Book Club

Marple Stories

Christie never intended Miss Marple to rival Poirot in the publics affections, but this spinster sleuth soon proved a hit with the public.  Here's the place to discuss her stories - but beware spoilers!

If you can't find your favourite Miss Marple story, don't worry - more will be added shortly.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

A Caribbean Mystery

Moderator1 10 Nov 09 at 11:48 a.m. GMT

A trip to the Caribbean is a wonderful present  for Miss Marple from her nephew Raymond, although it seems not a lot happens there.  However, be careful what you wish for: a new acquaintance, Major Palgrave, dies shortly after telling her an intriguing story of murder.  Not happy with the accepted reason for his death being an accidental overdose Miss Marple is soon on a journey to expose a very devious murderer and on the way makes a new friend in Jason Rafiel.

Is is possible to imagine Jane Marple as a young woman, doing what she does now?  Would she have been able to fit in as unobtrusively as she does now or is it essential that she is the old and fluffy lady Christie portrays her as?

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15 replies

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murder_is_easy123 16 Oct 11 at 10:15 a.m. GMT

When is Julia McKenzie going to appear in a film of this?  I remember seeing the Joan Hickson version and being truly terrified at some parts, so I can't wait for it to be remade again!

I think that the book was perfect.  Not too short, not too long!  I was particularly concerned of the treatment of the black characters in it, but overall very absorbing!!!

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Jun 11 at 1:53 p.m. GMT

In the late 8os to mid 90s The BBC did all the Miss Marple Novels starring Joan Hickson, the First Televised was Body In The Library and the last one was Caribbean Mystery

lakambini 25 Jun 11 at 8:53 a.m. GMT

Tommy_A_Jones

It is a while since I read it but the Adaptation with Joan Hickson mentioned NIne-Night, Isn't that from the book? if so it couldn't have been st anywhere, if it was invented I agree it could have been set aat Eastborne or Weston-Super-Mare, they could choose one of those places for the ITV Adaptation.

Hey Tommy what is it about this adaptation stuff this is the first I've heard of it. I don't live in the US or UK so I need some kind of enlightenment :)

lakambini 25 Jun 11 at 8:52 a.m. GMT

Just finished reading this book. Oh boy I just love Mr Rafiel! Good thing he's not  the murderer or the victim. And I'm glad there's another book on MM with him! Off to reading Nemesis now! :D

Tommy_A_Jones 09 Feb 11 at 4:54 p.m. GMT

It is a while since I read it but the Adaptation with Joan Hickson mentioned NIne-Night, Isn't that from the book? if so it couldn't have been st anywhere, if it was invented I agree it could have been set aat Eastborne or Weston-Super-Mare, they could choose one of those places for the ITV Adaptation.

Roger_Ackroyd1926 09 Feb 11 at 2:42 a.m. GMT

I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed with A CARIBBEAN MYSTERY upon re-reading it three or four months ago - despite the potentially exotic locale, I felt that there was remarkably little Caribbean color or atmosphere, and that it could have been set almost anywhere, even back home in St. Mary Mead  (I just finished re-reading THEY CAME TO BAGHDAD, in which Christie's descriptive powers were excellent).  This is one instance where I feel that a film adaptation offered some improvement on the original - the Joan Hickson TV film does indeed get Miss Marple out of the hotel and gives us a glimpse into the lives of some of the local people (namely Victoria Johnson's aunt).  It's too bad Dame Agatha didn't come up with this herself, but oh well, we can't have everything, can we?

detectivefan010 16 Jan 11 at 10:50 a.m. GMT

This is an ingenious book.I never expected the guy who was running the hotel and looking sad to be the murderer.This combined with Miss Marple's clever self proves that even the most complex events have a solution! Over all it is a good read.

Hercules 15 Jul 10 at 11:13 a.m. GMT

ACB is a great Christie, I read it years ago and really kicked myself at the end. She more or less tells you how the murderer operates and yet I was still walking round in the fog that only Christie can create. There WERE light hearted touches to be sure but I found it really creepy by the end, the scene where Lucky's body is discovered in the water is really eerie!! Can't believe after all these years that I didnt get the MAIN clue, it would be imprudent to mention it here. Great stuff!!   

CRIS_CH 12 Jul 10 at 1:58 a.m. GMT

Ok,as a fan oF MM I enjoyed the book till the end. I do truly believe that MMs age is an important and necessary ability ,just to be able to do what she does best...the knowledge of the human nature, and the paralelism she always manages to find between her aquactainces and friends or relatives with everyone involve is really superb!!!! don{t you think so?

Who will suspect from an old lady like her? I think she is the most anti-detective character developed till now. (I repeat it again,if there is a most suitable word for "anti-detective" please notify me, I{m not a native speaker,remember)..

Just not to forget to talk about the book in discussion I like the change of scenery for MM. She deserves holidays in such a beautiful place...it is a pity that murderers are always chasing her....

Kisses to all.

Cris

Puffinjill 08 Jul 10 at 2:42 p.m. GMT

I'm afraid that this one isn't one of my favourite Miss Marple books, but, as there aren't any I wouldn't choose to read again, it's still one I find enjoyable. I especially like the scenes between Miss M and Mr Rafiel as I think the barbed dialogue just sparkles. Taking Mis Marple out of her usual habitat was a brave thing to do as her horizons are narrower than Poirot, but it works well and goes to prove her own saying that life is very much the same, no matter where you are.

Miss_Eylesbarrow 08 Jul 10 at 2:15 p.m. GMT

This is one of my all time favourite Miss Marple books.  I just love the way MM spends her whole holiday trying to puzzle out murder.  Her observations on the steel band and how old it makes her feel all makes sense and I can imagine her sitting there in her 'grey lace' watching kindly all the 'young people' - who aren't so very young really, enjoying themselves. 

I think that this book is warm-hearted in the portrayal of MM - her preference for passion fruit sundae rather than a 'nice bread pudding' and her tearing the heel off her shoe in order to spy on Jackson.  I agree with you Xrysoula, that the plot itself isn't particularly light hearted, what a horrid man he turns out to be, but I really feal that the Caribbean sunshine really comes into the book in lots of ways.

Katiecars 08 Jul 10 at 8:21 a.m. GMT

I just saw the movie with Helen Hays. Amazing. Too bad her name doesn't appear up in the front page.

MissQuin 30 Jun 10 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

The amazing thing about some Chrisite books is, that she can take a grim subject like murder and make it into something light and warm. I personally found ACM lighthearted, because I knew that Miss Marple must have been ancient by then. When she barges into Mr Rafiel's room holding yarns of pink, fluffy wool, calling herself Nemesis- Well  that was meant to be amusing! Mr Rafiel certainly thought so.

Also the fact Lucky, was "lucky" enough to be murdered is also ironic. I liked the adaptation by Hickson. I found the characters more beleiveable and the rather frivolous bits were cut out.

xrysoula 30 Jun 10 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

Were Jane Marple a young and fit woman, she would have no need to ask for Mr Rafiel 's assistance, which gave basis for another excellent book of hers, Nemesis (that is a greek word, by the way).

Other than that, where would she derive her knowledge of the world and complicate human relationships from, if not from her age?No, Agatha Christie certainly had her reasons for presenting MM as she did.Besides, that was how the public loved her-and AC wasn 't writing the books for herself.You don 't change a winner.

Personally, I liked the book very much, and didn 't find it lighthearted at all. There is nothing light in a husband who gives druggs to his wife,tries to frame her for murder AND murder her aswell.

MissQuin 07 Jan 10 at 10:31 a.m. GMT

I'm afraid I didn't like on this one. I did find Miss Marple's even more advanced years a plot flaw. But this one has a very lighthearted tone, so it's not to be taken too seriously. I don't think Miss Marple was ever able to go on holiday, without a murder occurring! The rest of the murder plot doesnt stay in mind very well.