You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
adperfectamconsilium's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
This is the February choice for #readchristie2025 and the theme for the year is careers. This time it's the turn of writers. Marple's nephew Raymond West is a writer and the two of them are guests for dinner at what turns into the Tuesday Night Murder Club.
In each story a different guest tells the tale of a crime and the other guests have to try and solve it
This is a great entry book for anyone that hasn't read a Marple story before. Being an older lady from the village of St Mary Mead where 'nothing much happens' she's discounted by most of the guests who are then amazed when she is the one who comes up with the correct answers to the problems.
There's usually something in each story that reminds her of some seemingly trivial event in the village but it's her view that this village life has given her a good understanding of human nature and that people generally act the same everywhere. Miss Marple has a knack of getting into the psychology of those involved and making the connections that others miss.
We therefore get an entertaining mix of stories, although maybe too many involve poisoning.
There's a good sense of humour as well. Mrs Bantry has no idea of how to tell a story and it's a laugh out loud moment when the guests are left incredulous when she says she's finished after barely telling them anything and the details have to be drawn out through many questions.
There's also an actress called Jane who's not the most smart and spectacularly fails to anonymise herself in the story she wants to tell.
The last story is very much added on and features Sir Henry Clithering investigating a murder on behalf of Miss Marple. Of course her suspicions are correct.
Nothing gets past her.
A fun collection of stories.
This is the February choice for #readchristie2025 and the theme for the year is careers. This time it's the turn of writers. Marple's nephew Raymond West is a writer and the two of them are guests for dinner at what turns into the Tuesday Night Murder Club.
In each story a different guest tells the tale of a crime and the other guests have to try and solve it
This is a great entry book for anyone that hasn't read a Marple story before. Being an older lady from the village of St Mary Mead where 'nothing much happens' she's discounted by most of the guests who are then amazed when she is the one who comes up with the correct answers to the problems.
There's usually something in each story that reminds her of some seemingly trivial event in the village but it's her view that this village life has given her a good understanding of human nature and that people generally act the same everywhere. Miss Marple has a knack of getting into the psychology of those involved and making the connections that others miss.
We therefore get an entertaining mix of stories, although maybe too many involve poisoning.
There's a good sense of humour as well. Mrs Bantry has no idea of how to tell a story and it's a laugh out loud moment when the guests are left incredulous when she says she's finished after barely telling them anything and the details have to be drawn out through many questions.
There's also an actress called Jane who's not the most smart and spectacularly fails to anonymise herself in the story she wants to tell.
The last story is very much added on and features Sir Henry Clithering investigating a murder on behalf of Miss Marple. Of course her suspicions are correct.
Nothing gets past her.
A fun collection of stories.
julied1's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
findingpeaceinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Agatha Christie's books are always a fun, easy read. This one especially so, since it is basically one story made up out of several shorter stories.
A good book to pick up if you're having a hard time concentrating, but still want something to read.
A good book to pick up if you're having a hard time concentrating, but still want something to read.
tmspinks's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
toninub's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Effectively a Selection of short stories featuring Miss Marple. Not your usual short story format. I enjoyed the different style but found "scene changes" quite jumpy and confusing
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a clever collection of related short stories, all featuring Miss Marple. A group of friends challenge each other to solve a series of unsolved mysteries. Miss Marple is usually underestimated, but her expertise in human nature and the ability to find parallels to things she has seen in her small village of St. Mary Mead, means she is the one who can figure out even the most unusual mystery.
The stories are quick, fun reads for Agatha Christie fans as well as new readers who would like to learn more about Miss Marple. I liked some stories more than others. My favorites include Death by Drowning, Motive v. Opportunity, The Herb of Death, The Four Suspects. My rating for the collection as a whole is 4 stars.
The stories are quick, fun reads for Agatha Christie fans as well as new readers who would like to learn more about Miss Marple. I liked some stories more than others. My favorites include Death by Drowning, Motive v. Opportunity, The Herb of Death, The Four Suspects. My rating for the collection as a whole is 4 stars.
reading_by_the_beach's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Miss Marple, I had imagined to be a young detective just like Poirot. But there she was, an old lady who has never seen outside her town, be witty, observant and detects wonderfully simply based on human behaviour. Human behaviour has always been the base of all Christie's mysteries and Miss Maple is no exception. I believe this character is quite close to her heart as she has inspired the brilliance from her own grandmother.
In contrast to how Poirot is regarded as the most trusted detective, Miss Marple was not so. She deduced based on hunches and her own beliefs which generally do not seem to hold weight with police without evidence. That's clearly seen in the last story where she gauges the help of her dear old friend Sir Henry to investigate her hunch. So, it seemed really apt to have two installments of guessing what has happened in a club/dinner party for Miss Marple to showcase her essence.
I simply wonder how Christie 's characters and plots still captivate even after 100 years. She truly is the Queen of mysteries!
In contrast to how Poirot is regarded as the most trusted detective, Miss Marple was not so. She deduced based on hunches and her own beliefs which generally do not seem to hold weight with police without evidence. That's clearly seen in the last story where she gauges the help of her dear old friend Sir Henry to investigate her hunch. So, it seemed really apt to have two installments of guessing what has happened in a club/dinner party for Miss Marple to showcase her essence.
I simply wonder how Christie 's characters and plots still captivate even after 100 years. She truly is the Queen of mysteries!
shelinstitches's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ro_lux's review against another edition
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
4.0