.

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix: 

In this timeless mystery by the Queen of Crime, a fearless young aristocrat investigates the murder of her love interest in her family home. 

England. 1925. At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. It will be up to the unlikeliest of sleuths — the fizzingly inquisitive Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Bruce) — to unravel a chilling plot that will change her life, cracking wide open the country house mystery.

Across 3 episodes, expect the unexpected as well as twists and turns as Bundle races to find the killer - time is running out. 

Seven Dials arrives on Netflix on January 15th.

The Sheep Detectives

Amazon

There's something quite compelling about reading or watching a mystery, especially when it involves humor. And trying to solve the mystery before you reach the end is a delightful way to pass the time. A new mystery movie, The Sheep Detectives, is heading to theaters next May and it looks quite hilarious.

Here's the official synopsis from Amazon:

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, with Hong Chau and Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Rhys Darby.

The Sheep Detectives arrives in theaters in May of 2026.

A Haunting In Venice Looks Proper Scary

20th Century Studios

The latest clip from A Haunting In Venice is very spooky. The scene is from a séance that Poirot appears quite skeptical about. I do love a good Agatha Christie mystery!

A Haunting In Venice arrives in theaters on September 15th.

A Haunting Mystery

20th Century Studios

What happens to us after death? In A Haunting In Venice, Hercule Poirot must seek his own answers to this age old question. This one looks properly spooky.

A Haunting In Venice arrives in theaters on September 15th.

A Haunting In Venice

20th Century Studios

When the first Kenneth Branagh Hercule Poirot film, Murder on the Orient Express, was announced, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. I grew up watching David Suchet as Agatha Christie's little Belgian detective, and I couldn't see how Branagh would fit the role. And then I watched it. It was dark, and suspenseful, and more than a little heartbreaking, but Branagh's Poirot was actually quite good. Next came Death on the Nile, another dark and sinister story that made for a good movie. The latest film is A Haunting in Venice, based on Agatha Christie's Hallowe'en Party. This looks like the spookiest one yet.

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios:

“A Haunting in Venice” is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve, “A Haunting in Venice” is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

A Haunting In Venice arrives in theaters on September 15th.

Enola Holmes 2 - Another Grand Adventure

Netflix

I loved the first Enola Holmes movie from the moment it arrived on Netflix. It was such a fun and exciting adventure, full of mystery and intrigue. Enola Holmes 2 looks even better!

Enola Holmes 2 arrives on Netflix on November 4th.

Death On The Nile

20th Century Studios

I've always loved a good mystery. I discovered the Agatha Christie mysteries as a child when I saw my first Miss Marple, The Body in the Library, on PBS. And when the Hercule Poirot mysteries joined the lineup, I was hooked. I've enjoyed the many different incarnations of the characters over the years, from Joan Hickson to Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple, even Angela Lansbury once played the spinster sleuth, but Poirot was always David Suchet. 

As such, I wasn't too certain I would enjoy Kenneth Branagh's turn as the Belgian detective, but I was in for an unexpected delight. Murder on the Orient Express is a classic Agatha Christie story and it was an excellent introduction for Branagh's Poirot. While the story s quite sad, the acting was fantastic and the cast was absolutely stellar.

Branagh's latest Poirot tale is Death on the Nile. The cast is once again amazing, so it should be quite the film.

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios:

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this dramatic tale of love gone wrong features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement.

Death on the Nile arrives in theaters on February 11.

Scooby-Doo Is Returning To TV With A New Series

Hanna-Barbera

An all-new Scooby-Doo series is coming to Cartoon Network. Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? takes the Mystery Inc. gang back to their roots: solving silly crimes with the help of comedians, sports stars, musicians, and comic book super heroes. I must say, this feels a bit nostalgic, and I love it. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Here's the official synopsis from Hanna-Barbera:

In this new animated series, Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang - Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy - are facing their toughest mysteries yet... but have no fear because help is on the way! Each week, the gang is joined by a different celebrity guest and together, those "meddling kids" will get to the bottom of any mystery. Celebrity guest stars include NBA superstar Chris Paul, comedian Ricky Gervais, Weird Al Yankovic, and even Batman himself (voiced by Kevin Conroy). Scooby-Doo and Guess Who is premiering on the Boomerang streaming service on June 27, with episodes coming to Cartoon Network this July.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls Looks Delightful

Universal

I had never heard of The House With a Clock in Its Walls until I saw the first trailer, but it looks like an absolute delight. Filled with magic, and no small amount of mystery, it's the story of a young boy who goes to live with his eccentric uncle in a spooky, old house, and the adventure he discovers there. The film arrives in theaters on September 21.

Here's the official synopsis from Universal:

Based on the beloved children’s classic written by John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey, Jack Black and two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett star in The House with a Clock in Its Walls, from Amblin Entertainment. The magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.

Sherlock POPVinyls

Funko

I've always been a fan of murder mysteries and recently, have even gotten Bean hooked on them. I grew up completely addicted to Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. I loved Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, or really any Agatha Christie, but I also loved Sherlock Holmes. When I was a kid, Jeremy Brett played the title role on PBS. He was brilliant, and frightening, and in short, amazing in the way that he portrayed Sherlock Holmes. It was his performance that led me to read the complete Sherlock Holmes collection as a young adult. Later, I discovered old Holmes movies with Basil Rathbone at the helm. And you can't leave out Disney's animated version, The Great Mouse Detective. I even enjoyed the futuristic cartoon Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, though it was sadly short lived.

Nowadays, there are several Sherlocks to choose from. Robert Downey, Jr did an incredible job of bringing humor to the role. Jonny Lee Miller gives us not only a Holmes who solves American crimes, but also a female Dr. Watson. (Have you noticed how she always seems to dress in black and white with occasional greys. I'm sure its some commentary on her intellectual relationship with Sherlock.)

Entertainment Earth

Lastly, we've come to my current favorite Sherlock: the BBC version with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It may take place in modern times, but it seems to stay fairly close to the feel of the original stories. The only sad part is that they make just three episodes per year. (My favorite is John and Mary's wedding from last season.) However, Funko's new POPVinyl collection may help ease the wait. This set of six figures features two Sherlocks (one in gloves and the other playing the violin), Dr. John Watson, Mycroft Holmes, Moriarty, and Irene Adler. An additional Moriarty wearing the crown jewels will also be available. Unfortunately, they won't arrive in stores until sometime in October, but since I absolutely adore Sherlock Holmes, in almost any incarnation, I'll be sure to add these to my collection.

Scooby Doo Legos

I was super excited yesterday when I heard the news that Lego is creating a new collection starring Scooby Doo. Bean and I love Legos and Scooby, so we can't wait to see the new sets. They won't be available in stores until August 1, but Amazon has a few sets available for pre-order.

The first set is the Mystery Machine, which of course includes Fred. Scooby and Shaggy minifigures are also a part of this set, as is a spooky tree, zombie, and an oversized sandwich. It's SO cute! The Mystery Machine will retail for $29.99.

The second set is a Biplane painted like the Mystery Machine, and a Headless Horseman with pumpkin head. Scooby and Shaggy are also included in this set. The Headless Horseman will retail for $19.99.

Additional sets will include a Mummy Mystery Museum,

a Haunted Lighthouse,

and Mystery Mansion, which is where you can find Daphne and Velma.

I can't wait to play with these new Scooby Legos. It will be difficult not to get carried away!