Source: Purchased
Description: This old-fashioned London hotel may not be quite as reputable as it makes out!
When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's: traditional décor and impeccable service. But she senses an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric hotel guest makes his way to the airport one day late!
Genre: Mystery - Classic
Why I Picked This Book: This was the September pick for the Read Christie Challenge 2025.
My Impression: I absolutely love this premise. Bertram's is beautiful, quietly luxurious, and wonderfully comfortable in ways that speak of an earlier time and that seem so English to foreign travelers. I love the descriptions of the food, the decor, and the guests. But just like most of Christie's books all is not what it seems and Jane Marple and her eagle eye is realizing this with every day she stays there. Meanwhile, a string of crimes is happening around the country with confusing eye witness accounts all have ties to Bertram's. When a missing person's case brings everything to a head Miss Marple proves a valuable witness.
My Impression: I absolutely love this premise. Bertram's is beautiful, quietly luxurious, and wonderfully comfortable in ways that speak of an earlier time and that seem so English to foreign travelers. I love the descriptions of the food, the decor, and the guests. But just like most of Christie's books all is not what it seems and Jane Marple and her eagle eye is realizing this with every day she stays there. Meanwhile, a string of crimes is happening around the country with confusing eye witness accounts all have ties to Bertram's. When a missing person's case brings everything to a head Miss Marple proves a valuable witness.
While the premise is fantastic the execution - especially in the last half is a bit muddy and doesn't hold up 100%. Miss Marple's role is very much one of an observer even at the very end. I do love the character of Chief Inspector Davy who plays the bumbling dumb officer beautifully and I really appreciated Miss Marple's gift of observation.
This is very much along the lines of Christie's later books. The premise is great but the execution has some dropped points and jumbled concepts. That said, it's still a fun quick read - though it isn't one I'd recommend to those new to Agatha Christie.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! I'm already looking forward to the October book.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would definitely recommend this author this isn't a book I recommend for new Christie readers.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would definitely recommend this author this isn't a book I recommend for new Christie readers.
It's been quite a while since I read this one, but I have read it more than once. I agree about your comments regarding her 'later' books. Still, a Miss Marple book is always fun, right?
ReplyDeleteI need to make it a goal next year to read at least one Agatha Christie book a month; I've read about half of her books, but would really like to read them all. This does sound like a fun one.
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