Agatha Christie Lovers discussion

Originally published 1952. Features Miss Marple (#6)

Miss Jane Marple helps pal Carrie Louise, invited by worried sister Ruth to Stonygates, where arrested boys rehabilitate. Foundation trustee Christian is shot dead in the guest room while paranoid Edgar shoots at Carrie's husband nearby. After more deaths, Jane sees illusions. They Do It With Mirrors original Murder with Mirrors.

I just want to boast that this was the first Christie mystery- one of very few, actually - that I figured out the solution to! And I did it right away because, for some reason, I noticed the clue and read it correctly. Do NOT read this spoiler till you have finished the book!!!!! Here is the clue I noticed: (view spoiler)[ "He was breathing hard as if he'd been running." It never occurred to me that Lewis was frightened; I figured he had been running!! (hide spoiler)]

I need to download this to my MP3.

Carolyn, Joan Hickson, the best Miss Marple ever, reads this beautifully!

Ooh good, I hope she's the narrator on the one I have.

I have this one but I don't think I've ever read it, in fact, I don't think I remember reading a miss Marple novel! Excited to start :)

Julie *Friday's Child* wrote: Excited to start :)

Enjoy, Julie! And welcome to the chat! :)

Brad wrote: "I just want to boast that this was the first Christie mystery- one of very few, actually - that I figured out the solution to! And I did it right away because, for some reason, I noticed the clue a..."

You're just too smart Brad.

I don't think it was one of the best. I think the final resolution, the identity of the murderer, and how he achieved his ends, was actually a bit far fetched, maybe because unlike our smart friend Brad, I didn't notice the clues. :) But I supposed, when reading about Miss Marple, I should expect a bit of mind stretching.

I missed Brad's clue, but still figured out the murderer pretty early, but I could not determine WHY the murder was done.

I remember reading this one and Dead Man's Folly together - similar settings and groups of people, and the mystery aspects of DMF are even worse. I do like the glimpses into Miss Marple's past here. I don't think much of Christie's depiction of juvenile delinquents! I think we're starting to see the author start to slip behind the times a bit with this book.

And Sheri brings up a good point about Miss Marple's sleuthing. It's far more intuitive than logical. If the murderer had merely smiled and shaken their head at the poor old lady instead of losing their own nerve, this book would have ended differently!

It was nice to refresh my memory by rereading this book again. I've been reading so many books written by current authors and set in current times that it's refreshing to read something written by the author in 1952. They were different times and the plot indicates that for sure! Looking forward to May's offering.

Brad wrote: "I just want to boast that this was the first Christie mystery- one of very few, actually - that I figured out the solution to! And I did it right away because, for some reason, I noticed the clue a..."

I guessed the killer in the beginning too but started doubting myself as the details about other people were revealed.

What i love about Christie (and Austen too) is that the nature of the stories they tell is focused on the human nature and human characteristics rather than some elaorate set-up. Leave a bunch of peoplr together and they are likely to muddle-up their life with help of external forces. It's neat and simple.

Or you've not read the book in such a long time that it feels new again, which is really nice :)

That would be so fun - dress in period costumes too.

I figured out who the murderer was right away on this one, mainly because of the same clue Brad picked up on. I also figured that (view spoiler)[ the whole poisoning was bogus because it seemed too convenient that he just happened to have the arsenic in a bottle, stopped her from taking her tonic that night and had a typed note that he took to the police. Nobody mentioned arsenic but him. He suggested it, and everyone went with it. Seemed set up. (hide spoiler)].

I did enjoy this one though and am looking forward to the next one. I have quite a few to catch up on!