A nosy elderly lady from a sleepy English village seems an unlikely character to star in a detective novel, but Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple remains one of the most famous detectives of all time since her first appearance in 1927. Now in Marple: Twelve New Mysteries (book club’s latest pick), 12 acclaimed authors try their hand at writing short stories featuring the spinster sleuth.
Miss Marple uncovers mysteries in her small town of St. Mary Mead from a second murder at the vicarage to a strange family affair that ends in death by bow and arrow. Marple’s Christmas at the Bantrys’ home is interrupted by unexpected and unpleasant guests, and a quick visit to Fairweather House reveals some skeletons in the closet of an old school friend. Miss Marple also does her fair share of globe trotting as she investigates the untimely death of a passenger aboard a cruise to Hong Kong, and observes a writer who is caught in a nefarious plot while on vacation in Italy. These and many other mysteries are solved by the formidable Miss Marple.
Marple is often overlooked or underestimated which allows her to slip into the background and observe. She misses no detail and is well versed in human nature. She believes people are essentially the same everywhere, and there’s no better place to learn about people than a small village where everyone knows everyone. When solving a mystery, Marple connects small anecdotes from her village to the situation at hand, uncovering the means and motives of murder, theft, or lies.
This book is a great read whether you’re an Agatha Christie super fan or new to her characters. For those familiar with Miss Marple, there are many well known characters and allusions to uncover, but no prior knowledge of her is necessary to enjoy the stories. I sat down and finished the book over two days, but I believe this book is most enjoyable to read in parts. Read one story while curled up somewhere warm on a cold and dreary day, save another for a quick read at night before going to sleep, and another for a brain break in study hall. Each story has a unique style as authors take their own spin on things while still capturing the wit and personality of Marple. Miss Marple was created by Christie to “give old maids a voice” and these stories bring that idea to modern day. The book gives its readers cause to reconsider how we view and treat the elderly. Overall this was a fun read, and I recommend it to all mystery lovers.
