I'm super excited about today's book partly because it's one of my absolute favorites and partly because this is a buddy read with Emma from One Reader's Thoughts. Since she let me pick for this round I couldn't resist picking Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
The Blurb: Soon after Gwenda moved into her new home, odd things started to happen. Despite her best efforts to modernize the house, she only succeeded in dredging up its past. Worse, she felt an irrational sense of terror every time she climbed the stairs.
In her fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a "perfect" crime committed many years before.
In her fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a "perfect" crime committed many years before.
Behind the Scenes: While this book was published in the mid 1970s it was actually written during the 1940s. Christie had kept in a safe deposit box as a gift for her daughter Rosalind and grandson Matthew. She had done the same with the final Poirot book Curtain. If you are reading the Miss Marple books in order of publication this one is a little amusing because a number of characters come back to life and Miss Marple's health dramatically improves.
Why It's One of My Favorites: The premise is probably the main reason I love this one so much. Any mystery that involves digging into the past - especially one that is personal for one of the characters - is automatically going to be a winner for me and this is no exception. I have the scene where Gwenda opens the corner cabinet in the bedroom pretty much memorized yet I'm still gasp in surprise right along with Gwenda.
I also love Gwenda and Giles. They're sweet and work together wonderfully. They don't dismiss Miss Marple's insights just because she's elderly though the do doubt her occasionally. Miss Marple shines in this one as well. She's not the primary focus her but is a significant side character and her insights are of course brilliant. She is also trying not to take over the investigation though she does encourage the couple to really think about different issues.
The book was written during a period of time where Christie was writing some of my favorites and best plotted mysteries and you can see it here. While the mystery is kicked off by a fairly large coincidence (which do happen occasionally as Miss Marple patiently explains) the mystery itself is fairly simple yet brilliantly obscured. It's one that when the reveal is finally done makes perfect and complete sense.
I think this is a fantastic mystery to start reading Agatha Christie - especially if you are a cozy mystery fan as it does have the similar likable characters/amateur detective feel. And it has been and continues to be one of my absolute favorites. But what did Emma think? Go check out her review on One Reader's Thoughts to find out.
I have not read Agatha Christie in quite some time and I am adding this one to my list. Great review and thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteArgs! I do need to start these at some point. You make them sound so good :)
ReplyDeleteI have only read a handful of Agatha Christie novels, but they were all Miss Marple books, and I really liked them. I should totally loo into this one because the whole idea of a mysterious house so appeals to me. Plus you clearly love it!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's pretty interesting that this book was originally written in the 1940's. I love hearing the backstory behind the authors and their stories. Glad you enjoyed this one so much! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteAs you know, this is one of my favorite Marple books as well. Think you and I have shared that with each other. I really enjoyed revisiting this one earlier this year. It's a winner indeed!
ReplyDeleteBuddy reads are so fun! I love reading multiple thoughts on the same book. :-) I just love Agatha Christie!
ReplyDeleteYou may enjoy dong some genealogy on your family if you like digging into the past! Always a mystery there and it's personal as it's your family.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book from Agatha.
That's funny and interesting about the behind the scenes nature of this one! I love that line about Miss Marple's health dramatically improving! Interesting too that she held books back as gifts for family members. And it sounds like a fun read, I like the fact that it's almost like a cozy.
ReplyDeleteI never read this one. It sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteI love the behind the scenes information that you shared. How interesting! What a great gift to her family :) Sounds like a good book as well.
ReplyDeleteOoo I was too young when I read these the first time or jumped around because the info on Mrs. Marple and friends is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteSleeping Murder is one of my favorite Miss Marple mysteries, right up there with The Body in the Library and Nemesis. But since I've never read them in publication order, I hadn't noticed the discrepancies—that's amusing! I guess it points out the problem with writing a "last" mystery ahead of time and waiting to publish it.
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