2024 Book Review #31: The MIrror Crack'd

 

I just completed the 8th book in the Miss Marple mystery series.  My oldest daughter challenged me last summer to read all 12 books in the series by the end of Summer 2024.  I have 4 left so not sure I'll win the challenge but I do plan on finishing the last 4. 

This book is now my 2nd fave from the list so far with number 1 being A Pocket Full of Rye and number 3 being 4:50 from Paddington.  

STORY SUMMARY

Marina Gregg is a glamourous film star has just purchased a beautiful old mansion in the small village of St Mary Mead, which has recently seen a development boon of newer homes. Jane Marple, who is currently still living in her home in the village  now has a daily helper named Miss Knight and a housekeeper named Cherry. 

Miss Marple is invited, along with her old friend Mrs Bantry who used to own Gossington Hall and sold it to Marina, to a fete given by Marina and her current husband Jason Rudd. 

During the party, Heather and Arthur Badcock arrive and shortly after Heather takes a drink from her cocktail, she is dead of poisoning!

The investigation begins and soon there are 2 more people, linked to Marina and Jason, who wind up dead.  One is shot and the other is poisoned. Who is commiting these crimes?

Enter Miss Marple with her sharp wit and mind to help solve the mystery of the murders at Gossington Hall. 

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this book!!  The character  development is always so spot on and this book didn't disappoint with either characters, setting, or plot. 

The person I first suspected as being the killer, was not......so that left me with trying to figure  the mystery out before I got to where Miss Marple figured it out. I was correct! It's a plot where you need to pay attention to some details that in other books might seem trivial but in this book are very important. I don't want to spoil it for you so I won't reveal what those details are. 

I  always enjoy the humor of an Agatha Christie "miss marple" and this one had some very funny moments. I also loved how Jane dealt with her housekeeper and helper situation..... well done! This is a perfect fast paced, and not lengthy, mystery novel. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.

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