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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
joanneadams54's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amikuromi's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
raye_loves_reading's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
As someone who is neither a fan of short stories nor of Miss Marple (I do enjoy the film and TV adaptations though) this felt disjointed and frustrating. I am happy I managed not to DNF it as this was the temptation a time or two.
Onward and upwards, I think the next read will be better.
Onward and upwards, I think the next read will be better.
literarylawgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ampharos906's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, and Pregnancy
artful_el's review against another edition
4.0
Man I love Miss Marple. Reading thirteen small stories where a bunch of people try to solve problems, meanwhile Miss Marple just sits there and then without trouble presents the solution. Love it!
I always find short stories so much easier to read then I full novel but I was even more pleased to find that all these short stories interconnected with one another.
Agatha Christie does it again, not that I am surprised by that.
I always find short stories so much easier to read then I full novel but I was even more pleased to find that all these short stories interconnected with one another.
Agatha Christie does it again, not that I am surprised by that.
bethpeninger's review against another edition
4.0
In the first full-length book featuring Christie's Miss Marple, a group of people gather over the course of a couple of dinners and decide to share stories with one another that had suspicious or unknown outcomes and see if the others can guess what happened or who "done it". One of those in attendance is the elderly Miss Jane Marple. She sits in her chair and knits, seemingly uninterested in the stories being shared. But after each person gives their ideas on what might have happened, Miss Marple weighs in with unrelated stories and distracted thoughts due to missed stitches. But yet, when she finally shares what she thinks happened, spoiler alert: she's right every. single. time. This was a really great introduction to Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Marple.