The Agatha Christie Reading Group discussion

Haven't read that one yet!! I'm in!!

I finished Double Sin and Other Stories tonight....so I am gonna start tomorrow!! That one had a bit of Miss Marple in it, but I can always use more!! :)

Just starting, Marple is at home for change. Oh, I love how she wanna know everything, nothing excuses.. I love her style.

I don't think that this is a spoiler, but the germ of this idea/plot came from an incident in the life of the actress Gene Tierney.

I liked murder story pretty much but I don't like that Marple and, Poirot too, seem to be minor character their own books! I don't mean they should stay forever young like Nancy Drew but if they keep getting older same pace, I guess we gonna meet them soon in their dead bed. And when they have others do investigation, text is easily repeat same over and over again, like in this book.

(view spoiler)[ I think the fact that the plot is "ripped from the headlines" makes it literally THE single weakest mystery in the entire Christie corpus. Who else would have committed the murder. Once you know that she committed the first murder, it's trivial to see that she is the only suspect in a position to commit the next two murders. (hide spoiler)]

Lauren wrote: "I actually really like the Miss Marple short stories. I read the complete Miss Marple short stories a little over a year ago and loved it. You should check it out!"

I enjoyed the short stories too!! Little mini mysteries...they are fun!!

Pghfan wrote: "I don't think that this is a spoiler, but the germ of this idea/plot came from an incident in the life of the actress Gene Tierney."

really?? that's very interesting!!

I am enjoying it very much. I always love everything, but my least favorites are the later books. She spends so much time trying to, I suppose, make her books relevant to modern audiences. But, I feel there was never any need. Of course, I was not alive then. lol But, one of my favorite things about her is that her writing is so "dated"!! In a great way!! I love her time period. And her mysteries are just so good, that they are always timeless. So dated and timeless!! A great combo! I think! lol

Hm.. actually I have never thought her writing dated. Do you mean like society or something? That's one thing I could maybe notice. And lack of computer and cell phones are fine, too many books and shows spend way too much staring screens.

Marvelous!! Stupendous!! Just finished tonight. How does she do it every time?? I never see in coming!! lol That Miss Marple... I will never be as sharp as her at any age!!

Speaking of the time frame of the books, this one does handle that interestingly. Miss Marple has always been one to acknowledge the passing of time and that, though she regrets of the passing of certain aspects of life, she realizes that she needs to accept the new things that replace it. In this case, the new houses in "the development," and supermarkets, and such.

Me too. I love that. Actually I've not read the book as of yet but I've seen various adaptions where she's called Aunt Jane.

Actually I was watching the Joan Hickson adaption with said actress as Aunt Jane. I think, generally speaking, that she's my favourite now in terms of book Aunt Jane. Anyway, I'm excited to read the book!

I look forward to reading your thoughts :)

Have any of you watched the early 1980's movie of this book, with Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg and Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple? Kind of a sensational movie, but truthfully, as much as I love Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, I think Ms. Lansbury LOOKED the part the best of any of the actresses who have donned the sensible shoes. She was tall and thin with masses of snowy white hair, just like Christie's description.

Lauren wrote: "This is kinda off topic, but I like that Craddock refers to Miss Marple as Aunt Jane. I'm gonna call her that now. lol."

Me too! It's cozy!! :)

I did certainly understand her feeling. I think there was an element of shock to it also. You know?? She just kind of reacted!! Wrongly of course.... It was a motive I was not even anywhere near guessing!! lol She gets me EVERY time!!

I never ever do....Not even once!! lol

Miss Marple does it again! I couldn't guess the ending either. She is good.

Guessed the ending of this one. ( VERY rare for me )

Sarah wrote: "Guessed the ending of this one. ( VERY rare for me )"

Awesome!!

Angela Lansbury is a great actress! And she was an excellent Miss Marple. No wonder she was so good at Murder, She Wrote! And Jessica Fletcher was based on Miss Marple. So enjoy the movie! Its a good one.

So I'm not the only one who guessed the ending. Anyway, I feel happy because it rarely happens. I mean never. And I'm also thinking that though she writes them in a dramatic way, it's true that it is important to experience one's life as full as possible to develop a good character, for some "less perfect" points could become weaknesses, and weaknesses, dangers.

This is the first Christie book that I EVER guessed the ending too - when I was in Grade 5, no less! I must say though, the wily old dame has fooled me much, more than not, that's for sure. A lovely, atmospheric read that amongst other things, introduced me to Tennyson at that same age. Good stuff.