Play Book Tag discussion

The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side – Agatha Christie
Audiobook performed by Emilia Fox.
3.5***

This is book # 9 in the series. Miss Marple is showing her age and the doctor insists that she have a nursemaid/companion. But she’s really not so frail as people think, and she can still out-detect the most experienced Scotland Yard inspector. When a local woman is dies during a large charity event at an estate now owned by Hollywood actress Marina Gregg and her latest husband (is he # 4 or # 5?) authorities discover that the cocktail she drank was doctored. But who would want to kill Mrs Badcock? It appears this was a terrible accident, but that the lethal dose was meant for Marina Gregg.

Christie really kept me guessing on this one. There are plenty of suspects, and lots of red herrings. Miss Marple is at her best in using her knowledge of human behavior and deducing the truth. I did pick up on that final clue, but was at a loss right up to that. I also really enjoyed the subplot of Miss Marple’s need for a companion.

Emilia Fox did a superb job narrating the audiobook. She was able to give the many characters unique voices, although her deep, gravelly voice for some of the male characters was a little over-the-top.

This was my first Christie, read in 6th grade, and I was hooked from here. The movie, starring Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg, was ok but didn't impress me.

annapi wrote: "This was my first Christie, read in 6th grade, and I was hooked from here. The movie, starring Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg, was ok but didn't impress me."

My local PBS station is showing the BBC series version tonight.

I've not found any of the Christie movies to be as good as the books. They never quite live up to my expectations.

I just listened to Emilia Fox read a Poirot mystery. She gave one of the female characters a high pitched squeaky voice. So annoying. I was misled into thinking Hugh Fraser was going to read it because he read the credits. I gave her a fair try, but I won't listen to her again.