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!

The Murder at the Vicarage

Jemma 05 Aug 09 at 2:37 p.m. GMT

The first Miss Marple novel is fascinating for its portrayal of more than just village life.  Against the backdrop of a sleepy village, the most horrific crime takes place.  Is this the perfect setting for the character of Miss Marple?

Indeed is her character consistent throughout the book?  At the beginning she is “a nasty old cat” but by the end she is described as “rather a dear”.  So who is she really?

Did Christie use The Murder at the Vicarage as a vehicle to contrast the past with an ever-changing society?  Village life is often seen as backward but Dr Haydock expresses the modern, liberal thought – that a criminals actions may be due to mental imbalance rather than a conscious wish to do wrong.

Is there more to this novel then simple village gossip?

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42 replies

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darkelinor 08 Jan 12 at 11:23 p.m. GMT

Just finished re-reading TMATV, and I have a two-part question: Why was Griselda seen leaving Mr. Redding's cottage by the window (in other words, what was she doing there?)  and who wrote the note telling the Vicar about it (the one that was dropped into his mailbox)? Thanks in advance!

ErkutSoyer 16 Aug 11 at 7:52 p.m. GMT

My first Marple novel has ended.And I like it.Its mark is 9/10.Almost I estimate the murderer.But Marple solve the murder.I like she.She is very sweet I advise this book everybody.

LuvAgathaChristie26 17 May 11 at 3:05 a.m. GMT

I've seen the movie and I just had to read the book. I dont' know which is better. Is this the first Miss Marple or is that Tuesday Club Murders (which I have also read and The Blue Geranium is my favorite)?

Twinkletoes822 02 May 11 at 1:47 a.m. GMT

Reading this now.  I've seen the BBC adaptation with Joan Hickson so I know the story, but don't think I've ever read the book.  Miss Marple is definitely my favorite of the Christie detectives.  My grandfather was a big Christie fan, and he liked he Poirots.  He's really the one responsible for introducting me to Dame Agatha, when I inherited his library upon his death.  I wish I'd been interested at the time, when he was still alive, so we could have enjoyed them together, but it's nice to find this site to chat with other fans.  I don't know a single person in 'real life' who reads Agatha Christie, if you can believe it! 

stylestocurtain 10 Apr 11 at 9:40 p.m. GMT

mlltll924

Interesting connections.  To me, J.K. Rowling has a lot of links/references to many things throughout her writing that I have discovered.  Maybe they are intentional or maybe they were done unconsciously but I wouldn't say it is totally impossible that she purposely wrote them.

You know, it's funny you should say that but I was thinking how alike JK Rowling and Agatha Christie's works are. The Harry Potter series is essentially one big mystery to solve, split into smaller mysteries for each book - tracking down a "killer" if you will, and following clues, not unlike The Secret Adversary. A lot of Rowling's books are to do with flashbacks too.

I shouldn't wonder that Rowling did take her inspiration from Christie. Harry Potter is kind of a Whodunnit-Thriller after all?

Mr_Graves 09 Apr 11 at 11:33 p.m. GMT

I think both AC and JK Rowling have an easy to read, subtly humorous style, so in that respect they are similar. Also there is always some kind of mystery involved with JK Rowling; in all of the Harry Potter books, although not supposed to be mysteries, all have that sense about them.

I've just finished "The Murder at the Vicarage" and despite a complex plot she has held up well with dear Miss Marple taking centre stage. This probably has not endured as much as other Agatha Christies, but I loved the setting and the atmosphere. The atmosphere particularly they captured well in the most recent adaptation.

mlltll924 30 Dec 10 at 10:20 p.m. GMT

Interesting connections.  To me, J.K. Rowling has a lot of links/references to many things throughout her writing that I have discovered.  Maybe they are intentional or maybe they were done unconsciously but I wouldn't say it is totally impossible that she purposely wrote them.

Pomodoro 30 Dec 10 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

Do any of you think that J.K. Rowling may have been inspired by this book when writing Harry Potter (especially book 5).  What really stuck out to me, but might be coincidence was a disliked character with the surname Lestrange (although Rowling's is actually evil) and Lettice Protheroe who seems to share many character traits with Luna Lovegood.

MissQuin 26 Sep 10 at 9:13 a.m. GMT

Yes, that's a good choice Emily!

emilytrefusis 25 Sep 10 at 9:17 a.m. GMT

Mrs Leidner is a Scandinavian looking beauty. I don't think A Jolie looks very Scandinavian. Gwyneth Paltrow perhaps?

MissQuin 11 Aug 10 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

So inamoured of hunky male actors, Bundle and I started a post for them! Keeps it away from the books topic. Your welcome to join in.

http://www.agathachristie.com/forum/have-your-say/miscellaneous/fave-actors/

Ive not seen Gosford Park so I can't say. I also liked James Franco in Tristan + Isode. I didn't like the film much, but James was just heavenly!

I think Louise would be beautiful, but in a more ethereal way, more subtle than Jolie.

xrysoula 10 Aug 10 at 9:43 p.m. GMT

Me neither, I just said it so as not to bore male fans.But I do think that Jolie would make a good Luise Lyndner-mean and beautiful.

How about Clive Owen?He fitted in just fine in "Gosford Park",which was very much like an AC movie.

MissQuin 10 Aug 10 at 11:20 a.m. GMT

Who would she play? The victim? I wouldn't have thought so.

In fact I always picture what actors I'd like in Chrisite. I never think about the actresses much!

List so far for AC nominees Matt Smith, Steve John Shepherd, Olivier Martinez. Any more?

xrysoula 09 Aug 10 at 10:24 p.m. GMT

I was thinking the same when I mentioned him!If you feel like it, check him out in the film "Unfaithful", with Diane Lane-then you will really know what I 'm talking about!

As for the rest, how about Anjelina Jolie in "Murder in Mesopotamia"?

MissQuin 09 Aug 10 at 8:47 p.m. GMT

Even the Joan Hickson adapts have some really good looking actors! (Caribean mystery and 4.50 from Paddington)

 If the plot revolves someone comitting a crime because of their infatuation with an attractive man, then they should be played by a suitable actor. Even an actor with tons of charisma can be attactive. But sadly the one in JH MATV didn't do it for me. I mean, someone can't help not being really good looking. But the casting should check.

Just googled Olivier Martinez, very nice! Great taste. I can see lot's of characters I'd like him to play in Christie.

Before any hetrosexual men tire of this topic, there are some AC crimes commited because of a man's infactuation with a beautiful woman!

xrysoula 09 Aug 10 at 10:58 a.m. GMT

I 'm with you on that, MissQuin! Dating an attractive man is like gambling-one should know when to stop, otherwise noone knows how you 'll end up. Too bad those adapts always have such poor and unresembling cast. I must admit that the perfect Lawrence for me would be Olivier Martinez-in that case, would there be ANY woman not to acquit Anna Prothero?

MissQuin 09 Aug 10 at 10:22 a.m. GMT

Well Ive not fell from grace! But attractive men, well... it's hard to resist them.

Puffinjill 09 Aug 10 at 8:27 a.m. GMT

I've not seen the McEwan version but do have the BBC JH version on DVD. I have to say that James Hazeldine wasn't quite my idea of Lawrence Redding (not quite rugged or attractive enough but that's a purely personal view!)but it was still a superior adaptation. Attractive men proving to be many a woman's downfall? Speaking from experience, MissQuin?!.....

MissQuin 08 Aug 10 at 10:25 a.m. GMT

I picture Lawrence as really really good looking. It says so in the book. The actor in the Marple (Mc Ewan) was more attractive, but not how I pictured him. As we know in the story he's dark haired and Irish looking. There's quite a few books where a attractive man is a woman's downfall!

Yunakitty 08 Aug 10 at 12:32 a.m. GMT

Oooh, that's a shame.  I've never seen the adaptation of this, nor any Miss Marple actually (I have been nagging my husband to find some for me though) but I always visualize the scenery and characters, and I've always pictured Lawrence as someone devastatingly attractive and charming.  Someone a lovesick woman would kill for.  Like, oh, Jude Law or something.