--- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, DJ-Anonyme@... wrote:
> I don't know about in film, but the gathering of the
suspects was a
> standard feature of the manor house/parlor room
mysteries by Agatha
> Christie and others. And Hammett himself had used it
earlier in the
> Maltese Falcon.
I'm not sure if it comes from "manor house" mysteries with a
PI or from "inspector and constable" mysteries. My impression
--as a reader; I have not researched it-- is that the
Gathering is a British invention, later imported into
American mysteries. Though dated, it is an effective device.
It still works fine in some of Christie's best novels. There
probably isn't a better device to end and resolve
Puzzle
& Clew mysteries.
Best,
mrt
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