Parker Pyne Investigates

The personal ad posed a simple question: Are you happy? If not, consult Mr. Parker Pyne.

This attracted a lot of attention as many unhappy people consult him. Below are 2 of my favourite cases:

The Case of the Discontented Soldier featured a romance when the unhappy Major Wilbraham encountered a woman who was attacked by two Negroes.

The Case of the Rich Woman featured an unhappy rich woman who was drugged and woke up realizing that she was a poor pheasant. Would she find her happiness eventually?

There are other stories in which Mr. Parker Pyne solved various mysteries. The Oracle at Delphi featured a woman who had to pay her diamond necklance as ransom to save her kidnapped son.

The book has 12 different stories with humour that makes you feel light-hearted.

Evil Under The Sun

Mrs. Arlena Marshall, a beautiful but spoilt woman, often attracted attention of men and was loathed by woman. She was a flirt who was scared of her husband, Mr. Kenneth Marshall, who had a daughter named Linda. Linda never liked her stepmother and always wished Arlena was dead.

At the Jolly Roger Hotel on Leathercombe Bay, Arlena spent her time with a married man named Patrick Redfern. Patrick’s wife, Christine, was jealous yet she was too weak to do anything. Other guests include Rosamund Darnley, Horace Blatt, Mr. and Mrs. Odell C. Gardener, Emily Brewster, Major Barry and the famous Hercule Poirot. Among them, Rosamund was in love with Kenneth and wanted him to divorce Arlena.

The next shocking thing you know was that Arlena was dead. She was murdered. She was last seen going off to somewhere else and had told Mr. Poirot not to reveal that she was out.

Arlena was strangled by her killer, most probably a man. But with women as her sole enemies, which man had killed her? Her husband, Kenneth, inherited her fortune upon her death. A rumour about a mysterious man had blackmailed her before and her death was related to drug-trafficking spread around the hotel. And who was the person Arlena had met before her death?

Hercule Poirot investigated the case with the help of his assistant, Captain Hastings. Was this a perfect crime that he could not solve?

Reflection on Student Internship Programme

I know I was supposed to write at all stages of the internship to keep you interested. However, I was busy with my work. After returning home, I was too tired to do any work. As for weekends, I went shopping, watched Crime & Investigation Network and wrote book reviews after reading novels.

I remembered the week before the commencement of the Student Internship Programme (also known as SIP). I was very anxious and nervous, having no clue as to working in the society besides working part-time once at Times Bookshop.

My first day started with me waiting on the 2nd floor ( which consisted of the Intellectual Property Department and the conference rooms, which I later learnt). The first colleague I met was Micki, Mr. Tito Isaac’s personal assistant. She took me to the 3rd floor and introduced me to my desk where I will work hard at the tasks I was assigned to. I was totally different from my usual self in school. I was quiet and shy instead of being bubbly and talkative.

As time passed, I got adjusted to the working environment. I also mastered and improved on several aspects of the legal knowledge and hands-on skills. I was also friendly towards newcomers and enjoyed chatting with my colleagues.

Of course, as an occasional prank, I would walk slowly towards my unsuspecting colleagues and give a scare. Boo! Hee Hee, I am just like Mr. Tito Isaac except he failed to scare me the other time. J

One important thing to note is that photocopying and binding are not as simple as it looks. So I salute to all the staff that photocopy and bind stuff.

SIP has provided me with a new point of view towards working and studying.

Working does not mean everything you learn in school will be sufficient enough to cover all aspects of your job. You will pick up new skills frequently as you work in your lifetime. After a long day’s work, you just go home and relax on your couch in front of your TV. Meaning, there is no homework.

Studying means you do not spend the whole day slaving but you will have to handle projects, homework and CCA (although I have none). You cannot relax all the time and you will find that you have no time to fulfill all your tasks if you slack.

In all, I just think that working and studying have their benefits and disadvantages. They are equal on a certain level and thus I have no preferences.

After SIP, I discovered that I have to grow up even though I am a bit reluctant. Being mature means I will be treated differently and the sense of maturity will make me feel good in some ways. I hope that I will become an sensible mature adult instead of a childish young adult.

Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

Bobby Jones witnessed the death of a mysterious stranger whose last words were, “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” Who is Evans then?

The next thing he knew was that someone attempted to murder him. Was the death of the mysterious stranger an accident or murder? Why was the photograph of a woman swapped with another? Was this woman the next victim?

With the help of Lady Frances Derwent (“Frankie”), Bobby went on the pursuit for a woman while a cunning killer was out to kill them all.

Looks are deceiving, I must warn you.

This mystery takes on a turn several times as you read. It is highly addictive and satisfying for all mystery lovers (or addicts).