Miss Marple woke early. Like many old people, she slept lightly and had periods of wakefulness which she used for the planning of some action or actions to be carried out on the next or following days. Usually, of course, these were of a wholly private or domestic nature, of little interest to anybody but herself. But this morning Miss Marple lay thinking soberly and constructively of murder, and what, if her suspicions were correct, she would do about it. It wasn't going to be easy. She had one weapon and one weapon only - and that was conversation.
Old ladies were given to a good deal of rambling conversation. People were bored by this, but certainly did not suspect them of ulterior motives. It would not be a case of asking direct questions. (Indeed, she would have found it difficult to know what questions to ask!) It would be a question of finding out a little more about certain people. She reviewed these certain people in her mind. (p.38)
A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie is a Miss Marple Mystery that was light and fun to read. While vacationing in the Caribbean, Miss Marple becomes acquainted with the other people also enjoying the quiet, slow pace of the small resort run by a young couple. One particular older gentleman, Major Palgrave, is known for his long stories of his past adventures in many foreign lands. One afternoon while telling Miss Marple about a husband who murdered his wife, he looks up and makes a horrible, shocked face as if he saw the murderer. The next morning, Major Palgrave is found dead in his bungalow. Was it his high blood pressure or murder? Miss Marple has her suspicions and decides to watch and listen while she talks with the other vacationers at the resort.
Of all the books I've read over my many years of reading, I have never picked up an Agatha Christie mystery. I'm glad I finally had the chance as I thoroughly enjoyed it! A Caribbean Mystery was a murder mystery at its simplest, which is why I found it such a good read.
And I have to admit... I could hear Angela Lansbury's voice as I followed Miss Marple's conversations while she was solving the murder mystery!
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2 comments:
I have never read these but maybe I should. They are classics for a reason, it sounds like!
Welcome to the challenge! I've got you on the progress list and we're glad to have you along.
Have you seen the Miss Marple's that actually star Angela Lansbury?
Just came peeking at your blog from the Birth Year Reading Challenge (can't think why I didn't sooner). Now a follower. Feel free to visit me at http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/.
Nice background! :-)
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