The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

While eating lunch Reverend Clement makes a remark which surprises everyone present, but which everyone would also agree with. Colonel Protheroe is a very opinionated man in the village of St Mary Mead who isn’t afraid to speak his mind and when he’s found shot dead in Reverend Clement’s study, there’s no end of suspects.

As the Colonel and Reverend had planned to meet, it’s not surprising that the Colonel was there when Reverend Clement returns from a visit to a parishioner, but after the Reverend bumps into a villager on his door step, he’s shocked at his discovery.

While the police begin their investigation, Reverend Clement does all he can to help, but with no apparent motive for the murder and most villagers having alibis, the investigation seems it could take a while to unravel. However, while the police do their best, villager Miss Marple becomes interested in learning about the crime and progress of the police.

Known for her observational skills and ability for reading people, most villagers dread her involvement in anything as there’s not much she doesn’t miss, but as she begins her own investigation as well as helping the police, it seems the little old spinster really is onto something.

But can she really be correct when the police have other theories?

As a fan of the TV adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels, after visiting Greenway, her holiday home in Torquay, I decided it was only fair to read the novels on which the TV dramas are based to be able to read the words the Queen of Crime wrote herself and I wasn’t disappointed. Despite having seen the TV dramas, I was unable to recall the conclusion to the plot and enjoyed learning the story all over again.

I’m already halfway through the second novel and have the new couple waiting on my book shelf with others taking place on my Christmas list, so be prepared for my next few book reviews to be Miss Marple related.