The House at Shiraz - a Parker Pyne Short Story(1933)

Agatha Christie

Mr. Parker Pyne is having trouble getting to Tehran from Bagdad, what with his non-existent Persian linguistic skills and the less-than-comfortable travelling arrangements. But with the help of a German pilot, Herr Schlagal, he is able to get his bearings.

Later the pilot confesses to Pyne that his thoughts are dominated by the mysterious and sudden death of a previous passenger. She was in the company of Lady Esther Carr from Shiraz. Coincidence, Pyne is travelling to that city. Taking the initiative, he writes to Lady Carr offering his "Are you happy?" services. When he arrives at her home, he asks questions and sets a scene to see what the infamously unbalanced woman has to say for herself. Her story begins to unravel….

Librarian's note: this entry relates to the short story, The House at Shiraz. Collections and the other stories by the author are located elsewhere on Goodreads. The Parker Pyne series includes 14 short stories. Entries for the stories can be found by searching GR for: a Parker Pyne Short Story.

Librarian's note #2: the story was published in the print anthologies, Parker Pyne Investigates and Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective but it first came out in Cosmopolitan magazine in the US in 1933.

Librarian's note #3: this is #9 of the 14 stories.