REVIEW: The Murder at the Vicarage (Agatha Christie)

Book: The Murder at the Vicarage

Author: Agatha Christie

My rating: 3/5. 

Premise: 'Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,' declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, `would be doing the world at large a service!' It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later. From seven potential murderers, Miss Marple must seek out the suspect who has both motive and opportunity.

This was my first Miss Marple book and I'm a bit torn. The murder takes place in a sleepy village who's inhabitants love sharing titbits of gossip and scandal. I kept changing my mind over who the murderer was and had t completely wrong in the end! Having read Poirot books before, I was expecting the story to follow Miss Marple as she solved the crime. However, the story is told by the Vicar himself and Miss Marple is a side character, which I felt was a shame. I'm hoping she's more prominent in her other stories as she is quite a fun character - observant, strong-willed, frequently hinting at gossip. Overall, another cracker from Christie, just not enough Marple.