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Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple, Bk 1)
Murder at the Vicarage - Miss Marple, Bk 1 Author:Agatha Christie Originally written in 1930, Agatha Christie's first Miss Jane Marple mystery. — It's a historic event in detective fiction as the unflappable sleuth's passion for gossip -- and cheerful recognition of the worst side of human nature -- leads her to a crime scene at the local vicarage. Colonel Protheroe, St. Mary Mead's most loathed... more » magistrate, has been found shot through the head.
But it isn't the "pompous old brute's" murder that raises eyebrows, but rather the scandalous secrets it exposes. Those secrets are about to put St. Mary Mead on the map -- and send Miss Marple on the trail of a killer with something to hide.« less
A really funny introduction to one of the most unique amateur detectives in the entire mystery genre. Miss Marple has spawned numerous copycats, none of whom quite match her cheerful revelation of her neighbors' most intimate (and dirty) secrets. A must-read.
This is a delightful who-done-it. Miss Marple's first case and she solves it in grand style. A good mystery without the blood and gore and heart-thumping plots of today. Agatha Christie is a master at keeping the reader guessing.
From the back cover: The murder of Colonel Protheroe was a shock to everyone in St. Mary Mead, though hardly an unpleasant one. Even Vicar Clement had declared that killing the hated Protheroe would be a service to the world. Not only the vicar, but his young wife, the object of endless village gossip, could be considered suspects. And what about the faithless Mrs. Protheroe, or her lover, the young artist Lawrence Redding? The baffled police are even more astonished when a demure spinster, Miss Jane Marple, confidently announces her plan to capture the murderer - and blithely solves her first case.
If you want a good mystery, but need a break from the edge-of-your-seat books of this genre, visit Miss Marple and the people of St. Mary Mead. You won't be disappointed.
This is Agatha Christie - what more is there to say?!
Well, just this: I read MANY mysteries (and enjoy a good amt of them), but no one comes close to Ms. Christie's expertise in writing (and characters!).
If you've read her work, you know what I mean. If you haven't read her work - by all means start now...
This is a typical Christie book that's handy to have with you if you have to wait in line somewhere. Being prepared to wait by bringing a book entertains you and annoys the people who are making you wait.
Delos - reviewed Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple, Bk 1) on
I think is the first Miss Marple story, no? I could be wrong. But a must and a classic as far as English murder mysteries go. Will have you guessing every which wrong way.
In "Murder at the Vicarage", we are introduced to the elderly, seemingly unworldly Miss Marple. In reality this mild mannered spinster has a mind like a steel trap and sees life through her knowledge of people and their foibles and idiosyncrasies who live in her small English village. Col.Protheroe , who is disliked by almost all who knew him, is found dead, shot thru the head. Many suspects...In typical Christie fashion, we are given all the clues to figure out the solution, but we usually don't.
This book is told from the vicar's point of view. He interacts with the various characters and the murdered man. Miss Marple is not a major character; she's mentioned (often) in disparaging terms. This happens in a small English village and many of the characters are delightfully 'catty.' The vicar is married to a 20-year younger woman; he's in love with her but disappointed in himself. There's a bit more wry humor offered in this book vs. Agatha Christie's usual book.
In St. Mary Mead, everyone is part of the action; the 'little old biddies' lead the way with gossip and tattling. "The Avenger" was a bit of fun theatre from Dame Christie. The police must have had quite a bit of fun with the 'old biddies' in this post-Victorian town. I listened to this; the narrator was Richard E Grant. He did a fine job and gave a nuanced performance that brought out the witty parts of the book very well.
