Reviews

A Hollywood actress, Marina Gregg, buys a country house near Miss Marple’s village and hosts a garden party where a guest is poisoned. The police believe the lethal cocktail was meant for Marina and she takes to her bed, scared that someone’s out to get her. A whole host of her movie world rivals and others from her past are suspected. She’s not exactly made too many friends over her career!

Meanwhile life in St. Mary Mead isn’t quite what it once was, with progress being viewed with suspicion by many. The Development (as it’s referred to by locals) brings new people and attracts a supermarket which is a step too far!

Miss Marple embarks on her sleuthing in her typical quirky way; asking her hairdresser for old movie mags:

“I think the truth lies somewhere here.” She rustled her magazines and picked up another one.

“You mean you’re looking for some special story about someone?”

“No,” said Miss Marple. “I’m just looking for mentions of people and a way of life and something–some little something that might help.”

I was struck by how well Christie writes about aging as Miss Marple comes to terms with the loss of independence in her 80s. She has a housekeeper, Miss Knight, who fusses around her, speaking to her in a condescending way. At one point Miss Marple sends herh to town with a long shopping list, so she can escape to explore The Development alone which was a nice detail.

The mystery takes many enjoyable turns, including a fashion photoshoot at Keats’ Hampstead house and the ending is satisfying. I tend to let Christie’s books wash over me but with this one I surprised myself by guessing the killer and motive!

I’ve read that it was based on the life of a real Hollywood actress and that the 1980 movie had the inspired casting of Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg and Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, so wonderful!

akel104's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brog's review against another edition

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced

3.5

laryssasouza's review against another edition

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3.0

previsível.

meekumoh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The reveal was powerful, but all in all this was a rather sad plot. It did well in the unravelling, getting very muddied POVs from everyone and Marple managing to piece it together in the end.

Content Warnings