I've been challenged by my oldest daughter to read all 12 Miss Marple Murder Mystery books by the end of the summer. This challenge began last summer. I've just finished book 6 which so far has been my favorite. Book 3 so far has been my last favorite.
STORY SUMMARY
Rex Fortescue is a very wealthy man who heads up a vast financial empire in London. He is married to Adele Fortescuse, his second wife, who is several years younger than him. In fact, she is hte same age as his daughter-in-law Jennifer Fortescue who is married to his oldest son Percival (Val). He has another son named Lance who is married to a woman from Ireland named Pat. Lance has been estranged from the family for several years. Rex also has a daughter who is engaged to be married.
One morning, he is in his office drinking his morning cup of tea, when he suffers a horrible and sudden death. and in his pocket is found a piece of grain......rye!! No one can figure this out.
A couple of days later, his wife Adele is having tea in the parlor and while she is alone for a small amount of time, someone slips in and poisons her tea. She is discovered dead within minutes! That same evening, their maid Gladys is found strangled, out by the clothesline, with a clothespin pegged to her nose!
Inspector Neele is trying to solve this case and calls upon Miss Marple. Miss Marple quickly figures out that these murders match the lines in a famous children' nursery rhyme.
The problem is: which of the family members or servants wants these people dead?
Just who did murder Rex, Adele and Gladys...and why??
MY THOUGHTS
This is a fun, easy murder mystery. I guessed the person correctly this time! I do enjoy a good "who dun it" mystery. But it took me a long time...almost to the last half of the story, to realize exactly who was behind these crimes. My first guess was wrong.
It's also a very short novel...you can read this in 1-2 evenings!
The character development, like all of the author's books, is well done and the characters all weave their way around one another.
There is a type of sub plot as well that helps move the story along.
Just when you think it's one person and you think you have the mystery figured out, the author sweeps you along on a whole other approach and you are left wondering if you're correct or not.
The themes in this book are greed, jealousy, betrayal, secrets.
Agatha Christie is a master at her craft and at exploring the human mind and the behaviors of people.
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 10.
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