The Case of the Discontented Soldier - a Parker Pyne Short Story

Parker Pyne #1

by Agatha Christie, Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

When civilian life proves too dull for Major Wilbraham, he contacts Parker Pyne to escape his boredom. He's just returned from East Africa and the colonial service, and has trouble dealing with petty little village matters in England. Pyne has an idea and sets up a chance meeting for him with the beautiful Freda Clegg. And he throws in a little excitement too. Did they get more than they bargained for? What's the outcome of his contacting Parker Pyne?

Librarian's note: this entry relates to the short story, The Case of the Discontented Soldier. 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 1932.

Librarian's note #3: this is #2 of the 14 stories.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Classics

Audio

First published August 1, 1932

About the author

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.

This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.

Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Agatha Christie short story from the Parker Pyne collection, it is a delightfully entertaining and fun tale that I listened to on audio. It is almost 40 minutes long and is wonderfully narrated by Hugh Fraser. It features the unmarried Major Wilbraham, returned from overseas, and has settled into village life, only to find himself bored and discontented, feelings that have him turning to Parker Pyne who is confident he can help. So follows a surprisingly 'dangerous' adventure where Wilbraham meets Freda Clegg, could the Major find romance? Additionally, it features a instrumental appearance of the writer Ariadne Oliver, a character that will be very familiar to Christie fans.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is special because it has Ariadne Oliver's first appearance!
For those of you who aren't familiar with the name, Mrs. Oliver is a mystery writer (perhaps a nod to Christie herself) that exists in both the world of Poirot and Miss Marple.



Besides that, this is also a fun Parker Pyne short story.
Pyne seems to take on 'cases' for people who have a need in their lives. In the case of the soldier, he's bored with civilian life, and Pyne sets him up with exactly the sort of adventure that he needs but has no idea that he wants.



Good stuff!

You can also read this as part of the short story collection Parker Pyne Investigates.

[wilted flower · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A retired soldier is unhappy with his boring English life. And Parker Pyne gives him a little adventure to fix that.

This is hilarious and Mrs. Oliver (omg she's made a cameo!) is such a treasure.

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. When Charles Wilbraham, a retired Major with the British Army, takes his reason for being unhappy to detective Pyne, he's unaware of the changes the visit will bring. The unmarried Major is bored. He's accustomed to the excitement of service in east Africa, likely Kenya or Uganda, and finds life in the village of Cobham boring. Pyne's analysis is correct, "The long and the short of the matter is that you find life tame." The 23 page story is in the 1971 collection, Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective. It first appeared in Woman's Pictorial in 1932. Pyne's methods are amusing but they get results. He sees that his new client needs a little romance and adventure. He points out that, "There is plenty of danger, plenty of excitement here in London if you know where to go for it." First Pyne sends him to lunch at a busy restaurant with Madeleine de Sara, you'll remember her intrigues in Problem at Pollensa Bay. Together de Sara and Pyne determine what type of woman Wilbraham might like. and they set him up with a lovely one who fits the bill, Freda Clegg. Then Pyne sends the two on a dangerous mission. Even Ariadne Oliver and Miss Lemon are involved. Loved it. (Jul2021/No2025)

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first taste of Parker Pyne, and it won't be my last. I'm slowly working my way through Christie's short stories after bingeing on all the available television adaptations of her work. Pyne is a wish fulfiller and an excellent judge of character. He spends a few minutes with Major Wilbrahams and knows exactly what the man needs to give him a new lease on life. I loved how Pyne set about accomplishing his task-- and the cameo appearances by Ariadne Oliver and Miss Lemon.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems I saved the best for last! I hadn't been getting on well with the Parker Pyne short stories, at least in comparison to others. But this one was really top notch. Pyne might be a con man, the way he goes about his business, but he is just so damn clever. And everything always turns out for the best, so who can complain? I'd love to see this story adapted for television.

[a ☕︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

these parker pyne stories are so comical, they have this detective office vibe with pyne as the head of it all w a few underlings: the riviera womanizer claude, the vampish madeleine de sara, and now mystery novelist ariadne oliver, who sets up the plot for this one in her first appearance ever. she gets on a bit better with poirot, i think. he keeps her from being too overtly racist.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Jolly little listen this was! Love blooms with the smallest amount of assistance.

[DeeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good but quick romance mystery by Dame Agatha Christie

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very dated, but fun tale about an unusual method of match-making. The story is familiar, but I cannot remember when I last read it.

[Cesc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vulnerable, naïve, soft young woman is rescued by strong, confident, clever man. They fall in love in a day yadda yadda yadda

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A major recently retired is restless and comes upon Mr. Pyne’s advertisement. He agrees to do as Mr. Pyne suggests and sets off to a meeting with Mr. Jones, arranged by Mr. Pyne. As he is looking for the location, he hears muffled creems and comes upon a lady in distress. He rescues her from her attackers and she tells her own tale of intrigue. She was approached by a man claiming to have been her deceased father’s lawyer. If she can recover a very important paper her father once had, he can help her claim the money owed to her. She searches in vain and then agrees to meet the lawyer and was jumped by two thugs. The major sees at once that she is in possession of some important information but neither of them know what it is. When he searches her father’s old trunk, he notices a secret hiding spot and discovers the paper, which is a treasure map to buried money in Africa, where the major was recently stationed. They agree to meet the next day but the woman is kidnapped and the major must save her. Once they are safe, he proposes and she agrees and they set off to search for the missing fortune on their honeymoon. An interesting aside, in addition to Miss Lemon being Mr. Pyne’s secretary before Poirot’s assistance, Ms. Oliver is also an employee of Mr. Pyne’s and was responsible for the harrowing adventure that the major and his lady friend were embroiled in. She wrote and directed the whole plot, in addition to writing her successful novels.

[Kayla Lodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this story quite a bit. It may be a short one but man did it pack a lot into it.

[bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Case of the Discontented Soldier is only my second story featuring Parker Pyne, that I've read. The first one (The Case of the Middle Aged Wife) felt very similar to this one. In this case, there was a soldier that felt boredom and Parker Pyne advised that he could cure his boredom. It seems like these stories are more of a romantic version of a detective, then any actual detecting on Parker's part.

While this was a enjoyable story I felt the lack of a real mystery. It was pretty obvious who was behind curing Mr Wilbraham's boredom and the ending was predictable. I will still continue to read the rest of the Parker Pyne short stories, to see if any of them involve a actual mystery.

I'd recommend this story to those that like a romantic side to their mysteries. Otherwise for new fans to Agatha Christie I recommend starting with Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple.

[mairiachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars because the ending is so good - it's clever, it's funny, and best thing about it: really short story that keeps you on your toes. As soon as you think you understand what's going on, you realize how little you know. Confusing until the end, like most of her mysteries.

There's also an appearance by Miss Oliver! I love when she includes "real" characters in her short stories, it gives you the impression that these stories really did happen in the world that Christie has created with the Poirot and Marple series.

[Vin Vineeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling setup of Parker Pyne setting two of his clients up for a thrilling adventure with a happy ending and a treasure hunt to keep life exciting. I loved the little self insert Christie pulled with this author Parker hired to help plan these high stake setups.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this tale much better than the first short story of Parker Pyne. But I'm concerned - I do hope that Christie has changed up the formula a bit going onto the next P.P. stories... I will find out. 3.75/5

[Priya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romance is definitely not something that Agatha Christie does well.

[Alinnarossa · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like this story better than the middle-aged wife. the only thing I'm curious about was the ending of their relationship. how could she fell in love with the soldier? i mean it was her job, right? she must have used to do that and she didn't fall in love with another clients before? what if the case was similar to his and she needed to do the plan just like that time?
plus, what would happen if the soldier finally finds out that there's no treasure?

[sue! · Rating 4 out of 5]

FREDA CLEGG??? the metafictiveness of it all.

[itchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

eponymous-ey sentence:
p5: "You would like excitement, possibly danger?" asked Mr Pyne.

His resourcefulness and morbid creativity somehow appeals to me.

Read as part of the collection Parker Pyne Investigates.

[Joop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk kort Parker Pyne verhaal.

[Josue · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean, plausibility doesn't even enter into the picture with this paper-thin trifle I suspect she must have dashed off for a quick magazine bob or two. Ridiculous and eye-roll provoking.

A note to people who want to avoid encountering such triggering things: the two black men in the story are casually refered to as "darkies" by a character who is meant to be likable.

[Kristen Bouma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Stiina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I listened to a bunch of these Agatha short stories the past couple days. We love them all :)

[Torontokp · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bite sized story. Very short.
The interesting thing here is - I discovered but you may know this already - that all of the stories featuring Parker Pyne are short stories!

But despite the brevity, the plot is interesting, if old fashioned. A soldier who has returned to England after a war abroad is bored and is looking for some adventure.

Parker Pine promises to provide one and asks him to go see one Mr Jones and gives him the address. However, when he is on his way, he is distracted by the screams from a compound. Dashing in, he rescues a damsel in distress whom two hooligans are trying to intimidate.

Long story short, he releases her from the clutches of the evil man who was after a treasure note saved by her father (and about which she knew nothing about) and also foils the evil plan. He falls in love and decides to marry her too.

All so neat, but the extra twist at the end is interesting, and satisfying.

If you want to know more of the plot, please read my larger review here.

-- Krishna

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Case of the Discontented Soldier
By Agatha Christie

Parker Pyne is at it again. Ms. Christie’s “social worker of yesteryear” is answering the needs of a soldier who was bored with his life. Major Wilbraham has just returned from East Africa and he is dissatisfied with his life in the slow lane. He needs excitement. As usual, Mr. Pyne provides what his customer needs.
The Major saves a damsel in distress, and fell head-over-heels for this gorgeous creature. As the day goes on, they find themselves embroiled in a life or death situation. Of course, the Major is a gentleman and not afraid of danger, so he is called upon again, to save the day. Unbeknownst to him, he was living out a plot that was written by another well-known character in Ms. Christie’s imagination: Miss Oliver, the apple eating writer.
This was a fast read and very fun story. I give it 4 stars.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker Pyne Investigates

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Review repost from another story*

The Parker Pyne short stories I've read are silly and definitely not Agatha at her best. However, the silly plots of discontent and unhappy people whom he essentially gives makeovers and ego-boosts are basically what I need right now.

Note: Similar to some of her other writings, there are dated uses of objectionable terms/labels.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story, and I had read this in a Parker Pine anthology. I had heard, though, that this was the first appearance of Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, so I had to revisit it because I didn’t remember her in a Parker Pine. Sure enough, there she was. I always enjoy Christie, of course, so this was my delight on a breezy fall afternoon!