Personality Parker Pyne

1 personality

1.1 appearance
1.2 name
1.3 possible influences
1.4 methods

personality
appearance

christie presents parker pyne having solid if bland physical presence, 1 characteristically english , somehow vaguely comforting around him, though not articulate how or why. character first described in case of middle-aged wife follows:

somehow or other, mere sight of mr. parker pyne brought feeling of reassurance. large, not fat; had bald head of noble proportions, strong glasses, , little twinkling eyes.

name

in short stories of parker pyne investigates (1934), christie repeatedly gives detective s full name james parker pyne, although in newspaper advertisements strictly uses middle name (rather first) business purposes.

confusion on first name possibly being christopher stems later story, problem @ pollensa bay (1935), wherein pyne uses pseudonym ruse obfuscate identity fellow british travellers not disturbed while on holiday. after multiple failed attempts enjoy peaceful vacation unfettered work, pyne settles in comfortably @ majorca but, immediately, dismayed encounter distressed englishwoman may recognise celebrated name newspapers. had signed in c. parker pyne in hotel register but, hoping conceal profession woman, returns book , scribbles on entry change christopher instead.

although use of full name christopher plainly intended here calligraphic cover-up, unclear whether pyne s earlier notation of c (instead of j james) likewise flimsy effort @ disguise, or whether merely oversight in continuity on christie s part. alternately possible, name change have been deliberate alteration author, though in case reason unexplained.

only 1 further pyne story, regatta mystery, follows these in christie canon, , not touch on topic of detective s first name, sheds no additional light on author s intention might have been on matter.

possible influences

parker pyne retired government employee turned philanthropist considers himself detective of heart . exact nature of former job , former position in british government never stated claimed have been involved in gathering of statistics. leads theory job same mycroft holmes, human super computer, specialising in omniscience.

this theory carries weight resemblance between parker pyne , mycroft holmes hard deny. both heavy set fellows. both appear possess superior skills of counterparts (sherlock holmes/hercule poirot) both nonetheless incapable of performing similar detective work since both unwilling put in physical effort necessary bring cases conclusions.

while exert himself in stories on vacation, on whole remains sedentary problem-solver, providing solutions based on seemingly little evidence , trusting agents handle of practical details. himself goes see clients after first meeting, although gets reports on progress hench-people. in fact, pyne s own lack of drive , faith in minions skills can severe handicap despite deductive talents, resulted in failure of efforts in case of discontented husband , pyne s recorded failure.

methods

parker pyne uncommon type of detective, doesn t investigate murders or similar crimes, rather prefers clients re-encounter happiness. such, applies knowledge has acquired in 35 years of work in statistics office, retired, establishing later on own on 17 richmond street, london.

he has theory there 5 main types of unhappiness , logically solvable. methods unorthodox , employs deception , constructs elaborate charades fool suspects , cure unhappiness successfully.

though is, apparently, limited specific type of investigation, pyne has uncommon capabilities criminal investigation. works alongside neurotic assistant miss felicity lemon, novelist ariadne oliver, handsome lounge lizard claude luttrell , disguise artist madeline de sara. whatever case is, has aid of team (outnumbered, effective extravagant).