Nigel Hammond, that’s me.
You haven’t actually met me yet, but you will soon. I’ll be appearing in the upcoming novella of the
Zodiac Mysteries – the one that predates the series and lets everyone know so
many important things-- how Julia developed her interest in astrology, how she
met her good friend Gale and (very importantly) how she found her cat
Wizard. I think you’ll enjoy this little
story especially because it features Julia’s grandmother Gloria in a starring
role. 
As for me, well, I am very excited. You see, I’m the new owner of Theatre Mars in
North Beach on Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. More than that, I’m actually starring and
directing our very first production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death. I
can honestly say that it’s all thanks to my wonderful and generous wife Darla
who made it all happen. She made my
dream come true! 
Can you guess who I’m playing? Can you?
Give up? Well, I’ll tell you. I just can’t keep it to myself any
longer. I’m playing the famous Belgian
detective, Hercule Poirot. There’s a
little backstory to Poirot’s appearance in this play. You see, when Dame Agatha adapted the book
for the stage, she changed quite a lot of things. Notably, she wrote out the famous Poirot!
Isn’t that incredible?
Considering what a renowned detective he was. I don’t know what Dame Agatha was
thinking. But the production we’re
mounting at Theatre Mars is true to the book, and not the stage adaptation. Opening night is very soon and I hope you’ll really
enjoy our play! Hopefully, there won’t
be anything like a real murder on our stage.
But . . . we’ll see . . .
You can learn more about the Zodiac Mysteries by visiting my
author’s website at ConniediMarco.com or Facebook or Twitter @AskZodia. My author will be posting the new cover for
this novella very soon. In addition, she’s giving away one large print edition of All Signs Point to Murder (Book 2 in the Zodiac Mysteries) to a lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter. Good luck to all!
Posts
I couldn't imagine leaving out Hercule Poirot.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read and series.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hi Mary ~ just waking up on the west coast. You're so right! How could she eliminate Poirot? In fact, the David Suchet series (and he's the best Poirot of all time, everyone else should just forget trying to play Hercule Poirot) has filmed Appointment with Death, so that screenplay must have been based on the book. Best of luck, Mary!
DeleteWhy would anyone write out Hercule Poirot? Sounds like the version of the play you're in will be much better, Nigel! mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marla ~ I agree! I actually didn't know the backstory when I decided Nigel should produce this play in the novella, but I got a lesson in Agatha Christie history! Best of luck today!
DeleteI like Hercule. This should be intriguing.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Me too! As I wrote to Mary, David Suchet is my all time favorite Poirot. I have to say, I never really "got" Poirot as a character until Suchet played him. Good luck today, Debby!
DeleteCan't wait for the opportunity to read "All Signs Point to Murder" and read more about Nigel. LOVE the cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful opportunity to win a large print copy which is greatly appreciated by us with less than perfect eyesight!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I'm so glad I can do this giveaway, Kay. The large print publisher sent me several copies. The cover on these is different that the "wedding dress" one. I tried to pull a picture of this cover off Amazon, but no luck. However, it's still the same story. Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy it!
Deletewrote out Hercule Poirot, that is incredible. Hope I win the giveaway-thanks
ReplyDeletetiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
It is incredible, isn't it? I've never seen the play, or read it either, but I can't imagine why Dame Agatha would do that. I guess she just couldn't help tinkering with her story when she adapted it to the stage. Oh well . . . I prefer Poirot! Best of luck today and happy reading!
DeleteGood morning, Nigel! Please say hello to your author ;-). I love Hercule Poirot, and I agree with you - he needs to be in the play. And if you are going to play him I look forward to meeting you. Can't wait to read all about and also to see the new cover. sally
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
Oops, I think I posted on the wrong spot, sorry Sally!
DeleteHi Sally ~ great to hear from you today! Hope all is well! I'm so looking forward to my new cover! Even I haven't seen it yet.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading, Sally and good luck!
I'm looking forward to meeting Nigel. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Hi Jana ~ I hope you'll like Nigel's story in this little novella. I'm calling it 'Enter a Wizard, Stage Left.' And of course, Wizard, Julia's soon to be rescued black cat, has a big role. Good luck and happy reading!
DeleteI'm looking forward to meeting Nigel! Looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Dianne ~ thanks for visiting today! I hope you enjoy this little story, and Zodiac #4 will be coming soon too!
DeleteBest of luck!
Personally, I'd prefer a production that omits Poirot. He is my least favorite of Christie's sleuths.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
Really, Libby? Actually, when I first read the Poirot books, I didn't like him either. He seemed fussy to the max, grumpy and very egotistical. It wasn't until I saw David Suchet play him that I understand what Christie was trying to do. But that's okay, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. I'm sure you love Jane Marple though? Best of luck!
DeleteI can't believe he was left out! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI know! Right? I was shocked too when I first read about Poirot being eliminated! Best of luck and happy reading!
DeleteCrazy that she left him out! JL_Minter@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Jaime ~ I think so! Libby earlier today said that Poirot wasn't her favorite character, but I really like him! He's unique. I can't imagine why Christie wrote him out of the play. Oh well . . . Nigel will get to play him in my story! Best of luck!
DeleteI really believe stage adaptations should truly follow the story. I can't believe she left him out!! Thanks for the chance. ematov (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen ~ I agree with you. Poirot would really be the main character, the hero who solves the crime. The David Suchet/BBC version on TV must have followed the book as well. Nigel's got the right idea. Good luck!
DeleteHi everyone ~ thanks so much for joining in!
ReplyDeleteIt's the 16th of August, so my day is over. I've used random.org to choose a winner. Congratulations to 'tetewa' at twarner419@aol.com!
I'll send an email to you right away! Really hope you enjoy Julia's adventures in this book!
~ Connie
Just replied to your email looking forward to the read!
ReplyDeleteIt's on its way, Teresa ~ happy reading!
Delete