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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
After a slow start, this novel picks up in an engaging way. Was there a murder? And how do you find out nearly 20 years later? Marple is present but rather in the background, as as guiding presence, with her down-to-earth, common sense logic. As always, I was fascinated how events can be interpreted in such different ways, and how by turning a little bit, the picture becomes totally different.
The wrong clothes clue really spoke to me and reminded me of Glaspell's [b:A Jury of Her Peers|264656|A Jury Of Her Peers|Susan Glaspell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348555569l/264656._SY75_.jpg|256563] where women were able to 'read' certain clues while the men just disregarded it. Very smart.
I am also in awe of Christie for writing this novel, as well as [b:Curtain: Poirot's Last Case|556113|Curtain Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot, #42)|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465932344l/556113._SY75_.jpg|1726], during WWII, in case she didn’t make it. She wanted to make sure that her daughter and her husband would be taken care of. Little did she know that these would stay in a safe for 30 years.
The wrong clothes clue really spoke to me and reminded me of Glaspell's [b:A Jury of Her Peers|264656|A Jury Of Her Peers|Susan Glaspell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348555569l/264656._SY75_.jpg|256563] where women were able to 'read' certain clues while the men just disregarded it. Very smart.
I am also in awe of Christie for writing this novel, as well as [b:Curtain: Poirot's Last Case|556113|Curtain Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot, #42)|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465932344l/556113._SY75_.jpg|1726], during WWII, in case she didn’t make it. She wanted to make sure that her daughter and her husband would be taken care of. Little did she know that these would stay in a safe for 30 years.
Sleeping Murder is an excellent Miss Marple novel. Though it has a fantastical premise, Christie grounds the narrative with smart red herrings and warm protagonists. The sprightly Marple featured in this novel does feel odd if you read her books in order of publication, but it's great to have her featured so prominently in the book. One of Christie's best (and, for Marple books, only second to 4:50 from Paddington, in my opinion).
Oh, Lady Agatha. Just when I think I could not love you more.
So, "Sleeping Murder" refers to what Miss Marple also refers to as "murder in retrospect," a murder that's been committed a great number of years ago, but is only now being investigated. I enjoyed this book, even though it didn't feel like a true Miss Marple mystery, since the lady only appears in about a third or so of the story. Instead the main characters are Gwenda and Giles, who buy a house in the South of England, and begin to uncover a mystery because of it.
I believe I've said this before, but what I really love most about Agatha Christie is that she has reasoned, well thought out and well crafted stories populated by interesting, likeable characters. Everything is knitted together perfectly, and sculpted into shape before our eyes. After reading books by Lisa Gardner and Harlan Coben, reading an Agatha Christie novel seems a little like being shown the Mona Lisa at the Louvre after a lifetime of cheaply reproduced Warhols and Picassos (not that there is anything wrong with either, but you see where I'm going with this metaphor, don't you?).
So, "Sleeping Murder" refers to what Miss Marple also refers to as "murder in retrospect," a murder that's been committed a great number of years ago, but is only now being investigated. I enjoyed this book, even though it didn't feel like a true Miss Marple mystery, since the lady only appears in about a third or so of the story. Instead the main characters are Gwenda and Giles, who buy a house in the South of England, and begin to uncover a mystery because of it.
I believe I've said this before, but what I really love most about Agatha Christie is that she has reasoned, well thought out and well crafted stories populated by interesting, likeable characters. Everything is knitted together perfectly, and sculpted into shape before our eyes. After reading books by Lisa Gardner and Harlan Coben, reading an Agatha Christie novel seems a little like being shown the Mona Lisa at the Louvre after a lifetime of cheaply reproduced Warhols and Picassos (not that there is anything wrong with either, but you see where I'm going with this metaphor, don't you?).
4.5 stars ⭐️
I really liked this one. A healthy amount of Miss Marple and I also liked the two characters that we followed. The plot was interesting and I liked who the murderer was, even though I predicted it.
Was a little let down with how it ended. As this was the last Miss Marple Novel, it would of been nice to have more of an ending with Miss Marple as a whole, whereas it felt like this novel could of been anywhere in the series, rather than the end.
I really liked this one. A healthy amount of Miss Marple and I also liked the two characters that we followed. The plot was interesting and I liked who the murderer was, even though I predicted it.
Was a little let down with how it ended. As this was the last Miss Marple Novel, it would of been nice to have more of an ending with Miss Marple as a whole, whereas it felt like this novel could of been anywhere in the series, rather than the end.
I liked this one, even though I picked out the culprit early on and not all of the plot points totally add up. (Sometimes Miss Marple's choices make sense only if the goal is a climactic near-death scene.) Christie's offensiveness was pretty minimal in this one, other than repeatedly harping on the untrustworthiness of "foreigners" (in connection with one particular Swiss girl). This one showcased the skill of Miss Marple's particular brand of detecting (being a chatty old lady who can ask nosy questions without suspicion) better than some others. All in all, though not one of my favorite Christie novels, one of the better ones.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An old murder comes Back to haunt
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes