Miss Marple

5. A Caribbean Mystery

Summary: Nephew Raymond West has given his favourite aunt a vacation at a beautiful resort in the Caribbean. While there she encounters an old wind-bag. One of his stories is about meeting a murderer. He has a snapshot. Suddenly he hesitates, and gets flustered. By the next morning he is dead, seemingly of natural causes. Miss Marple has doubts.

And well she should.

Review: While Miss Marple had traveled to other places outside of her village, this one sent her the farthest. Even though she was far from home, she found a way to inject her village wisdom to the mystery that happened in the Caribbean. Overall, a fun and exciting read.

4. Nemesis

Summary: In utter disbelief, Jane Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel – an acquaintance she had met briefly while on vacation in St. Honore, as recounted in “A Caribbean Mystery.”

Rafiel had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon she is faced with a new crime – the ultimate crime – murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remain buried.

Review: Have you ever wondered what Miss Marple would be like when going on the warpath? This book is the result. She is asked to solve a mystery, and she takes to it with gusto. It’s amazing seeing her mind at work and the steps she takes to complete her goal.

3. The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side

Summary: One minute, silly Heather Babcock had been babbling on at her movie idol, the glamorous Marina Gregg. The next, Heather suffered a massive seizure, poisoned by a deadly cocktail.

It seems likely that the cocktail was intended for the beautiful actress. But while the police fumble to find clues, Miss Marple begins to ask her own questions, because as she knows–even the most peaceful village can hide dark secrets.

Review: The ending of this story definitely made reading this entire book worth it. I loved the reveal and the steps Miss Marple took to get there.

2. The Body in the Library

Summary: It’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, which is now smeared across her cheeks.

But who is she? How did she get there? And what is the connection with another dead girl, whose charred remains are later discovered in an abandoned quarry?

The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marple to solve the mystery… before tongues start to wag.

Review: A classic mystery of Miss Marple’s. When she wants to protect her loved ones she will do what it takes to solve the mystery the best way she knows how, acting as matronly as possible to find out all of the information. Overall, an enjoyable read and an enjoyable watch.

1. A Murder is Announced

Summary: The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple who is staying nearby, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.’ Is this a childish practical joke? Or a hoax intended to scare poor Letitia Blacklock? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd gathers at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out.

Review: The one that reignited my love of Agatha Christie and started my love of Miss Marple. I came across one of the film adaptations of this story on PBS, and I instantly fell in love with the story and the character. I have now watched all of the film adaptations for this story, and it holds up as one of my favorite Agatha Christie mysteries of all time.