Name Parker Pyne

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.