2023 Book Review #22: The Murder at the Vicarage

 

This image of the first Miss Marple book is a modern cover.   The book I borrowed from our towne library is plain black with the gold emblem of Miss Marple and the words Agatha Christie Mystery Collection which my librarian swears is the original cover. I wasn't around in the 1930s so I have no idea if she's correct.  All I know is that Agatha Christie is a huge favorite in our home and I cannot believe I haven't read every one of  her Miss Marple mysteries.  (('ve read a few Poirot ones and maybe 2-3 Marple ones).  The last time I remember reading a Miss Marple mystery was when I was about 14.  My oldest daughter emailed me a list of the all the Miss Marple books in order.  My goal for this first year of retirement is to read at least half of them (there are 12)  by this time next year.  Do you think I'll achieve that goal?  I will if my library can get me the books! 

STORY SUMMARY

The little village of St Mary Mead centers around the Church. The Vicar, Len Clemente is married to a woman named Griselda.  They have a maid named Mary.  The village people like to gather after church to share the gossip. There's been some missing money from the collection jar but the big news is that Colonial Protheroe's daughter Lettice seems to be having an affair with the artist Lawrence Redding!

One evening,  Miss Marple joins Protheroe's young wife, Anna, at the Vicar's home for dinner.  Also at the supper are the Vicar, Griselda, Lawrence, the Clemente's nephew Dennis, (a teenager) and Hawes, the curate for the church. They are all discussing various ways they would kill Protheroe as he is much despised.  Even Mary the maid joins in as she is bitter about Protheroe sending her boyfriend to jail on a poaching charge. 

And...the next day, a Thursday evening, Protheroe is found shot in the head with a pistol.  His body is discovered in the Vicar's study! Lawrence admits to killing Protheroe to protect Anna who in turn admits killing her husband to try to protect Lawrence.  Anna and Lawrence are in love. 

Miss Marple offers to help Inspector Slack.  He at first just thinks she's a frumpy old spinster, when in truth, she is excellent at observing people and figuring things out. She claims there are seven suspects:  Mary the maid; Archer (the man accused of poaching); Lettice (Protheroe's daughter); Dennis (because his alibi of being at a tennis game doesn't match up); Hawes (the Vicar's curate); Clemente (so the Coloniel won't investigate the church's financial accounts); and Griselda (who also has an alibi that doesn't match up with timing).  However:  none of these suspects killed Protheroe!!  Miss Marple is convinced it's Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe. 

Will she be able to prove her theory? 

MY THOUGHTS

Miss Marple books are charming. They're full of humor, too along with the  repartee of British old lady spinsters. The village sounds like a typical small American town but with the class of English gentry. It's the kind of mystery that pulls you in from the start. 

I loved the character development. I'm wondering if any of them other than Inspector Slack and Detective Melchett will appear in the other novels. 

I also love that G.K. Chesterton is mentioned. There is some belief that Christie and Chesterton knew each other based on their literary pursuits and both knowing Dorothy Sayers. All of these writers wrote mysteries and of course G.K Chesterton is known for being a Christian apologist. He is often quoted by my pastor! 

I did find the middle of the book to be annoying.....it just took forever it seemed to me to get to the truth of just who the murderer is.....but...the repartee of the characters is, in my opinion, what moves this story.

I enjoyed reading this first Miss Marple book.  I'm looking forward to reading more. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 12 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.