Reviews

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

hannahcheney97's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

alexpler's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Para mi primera lectura de Agatha Christie en muchos años he elegido el primer caso de Miss Marple. Me han sorprendido el punto de vista elegido, la caracterización algo antipática de Marple (una vecina cotilla con comentarios inoportunos) y sobre todo la resolución del crimen, que en las últimas páginas del libro te coge con el pie cambiado. Estás convencido de que por fin ocurrirá "eso" y entonces llega Marple y da con la única solución que no se te había pasado por la cabeza. Me he imaginado a Agatha disfrutando en la máquina de escribir mientras redactaba esos últimos capítulos e imaginaba la reacción de los lectores.

j_rowley's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The first Miss Marple. She is not described in very flattering terms. In fact, she seems rather disliked by many in St. Mary Mead.

Murder happens in the vicarage and the vicar is the narrator. Killed was a local man who no one liked. Not even his wife or daughter. So first the young, sexy artist who was having an affair with Protheroe’s wife, Anne, confesses. Then she confesses. Both then exonerated. Lots of old busybodies. Then vicar suspected (it was his study). The new woman in town, Mrs. LeStrange, is suspected plus she had met the deadman soon before his death. The vicar’s second is suspected, but he only was embezzling (Protheroe suspected him). LeStrange was his first wife and mother of his daughter. She just wanted to see her. An archaeologist was suspected, but then found to steal things. His secretary thought to be in on it. Local poacher or his girlfriend might have done it because poacher recently sentenced and his girlfriend, Mary, was the maid in the vicarage. Vicar’s wife, Griselda, up in London that day, but seems to have returned earlier than the train did. Inspector Slack introduced.

So Lawrence, the artist, did it with widow, Anne Protheroe. He was the type that wouldn’t just leave for love but wanted the money too. Vicar’s wife pregnant. Doc saves Hawes who confessed, but only to the embezzlement, not murder. Miss Marple figures it out. Although no credit, but seems to have more fans in the village afterwards. I

jacobsanchez's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Pretty good first Ms. Marple book. Ms. Marple is so different from Poirot and this is really told from the vicar's point of view. Nice twist that did fit with all the facts. I thought someone else was the murderer and they did obfuscate a bit but in the end it was in a good cause. Excited to finally read all the Ms. Marple books.

andreashannon's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book did not solve the mystery of why it took me so long to get around to reading books by the amazing Agatha Christie

boronguyen's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Such fun!

ravenstitcher's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I've read this before but it was so many years ago that I'd quite forgotten who the killer was. Dame Agatha was simply one of the finest writers of mystery fiction that every lived (I know, I'm gushing). She invented the 'cozy' sub-genre in detective fiction. She is often imitated, but never duplicated. I would recommend this book as an introduction for anyone wanting to enter into the world of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot.

idkher's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Miss Marple never disappoints. Never underestimate the observation power of a nosey old lady.

gaga2203's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Quirky and warm.

drdonovan's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Primero de todo, es un libro de Agatha Christie, todos conocemos a Agatha Christie (O deberíamos). La historia está ambientada en un pequeño pueblo en los años 30 en el que nunca pasa nada y el único entretenimiento que tienen las señoras es cotillear sobre el resto de sus vecinos... eso es hasta que se produce un asesinato misterioso que revolucionará a todo el pueblo.

Lo más curioso de este asesinato es que cualquiera podría haber tenido motivo para hacerlo, la víctima no era un hombre querido que digamos y los sospechosos no hacen más que aparecer. De hecho una de las cosas que más me ha gustado de la historia es como la autora conduce tus sospechas de una persona a otra sin ningún tipo de remordimiento hasta que tu cabeza te da vueltas y todas tus teorías sobre quién mató al coronel no son más que un nudo lleno de cabos sueltos. El pueblecito tan inocente aparece de repente lleno de secretos, de misterios sin resolver, y de un cadaver que busca a su asesino.

Otra parte muy curiosa de esta novela es la forma en la que está narrada la historia. Nuestros ojos son los del vicario, en cuya casa se produjo el asesinato. Su posición en la comunidad y en el crimen ocurrido le permiten adentrarse más que el resto del pueblo en lo que va ocurriendo con la investigación, pero no es él el "Sherlock Holmes" de la historia, él es uno más de las personas con teorías pero sin mucha idea de como resolverlas. La que resolverá el caso (Espero que esto no os parezca un spoiler, si es así no sigais leyendo) es Ms. Marple, una anciana soltera que tiene un don para enterarse de todo lo que pasa en el pueblo y un gusto por las novelas policiacas. Ella os dará la solución, pero hasta entonces deberéis comeros la cabeza.

A mi personalmente me encantan las historias de detectives, y esta es una de las mejores que he leído. Os la recomiendo mucho. Y si conseguís adivinar con cierto tiempo de antelación quién es el asesino decídmelo, yo sospeché, pero he de admitir que al final pensaba que era otra persona. Leed Agatha Christie, yo seguiré haciéndolo.